VOLUME 23 NUMBER 52
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MARCH 24, 2018
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DeKalb County police officer receives outpouring of support after house fire By Mackenzie N. Morgan
H
undreds of supporters flocked to the DeKalb County Police Department’s South Precinct in Decatur to help raise funds for a DeKalb County officer who lost his home to a fire on March 1. Officer Marty Williams, who has been with the DeKalb Police Department for eight years, said the outpouring of support has been overwhelming. The community came out on March 16 to support a fundraiser for Williams and his six children. “The turnout was bigger than I ever could have dreamed of. Not only did people show up to give monetary donations, clothes and toys but they wanted to give their encouragement. Some would shake my hand and tell me ‘thank you’ for what I do as an officer. The fact that what I do for them is appreciated gives me strength to keep going,” said Officer Williams. While the cause of the fire has not been determined, the home was declared a total loss after firefighters spent nearly half an hour putting out the flames. The father of six took shelter at a hotel with his girlfriend and six children ages 3 to 11. Williams’ wife
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and staff members at City Hall pitched in to help the Williams’ family.
Officer Marty Williams, his six children and girlfriend, Amber Singleton, greeted the droves of people who attended the fundraiser. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan/OCGNews
died two years ago, shortly after the birth of their youngest child. The DeKalb County Police Department, in partnership with Mix’d Up Burgers, hosted the fundraiser and cookout in an effort to help the Williams family rebound. Local elected officials, business leaders, officers from neighboring police departments and members from the general public showed up in droves to offer their support. “We lost family photos that were
SEE SUPPORT page 4
DeKalb Clerk of Court Debra Deberry was among several elected officials in the county who made a donation to Williams.
State Rep. Vernon Jones said he was happy to make a donation to Officer Williams and thanked him for his service.
Actor Afemo Omilami of Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless was among the well-wishers who contributed.
LITERACY AMBASSADORS
Photos by Glenn L. Morgan/OCGNews
100 Lithonia High athletes celebrate reading with Stoneview Elementary By Valerie J. Morgan
reading with the elementary students. Mitchell talked about the importance ne hundred Lithonia High of reading. He also told the story School athletes took a break of how he struggled to read while a from the action to give student at the University of Georgia, back to elementary school but overcame that great challenge students with the gift of literacy. by practicing reading with the same The high school students visited fervor that he practiced football. In Stoneview Elementary School on the end, he charged the students to March 22 and were paired with the become literacy ambassadors for younger children, to whom they read a Lithonia High and the community. book written by New England Patriots A local literacy nonprofit, Page wide receiver Malcom Mitchell. Turners Make Great Learners, During a visit he made recently teamed up with Lithonia High to gift to Lithonia High, Mitchell challenged 100 copies of Mitchell’s book, The 100 athletes to share the magic of Magician’s Hat, to the Stoneview
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students. In the book, Mitchell presents the story of a magician who invites kids to reach into his hat and become whatever they want to be making their wildest dreams come true. Stoneview Elementary School Principal Cassandra Davis said the 100 students from her school who participated in the reading day were selected based on their academic performance and behavior. Stoneview was identified on the governor’s list as a “turn around” school that falls in the bottom 5 percent of the state’s College and Career-Ready
Performance Index (CCRPI). Davis said the students and community are striving to fulfill the school’s motto: “We can, we will, we must succeed.” Lithonia High School Principal Darrick McCray said his students were excited to participate in the literacy project and do their part to make a difference in the lives of younger students on the path to excelling. “Literacy is extremely important and what better way to spark that interest and pass it along to others than to share in a project like this,” said McCray.
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Time change on DeKalb’s SPLOST business update To accommodate overwhelming demand, the SPLOST business update scheduled before DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond’s State of the County address will now take place at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 28, in the Laurel Amphitheater at Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort, 4021 Lakeview Drive, Stone Mountain Park. The free interactive discussion between business leaders and county experts was previously scheduled for 10 a.m. The address and business luncheon is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and hosted by the Council for Quality Growth and DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $65 for Chamber members and $85 for non-members. Registration is required. For sponsorship or registration questions, contact Katie Smith, 770-8133381 or ks@councilforqualitygrowth.org. To register for the luncheon, visit www.councilforqualitygrowth.org. CEO Thurmond will deliver an evening State of the County Address to the community on Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Rd., Lithonia. The evening State of the County event is free and open to the public. For more information about the evening State of the County event, contact Nichole Simms at jnsimms@dekalbcountga.gov or 404-371-2552.
Positive rabies case reported in DeKalb Raccoon captured near 1600 block of Drayton Woods Drive
DeKalb County officials are urging the public to be aware of wildlife and pets exhibiting unusual behavior. On March 19, a raccoon was captured in the 1600 block of Drayton Woods Drive and later tested positive for rabies. Rabies is a disease that affects the brain. It’s usually passed from animal to animal but can be passed from animals to people. The virus is spread through saliva, usually from a bite of an animal that has the disease. Anyone who has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal should seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, residents are advised to watch pets and contact DeKalb County Animal Control if unusual behavior occurs. Rabies can be prevented by a vaccine. Residents are responsible for vaccinating pets every year and registering the tag with DeKalb County Animal Control. For more information, contact DeKalb County Animal Control at 404294-2996.
DeKalb to hold public transit study meetings DeKalb County, in partnership with DeKalb Municipal Association, Atlanta Regional Commission and MARTA, will host two public meetings to discuss a proposed transit study. The purpose of the meeting is to provide a high-level overview of the study, hear from transportation experts and learn from county and city residents regarding their vision for transportation in DeKalb County. The meetings will be held: Monday, March 26, 6:30 – 8 p.m., at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, 6400 Woodrow Road, Lithonia Wednesday, March 28, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road NE, Brookhaven For more information, contact T.J. Sigler, government affairs policy analyst, at tjsigler@dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-371-2426.
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On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the newspaper’s advertisers. 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.
On Common Ground News P.O. Box 904 Lithonia, GA 30058 (678) 526-1910 www.ocgnews.com
FOR YOUR FRIDGE March 27
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 9 a.m., Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Rockdale Board of Commissioners voting meeting, 10 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers
March 19
DeKalb Board of Education’s Executive Session, Work Session and Committee of the Whole, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Robert R. Freeman l Complex , 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain DeKalb Board of Education Community Input Meeting, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., Robert R. Freeman Administrative and Instructional Complex DeKalb Board of Education Business Meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., Robert R. Freeman Complex
April 2-6
Spring Break (All Schools Closed)
April 2
The National Council of NegroDeKalb Section Women will host “Meet the Candidates,” 6 to 7:30 p.m., Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. All DeKalb and state candidates have been invited. The public is invited to arrive between 5 and 6 for a oneon-one with the candidates. Light refreshments will be served.
April 4
Stonecrest City Council’s Work Session, 10 a.m., City Hall, 3121 Stonecrest Blvd.
MARCH 24, 2018 • PAGE 3
DeKalb’s water billing crisis nears end CEO Thurmond: Customers will face no penalties for county errors DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said county officials have finished reviewing the final batch of “held” water bills, returning most of the 37,000 held bills to a normal billing cycle. Only 253 bills are now in the dispute process, Thurmond said. “Resolving the problems associated with the water billing crisis is a major step toward restoring public trust and rebuilding confidence in our billing process,” said Thurmond. “Less than one percent of customers who had bills held remain in dispute with the county. That is significant progress.” Last year, Thurmond initiated the New Day Project to resolve the county’s longstanding water billing crisis after normal billing was suspended in December 2016 for
approximately 37,000 of the county’s 194,000 water and sewer customers. The New Day Project identified problems in the water billing process that led to inaccurate billing and meter readings, and a systemic failure of leadership, management and oversight. Held bills were released in phases after completing a thorough independent verification process that included manually reviewing customer accounts and field validation of water meters. With support from the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, the New Day Project made significant water billing improvements in staffing, customer service and technology. This year, the county increased call center staffing and reduced average customer service
DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond
wait times by more than four minutes. A verification process to independently expedite the review of customer accounts, water consumption and billing data was also created and the county started the process of replacing aging and defective water meters and implementing a new utility billing system. “I want to thank the
board of commissioners, and a dedicated, crossdepartmental group of employees for coming together over the past fifteen months and working tirelessly to solve these complex and frustrating issues,” said Thurmond. Thurmond said the county will next focus on strengthening management and oversight, streamlining organizational alignment, completing the installation of a state-of-the-art electronic billing system, replacing aging water meters and addressing the unpaid portion of formerly held bills. Customers with held water bills will not be penalized for county errors, officials said. For more information about water billing, customers are encouraged to call 404-3784475.
DeKalb School District, county government close on exchange of three properties After two years of discussions, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) and DeKalb County government completed the process to exchange properties at three locations, paving the way for the construction of a new elementary school and parks. “We are pleased to work out a deal that’s beneficial to all residents of DeKalb County,” said Superintendent R. Stephen Green. “The school district receives land upon which it can build a first-class campus for students, and the citizens receive new park land. Cooperation and collaboration will always lead to great results, and this exchange is proof of that.” The organizations concluded the following swap: • DCSD purchased 7.35 acres of Pleasantdale Park, 3686 Pleasantdale
Road, Atlanta, for $3.227 million. The purchase will allow the district to tear down the current Pleasantdale Elementary School and build a new $23.6 million campus on site without moving students in the area. • The school district sold a 2.44acre portion of the Margaret Harris property for $250,000 to the county for the purpose of a new park. The land is
located at 1634 Knob Hill Drive NE in Atlanta. • DCSD also sold the 2.84-acre Rehoboth Park property to DeKalb County for $280,000. The property is located at 3105 Tolbert Drive in Decatur. The exchanges were approved by the DeKalb County Board of Education at its monthly meeting on March 19. “Providing more parkland and property for a new school in underserved areas has a direct impact on improving the quality of life for all our citizens. This land transfer and acquisition is a great example of the partnership between DeKalb County Schools and DeKalb County Government,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond.
Rockdale deputies thwart gang fight at Heritage High, two arrested After receiving a tip, Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputies intercepted a fight gang members had planned to take place at Heritage High School’s parking lot. Investigators arrested one student and Lenny Mejias, who was carrying a loaded pistol. No fights occurred on campus and Heritage students were not placed in danger, law enforcement officials said. Investigators moved quickly after the high school’s resource officer received information on March 16 that gang members were planning an afterschool fight in the parking
lot. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit (SIU) patrolled the area of the nearby Sugar Hill subdivision and Heritage High School. Investigators made one arrest when one
student came from the Sugar Hill subdivision to the parking lot where the fight was supposed to occur. The male student was arrested for public indecency and criminal trespass.
In Sugar Hill, SIU deputies spotted two vehicles following one another. Deputies recognized two known gang members in the vehicles and were able to stop one of them. The passenger, Lenny Mejias, attempted to fight with deputies and he was taken into custody. He was in possession of a loaded pistol with an extended magazine. Mejias was charged with possession of marijuana, obstruction of law enforcement (felony), interference with government property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, parole violation and tampering with evidence (felony).
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PET OF THE Week
LifeLine Animal Project presents its DeKalb County Animal Services Pet of the Week, Sophia Grace. This perfectly polite pup has mastered the “sit” command, and loves to show it off for everyone. Sophia Graces aims to please people, and she loves to be praised for being a such a good girl. Other things she loves doing include making you smile, snuggling in your lap, and going for slow, leisurely walks. You can view a video of this special girl here. Come meet this princess today at LifeLine’s DeKalb County Animal Services shelter by dropping by 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, emailing adoptions@dekalbanimalservices.com or calling 404-294-2165.
Six Rockdale schools named Reward Schools Six schools in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) – one-third of schools in the district – have been named on the Georgia Department of Education Reward Schools list, an honor given to top-performing Title I schools. Barksdale Elementary and Lorraine Elementary are listed as “Highest Performing” schools. C. J. Hicks Elementary, Flat Shoals Elementary, Pine Street Elementary and General Ray Davis Middle School are listed as “Highest Progress” schools. Most of these schools have been named Reward Schools for multiple consecutive years. “I am extremely proud of our 2017-18 Reward Schools,” says Interim Superintendent Shirley Chesser. “To have a third of our schools recognized in either the top 5 or top 10 percent of all schools in the state is a tremendous honor for the schools and the RCPS district as a whole. I commend the hard work and commitment of our teachers, support staff, leaders, students, and parents to maintaining world-class performance and continuous improvement.” Reward Schools fall into one of two categories: Highest Performing Reward Schools: Barksdale Elementary, Lorraine Elementary • Top 5% of Title I schools • Highest 3-year average Content Mastery category performances (CCRPI) Highest Progress Reward Schools: C.J. Hicks Elementary, Flat Shoals Elementary, Pine Street Elementary, General Ray Davis Middle • Top 10% of Title I schools • Highest 3-year average Progress scores (CCRPI)
DeKalb hires new Public Works Director DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has selected professional engineer, Richard Lemke as the county’s director of Public Works, effective March 26. Lemke will oversee the Department of Watershed Management, and the divisions of Fleet Maintenance, Roads and Drainage, Transportation and Sanitation. Lemke will manage the Department of Public Work’s 1,600 full- and part-time employees and a budget of $460 million. Lemke has more than 20 years of government service that includes implementing one of the first comprehensive citywide street improvement Richard Lemke is the new DeKalb County Public programs that repaired potholes, cracked pavement Works director. and roadways in Green River, Wyoming. Additionally, he has managed a variety of public works and capital improvement projects such as planning and constructing wastewater treatment plants and fleet maintenance facilities. Most recently, he served as the director of Public Works in Maitland, Florida, and on the Orange County Florida Environmental Protection Commission. Lemke holds a professional engineering certification and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Bradley University and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Rockdale Clerk of Courts to present free notary public training Rockdale County Clerk of Courts Ruth A. Wilson, in collaboration with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), will offer free Notary Public training for individuals who are already notaries and those interested in becoming a notary. The training will address basic notary procedures and legal guidelines for fulfilling the duties of a Notary Public in the State of Georgia. The training for the evening session will be held on Ruth A. Wilson Thursday, May 3, 6 to 7:30 p.m. The morning session will be held on Thursday, May 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Both sessions will be held at the JP Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor Street. Registration for the free training is requested no later than Wednesday, May 2, and Wednesday, May 16. Light refreshments will be served. To register, email Notary.Training@RockdaleCountyGA.Gov. For more information, call 770-278-7866.
Congressman Hank Johnson announces 2018 Congressional Art Competition Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced the opening of this year’s Congressional Art Competition for all high school students who reside or attend a school in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District. “Each year, we gain a new appreciation for every piece of art entered for our annual competition because no matter what colors they use, no matter their interpretation, this is their art,” said Johnson. “Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are rights we hold dear, and I’m sure all of the pieces submitted will speak to us in some way.” Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated. Since 2007, more than 650 Fourth District students have competed in Rep. Johnson’s annual event. Last year’s winners in the 2017
Design (SCAD) for her “Nature” photograph. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists, educators and leaders select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in
Washington, DC. The winning grand prize winner's work is displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol. The first, second and third place winners will be displayed in the congressional district office. Also this year, all work will be unveiled under Congressman Johnson’s “FULL STEAM AHEAD” program on the education exhibit hall at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta during the month of May 2018. All entries are due to the Congressman’s District Office, 5240 Snapfinger Park Drive, Suite 140, Decatur, GA, 30035, by April 13. For more information, rules and guidelines for the 2018 competition, visit https://hankjohnson.house.gov/ serving-you/art-competition or call Xeron Pledger or Eric Hubbard at 770-987-2291. The 2018 Arts Competition reception will be held on Saturday, April 21, 9 a.m. at the Lou Walker Senior Center: 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia, GA 30058. The Fourth Congressional District is comprised of parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Newton counties and all of Rockdale County.
going through. “It’s amazing the care and encouragement that people have given and the overall act of kindness and love that they have shown for somebody in their time of need. It is truly a blessing.” Those interested in donating to the Williams family are welcome
to make monetary and clothing donations at the South Precinct, 2842 H F Shepherd Drive, Decatur. There are five girls: ages 3, 4, 7, 9 and 11and one boy, who is 4. Video footage from this event can be viewed online at ocgnews. com.
The 2017 Art Competition Grand Prize Winner was Michelle Carmona, a senior from Brookwood High School. Carmona was awarded a $24,000 scholarship to the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) for her “Nature” photograph. Photo provided
competition were awarded four college scholarships worth a total of $47,000. The Grand Prize Winner was Michelle Carmona, a senior from Brookwood High School. Carmona was awarded a $24,000 scholarship to the Savannah College of Art &
SUPPORT continued from page 1 stored on computers and all of our hardcopies and my girlfriend lost her grandfather’s ashes,” said Williams. Despite losing all of the family’s material possessions and other precious items, one object of sentimental value did survive – a special keepsake box containing
items from Williams’ late wife. “The items did get wet, but nonetheless we can still hold onto the memories.” “The silver lining came quicker than I thought,” said Williams whose coworker shared with the department what Williams was
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STONECREST NEWS
MARCH 24, 2018 • PAGE 5
Stonecrest honors CS Truck and Trailer as a Top Workplace The city of Stonecrest honored Joe Coleman, owner of CS Truck and Trailer, at the March 19 City Council meeting. Mayor Jason Lary presented Coleman with a proclamation recognizing CS Truck and Trailer as one of the top companies in the metro Atlanta area recognized by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). The AJC recently honored CS Truck and Trailer as a “Workplace Achiever,” citing employee feedback scores that exceeded national standards. CS Truck and Trailer, which has 101 employees and is located in the industrial park within the city of Stonecrest, was among 32 companies named in the “Workplace Achiever”
category. The company has been in business for 19 years and provides maintenance, repainting and repair services for semi-tractor trailers. Lary commended Coleman for his excellence and example. “We want to start a tradition of honoring those people who put their money, their time, their grit, their service, their risk on the line Mayor Jason Lary and District 1 Councilmember for our city,” said Lary as he and Jimmy Clanton pose with Joe Coleman, owner of Councilmember Jimmy Clanton CS Truck and Trailer. made the presentation. Clanton’s District 1 includes the industrial park acknowledging his employees who where CS Truck and Trailer is located. attended the presentation with him. “I can do none of this work Coleman thanked the mayor and myself. It’s this group of people here council members as well. who have made the difference,” “What you’re doing here with us Coleman said in thanking and is what we want to do with the rest
Stonecrest City Council approves 2018 budget amendment
A
t a special called meeting on March 21, the Stonecrest City Council approved an amendment to the city’s 2018 budget to fund seven new positions and four vehicles for the city’s operation. The special called meeting was held after council members deferred a decision on the budget adjustment at the regular City Council meeting on March 19. The council had several questions about the proposed adjustments to the contract for CH2M, the firm hired to oversee the management of the city. City Manager Michael Harris addressed those concerns and the council approved the budget 5-1. Councilmember Diane Adoma acknowledged receiving additional details from Harris but cast the dissenting vote, saying she preferred to defer a decision until an annual independent audit could be made. Adoma’s motion to defer a decision on the matter died without a second. Mayor Jason Lary said the audit is a non-issue since an audit for the 2018
budget cannot be performed until next year. The amendment includes seven new positions, four new vehicles and training that will add $693,568 to CH2M’s $16 million, five-year contract. However, Harris said with reductions in some general fund expenditures and an anticipated increase in revenues from building permits, hotel/ motel fees and other sources, the net increase to the city’s budget is $293,750 per year. The new positions include an additional building inspector, parks and recreation director, two code enforcement officers, business license technician, web site content position and community affairs position. The amendment also funds uniforms and training for new staff. The council had approved some of the positions when it adopted the 2018 budget in December, which included estimated costs. However, the budget was adjusted to include additional revenues and actual costs for expanded scope of services.
CITY OF STONECREST PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, APRIL 3RD 2018 AT 6:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD LITHONIA, GA 30038 CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, APRIL 16TH 2018 AT 6:00 P.M. CITY OF STONECREST, 3120 STONECREST BLVD STONECREST, GA 30038
of the business community and the government in showing and proving that we can work together. In doing that, we can attract more businesses, more jobs, more opportunities for restaurants, hotels…,” said Coleman. Attorney Bernard Knight, who represents several businesses in the industrial park, applauded Coleman for his outstanding work. “Mr. Coleman started that (CS Truck and Trailer) pretty much from scratch and he has built it into something the city can be very proud of,” Knight said in introducing Coleman before the proclamation presentation from the mayor and council.
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary celebrates one-year milestone This month, Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary celebrated his 56th birthday and marked his one-year anniversary of becoming mayor. Voters elected Lary on March 21, 2017 as the first mayor of the new city of Stonecrest, giving him 52.2 percent of the vote in a three-way race. Lary celebrated his birthday on March 22 and said his victory was the best birthday present ever. Lary spent four years championing Jason Lary the effort to create the city of Stonecrest.
Coffee and Conversation with Councilmember Diane Adoma Stonecrest City Councilmember Diane Adoma, District 5, will host Coffee and Conversation, on March 24, 9 a.m., at the Stonecrest Hilton Garden Inn, 7890 Mall Ring Road. Get updates on the city, ask questions about city issues. Councilmember Adoman also will host her inaugural District 5 Women’s Empowerment Recognition Breakfast on March 31, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the Stonecrest Hilton Garden Inn. Rockdale Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten will be the keynote speaker. Juanita Baranco will be Diane Adoma the special honoree. Additional seats have been added to the sold-out event. For more information, call 470-223-6039.
Stonecrest Councilmember George Turner to host Town Hall Stonecrest City Councilmember George Turner, District 4, invites the community to his Town Hall meeting on March 28, at 6:30 p.m., Salem-Panola Library, 5137 Salem Road, Stonecrest. Topics to be discussed include a quarterly status report on the city, land use and zoning; code enforcement; and SPLOST. A Q&A also will be held.
George Turner
The following Land Use Petition located within the City of Stonecrest is scheduled for Public Hearings as stated above.
Date, time change for April Cultural Exchange Community Breakfast
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
SLUP 17-0002 Alfie Igbadume 3185 Evans Mill Road R-100 (Residential Med Lot) District R-100 (Residential Med Lot) District Request Special Land Use Permit to operate child care institution.
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
SLUP 18-001 Nicole Harris 5951 Fairington Farms Lane MR-1 (Medium Density Residential) District MR-1 (Medium Density Residential) District Request Special Land Use Permit to operate child care institution.
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
RZ-18-001 Bernard Knight TRACT “A” 1882 Coffee Road M (Light Industrial) District M-2 (Heavy Industrial) District Conditional Request to rezoning property to M-2 Conditional
TEXT AMENDMENT: PETITIONER: PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
TMOD 18-0002 City Council Amendment to (Industrial) “Parking Regulations” Chapter 27 Article VI Sec. 6.1.3
The monthly DeKalb Cultural Exchange Community Breakfast (DCE) meeting hosted by Stonecrest City Councilmember Rob Turner and his wife, DeKalb School Board member Vickie Turner, will be held on April 7 (the first Saturday) instead of the usual time of month in order to support the DeKalb NAACP Unity Breakfast, which will be Vickie and Robert Turner held on April 14 (2nd Saturday), 8:30 a.m., Greenforest Baptist Church Early Learning Center, 3250 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The focus of (DCE) April’s meeting will be a Political Candidate Forum, for those running for office. “Many of the candidates have already confirmed and we expect a great turnout from the community,” said Stonecrest City Councilmember Rob Turner. The breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the forum will start promptly at 9 a.m. at Greater Traveler’s Rest House of Hope Church, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.
PAGE 6 • MARCH 24, 2018 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
OP/ED
Tunnel vision is blocking Stonecrest’s progress
I
By Dave Marcus
’ve got a number of thoughts following tonight’s (March 20) slightly raucous town hall meeting with the three senators representing Stonecrest in the Georgia Senate. None of the three senators support HB 1060 and I am guessing that it has little chance of passing. There were four mistakes made in this episode and I hope we learn from them. Number one mistake. The council packaged all their requests – including the controversial mayoral pay increase and part-time to full-time change – in a bill that ended up being 54 pages. There are a LOT of different subjects in it and they have been overshadowed by the mayoral money issue, as I’ll call it. And that was predictable; 95% of the discussion everywhere (comments in work sessions, public meetings, social media, etc.) was on the one topic. As a result, a lot of possibly good and/or needed changes got virtually ignored. The council should have sent three separate requests to the legislature: mayoral salary; balance of power changes; and the other requests. (BTW – I heard from one council member a month ago was that the only reason there was a 6-0 vote in favor of the packages was that they didn’t want to throw the baby away with the bathwater.) For at least one of the Senators, the issue--the reason he will vote 'no'-is not about the money, and I didn't get the impression that the money was the main issue for any of them. Number two mistake. The last-minute introduction of the bill in the House and Senate. Yes, the council’s schedule didn’t allow it to be early in the session, but the legislators who introduced could have done it a lot sooner. Had they, then there could have been amendments that would have pruned those things the legislators didn’t like. (I didn’t have the impression that the mayoral salary was a big stumbling block to them.) Number three mistake. The anti-mayoral money folks as well as (especially) the pro-mayoral
money folks have made it about the man who is the current Mayor. They look at his achievement in creating the city or his notparticularly-notable tenure in running it. They don’t talk about it in terms of the office, and that it applies to every successor he will have. Number four mistake, and perhaps the biggest one. NO ONE has asked the most important question. Now, my own opinion is that Jason Lary is a talented promoter, sales guy, and perhaps entrepreneur. Why haven’t we asked “how can we use those abilities as completely and aggressively as we can?” Everyone who is pro-Jason and pro-mayoral money has assumed that we need him to be a full-time, highly-paid Mayor. (A couple of months ago I suggested that the city hire him as a full-time Head of Economic Development. Pay him a competitive salary for that (high 5 figures or low 6) and let him be part-time mostly-ceremonial mayor for the current $20K. Or he can resign as mayor to be in that job. But that would be only one approach to a winning scenario. I am sure there are others, and shame on those who haven’t at least tried to think of them.) Everyone with opinions or responsibilities (or just big mouths) got total, total tunnel vision. We (yup, "we" -- and that includes both me and you) made it about the mayoral money and about Jason Lary. And we made it about right and wrong, not about practical issues. (At worst, paying him $70,000 raises taxes $1 per resident. As a corporate financial analyst, I know that $50,000 is a rounding error in a budget the size of Stonecrest’s.) And I don’t think Stonecrest is the best for it. As with Federal politics, we have more division that we started with, we haven’t kept our eye on the ball, and we’ve wasted energy and time that could better go elsewhere. And the Mayor probably needs another part-time job so he can afford his bills, which will impact what he does as Mayor. Not a good outcome.
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Chiropractic Treatment Physiotherapy Your path to Natural Health
Commissioners not doing enough for South DeKalb to warrant big pay raise By Calvin E. Sims, Sr.
plagued with home mortgages under water. n reference to State Sen. Fran In contrast North and Central Millar challenging DeKalb DeKalb appear to be thriving with County commissioners’ 60 new developments every where, percent pay raise, I don't support and home values spiraling. North the pay increase either because and Central DeKalb Commissioners commissioners are not working hard should be working just as hard to enough for the good of DeKalb. improve the social and economic In South and South East County conditions in South and Southeast for instance, crime rates are high, DeKalb, as they are in their own litter is every where (inspite of a community, but collectively DeKalb Litter Control Ordinance the seven member board of which is not being enforced), retail commissioners is not working hard stores are closing and jobs are being enough to find solutions. lost, adding to a community already
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FULL BODY REJUVENATION CENTER 3636 Panola Rd, Ste B
MOST MAJOR INSURANCES AND OBAMA CARE ACCEPTED!
Lithonia, GA 30038
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On Common Ground News Marketplace LAWN CARE
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We cater to the entire family. Gum Treatments Tooth Colored Fillings Oral Surgery Cosmetic Bonding & Veneers Crowns, Bridges & Dentures Root Canals Implants We Accept Most Insurance Plans Peachcare & Medicaid Emergency Walk-In Time Available
900 N. Hairston Rd. Suite B Stone Mountain, GA 30083 404-294-8500 Spalding Gentle Dentistry 6460 Spalding Drive Norcross, GA 30092 770-849-0006
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