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VOLUME 24 NUMBER 6
MAY 5, 2018
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L-R: Martin Luther King Jr. High School band director Travis Kimber and Macy’s Parade Creative Producer Wesley Whatley celebrate the announcement of the band’s selection to perform at the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Confetti rained down in the Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Lithonia on May 3 after it was announced that the band would perform at the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photos by Travis Hudgons
‘Kings of Halftime’ to march in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade By Travis Hudgons
M
embers of the Martin Luther King Jr. High School ‘Kings of Halftime’ Marching Band received exciting news on May 3. The band will perform in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The band will proudly represent DeKalb County as one of nine marching bands selected from a nationwide pool of 100 high school, collegiate and military bands that applied. According to a release, each year, Macy’s selects marching bands with stage presence, musical talent and marching ability for its annual Thanksgiving Day parade. The spectacle draws an audience of more than 3.5 million live spectators and 50 million television viewers worldwide. The bands march with world-famous
DeKalb County Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green
floats, character balloons, clowns, celebrities and more. Macy’s Parade Creative Director Wesley Whatley traveled to the school and made the surprise announcement to the band, school officials and members of the media on May 3. “We’ve had our eye on you for a number of years. We’ve been watching your field show performances and
Members of the Martin Luther King Jr. High School ‘Kings of Halftime’ Marching Band.
the excitement you bring to every performance,” Whatley told band members. The more than 200-member band was stunned and excited after the announcement. Led by its first and only band director Travis Kimber, the 17-year-old program has performed in a number of prestigious events including the Cotton Bowl in Dallas,
Texas, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA and they were the first American marching band to perform in Johannesburg, South Africa. “It really feels good, even after 17 years, Kimber said. This is the pinnacle—the one parade we haven’t done yet.” DeKalb County Schools Superintendent R. Stephen Green, Regional Superintendent Dr. Triscilla Weaver, board member Vickie Turner, Martin Luther King, Jr. High Principal Ennis Harvey and other district officials were in attendance for the surprise announcement. The band members will ride this wave of excitement while they spend the next 18 months planning for their appearance which will include rehearsals, fundraisers and communitywide events.
Deal signs historic mass transit legislation Gov. Nathan Deal has signed HB 930, legislation that creates the state-level Atlanta-region Transit Link Authority (the ATL), which provides a new structure for coordinated transit planning and funding for the 13-county metro Atlanta region. The ATL will be responsible for developing a Regional Transit Plan, as well as identifying and prioritizing the projects and initiatives required to develop region-wide transit. Deal also allotted $100 million in 10-year General Obligation bonds in the FY 2019 budget to fund public transit. “Georgia is a destination for all types of industries and people from all walks of life to come and enjoy the economic and natural prosperity of our state,” said Deal. “It is projected that the metro Atlanta area will add another 2.5 million residents by 2040, and HB 930 recognizes this growth and provides a coordinated, streamlined and unified approach to prepare for the future of metro Atlanta and the surrounding communities. With the establishment of the ATL, we are taking another significant step to ensure that our modes of transit and mobility are worthy of the No. 1 state for business and the best place for opportunity. “The initiatives set forth in this legislation will supplement our efforts to build an effective
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transportation network for the 13 counties covered by the ATL and provide new options to get Georgians to their places of employment, community activities and homes to spend time with family more quickly and efficiently. I appreciate the General Assembly’s leadership, especially the hard work by Speaker Ralston and Lt. Gov. Cagle, for making this bipartisan legislation possible. I also appreciate the commitment and dedication shown by Rep. Tanner and Sen. Beach, the authors of this legislation, in working to improve transportation options for millions of Georgians.” HB 930 also outlines funding for public transit for approval by the ATL through optional local taxes (TSPLOST) of up to 1 percent for up to 30 years,
which counties may apply if they so choose. The 13-county region under the ATL includes Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding and Rockdale counties. “In the years ahead, Georgia will continue to add millions of new residents to our population - building on our unparalleled reputation as the number one state for business and the capital of the south,” said Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. “Governor Deal and Speaker Ralston should be commended for their commitment to building a stronger infrastructure for all of Georgia. I’m proud to join these exceptional leaders in advancing this truly historic legislation that will allow Metro-Atlanta counties to strategically expand our public transportation network with local decision-making, reduce traffic congestion, and make the necessary investments to ensure our economic momentum will only continue to accelerate.” The ATL will be attached to the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) for shared administrative resources and will be governed by a 16-member board. 10 of these members will represent 10 new, specially created Transit Districts and will
SEE DEAL page 8