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VOLUME 23 NUMBER 20
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Town hall for vets at Wesley Chapel
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eterans are invited to come out and learn about resources that are available to them at an upcoming town hall meeting. Justice For Veterans will host a town hall meeting on Aug. 15, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. Al Bocchicchio, director of the Atlanta Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Veteran
Affairs, will discuss benefits and resources that can assist veterans and their families. Bocchicchio is responsible for administering benefits and services to the estimated 773,000 veterans, service members, their families and survivors living in Georgia. The Atlanta Regional Office administers approximately $1.4 billion in annual federal benefits, which include compensation, vocational rehabilitation and employment and loan guaranty. “It’s not often that you have the top official of the V.A. in this area coming to speak. We’re glad to have him. We’re hoping to pack library,” said U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Amos King, who heads Justice For Veterans. “Mr. Bocchicchio will be bringing staff with him to help veterans with their concerns and providing the latest information concerning vets out of the Administration.” King said the forum is a good opportunity for vets to meet with a top official. “He’ll (Bocchicchio) be taking questions from the audience. We’re encouraging all veterans to come,” King said. King said Justice for Veterans is planning to host another veterans’ informational event in the Atlanta area in the near future. “We want to have it near the bus line so that it will be easy for veterans to attend,” King said. There is no charge to attend the Wesley Chapel Library event.
AUGUST 12, 2017
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
City of Stonecrest’s inaugural staff grows
JOYNER
BELL
HARRIS
JAMES
DOZIER
MAYS
RODRIGUEZ
LOWE
The city of Stonecrest’s staff is growing. The new municipality, which marked its one-month anniversary at City Hall on Aug. 10, now has 15 people on staff, officials said. “A number of the critical positions have been filled,” said Adrion Bell, the city’s communications director. “The mayor is content. Every week, we chart where we are in terms of progress and we are ahead of our goals.” In addition to staff hires, the city also approved a contract for two law firms to represent Stonecrest. Thompson Kurrie, a partner at Coleman Talley LLP, and Emily Macheski-Preston, an associate from the same firm, is part of the legal team, as well as Steven Fincher and Winston Denmark of Fincher Denmark LLC. The city also appointed its first municipal judges, Attorney Jonathan Weintraub as chief judge and Attorney Michael Sheridan as judge pro tem on Aug. 7. Bell said the city plans to hire a court clerk and land development inspector between now and December. The clerk would be responsible for scheduling code enforcement cases that come before the municipal judges and the land development inspector’s duties would include ensuring that city ordinances are adhered to concerning soil erosion and grading for new projects. “Once we fill these two positions, we probably will not do anymore hiring until the first of the year when we’ll take on the maintenance of our parks,” said Bell. The new city initially will provide three services to residents: parks and recreation, planning and zoning and code enforcement. Bell said some of the city’s milestones include the launch of its web site (stonecrestga.gov), LinkedIn and Twitter pages; updates to the city’s Facebook page; creation of forms needed for various departments; the selection of BB&T for the city’s banking services; transfer of the utility franchise agreements from DeKalb County government; and the purchase of three 2017 Ford Focus models, Ford 150 and a Ford Transit for city administrative services and initial code enforcement. The city hired CH2M for $16.2 million, 5-year contract to manage the city.
SEE STAFF , page 7
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Young Rockdale filmmaker New York bound By Mackenzie N. Morgan
Christian Anderson, a 16-yearold junior at Heritage High School in Conyers, has been selected to participate in the 2017 All American High School Film Festival. Anderson, who produced a music video, is seeking the public’s support for the chance to attend the festival Oct. 6-8 where his video will be screened at the AMC Empire Theaters in New York City’s Times Square. Anderson filmed, edited and directed the music video entitled “The Drive” for his friend and rap artist, Ahmady (Ahmad Barron), also a student at Heritage High School. The award finalists and winners will be announced at the Teen Indie Awards Show on Oct. 8, and Anderson is hoping to be among the winners named. More than $400,000 in SEE FILM , page 7
DeKalb employees get pumped up for back to school
DeKalb County Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green set the tone for the upcoming school year with “Every Little Step,” a message about embracing the actions needed to raise student achievement, at Convocation 2017 on Aug. 4. Triscilla Weaver, regional superintendent for Region 4, leads her schools through coordinated cheers during roll call at the convocation, which was held at the Infinite Energy Center Arena in Gwinnett. Officials said the event was held in Gwinnett because DeKalb has no facility large enough to accommodate the school district’s more than 13,000 employees.
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AUGUST 12, 2017 • PAGE 3
DeKalb County Commissioner Gregory Adams accused of sexual harassment A DeKalb County employee has filed a sexual harassment complaint against County Commissioner Gregory Adams. The employee, Ashlee Wright, filed the claim through her attorneys with the County and with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging that during the course of her tenure in Adams’ office he made inappropriate comments verbally and via text messages. Among Wright’s complaints are repeated requests to see photos of her in a bikini. “This is not appropriate behavior for a supervisor, much less an elected leader and the bishop of a church,” said Wright’s attorney Robert James, who is representing her with his legal partner, Bruce Morriss. “Commissioner Adams created a hostile work environment for our client, making demands for ‘quid pro quo’ and ultimately causing her to fear for her job.” Adams denies the allegations. He said Wright is a disgruntled employee who became angry after he fired her for poor job performance.
“She was supposed to set my calendar and ensure that I attended events and other commissioners were attended events but I didn’t have any. The allegations she is making are false. I didn’t pursue this woman,” said Adams, who added that he is cooperating with the county’s legal department in its investigation of the matter. He said the investigation, which was launched in June, is expected to be completed by the end of this month. Wright, who initially worked for former DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes-Sutton, was hired by Adams in December to be his executive assistant. Adams soon promoted her to District Director. Adams’ inappropriate comments to Wright began soon after he took office, however, and Wright made attempts to address them directly while remaining professional. Messages to Wright included expressions of “love” for her and attempts to have her reciprocate, frequent requests for a picture of her in a bikini bathing suit, and a request during an out-of-town conference to come to her room at 3:29 a.m. The conduct continued in conversation as well, which Wright eventually began recording. In one such recorded comment Adams stated, “Ashlee had me covered … she know what her Big Daddy like.” Wright feared she would lose her job when Adams wrote in a message to her, “it’s either ride or die or goodbye.” She currently is on paid administrative leave and is seeking to be able to move forward in her career without having a negative mark on her employment record.
Stonecrest City Council appoints first judges, CID board representative, Planning and Zoning Commission
Registration under way for STEMS fair at St. Philip A.M.E. The 10th Annual S.T.E.M.S. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Services) Fair for middle school students will be held at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, 240 Candler Road, S.E., Atlanta, on Saturday, Aug. 26, 8:30 a.m. to noon. The church’s Career Resource Ministry seeks to provide early exposure to students in the fields of science, engineering, and math through hands-on experiments and activities with industry professionals and exhibitors to encourage them to pursue careers in these fields. There will also be a parent workshop to share information on how to prepare students for college as well as additional education resources and programs for future leadership opportunities. To register or for more information, contact Donna Coles at 404-371-0749 or visit www.saintphilip. org.
ATTORNEY JONATHAN WEINTRAUB STONCREST CHIEF JUDGE
ATTORNEY MICHAEL SHERIDAN STONCREST JUDGE PRO TEM
The Stonecrest City Council confirmed the appointment of the new city’s first municipal judges on Monday (Aug. 7), naming Attorney Jonathan Weintraub as chief judge and Attorney Michael Sheridan as judge pro tem. Weintraub, a former county attorney with DeKalb County government, is a veteran attorney with 38 years of experience in local, government and municipal law. He has degrees from Syracuse University, Georgia State University and a Juris Doctorate from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. Sheridan, a Howard University graduate, has practiced law for 11 years. He is a partner in the law firm of Davis & Sheridan, LLC. Mayor Jason Lary, who made the appointments, said he switched the attorneys’ roles after weighing considerations from City Council members who had asked to defer confirmation until they could review the attorneys’ credentials. “We felt that since Attorney Weintraub had code enforcement and traffic court judge experience, we wanted to start off with him as lead judge,” said Lary. Weintraub said he is looking forward to working with Sheridan and using his experience as a judge to help the new city. “I worked with DeKalb County on code enforcement to
ATTORNEY BERNARD KNIGHTSTONCREST EAST METRO CID REP.
clean up properties that were abandoned, and in 1993, I established the county’s in-house law department,” said Weintraub, who plans to seek judicial recertification over the next few weeks. Sheridan, who said he also is looking forward to working with the city, will seek continuing education certification. The attorneys expect to start their part-time jobs as judges in October. The judicial appointments were approved 4-2 with Council member George Turner and Jazzmin Cobble casting dissenting votes. Cobble said she had hoped an appointment would be made from candidates recommended by the Governor’s Commission, which was established to help set up the new city. She also said she wasn’t satisfied with the men’s qualifications for judge, among other reasons, and she would have prefered representation from the African American community for the positions. In other action, the City Council appointed Attorney Bernard Knight to represent the city of Stonecrest on the East Metro Community Improvement District (CID) Board of Directors. The city is permitted one seat on the CID’s seven-member board. Knight, an attorney who represents several businesses in the city, will be responsible for negotiating intergovernmental agreements for the provision of services by the self-taxing business district as well as ensuring that SEE ZONING , page 7
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Rep. Johnson concludes roundtable series for small business, sets district-wide “Think Tank” Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) concluded his small business roundtable series on Aug. 9 at the Walton EMC Conference Center in Snellville. The session was the third installment of the Advancement of the Small Business Community Initiative, which launched in June with DeKalb County small-business owners at Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Clarkston, and continued in July with participation from the Rockdale County small business community. “The importance of the small-business community in today’s economy is indisputable,” Johnson said. “Small businesses are a vital part of today’s economy and account for half of the private workforce’s employment. The purpose of this initiative is to strengthen our small businesses by increasing awareness and support through faceto-face meetings with the experts that can help us do just that.” Recognizing the importance of opening up the door for small busi-
nesses to gain access to federal and state resources, the third roundtable welcomed State Rep. Dar’Shun Kendrick, Sharon Macaluso of the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center and Maria Peck from Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs. At the event, small business owners had the opportunity to network and talk one-on-one with Johnson, Kendrick, Macaluso, and Peck about their thoughts and concerns and issues. “Today, we are here to open dialog between small business leaders, and the representatives who serve them on both the federal and state level,” said Johnson. “The purpose of this roundtable is to provide our small businesses with an opportunity to voice their concerns in regard to the political environment surrounding the small business community.” The initiative will culminate in September with a district-wide “Think Tank.” This event will provide a forum for small businesses in the Fourth Congressional District
DeKalb County receives Bronze SOLSMART designation
DeKalb County was recently awarded a Bronze designation from SOLSMART for the Planning and Sustainability Department’s outstanding efforts to encourage homes and businesses to covert to solar energy use. The introduction of quick and user-friendly permit processes for residents, solar workshops, and a comprehensive website helped the County earn a SOLSMART’s Bronze Designation. DeKalb County Commissioners Kathie Gannon, Jeff Rader and Environmental Energy Manager
Billy Malone were presented this award during the National Association of County’s Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio in July. “I am proud of DeKalb’s track record in sustainability and excited that we are continuing to increase our capabilities. The results are showing that more of our citizens are interested in the benefits of solar energy,” said Gannon. SolSmart is a new national designation program designed to recognize communities that have taken key steps to address local barriers to solar energy and otherwise foster the growth of strong local solar markets. Communities can earn a gold, silver or bronze designation based on points for making it easier for residents to convert to solar energy development. For more information about SOLSMART and their commitment to clean energy, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning-and-sustainability/solar-program.
to benefit from federal resources. It will feature panel discussions and one-on-one sessions for small businesses. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the U.S. Department of Labor are some of the organizations that will be a part of the September initiative. Educators, community and economic development specialists, local
leaders and other members of our community will be on hand at the “Think Tank” event in September to show small businesses the proper way to gain access to capital and the proper channels for contracting with the federal government. The event will also provide an opportunity for business leaders to learn from each other’s experiences. The “Think Tank” event will be held on Sept. 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston.
DeKalb School District sets Family Fun Day
The DeKalb County School District will host a Family Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 19, noon to 4 p.m. at Wade walker YMCA, 5605 Rockbridge Road S.W., Stone Mountain. Free school supplies (while they last) will be provided to current DeKalb students.There also will be fun activities. Students must be accompanied by an adult.
100 Black Women Decatur-DeKalb Chapter seeking professional womThe Decatur-DeKalb Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. will host a membership information session for interested professional women on Friday, Aug. 18, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Medical Center at Hillandale, 2801 DeKalb Medical Parkway, Lithonia. Those who attend will have an opportunity to learn more about the Decatur-DeKalb Chapter and how their talents can be used for service in the organization. The National Coalition of 100 Black Women is a non-profit volunteer organization whose members address common issues in their communities, families and personal lives, promoting gender and racial equity. Please email any questions to: membershipinfo-ncbw@gmail.com RSVP to attend the session at: www.eventbrite.com/e/ncbw-100-decaturdekalb-open-house-membership-tickets-36791913604
“Fresh Start” for moms workshop set Single, teen or military veteran moms who earn less than $12 per hour are invited to the “Fresh Start Careers for Mothers” workshop on Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. The Resource Center will provide tips on resumes, interviewing and free business clothing. The program is open to the first 12 participants. To register: 470-294-0034.
Stonecrest Library to host “Super Book Sale”
The Friends of Stonecrest Library will host its “Super Book Sale” on Saturday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. There will be books in all categories for sale including fiction/non-fiction, crafts, textbooks, romance series, magazines, encyclopedias, books on tapes,CDs, DVDs and VHS. For more information, call 404-482-3828.
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AUGUST 12, 2017 • PAGE 5
Rockdale BOC awards contracts for two new fire stations The Rockdale Board of Commissioners on Aug. 8 awarded contracts to Sunbelt Builders, Inc. for the construction of two new fire stations that will replace antiquated facilities. The 2011 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) will fund the projects. Officials said $1,787,043 is allocated for Fire Station #2, which will be built at 778 Bell Road S.E. in South Rockdale. The new station is being moved from Troup Street Road. Fire Station #3 will be torn down and rebuilt at its current location on Old Salem Road in the central part of the county at a cost of $1,795,122, said Bill Hughey, who chairs the SPOST oversight committee. “We’ve needed to replace the stations for years. They are antiquated and not energy efficient,” said Hughey. “Station #2 sits in a flood plane and has mold and mildew. The move will address that area and also provide a better response time in the area, which has grown over the years.” The county is using experienced builders for the project.
Sunbelt Builders has built fire stations in Newton County and throughout Georgia, Hughey said. “We’re going to be using the same plans for both stations. That will save us a lot of money,” Hughey said. Hughey said it’s too early to project completion dates for the project. He said the award of the contract is the first step in a long process, which also will include relocation of the fire personnel and trucks and equipment once the work gets under way. And Hughey said county officials also must still decide if the work will be done on both fire stations at the same time or if they will be built at different times. Rockdale Fire Chief Dan Morgan has said he is looking at several options including temporarily setting up a trailer at the sites while construction is under way. Morgan said regardless of the option decided upon, firefighters would remain in the service area. Rockdale has nine fire stations.
Dale Holmes, former DeKalb top cop, named Rockdale Sheriff’s deputy chief
Dale Holmes, who retired in 2015 as assistant police chief of DeKalb County, has traded in the carefree life for a top job with the Rockdale County Sheriff ’s Office. Holmes was sworn in as the new deputy chief of the Rockdale County Sheriff ’s Office on Aug. 7. A veteran law enforcement officer, Holmes is bringing more than 30 years of experience to the county. Holmes began his law enforcement career with the DeKalb. Police Department, rising through the ranks. He served with distinction, earning P.O.S.T. supervisory and management certifications, overseeing hundreds of sworn and non-sworn personnel, managing narcotics seizures and cultivating diversity workshops on behalf of the Police Department. His command
experience includes serving as Uniform Division Commander, Assistant Commander of DeKalb County Homeland Security and Intelligence and Deputy Chief of the Special Operations Division. Among his honors, Holmes was named DeKalb Police Detective of the Year and North DeKalb Rotary Club Detective of the Year in 1995. Holmes said one of the most important and lasting marks of his service is the creation of “Marquel’s pledge,” a campaign to end celebratory gunfire that was initiated after a 4-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet while sitting in church with his mother on New Year’s Eve. Because of his conviction, thousands of people and businesses commit to support reduce celebratory gunfire.
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PAGE 6 •AUGUST 12, 2017 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Rockdale’s Constitutional Corner
Are you caring for an incapacitated adult?
Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. Rockdale County Probate Judge
A
petition for Guardianship or Conservatorship must be filed in the probate court. The petitions are generally filed in cases where an adult (“Proposed Ward”) is not mentally and/or physically competent to care for themselves or handle their affairs. Contrary to popular belief, these petitions are not always associated with seniors. In many cases there are unforeseen circumstances that occur such as an automobile accident or medical crisis that suddenly leaves the proposed ward mentally or physically incapacitated. If the proposed ward is at least 17 years and 6 months old when the petition is filed, he or she is classified as an adult for guardianship or conservatorship purposes. The petition for guardianship or conservatorship must be filed in the proposed ward’s county of residence, or in the county where they are currently located. The petition can also be filed in the county where the proposed ward owns real property. However, the county in which the proposed ward is currently located will not have jurisdiction to hear the petition if it appears that the proposed ward was moved to that county solely for the purpose of filing the petition there. In order to file a petition for a guardianship and/or conservatorship, there must be two interested persons having knowledge of the facts pertaining to the inability of the Proposed Ward to care for themselves or handle their affairs, or one interested person together with an affidavit from a physician, psychologist or licensed clinical social worker. There is an initial review of the petition by the probate judge to determine if there are sufficient facts to establish probable cause to move forward with the petition. If so, an evaluator is appointed to complete an evaluation of the Proposed Ward, an attorney is appointed to represent them, and the Proposed Ward is served with notice of the evaluation. Additionally, the spouse and all adult children of the Proposed Ward are notified of the petition. If the adult ward does not have a spouse or adult children, at least two next of kin or two friends of the Proposed Ward must receive notice
of the proceedings. The court may also appoint a Guardian ad Litem to represent the best interest of the Proposed Ward. After the evaluation has been completed, a hearing is scheduled for not less than ten days after the proper notices have been served. The Proposed Ward has a right to be present for the hearing, however, their attorney may waive their right to attend. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court will grant the petition if it is determined to be in the best interest of the Proposed Ward. If the petition is granted, the Proposed Ward is then referred to as the Ward. There are times when it may be detrimental to an adult to wait for the interested parties to receive notice that a petition for guardianship has been filed and to allow the ten day waiting period to expire. When faced with these circumstances, a petitioner may file for an emergency guardianship. An emergency guardianship will only be granted if the facts support the need for a guardian and establish an immediate and substantial risk of death or serious physical injury, illness or disease to the Proposed Ward. In the interest of providing immediate protection for the Proposed Ward, an emergency guardian may be appointed even before any of the notices have been served. If the petition is granted, an emergency guardian will be appointed for a limited period of time until a regular petition for guardianship can be heard. While the guardian focuses on the Ward’s healthcare, general well-being, place of residency, care and support needs, the conservator’s primary duties consist of inventory and asset management. The conservator is required to file the first Inventory and Asset Management Plan within two months of the date he or she is appointed, and file subsequent reports annually listing all real property, income, accounts, debts and liabilities of the Ward. The conservator must also establish a budget, based upon the actual needs of the Ward, for the expenses and management of the Ward’s assets. The Ward’s funds must be maintained completely separate from the conservator’s funds or accounts, and the conservator shall only use the income for the Ward’s health, care, support, education and welfare. The conservator shall not spend more than the income of the Ward, or sell, encumber, or gift, any real or personal property of the Ward without Court approval. Investing the Ward’s funds in legal investments, as defined by Georgia law, is allowed. Throughout each month, the clerk of courts, tax commissioner, sheriff and probate judge— Rockdale’s elected constitutional officers—discuss topics relevant to their respective roles.
Conyers Lions Club donates bench to First Responders Memorial Garden Club
Pictured standing L-R: Nancy Morton-Linek, Larry Cornwell, David Rainwater, Tom Linek, and Mayor Pro Tem Vince Evans, accepting the bench on behalf of the city of Conyers. Seated L-R: are Lynn Magnuson and Lee Cronan.
The Conyers Lions Club recently donated a bench in the First Responders Memorial Garden at Center Point Park in Olde Town Conyers. Serving Conyers since 1940, the Conyers Lions Club is the oldest service organization in the community and is affiliated with Lions Club International, the largest service club organization in the world. Service groups and organizations interested in donating a bench or street furniture in Olde Town Conyers should contact Olde Town Event Coordinator Sandy Fowler at 770-929-4239 for more information about suggested placement and bench specifications.
Kingdom Builders to host annual Community Fun Day Kingdom Builders will partner with the Rockdale and Newton County community on Aug. 19, 2 to 5 p.m., to present its biggest and best annual Community Fun Day to date. This year’s Community Fun Day will feature food, fun, games, music and other activities. “We love having the opportunity to bring our community together to celebrate youth, families and a successful new school year. Our mission is loving God, loving people and serving the world! Our mission guides us in our delivery of services and in all of our interactions with the people we serve,” said Pastor K. Francis Smith, lead pastor of Kingdom Builders. For over a decade, Kingdom Builders has hosted Community Fun Days that have provided a fun, safe environment for all families.
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AUGUST 12, 2017 • PAGE 7
MARTA cracks down on fare evaders, arrests over 500
The MARTA Police Department is cracking down on fare evaders. Police said they made 538 arrests during a recent six-week effort in which plainclothes officers closely monitored fare gates across MARTA’s 38 rail stations. In addition to the arrests, the effort led to hundreds of suspensions from the MARTA system. Officials say evaders run the gamut—from young people to older patrons—trying to take advantage of the system. The fare losses, officials said, are making an impact on MARTA’s bottom line. “Our fare evasion task force has worked around the clock to focus our attention to those seeking to avoid paying fare at our stations,” said MPD Chief Wanda Dunham. “We have watched riders piggyback behind a person when the fare gates open and some even attempt to go over or under the gates.” In 2017, the MARTA Police Department (MPD) developed a Fare Evasion Task Force dedicated to reducing fare evasion throughout the system. “We take fare evasion extremely seriously and will continue to work to ensure the safety and security for all of our customers,” said MARTA General Manager/CEO Keith Parker. “Every year, transit authorities across the nation lose millions of dollars in revenue due to fare evaders. We are actively working to curb this behavior through the efforts of our Fare Evasion Task Force.” Individuals arrested for fare evasion automatically receive a 60-day suspension from using MARTA’s bus and rail services. If a fare evader is arrested and fails to produce valid identification, then the suspect is lodged in jail. “Our officers’ ability to blend in with other customers while monitoring activity at the fare gates has been essential in quickly apprehending individuals looking to circumvent the payment system,” said Dunham. “We encourage all of our customers to be on the lookout for any inappropriate activity and download MARTA’s “See Something, Say Something” mobile app to report any suspicious or criminal behavior.” The fare evasion effort is a part of MARTA’s “Ride with Respect” initiative, which focuses on passenger safety and the transit agency’s customer code of conduct. MARTA customers who notice any criminal or inappropriate behavior are encouraged to use the mobile app or contact MPD at 404-848-4911. STAFF , from 1
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So far, the city’s staff includes: Michael Harris, Interim City Manager Plez Joyner, Assistant City Manager Brenda James, Interim City Clerk Nicole Dozier, Community Development Director Adrion Bell, Communications Director Audrey Mays, Account Manager Wayne Wright, Project Manager (not pictured) Lawfawnya Hardy, Receptionist (not pictured) Leah Rodriguez, Administrative Assistant Lillian Lowe, Administrative Assistant Al Ferrell, Code Enforcement Manager William Kirkland, Code Enforcement Officer Tuyanna Daniel, Permit Tech Demeatrius Ivey, IT Manager Josh Roth, Building Official (not pictured) ZONING , from 3
the CID is allocating the proper funds to Stonecrest businesses. A sign ordinance for the city also was unanimously adopted. The mayor and council adopted the DeKalb County Sign Ordinance with some amendments including restrictions on size and construction of signs that are erected in Stonecrest. The ordinance also prohibits abandoned or damaged signs. As in DeKalb County’s ordinance, city laws prohibit placing signs in the right of way adjacent to city roads and highways. The new city ordinance includes photos so that residents and business owners can view examples of acceptable, legal signs. The DeKalb County Comprehensive Plan also was adopted by the city council on Monday (Aug. 7). The plan outlines strategies and goals for residential, commercial, and industrial growth, along with land use, transportation, natural and cultural resources planning. The city can use the county’s plan for two years. More on this story at ocgnews.com.
scholarships and prizes are at stake. “I was just excited that my video got picked out of all the submissions from around the world. This is a national competition and on a much bigger scale,” said Anderson, who said he hopes to be the first African American film director to win an Oscar. After submitting multiple videos in the action short film, documentary and music video categories, Anderson received an e-mail on July 29 from festival co-founders Andrew Jenks, Tom Olivia and Brian Lindenbaum stating: “We are thrilled to recognize your outstanding efforts and proudly welcome you as a worthy representative of the next generation of filmmaking. As an official selection, your film will be screened the weekend of October 6-8th at the AMC Empire Theaters in New York City’s Times Square. We received nearly 2,000 submissions from 50 states and 40+ countries and your film made the cut!” Christian’s mother, Raquel Lett-Anderson, said that she is very proud of her son’s accomplishments and hopes she can help the young filmmaker achieve his dreams of going to New York. The competition, she said, will not only allow him the opportunity to compete for scholarships and film equipment, but he will also get a chance to attend professional workshops and receive training from industry experts, network with leading film professionals and see his work in the IMAX theater at Times Square. “Christian is a visionary. He is unbelievable. I’m just so excited that God is using him in this capacity for his generation,” said Lett-Anderson. Anderson said he became interested in filmmaking in middle school and enrolled in Heritage High School’s Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts where his teacher, George Moll, inspired him to take film seriously. He also takes classes at the Rockdale Career Academy Film Institute to supplement his film studies. With Rockdale County becoming an increasingly popular film location, Rockdale County Public Schools offers its high school film students cutting-edge training that positions them to succeed and take advantage of opportunities right in their backyards. In the ninth grade, Anderson was recognized as the top student in his video broadcasting class and went on to excel in a variety of competitions including being honored as the One Act Regional Competition Winner and Best Supporting Actor in October 2016. Earlier this year, two of Anderson’s films did not make the state placement he had hoped for, but he did not let that discourage him. Instead, he studied many films, watched master classes and even landed an internship with film director, William Hoffa, doing a music video for a new R&B group, The Mayne Event. “He just kept practicing and doing things. If there’s something he doesn’t know, he’s going to learn it. He’ll go on YouTube, he’s going to ask his instructors. Christian is determined to perfect his craft as a filmmaker,” said Lett-Anderson. If given a chance to work with anyone, Anderson said some of his favorite directors are Ryan Coogler, Damion Chazelle, Will Packer and Oprah Winfrey. “I love how everyone talks about Steven Spielberg as the pioneer for film. He is the guy that everyone looks up to for film, period. I want to be the pioneer of my film era. When you think of basketball, you think of Michael Jordan. When you think of tennis, you think of Venus and Serena Williams. When you think of film, I want you to think of Christian Anderson.” Anderson has created a GoFundMe campaign entitled “Fund a winning teen filmmaker” https://www. gofundme.com/48q0osg) to help raise $2,500 for him to go to New York in October.
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Fairfield Baptist celebrates homecoming, retiring Pastor Micheal Benton
Pastor Micheal Benton of Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia sported an all white outfit as the church’s parade kicked off its annual Homecoming and Family and Friends’ Day weekend on Aug. 5. The celebration honored Pastor Benton, who is retiring after serving as Fairfield’s pastor for 40 years, and his wife, First Lady Y’Vonne Benton. The parade included about 100 people who marched or drove, many of them carrying banners that paid tribute to the couple. After the parade, the fun day, which included free food, was held at the church’s campus at 6133 Redan Road. A variety of vendors selling jewelry, clothing and other goods participated in the fun day. Pastor Benton led the growing congregation of Fairfield through the construction of two sanctuaries, an administration building, a family life center, a parking deck and acquisition of several properties.
Casting call for “Be Careful What You Pray For”
ESMV Model and Talent Agency in Conyers and local playwright Angela Venable are seeking volunteer extras for the comedy stage play, “Be Careful What You Pray For.” The community production is not offering any pay for extras but instead is providing the opportunity for aspiring actors or actresses to have some fun, fellowship while learning the ropes of a creative production. The play is about three sisters praying to meet their version of Mr. Right but not knowing what Mr. Right really looks like. The play will be staged on Sept. 17, 6 p.m., at the JP Carr Center, 987 Hardin St. S.W., Conyers. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. For more information about the casting call, call 678-787-0537.
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AUGUST 12, 2017 • PAGE 9
Spotlight Feature
Recharge, refresh and revitalize at Rejuvenation Massage and Body Work By Nate Hill
L-R: Owner Mary Stallings and Chauntey Harvey, esthetician
Many people think of a massage as a great way to relax. That’s true, but it’s not the only reason to get one. Massages also have a number of health benefits and these benefits are what led Mary Stallings to open Rejuvenation Massage & Body Work in Conyers. Stallings wanted to assist patients suffering from pain that could be treated with massage therapy. She initially began serving clients in the Snellville area where she mastered her craft for three years before starting her own practice in February 2016. “My journey began in Virginia with an interest in caring for my now deceased mother. She suffered from diabetes, and it resulted in the loss of her legs due to poor circulation associated with blood flow,” Stallings said. Stallings said she believes her mother’s legs might have been saved with better advances in medicine. Before her mother died, Stallings began to take notice of how effective massage was at improving blood flow throughout the body, and how effective it can be in pain management. According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), 50 percent of all consumers now list “medical” as the top reason for getting a massage, followed by “relaxation”(28 percent) and “pampering” (14 percent). Therapeutic touch, in general, can lower blood pressure, decrease stress response, relieve migraines, stiffness, soreness and spasms, the AMTA said.
Stallings said that results are often not immediate, but may require a few sessions to properly address the cause of the affliction. Rejuvenation Massage and Body Work offers Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Hot Stone, Prenatal, Reflexology massages. She also uses Cupping Therapy, which dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures where cups are placed on the skin to create suction mobilizing blood flow to promote the healing of a broad range of medical ailments such as fibromyalgia, varicose veins and diabetes. The business also offers the services of a licensed esthetician, Chauntey Harvey. The menu includes facials, sauna wraps and teeth whitening. The facial treatments focus on deep cleansing, purification, and hydration therapy. Waxing and sugaring hair removal are also available, as well as makeup application for brides, proms and other special events. Massages are available for 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes and 120 minutes. Stallings said most clients opt for the 60-minute service, which costs between $55 (Swedish) to $90 (Hot Stones). Rejuvenation Massage & Body Work is located in the Bank of America Professional Building on the second floor at 1540 Hwy. 138, Suite 2B, Conyers. Hours of operation: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 770-679-1686
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Randstad Staffing Services held its ribbon cutting on Wednesday, June 14. The company is located at 1815 Parker Road SE, Suite I120, Conyers, GA 30094. 770- 922-2888 www.us.randstad.com.
Accountability Lab Services held its ribbon cutting on Thursday, July 6. The business is located at 1147 West Avenue, Conyers, GA 30012. 770-278-7735.
FunXcess held its ribbon cutting on Saturday, July 22. The business is located at 8000 Rockbridge Road, Lithonia, GA 30013. 770484-0386 www.FunXcess.com.
Manchester Court Assisted Living & Memory Care held its ribbon cutting on Tuesday, July 25. The business is located at 1358 Manchester Drive, Conyers, GA 30012. 470-207-7250 www.ManchesterCourtALC.com.
COMMERCE CLUB 2017 1-800 Water Damage of Southeast Atlanta 4D Printing, Inc. ARC Homes Realty Group, LLC Barlay Law Group LLC Caliber Home Loans Colonial Heating & Air, Inc. Consolidated Copier Services Conyers Animal Hospital Conyers Flower Shop Copy Central, Inc. Farmers & Merchants Bank Future Staff imijit.net Georgia Piedmont Technical College Georgia United Credit Union Infinity Network Solutions Massey Law Firm, LLC Peachtree Academy Private School Randy’s Carpet Plus Raymond Engineering, Inc. Rehorn Professional Group Rueping Associates PC, CPA Retirement Wealth Management Strategies Servpro of Conyers/Covington The Tabb Insurance Agency, Inc. Zaxby’s
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CHAMBER PACESETTERS 2017 PLATINUM Evans Tool & Die Georgia Power Company Kaiser Permanente Rockdale Medical Center Snapping Shoals EMC GOLD Bank of North Georgia Corner Market Eastmore High Priority Plumbing LioChem, Inc. Shurett Dental Group
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SILVER Acuity Brands Lighting Alcovy Media Asurety Construction Services BB&T Gas South Hedrick & Dodson Family Dentistry Honda of Conyers Jenae’s Dance Studio Monastery of the Holy Spirit Omega Brothers Pleasant Peds Care of Conyers Pratt Industries Premier Medical Careers Premier Platforms Risk Management Associates of Georgia Rockdale Physician Practices Scot Ward Funeral Services Southeast Connectionns LLC Talley & Associates, PC THP Creative Group
Studio 138 held its ribbon cutting on Wednesday, August 9. The full service nail salon is located at 875 Flat Shoals Road, Suite 165, Conyers, GA 30094. 770-648-7335. Interested in joining the Conyers Rockdale Chamber of Commerce? Contact us at 770-483-7049 We are located at 936 Green St SW, Conyers, GA 30012
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AUGUST 12, 2017 • PAGE 11
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PAGE 12 •AUGUST 12, 2017 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM