VOLUME 23 NUMBER 27
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ocgnews.com
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
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DeKalb Sheriff Jeffrey Mann faces removal from office
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he Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) has unanimously voted to revoke the certification of DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann. The council’s vote could lead to his removal from office. Mann has 30 days to appeal the decision. Mann was arrested on May 6 for public indecency after allegedly exposing himself in Piedmont Park in Atlanta and then running from a police officer during the incident. Mann made a plea deal in July and was banned from Atlanta parks for six months and was fined $2,000. Mann now will have 30 days to appeal the decision. Efforts to reach Mann were unsuccessful. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, however, issued the following statement: “Sheriff Mann was not informed that this matter would be considered by POST at today’s council meeting, and, as of this statement, Sheriff Mann has not been advised of this decision. Until official notification from Georgia POST is received, he will not have a response.” Former DeKalb Sheriff Thomas Brown, who worked with Brown for years, told CBS 46 that he was surprised by the council’s action.
DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann
“I’m surprised that this non-diverse panel has taken the action they have taken and have not left it in the hands of the people of DeKalb County,” said Brown. “There will be numerous officers patrolling the streets of the state of Georgia today who have been convicted of state crimes, who have done things far more egregious,” Gov. Nathan Deal suspended Mann for 40 days in June after Mann voluntarily suspended himself for one week for violating the code of conduct for the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office. Mann served as chief deputy under former Sheriff Brown and took over as sheriff earlier in 2014 when Brown resigned to run for Congress. Mann won a special election in 2014 and then was re-elected in 2016 for a four-year term.
DeKalb approves Emory annexation agreement with City of Atlanta DeKalb County and the city of Atlanta have worked through arbitration and the city is now moving forward to expand its borders. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement on Sept. 26 that allows the City of Atlanta to annex 744 acres including Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Georgia Power Co., Villa International, Synod of South Atlantic & Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Centers for Disease Control. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said the agreement addresses several concerns including traffic, development, infrastructure and outlines the responsibilities of both, the city and the county. The issues, county officials said, were worked out through arbitration with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. If adopted by the City of Atlanta, the agreement will become the recommendation of the arbitration panel. “We have a historic agreement that protects the interest of all residents in DeKalb County and the City of Atlanta,” Thurmond said. “This lays a foundation for the enhancement of transportation options for both
Rockdale County Schools Superintendent Richard Autry. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ OCGNews
jurisdictions. I believe that Atlanta and DeKalb leaders have developed a model for future regional cooperation.” The entities petitioned to become part of the city of Atlanta in June. However, earlier this month, DeKalb commissioners approved a resolution to invoke delay until several concerns were addressed through arbitration. Kathie Gannon, presiding officer of the DeKalb Board of Commissioners, said she was satisfied with the agreement the board approved. “We have engaged in robust, fair and transparent negotiations that will ultimately protect and enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Atlanta and DeKalb,” said Gannon. “This is an important step in the development of a comprehensive regional transportation system for metro Atlanta.” According to the agreement: • The city will adopt the county’s zoning classifications and requirements for the annexed area and receive written approval from the county for any changes. Four members of the county commission, including one of the two commissioners representing the anSEE ANNEXATION, page 6
Rockdale schools superintendent to depart after DUI arrest
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ockdale County Schools Superintendent Richard Autry has announced his retirement three days after he was arrested for driving drunk. Autry, 53, was arrested on Sept. 24 in McDonough and charged with DUI and following too closely. McDonough Police said Autry had a blood alcohol level of .195. That level is nearly three times the legal limit. Police found Autry after responding to an accident in the area of Georgia Highway 155 South and Henry Parkway, according to media reports. At the scene, Autry told police he wasn’t injured but police noticed he was impaired and leaning on a gas pump at the Sunoco gas station where his vehicle had come to rest. Police said Autry’s speech was slurred and after conducting a sobriety test and breathalyzer test, both of which Autry failed, they arrested him. Autry told police that he had been drinking beer at a Buffalo Wild Wings in McDonough while watching the Atlanta Falcons game. After a special called executive session concerning personnel matters on Sept. 27, Autry said he would retire effective Oct. 30. He issued the following statement: “Although this was not an easy decision, I must put my family and personal circumstances first at this time. It has been my distinct pleasure to serve this community as a teacher, coach, principal, chief academic officer and for the past six years, your superintendent. I have full confidence that Rockdale County Public Schools will continue to strive for world-class and provide all students with a quality public education.” Board of Education Chairman Jim McBrayer said in a statement: “We wish Mr. Autry the best with his retirement. We appreciate
all that he has done for the children and families of Rockdale County over the years, but especially during his tenure as superintendent. His leadership brought many innovative programs and offerings to our students and families such as the school specialty and choice programs and advanced technology tools, including individual devices for students. In addition, his unwavering commitment to student success allowed RCPS to continue to see improvements in student achievement. We will certainly miss him, but as a retired person myself, I can also share his excitement to begin a new chapter in his life.” Autry became superintendent on July 1, 2012, succeeding Samuel King, who left Rockdale to become superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools in Norfolk, Virginia. He had spent 30 years in education, 18 of them with Rockdale County Public Schools. Autry has made an immeasurable difference in Rockdale schools. He led the district to become one of the highest rated AdvancEd internationally accredited systems in the state. The district’s most recent accreditation earned an overall score of 324 on the Index of Educational Quality (average score at the time was 282). AdvancEd’s Lead Evaluator, Dr. Mike Lodico, remarked: “You’re going to be seen as one of the very highest rated districts because these are extremely high scores and ones that really are a tribute to the tremendous work that’s being done in Rockdale County Schools.” Under Autry’s leadership, student achievement has increased even as the number of economically disadvantaged students has risen. For example, in 2011-12, SEE DUI, page 6