FREE VOLUME 24 NUMBER 31
SEPTEMBER 22, 2018
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Rockdale sheriff’s deputy arrested for stealing guns, still under investigation in Shali Tilson case By Valerie J. Morgan
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
SPLOST AT WORK
DeKalb begins repaving worst roads, buys 60 new police and fire vehicles Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant. Thurmond also introduced a SPLOST public education campaign and announced that the eKalb County is putting its one-cent county is investing $8 million in SPLOST fundSpecial Purpose Local Option Sales ing to purchase 60 new public safety vehicles Tax (SPLOST) to work. and emergency equipment. The county has begun repaving the “The addition of new public safety vehicles first of more than 300 miles of the worst streets and equipment will improve public safety, deand roads with funding generated from SPLOST, crease response times and deliver significant cost which was overwhelmingly approved by voters savings to the county,” Thurmond said. in November 2017. The DeKalb County Police Department has “I want to thank the voters, who entrusted purchased 50 police patrol vehicles equipped their government to responsibly use their tax with advanced safety features and technologies dollars to improve infrastructure throughout the that allow full integration with the county’s county,” DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said emergency dispatch center and officer bodyduring a Sept 20 news conference. “Today, we worn cameras. are fulfilling our promise to resurface county Expected to be in service by the end of streets, and there is much more to come.” September, each 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe costs The county kicked off the first project of the approximately $61,000 and will be used as $9.48 million initial SPLOST paving contract officer take-home vehicles to increase communiby repairing one of DeKalb’s badly deteriorated ty visibility and reduce crime. Additionally, the roads, West Lakeside Drive in South DeKalb. new patrol vehicles feature push bumpers, which Contractor crews will use approximately 400 allows officers to remove disabled vehicles from tons of material to mill the road, patch, and reroadways to expedite traffic flow. surface, resulting in a smooth and safe street. The county will purchase an additional 50 DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnpatrol vehicles in 2018. son, thanked the CEO for choosing West Lake “The purchase of this much-needed emerDrive, which is in Johnson’s District 3, to launch gency equipment supports DeKalb County first the county’s repaving projects. responders’ ability to effectively and safely do “District 3 folks just want to thank you for their jobs,” said Joseph “Jack” H. Lumpkin, deppicking us first,” said Johnson, acknowledging uty chief operating officer of public safety. that West Lake Drive is in the community where The DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department two police officers lost their lives in January purchased 10 rapid response vehicles fully 2008. The lake, he said, honors DeKalb Police equipped to respond to emergency medical calls Officers Eric Barker, 33, and Ricky Bryant, and fire suppression. Rapid response vehicles are Jr.,26, who were ambushed and shot to death smaller and are less expensive to operate than while they were working as security guards at a larger fire trucks. high crime apartment complex. Both police offiEach outfitted vehicle costs $190,000, nearly cers were married and both had four children. 30 percent lower than the cost of a larger fire Johnson said he is excited about the county’s truck. Rapid response vehicles will capture plans to fix its potholes and repair a number of approximately 3,500 calls annually. The full fleet roads with the SPLOST funding. of rapid response vehicles will be in service by “I remember there was a time when we March 2019, with two added to each county fire only had money to do 20 miles per year and station. we would have to tell residents ‘We only have The Fire Department also purchased 313 enough to do 20,’ but we had 400 miles of needs. Motorola two-way radios specifically designed Now, with this process—with this penny (from for firefighting situations. The radios include imSPLOST), you’re going to help us pave almost proved safety features such as bigger buttons for 300,” Johnson told Thurmond at the news congloved hands, brighter color for better visibility ference. “…This is just a down payment from and Bluetooth capability. our voters.” DeKalb County will receive an estimated DeKalb’s Board of Commissioner’s presid$388 million in SPLOST revenue over the next ing officer Jeff Rader said the SPLOST funding six years to improve county roads, infrastructure, gives the county “a great opportunity now to and public safety. Additional public safety make up for lost time.” improvements include upgrading the fire radio The Board of Commissioners approved the system, repairing police precincts and fire initial paving contract on July 24, using SPLOST stations and designing a new public safety and the Georgia Department of Transportation training facility.
D
By Valerie J. Morgan
T
he former Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputy who falsified jail logs stating mandatory checks were made on Shali Tilson, a mentally ill man who died while in the custody of jail in March, has been arrested in an unrelated case. Dan Lang was charged with stealing guns from the evidence room and pawning them for cash. A warrant was issued for Lang’s arrest and he turned himself in to the Rockdale County Jail on Sept. 20 without incident, authorities said. The Georgia Bureau of Investigations said Lang was charged with multiple violations of theft by taking firearms in excess of $40,000 and one count of violation of the oath of office. Lang, 37, was a sergeant in the Property and Evidence Unit at the Sheriff’s Office. The 15-year veteran was demoted to corporal after an audit and internal investigation found that he had taken guns from the unit and sold them rather than destroy them as ordered. Lang was transferred to the Jail Division in November during the internal investigation. Lang was demoted from sergeant to corporal on March 26, 2018. He resigned on April 9 after his supervisors recommended termination after he allegedly lied to internal investigators that the mandatory 15-minute checks were made on 22-year-old Tilson,
Dan Lang
who was on suicide watch in the jail. An autopsy report found that Tilson, who was arrested on March 2, died of dehydration on March 12. On the day he died, he had cried out for help to no avail and pressed a call button in his cell that didn’t work, according to an internal investigation. Lang and other deputies found Tilson’s body in his cell and one of them fired a taser away from Tilson to see if he was alive or sleeping, according to internal reports. Attorney Mawuli Davis, who is representing the Tilson family, said the family was trying to make bail for Tilson while he was locked up on misdemeanor charges. They are devastated over the loss of Tilson and have expressed their outrage over the neglect Tilson suffered while in jail. The family and supporters held a prayer vigil on Sept. 15 outside the Rockdale County Jail to remember Tilson. The vigil marked six months since Tilson died. Rockdale County District Attorney Alisha Johnson is now investigating the Tilson case.
Federal judge denies paper ballots for Georgia’s November’s elections
A
By Valerie J. Morgan
federal judge has ruled that Georgia voters will not use paper ballots during the November election, despite objections from voting rights groups and activists who are concerned the state’s electronic voting system could be hacked. U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg said on Monday that switching to a paper ballot verification system just weeks before the election would be chaotic. In her 46-page ruling Totenberg agreed that Georgia
SEE VOTING page 6
PAGE 2 • SEPTEMBER 22, 2018
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DeKalb Sheriff’s deputies arrest carjacking assault suspect A man wanted in connection with a series of carjackings in DeKalb County has been arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Unit. Thirty-year-old Azoumana Diarra of Clarkston, tried to run away from investigators yesterday, as they pursued him on foot near Memorial Drive and Rays Road in DeKalb County. Sheriff's deputies were trying to serve several arrest warrants for Mr. Diarra issued on Sept. 5 by DeKalb Police. The warrants allege that Diarra carjacked three people in Azoumana Diarra Clarkston on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30, assaulting one of the drivers and fleeing the scene to elude police. According to warrants, Diarra allegedly involved a minor in the commission of the offenses. Investigations by the DeKalb Sheriff's Office Fugitive Unit led to a business near Stone Mountain, where Diarra, was apprehended after a brief foot chase and assistance from DeKalb Police Department. Diarra is charged with Aggravated Assault, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police, and three counts of Hijacking a Motor Vehicle. He is in custody the DeKalb County Jail.
DeKalb Sheriff’s Office to offer free one-day firearm safety program DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann invites the public to participate in a one-day, hands-on firearm safety program on Saturday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office, Firing Range, 3405 N. Goddard Road, Lithonia. The Firearm Safety Day will help you become familiar with your personal firearm and learn how to discharge it safely. Firearm Safety Day At A Glance:
Sheriff Jeff Mann
• 30-minute firearms Instruction seminar, hourly 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. • S.W.A.T. weapons demonstration, noon • How to load and discharge your firearm safely • How to aim at and hit a target • How to secure your firearm safely (free gun lock for each firearm owner) • How to talk to your children about firearm safety in the home • “Gun Carry” laws in Georgia While individual reservations are not required, groups of 10 or more should call by Friday, Oct. 12, 5 p.m. to ensure space availability: 404-2988175. Participants must be 28 or older and proof of age is required for use of firearms on the range. Pets will not be allowed inside the property.
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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.
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SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 • PAGE 3
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary dealing with cancer, mayor pro tem to temporarily oversee council meetings Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has announced that he plans to take medical leave to undergo treatment for cancer. Mayor pro tem George Turner will oversee the City Council meetings likely until the end of the year, said Lary, who has started preradiation treatment. Lary said the council’s heated and lengthy debate at the Sept. 17 City Council meeting over the management of the city’s SPLOST program was the tipping point that led him to make the announcement. Councilwoman Jazzmin Cobble made a motion, which was seconded and approved by the council, to remove all of the items from the City Council’s agenda concerning the SPLOST management program.
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan
Cobble said she wanted the items removed because the city is still in negotiations with Grice Consulting, Inc., who has been working since May to regain work with the city. Cobble’s action blocked the council from discussing and/or voting on the items.
Southwest DeKalb High School (SWD) will induct four historymaking coaches into the inaugural DeKalb Athletic Hall of Fame: Dewey Alverson; Napoleon Cobb; William “Buck” Godfrey; and Kathy Walton. The inductees will be honored at the school’s annual “Breakfast of Champions.” on Saturday Oct. 13, 11 a.m., at the school’s Performing Arts Center Building Atrium. Coach Alverson was head football coach at SWD for 20 seasons, from 1959 –1978, where he recorded129 wins, 76 losses and 6 ties during two decades. He led the Panthers to the 1972 State Championship, state semi- finals in 1977; and to two region
Dewey Alverson
The following text amendment within the City of Stonecrest is scheduled for Public Hearings as stated above. RZ-18-003 LDG Development 6554 Chupp Rd / 7247 Covington Hwy C-1 (Local Commercial) / R-100 (Residential Medium Lot) / O-I (Office-Institutional) Request to change the conditions of zoning to construct a mixed use development with residential (240 townhome units) and commercial components
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
RZ-18-005 Lavonne Lee 7056 Maddox Road RE (Residential Estate) District Request to rezone subject property from RE to M (Light Industrial)
LAND USE PETITION:
AX 18-0001 * Will be heard at the October 15TH City Council Meeting Only. Halpern Enterprises 6024 Covington Highway MU-5 (Mixed Use) / C-1 (Local Commercial) Request to annex the western portion of this parcel into the City of Stonecrest and change the zoning of the subject property from C-1 w/ conditions and MU-5 to MR-2 to build a 160 townhomes subdivision.
PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED:
Napoleon Cobb
championships. Napoleon Cobb was SWD Head Boys Track and Field Coach from 1990 – 2016. Under Cobb, Southwest DeKalb won nine State Championships and one National Championship. Coach Cobb, who is a 2015 Inductee
CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, OCTOBER 15TH 2018 AT 7:00 P.M. CITY OF STONECREST, 3120 STONECREST BLVD STONECREST, GA 30038
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
SEE LARY page 4
SWD High to induct inaugural members into DeKalb Athletic Hall of Fame
CITY OF STONECREST PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9TH 2018 AT 6:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD LITHONIA, GA 30038
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING:
Lary, weary and angry, came to the podium, faced the packed audience and said: “I have been taking cancer treatments for a couple of months now. I have been coming here in
William “Buck” Godfrey
Kathy Walton
into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame, also guided two of his Panther athletes to several World Championships and multiple gold and silver medal wins in the 2000, 2004,
SEE SWD page 4
DeKalb NAACP recruits community volunteers for DCSD schools The DeKalb County NAACP’s Education Committee, in partnership with the DeKalb County School District, is recruiting community volunteers to serve in the district’s public schools. Volunteers are needed to assist teachers and staff members with various tasks. The goal is to enhance parent and community involvement in schools so that students achieve a high level of academic success. Fingerprinting and background checks are required of all school volunteers. A kick-off orientation for volunteers will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25. The featured national speaker Antoinette Tuff. Tuff is known for her heroic efforts in saving the lives of 870 children, teachers and parents by convincing a troubled young man to change his plans to kill himself and others at the Ronald E McNair Discovery Learning Academy. It is the only active shooter situation in which there were no injuries or lives lost, including the shooter. After her heroic actions, Tuff founded the Kids on the Move for Success to provide students with a voice on their school safety and provide low performing schools STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) curriculum, field trips, and mentoring programs. To register to become a school volunteer, please go to: https://communityschoolsvolunteers.eventbrite.com.
PAGE 4 • SEPTEMBER 22, 2018
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Emory-DeKalb Medical unveil new signage
LARY continued from page 3 pain. I have been coming here trying to work. I have been ignoring my family and ignoring what my wife asked me to do and I have to ask myself this evening, for what? I am going to take some time. I need time to get healthy. I need time to take the treatment and I need to do that without being extremely aggravated. I have been pounding the pavement for five years making sure we got to where we were supposed to go. But now, I need a moment. You’re in good hands with Mayor Pro Tem George Turner. I will still do the duties that you all elected me to do but I can’t make these council meetings right now. Thank you for your prayers,” Mayor Lary said. After his statement, the mayor left the council chambers. Turner then presided over the meeting, which lasted three hours and 58 minutes. The council had met for one hour in work session before the meeting, bringing the total meeting time to nearly five hours. The City Council meeting agenda contained three items: a proposed digital pavement analysis for the city’s roads; a request for qualifications or a request for proposals for the city’s SPLOST management; and a request for proposals for the comprehensive transportation plan. Councilmember Cobble said the council requested information from Grice that would allow them to review everything that has transpired with the negotiations. According to Cobble, only a portion of the information has been provided so she suggested a deferral to also give Grice more time. The mayor said that a council member was at the table during the Grice negotiations, giving them the ability to know the status of the meetings. He also said that the city management team was prepared to report their findings on the negotiations that have been ongoing for more than three months. “We need to move on these items and stop stalling waiting on someone to get their act together,” the mayor said. During the work session prior to the council meeting, Cobble
suggested changes to the agenda, including moving the SPLOST items to be discussed last. Time ran out during the hour-long meeting to discuss the SPLOST items. Instead of discussing SPLOST, the council discussed a budget amendment, the establishment of a youth council, and time limit requirements in public hearings. On May 21, 2018, the city council voted 4-to-2 in favor of entering negotiations with Grice Consulting Group for SPLOST management. Lary and Councilman Jimmy Clanton cast the dissenting votes. The motion carried, though the original agenda item was a resolution for the issuance of a request for qualifications for SPLOST project management. In May, the mayor spoke in favor of putting the SPLOST management out for bid. He also talked about being overbilled and receiving unsatisfactory work from Grice during the pre-SPLOST phase. “For the record, I am dead against this. It’s shady, sideways and criminal,” Lary said. The meeting contained the same sentiment from the mayor after three and a half months of negotiations between city managers, attorneys, and Grice. “The negotiations have been going on for three months with a vendor who we shouldn’t even be talking to,” Lary said. “We are doing this out of order. We are negotiating with a vendor with no regard for our purchasing policy. We should be taking a vote on issuing an RFQ or an RFP for almost $4 million.” The agenda items were changed to discussion items and were not voted on, despite the mayor’s single opposing vote. “There is no place on the planet where you can go get a $3.8 million contract without an RFQ and that is the bottom line to this. I’ll go back to our oath. We are to take care of this city without fear or favor. This is favor and it’s keeping us from examining other competent vendors. It’s wrong. I don’t care how you cut it,” the mayor said.
SWD continued from page 3 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games. Buck Godfrey was SWD Head Football Coach from 1983 to 2012. He recorded a record of 273-89-1. In 30 seasons under Godfrey, the Panthers appeared in two State Championship Games, winning the 1995 Title by beating Parkview High School. Godfrey also led SWD to seven semi-finals games and claimed 13 Region Championships. Godfrey is a member of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 2014. Kathy Walton is the current Head Girls Basketball Coach. Since 2002, her first season, she has compiled a record of 367-117. From 2008 to 2017, Coach Walton led the Lady Panthers to seven Region Championships and to eight State Championship Game appearances, where SWD won the Title five times: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2016. Walton was the Garland F. Pinholster High School Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2010; and the BCA National High School Coach of the Year in 2009. The Breakfast of Champions, which is held as part of SWD’s homecoming festivities, celebrates the accomplishments of past and present SWD Athletic Teams and individuals. In addition to the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, outstanding SWD athletes graduating in class years ending in 8, and well as State Championship Teams of years ending in 8, will be honored. Many former Southwest DeKalb greats, from the 1960s to present day, will be in attendance. For more information, contact Lance Davenport, SWD Class of 1989: ltdavenport@swdtennis.com or 678-874-1902 (Main Office).
DeKalb Medical officially became a part of the Emory Healthcare system on Sept. 1, 2018. Partnership celebrations for employees, local leaders and government officials were held on Sept. 14 at each of the three DeKalb Medical locations, along with unveilings of new hospital signs at each facility. As part of the integration, DeKalb Medical’s hospital on North Decatur Road is now named Emory Decatur Hospital; DeKalb Medical Hillandale is now Emory Hillandale Hospital; and DeKalb Medical Long-Term Acute Care at Downtown Decatur is named Emory Long-Term Acute Care. To see the video of the unveiling: https://youtu.be/LeCr0T9jn4E
Mr. and Mrs. Arabia High scholarship competition set Sept. 29 The annual Mr. and Miss Arabia High School competition will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29, 6:30 p.m., at Arabia Mountain High School, 6610 Browns Mill Road, Stonecrest. Juniors and seniors who have at least a 3.0 GPA will compete in formal wear, talent and speaking for a $500 scholarship and the opportunity to participate in speaking engagements as ambassadors of Arabia Mountain High School. A distinguished panel of elected officials, community leaders and celebrities will serve as judges for the event , which is sponsored by David’s Bridal and Men’s Warehouse. The event is open to the public. Tickets are $3 in advance and may be purchased at the school and $5 at the door on the evening of the event.
Rockdale BOC to host Student Shadow Day
The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners is inviting high school and college students to register for its “Student Talent Development Program: Shadow Day.” The program, which will be held Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will provide an opportunity for students to explore careers in county government. The registration deadline is Sept. 29 Students will get a look at various county departments and have the opportunity to network and receive information concerning mentoring relationships. The free, daylong program includes lunch, snacks and the official Rockdale County Shadow Day T-shirt. To register, contact Teesha Carter at teesha.carter@rockdalecountyga.gov. More information is available on www.rockdalecountyga.gov
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SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 • PAGE 5
Keith Parker is on a mission to grow Goodwill, provide good jobs By Valerie J. Morgan Keith Parker has a straightforward philosophy about being a successful business leader. “No matter where I’ve worked, no matter what the entity, I’ve always focused on the same three things: employees first and foremost; customers, and then the financials. My approach has always been: If you take care of the employees and the customers, the financials will take care of themselves.” Parker is now putting that philosophy to work as he approaches his one-year anniversary in October as president and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia, Inc., the largest workforce development organization in the Southeast. Previously, Parker spent nearly five years at MARTA, where he served as CEO and is credited with turning around the financially-troubled transit agency. MARTA had more than $240 million in reserves when Parker left the agency last year to succeed Raymond Bishop, who retired in October 2017 after 27 years of service with Goodwill. Parker said he loves his new role. He has the opportunity to continue fulfilling his passion— serving the community—though he serves in a different industry. “They are different, but they’re both service industries,” he said in comparing his work at MARTA and Goodwill. “For me, it’s always been about service and how you impact communities in a meaningful way.” Parker said he is transforming Goodwill by starting with the nonprofit’s employees. “Many of our employees have not had raises in a while. So now, we’ve programmed in raises for the next five years. It’s in our 5-year strategic plan,” said Parker. “Our goal is to get our front line people to be at a market rate competitive with all of the other folks we compete with for talent. We have kept our healthcare costs amongst the
people to jobs throughout North Georgia, Parker said. Parker said his goal is not only to grow the number of jobs, but to provide good jobs. “I want to be impactful, where people have a great sustainable career, rather than them just having a job,” Parker said. Goodwill offers a range of jobs through its employer partners—from office positions such as budget analysts and administration to forklift operations certifications and apartment maintenance training. “At our South DeKalb training facility, for example, for eight weeks, they (trainees) come in and learn how to prepare sheet rock, electrical, plumbing, all the things you need to do to maintain an apartment building. That training costs us upward of about $5,000 because we know that in a lot of instances, they can’t just go through the training and not have any income. We provide them with a stipend while they are training.” Keith Parker Parker said once trainees complete the program, they’re ready to go to work. lowest premiums out there. We have developed “People are lined up and ready to hire them,” he scheduling for employees so they know four weeks said. in advance what hours they are working”, said Goodwill has over 5,000 employer partners Parker, adding that he plans to increase Goodwill’s to help place candidates and 13 career centers staff of about 3,000 by 1,000 people over the next throughout North Georgia. The South DeKalb center five years. at 1295 Columbia Drive in Decatur is one of the Parker said Goodwill is planning a dramatic busiest, officials said. expansion that will include more employees for Goodwill is developing marketing strategies the nonprofit, more jobs and job training for the to get the word out about not only its job training disadvantaged, disabled and underemployed, and programs but the organization’s overall mission, more stores and donation centers. Parker said. Goodwill plans to launch a big “Over the next five years, we’ve already got marketing campaign in November, he said. programmed that we’re going to open 20 new “People know about donating and shopping at stores, 12 donation centers, and two new career centers,” said Parker. “Our goal is we will be a $200 Goodwill, but we must tell our story about how we million-a-year organization and with that, we can do turn those donations into supporting jobs and job training,” said Parker so much more to provide jobs and job training.” For more information on Goodwill, visit https:// Last year, Goodwill reported in its 2016 tax returns that the organization earned $148,151, 501 goodwillng.org/locations/?location_type=careerin revenues. The nonprofit connected some 24,000 center
PAGE 6 • SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful seeks “Rivers Alive” cleanup volunteers Registration is now underway for the Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) Rivers Alive countywide cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. The deadline to sign up is Monday, Oct. 8. KCRB encourages civic and neighborhood groups, businesses, Boy and Girl Scout troops, churches, youth groups, individuals, and families to participate. Check in, cleaning supply assignments and other activities will be headquartered at Pine Log Park Pavilion, 1500 Georgia Highway 138, Conyers. Cleanup supplies will be provided and volunteers will receive free lunch and a T-shirt for participation until noon while supplies last as a thank you. Created by the Department of Natural Resource’s Environmental Protection Division and Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Rivers Alive targets waterways as part of an ongoing statewide campaign to clean and preserve more than 70,000 miles of Georgia’s rivers and streams. Volunteers in Rockdale will support the effort by helping prevent pollution of the county’s rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, and wetlands. Last year, more than 200 volunteers, including nearly 100 youths, removed tons of garbage and more than 14 tires from several locations throughout Rockdale, as well as covered several miles of waterways. Registration forms are available online at www.rockdalecountyga.gov and can be sent to kcrb@rockdalecountyga.gov or dropped off in-person at 958 Milstead Ave. in Conyers. For more information about Rivers Alive, email kcrb@rockdalecountyga. gov or call 770-278-7052.
PET OF THE Week
Meet our LifeLine DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week, Pita. This adorable girl loves everything. Pita loves to play, and she never met a toy she didn’t like. Pita loves people and makes friends very easily. Pita loves to run and has great energy, but she also likes to take a break when it’s over and just chill. Pita loves peanut butter, which will be great as she improves her leash skills. Pita wants to be your best doggy friend and would do best as the only dog in your home. And since Pita is a shelter sweetheart, she qualifies for our Treat Yourself free adoption promotion throughout September! That means, you can adopt Pita, who is already spayed, vaccinated and microchipped, and treat yourself to a lifetime of love for FREE! Come meet this precious pup at LifeLine's DeKalb County Animal Services shelter by dropping by the shelter at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, emailing adoptions@ dekalbanimalservices.com or calling (404) 294-2165.
VOTING continued from page 1 is vulnerable to hackers, saying state election officials “had buried their heads in the sand” on the issue. However, Totenberg said changing the system now with such short notice would create “bureaucratic confusion and long lines.” The Coalition for Good Governance, Georgians for Verified Voting and other activists had asked for an injunction that would have forced Georgia’s 6.8 million voters to switch to voting machines that provide a verifiable paper backup. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit said Georgia’s touchscreens are not secure and results could be changed by outsiders or malware without leaving a trace. State Rep. Billy Mitchell, District 88, said Totenberg made the right decision, adding that the governor’s race, in particular, is too important for voters to be dissuaded by long lines due to a new voting system. Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp, who is Secretary of State and oversees the elections administration, are competing in the hotly contested race. “At this point, a new system would disturb the process. The lines would be tremendously long. We don’t want to do anything to discourage people from voting. If people want to use paper ballots right now, they can turn in an absentee ballot,” said Mitchell. “We just don’t have enough time to change the voting system.” Absentee mail-in voting began Sept. 18 and in-person early voting begins on Oct. 15 for the Nov. 6 election. Georgia is one of five states that still rely on electronic voting with no paper backup. Paper ballots are used in most voting systems in the U.S., state lawmakers and others say. Many of Georgia’s elected officials want to switch voting systems but
say they want to wait until the 2020 elections to make the change. Waiting will give state lawmakers a chance to determine how to fund a paper backup system. “It needs to be a fail-safe system that has a touchscreen and a paper ballot that voters can look at to catch any errors that may have been made,” said Mitchell, pointing to Rockdale County’s successful pilot to test paper ballots in the 2017 city of Conyers municipal elections. Rockdale Elections Supervisor Cynthia Welch said switching to paper ballots for the November elections would have cost her county about $340,000 for new machines, ballots and training. “We would need to make provisions and have additional equipment for the blind, disabled and others who cannot read to cast their votes,” said Welch. “We wouldn’t have had enough time to do that for this election.” Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents the Fourth District, said a switch now “would have resulted in a massive scramble” and jeopardized the elections. But he said that he has long been concerned about the security of Georgia’s voting system, citing the fact that Kennesaw State University’s Center of Elections Systems computer server holding state election data was wiped clean in 2017 following an investigation by the FBI. KSU holds the state contract to maintain the statewide electronic voting system. “We still don’t know what was on the server,” said Johnson, who said he has been working to introduce legislation for two years that would require paper ballots for federal elections.
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SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 • PAGE 7
ELECTION 2018
MARTA to host National Voter Registration effort Sept. 25 MARTA will mark National Voter Registration Day, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with activities at the Five Points Station. Volunteers from local organizations will have paperwork for those interested in registering to vote. Please bring your state identification card, state-issued driver’s license or be prepared to give the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Community organizations also will partner with MARTA to host another drive on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the Doraville Station. The non-partisan events are designed to ease the voter registration process. Activities will not endorse any campaign or candidate.
Rockdale NAACP to host candidates forum The Rockdale NAACP will host a candidates’ forum on Oct. 6, 11 a.m., at Antioch AME Church, 1790 Ebenezer Road S.W., Conyers. Candidates from both parties who are running for seats that include Rockdale have been invited to discuss their platforms. The races include:
• State Rep. Pam Stephenson (Democrat) and Republican challenger Takosha Swan, who are running for the District 90 seat.
• Congressman Hank Johnson (Democrat), and Republican challenger Joe Profit, who are running for the Fourth Congressional District.
• State Senator Brian Strickland (Republican) and Democratic challenger Phyllis Hatcher, who are running for District 17.
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• Rockdale Commissioner Doreen Williams (Democrat) and challenger Republican Larry Cox, who are running for the Rockdale Board of Commissioners, Post 2 seat.
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PAGE 8 • SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM