VOLUME 22 NUMBER 37
FREE
DECEMBER 24, 2016
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
DROUGHT ADVISORY DeKalb restaurants asked to serve water only by requests
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he DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) recently sent 5,000 notifications to food service establishments in DeKalb County to advise them to restrict serving water to only customers who make requests. The advisory comes in the wake of a Level 2 drought. In November, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division declared a Level 2 drought in 52 Georgia counties including DeKalb. In response to the drought, all food service establishments are instructed to serve water only to customers who request it. To conform with state regulations, this requirement is in effect immediately as part of DeKalb County’s Drought Restrictions response and in conformance with Georgia Administrative Code Rule 301-3-30-.07 (05), county officials said in a news release. “Even though we’ve had some rain lately, we remain in a drought and it is important that everyone conserve water at every opportunity,” said Scott Towler, director of DWM. “DeKalb County will do everything necessary to ensure compliance because it’s the right thing to do.” In addition, DWM strongly recommends the following water saving measures for food service establishments: • Check and repair leaks inside and outside the business. • Fill dishwashers to capacity before running. Make sure there is a full load every time. • Replace spray heads with high-efficiency models. • Scrape dishes before washing them and avoid using garbage disposals. These practices prevent wasting water and can prevent pipe clogs from excessive fats, oils and grease. For more information applicable to homes and businesses on the latest drought status, visit the official Georgia Environmental Protection Division site at www.epd.georgia.gov/ water-conservation. For conservation tips, brochures and videos, visit www.mydropcounts. org.
Organizers set Rockdale’s inaugural MLK Day parade Oz Nesbitt named Rockdale’s Grand Marshal John Evans named DeKalb’s Grand Marshal By Mackenzie N. Morgan
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he Rockdale County Think Tank announced that the county’s very first Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade and festival will be held on the national holiday, Monday, Jan. 16, in Olde Town, noon to 5 p.m. The county’s newly-elected chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Oz Nesbitt, will serve as Grand Marshal, helping to usher in what organizers hope will become a lasting tradition in Georgia’s geographically second-smallest county. The community is invited to commemorate the legacy of Dr. King during a daylong festival and parade that promises a fun, festive day with food and fellowship. “This will be the first time in Rockdale County’s history that a MLK parade has been held in Conyers. Dr. King stood for unification and I think it’s time we recognize we have more in common than we realize. This day is an opportunity for us to relish in the legacy of Dr. King while emulating positive behaviors for our children,” said event
co-chair Brian Jenkins. In addition to the parade, there will be Dr. King speech reenactments, a youth basketball game, a vendor marketplace offering food and other goods and services and a variety of family friendly games and activities. “I am excited about the opportunity for Oz Nesbitt John Evans Rockdale to host the many culMLK parade for the first time and I tures. The celebration of the legacy am looking forward to participation of Dr. MLK, Jr. has not been limited from many of the county’s civic to any one race or group therefore, organizations, churches, elected and Rockdale County will also share as appointed officials, businesses and our country pays tribute to one of other groups. The King holiday is a America’s greatest pioneers,” said day on and not a day off,” said event Nesbitt. “I look forward to serving co-chair Josie Dean, who heads the as Grand Marshal and representing Rockdale Think Tank community all citizens as we reflect on the mingroup. istry, the message and the man.” Nesbitt, who will be sworn into Organizers say the parade comoffice as Rockdale’s chairman on mittee welcomes vendors, youths, Dec. 29, says that he is looking for- motorcycle clubs, public safety perward to the MLK Day parade. sonnel and any other entity interest“Conyers-Rockdale County shares a rich history and heritage MLK Day Parade, page 7 deeply rooted in its diversity of
DeKalb’s new District Attorney, Solicitor-General sworn in
Sherry Boston is sworn in by retired Judge Herbert E. Phipps.
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crowd of dignitaries, family and supporters attended the Dec. 19 joint swearing-in and induction ceremonies for DeKalb County’s District Attorney Sherry Boston and Solicitor-General Donna Coleman-Stribling. The two women were sworn in at the historic Saint Philip AME Church in Atlanta, where the church’s pastor, Dr. William D. Watley, welcomed those in attendance. Boston and Coleman-Stribling secured their victories during the Nov. 8 General Election after defeating their respective opponents in the May Primary. Boston previously served as the DeKalb County Solicitor-General, a posi-
Donna Coleman-Striblingis sworn in by Judge Robert Benham. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan/ OCG News
tion she held since 2011. During her tenure, Boston was instrumental in the development of DeKalb County’s new Traffic Division and also implemented a wide variety of innovative programming and strategies for community outreach and crime prevention. At the swearing-in, Boston was introduced by former DeKalb County District Attorney Robert Wilson, who discussed how hard he challenged her in considering her bid for office. Boston was sworn in by the Honorable Judge Herbert E. Phipps, retired presiding judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Prior to her election, Coleman-Stribling served as Deputy
Chief Assistant District Attorney assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit in the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office. In this role, Coleman-Stribling managed the prosecution of child sexual and physical abuse crimes. She also implemented abuse investigation protocol and served as a liaison for local law enforcement agencies. Before she was sworn in, Coleman-Stribling was introduced by her father, Dr. Thomas Coleman, who became emotional as he spoke with pride of the great leader she had become. The Honorable Justice Robert Benham of See Swearing-in, page 7