July 26, 2014

Celebrating

Education

Community

Election

19 years

Turner slides to victory to replace Mayfield on DeKalb School Board ....page 3

SERVING DEKALB, FULTON, GWINNETT, HENRY AND ROCKDALE COUNTIES

VOLUME 20 NUMBER 17

Five African American women hope to make history at the polls ...page 7

McNair’s STEM camp sparks creativity....page 6

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Mann elected DeKalb’s Sheriff by landslide

By Joshua Smith

W

hen DeKalb County Sheriff Jeff Mann walked into his victory party in Tucker, the disc jockey perfectly queued Aloe Blacc’s hit, “I’m the Man.” The song was fitting for the sheriff, who easily cruised to victory, defeating former DeKalb CEO Vernon Jones with 40,537 votes (76.36 percent). Jones received 12,553 or 23.64 percent of the vote.

“We worked hard and had a great campaign. This election was an awesome experience, but it was a success because of amazing volunteers and great endorsers who are well-respected in our community,” said Mann, who formerly served as chief deputy and was sworn in as sheriff on Feb. 28, when Thomas Brown stepped down to run for Congress. “My administration will work hard to support the inclusion of everybody from across the county because we all have a common goal: to make sure DeKalb County is strong again.”

Mann says he plans to continue to bring strong leadership and make every effort to keep DeKalb safe.

Photo by Joshua Smith/OCG News

He says he will put safety before politics and will work hard to ensure the integrity and respect of the community has for the county sheriff office remains in tact.

As sheriff, Mann will continue to oversee the day-to-day operations within the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office.

This includes the jail, field, court and administrative divisions. Mann

says he prides himself on motivating, inspiring and mentoring all 860 employees under his command.

After the results were in, Vernon Jones released a statement, thanking supporters and volunteers.

“To all my supporters, we did not win the election this time. Thank you for all of your support, votes, hard work, and prayers. But God’s perfect will was done, and I’m in agreement with that,” Jones said in the statement.

Thomas Brown, Mann’s former boss, pushed for Mann’s victory, calling on others to support Mann.

“Good government in DeKalb County is alive and well. My sheriff has really made me proud over this campaign and we all look forward to his leadership in this county,” said Brown. “Sheriff Mann understands and practices great leadership. He knows and has been doing the job at my side for the last 10 years.”

Just a day before the runoff elections were held, DeKalb County’s Interim CEO Lee May led a press conference to garner support for Mann. At the press conference Thomas Brown, City of Dunwoody See DeKalb Sheriff, page 7

Historic Atlanta Cyclorama to relocate to Buckhead

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he Atlanta Cyclorama, home to many of the city’s Civil War artifacts, will relocate from the Grant Park community to the Atlanta History Center in Buckhead, officials announced.

The Atlanta History Center, which will become the custodian of the artifacts under an agreement with the city, will pay for the move and restoration of the historic Atlanta Cyclorama painting known as the “Battle of Atlanta,” the move of the locomotive, “Texas,” and other Civil War artifacts to a new stateof-the-arts annex that will be built at the History Center. The move is expected to take two years to complete.

The existing Cyclorama building will be developed into a premier community and event space as part of upgrades by Zoo Atlanta.

“The relocation of the Atlanta Cyclorama to the History Center represents a unique opportunity to renew one of the city’s most important cultural and historic landmarks,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.

“Under the stewardship of the History Center, the Cyclorama will continue to be a teaching tool, and will be enjoyed by a broader audience of residents, students and visitors alike.”

In announcing the move, Reed was joined by Atlanta History Center Presdent and CEO Sheffield Hale and Zoo Atlanta President and CEO Raymond King. The announcement was made as the city commemorates the 150th anniversary of The Battle of Atlanta.

The 23,000-square-foot addition is planned for the northeast corner of the campus and will be connected to the current Atlanta History Museum. The structure will be built to meet appropriate museum quality standards to maintain the proper environment for conservation of the historic painting after the initial restoration. The History Center intends to restore the painting to its full size and overall height, and to re-create the 128-year-old painting’s original visual perspective – both of which have been lost for

nearly 100 years, officials said. In total, the History Center will restore 3,268 square feet of the painting.

Construction on the annex is expected to begin summer 2015.

Current financial commitments – which are contingent upon a long-term license agreement with the City of Atlanta - total over $32.2 million. This includes a $10 million charitable remainder trust that creates the endowment to ensure that the Cyclorama is properly maintained as long as the History Center is its custodian, at no cost to taxpayers.

The Atlanta History Center’s existing infrastructure will ensure that the Cyclorama is properly restored, maintained and preserved for generations to come. The new display method will return the painting to its original presentation as a 3-D experience. When complete, Atlanta residents, tourists, and other visitors will be able to see the Cyclorama – The Battle of Atlanta – as it was originally intended to be viewed in the 19th century.

“We are honored for this opportunity, and believe the Atlanta History Center is the best longterm solution for the Cyclorama. Sharing history is our passion, and we are excited about incorporating these artifacts into our comprehensive Civil War

collection,” said Sheffield Hale, president and CEO of the Atlanta History Center. “We will preserve the Cyclorama in a museum-quality environment that will ensure its availability and accessibility for generations to come. Our resources and expertise uniquely position us to interpret the painting and diorama in their historic context.”

After the relocation is complete, the Cyclorama building will be transferred to Zoo Atlanta. The building will be developed into a unique event and community space that will include an overlook of the Zoo’s African savanna exhibit. Renovations to the building will preserve the historic character and aesthetic appeal of the original facility. Once the renovation is complete, the Zoo will feature a new entryway plaza, an enhanced African elephant exhibit and renovated workspace for administrative staff. The Zoo’s redevelopment plan also calls for an environmentally-sound underground parking solution to alleviate parking in the neighborhoods and accommodate attendance growth at the Zoo. “The building is a treasure we look forward to preserving and enhancing,” said Zoo Atlanta President and CEO Raymond King. “We’re thrilled about being entrusted with such a beautiful space, and we’re excited about seeing this historic building get a new life as a unique and world-class event space overlooking our magnificent elephants on an expanded African savanna. We thank Mayor Reed for his leadership in making sure that these assets will be here for future generations to enjoy.”

The renovation of the Cyclorama building will be paid for by private and philanthropic dollars.

Since 2007, the City of Atlanta has partnered with the History Center to obtain professional conservation assessments of The Battle of Atlanta painting, the locomotive “Texas,” and other artifacts, as well as architectural assessments of the Cyclorama building.

The relocation of the Cyclorama will save the city approximately $1 million a year in operating costs.

PAGE 2

JULY 26, 2014

JULY 26, 2014 PAGE 3

JULY 26, 2014 VOLUME 20, NO. 17

Community News

EDITOR/PUBLISHER Valerie J. Morgan editor@ocgnews.com

Turner slides to victory to replace Mayfield on DeKalb School Board

GENERAL MANAGER Glenn L. Morgan gmorgan1@ocgnews.com STAFF WRITER Joshua Smith joshsmith@ocgnews.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill richardhill@ocgnews.com

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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.

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By Amanda Usher

lection Day marked a victory for DeKalb County’s brand new School Board member Vickie B. Turner, a neophyte who won her election with 59.74 percent of the votes.

Turner is set to represent District 5, defeating her opponent Thad Mayfield, who was appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal. Her bid for the School Board was the first time she had sought public office.

District 5 consists of several schools including Martin Luther King, Jr., Southwest DeKalb and Arabia Mountain high schools.

“The district is in need of reformation, and [there’s] some challenges that are in front of us,” Turner said. “But even with that awareness, there’s an excitement to become part of the change and to become part of the solution, so I do look forward with great anticipation and hope for positive things to impact our community and our children.”

Turner said that one of the major issues troubling the county is large class sizes.

According to her, teachers can’t effectively reach their students in huge groups, so she would like to have more teachers hired in an effort to minimize the size of these classrooms.

Vickie B. Turner and her husband Robert Turner II

Turner also wants to keep DeKalb from losing good teachers. She says providing them with a compensation package that will equate to their credentials as well as their experiences is one way to keep them.

Turner would like teachers to be able to educate children with various learning styles and to increase parent involvement by adjusting the budget and creating more incentives for parent engagement.

Turner said she believes her ideas and willingness to work resonated with voters who cast their ballots for her.

“I think that what probably stood out the most with me when it comes to connecting with people was the passion that I exude,” Turner said.

“I’m passionate about the

desire that I have that all children should be afforded the opportunity to be educated [on the] highest level that we can provide.”

Having been in education for over 24 years, the former educator said she believes that she can connect with many from the administration down to the mothers.

“I know what mothers need and want for their children,” she said. “I could relate to teachers because I’ve taught children, [and] I know what teachers want and desire in their classrooms. I could relate to administration because I understand [crunching] numbers. I understand what it is to work with a deficit and make day-today decisions.”

She feels as if her relations with these types of people go

beyond her background.

“I think people are looking for authentic people who can relate to where they are in life, what their desires are, and I think that came across well,” she said. “The Scripture says that Jesus Christ was moved and touched with the feeling of our infirmity, and I embody that. It’s very easy for me to be moved and touched with the challenges that parents face.”

Turner thanked her husband, three children as well as voters for their support.

“It goes without saying that my family has been a source of great strength,” she said. “I’m very thankful for the citizens of DeKalb County, in particular those that are in District 5, that found confidence in me that I indeed could make a difference and afford their children a quality learning experience. I’m very thankful for the community at large.”

In other school board races, Incumbent Jim McMahan will keep his District 4 seat, receiving 4,618 or 57.57 percent of the vote. Competitor Karen Carter received 3,404 or 42.43 percent of the vote. Incumbent Michael Irwin will keep his District 3 seat, receiving 4,164 or 58.81 percent of the vote.

Competitor Atticus Leblanc received 2,916 or 41.19 percent of the vote.

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JULY 26, 2014

COMING UP

DEKALB May to review year as CEO DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May will present a review of his year in office and his outlook for 2014 as part of “A Retrospective Look Back, A Progressive Move Forward: A Candid Conversation with Interim CEO Lee May.” Hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, the event will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at the DeKalb County Historic Courthouse, 101 East Court Square, Decatur.

DeKalb County is Georgia’s third largest county with more than 700,000 residents calling it home. May is expected to address issues such as business and education Interim CEO Lee May in DeKalb, growing an international community, as well as county department work and beautification projects.

“Together, over the course of the last year, the people of DeKalb County have demonstrated the strength, resilience and tenacity of our great county,” said May. “In honor of our year of progress, I invite you to join me for an open and honest conversation about our successes achieved thus far and the trail we’re blazing together to ensure continued progress in our beloved DeKalb County.”

The cost to attend the luncheon is $35. Registration is required. To register, visit www.dekalbchamber.org or call 404-378-8000.

DeBerry to host Communication Appreciation Day in Lithonia DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry is hosting her 2nd Annual Community Appreciation Day on Saturday, Aug. 2, 5 – 9 p.m., at the Browns Mill Aquatic Facility, 4929 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia.

The event will include complimentary entry into the facility, a complimentary food ticket and music. The family-oriented event is designed to thank citizens for their ongoing support.

“We want to show support to the people we are working for each and every day. Come out and enjoy food, fun and some fun in the sun,” said DeBerry.

DeBerry is a 19-year resident of DeKalb County with DeKalb County Superior more than20 years of experience in the public and private Court Clerk Debra DeBerry sector. She began her career in DeKalb County in 2003 as Chief Deputy Clerk of Superior Court.

In her current position as Clerk of Superior Court, DeBerry manages 90 employees who provide services to the citizens of the county and she also manages an annual budget of more than $6 million.

For more information on Community Appreciation Day, call Debra DeBerry’s office at 404-371-2251.

ATLANTA Interactive storyteller to entertain kids in Buckhead The Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System will host “African Stories” on Monday, July 28, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m., at the system’s Buckhead branch, 269 Buckhead Ave., N.E., Atlanta.

Library staff say children ages 3 – 10 will be enthralled by stories from Africa, performed by “Salim,” an exciting storyteller who accompanies himself on the drum.

Salim has been storytelling since 2001. His repertoire includes traditional folktales from the Deep South, West Africa, and the Caribbean. Salim also writes many of the tales and adds music to all of them. Whether it’s a traditional folktale or and original, the audience can expect to sing, dance and feel the spirit of the African drum. 404-814-3500.

Rally to address clean power, climate changes The Virginia-Highland Civic Association and other community groups are coming together on Tuesday, July 29, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Woodruff Park, 51 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta, to raise awareness on the issues of clean power, clean air and dangerous climate changes.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed the first-ever national plan to cut carbon pollution from power plants. Representatives from the EPA will be on hand at the rally to share information on the national plan and get feedback from attendees.

Organizers say you can do your part to make sure the Southeast – and the entire country – gets a strong plan to clean our air, protect our climate and expand the clean energy economy by attending the rally and “Atlanta Climate March.”

For more information, call Seth Gunning at 404-434-9745.

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GWINNETT County government celebrates local parks Gwinnett County’s Park and Recreation Department will host two events in July to celebrate parks in the county.

The Kids’ Art Show is open to all Gwinnett children. Children of all ages are invited to use their creativity to make a drawing, painting, or sketch depicting a Gwinnett County park and recreation scene or location.

You can also create artwork depicting events and activities the park has hosted during the month of July. Submit completed work during regular business hours to a community recreation center for display in the Kids’ Art Show gallery.

Deadline for submission is Thursday, July 31. Artwork will not be returned, unless arrangements are made with onsite staff.

Gwinnett is also looking for your best photos of the county’s Flat Ray, Flat Rosie, and Flat Roscoe exploring county parks, to be emailed to parks@ gwinnettcounty.com. Photos will be featured at www.gwinnettparks.com. The deadline for photo submissions is also Thursday, July 31.

For more information and details on other parks events during the month of July, visit www.gwinnettparks.com or call 770-822-8000.

ROCKDALE Conyers sets City Council meeting The City of Conyers’ City Council will meet on Wednesday, July 30, 10:30 a.m., at Conyers City Hall, 1184 Scott St., S.E. to address several issues in the city and hear public comments from the community.

The meeting will give the council the opportunity to cover issues such as setting the millage rate, ways to keep Conyers safe, downtown revitalization and strategies to keep taxes low in Rockdale. 770-483-4411.

Conyers church to host public clothes chest The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1275 Flat Shoals Road, S.E., Conyers, is hosting a free “Clothing Fest” on Saturday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. – noon.

Church members say the “Clothing Fest” will be a welcoming place where neighbors can look over clothing in a safe, friendly and compassionate environment that maintains the dignity of each person.

The event is open to the public. All clothes are free and will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. 770-760-7941.

JULY 26, 2014 PAGE 5

Rockdale Extension Service shows kids how to put healthy spins on snacks

By Joshua Smith

As a part of the Rockdale Cooperative Extension Office’s summer enrichment program, kids learned the benefits of eating healthy snacks.

“I really liked making the turkey on wheat pinwheels. They were just like mini subs,” said 15-year-old Myora Zantinga. “We learned a lot. I now know you have to check out all the ingredients on the product’s label, whether they are marketed as healthy or not.”

The participants in the program learned how to make turkey and mustard pinwheels on wheat bread, fruit and yogurt parfaits and a healthy cheesecake, made with cream cheese, strawberries and graham crackers.

“It is important that we show our children that not all snacks are bad. Active children require extra calories to fuel their brains, energy and growth. The key is eating the right snacks in the right amount. Give kids smart choices,” said Katie Hiers, who serves as the Family Consumer Agent at the Rockdale office. “If we teach them now, we can help battle against the nation’s childhood obesity epidemic by starting here in Rockdale.”

The class also learned how to read labels, how to compare labels and determine the healthier choice, the benefits of physical activity, the importance of washing your hands and even how to properly set a dinner table.

As kids go back to school, Hires says parents can help their children focus on portions and healthy snacking for a healthy body and alert mind.

“What a child eats and how much they eat for snacks has a huge impact on their overall nutrition,” said Hires. “Parents and older family members can teach children that good health and nutrition start with a simple appreciation for quality foods, whether it’s snacks, lunch or dinner.”

Nutritionists recommend snacking on fresh and dried fruits; whole-grain cereals and crackers; nuts; homemade trail mix; peanut and other nut butters; yogurt; vegetable sticks, and pizzas topped with veggies. Avoid processed snacks high in fat and sugar.

Cooperative Extension staff members say the “Snack Attack!” event is part of a larger game plan—to get kids eating healthy, a good habit that can carry over into the new school year an potentially help families eat a little healthier.

Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News

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JULY 26, 2014

Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News

McNair’s STEM camp sparks creativity, promotes careers for students

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By Amanda Usher

select group of students at McNair Discovery Learning Academy in Decatur received the opportunity to catch a glimpse of STEM-related careers, thanks to DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson and global company, CH2M Hill.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. With DeKalb County’s Camp Invention program, 45 students (kindergarten through fifth grade) were chosen to participate and learn about the various aspects of STEM-related careers from July 14-18.

CH2M Hill donated $10,000, which covered expenses for supplies and a stipend for instructors. Johnson said local residents also donated common

household items such as milk cartons, cereal boxes, wheels and batteries for the classes.

The CH2M Hill Foundation officials said they decided to sponsor McNair because they felt that the school believes in excellence in education.

“We believed our contribution could help this program grow in exponentially,” Greg Wilson, CH2M Hill’s Vice-President and area manager, said. “We also recognize that DeKalb has outstanding resources that often go unrecognized, and we wanted to raise a profile of exceptional talent so the public could see positive images of the type of talent that often goes unrecognized in our local communities.”

Camp Invention is a week-long program set up to reach communities across the county and people of all ages to teach them about the benefits of

STEM-related careers.

Johnson said that this type of program is crucial in creating more inventors, as well as entrepreneurs.

“It’s not enough now to play Candy Crush, but I want us to make the games and build apps,” he said. “The goal, for me, was to show them that they have infinite possibilities in life and [that] they just have to make the most of it.”

STEM helps make children more marketable if they can build a background in these chosen careers, said Kendra Kelly, community relations coordinator for Johnson.

“We want to make sure that our kids have a better chance at succeeding than we did, and we want them to go even further than we have, and they can only do that if they have a solid foundation,” she said.

McNair now has a year-round

program at its own academy, McNair Discovery STEM Academy. Camp Invention’s visit to this academy was the first time that it has been brought to District 3.

However, this isn’t CH2M Hill’s first experience with STEM. It also sponsored events for students (from kindergarteners to high school seniors) in Gwinnett, Fulton and Clayton counties.

“We are proud of the fact we conceived a partnership with Camp Invention, worked closely with McNair Academy, provided activities and inspired our children to reach beyond the stars,” Wilson said.

McNair is located at 2162 Second Ave. in Decatur. To learn more about its STEM Academy, visit mcnaires.dekalb. k12.ga.us.

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Hartsfield-Jackson’s Wi-Fi connects laptop computers, Android-platform tablets/smart phones, any Apple Wi-Fi enabled device and all other Wi-Fi wireless devices to the Internet.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says the airport has become a huge “hot spot,” allowing access wireless Internet service from virtually any point, including the typically hard-to-reach transportation mall under the concourses.

“Free Wi-Fi has been a top priority for the City of Atlanta and I am pleased that we are now able to offer this important benefit to our customers at the world’s busiest and most efficient airport,” said Mayor Reed.

Hartsfield-Jackson manages its own Wi-Fi system. When users power on their Internet-ready device, the airport’s Wi-Fi network (SSID ATL Free Wi-Fi) communicates with it, resulting in the display of a splash page that contains the information needed to connect to ATL’s complimentary Wi-Fi service.

For technical support, call the toll-free number, (877) HJA-WIFI(452-9434), or email ATL-NOC@atlanta-airport.com.

Saturday, August 16, 2014 Stars and Strikes Entertainment Center

1741 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

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JULY 26, 2014 PAGE 7

ELECTIONS 2014

Five African American women hope to make history at the polls

F

ive African women seeking state offices in November plan to launch a statewide bus tour in August to reach citizens and garner support for their campaigns. The women say they plan to start the tour in the metro Atlanta area and move out across the state from there.

The candidates have already marked their page in Georgia’s history books because this is the first time there are five African-American women on the ballot for state offices: Connie Stokes, who is running for lieutenant governor; Robin Shipp, who is running for labor commissioner; Valerie Wilson, who is running for school superintendent; Doreen Carter, who is running for secretary of state; and Liz Johnson, who is running for insurance commissioner.

The women held a press conference on July 23 to make the community aware of their initiative. At the press conference, the women seeking office were joined by State Representatives Dar’Shun Kendrick and Dee Dawkins-Haigler.

Democratic Candidate for Secretary of State Doreen Carter says this election could serve as a milestone not just because they are African American women who are seeking office, but who

are well qualified for the jobs they are seeking.

“We’ve all taken on this election with a team approach. There has never been an African American woman elected to a Georgia Constitutional

Office,” said Carter, who has a master’s degree from Kennesaw State University and a Master of Theology from Life Christian University. “With myself and the other women running for state offices, we can all do something special on this ticket with the support of the voters.”

In the May primary election, Carter defeated Democratic opponent Gerald Beckum with 201,052 or 68.79 percent of the vote. Beckum garnered 91,198 or 31.21 percent of the vote. She faces Republican incumbent Brian Kemp in November.

Carter says State Rep. Dawkins-Haigler, who serves as the Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, is spearheading the bus tour.

“This tour will be a great way to get into Georgia communities and reach out to women who want to join in the effort to support change in what many consider an all-male establishment,” said Dawkins-Haigler, who represents Georgia’s District 91. “Yes, it is historic, but more importantly, we are talking about the possibility to change the mindset of the state by electing five qualified women to office. We plan to elect these qualified women to represent our state.”

Some DeKalb voters were confused at the polls Some voters got a little turned around on Election Day and went to the DeKalb County Voter Registration Office on Memorial Drive, instead of their community precinct to cast their ballots in the runoff elections. The Memorial Drive location was only open for the early voting period from June 30 to July 18.

Voters like Adrian Cook said going to the main Voter Registration Office on Memorial Drive was a force of habit.

“I never voted at my precinct because I always go to the Memorial Drive office to to do early voting to avoid lines,” said Cook, who waited this time to vote on July 22, Election Day. “I’m glad they had staff waiting at the door to look up your precinct and direct you to the right place to vote.”

Lemuel Leech, a Lithonia resident, learned he needed to go to his precinct at Browns Mill Elementary School.

“The confusion was just a pit stop. You have to vote. It’s too important not to,” said Leech. “The only way you can assure that the right people are put into office is to go to the polls.”

Maxine Daniels, director of Voter Registration and Elections for DeKalb County, said her staff was happy to direct voters to their respected precincts.

“We are here to serve the public. That’s what we do. We are excited to see voters coming to the polls and hope their confusion wasn’t a discouragement,” said Daniels. “We were glad we could assign voters to their precincts in accordance with state and federal laws.”

Of DeKalb’s 390,256 registered voters, 54,591 (13.99 percent) voted in the runoff Elections.

Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News

DeKalb Sheriff continued from page 1

Mayor Mike Davis, and Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry joined May. At the press conference, officials said more than 30 elected officials and dignitaries had endorsed Mann for sheriff.

“I am really proud of Sheriff Mann and his leadership. We really need his leadership in DeKalb County,” said May. “Sheriff Mann has a high level of integrity and ethics. I know he will make sure DeKalb looks good. I look forward to working with Jeff as we move the county forward.”

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JULY 26, 2014

Hundreds of Boulevard residents enjoy Back-to-School party in Atlanta Rep. Johnson announces $50K grant Atlanta Councilman Kwanza Hall continued his “Year of Boulevard” for Clarkston Community Center community improvement project with a back-to-school party and community cookout on July 19 at Intown Academy.

Sponsored by Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, the event welcomed hundreds of families and senior citizens from District 2’s Boulevard corridor.

More than 600 students received free book bags filled with school supplies and personal care items. Bottled waters and juices were provided through out the day.

Panda Express served 1,000 lunches. Atlanta’s Downtown Hyatt Regency provided fresh picnic dinners for attendees. There were also hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers served off the grill.

“I am grateful to everyone who made this year’s back-to-school party the best ever,” said Hall.

Greater Piney Grove celebrates 100 years during August Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, 1879 Glenwood Ave., S.E., Atlanta will roll out the red carpet to invite the community to help them celebrate 100 years of ministry, throughout the month of August.

The festivities start on Saturday, Aug. 2, 11 a.m., when the church will walk into their new worship center and make their present worship center The Frank Jones Memorial Chapel. Rev. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr., Senior Minister of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., will serve as the guest speaker.

On Sunday, Aug. 3, the first communion Sunday service in the new worship center will welcome Pastor Michael Benton of Fairfield Baptist Church in Lithonia to preach at the church’s 7:15 a.m. service. Greater Piney Grove Pastor William E. Flippin will preach at 10:30 a.m.

The month-long celebration continues on Sunday, Aug. 10, 3 p.m., when the church will host a dedication service for the new worship center. The guest speaker will be Pastor Jerry D. Black, senior pastor of Beulah Baptist Church. On Sunday, Aug. 17, the church will host “The Official Day of Celebration,” where motivational speaker, Dr. Samuel Chand, will speak at 7:15 a.m. and Bishop Jerry Hutchins will follow at 10:30 a.m.

Festivities also include a church revival where the Rev. Winfred Hope of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Athens and the Rev. Marcus Cosby of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, will join Pastor Flippin nightly, Aug. 18 – 20, at 7 to spread words of encouragement and inspiration for the community.

T

he Clarkston Community Center Foundation, Inc. will receive a $50,000 Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Our Town grant, Congressman Hank Johnson announced this

week.

The grant will support space for artists and creative entrepreneurship programming through the Clarkston Art at the Center Incubator (CACI) in the refugee resettlement community in Clarkston, Ga., which is part of the Fourth Congressional District.

Congressman One in four Clarkston residents is a foreign-born refugee, Hank Johnson and 43 percent of this foreign-born population lives in poverty.

“I can’t think of a more deserving community to receive this boost than Clarkston and the Community Center in particular,” said Johnson.

“As a gathering place for art, education, recreation and community building, the Clarkston Community Center is a model for embracing diversity by celebrating the richness and strengths of so many different cultures.”

Clarkston Community Center (CCC)Executive Director McKenzie Wren said the grants will be put to good use.

“The CCC believes in the power of art to transform lives and communities,” Wren said. “We believe that offering more opportunities for artists to share skills, learn about the business of art and simply have space in which to do their work will help in the ongoing development in Clarkston.”

The CACI will provide studio and stage space to trained and amateur artists to develop and practice their art, work with other artists, and present their work.

In partnership with the Start Clarkston Business Accelerator, CACI will offer chances for artists to participate in a competitive program consisting of 14 weeks of curriculum on business development, networking opportunities for low-interest loans, and receive a stipend to develop their arts based business. Local artists and arts groups will provide networking and mentorship for the artists.

Our Town is a competitive, matching grants program ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 for creative place-making projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core.

GREGORY B. LEVETT & SONS FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC

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JULY 26, 2014 PAGE 9

SACS: DeKalb schools “making material progress” DeKalb County parents may feel more confident in the school system when they drop their students off for the first day of classes. AdvancED President and CEO Mark A. Elgart said in a 12-page report the DeKalb County School District is continuing to make “material progress” in confronting recent challenges and completing required actions mandated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The report was conducted by AdvancED, the parent company of SACS. “Overall, the school system is making great strides in creating steps that focus on serving the needs of the children in the DeKalb County School District,” Elgart said in his review. “Under the leadership of this Superintendent and Board of Education, the school system is progressing in its effort to improve its organizational and instructional effectiveness.”

DeKalb Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond said he was pleased with the results from AdvancED and SACS. “We are encouraged that AdvancEd has taken note of the progress we’ve made in stabilizing the system and redirecting our focus on the growth and achievement of our 100,000 students,” said Superintendent Thurmond.

“We will continue to build on our momentum, because there is much more work that needs to be done.”

AdvancEd also acknowledged the fiscal progress the school system has made, noting that “as a result of sounder financial management, realistic budget forecasting and more rigid cost controls,” a $14-million deficit in fiscal year 2012 turned into a surplus of $10.8 million just one year later. For fiscal year 2015, the district projects a fund balance of more than $20 million.

According to SACS, “Board meetings are once again focused on the needs and issues impacting the growth and academic success of the students of DeKalb County. The meetings are professional and collegial. Even when board members are not in agreement with each other or have difficult questions for the staff, there is a new atmosphere of respect. This is enabling the Board to govern more effectively and keep its focus on the important issues facing the school system.”

DeKalb School Board Chairman Melvin Johnson said he is confident that the “atmosphere of respect” noted

by AdvancEd will remain.

“We will have stringent training protocols in place for new board members to ensure our meetings remain professional and collegial,” Johnson said. “And when we embark on a national search for a new superintendent, we will ensure that the process is open, transparent and focused on finding the best CEO to build on the legacy of Mr. Thurmond and the current board.”

In October 2012, AdvancEd challenged the district to address 11 “required actions” in order to improve its accreditation status, and subsequent directives raised the number to 14.

Of those, nine have been completed, with AdvancEd reporting that steady progress is being made on the remaining five.

“While the school system has made tremendous progress in fiscal management, governance, systemic change management, technology, and the implementation of the strategic plan, the dominant factor will be sustainability as leadership changes occur in the coming year,” the AdvancED report said.

Shiloh High School tapped for International Bachelorette program Students at Shiloh High School will start classes with a new opportunity.

The Gwinnett County high school recently became Gwinnett’s first school to be approved for an International Baccalaureate Career-Related Certificate Programme, or IBCC. The IBCC Programme is designed to help students become self-confident, internationally minded, while incorporating the vision and educational principles of the program, as they become engaged in their chosen career-related studies.

“The IBCC Programme aims to provide students with both an academic and practical foundation to support both their rigorous academia and specialized training in their career-pathway,” said Shiloh Principal Eric Parker. “IBCC combines highly regarded and internationally-recognized IB Diploma Programme courses with an approved career-related study and a unique IBCC core, which includes approaches to learning, community and service, language development, and a reflective project.”

Shiloh High’s first class of IBCC will begin its studies when school starts in August. At completion of the IBCC Programme, these students will earn an IBCC certificate and a possible college credit in their coursework.

For more information, contact Jamilya Mayo, Shiloh High’s IBCC Coordinator, at 770-736-4359 or visit http://shilohhighib.onmycalendar.com.

New Hope Christian’s Youth Ministry ready for Back to School rally New Hope Christian Ministries’ Youth Department will host a Back to School Rally on Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The church will have educators on site to address any questions or concerns related to students who are transitioning from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school or even those who are entering school for the very first time.

This event is being sponsored by General Electric, which is donating book bags as well as basic school supplies. In addition to book bags and school supplies, guests will receive a small gift on behalf of the church’s pastor, Richard A. Leaphart.

The church is located at 1738 Fairview Road, Stockbridge. For more information, call Sabrina Allen Scott at 678-368-3929.

A Back-to-School message from Rockdale’s Superintendent Dear Parents, Students, and Community, For the past two years, I have been sharing the Vision for the Future of Education in Rockdale County with all investors in public education including parents, educators, community members, government leaders and our students. I have been sharing our framework for personalized learning through increased specialty and choice options, our plan to reinvent the advisement process, and our One to One initiative (one electronic device per student and teacher) which will transform teaching and learning through the use of advanced technology.

We created the Model for Continuous Growth, which you can see inside the front cover, to help you visually understand the Richard Autry comprehensive direction of our vision through our strategic plan.

Embedded in this plan are also improvements in technology, school facilities, and enhanced security measures to ensure the safety of our schools. With the recent community support of E- SPLOST IV, we are able to begin to realize the vision for our future...now. On behalf of our students and staff, we thank you.

Four new specialty and choice options were made available for this school year and over 300 students will be attending schools outside their attendance zone this fall.

The programs initiated this year include the Performing and Visual Arts Academy at Davis Middle School, the Performing and Visual Arts Academy at Heritage High School, the Institute of Advanced Technology at Rockdale County High School, and the Business and Leadership Academy at Salem High School.

Existing choice programs include the AVID college preparatory program at Sims Elementary, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) focus at Honey Creek Elementary, IB and advanced learning focus at C.J. Hicks Elementary, and the STEM Academy for Environmental Studies at Memorial Middle School.

Several more schools are completing the development of additional choice options which will be available next year and beyond.

Please pardon our progress as construction projects funded by E-SPLOST are underway at Edwards and Conyers middle schools to provide additional space to accommodate future specialty programs in health and medical sciences and technology engineering respectively, as well as upgrade the outdated theatre and cafeteria spaces.

School safety and security remains our top priority and we continue to seek ways to provide the highest level of security in our buildings while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. This summer we installed controlled access entrances at many of our schools and will continue to aggressively implement our plan until all schools have controlled access. Controlled access may be in the form of a buzz-in door entry or a new wall directing visitors into the office and not allowing free access to the rest of the building.

We ask that you assist with our enhanced security measures by adhering to the visitor sign-in and -out requirements at your school. We are providing additional personnel at our secondary schools to work in conjunction with our School Resource Officers to assist with emergency preparedness, school safety plans and training, and enforcement of the Student Discipline Code of Conduct.

As always, we encourage parents and community members to become engaged in our schools. Research clearly shows that children do better in school when parents are involved and take an active role in their child’s education. We also believe that volunteers and mentors can make a profound difference in a child’s life and hope you will consider finding a way to share a little bit of yourself in our schools.

As superintendent, I pledge to work cooperatively with you as we continue to build an education system in which ALL children have the opportunity to learn, be successful, and graduate high school with an advantage in higher learning and in the work force. It is amazing to consider that RCPS graduated 1,061 seniors in May 2014.

These students were offered a total of $19.6 million in scholarships. I am proud to be superintendent of a school district in a community that values the impact of how education can change lives and generations. It’s going to be another great year at RCPS! Sincerely, Richard Autry, Superintendent Rockdale County Public Schools

Exousia Lighthouse sets Back To School Bash Exosia Lighthouse International Christian Ministries, 2562 Bond St., Lithonia, will host a “Back To School Bash” on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2 – 6 p.m.

School supplies, including paper, pencils, pens, markers, rulers and other materials will be given as supplies last. Along with supplies, attendees can enjoy free hot dogs and drinks, and fire truck demonstrations. 770-695-0167.

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People

JULY 26, 2014

Movers & Shakers in the Community

National Bar Association honors DeKalb District Attorney Robert James DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James will be honored with the “My Brother’s Keepers” award by the National Bar Association on Saturday, July 26. James will receive the award during National Bar Association’s 89th Annual Convention, held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Atlanta.

“When I first decided to DeKalb County District run for public office, I ran Attorney Robert James with the idea that I could not only prosecute cases but that I could, in some way, make a difference in my community,” said James. “We all share the burden

of ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

It is my sincere hope and prayer that together we can minimize the numerous hurdles facing our young people.”

The National Bar Association has partnered with 100 Black Men of America, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement, local fraternity chapters and public officials for this year’s community education initiative. The National Bar Association’s convention will include various programs for middle school, high school and college-aged young people. Various convention seminars will teach young attendees how to interact with police officers and deal with various life challenges.

James was recently honored by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners for his work in creating the Anti-Recidivism Court (ARC) for first-

Publishers honored with Exceptional Community Leaders Award On Common Ground News publishers Glenn and Valerie Morgan were honored with Light of the World Christian Tabernacle International’s “Exceptional Leaders in the Community” award on July 18 in Stockbridge.

The award presentation was part of the church’s 2014 Holy Convocation, which was held July 12 – 20.

The Morgans were honored “for ongoing commitment to keeping the community informed and dedication to community empowerment.”

The newspaper, which marked its 19th anniversary this year, was established in April 1995.

Light of the World leaders, Archbishop Ruth W. Smith Holmes and Dr. Rickie Holmes, hosted the convocation.

Church members say the Holy Convocation is designed for the worship of God, recalling the divine fruits and to bring repentance. Results of the Holy Convocation include bringing confession, giving participants a contrite heart and bringing a true repentance.

time, non-violent offenders. The ARC program is just one of many initiatives led by James to impact youths and young adults.

“We have to be deliberate in our approach to stopping the revolving door of recidivism and curbing criminal behavior and activity in our neighborhoods,” said James. “I don’t mind thinking outside of the box to keep kids from a life of incarceration in the ‘box.’”

According to the National Bar Association, the “My Brother’s Keeper” award is given to a person who consistently works to improve the opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color.

“I truly believe education is the foundation for minimizing the various disparities plaguing our youth,” said James. “I am honored and humbled by this tremendous recognition.”

Local leaders honored as “trailblazers” at annual awards program

L-R: Archbishop Ruth W. Smith Holmes and Glenn L. Morgan

JABY, Inc. and Suite 20 Day Spa hosted the 2014 International Trailblazers Awards on July 20 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur.

Radio news anchor Veronica Waters hosted the red carpet event.

The first awards program was hosted in 2010.

Suite 20 Day Spa was founded by husband and wife team Ceasar and Kristy Gaiter to provide affordable hair care in the community. After three successful years in business, Kristy Gaiter, a licensed hair care professional, founded the nonprofit, JABY, Inc. (Just About Blessing You) to put on the Trailblazer Awards.

Trailblazers recipients for 2014 include Justice Trailblazer Ashley Gibson; Leadership Trailblazer Keith Parker; Legend Trailblazer Barbara Jones Slater; Spiritual Trailblazer Bishop William L. Sheals, Pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church; Business Trailblazer Yaki Watkins; Community Service Trailblazer Stephanie Cogdell; and Future Trailblazer Trent Williams.

Past recipients of the Trailblazer Awards have included pillars in the community such as Congressman Hank Johnson, Bishop Gary Hawkins of Voices of Faith, and On Common Ground News Publishers Glenn and Valerie Morgan.

DeKalb’s Romeo Stockett is awarded at 100 national convention Stone Mountain’s Romeo Stockett was awarded the “Dr. James Black Award” by the 100 Black Men of America Chairman Curley Dossman, at the group’s 28th Annual National Conference in Hollywood, Florida over the summer.

Stockett was recognized for his outstanding achievements in research, data analysis, advocacy and advancing awareness and protocol changes in the education, care and treatment of prostate cancer.

Stockett is currently participating in three national initiatives and research in prostate cancer as well as his independent research in advancing prostate cancer awareness and care through data informatics applications.

This year, the theme of the conference was “Education in an Era of Change.” With sponsors such as corporations Cadillac and the General Motors foundation, the Atlanta-based national mentoring organization attracted more than 2,000 attendees.

The 100 Black Men conference was welcoming to celebrities and dignitaries like comedian Jonathan Slocumb, performers En Vogue, Joe, Erica Campbell of Mary Mary, Sevyn Streeter, Trevor Jackson, educator Dr. Dennis Kimbro, celeb fitness expert Donna Richardson, Olympian Tommy Smith and former NBA superstar Dikembe Mutombo.

EXPIRES: 7-31-2014

JULY 26, 2014 PAGE 11

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DEKALB COUNTY GOVERNMENT Advertisement for Thursday, July 31, 2014

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Sealed bids will be received in the Department of Purchasing and Contracting, The Maloof Center, 1300 Commerce Drive, 2nd Floor, Decatur, Georgia 30030, for the following until 3:00 P.M. on date(s) designated below: REQUEST FOR QUOTATION NO.

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Specifications and other details will be available in the Purchasing and Contracting Department, The Maloof Center, 2nd Floor, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30030. For additional information, please view the DeKalb County Website at: http://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/purchasing/index.html DeKalb County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids or any part thereof, to waive any technicalities, and to re-advertise.

By: Scott M. Callan, Acting Chief Procurement Officer DeKalb County Department of Purchasing and Contracting

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JULY 26, 2014