OUR TOWN DEKALB (October 2022)

Publisher and Editor

Lizbeth Dison

Creative Director

Jay Adcock

Writers

Emma Dison Brantley

Victoria Crosby

Cindy E. Farrar

Doug Reynics

Lois Ricci

Karl Schwartz

Art Wood

A Shiny Inc Publication

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Town DeKalb is published and direct mailed to select homes in the Tucker / Northeast DeKalb area. Opinions expressed by the writers and staff are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Our Town DeKalb reserves the right to edit or reject any editorial or advertising content. Our Town DeKalb is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the space or for the validity of claims made by advertisers.

contents copyright 2022 by Our Town DeKalb and Shiny Inc LLC. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden in any media without written permission from the publisher.

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the

FODAC

the

Stone and Lloyd Ames (blue shirts

pose with members of the Ma-Chis tribe as they deliver

in Elba, Alabama.

courtesy

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Native American populations across the country. Native Americans have infection rates over three times higher than non-Hispanic whites, are over four times more likely to be hospitalized as a result of COVID-19, and have higher rates of mortality at younger ages than non-Hispanic whites. This has highlighted the need for comprehensive, culturally appropriate personal and public health services that are available and accessible to all Native American people. Over the past two years, Tucker-based non-profit Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) has stepped in to address that need in several indigenous communities, most recently for the Ma-Chis in Alabama.

FODAC: Bringing Hope to an Indigenous Community

L. A. DISON

Tribe members help move pallets of donated medical supplies into their warehouse.

For over thirty-five years, FODAC has provided refurbished home medical equipment, like wheelchairs, power chairs, walkers and other mobility equipment, and other medical supplies to adults and children with disabilities, at little or no cost to them or their caregivers. The organization started in Georgia with a local reach, but soon expanded nationally then globally to serve those in need. Over its history, FODAC has supported relief programs in every major disaster across the globe, including earthquake-damaged Nepal, hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, flooded Mississippi, and most recently, war-torn Ukraine. During COVID, FODAC was responsible for distributing over a million masks to healthcare workers, students and school staff, first responders, and private citizens. During the COVID pandemic,

The FODAC medical donations are stored in the warehouse until they can be distributed to tribe members and the larger community.

through its partnership with FEMA, FODAC provided masks and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to several Native American tribes in the Southeast.

The Ma-Chis Lower Creek Indian Tribe of Alabama (Ma-Chis Nation) are remnants of the “Creek Confederacy,” first identified by white settlers as they expanded into what is now the southeastern part of the United States. The tribe does not use the blood quantum system to determine tribal status; instead, they use DNA testing to determine how much Native American ancestry a person has. The elders then use the Creek Tribe census rolls from the 1830s (before the Trail of Tears) to build a family lineage from the original members of the tribe to a current day person who has inherited some amount of Native American genetics. Using this system, the tribe has identified around 4,500 legitimate members, although only a few hundred actually live on the reservation in Elba, Alabama.

In March 2021, FODAC delivered PPE to several indigenous communities, including Eastern Cherokee, Lower Muskogee, and the Creek in Georgia, and the Ma-Chis in Alabama. In summer 2022, the Vice-Chief of the Ma-Chis made another request for face masks and face shields, in addition to other items including sanitizers, HME, portable ramps, and adult diapers. The tribe could not find any excess supplies they could access in lower Alabama, prompting them to look farther afield for resources. FODAC became interested in the project due to the large amount of supplies the Ma-Chis were requesting and the proximity of their location.

Exact income information for the Ma-Chis community in Elba was not readily available, but like many Native American communities, most residents are older and in the lower income brackets above the poverty line. According to 2020 census data, the median household income for Elba is only 57% of U.S. median income, with 10% of residents living in poverty. While the grant for the Ma-Chis medical supplies is intended to help tribal members, the tribe plans to distribute the supplies to nontribal members of the community as well, through the tribal community network in the Second Congressional District of Alabama, with the base being the Ma-Chis Community Center.

“With the small and often scattered pockets of tribal members, the tribe wanted to broaden the outreach so that everyone in the area, regardless of tribal status, could obtain some of the material that we had provided,” said Travis Stone, FODAC disaster relief and international coordinator. “Given the relative poverty of the location, the impact of the tribe on the whole community will be tremendous.”

Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) is located in Tucker at 4900 Lewis Road. Donations to its global mission supporting those with disabilities can be made through its website at fodac.org. FODAC also operates a Thrift Store at its Tucker location, offering used household goods and clothing; all proceeds support its mission.

GOT A STORY IDEA?

Our Town DeKalb is always looking for talented writers! Send story suggestions to info@ourtowndekalb.com. Submissions become the property of Our Town DeKalb; all submitted material is subject to review and editing. Acceptance of submitted material does not guarantee publication.

It’s Not Easy Being Queen

BY VICTORIA R. CROSBY

It’s not easy being queen although it has many perks, but do we really appreciate how hard the monarch works?

When you are queen, you just cannot say, “I don’t feel like trooping the colour today. I think I’ll stay home and watch TV and have some cake and a nice cup of tea.”

When you are queen, it just doesn’t do to rebel against what you were born into. You cannot say that the crown on your head is just too heavy and wear a red hat instead.

You cannot sell the castles, although you have many, they are not yours to sell, even though they’re worth a pretty penny. You may wear the crown and sit on the throne, but the crown jewels and palaces are not your own. You can’t sell them and buy an island somewhere, and live in a warm climate without a care.

When you reach the age that most people retire you can’t sit and put your feet up by the fire. You always have to entertain, even if your guests are an awful pain. You must smile and feign interest in what they say and wave and shake hands with people every day.

Every move you make is publicized, analyzed and criticized. Your private life is not your own, yes, it’s lonely on the throne.

The Queen and her parents before her served with dignity and grace. They accepted the life fate bestowed them in wartime and in peace. Many changes in her lifetime many decades she had seen Let’s raise our glasses and drink a toast and say God Bless The Queen.

© Copyright 2006 Victoria R. Crosby All Rights Reserved VP.GraphicsImages / Shutterstock.com

British-born poet and writer Victoria Crosby has been Poet Laureate of the City of Glen Cove in New York for more than twenty-five years; her work has been published in magazines and newspapers as well as featured on radio shows. Now residing in Smoke Rise, Victoria will create a unique gift with a custom poem for an anniversary, engagement, wedding, birthday, retirement or any other special occasion. You can contact Victoria at poeticvic@aol.com.

Wellness In-Sight: Imagine

When I was in my twenties (many, many moons ago), I attended a leadership conference. I had also volunteered to be on the “clean-up committee” following the conference. Little did I know that for me the most significant lesson I would receive that weekend would occur while helping to clean up. As my fellow committee members and I were hurriedly putting things away, one of the conference leaders had been observing our hastiness. She approached us and simply said, “Remember, always leave a place better than you found it.”

That simple statement immediately made an indelible impression on me. It heightened my perspective regarding how I “show up.” It reminded me of the saying, “Good, better, best. Never rest until your good is better, and your better is your best.” Good enough was no longer good enough. That is not to say life became about being perfect. Our “good” will be different day to day, moment by moment. However, there is a big difference between “good” and “good enough.” The quality of the results of our efforts will ultimately be a reflection of what we bring to whatever with which we are engaging.

Since then, I have also learned that life is relational. The reminder given all those years ago not only applies to places, it is applicable to things and people as well, including ourselves. The concept “you get out of life what you put into it” is not quite accurate. The effects of how we relate to our world - the people, places, and things - is more than reciprocal. Life is much

more than a mere series of transactions.

What it means specifically to leave someone better than we found them begins as an intentional interaction. It also requires the willingness to see them as greater than their current condition. I am not suggesting we discount someone’s immediate state of being. To the contrary, it is necessary to first acknowledge it, and, as we say in massage, “meet them where they are (without judgement).” Then we can be in a position to be able to make a positive impact.

The greatest gift we can give someone is to allow them their humanity. And in our humanity also lies our potential. To affirm another’s potential is not projecting on to them what we think is best for them, nor is it taking away their personal power. It’s taking an opportunity to support and add to an environment that encourages an enhanced quality of being, even if momentarily. I am fortunate, blessed, and honored to have been called to massage therapy, life coaching, teaching Qi Gong, and writing, that affords me this opportunity multiple times a day. However, it need not be part of one’s profession, career, or job, or should being paid the motivation. As we are conducting our daily activities, we can give everyone we encounter a friendly word or kind gesture to elevate their mood or make life easier, leaving them better than we found them.

When it comes to things and places, what if everyone did something simple, such as planting a flower, picking up a piece of litter, or repurposing used items. Imagine how much better we could leave the world for our future generations.

CINDY E. FARRAR, LMT, BCTMB, CLC is a licensed massage therapist, certified life coach and the owner of Massage Associates of Atlanta, LLC (Lavista Road in Tucker). In addition, she is a certified Qi Gong instructor and a nationally approved continuing education provider for massage therapy and bodywork. Cindy enjoys sharing insights on wellness and personal and community development as a speaker and writer.

Age Friendly Tucker: Keep Calm and Carry On

‘K

eep Calm and Carry On’ ‘was a key message created by Britain’s Ministry of Information in 1939 when England entered World War II. The ubiquitous phrase was chosen for its clear message of ‘sober restraint.’ Many thought it was Queen Elizabeth II who coined this phrase, but it wasn’t until a copy of the poster was found in a bookshop in England in 2000 and reproductions were sold that its fame was established.

So why should Tucker ‘Keep Calm and Carry On?’ The City has accomplished so much since its incorporation in 2016. Many looked to Decatur as the role model, but I was told by a Decatur official that Decatur is a ‘thirty-year overnight success!‘

When Tucker became a city, it had been designated earlier in 2013 as a Lifelong Community by the Atlanta Regional Commission. The new city set goals and proceeded to ‘carry on.’ Tucker grew from 35,322 in 2016 to almost 37,000 today. Tucker was awarded an Age Friendly City by the World Health Organization, and recently became an America Walks City, both designations recognizing Tucker as a healthy city for all ages. Tucker was the first city to adopt the Georgia Department of Public Health Yellow Dot Safety Program and it is reviving the old Welcome Wagon program for new residents. One day, maybe we’ll see the Tucker Trolley clanging along the city streets, because local transportation is a needed commodity.

The decision to create the City focused on being able to start and immediately serve the residents and businesses with services like Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, and Planning. Through Interagency Governmental Agreements,

Tucker partners with DeKalb County to address police and fire, stormwater, roads and drainage, animal control, and trash pickup; each have been made better through resources the City established to work closely with the County to meet requested services. In addition, Tucker contracted with Jacobs Engineering to administer overall programs through dedicated resources.

With SPLOST funds, Tucker has been able to improve the condition of roads through prioritized paving. A small percentage of these funds are also used for trails and park improvements. Efforts are in process to bring housing for all to Tucker, and needed services and health care providers already are easily available in our city.

The use of resident taxes is placed into categories based on budget and county priorities. In other words, Tucker dollars might not be used for Tuckerspecific problems because the County decides its need in another area of DeKalb. This Public Works Referendum, scheduled for the November 8 general election, is intended to have Tucker tax dollars be used for Tucker roads and stormwater management.

Looking at the long-range plan for the city, there are always those who don’t want change, those who aren’t aware of the proposed changes, and those who will gripe about everything. But this election will give residents the opportunity to vote on a Public Works Referendum that will transition current public works services from DeKalb County to the City of Tucker. Yes, there will be a small increase in taxes but also an expanded list of services the city will provide directly to residents. The acquisition of public works services will allow Tucker to better regulate planned improvements with maintenance, including road construction, curbs, sidewalks, streetlights, devices to control the flow of traffic, and stormwater management. The goal is to provide high-value public works services with minimal financial impact to Tucker’s residents, and ensure Tucker tax dollars are benefiting Tucker residents, rather than going to elsewhere in DeKalb. Tucker residents can learn more about the public works referendum by attending one of the public hearings at City Hall in October (October 18 at 10:00 a.m., and Wednesday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m.); information is available at tuckerga.gov. Tucker is growing. Let’s Keep Calm and Carry On!

DR. LOIS RICCI Dr. Lois Ricci is a longtime resident of Tucker, where she chairs the Tucker Civic Association Lifelong Community Committee. She recently retired as an adjunct faculty member at Kennesaw State University, where she taught gerontology courses and the Professional Development in Gerontology Certificate Class. Ricci serves as an official representative for American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and co-facilitator for the Rosalyn Carter CareNet, as well as president of the Georgia Gerontology Society and on the board of the Atlanta Regional Commission Advisory Committee on Aging. Contact Dr. Ricci at loisricci@bellsouth.net.

Common Sen$e: Marry the House but Date the Rate

e are living in some interesting times. House prices are near their peak and interest rates jumped up to peaks we haven’t seen since the Great Recession. I get asked every day for advice on the best way to navigate this craziness. I heard it put this way over the weekend, and it made a lot of sense: “Marry the house but date the rate!”

What that means to me is that you have personal ties to a house. That is where life and memories happen. It is a long-term solution which will always go up if you stay there long enough. When it comes to buying a house, it is either driven by need or by emotion, and sometimes both. People will continue to be relocated. They will get divorced. Their families will grow, or they will shrink. For all these reasons, it is always a good time to buy a house.

On the flip side, rates do matter, but maybe less than you think. I am a big proponent of buying below your means. An interest rate is just a multiplier that helps you determine what monthly payment you are comfortable with. I get it!

Talking about rates in the sixes and sevens stinks when we had rates in the twos less than a year ago, but you will drive yourself crazy thinking about that.

Whenever you buy a home, you first sit down and come up with a budget that you are comfortable with. What payment will let you sleep well at night knowing that you didn’t overextend yourself? With that info in hand, you call your favorite mortgage professional and determine how much you can borrow and stay at or below that number. Then you add to that number the cash you want to invest in a house, and, voila, you know what price house you are looking for. Notice, not once did I ask you to discuss a rate. As I said above, that is just a means to get to the payment you can afford. It works the same with investment properties, except for the fact that you are comparing cash flowing properties.

The thing I keep saying about interest rates is that they are cyclical and can be temporary. Yes, rates are as high as they have been in fifteen years, but you are not tied to the rates. Economists can do their job and predict where rates will rise or fall, but at the end of the day, it is just a guess. Most seem to think that we will settle in

somewhere in the fours eventually, and that the economy will not be able to operate effectively with rates where they are today. That is where it is very beneficial to have a relationship with your mortgage professional. We monitor the rates on a consistent basis and look for opportunities to save our past clients’ money!

If that need or desire pops into your head, don’t let the negative news that surrounds us influence you. Take a systematic approach to it and make the decision that is best for you and your family. Marry the house but date the rate!

ART WOOD (NMLS #118234) is the branch manager of The Art Wood Mortgage Team of Goldwater Bank, located at 2341 Main Street in downtown Tucker. “Tucker’s Mortgage Guy” for sixteen years, he is a former Tucker Tiger (Class of ’92), and co-founder and organizer of Taste of Tucker. Family guy, community guy, and definitely not your typical mortgage guy - it’s all that he does that makes Art Wood who he is. Contact him at 678.534.5834 or art.wood@goldwaterbank.com.

Food for Thought: New York State of Dine

DOUG REYNICS

Igrew up in New Jersey. One of my fondest memories as a child was going into NYC with my dad, who was a fabric stylist with Burlington Industries. I remember the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. I remember many food stops along the way to my dad’s office, stopping somewhere for a street hot dog or pretzel, or visiting an automated diner where we would pick pieces of pie or a sandwich from behind a glass window. We shared both a love of the city with its bustling activities and its food. Many years later, when visiting the city, I find myself seeking out the less traveled restaurants there. Don’t get me wrong; there are literally hundreds of tourist restaurants that will satisfy your hunger. But I’d like to share a few that you might not know about. As is the case with all cities, restaurants open and close with great frequency in New York, so these places may or may not be there when you’re ready to seek them out.

Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch

Russ and Daughters Café (127 Orchard Street) has been open since 2014. (The main building has been there since 1914.) It is my favorite, hands down, for anything breakfast or lunch in the city. Their specialties are New York-style bagels, babkas, and fish dishes. The smoked salmon is as fine as I have ever tasted. It gets super busy, so you need to get there well in advance of their opening time to get a shot at seating.

B&H Dairy (127 Second Avenue) started business in 1938. Their menu is vegetarian and consists of many Yiddish comfort foods. I love their pierogi, handmade and on the menu daily. Borscht, challah French toast, and the smoked whitefish sandwich are all tops as well.

Old John’s Luncheonette (148 West 67th Street) is perhaps my favorite authentic diner. Built in 1951 and relocated to West 67th in 1998, Old John’s is everything a true NYC diner should be without the trendy price tag. Great coffee, omelets, and potato latkes are among my favorites. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Dinner

The Spaghetti Incident (231 Eldridge Street)is a short distance from the worldfamous Katz’s Deli. Opened in 2015, it’s a small, hand-crafted, family-owned pasta place in the village. The carbonara is solid.

Patsy’s (236 West 56th Street) has been in business since 1944. Greats like Frank Sinatra dining there have long made this an authentic NYC Italian destination. Ask for Sal when you go. He is like a beloved rock star.

Let’s Meat BBQ (307 5th Avenue) is a great Korean, all-you-can-eat restaurant. It’s a good place for when you have a larger party of guests who can all eat and share in the food together. I order the premium option and feast on pork belly, bulgogi, and other beef options. Their Korean fried corn is the best of any I have eaten at a Korean BBQ.

Another great thing about NYC are their shared space dining halls. Many restaurants share the space. DeKalb Market Hall (455 Albee Square West) is home to over thirty vendors! My favorites are the Pierogi Boys, Katz’s Deli, and 100% Mr. Lin.

I share these food ideas with you in the hopes you will try to seek out some of the less touristy restaurants. There are plenty of great places that just require a little more effort to find them. What’s your favorite NYC eatery? Drop me a line and let me know!

DOUG REYNICS is a longtime Tucker resident and self-described “foodie.” Many know him as “Doug the Driver,” who provides rides to and from both the domestic and international airport terminals. (To date, his service has provided almost 3,000 airport rides!) If you have a food story or question you would like to see him write about (or if you need a ride!), email him at dougthedriver1@gmail.com or call him at 770.842.4261.

The iconic corned beef sandwich from Katz’s Deli.

Back Talk: Why Posture Is Important

KARL SCHWARTZ, D.C.

As a chiropractor, I observe people’s posture all day long, even when I am out in public. Why? Because our posture is the window to our spines. If the spine is straight from front to back, then we have a spine and spinal movement that is operating under peak efficiency. Your spine is like a house. If you have a level foundation, then the structure on it has the opportunity to be plumb, or vertical, to the foundation, which in physics is a strong structure. As humans, we are the only mammals that stand on two feet; therefore, our biomechanics (how our bodies are formed and move) versus the effects of gravity is extremely important. Here are a few examples showing how this can affect you.

Let’s say you are a someone who likes to get out in the garden. How well your spine can withstand stress depends on your spine’s alignment. Lifting, bending, twisting, squatting are all movements directly related to your spine. If your spine is in good alignment, it can withstand a lot more stress without “breaking,” or sustaining injury. If your spine is aligned and well maintained, you are less likely to injure yourself.

Let’s say you are an adolescent. Your spinal bones, muscles, and ligaments are still growing and adapting. If your spine is aligned as you grow and your body matures, you will have developed a spine and structure that is maximized for health and movement. This is why scoliosis screenings are performed in this age group. The earlier scoliosis is detected, the better it can be treated and hopefully minimized. Also, better spinal alignment allows for better nerve function,

and complex adaptive movements can be learned and integrated better.

For one final example, let’s say you are a high school athlete, with maximal stress on your body, performing quick movements with some agility and some with strength. A spine that is aligned is better prepared to perform and avoid injury. In sports, avoiding injury is the best practice, and this is best achieved with better alignment of your spine A badly aligned spine can result in injury, which can lead to significant down-time from competition, which in turn can negatively impact your team and your coach.

When the spine is aligned, there is better connection between the brain and your body functions (organ function and tissue function, along with muscles, disks, and ligaments). Whether you are a child who is growing, a teen who is competing, or an adult who is working or playing in the garden, we all want to avoid injury. That starts with a well-aligned spine. Not to forget, we all want to be the best we can be, which is supported by your brain’s connection to your body and organs. When do you want this to happen for you?

DR. KARL SCHWARTZ is a graduate of Life University in Marietta, Georgia; he has been practicing chiropractic in Tucker for twenty-one years and a resident here for fifteen years. His office specializes in preventing sports injuries and maximizing performance by analyzing posture, weight bearing, and gait. If you have a question you would like addressed in a future column, please email karlschwartzdc@gmail.com.

Note “Back Talk” in the subject line.

DeKalb PAL to Hold Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk

OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF

In partnership with the DeKalb County Police Department, the DeKalb County Police Athletic League (PAL) is hosting its inaugural PAL Pumpkin 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, October 22, 2022. The racecourse will start and stop at the Dekalb County Police Headquarters building (1960 W Exchange Place, Tucker). This race will be registered as an official qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race.

Tucker High School Foundation to Host Casino Night Fundraiser

OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF

Register today with your cell phone using QR code.

Race awards will be given in several age categories. The race has a Fall Fest / Halloween theme; wearing race-appropriate costumes is encouraged and families are welcome. There will be a Public Safety Fair after the race with candy and games for children.

Registration for the race is $35; each registered participant will receive a signature race t-shirt and participation medal. In-person pickup of race packets will take place on Friday, October 21, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., in front of the DeKalb County Police headquarters and Saturday, October 22 before the event.

All funds go to the DeKalb County PAL, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to aid in the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by providing mentorship, athletic, recreational, and educational opportunities and resources to DeKalb County youth.

Register for the DeKalb PAL Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk at active.com/tucker-ga/ running/distance-running-races/dekalb-pal-pumpkin-run-5k-2022.

After COVID forced cancellations in both 2020 and 2021, Tucker High School Foundation brings back its Casino Night Fundraiser to the Tucker Recreation Center (4894 Lavista Road) on Saturday, October 15, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. The annual event raises money to enhance the educational experience at Tucker High School through various grants for teacher supplies and equipment, and awards scholarships to three graduating seniors each year.

Entertainment for Casino Night includes blackjack, roulette, craps, and Texas Hold’em Poker, a silent auction for themed gift baskets, and a raffle. Tucker High School culinary arts students will provide drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The event is open to the entire community, not just Tucker High parents. Tickets are $50 per person, and include two drink tickets and $2000 in casino bucks. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/393648943587. Attire is dressy casual.

Tucker High School Foundation 2022 Casino Night sponsors are Tucker Brewing Company and Local No. 7.

Art from the Heart Artist Market Scheduled for November

OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF

After a pandemic-enforced hiatus in 2020 and 2021, St. Bede’s Episcopal Church and the Church of Our Saviour Episcopal Church are joining together once again to host Art from the Heart, a benefit event offering a variety of artistic creations ranging from artisan baked goods to unique jewelry pieces. The Artist Market will take place on Friday, November 18, noon to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 2601 Henderson Mill Road NE, Atlanta. Admission is free. An opening party and preview will be held on Thursday, November 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the opening party are $10, and will include hors d’oeuvres and early shopping opportunities. Soft drinks, beer and wine will be available for a small donation. Returning vendors include many local artists.

Event organizers have extended the application deadline and are continuing to accept vendor applications. Volunteers also are needed to work the event. For details and questions, contact Lois Shingler, lshinglerpc@gmail.com or 404.593.9001.

Tucker Resident Graduates from U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF

Tucker resident William Arthur Roberts of Tucker graduated in June from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. During the commencement ceremony, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg presented Roberts and his fellow graduating Midshipmen with the agency’s highest honor, the Outstanding Unit Award Gold Medal, for the class’s maintenance of military bearing, esprit de corps, and superior achievement during the period of severe global maritime supply chain disruptions during the COVID pandemic.

Over the course of four years, Roberts earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marine logistics and security and a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve. During that same period, he also obtained a Federal Communications Commission radio operator license, Coast Guard deck officer license, and Merchant Mariner credential as a third mate in the U.S. Maritime

Service. While a midshipman at the Academy, Roberts rowed with the highly successful Varsity Crew.

Roberts completed four years of rigorous study in three years to allow time for spending a year at sea as a Cadet. During his “sea year,” he crossed the Atlantic three times and circumnavigated the globe on humanitarian, commercial, and governmental assignments to ports of call and points across North and Central America, Europe, the Mideast, and Asia. (Roberts was profiled in the April 2021 issue of Our Town DeKalb.)

Roberts is a graduate of St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Atlanta and Baylor School in Chattanooga. He is the son of Tracy and Peter Roberts of Tucker and the grandson of Wilma and the late Arthur Andersen of Decatur and of the late Nan and Bert Roberts of Nassau, Bahamas. Roberts is employed as a second officer with Foss Maritime Company.

Zoomer Zone: The Lingering Scars of COVID

W

hen COVID-19 erupted in 2020, everyone went into hiding, and our lives changed forever. The pandemic is basically over (or so says The President), except for the occasional booster shot and optional masking, but the lingering repercussions are bigger than we thought. COVID has negatively impacted my generation, but the after-effects are even worse for Generation Alpha (kids born after 2012). For me, who was a high school senior in March 2020, COVID stole my last few months of high school and forced me online for my first year and a half of college. I was fortunate to be on campus my first year of college, so I still was able to meet fellow students in person and have some sort of college experience, albeit under strict protocols and regulations. During the almost two years of COVID, I complained a lot - how everything I planned got cancelled, how I wasn’t able to see friends from home, and how sick I was of being in the house with my parents. But thinking back on my COVID experience, I realize how lucky I was compared to my younger friends and family.

In fall 2020, the new school year started in the midst of the pandemic. During the following school year, kids across the world, from pre-kindergarten through high school, missed at least a year of their crucial development by being forced online into remote learning from home. British daily newspaper The Guardian labelled us “a sacrificed generation,” pointing out that when COVID broke out, many kids were just pushed to the side. Maybe a lot of people don’t think the forced isolation and separation during the pandemic are a huge deal yet, but what about when these generations are making up more than half of the work force? These kids now in grade school have missed any and all socialization experience, and skipped

Fa in Love

or Foster a Pet Today

over vital learning skills that are normally developed at this crucial age. Even young adults my age, just going into college, have felt the impact. Studies have shown that even though we are the least likely to be affected physically by COVID, we are the most affected mentally. Risk of depression in young adults has tripled since COVID, and we are just starting to understand the gravity of the aftermath.

As a college student, I worry about the quality of a high school diploma or a college degree when a lot of students spent so much time in learning online during the pandemic. Getting a degree online is not as impressive nor as personally rewarding as in-person instruction. It’s so easy to go through the motions online and not actually do the work, and you miss the valuable personal interaction with teachers and fellow students.

When talking to other college students about their feelings for their future, many said they are scared about their financial future or lack of job experience. Many young adults are now trying to get internships and jobs to start their careers, but many fell short in employment opportunities during COVID because companies were suffering, too, and not hiring, or moving to remote work situations. As kids, we were told to graduate high school and go to college, so we’ll get out with better job opportunities, and be able to better support ourselves. But as inflation and the cost of living grows, rent continues to increase, and home prices remain out of reach for many, how are the new generations supposed to make it in life?

I believe young adults now will be trying their hardest to make the most of their college years, because if COVID taught us anything, it’s that life is too short to wait. You might think how scary the world has become because of COVID, but I know it can only get better from here.

EMMA DISON BRANTLEY is a third-year student at the University of Cincinnati, where she is pursuing a degree in information technology on the game development and simulation track. When she is not gaming online, she spends time with her parents trying to help them not be so boomer.

City of Tucker to Include Public Works Referendum on November General Ballot

OUR TOWN DEKALB STAFF

Tucker residents have several ways to learn more about the upcoming Public Works Referendum that could shift the day-to-day responsibilities of roads and maintenance, as well as stormwater services, under the City’s management.

The City will hold two, in-person community meetings on Tuesday, October 18 at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday, October 26 at 7:00 p.m. Both Public Works Referendum community meetings will be held in City Hall Council Chambers, 1975 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 350B, and accessible online at tuckerga.gov/pwmeeting. The referendum will appear on the November 8 General Election ballot for Tucker residents.

A dedicated page on the City’s website has also launched to keep residents and business owners informed. The website provides up-to-date information including FAQs so factual information is just a click away. The City will provide outreach materials though a variety of means including direct mail and its other communication channels.

“The City of Tucker was formed to provide residents with more local control, including accountability for how our tax dollars are utilized in our community,” said Tucker Mayor Frank Auman. “After reviewing current public works service levels provided by DeKalb County, we voted as an elected body to put forth a referendum that, if approved, would keep tax dollars for these services within the

City, substantially improve service delivery, and better align efforts with our ongoing improvements.”

The City of Tucker has projected a homeowner with a property valued at $328,000 would see an average increase of $94 annually ($70 for roads and maintenance/$24 for stormwater) for the City to provide these services. Businesses located within the City of Tucker would see a proportionate change as well. Similar to when Parks and Recreations services were transferred to the City, residents and businesses would no longer pay DeKalb County for the management of Public Works services.

If approved by residents during the November 8 General Election, combined public works services would transition to the City on July 1, 2023. “Within the first 365 days, our goals will be to prioritize deferred public works maintenance and address key repairs,” said City Manager Tami Hanlin. “If this shift in services takes place, we will develop a service delivery model that would ultimately reduce current repair and maintenance times by 50% by our second year of operations.”

Public Works services rendered under roads and maintenance include asphalt patching, pothole repairs, right-of-way maintenance, sidewalk and curb repairs, traffic sign/signal maintenance, bridge maintenance, pavement marking maintenance and transportation engineering services. Stormwater services include stormwater infrastructure and catch basin repairs.

Residents will have the opportunity to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the referendum during the General Election period, including absentee voting, advance voting and Election Day voting.

Public Works Referendum Language:

“Transition of Public Works Services from DeKalb County to City of Tucker”

Shall the City of Tucker be authorized to directly provide road construction and maintenance including curbs, sidewalks, street-lights, devices to control the flow of traffic, and stormwater management rather than rely upon DeKalb County to provide such services on its behalf and to levy and collect ad valorem property tax at a millage rate not to exceed 3 mills simultaneous with the ending of the collection of DeKalb County road and transportation special district ad valorem property tax?

LOOK NO FURTHER.

IF YOU’VE BEEN INJURED,

We’re small enough to provide personalized care and attention to our clients…

…but large and experienced enough to fight aggressively for our clients to achieve the settlement they need and deserve.

Attorney Anita M. Lamar