VOLUME 22 NUMBER 2
FREE
APRIL9, 2016
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
Clarkston pushing to decriminalize marijuana
Mayor Ted Terry By Valerie J. Morgan
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he city of Clarkston could become Georgia’s first municipality to decriminalize marijuana. If successful, it would join 20 states and dozens of cities that have ordinances that make possession of small amounts of marijuana a non-criminal offense. Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry said
city officials plan to review whether to make possession of less than an ounce of marijuana a ticket-only offense that would amount to a $5 fine in municipal court for a first offense. There would be no arrest, he said. “We’re sending people to jail and they’re racking up fines and fees and life-long criminal records for what I believe are low-level, non-violent offenses. We should be focusing on real public threats: burglary, break-ins, violent crimes and drug abuse,” said Terry. Clarkston averages about 70 to 80 arrests a year involving people who had less than an ounce of marijuana in their possession, Terry said. He said many of those arrested are poor and cannot afford the stiff penalties that now come with possession of small quantities of marijuana. Terry, who has served as mayor of Clarkston since 2014, oversees one of metro Atlanta’s most diverse
populations. Terry said relaxing the penalties for simple possession of marijuana, however, does not mean opening the doors for people to freely smoke marijuana, sell it or possess other illicit drugs in Clarkston. Those things, he said, won’t be tolerated. Terry said he believes that cities, in his opinion, have “concurrent jurisdiction” with the state over low-level drug offenses. He said the city’s attorney has already approved the ordinance in principle. “ We believe that we can do it based on current state laws,” said Terry. Terry said the City Council’s Public Safety Council plans to discuss the proposed ordinance on April 22, 5 p.m., at the Clarkston Woman’s Club. An ordinance could be ready for a council vote by May, he said. Some 20 states have passed
ordinances to make possessing small amounts of marijuana a non-criminal offense, according to NORML, an organization pushing to legalize marijuana use. Currently, possessing an ounce or less of pot in Clarkston, , can still result in up to a year of jail time and a $1,000 fine. “The bottom line is we’re losing the war on drugs,” Terry said. “It’s time for elected officials to use evidence-based policies to make our communities safer and fight drug abuse. Our judicial system should be about serving justice.”
BIBLE JAMBOREE
Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church is sending hundreds of bibles to underdeveloped countries By Valerie J. Morgan
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n a sunny Thursday morning, when they might otherwise be enjoying a spring morning, a group of mostly retired volunteers formed an assembly line in a church fellowship hall and filled dozens of boxes with bibles. The bibles, which were packed and mailed on April 7, are headed to countries where some people have never owned a bible of their own. Pastor James Ward, who heads Antioch-Lithonia Missionary Baptist Church, said his congregation is partnering with a ministry called “Love Packages” in Butler, Illinois, on the bible giving initiative. This year will mark the third that the Lithonia church has held “Bible Jamboree,” collecting a record number of bibles from its congregants—1,350—to send to underdeveloped countries. “We are excited to be a blessing to others,” said Pastor Ward, who has over 100 bibles in different translations. “We asked our members to donate and some didn’t just give one bible; they went out and bought 20 or 30 bibles. When we talk about the bible and its importance in our lives, many of us don’t really consider what that means to someone who lives in a country where people don’t have a bible. In some places, you have people dividing up one bible, tearing individual books out of the bible
just so they can read the Scriptures.” Deaconess Frances Anderson, who teaches the Women’s Sunday School class, said those kinds of testimonies are what inspired her to birth the Love Packages ministry at Antioch-Lithonia. “My daughter who lives in Maryland was telling me about the ministry and I really wanted my church to participate, too,” said Anderson. “We asked the Sunday School classes to participate. Many treasured their own family bibles, which have been handed down through the years, so they went out and bought bibles to donate.” Last year, Antioch-Lithonia collected about 700 bibles. This year, the church exceeded its goal of 1,000 and actually collected 1,350, said Minister
Vanessa Richardson, who heads the church’s Christian Education Ministry. She said Pastor Ward plans to recognize the individuals who donated the most bibles during Sunday worship service. “We made it a friendly competition with the different Sunday School classes donating the bibles. Everyone enjoyed participating,” said Richardson. Hazel Grant, who helped co-chair the event, said participating in the Bible Jamboree brings her Christian education full circle. “As a student at Faith Bible Institute, I’m learning more about the Scriptures and about Christianity. My hope is that those who receive the bibles will find peace and understanding of God’s Word.”
Pitching In: Deaconess Frances Anderson, Chair Hazel Grant – Co-Chair Carrie Banks Marquis Bolding Patricia Cauthen Deacon Charles Durham Raiford Jackson William Mauesby Minister Vanessa Richardson – Minister of Christian Education Gloamy Lee Sang Deacon Sylvester Spann, Sr. Geraldine House Thomas Shirley Thomas Doretha Ward Deacon Lorenzo Wilkerson Frank Williams
PAGE 2 •APRIL 9, 2016
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“We are rolling forward together as one” -Interim CEO Lee May
Phase II
Recycling ◊ Garbage roll cart rightsizing ◊ Additional garbage roll carts Changes to garbage and recycling container requirements and collection procedures
The DeKalb County Sanitation Division advances through Phase II of the Rolling Forward to One sanitation service change program. Please see below for county-provided recycling and garbage container options, and information on soon-to-be-implemented changes to garbage and recycling container requirements and collection procedures.
County-provided single-stream recycling options
18-gallon bin
65-gallon roll cart
40-gallon bag
County-provided garbage roll cart options
35-gallon roll cart
45-gallon roll cart
65-gallon roll cart
95-gallon roll cart
Coming April 18, 2016 Changes to garbage and recycling container requirements and collection procedures Only county-provided garbage and recycling containers are approved for use
Approved
Not Approved Customer-provided garbage container
County-provided recycling bin, bag and roll cart
County-provided garbage roll cart Secure, durable plastic bags for excess garbage
Customer-provided recycling container or bag
For more information, please call or visit: (404) 294-2900 • www.rollingforwardtoone.com • Follow @ItsInDeKalb on Twitter
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EDITOR/PUBLISHER
Valerie J. Morgan
APRIL 9,2016 • PAGE 3
Tragic death of Rockdale deputy tax commissioner shocks staff
editor@ocgnews.com GENERAL MANAGER
Glenn L. Morgan
gmorgan1@ocgnews.com ADVERTISING MANAGER
Richard S. Hill
richardhill@ocgnews.com
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.
Second from left: Connie Tucker attending the grand opening of the customer service kiosk at the Rockdale Tax Commissioner’s office in February 2015. OCG News/ File Photo
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onnie Tucker, Rockdale County’s Deputy Tax Commissioner of Operations, was killed April 6 in a head-on collision that also claimed the life of the driver who hit her in the early morning crash. The accident happened at 6:22 a.m. in Walton County on U.S. 278 near Hancock Road, just north of I-20 outside the Social Circle city limits, according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety’s Public Information Office. Tucker, 56, was driving westbound in a white Mercury Grand Marquis when the eastbound Dolores Ellis, 58, of Athens, left the shoulder of the roadway in her black Honda then overcorrected and crossed into the path of Tucker, authorities said. The impact created a fiery crash and both drivers died at the scene, authorities said. There were no passengers in either of the two vehicles. The Tax Commissioner’s Office was closed after staff members learned of Tucker’s death and became upset. Tucker, a Conyers resident, had worked at the tax office for 20 years. She had been caring for her elderly father who lived in Rutledge, staff members said. Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley said his office would reopen
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eKalb County will join District Attorney Robert James and community leaders for Jobs Not Jail: A Call to Action on April 13, 10 a.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 East Court Square, Decatur. The event is being held to raise community awareness about the District Attorney’s Anti-Recidivism Diversion Court.
The District Attorney is asking the community’s help in finding jobs or apprenticeships for graduates of the program. Several Anti-Recidivism Diversion Court graduates will be on hand to describe their experiences before and during the program, and tell of their new life choices as a result of their participation. DeKalb Workforce Development is partnering with the District Attorney’s office to help assist graduates in obtaining employment and
several jobs will be made available to graduates in the D.A.’s office.
The Anti-Recidivism Diversion Court began in 2011 as a way to prevent young, non-violent offenders from committing more crimes after their first arrest. The program was created based upon research showing that young offenders benefit greatly from being held accountable for their actions and being given the tools that allow them to shift to a productive mindset. A part of that shift is helping young graduates of the program find jobs that help them grow in a positive direction. Local business, community and faith leaders are invited to help launch the new initiative. The event is free and open to the public. Employers and those interested in attending should contact Ebony Phillips at eaphillips@ dekalbcountyga.gov to RSVP.
for normal business hours on Monday, April 11, 8 a.m. Hadley said all tax deadlines have been extended until April 11. “It is with profound sadness that I must report the sudden, devastating loss of Mrs. Connie Tucker, our Deputy Tax Commissioner of Operations, this morning. Connie, who was among our longest serving employees, was a wealth of knowledge and totally dedicated to serving the needs of Rockdale citizens. Most importantly to us, she was part of the bedrock of our Tax Office family,” Hadley said in a release.
Funeral service set for Connie Hammonds Tucker March 31, 1960-April 6, 2016
The funeral service for Connie Fay Tucker, 56, of Conyers, will be held Sunday, April 10, 3 p.m., at the Henry Funeral Home Lithonia Chapel, 6833 Church St., Lithonia. Mrs. Tucker died April 6, 2016. She was a 1978 graduate of Lithonia High School and worked as the Rockdale Deputy Tax Commissioner of Operations for the Rockdale County Tax Commissioner’s Office. A member of Philadelphia Baptist Church, she was also a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. Mrs. Tucker was preceded in death by her mother, Irene Burt Hammonds. She is survived by her husband of nearly 36 years, John “Buddy” Tucker; sons, John M. “Trey” Tucker, III and his wife, Candace, of Statesboro, and James Andrew “Andy” Tucker and his wife, Jamie, of Conyers; grandchildren, Lola Tucker and Madison Tucker; father, James M. Hammonds of Rutledge; and sister, Patsy Jean Hammonds of Rutledge. The Rev. Michael R. Pigg will officiate the funeral services. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Henry Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Hillandale Memorial Park.
Qualifying set for DeKalb’s District 7 Commission seat Qualifying for the DeKalb County District 7 Commission seat begins on Monday, April 18, 9 a.m., and ends at noon on Wednesday, April 20. The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections has called for the Special Election to be held on Nov. 8 to fill the unexpired term of Stan Watson, who resigned to run for DeKalb Tax Commissioner. Watson had two years left on his four-year term. If a runoff is required, it will be held on Dec. 6. The qualifying fee for the seat is $1,151.24. Qualifying will be held in the office of the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and Elections, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur.
Sen. Gloria Butler to honor Vietnam veterans State Sen. Gloria Butler (D – Stone Mountain) will honor Georgia’s Vietnam veterans in two special ceremonies. The first ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m., South Gwinnett High School, Performing Arts Auditorium, 2288 E. Main St., Snellville. The second ceremony will be held on April 16, 3 p.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Butler serves as vice chairwoman for the Minority
Sen. Gloria Butler
Caucus. She represents the 55th Senate District, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties.
PAGE 4•APRIL 9,2016
DEKALB
Coming Up
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Nick and the Grooves perform at the Decatur Library Enjoy an evening of free entertainment April 12, 7 to 8 p.m., at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. After a smokin’ debut on Shure’s Give It Voice tour, Nick and the Grooves are making waves with their signature blend of jazz-funk and blues-rock. Led by guitarist Nick Edelstein, this Atlanta-based septet has entertained at some of the largest venues and festivals in the Southeast. The Grooves includes the legendary John McKnight, Bryan Hall, Scott Ritshie and Bill Smith. The at large members of the band are James King and Will Scruggs, both of whom have toured and recorded with platinum artists. For more information, call 404-370-3070.
Peace Lutheran to present Spring Expo
Pony Ride Day at Little Creek Farm
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ake the whole family for a fun-filled spring day at Little Creek Farm and enjoy pony rides and kids’ activities on Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2057 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur. Pony rides available to ages 4 and up (adults can ride too!). Other activities are available for kids of all ages (including those under age 4). Line for pony rides will be cut off at 1:30 p.m. Pony rides cost $5 each, cash or check only. Other activities may cost extra. Event scheduled rain or shine. Proceeds to benefit the Little Creek Farm Conservancy and the Decatur High School Chorus. For more information, visit: www.littlecreekfarmconservancy.org.
ATLANTA
How to overcome testing anxiety On April 13, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Atlanta Fulton County Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, there will be a class on how to overcome stress when taking tests and exams. The class will be held on the third floor meeting room. Many people struggle with anxiety when studying for or taking a test or an exam. Attendees will explore ways to identify, work through and overcome the crippling anxiety that hold many people back from having a positive test taking experience. The class is free. For more information, call 404-730-1700.
Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles to present designer showhouse Atlanta Homes & Gardens Magazine will present its inaugural Southeastern Designer Showhouse & Gardens April 23-May 15 (Thursdays through Sundays) at 3800 Northside Drive, Atlanta. The event produced by Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine is seen as one of the most influential and significant designer showhouses in the Southeast, and will bring together designers from Georgia, the Carolinas, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, and Louisiana. The five-bedroom, nine-bath home features the reativity of almost 30 designers. The exquisite 20,000-square-foot English manor-style house is situated on a 3.5-acre lot that also includes a 2,500-square-foot pool house, infinity edge pool and tennis court. The home is open April 23 to May 15, Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Group rates available. Parking by shuttle only. This year’s beneficiary is Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), and their injury prevention outreach arm, Safe Kids Georgia. For more information: http://www.southeasternshowhouse.com.
Funding workshop for artists and filmmakers C4 Atlanta and Foundation Center will host a workshop on fiscal sponsorship for artists April 12, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at the Atlanta Fulton County Library, 1 Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta. The class will be held on the third floor meeting room. Fiscal sponsorship is a funding mechanism for artists and others who need to raise money but are too small to start their own nonprofit. Learn about the pros and cons of fiscal sponsorship, the application process, the operational structure of a Model C fiscal sponsorship relationship, and the types of creative projects eligible for this model. Event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 404-730-1700.
Peace Lutheran Church, 1679 Columbia Drive, Decatur, will host its Spring Exposition in collaboration with Partners in Action for Healthy Living (PAHL) and other community partners. The expo will be held Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities will include animal exhibits (eagle, vulture, alligator, etc.) conducted by the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, choir presentations, A Peace-full Reign dance presentation, healthy food preparation and tastings, a bounce house for the children, face painting, aerobics and much more. Admission is free. For more information, call 404-289-1474.
ABWA Hidden Hills Chapter sets Business Expo The Hidden Hills Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association is sponsoring a Business Expo on April 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Exchange Park Recreation Center, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur. Come out to network, collaborate, attend workshops and promote business from all over metro Atlanta at this free event. The event is open to the public.
GWINNETT
Snellville Days Festival offers weekend of fun The Snellville Days Festival, featuring more than 150 arts and crafts booths, 20 food vendors and live entertainment, will be held April 30 to May 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, at T.W. Briscoe Park, 2500 Sawyer Parkway, Snellville. There will be a children’s activities area and plenty of festival food. The Snellville Days Festival will begin with a parade on Saturday through downtown Snellville at 10 a.m. Admission to the festival is free.
ROCKDALE .Spring yard sale set at Rockdale Annex parking lot It’s time to clean out those closets. Bring household goods, toys, clothes, and other items that have been pushed around for months. Join the community “yard sale” on Saturday, April 16, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Rockdale Government Annex parking lot, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. The fee for county residents to sell is $10 per parking space; and $15 for non-county residents. Fees can be paid the day of the yard sale. Set up time begins at 7 a.m. Participants must provide their own tables and chairs.
Rockdale County Public Schools’ art show Rockdale County Public School system will showcase the artwork of its talented students on April 16, 1 to 5 p.m., at The Meeting House at Corner Market, 1815 Parker Road SE, Conyers. For more information, call 770922-3143. Event details may change at any time. Please always check with the event organizer before you go. To submit your event to Coming Up, email editor@ocgnews.com. —Coming Up is compiled by Empish Thomas—
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Re-Elect Ruth A. Wilson, Rockdale Clerk of Courts
APRIL 9, 2016 • PAGE 5
Registration underway for DeKalb Senior Olympics
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Bring your classic cars,Corvettes, Motorcycles and Trikes Trophies awarded for best 4-wheel, 3-wheel, 2-wheel and overall style To register your hot rod, e-mail: info@ruthforrockdale.Com Registration Deadline April 15 Donations Appreciated For more information: 770-602-1333 Paid for by the Committee to Re-elect Ruth Wilson
he 30th Annual DeKalb County Senior Olympic Games will be held May 2 – 26 at venues throughout the county. DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs will host the Olympic-style sports festival, which provides seniors, ages 50 and older, an opportunity to compete in their favorite sports. Registration is now open until April 30. “The Senior Olympics is a great opportunity for DeKalb seniors to showcase their talents and bond with people in the community,” said DeKalb’s Interim CEO Lee May. “To see the competitiveness of our seniors is always exciting and entertaining.” Participants will compete in a variety of sports, including free-throw basketball, bowling, golf, horseshoes, track and field, billiards, swimming, table tennis and water volleyball. Participants are encouraged to compete as a team or enter individual events. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each event. Seniors needing special assistance regarding transportation should call MARTA Mobility at 404-848-5389. The DeKalb County Senior Olympic Games is open to all residents of DeKalb as well as residents from surrounding counties. Visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click “register now” on the department’s homepage or pick up registration packets at any county recreation center, library and select senior centers. For more information about the DeKalb Senior Olympic Games, call DeKalb County Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs at 404-371-2711.
PAGE 6 •APRIL 9, 2016
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Columbia Drive shooting suspect arrested
Hydrick Holloway
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit has arrested a man suspected of shooting a woman during an attempted carjacking at a Decatur gas station in January. Hydrick Bernard Holloway, 26, was taken into custody without incident April 6 at Longdale
Park in Decatur by DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies with assistance from a DeKalb Police helicopter unit. Several other individuals at the scene were detained for questioning without incident. According to the arrest warrant issued on Jan. 20, Holloway shot Shelita Nhiquita Sutton as she sat in her BMW in the parking lot of a Citgo gas station on Columbia Drive in Decatur. The incident also resulted in damage to two other vehicles parked at the station. Sutton was hospitalized for her injuries. Holloway is charged with felony aggravated assault robbery and felony criminal attempt, and he is being held at the DeKalb County jail.
Retired officer convicted of child molestation A DeKalb County jury convicted a retired police officer of two counts of aggravated child molestation and two counts of child molestation. Kelless Twohearts Lory, 58, of Stone Mountain, was immediately taken into custody after the verdict on April 7. He faces two life sentences plus 40 years. The jury found Lory molested the girl, a family member, between July 2011 and July 2012. The victim, who testified at trial, was 9 Kelless Twohearts Lory years old when the abuse first began. Lory was arrested in December 2014. Lory retired from the Chamblee Police Department and previously worked for MARTA Police. He was retired when the abuse occurred.
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APRIL 9, 2016 • PAGE 7
Twenty-Two GPTC students excel at statewide SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference
eorgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) is honoring 22 students who won medallions during the 2016 Statewide SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference. Georgia Piedmont students participated in over 20 competitions and earned gold, silver and bronze medals in 15 of them. The statewide competition serves as a forum for technical college students to exhibit the technical expertise they have gained through their coursework. “Georgia Piedmont Technical College’s success at the statewide SkillsUSA Conference is to be commended. It illustrates not only the commitment that students have to learning their craft, but also the faculty’s commitment to providing quality instruction that leads to excellence at our college,” said GPTC President Jabari Simama. “I’m proud of all the students who participated, and I’m confident those who are advancing to the national contest this summer will represent the college well.” The 2016 SkillsUSA Statewide Leadership and Skills Conference showcases students’ skills during hands-on competitions in the following areas: leadership development; occupational-related; skilled; and technical science. All Gold Medal recipients will represent the state of Georgia during
the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference, June 20-24, in Louisville, Kentucky. Christine Harden Hamilton, Georgia Piedmont’s SkillsUSA lead advisor, was delighted with how well Georgia Piedmont students fared in this year’s contest. “I always tell our students excellence is a standard - not a hobby,” Hamilton said. Gold Award Winners: 3D Visualization and Animation: Denard Anderson and Amy Coles Career Pathways, Marketing and Sales: Sakima Cauthen, Thelma Clark-Thomas, Michael O’Neal Customer Service: Emory Marshall Job Skills Demonstration Open: Satwyneka Williams Motorcycle Service Technology: Shawn Lee Practical Nursing: Gunindi Erman Technical Computer Applications: Mycael Spear Television (Video) Production: Alex Danya, Love McNill
Silver Award Winners: Career Pathways/Health Science: Kourtney Dabney and Destiny Jones Motorcycle Service Technology: Jared Prince Promotional Bulletin Board: Darrante Patterson Technical Drafting: Amada Nix Bronze Award Winners: Advertising Design: Christopher Anderson Cosmetology: Casey Knox Job Skills Demonstration A: Shade’l Wiggins Nail Care: C. Deneen Daniel, Technician/ Kaitlin Walcott, Model GPTC Advisors: Stephen Bullock; Yolanda Culberson; Dr. Delores Guillory; C. Hamilton, Kaye Henry; Sam Mitchell; Shirley Pace; Telicia Palmer; Mike Sachs; Theresa Snagg; Andrea Strommen; Arnold Taylor; Stephanie Voltolin; Doxie White; Dr. Tomeika. Williams.
Greystone, SDIA, KDB partner on community cleanup in DeKalb Greystone Concerned Homeowners, South DeKalb Improvement Association, Inc. (SDIA) and Keep DeKalb Beautiful (KDB) are uniting to sponsor a spring clean-up of the Greystone community. Volunteers will meet on Saturday, April 9, 8:30 a.m., at the Greystone Community Clubhouse, 1041 Old Greystone Drive, Lithonia (off Stephenson Road between US Highway 124/Rock Chapel Road and South
Smoke Rise Baptist Summer Day Camp Weekly sessions starting May 31- August 5 8:30 a.m. -5:30 p.m. Smoke Rise Baptist church offers a convenient extended day with a busy schedule of varied activities for children 5 to 16. Our day camps include: field trips, hot lunch, academics, and an experience to please any kid. Teens have a steady diet of team building, community service, academics and summer fun. Early enrolment discount, season pass to Both Six Flags and White Water – weekly tuition is all inclusive.
ACA Accredited and voted best in Atlanta 2012.
5901 Hugh Howell Road Stone Mountain, GA. 30087 Contact Gregory Burdett Ed.S. 678-469-1377 daycamp@smokeriseministries.org
Convenient extended day (6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.)
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Deshon). Clean-up supplies will be provided. For more information, contact Gina Mangham at 770-715-8122 or Carolyn Jones at SDIAinc@gmail.com. SDIA is a non-profit, non-political, 501c3 organization. The organization’s mission is to give the residents of South DeKalb a voice and platform in addressing common issues.
PAGE 8 •APRIL 9, 2016
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DeKalb County Mobile Career Center April Schedule
eKalb County’s Mobile Career Center will be stationed at locations throughout the county during the month of April. The mobile unit supports the County’s Strategic Priority Facilitate Jobs and Economic Development by providing work readiness services and putting DeKalb County citizens back to work.
The mobile unit provides residents with essential services, including job search assistance, adult workshops and training, resume writing pointers, and interviewing tips. Businesses are also able to use the mobile unit for recruiting, pre-employment screenings, interviewing and training. More than 3,000 DeKalb residents have used the Mobile Career Center’s services since its launch in February 2012. “The mobile center is funded through the Workforce Investment Act grant and all services offered are free,” said Lee May.
The Mobile Career Center is also offering assistance to residents interested in applying for the DeKalb summer internship program. The internship program provides short-term internship opportunities for low-income young adults, ages 16-24, who are not enrolled in school and seeking employment. Two staff persons will be housed in the unit to assist through the application process. Below are the Mobile Career Center’s scheduled locations for the remainder of April: Monday, April 11, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Stonecrest Library 3123 Klondike Road Lithonia, GA 30038 Tuesday, April 12, 10.a.m.-4 p.m. DeKalb Access and Resource Center
949 North Hairston Road Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Monday, April 18, 10.a.m.- 4.p.m. Decatur Library 215 Sycamore Street Decatur, GA 30030
Tuesday, April 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. DFACS 178 Sams Street Decatur, GA 30033 Wednesday, April 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Hairston Crossing Library 4911 Redan Road Stone Mountain, GA 30088 Thursday, April 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Villages of Eastlake 460 Eastlake Blvd Atlanta, GA 30317 Monday, April 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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Redan-Trotti Library 1569 Wellborn Road Lithonia, GA 30058 Tuesday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. DeKalb Access and Resource Center 949 North Hairston Road Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Wednesday, April 27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. St. Vincent De Paul Society 4871 Memorial Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083 Thursday, April 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Salem Panola Library 5137 Salem Road Lithonia, GA 30038 Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Miller Grove High School 2645 DeKalb Medical Parkway Lithonia, GA 30058
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OP-ED Voicing Your Opinion
APRIL 9,2016 • PAGE 9
Saving our youths: We must provide jobs, not jail
By DeKalb’s District Attorney Robert James
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e have an incredible opportunity to correct a major problem in DeKalb County. Far too often our youth are unable to find work, and turn to crime as a result. We can’t police or prosecute our way out of this problem. A community-based strategy putting young people between the ages of 17 and 25 to work is more sustainable than jailing non-violent offenders. Per capita, the U.S. imprisons more people than any other industrialized nation. Upwards of two million people each day are in jail or on probation.
A Bureau of Justice Statistics report shows that nationwide, only Texas outranks Georgia for the combined number of people jailed, paroled, in prison or on probation. This should not be the case in a country that prides itself on liberty, and that we call the home of the free and the brave. The well intended “get tough on crime” movement of the ‘80s and ‘90s that gave us mandatory minimums and long sentences have, unfortunately, resulted in a tragic cycle of repeat offenders. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 67 percent of defendants will re-offend within three years, and more than 50 percent of those re-offenders will return to jail for new crimes. It’s not enough to be tough on crime. We’ve got to be smarter about crime. Examining the impacts of mental illness, drug addiction and lack of opportunity – be it education or employment – on crime in our communities, the need is clear. Proactive measures must be taken. That starts with breaking the cycle of repeat offenders. There’s no way to achieve public
Helping Hands Outreach Clinic to host free screening services
Helping Hands Outreach Clinic will offer free health screening services on April 30, 9 a.m. to noon, 1733 Lake Rockaway Road, Conyers. Janice Morris, Chief Operating Officer of the clinic, said Helping Hands is welcoming those who have no health insurance to come out for the screenings that will be offered by licensed professional health care providers who will be volunteering their services. The healthcare providers will screen for diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and other primary care services, said Morris. “These healthcare screenings are so important because many times, those screenings may be the first time that a patient learns that he or she has what could potentially be a serious health condition,” Morris said. Morris said Helping Hands soon plans to begin providing free and low-cost laboratory testing services. The clinic, she said, also plans to open on the weekends and provide evening hours on select weekdays. “We’re looking at restructuring our hours so that we will be available to those who work. The weekend and evening hours during the week will allow us to do that,” said Morris. Kohl’s department store, Caring Hub nursing program and Rockdale Medical Center are partners with Helping Hands. The clinic has served over 8,000 patients since it first opened in 2004. The clinic will accept walk-in appointments on April 22. To find out what times may be available to see a volunteer health provider, call 678-750-3688.
safety without first addressing recidivism; offenders being convicted and jailed, released, then returning to the judicial system for a different or sometimes more serious crime. As DeKalb County’s District Attorney, and with the help of the DeKalb County Public Defender’s Office and the DeKalb County Magistrate Court, I enacted just such programming in 2011 to address recidivism. And it’s working. Our Anti-Recidivism Diversion Court has been a successful part of efforts to prevent crime. By holding these young people accountable for their actions, and helping them work to gain valuable education and life skills, we are redirecting their paths. A 2015 independent study by Applied Research Services, Inc., has shown that our participants are 30 percent less likely to re-offend, and 58 percent less likely to be re-arrested for felonies. Beyond merely saving the futures of our youth, who often become stigmatized by their criminal pasts, our program saves money. The average cost to house an offender for just one month before going to trial is more than $1,600,
according to recent data, whereas the cost of one year of our diversion program is less than $500. We’ve partnered with DeKalb Workforce Development and next week with your help, we want to extend our reach to finally close the recidivism cycle by helping young, non-violent offenders find jobs. The “Jobs, Not Jail: A Call To Action” event at 10 a.m., April 13 at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse seeks to bring together community stakeholders capable of providing jobs to our Anti-Recidivism Diversion Court graduates. Ultimately, the goal is to create a network of opportunity that prevents those young people from returning to crime. I’m asking business and community leaders to help us find jobs for our young Anti-Recidivism Diversion Court graduates, either through referral or extending job offers. And I’m hiring several of our graduates as interns at the District Attorney’s Office to show that I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is. If you want to get involved, please contact Kaleema Thomas with the DeKalb District Attorney’s Office at kathomas@dekalbcountyga.gov.
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Oden to represent ARC at economic summit at CAU
Richard Oden
Rockdale County Chairman Richard A. Oden has been tapped to participate as a panelist in a summit focused on diversity inclusion in tech innovation that Clark Atlanta University is hosting. The CAU Economic Inclusion and
Competitiveness Summit 2016 in Atlanta from April 22-23 is expected to attract 300-500 participants, including investors, local, regional and national leaders, university and high school students and community members, according to event organizers. The two-day event will include a town hall, panel discussions and breakout sessions that will focus on solutions to empower underrepresented populations to compete in the 21st century tech-innovation economy. Activities include an interactive hackathon for college and high school students and a pitch competition with student-led ventures. Registration is free.
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) selected Oden, along with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, to represent the organization at the summit. Oden is a member of ARC’s Executive Committee, which is comprised of 10 metro Atlanta counties and 68 cities. He is the 2016 Chairman of ARC’s Community Resource Committee (CRC) leading the charge on water, energy, housing, land use, government services and natural resources issues. Since 2012, he has led the ARC Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Steering and Work Teams comprised of chambers of commerce, the business and academic community and other key individuals.
Their work resulted in a unified regional economic development strategy. “I’m excited to be a part of this summit and not only proudly represent ARC, but the deserving citizens, businesses and students of Rockdale County,” Oden said. “Conversations such as the ones likely to be held during this gathering are what plant the seeds today for innovative and impactful actions tomorrow.” To learn more about the summit, visit http://www.cau.edu/ or contact Rita Hardy at rhardy@cau.edu. To learn more about ARC, visit www.atlantaregional.com.
Business areas in Rockdale designated as AT&T Fiber Ready
As part of its ongoing efforts to drive economic development and investment across Georgia, representatives from AT&T and Rockdale County announced that a number of locations across the county have been designated as AT&T Fiber Ready. While the AT&T Fiber Ready designation was first announced in Georgia earlier this year, the locations in Rockdale County are the first in the metro area to receive the designation. The designation helps economic development leaders more effectively position their communities for site selection by emphasizing the availability of high-speed, fiber-based services. “The presence of fiber-optic infrastructure is vital for businesses in today’s economy,” Rockdale County Chairman Richard Oden said. “As our people work to bring new jobs and employers to the
area, the AT&T Fiber Ready designation offers the clear stamp that the necessary high-speed infrastructure is available to meet their business needs.” AT&T designated several addresses – 2527 Iris Drive, 2420 Iris Drive, 2291 Sigman Road, 2301 Sigman Road and 2272 Old Covington Highway SW – as Fiber Ready, which means its fiber-optic infrastructure is in place in these areas to serve the communications needs of local businesses and provide access to the technology for businesses and industries looking to locate to the area. “We are proud to highlight Conyers and Rockdale County as a couple of the many places in Georgia where AT&T’s fiber-optic infrastructure is in place and ready to help local businesses drive job creation,” said Delores Crowell, AT&T Regional Director – External Affairs. “Positive, pro-business policies embraced by Georgia’s state
and local elected officials continue to make our state a great place to invest, and I’m proud of the work our AT&T Georgia employees have done deploying fiber and other infrastructure that delivers high-speed Internet access.” The designation could serve as a springboard for economic development activity in this west Rockdale corridor, Oden said. Plus, he said it will help the County stand out from other competing locations being considered. AT&T has been deploying high-speed, fiber-optic infrastructure across the southern United States for years, and the designation is a tool for economic development leaders to highlight the assets available in their facilities. For more information about AT&T and its fiber ready services, please visit http://georgia.att.com.
Elections 2016 Your Voice Your Vote
Gwinnett hiring poll officials for busy elections cycle Gwinnett County Elections is looking to hire paid poll officials for the upcoming elections in May and July. “We have several busy elections ahead of us and with more than 150 polling precincts in the county, it will take several thousand poll officials to staff just one election,” said Elections Supervisor Lynn Ledford. Successful poll officials demonstrate patience, enjoy working with people, take direction well and are detail oriented. Applicants must be a U.S.
citizen, Gwinnett resident, at least 16 years old and able to read, write and speak English. Those who have been convicted of a felony or judicially determined to be mentally incompetent are not eligible to serve as a poll official. “Being a poll official gives residents an opportunity to be part of the elections process while giving back to their community,” Ledford said Poll officials must have transportation to and from the polling location and have access to a computer to complete online training. Some officials may require additional training. All officials
must report to their polls by 6 a.m. on Election Day and work the whole day, which is approximately 14 hours. Also, poll officials who plan to vote will need to vote absentee by mail or advance in person. When possible, poll officials are assigned to their home precinct. However, if there are no vacancies at their polling location, they will be asked to work at a different precinct. Applications are available at www.gwinnettcountyjobs.com. For more information, visit www. gwinnettelections.com.
Democratic Party 4th Congressional District sets elections for delegates The caucus elections for the 4th Congressional District delegates to represent the Democratic Party of Georgia (DPG) at the 2016 Democratic National Convention will be held Saturday, April 16, 9 a.m. to noon, Stronghold Christian Church, 724 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia. The Democratic National Convention will be held July 25-28 in Philadelphia
Only candidates who filed an Intent of Candidacy with the DPG are eligible to run as delegates. Voters must be in line prior to noon in order to vote for the “Presidential Delegate Candidate” of their choice. All Democrats who are registered to vote in the 4th Congressional District are encouraged to
GOP 4th Congressional District sets elections for delegates The 4th Congressional District Republican Convention will be held on Saturday, April 16, at the T.W. Briscoe Park “Betty McMichael Room,” 2500 Sawyer Parkway, Snellville. The purpose of the convention is to elect three delegates and three alternates to the Republican National Convention to be held July 18-21 in Cleveland, Ohio. Registration for the 4th Congressional District convention begins at 9 a.m. The convention will begin at 10 a.m. No one will be allowed to register
after the deadline. There will be a delegate, alternate and guest fee of $40 for this year’s convention, which is used to cover the expenses of the convention. For more information, contact Toby Dryer, Chairman of Rockdale GOP: chairman@rockdalegop.com or call me at 404-406-8739.
attend and vote in the caucus election. To learn more about the Georgia Delegation and the process, visit the Democratic Party of Georgia’s website at georgiademocrat.org or email Melva Hicks, 4th Congressional District Chair, at: melh3@bellsouth.net.
Other Key Dates • April 26: Voter registration deadline • May 2: Early voting begins • May 14: Saturday Voting • May 24: State and Local Primary Elections • Nov. 8: General Election (federal, state and local)
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APRIL 9, 2016 • PAGE 11
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