Celebrating
Community
Community
Class Notes
19 years
Hollywood comes to Conyers to film CW’s “The Originals” ....page 3
Levett and Sons opens new Rockdale funeral chapel ....page 6
SERVING DEKALB, FULTON, GWINNETT, HENRY AND ROCKDALE COUNTIES
VOLUME 20 NUMBER 22
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Target donates $10,000 in school supplies to Kelley Lake Elementary ...page 7
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AUGUST 30, 2014
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Veteran commissioner Elaine Boyer resigns amidst federal charges
Special election set
Veteran says Grady security officers abused him in E.R. By Valerie J. Morgan
A
U.S. military veteran says he plans to file a civil lawsuit against Grady Hospital in Atlanta for the treatment he received when he went to the emergency room earlier this year. Bryan Jones says Grady security officers punched and kicked him after demanding that he get up off a stretcher during his Jan. 2, 2014 visit. Jones was arrested by the Atlanta Police Department at the direction of Grady security for breach of the peace and for “acting like he couldn’t walk,” attorneys for Jones said. When he was released from jail, Jones was transported to the Veterans Affairs Hospital where he became the first documented Georgian in 2014 with the H1N1 virus (swine flu). The veteran, who lives in Southwest Atlanta, was transported to Grady by ambulance after suffering from flu like symptoms for several days at home. After arriving at Grady on a stretcher, Jones had difficulty breathing and was too weak to stand, the Davis Bozeman Law Firm said. “Mr. Jones attempted to explain to Grady Security that he was extremely weak and was having difficulty standing and walking. Grady security became increasingly aggressive and then physically forced him out of the hospital,” said Jones attorneys. Grady disagreed with the account of what happened. “Our internal investigation results differ significantly from what Mr. Jones claims. Our findings show that he exhibited aggressive behavior in our Emergency Department waiting room that required action by Grady Public Safety to maintain the safety of other patients and the Emergency Department staff,” Denise Simpson, media relations manager, said in a statement. “Grady’s Public Safety Officers assist thousands of patients and visitors every day without incident. We continue to be disappointed with Mr. Jones’ allegations because they are not consistent with our policies and practices here at Grady.” Jones maintains he was mistreated. “It was a scary experience to need help while I was so seriously ill only to be assaulted and imprisoned. My greatest fear was not only my health but the health of everyone in the emergency room and jail,” Jones said.
D
By Joshua Smith
eKalb County officials, stunned by Elaine Boyer’s abrupt departure from office, are now preparing for a special election that will be held in November to fill the DeKalb County’s Commission District 1 seat Boyer formerly held. Boyer, 57, is under federal investigation for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from taxpayers—about $83,000 in mail
Elaine Boyer
fraud and $15,000 in wire fraud. She abruptly resigned on Aug. 25 after holding the spot as the longest-serving commissioner on the board. The 22year veteran stunned constituents, colleagues and others as she apologized
for her wrongdoing. She was in U.S. Magistrate Court in Atlanta the next day for a bond hearing, saying she will plead guilty to misusing taxpayer money. She was released on a $25,000 bond. Her attorney, Jeff Brickman, told reporters she is cooperating with investigators and will enter her guilty plea at her arraignment expected within the next 10 to 20 days. Federal officials say Boyer devised a scheme in which she used county taxpayer dollars to pay an advisor about $83,000 for work he never did. The advisor, now believed to be Marion See Boyer resigns, page 6
Sutton defends hiring political consultant Warren Mosby
D
By Valerie J. Morgan
eKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton says she committed no wrongdoing in using county discretionary funds to pay Warren Mosby for consulting work he performed for her office. The county, she said, does not forbid commissioners from using their discretionary budgets from paying acquaintances for work. She said she
received no kickbacks from Mosby, which would have been illegal. Sutton spoke with On Common Ground News this week after coming under fire by local media for paying $34,000 to Mosby with whom she had a romantic relationship. News reports surfaced about the money Sutton paid Mosby this week after Elaine Boyer abruptly resigned as the longest-serving See Sutton, page 8
Sharon Barnes Sutton
DeKalb County hosts fun day to celebrate families
Photo by Joshua Smith/OCG News
See Veteran, page 6
DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May and his wife Robin took on the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” on Aug. 24 in Lithonia at the county’s Community Education Family Fun Day. For additional coverage see page 5.
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AUGUST 30, 2014
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Community News
AUGUST 30, 2014 VOLUME 20, NO. 22 EDITOR/PUBLISHER Valerie J. Morgan editor@ocgnews.com GENERAL MANAGER Glenn L. Morgan gmorgan1@ocgnews.com STAFF WRITER Joshua Smith joshsmith@ocgnews.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill richardhill@ocgnews.com
ABOUT US
On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the newspaper’s advertisers. No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject material and advertisements we deem inappropriate.
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Hollywood comes to Conyers to film CW’s “The Originals” by Joshua Smith
CONYERS—Tractor-trailers filled with state-of-the-art cameras and other equipment led an assembly line of film crews to shoot on location for the second season of the CW television series, “The Originals.” Film crews who were in Conyers used a private residence on Bonds Lake Road and the parking lot of Voices of Faith Ministries on Sigman Road during an all-day shoot on Aug. 27 in preparation for the second season, which begins airing on Monday, Oct. 6. Gina Hartsell, film liaison for the Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council, says the city has welcomed a number of productions and does its best to make sure the process is a smooth one for both, the film crews and residents. “The city of Conyers has welcomed the likes of Vin Diseal, Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and Hugh Jackman, just to name a few. We let companies know if you
represent a production company, you have a helpful liaison in Rockdale County ready to assist you with your upcoming shoot,” said Hartsell. “All the shows and movies filming here are a win-win for everyone. Georgia offers some of the best film and TV tax incentives in the country – an income tax credit of 30 percent for qualified production expenses – leaving you with more money for your production
budget. We work with companies one-on-one to produce award-winning work, save money and ensure project success.” In the fictional vampire series, “The Originals,” a spinoff of “The Vampire Diaries,” also shot in Conyers, centers on the “Mikaelson siblings,” Klaus (Joseph Morgan), Elijah (Daniel Gillies), and Rebekah (Claire Holt). The show follows the siblings returning to the city of New Orleans for the first time since 1919. Having originally built the city, they were forced to flee their vengeful father. In their absence, Klaus’ protégé, Marcel (Charles Michael Davis), took charge of the city. Klaus resolves that they must take down Marcel and get back the city that once belonged to them. Conyers also shoots scenes for MTV’s “Teen Wolf” and has set up shop for several movies including Fast and Furious 5; A Joyful Noise; Prisoners; American Pie Reunion; Cartoon Network’s Ben 10 1 & 2; and Rob Zombie’s Zombieland.
DeKalb sheriff announces new leaders for administration DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey L. Mann has named Major Reginald B. Scandrett as Chief Deputy Sheriff and Xernia Fortson, Esq. as Chief of Administration and Legal Affairs. Chief Deputy Scandrett, formerly Commander of the Jail Division, fills the post vacated in February by Sheriff Mann. Chief Fortson was Director of Administration and Legal Affairs. Scandrett will now serve as second in command for all law enforcement operations of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. As head of the DeKalb County Jail, he managed the state’s largest pre-trial detention facility for four years. The facility houses an average 2,700 persons daily and processes more than 35,000 detainees each year. A career law enforcement officer, he joined the Office in 1990 as a Detention Officer and was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility over the past 24 years. A graduate of the Mercer University Public Safety Leadership Institute and the U.S. Department of Justice F.B.I Defensive Tactics Instructor School, Scandrett completed courses in management and jail supervision; SWAT Hostage Rescue; In-Custody Death Investigation; and Basic Law Enforcement. He is an instructor in Tasertron Electric Law Enforcement Technology, Georgia
Xernia Fortson
Reginald B. Scandrett
P.O.S.T.; and PPCT Defensive Tactics, Collapsible Baton, and Impact Weapons. He is founder of the Metro Atlanta Chief Jailors Group and a graduate of Leadership DeKalb. He created the annual multijurisdictional Operation Safe Streets Task Force and is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. In 1994, he received the Georgia Jail Association Outstanding Dedicated Service Award. Fortson joined the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office in 2004 after serving in the DeKalb County Attorney’s Office. Her responsibilities as Director of Labor Relations and Legal Affairs included oversight of the Human Resources and Information Technology sections, and more than $20 million in contracted services. As Chief, her expanded responsibilities include oversight of the Office of Professional Services, Training, Contract
Management and Budgets. A graduate of Emory University, Fortson received her Juris Doctorate from Georgia State University College of Law in 1997. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the DeKalb Bar Association, and the American Bar Association, where she serves as Vice Chair of the Government Law, Employment Law, and Litigation Committees. A graduate of Leadership DeKalb, she served on the City of East Point Ethics Board and the Initiative for Affordable Housing, Inc. Board of Directors. She is author of “Recent Developments in Employment Law and Litigation” (2009) and “Recent Developments in Employment Law and Litigation - National Labor Relations Board” (2012) for the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal. “We are fortunate to have experienced, committed and highly skilled professionals in these critical leadership positions,” said Sheriff Mann. “Our public safety role in this community requires consistency in management philosophy and the ability to apply best practices. Both Chief Deputy Scandrett and Chief Fortson have demonstrated these attributes and contributed to our effectiveness as an agency. We hope to build on these strengths as we move forward.”
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AUGUST 30, 2014
Coming Up
DeKalb CSB to host benefit concert The DeKalb Community Service Board will host a benefit concert featuring the Brighter Tomorrows Inspirational Choir on Friday, Sept. 12, 6 – 8 p.m., at the Richardson Health Center’s Bohan Auditorium, 445 Winn Way, Decatur. The concert marks the two-year anniversary of the choir as well. Members of the choir are healthcare providers with the DeKalb Community Service Board. The concert’s theme is “Shine.” Entrance is free, but donations will be accepted to help benefit clients receiving mental health and substance abuse services at the DeKalb Regional Crisis Center. Attendees are also welcome to donate basic need items such as men’s and women’s socks, undergarments and plain T-shirts. For more information about the concert or DeKalb CSB, visit www.dekcsb.org or email lesah@dekcsb.org.
ATLANTA
GWINNETT
Candler Park wraps up outdoor family movie series
Department of Water Resources offers free workshop
The Friends of Candler Park and the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization will conclude their free family movie series in September. The movies are scheduled on the following Saturdays at dusk: Sept. 6, 13 and 20. On Sept. 6, families can enjoy “Remember the Titans;” on Sept. 13, “The Lego Movie,” will be shown; and the series concludes on Sept. 20 with the “Karate Kid.” Family games and other activities will start one hour before the movie begins at dusk in front of the park’s pool house. Pack a picnic and enjoy the evening. For more information, email FriendsofCandlerPark@gmail.com.
ABL to present 30th Annual “Super Tuesday” conference The Atlanta Business League is accepting registrations for its 30th Annual Super Tuesday conference, which will be held Sept. 30, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Sheraton Hotel, 165 Courtland St., N.E., downtown Atlanta. The day of activities includes exhibits, workshops, forums and an award’s recognition luncheon honoring African American female business owners. Award categories include Home Office Business Achievement, Creative Style, Success Against the Odds, Non-Traditional Business Enterprise, and Outstanding Achievement. For more information on registration, visit www.atlantabusinessleague. org or call 404-584-8126.
Watson to host Community Cabinet breakfast at Stephenson High
Old-fashioned picnic, bluegrass festival set in Lawrenceville Gwinnett County will host its annual bluegrass festival on the lawn of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. The festival features live music in the gazebo by local bluegrass artists, food by local vendors and craft artisans showcasing their artistic talents and selling their creations. There will be a doggie parade and fashion show where the “Best Dressed” pup will win a prize, kid’s activities on the East Lawn such as face painting, arts and crafts and “krazy hair,” and new this year is a pie-eating contest. All well-behaved and friendly dogs are welcomed and encouraged to dress up. Visitors can also make a holiday card for a soldier through Operation Gratitude. Admission is free. 770-822-5450.
ROCKDALE Unique horses come to Conyers
DEKALB Commissioner Stan Watson will host the DeKalb Community Cabinet Breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 6, 9 – 11 a.m., at Stephenson High School, 701 Stephenson Road, Stone Mountain. Speakers at the breakfast include representatives from Comcast Cable, Discover DeKalb, the DeKalb Convention &Visitors Bureau and the Georgia Department of Transportation. The free breakfast is open to the community and is co-sponsored by the Stephenson High School PTSA. 404-371-3681.
Gwinnett County’s Department of Water Resources will host a free community workshop on Thursday, Sept. 11, 7 – 8:30 p.m., at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center’s auditorium, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. Learn how fats, oils, and grease from your kitchen can contribute to water pollution in nearby waterways at this free workshop. Attendees from unincorporated Gwinnett County, the city of Lilburn, or the city of Peachtree Corners can qualify for a maximum five percent credit toward their storm water utility fee for the following year for attending the class. Advance registration required for the class. Pre-register by emailing your name, address, and phone number to dwrswreg@gwinnettcounty.com or by calling 678-376-7193, ext. 5.
Stan Watson
Friends of the Park meeting set for communities of Wade Walker Park
DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs, along with Park Pride, will host a “Friends of the Park” interest meeting on Sept. 9, 6:308 p.m., at Wade Walker Park Family YMCA, 5605 Rockbridge Road SW, Stone Mountain. The meeting will educate citizens on the importance of community parks and how to partner with the county to keep them clean, safe and well used. Citizens will also have the chance to meet Park Pride staff and learn about various programs, funding and leadership opportunities to engage local communities to improve their neighborhood park. For more information, call Dave Butler at 404-371-2540.
The Georgia International Horse Park, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers, will host the Southern Classic Appaloosa Show on Saturday, Sept. 6, 9 a.m. The Appaloosa is a horse breed best known for its colorful leopardspotted coat pattern. There is a wide range of body types within the breed stemming from the influence of multiple breeds of horses throughout its history. Each horse’s color pattern is genetically the result of various spotting patterns overlaid on top of one of several recognized base coat colors. Admission is free. Owners will compete for prizes and first place nods. For more information, call 404-406-7055 or email dawn.lovern@hotmail.com.
Tax Commissioner registering for real estate summit Rockdale County Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley and his staff are accepting registrations for a free Real Estate Summit on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 10:30 a.m., at the J.P. Carr Services Community Room, 981 Taylor Street, Conyers. The summit will cover common tax-related issues and provide information to better prepare real estate professionals to serve their clients. Topics will include How to Determine Taxes for Homebuyers, Special Tax Breaks Available to Homeowners in Rockdale County and Buying Properties at Tax Sales. “The topics at this summit are geared towards real estate professionals, including real estate and mortgage brokers and agents, title researchers and investors; however the event is open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend,” said Hadley. Hadley says he plans to make the summit an annual event. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance because space is limited. RSVPs can be submitted online at http://goo.gl/VJ3V6y or by email at tax.office@ rockdalecounty.org. You can also register by phone. Call 770-278-7605.
AUGUST 30, 2014 PAGE 5
DeKalb County hosts fun day to celebrate families
D
by Joshua Smith
eKalb County families had a ball on Aug. 24 at the seventh annual Community Education Family Fun Day, enjoying basketball, football, dodge ball and even Frisbees as they celebrated the end of summer. “We thank all of DeKalb’s departments—from parks and recreation to roads and drainage. Everybody is here working together. I thank all of our participating departments and all the families who came out to have a good time,” said DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May. “Today’s event served as a golden opportunity for DeKalb families to have some summer fun and enjoy some summer treats, all while learning about several major county initiatives in DeKalb.” County Commissioner Larry Johnson and State Rep. Dar’Shun Kendrick also joined in on the fun, helping May in welcoming the community to the event, which was held at the Bransby Outdoor YMCA, 1185 Rock Chapel Road, Lithonia. “These are the kinds of things DeKalb County is all about: family, fun, connecting with your neighbors and making things happen,” said Johnson. “Let’s continue to do this so we can support our families and the resources in DeKalb County. We are all one big happy family.” Residents enjoyed rock climbing, a swimming pool, inflatables, live entertainment, hamburgers, hot dogs, snow cones, cotton candy and other snacks and beverages. You could also play games and learn the best ways to stay healthy and aware in the community from several information booths such as the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) booths, recycling and storm water booths. The free event concluded with CEO May and his wife, Robin, taking the “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” to raise money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Celebrities and residents across the globe are participating in ice bucket challenges to raise money and awareness for ALS.
Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News
PAGE 6
AUGUST 30, 2014
Boyer resigns continued from page 1
Rooks Boynton, allegedly gave Boyer about $60,000 in kickbacks. The false invoices were filed between Sept. 2009 and November 2011. Boyer also is accused of using her county credit card, known as a “P card,” to rack up $15,000 in personal expenses including dining out, shopping at highend retail stores and traveling. She reimbursed the county for the expenses after the Atlanta Journal Constitution and WSB-TV launched investigations into her spending. U.S. Attorney Sally Yates said her office plans to seek jail time for Boyer. She said Boyer’s guilty plea will not wipe the slate clean. Meanwhile, DeKalb officials say the election to replace Boyer will be held in conjunction with the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4. “We will begin the qualifying phase for this special election on Monday, Sept. 8 at 8:30 a.m. and will continue that phase until Wednesday, Sept. 10 at noon,” said Maxine Daniels, director of Voter Registration and Elections for DeKalb County. “Because this special election will be held in conjunction with the Nov. 4 race, all regular polling places in Commission District 1 will have the special election on their ballots.” Daniels says residents of District 1 looking to qualify for the seat must fill out the proper paper work at the main elections office, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, before the end of the qualifying period. The fee to qualify is $1,151.24. The last day to register to be eligible to vote in the District 1 special election and General Election is Oct. 6. If a runoff is required, it will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Boyer’s seat will remain vacant until the Special Election. DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May said Boyer’s District 1 responsibilities will be divided between District 2 Commissioner Jeff Radar and District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon until someone is elected to fill the seat. The term for the District 1 seat expires in 2016. May released this statement in regards to Boyer: “Recent news stories not withstanding, Elaine Boyer has faithfully served the constituents of District 1 and DeKalb County for over 20 years. It is my sincere hope that her resignation will allow the healing process to begin and open the door for a new voice on the Board of Commissioners I wish her the best,” May said. May has since revamped the county’s credit card polices. County officials will host annual training on what is permitted and what is not in relation to the credit cards. May also moved the oversight of the credit cards from DeKalb’s purchasing department to the finance department, which controls the county budget because “they have the unique
Board Of Commissioners Appropriation Budget District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7
$261,199 $272,168 $264,403 $265,008 $278,840 $273,044 $262,566
ability to cut off money.” May also is now requiring annual audits on all spending of county credit cards. At the Aug. 25 DeKalb Board of Commissioners’ meeting, Commissioner Kathie Gannon acknowledged Boyer’s absence. “We need to figure out this board, where we’re going and how we can get there. We are struggling with teamwork. I appreciate that Commissioner Boyer stepped up and stepped down. It was the right thing to do,” said Gannon. “I think there are probably more problems to come, but we must try to continue to maintain, keeping our focus on what’s best for DeKalb County.” Joe Arrington, an outspoken community activist, commended Boyer for taking responsibility for her actions. “Today, I wanted to come out to recognize and give appreciation to the service Mrs. Boyer has done. She was re-elected six times for a reason,” said Arrington. “Mrs. Boyer stepping forward and doing the right thing, I interpret that as a major step in reform that has been long overdue in this county.” Other residents like Faye Coffield weren’t so pleased with Boyer’s admission of guilt. “I’ve been living here and paying taxes in DeKalb for 35 years. Is this what I am paying for? For Elaine Boyer to take her family on trips across the country and to the finest restaurants money can buy? I’m ashamed of this Ethics Board. They need a backbone. They should have already found out this information before the federal level came in,” said Coffield to the B.O.C. Community activist Viola Davis said DeKalb taxpayers deserve leadership that is ethical, transparent and accountable to the people. “We deserve leadership with integrity. It’s very unfortunate that the behavior of certain DeKalb County officials has to be brought to the Board of Ethics for accountability,” said Davis. “With Elaine Boyer resigning from office, she has moved DeKalb County forward in the right direction.
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Gregory B. Levett and Sons opens new Rockdale funeral chapel About 200 people, including Rockdale County’s CEO Richard Oden and other dignitaries, attended the Aug. 23 grand opening of Gregory B. Levett and Sons’ newest funeral chapel. Owners Gregory and Betty Levett opened the new location at 1999 Highway 138 in Conyers. The festive open house included music, a ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing and prayer from the Rev. Eric Lee of Springfield Baptist Church in Conyers. Rev. Aldren Sadler, Sr. served as the master of ceremonies for the program. Gregory B. Levett, Sr. conducted the grand prize drawing for a 60-inch flat screen television and surround sound theater system. The new 10,000-square-foot funeral home includes a chapel that can seat 300, a reception area and more than 200 parking spaces. The Conyers chapel marks the fifth location owned by Gregory B. Levett and Sons. The family also has a location in DeKalb County’s Scottdale community; one at 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway in Decatur; one in Gwinnett County at 914 Scenic Highway in Lawrenceville; and one in North Gwinnett at 201 Morningside Drive, Buford.
Veteran continued from page 1
Charges against Jones were dismissed in Atlanta Municipal Court on Aug. 26 after witnesses for Grady failed to appear in court. Attorney Tawanna Morgan of the Davis Bozeman Law Firm made several attempts to obtain the hospital’s video recordings to see footage of what happened to Jones for the court hearing. However, Grady officials said the hospital’s cameras weren’t working that night. Supporters for Jones have started an online petition at change.org, calling on Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to take action. More than 2,000 signatures have been collected. “We are seeking justice restored where there was an insult done,” petition organizer Tausha Tate said in an online post.
Elect
CONNIE
STOKES
" Lt. Governor " Former State Senator Former County Commissioner Toll and Fleming Fellow Japanese Exchange Program Foreign Policy Institute
November 4, 2014
Georgia State University BBA - Marketing California State University MPA - Public Management UNC Chapel Hill Leadership College
CONNIE IS COMMITTED TO:
Open and Honest Government Jobs right now Raising the minimum wage Preserving the Enviroment Transportation and Infrastructure Medicaid Expansion Contribute at www.conniestokes.com or Connie Stokes for Lt. Governor P.O. BOX 360382 Decatur, Ga 30036 Paid for by Connie Stokes for Lt. Governor, Inc
AUGUST 30, 2014 PAGE 7
Class Notes
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Our Schools, Students & Partners
Target donates $10,000 in school supplies to Kelley Lake Elementary DECATUR—It felt like Christmas at Kelley Lake Elementary School. Through a partnership with the school and Kelly Lake Church of God in Christ, Target donated educational supplies and other goods totaling $10,000 to the school this week. Target delivered uniforms, school supplies, cube organizers, printers, ink cartridges, lamps and even vacuum cleaners to the Decatur school on Aug. 27. Target representative Cal Darden said the store was pleased to pitch in and help the elementary school. “It is an absolute honor and pleasure to provide this school with these supplies. We care,” said Darden. “Target wants to make a difference in the community and this is how you do it. It’s not enough to just build stores in the community, we have to work for the community too.” Bishop Norman Harper, pastor of Kelly Lake Church of God in Christ,
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News
helped paved the way for the donation from Target. His church adopted the school to strengthen community
DeKalb NAACP 1st Vice President and Education Chair Lance Hammonds hopes the proposed charter school system will be more than just a new name for DeKalb County Schools.
relations and serve as an ally. “Our relationship with Kelley Lake goes back 20 years or so.
Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News
We’re committed to this school and to providing additional services to its students, principal and administration,” said Bishop Harper. “We understand the meaning of being a church in the community and the responsibility of giving back to the community we are in.” Kelley Lake Elementary principal Cynthia Husband said she was excited about the truckload of supplies. She said giving her children donations like the Target supplies are some of the most enjoyable moments a principal can experience. “This donation illustrates what can happen when a community and school can come together for the betterment of students. I am so excited about this partnership,” said Husband. “We appreciate these items so, so much. They will be critical in the achievement of our students.” In addition to the donation from Target, the school received $2,000 from anonymous donors to make the delivery possible.
Parents and DeKalb NAACP President John Evans try to get answers from DeKalb Region 3 Superintendent Trenton Arnold on the charter school system petition at an Aug. 26 meeting in Lithonia.
Parents, stakeholders seek clarity on DeKalb’s charter school petition
P
By Joshua Smith
arents, teachers and community stakeholders came together on Aug. 26 in Lithonia to hear the latest updates on the DeKalb County School District’s petition for a public charter school system. If the county is successful in getting approval from the Georgia Department of Education, DeKalb’s 100,000 students would comprise the largest public charter school system in the state. “The last thing we want to do is set up a definite plan saying this is what DeKalb County wants without actually seeing what the parents of this county want,” said DeKalb Region 3 Superintendent Trenton Arnold, who has been tasked with organizing the petition for the charter schools. The meeting at Lithonia High School was the first in a series of public hearings planned countywide to give parents and others a chance to meet with DeKalb Schools’ officials, ask questions and share ideas. About 60 people attended. Arnold said community feedback will be presented to the DeKalb Board of Education on Oct. 6. He said the board could vote on pursuing the charter school system idea at that time or make suggestions of its own to the district’s petition. Some parents at the Lithonia meeting said it’s too early for them to determine whether they support the district-wide charter school idea. “I’m not going to say charter schools are good or that they are bad because I believe that different systems work better for different communities. However, every since this idea was first presented, a lot of questions were never answered,” said Faith Britton, who has three children in the Redan High School—Marbut Theme school area. “We don’t understand where the funding would come from for South DeKalb. I believe the charter system will start at certain schools, not all of them. Who will be first? We are concerned and unclear on what charter really means for us. We need to know what is next, not just a lot of meetings where we come and share ideas
“Before we say yes to this, we need to make sure that the new system means core curriculum fairness and overall fairness for all DeKalb students to excel.” – Lance Hammonds
and opinions.” Quinn Hudson, DeKalb Schools Communications Officer, says that school officials must first gather community input before they can answer those kinds of questions. After receiving public input, school officials must craft and complete the petition for state review by June 30, 2015. Freedom Middle School sixth-grade special education teacher Arthur Lindsay supports the idea of a public charter system and says it would bring a prime opportunity for students to learn more cultures. “A charter school system could open up a whole new world for these kids when you’re talking about curriculum. We could broadened their views on cultures and show them the world that existed long before European rule,” said Lindsay. “A lot of these kids don’t pay attention in class because they don’t see how it relates to them.” DeKalb Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond, who was not present at the first public hearing, released a statement.
“We hope that parents and all interested parties will do their best to come out to these hearings because we want everyone’s feedback to be included when we make this decision—parents, school staff members and our students,” said Thurmond. “This concept could serve to be very innovative for the county in terms of how students learn and develop.” Lance Hammonds, first vice president and head of the DeKalb NAACP’s Education Committee, says he believes it is important to make sure that changing to a charter school district is going to improve academics. “If we are named charter schools, won’t we still have the same teachers? The same students? The same problems? What will be the deciding factors that will bring improvement for this school system?” said Hammonds. “Before we say yes to this, we need to make sure that the new system means core curriculum fairness and overall fairness for all DeKalb students to excel.” Arnold said there are several advantages of the charter school system such as freedom of schools to make personal decisions for the operation of their school programs and the freedom to hire specialty teachers. A group of people (educators, parents, community leaders, or others) writes the charter plan describing the school guiding principles, governance structure and applicable accountability measures. Specific goals and operating procedures for each charter school are detailed in an agreement (or “charter”) between the school system, state Department of Education and charter organizers. The charter contract often exempts the school from agreed upon state and local rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and from certain provisions of Georgia law. The school system is hosting public hearings on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at Towers High School and on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Stephenson High School. The meetings are at 6 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.gadoe. org/External-Affairs-and-Policy/Charter-Schools/ Pages/default.aspx or call 678-676-1200.
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AUGUST 30, 2014
DeKalb commissioners defer District 5 appointment By Joshua Smith
W
ith DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner Elaine Boyer’s abrupt resignation this week, the remaining five members of the seven-member DeKalb Board of Commissioners have voted to defer a decision to appoint George Turner to fill the open District 5 seat. Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May recommended Turner, a longtime South DeKalb community activist, to temporarily fill the District 5 seat after the county conducted a search a few weeks ago. May vacated the seat last year after Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him to lead the county as interim CEO, replacing Burrell Ellis, who was suspended amidst corruption allegations. The board was scheduled to vote on Turner’s appointment to the District 5 seat at its Aug. 26 meeting. Commissioner Stan Watson, however, asked that Turner’s appointment be deferred to give board members more time to meet with Turner. The board voted unanimously to defer its decision. Tuner says he understands that the deferment is simply a part of the process and he is ready to answer any questions the board may have. “I am willing and ready to handle all qualifications for the potential position. Our CEO has bestowed on me a huge honor and I’m excited about the possibility to serve District 5,” said Turner. “I appreciate everyone who has supported me thus far. It really means a lot to me.” Turner is a board member of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage
George Turner
Area, where he lives. He has also served as the president of the DeKalb County Commission District 5 Community Council and is a former general superintendent of MARTA. If appointed by the Board of Commissioners, Turner will represent about 140,000 DeKalb residents. May says Turner is the man for the job and a decision on the seat is well overdue. “George Turner is a great individual who went through a very open and transparent process. The residents of District 5 deserve to have a person in that seat taking deliberate action for them,” said May. “It’s been a little over a year now and I really hope the Board of Commissioners can make a decision as soon as possible. The people deserve that.” The board is expected to vote on May’s recommendation on Sept. 9. The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur.
Sutton continued from page 1
DeKalb County Commissioner. Boyer is facing federal charges for allegedly paying an advisor tens of thousands of dollars for work he did not do and then funneling a large portion of the money back to Boyer. Sutton said she paid Mosby for work he performed and never received compensation from him as a result of his contract. “There are no rules that say there’s anything wrong or illegal with using discretionary funds to pay someone you know for performing work related to a commission district,” said Sutton, who represents District 4. “He was very well qualified for the work that he did for my office.” Sutton said that Mosby performed several tasks over the 2 1/2-year period she paid Mosby’s two companies, HSI Systems & Consultants and RighThink Associates, for consulting. Mosby, she said, is a well-known political consultant who comes from a family of public figures. His brother, Howard Mosby, is a state representative. His brother, David Mosby, serves on the Oak Ridge, Tennessee City Council. His sister, Natalyn Mosby Archibong, serves as an elected member on the Atlanta City Council. His father, the late Nathaniel “Nate” Mosby, served as the second African American elected to the DeKalb County Commission. Warren Mosby had served as Sutton’s campaign manager when she was running for office. After she was elected, she contracted with him for consulting work. “I continued to work with him just as many, if not most, elected officials do with the people that helped get them elected. They
hire the people who have worked with their campaigns because they are knowledgeable and they trust them,” Sutton said. “I trusted him and considered him to be very knowledgeable. He attended meetings with me, did research, developed literature and outreach programming, and performed a number of tasks during my first 2 ½ years in office. He was practically a fixture at County Commission meetings.” Sutton said each commissioner has a budget of about $265,000 a year. The money may be used to staff their offices, pay for supplies, equipment, consultants, travel and other expenditures related to constituent services. She said commissioners may spend up to $40,000 a year for consulting and professional services. South DeKalb community activist Viola Davis, who has filed ethics complaints against Sutton, says officials must continue to probe elected officials’ expenditures. “Sharon Barnes Sutton has often complained that the ethics complaints were or are frivolous and political. However, we will let the evidence and fact that have been brought to life speak for themselves,” Davis said in a statement released to the media this week. Sutton said she has been a target of Davis every since Davis ran against her and lost in 2008. “It is very disheartening to know that as the only African American female on the Board of Commissioners, I’m being held to a level of scrutiny that none of the men have ever been held up to,” Sutton said.
AUGUST 30, 2014 PAGE 9
Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful sets recycling event
CONYERS—Rockdale County’s Keep ConyersRockdale Beautiful will host an electronics recycling and paper shredding event on Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Rockdale County Government Annex, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. This event will provide the public with a safe place to discard and recycle old documents and electronics. Professional electronics recycling and paper shredding companies will securely handle all items on site under the close supervision of government staff. People simply pull up and drop off items that volunteers will unload. Cash fees will apply to certain for recycling including $10 each for plastic televisions; $5 each for plastic monitors; and $30 each for plasma, projection, wooden console televisions or televisions with exposed, bare tubes. All other electronics are free to recycle. The following is a list of items accepted/not accepted at the event.
For more information, contact KCRB at 770-278-7052 or email kcrb@rockdalecounty.org.
Accepted Items: Paper Shredding • Papers that are loose, folded or in envelopes
• Keyboards • Mouse/mice • PC monitors • Laptops • Printers • Fax machines • Desktop copiers • Phone systems • Typewriters • Test equipment
Electronics Recycling • Personal computers • Servers • CD ROMS • Circuit boards • Power supplies
• Networking equipment • Modems • UPS batteries • Scanners • Wire/cabling • Televisions • Floppy drives • Disk drives • Microwaves
Items Not Accepted: Paper Shredding • Papers containing foreign objects such as paper clips or staples Electronics Recycling • Air conditioners
• Bare, lead-based glass tubes • Large household appliances • Photographs • Exit signs (items with fluorescent tubes)
• Liquids of any kind • Light bulbs • Fluorescent tubes • Devices containing mercury • Devices containing freon • Smoke detectors
Atlanta-Fulton Public Library system opens Wolf Creek branch The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System will host its grand opening of the new Wolf Creek Library on Monday, Sept. 8, at 10 a.m. The new 25,000-square-foot library is part of Phase I of the Library Building Program. The library is located at 3100 Enon Road SW, Atlanta 30331, an area not previously served by a library. Leo A. Daly Co. provided design and engineering services for the new library. Hogan Construction Group, LLC provided construction management services on the project, and Heery/Russell was the program management team. With a striking copper-colored metal
paneled exterior, stacked stone details and nestled on a ridge in a wooded landscape, the library is unique and reflects its community. Large floor-toceiling windows provide an expansive view of nature, and allow tremendous natural light into the building. There is a large meeting room area, study rooms, a music room and separate spaces for teens and for children. In November 2008, Fulton County voters overwhelmingly passed the Library Bond Referendum. The plan will greatly enhance all of the county’s libraries, and includes eight new branch libraries: Alpharetta, East Roswell, Milton, Northwest Atlanta, Palmetto, Southeast Atlanta, Stewart-
LEGAL NOTICE
DEKALB COUNTY GOVERNMENT Advertisement for Thursday, September 4, 2014
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.
ITEM
CLOSING DATE
3003253 ITB
Law Enforcement Accessories
September 25, 2014
3003302 ITB
Ductile Iron Water Pipe
September 24, 2014
14-500324 RFP
Implementation Services for Oracle Advanced Procurement Suite
October 10, 2014
14-500327 RFP
Architectural and Engineering Design Consulting Services for Animal Shelter
October 2, 2014
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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Lakewood and Wolf Creek and two expansion projects: Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History and the South Fulton Library. The Library Building Program plan maintains 34 libraries, the current number of libraries in the system, by eliminating leased spaces and its oldest libraries. Green building design and sustainability are priorities for the library building projects, and the Library System expects to achieve LEED Silver on all of the Phase I projects. An important part of each new library is its public art project. Through the Fulton County Art in Public Places Resolution, 1 percent of each
building project budget goes toward the creation of public art. For the Wolf Creek Library, the artist Lynn MarshallLinnemeier was selected through a community-driven selection process. She produced a sculpture entitled, Strength of Heart: A Journey Project for the Community at Wolf Creek as well as several framed quilted works which are placed throughout the library. Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is the largest in the state, with 34 libraries and a collection of more than 2.5 million items. Last year, patrons borrowed more than 3.4 million items, made 3.6 million visits to the libraries and our website had over 8 million hits.
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AUGUST 30, 2014
City of Atlanta veterans’ group ready to begin work The City of Atlanta’s Commission on Veterans Affairs will host a meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 5 p.m., at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue, S.W., Room 1, Atlanta. The commission plans to host meetings at least once a month. Meetings are open to the public and public comments are welcomed. The Veterans Affairs Commission provides policy and legislative guidance to the Atlanta City Council regarding the many crucial issues affecting veterans such as: elderly services, disabled services, homelessness, affordable housing, healthcare, job training, business development, spousal assistance, and the need for a community liaison commission to advocate for the veteran community. The commission will also review current veteran services offered at the federal, state, county, and city levels. Members will also discuss methods to better communicate those services to the veteran population and their families. Commission Chairman Chris Balch said the group is challenged with providing information about available for Atlanta’s veterans, especially those who are homeless. “The challenge for veterans is getting access to information,” said Balch, a U.S. Marine veteran. “As a community, we not only need to let them know what’s available to them but also provide accurate information. We also need to be proactive in providing information as opposed to being passive by letting veterans come to us.” Commission Vice-Chair BriGette
Counseling groups honor Gwinnett educators Atlanta Commission on Veteran Affairs Co-Chair BriGette McCoy and Chair Chris Balch
McCoy knows all to well the challenge. The Army veteran was homeless in Atlanta sporadically for 10 years. “Much of the challenge for many veterans is socioeconomic,” McCoy said. “Our challenge will be reaching the people who have been overlooked in the community. We need to identify those people and empower them.” Each year, thousands of U.S. military personnel return home from active duty. Many of these individuals face challenges reintegrating into civilian life, among them physical and mental health issues, job training and placement, homelessness, and other challenges. “Atlanta is the proud home to thousands of veterans,” said Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell. “We owe them every measure of respect and service that the City can provide. I am inspired by the passion and energy of this commission and look forward to its service to the city.”
Two Gwinnett educators have been recognized as top professionals in their field by the Georgia School Counselors Association (GSCA). The organization named Stacey Miller of Roberts Elementary as the 2014 Georgia School Counselor of the Year and Linda Boyd of Twin Rivers Middle as its Supervisor/Administrator of the Year. “Gwinnett County counselors are consistently among the most recognized in the country in terms of state and national honors,” said Gwinnett Schools Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks. “This year’s recognition marks the third consecutive year a Gwinnett school counselor earned the overall state title.” Miller designed and implemented an Academic Advisement Small Group plan focusing on goals, work habits, and test-taking skills. Her efforts paid off at the end of the school year as measured by the state’s Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) in which 67% of the students she had worked with performed in the “exceeds” category in both subject areas. Miller has dedicated eight years to the school counseling profession, all in Gwinnett County. The counseling team at Twin Rivers Middle nominated Principal Linda Boyd “Supervisor/Administrator of the
Year” to recognize her as an exemplary example of an advocate through her actions, leadership and spirit. “Building individual relationships with students and removing barriers to academic achievement are at the top of Mrs. Boyd’s priority list, and nowhere is this communicated more clearly than through her support of the counseling department,” the counselors wrote when nominating their school principal. Boyd has been leading the school since it opened in 2009. Before helping create the Mountain View Cluster, she served as principal of Snellville Middle School. The Georgia School Counselor Association will officially recognize Miller and Boyd with their awards during the Georgia School Counselor Association Annual State Conference in Augusta on Nov. 11.
AUGUST 30, 2014 PAGE 11
CLASSIFIEDS SERVICES Master Mechanics is offering $18.99 Oil Changes. 50 % off all labor on brake jobs. Mention this ad. Call 678-933-7246 for your appointment today!! Music lesson available. Voice, keyboard, music theory and choir directing. Tutoring for reading also offered. Call 404-284-3935. Mr. Handy. Small and large jobs. A/C services, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, lawn service, gutters. Call for free estimates at 404-2816503. CHURCH Women of Hope Conference Oct. 10-11, 7 p.m. Rockdale County Auditorium, 903 Main Street, Conyers GA. Public baptism. www.womenofhope2014. eventbrite.com. Information call 720-270-2558. HELP WANTED Enthusiastic, Ambitious, Community-minded self-starter sought to sell memberships for the Conyers-Rockdale County Chamber of Commerce. High commission plus monthly bonus.
Please send resumes and history to Conyers-Rockdale County Chamber of Commerce, P. O. Box 483 Conyers, GA 30012 or call 770-483-7049 and ask for Fred.
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AUGUST 30, 2014
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