Stonecrest Digest: May 2018 by On Common Ground News

MAY 2018 • VOLUME 1, ISSUE 3

Stonecrest Digest News for The City of Stonecrest

STONECREST CITY HALL • 3120 Stonecrest Blvd., Stonecrest, GA 30038 770-224-0200

stonecrestga.gov

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PATH closure between mile marker 5.0 through 5.8.

Portion of Arabia Mountain PATH closed for sewer repairs

portion of the Arabia Mountain PATH walking and biking trail has closed temporarily as crews install a new sewer main bordering the perimeter of the DavidsonArabia Mountain Nature Preserve. The PATH will be closed from mile marker 5.0 at the North Goddard Road crossing to mile marker 5.80 at the Flatrock Spur crossing inside the Davidson-Arabia Nature

Preserve. Yard signs placed throughout the preserve will notify bikers and pedestrians of the construction and closure. The construction, which began April 30, should be complete and the PATH reopened by mid-June. Trails along Boomerang and Laurel Creek will remain open via access from Flatrock Spur PATH. Signage also will be visible at trailheads like Evans Mill and Polebridge Creek.

As part of DeKalb County’s $1.345 billion Capital Improvement Program, crews working on behalf of the Department Watershed Management are assessing and repairing lines to improve sewer service to the community by increasing capacity and reducing sanitary sewer overflows in the area. Crews are replacing deteriorated sewer lines with newer, larger pipes.

The First Elected Government for The City of Stonecrest

jason lary

Jimmy Clanton

Robert Turner

Jazzmin Cobble

George Turner

Diane Adoma

Mayor

District 1 Council

District 2 Council

District 3 Council

District 4 Council

District 5 Council

CITY STAFF

District map

MICHAEL HARRIS Interim City Manager mharris@stonecrestga.gov PLEZ JOYNER Assistant City Manager pjoyner@stonecrestga.gov BRENDA JAMES City Clerk bjames@stonecrestga.gov NICOLE DOZIER Community Development Director ndozier@stonecrestga.gov AUDREY MAYS Accounts Manager amays@stonecrestga.gov ADRION BELL Communications Director abell@stonecrestga.gov LEAH RODRIGUEZ Administrative Assistant lrodriguez@stonecrestga.gov AL FERRELL Code Enforcement Manager aferrell@stonecrestga.gov WILLIAM KIRKLAND Code Enforcement Officer wkirkland@stonecrestga.gov MONTY HILL Building Inspector mhill@stonecrestga.gov TUYANNA DANIEL Permit Tech tdaniel@stonecrestga.gov

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STONECREST!

he city of Stonecrest is marking its oneyear anniversary this month. Mayor Jason Lary and the five-member City Council were sworn in together at an inauguration on May 1, 2017 at the Mall at Stonecrest. Hundreds witnessed the historic event. DeKalb County Judge Ronald Ramsey performed the swearing-in ceremony for the mayor and council members: Jimmy Clanton (District 1), Rob Turner (District 2), Jazzmin Cobble (District 3), George Turner (District 4) and Diane Daniels Adoma (District 5). Cobble, who was 31 at the time, was the youngest person to be sworn in. Stonecrest was formed by voter referendum in the November 2016 General Election. The city of 50,000 residents elected its first mayor and city council in March 2017.

City Council appoints Stonecrest Development Authority Board of Directors At its April 16 meeting, the Stonecrest City Council confirmed the mayor’s appointments the Stonecrest Development Authority’s Board of Directors. The following were appointed: Two-year terms: Dr. Cynthia Elliot James W. “Jim” Kelly, Jr. Samuel Stuckey Antonio Render Four-year terms: Lecester “Bill” Allen Belinda Hull Leighton Hull

Ex Officio: Joe Coleman Mayor Jason Lary Julius Lee Sabrina Wright The officers of the board are expected to be named later in May. The Stonecrest Development Authority is the economic development arm in the city of Stonecrest. The Authority will partner with stakeholders and the business community to encourage capital investments, jobs and business sustainability.

2018 ELECTIONS

Where should Stonecrest residents go to vote? Residents who live in the new city of Stonecrest may Early Vote at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. The precinct will be open May 14-18, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., to Stonecrest residents as part of expanded Early Voting precincts that are being offered in DeKalb County. Stonecrest residents who plan to vote on Election Day, May 22, must go to their regular precinct. Those precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. No votes will be counted after 7 p.m. If you are unsure of your precinct or the status of your voterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s registration card, visit My Voter Page at https:// www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Community Cleanup DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson is hosting a community cleanup every second Saturday from May through October. If your HOA, business, faith-based Commissioner organization or community Mereda Davis group is interested in partnering with Johnson for a community cleanup, please call 404-371-2159 to schedule a date. Swimming - The DeKalb County swim season begins Memorial Day weekend. Browns Mill Aquatics Center in the city of Stonecrest will open on May 26 and remain open until Labor Day weekend. No outside food or drinks are allowed at county pools. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult ages 18 and older. May 24 - DeKalb County School District Last Day of School

Arabia Alliance hosts 2nd annual Open House ‘Trail Mixer’ The Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance will host an open house Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at its office located at 3350 Klondike Road in Stonecrest. Visitors are welcome to drop in, grab a snack, and speak with staff and board members to learn about the people and places that form the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. Information will be on-hand to help explore the NHA including the Arabia Mountain PATH trail. Visitors can also join a walking tour at 11 a.m. around the Vaughters’ Farm Meadow Loop where they can take in the scenery and learn about

the historic landscape that was part of DeKalb’s dairy industry and the Vaughters’ family. The walk is about 1.5 miles and will take an hour; please wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring insect repellant and a water bottle. The Atlanta Wildlife Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE), located in the National Heritage Area, also offers tours at its Wildlife Center on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. Although the tours are free, donations are welcome. For more information, visit: https:// awarewildlife.org/programs-tours.

The Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is an open landscape of breathtaking beauty, peace and wonder just 20 minutes east of Atlanta. Dominated by two granite outcrops, it offers natural wonders, compelling history and heart-pumping activity. The AMNHA is one of only 49 National Heritage Areas recognized by Congress for its unique contribution to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development. Located in portions of DeKalb, Rockdale and Henry Counties, the AMNHA includes more than 33 miles of paved hike/ bike trails; historic and natural sites such as the DavidsonArabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Panola Mountain State Park and Flat Rock Archives; and is home to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. RSVP for the open house is encouraged at the following link: http://arabiaalliance. org/event/open-house-trailmixer-2018. Parking for the open house is available at the Vaughtersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Farm Trailhead near the office at 3366 Klondike Road. For GPS purposes, use Lithonia, GA 30038. For more information, contact Angela Walton, Director of Marketing, at angela@arabiaalliance.org or 404-998-8384 x5. To learn more about Arabia Alliance and the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, visit www.arabiaalliance.org.

STONECREST LIBRARY 3123 KLONDIKE ROAD 770-482-3828 Friends of Stonecrest Library Book Sale Saturday, May 12, 10 to 3 p.m. Support your library by purchasing used paperbacks and hardbacks that will be for sale.

Heal Thyself with Stress Management Thursday, May 24, 2018, 11 a.m. to noon Adults can learn easy mindfulness practices to reduce stress. See how breathing, gentle stretching, guided meditation and intention setting can improve your ability to cope with stress and increase your capacity for calm in a hectic world. Funding provided by the Friends of the Stonecrest Library. Teen Volunteer Orientation Saturday, May 26, 3 to 3:45 p.m. Orientation will be held for teens ages 14 to 17 years old who will take on volunteer assignments at the library this summer. Applications were due by March 31, 2018.

Zumba! Saturday, May 12, 2018, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dance your way to fitness and health with Zsa Zsa and energizing music from around the world! Open to first 15 participants. Funding provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. Ages 15 and older. Hike at the Library Friday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. to noon Take a one-mile hike from our entrance to the paved Arabia Mountain PATH and return to the library for a light snack. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a bottle of water. Meet in the lobby of the library. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Funding provided by the Friends of the Stonecrest Library. Between the Lines Book Club for ages 9-12 Saturday, May 19, noon to 1 p.m. Join us for a discussion of the book-of-themonth and create a theme-related craft. Books will be available 2 weeks prior to the first meeting. Groups of 5 or more, please call branch for appointment. Movie: Roman J. Israel, Esq. Monday, May 21, 2018, 6 to 8 p.m. Roman J. Israel, Esq., starring Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell and Carmen Ejogo. PG-13, 2017. Open to first 155 participants ages 18 and up.

Melt and Pour Soap Wednesday, May 30, 11 to noon Learn how to make your own soap. The class is open to seniors as part of Older Americans Month and is limited to 15 participants. To register, call 770.482.3828. Monday SALEM-PANOLA LIBRARY 5137 SALEM ROAD 770-987-6900

Jobs Bus (Mobile Career Center and Resource Center) Monday, May 14, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Mobile Career Center (also called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jobs Busâ&#x20AC;?) includes 13 computer stations and highspeed satellite Internet connection. The Center will provide residents with essential services, including job search assistance, resume writing, and interviewing tips. The bus schedule includes library locations and changes monthly.

Martin Luther King Jr. High School to host Region IV Job Fair on May 5 The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) invites all educators, administrators and support personnel to the Region IV Job Fair on Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. until noon. The event, scheduled to take place at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Lithonia, will provide attendees with information about working in the Martin Luther King Jr., Miller Grove, Lithonia and Southwest DeKalb high school clusters, which make up more than 18 DCSD schools and facilities. Participants are instructed to bring resumes, certificates, official transcripts, edTPA scores, GACE scores, program

admissions, ethics assessments, and content assessments. To preregister for the event or apply for open positions online, visit the DCSD recruitment website. For more information, contact Angelica Collins at angelica_r_collins@dekalbschoolsga. org or call (678) 676-0501. WHAT:

The 2018 Region IV Job Fair

WHERE: Martin Luther King Jr. High School 3991 Snapfinger Road Lithonia, GA, 30038