The News, Feb 14th, 2014 V6, I46

the NEWS

Feb. 14, 2015

Volume 6, Issue 46

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Serving Rockdale County and Conyers

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PRIME PERFORMANCE

Memorial Middle School student Brandon Hung won the 2015 Rockdale Count Spelling Bee Friday morning. The winning word he had to spell was “prima donna.” Hung will move forward to compete in the regional spelling bee competition. Edwards Middle School student Ryan Valley was the runner-up. In all, 15 elementary and middle school students from across the county competed for the county spelling bee title at Memorial Middle School, 3205 Underwood Road, Conyers.

Salem

headed to region championship

Page 4 Salem Gate redevelopment?

Page 4 Conyers resident Frank Almand shares his military experience Page 7 Like us at facebook.com/ rockdalenews Follow us @rockdalenews

More details revealed in Hughes murder case

By Martin Rand III

mrand@rockdalenews.com

More details surrounding the murder case of Jarvis Hughes were revealed during the committal hearing for Paul Greene, one of three suspects allegedly involved in the fatal shooting incident, on Wednesday, Feb 4.

Around 3 a.m. Dec. 30, 24-yearold Hughes was fatally shot twice in the head from a 22-caliber semi-automatic and 22-caliber revolver in his apartment at 1190 Mill Crest Walk, Conyers. Police arrested Greene, 28, Joey Jackson II, 18, and Martria Hunley, 17, a

More accusations between Mays, Pearson

By Michelle Kim

mrand@rockdalenews.com

few days later on Jan. 2 and 3 for their alleged role in the incident.

Most of the evidence disclosed during the hearing was called “circumstantial” by Greene’s public defense attorney, Charlie Gasner.

Upon searching the 1179 Oak Villa Court apartment where Greene was living, Conyers Police found a book bag containing Greene’s belongings in the living room. The book bag also contained a white mask and two different 22-caliber handguns. The mask matches the description of testimony and the guns match the same

Police were called and more accusations were made in interactions between Charles K. Mays, Sr. and Freya Pearson, the woman alleging Mays owes backpay for work she did for the Probate Court, where Mays is an elected judge.

Pearson had been living with the Mays family at their rented McCalla Street home when she filed for a warrant for Mays felony theft of services regarding approximately $20,000 of backpay she alleges is due for work on setting up a mental health or veteran’s accountability court - a program that Mays had reportedly been informed could not be set up in Probate Court.

The Mays family initially had sought to evict Pearson with a disposessory filed in

See MURDER on PAGE 9

See MAYS on PAGE 9

Most-viewed stories

rockdalenews.com

1 2 3

Feb. 6-Feb. 12

Heritage evacuated after fire alarms set off by students PHOTOS: 7 Bulldogs sign on National Signing Day 10 HHS athletes sign on Signing Day

Meeting Place Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Mon., Feb. 16, 5 p.m., Johnson Park, 1781 Ebnezer Raod Conyers Housing Authority Board Meeting, Wed., Feb. 18, 4:30 p.m., H. Jack Turner Community Center, 1214 Summer Circle Board of Education voting meeting, Thursday, Feb. 19, reached to CREDC around 7p.m., 954out N. Main St. Thanksgiving of last year.

“I have really enjoyed getting to know the| rockdalenews.com folks at Volume News Brief Transportation and believe they will be great corporate citizens,” said TheJones.

American Pickers, Mike Jones out of that tax Wolfe andpointed Frank Fritz, thethe HBO abatement would be on real estate show on the History Channel, are property but the looking countyforwould coming to Georgia old still be able to collect taxes on the advertising signs, motorcycles, equipment the sales tax on old toys (tin, and wind-up and cast fuel purchased. iron), pinball and slot machines, After the Development taxidermy, earlyvote, Boy Scout items, Authority Board pre-‘60s TV merchandise,Chairman musical Mike Sullivan “When instruments, Civilexplained, War antiques, they’re moving into existing vintage gas pumps, sports membuildings, much orabilia, andthere’s more. not If you thinkyou can do.

But new stuff coming you’ve got something, submit out of the ground, then you can your name and telephone number workwith withpictures people.toThat’s bringalong americaning jobs.” pickers@cineflix.com and CC Another incentive discussed gina@conyers-rockdale.com with the company was possible involvement with Rockdale Career Academy, whose students are involved with many companies in Rockdale.

1009 Milstead Steto200, The board alsoAve., voted reapConyers, 30012 point Robert Maddox as its attorwww.rockdalenews.com ney and Jones McKnight Edmunson asOffice its accounting firm.

770-787-6397 The FAX board’s newest member, 678-253-5988 Gerald described his News Sanders, Tips: 770-728-1437, economic development backnews@rockdalenews.com ground with DeKalb County and Advertising: 770-728-1436 Fulton County 770-728-1414 and asked the othCirculation: erThe board members if there was News (USPS pending) is any type of company they were published weekly on Saturday, looking to attract into(plus Rockdale. for $32.00 a year tax) “My feeling is we ought to have a for home delivery, or $33.92 variety,” he said, adding that there by mail pertoyear

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He also reiterated Ga. 30014.

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The News

2 • Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015

American Pickers

the NEWS

Pictured, left to right: Donna Dingler (GPTC Instructor), Danielle Shy, Gavin Brantley, Aaron Porter, Mireya Artega, RCFR Chief Dan Morgan (not pictured Darius Crowder)

The new Dual Enrollment firefighter program at Rockdale Career Academy with Ga. Piedmont Technical College recently received a boost with the donation of a retired engine from Rockdale County Fire Rescue.

The engine is incorporated into the training and instruction for students who are working toward certification as firefighters through the partnership of RCA, GPTC, and RCFR. The students earn college credits through GPTC and, through cooperation with RCFR, receive firefighter training while still in high school. These high school students will be eligible to sit for the state certifying test for Firefighter 1 after successful completion of the training and courses.

RCA will host a parent meeting Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m., in RCA Auditorium for rising juniors or seniors interested in Dual Enrollment Firefighter 1 (for rising seniors) and/or Emergency Medical Technician (for rising juniors). For more, contact Jill Oldham, joldham@rockdale.k12.ga.us.

The News

News Briefs

Fire alarms set woman off at Heritage Covington steals mail from three counties

Heritage high school was evacRockdale County Fire Resuated early was no ByFriday Staff afternoon Reportsafter cuewedetermined found W2sthat andthere payments that news@rockdalenews.com a fire alarm was triggered at the smoke, or danger to the in stuappearfire to have been placed the school. This turned out to be a false dents.

The alarm was carrier triggered by mailbox for a mail to pick After a check from a local law alarm, and classes resumed within four students who discharged fire office was cashed at a Big EZ up.” a half hour. extinguishers into the Knight also hadschool’s credit vencards convenience store, a Covington School administration ordered a tilation system; this setinoff smoke and driver licenses her possesPolice Department investigation precautionary evacuation and the detectors there. The students reled to the arrest of Teresa Lynn sion that did not belong to her. fire department was called as stan- sponsible were via vidCPD said itidentified appears most vicKnight. dard procedure, according to Cin- eotims surveillance and apprehended, in this case are form Newton, CPD Det. Kara Hipps discovdy Ball, Rockdale County Public according to RCFR spokesperson ered that the same female also Rockdale and Walton Counties.

Schools spokesperson.

George Cox. - Ryan Gaylor cashed additional checks earlier in the week at area banks during New SUV for Oden her investigation.

According to a release form, deferred again Being one commissioner short CPD Det. Hipps obtained warrants for two counts of Forgery of a full board, the other two Great VALENTINE’S GIFTSdecided at to defer commissioners and two counts of ID Fraud. the vote on the board chairman’s On Feb. 6, Knight was located SWEET PRICES! request for a new SUV to a later at the Shell Station on Hwy 36 and arrested on those warrants.

Select Men’s and Women’s Up meeting.

Whenand Detective Det. ShiCounty Chairman and CEO Seiko PulsarHipps, Watches To rah , and members of the Newton Richard Oden was absent during GIFTS FOR HER - Sterling Silver Chains, Rings, Necklaces andmeeting. more!

County Crimes Suppression unit the Tuesday morning GIFTScontact FOR HIMwith - Money Clips,she ID Bracelets, Cuff Links and more! made Knight, In a unanimous 2-0 vote, Wilwas found in possession of a trav- liams made the motion to defer el bag containing multiple checks Day the request for the 14th new vehicle, Valentine’s is February NOW for thePost Best Selection! and numerous piecesSHOP of suspectwith 1 County Commised stolen mail. sioner Oz Nesbitt seconding.

“We now believe that we have “I just thought it was importanother 117 different victims of ant for the chairman to have a mail theft alone,” CPD Captain vote on this item,” she said.

Meeting your jewelry needs since 1981 Ken Malcom said. “In the mail, The vehicle in question is a 907 Co C Commercial mmercial Street, Olde Town Conyers • 770-922-1935

2015 Ford Expedition XLT. The large SUV costs $44,756 and was factored into the county’s 2015 capital budget during last year’s budget discussions.

Williams had some reservations about the optional equipment added to the new vehicle, such as the XLT package, the towing package and the 4-wheel

drive, which adds $17,393 to the cost of the standard vehicle.

Nesbitt, who stated he was in favor of purchasing the new vehicle for Oden when Williams initially raised questioned about it, says he isn’t sure what will happen with this vehicle situation.

“All I can say is to be continued. Stay tuned,” he said.

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The News

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 • 3

Crime and Perception Part II

Crime is on the decline... and here’s why

By Martin Rand, III, Michelle Kim

newsd@rockdalenews.com

Even though crime rates are down signifcantlly in both Rockdale County and the City of Conyers, some citizens still chosse to belive that the numbers on the rise.

In the second part of this twopart series, The News asks Conyers Chief of Police Gene Wilson and Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deptuy Scott Freeman why the public still has this perception that the area is a hotbed for crime and why it’s not.

Overcoming the gap Wilson experienced this perception gap acutely during his time heading MARTA’s security.

“We could show time and time again that our crime rate was down and we were heck of a lot safer than the jurisdictions we were going through. Just didn’t matter,” said Wilson. “One sensa-

tional story comes out, that’s what they remember.”

Keeping the public’s trust and being available to answer questions are key, he said.

He continued, “It gets down sometimes that you fight actual crime and then you fight what people think. Sometimes you can get it close together and sometimes not.”

Over the last couple years, Conyers Police has decided to use this phenomenon to deter criminals.

When CPD realized a rash of incidents they were seeing at the end of 2013 were brought by the unsavory participants of prostitution activity – armed robbery, rape, being held at gunpoint – they knew they had to nip that in the bud.

In 2014, CPD planned a series of stings to attack prostitution and pandering. But, in doing so, the department also leveraged the power of sensational stories in the media to attack the criminals per-

ceptions of Conyers. The CPD’s stated intent was to send a clear message to would-be prostitutes and johns to stay out Conyers.

And it worked. By mid-summer, investigators noticed a drop in online posting for prostitution activity in Conyers and undercover investigators had a hard time luring johns to the area.

Being in the public eye and in the television news is a double-edged sword, CPD Crime Analyst Kim Lucas acknowledges.

“I think we, Conyers Police, have been more in the public eye and in the news – social media, TV media – in the last two years than we ever have, bad or good,” said Lucas. When residents hear Coneyrs Police mentioned in television news, they take notice and might grow alarmed, she said.

“But we’re doing things like the pandering stings and other things.

Yes this is happening in the community but we’re making arrests and we’re not going to tolerate it.”

“It’s really an interesting dy-

namic… Not just the good folks hear it but the bad guys realize not to come here. You have a decrease in crime because the bad guys realize, ‘I’m not going to Conyers, they’re going to bust me there.’

But the good folk think, ‘Oh my gosh, look at all the crime going on.’”

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Reasons for the crime rate decline Using new technologies and patrolling areas more prone to crime over the past two years have helped the RCSO solve and prevent most crimes, said Freeman.

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The News

4 • Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015

City to boost development at Salem Gate

By Martin Rand, III

mrand@rockdalenews.com

The City of Conyers Economic Development Committee came to general consensus that the city should pursue establishing an enterprising zone to help spur redevelopment.

The chosen area to get the designation will be about 23 acres of property between Iris Drive and Salem Gate Way, which includes the Salem Gate Shopping Center, 1355 Iris Dr., Conyers.

What is an enterprise zone?

An enterprise zone is a program under the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) that gives businesses a number of tax reduction or abatements, including property and occupation taxes, regulatory and building inspection and other fees.

School taxes, sales and use taxes and taxes imposed for general obligation debt are excluded.

In exchange for receiving the incentives, a business has to create five or more full-time jobs, provide “economic stimulus” to the area, which the local government has to interpret for itself, and, if possible, at least ten percent of new employees must be low-and-moderate income level individuals.

The program has been in existence since 1997.

Only certain kinds of businesses are eligible to participate in the program, including retail, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, residential construction, daycare providers, finance, real estate, insurance, tourism, research and development, telecommunications and processing.

Areas can only receive the enterprise designation if it meets three out of five categories, which include, pervasive poverty, a significant unemployment rate, underdeveloped property, general distress and general blight.

Why Salem Gate?

Along with the Salem Gate Shopping Center and the surrounding properties, the sub-committee discussed using the enterprise zone tag on properties along Ellington Drive.

However, there were three reasons why the committee chose to purse the Salem Gate instead.

“The one advantage that Salem Gate will have over Ellington is

that is it in the opportunity zone,” said City Planner J.P. Alexander.

An opportunity zone is another DCA program that gives businesses a tax credit up to $3,500 per job created in a designated opportunity zone.

Based on research he conducted on other areas who utilized an enterprise zone, Alexander postulates that overlaying an opportunity zone with an enterprise zone will help spur redevelopment in the given area.

“Between that and the opportunity zone, I don’t know what more you can offer to redevelop that property,” said City Chief Operating Officer David Spann.

Also, other properties in the area of the intersection of Old Salem Road and Ga. Highway 138 could be included in a future application for enterprise zone development. “(Enterprise zones) have to be contiguous,” said Alexander.

Plus, there may be an opportunity to recoup some lost property tax monies with sales tax revenue increases.

“You have potential for the sales tax to go up dramatically, where you wouldn’t have that in Ellington,” said Spann. “So, that can offset some of your loss.”

No property tax for city… and county?

A developer looking to conduct a business within the enterprise zone will enjoy a number of tax reduction or abatements, including property and occupation taxes, regulatory and building inspection and other fees.

However, it must be agreed property taxes, from the city and county, could be exempt for the first five years of the building’s establishment. After that, the total amount of property taxes due would rise incrementally by 20 percent, until after the tenth established year in the area when 100 percent of property tax would be due.

Although, a lower percentage of property tax incentives could be offered, says City Councilmen Vince Evans.

However, getting the property

tax abatements from the county may be the city’s biggest hurdle.

Conyers Planning Director Marvin Flanigan says that an enterprise zone established in the city won’t work unless the county is also willing to offer some tax abatements. The officials decided to make plans to speak with county representatives to gauge their interest on the matter.

“It wouldn’t make any sense to establish an enterprise zone and we give tax incentives and Rockdale County does not,” said Flanigan. “For it to work, it has to be a joint effort.”

Illinois-based Tri-Land Properties Inc. and Atlanta-based S&S Hale Properties Inc. paid a combined $62,000 in county taxes and $22,000 in city taxes in 2014 on the properties that would be exempt from taxes, according to City Planner J.P. Alexander.

Rockdale County Chief of Staff Gerald Sanders told The News

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that county officials would be open to working with the city on this endeavor.

“The County would be interested in possibly partnering with the City to create jobs, increase sales tax collections, and enhance the overall prosperity of the community,” said Sanders in an e-mail.

Sanders worked on establishing an enterprise zone in the city of East Point, Georgia. Currently, Rockdale County hasn’t designated any area as an enterprise zone.

“The experience was enlightening and helped to revitalize an industrial corridor that had become a blighted part of the community,” said Sanders. “(Enterprise zones are) a time tested (economic development) tool available to municipalities throughout the State that desire to reverse disinvestment in local commercial districts.”

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Opinion the

NEWS

Publisher T. Pat Cavanaugh

pcavanaugh@rockdalenews.com

Design Editor Sabastian Wee

Editor Michelle Kim

mkim@rockdalenews.com

Sales Director Annette Godwin

swee@rockdalenews.com

agodwin@rockdalenews.com

Circulation Dir. Amanda Ellington

Comptroller Debbie Thompson

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Our Thoughts Probate Judge

For years the position of probate judge was filled admirably

by Lillis Brown.

Then, she was voted out of office for one reason only, and that was because she had an “R” behind her name instead of a “D.” It’s more than OK to vote for people because of what party they belong to. What is not right is to vote for someone because of their party affiliation without first vetting their past experience and their abilities to do the job. That was obviously not the case in regards to the election of Charles K. Mays, Sr. as probate judge.

The sad part of the personal shenanigans that is going on involving Mays is that it is tarnishing the trusted position he was elected to.

The probate judge position is one of the constitutional officers of this county. The other two constitutional officers are Clerk of Court Ruth Wilson and Sheriff Eric Levett, who both have proven to be excellent examples of what their position entails.

We have suggested in past editorials that Judge Mays take a leave of absence.

His continued work as our county’s probate judge at this time is an embarrassment to the citizens of this county.

He’s not worthy of his position, and his election in the first place should be a lesson to those who vote without knowing whom they vote for.

HAVE YOUR SAY We welcome letters to the editor.

Letters must be 350 words or less. They should be limited to issues of public interest and may be edited for content, grammar, spelling and length.

• Mail: Editor, The News, 1009 Milstead Ave., Suite 200, Conyers, GA 30012 • Email: news@rockdalenews.com

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 RockdaleNews.com/opinion Page 5

Power of love on Valentine’s Day

In grammar school, Valentine’s Day meant wrapping a shoe box with brown craft paper, cutting a slot in the top for cards to drop in and decorating the outside of the box with hearts and cupids. Store-bought Valentines were labeled the night before and carefully taken to school to be given away.

When the big day came, it wasn’t only if you received Va l e n t i n e s that counted, it was from whom, and if Guest they gave you Columnist your card first that mattered.

Being first, feeling special.

In junior high, there were no boxes to decorate, nor required parties in homeroom. I have no memory of 7th-grade Valentine’s Day, but in 8th grade I received a heart-shaped box of chocolates. The box stayed

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with me for years, as a reminder not only of the gift and sign of supposed affection but also as a reminder of my insecurity.

In high school, the years and days passed — not marked by any special memory. No longterm boyfriend, no long-term memory of Valentine’s Day. When my heart was broken several times in my college and early adult years, I turned to the words in “The Prophet,” by Kahlil Gibran, often rereading the passage about love before falling asleep at night.

“When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep.

And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.

And when he speaks to you believe in him, ...And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.”

A reminder that love cannot

be controlled, and is not controlling, but freely given. One can give love — but one cannot take love, only recognize and appreciate love.

My favorite Valentine’s present was three red roses with a card that said, “One for the past, one for the present, and one for the future.” The thoughtful giver, Jimmy, became my husband seven years later.

This year, we celebrated 17 years of marriage.

Seems hard to believe when some days I feel only slightly older than I did when we first met, a quarter century ago.

Since then, I have learned a lot about love, from him, from our two children and from our extended family and friends.

When I talk to our children about love, it is often in the context of what love is not. Love is not someone demanding that you do what they want, go where they want or join them in undesirable behavior. Not as much time is spent talking about what love is — instead we remind them that we love

them, both in what we say and what we do.

Texts between us end in “LU” (Love you). When leaving the house, we articulate our love for each other. When going to sleep, we once again remind each other of our love. “I love you; good night.”

Small gifts, Coca-Cola for Robert, our 13-year-old, and a box of chocolates for our 15-year-old, Maggie, are our way of reminding them that they are thought of, cared for and loved. Love is symbolized through thoughtful gifts, and in the time we take to lovingly cook an egg, fold clothes or spend time in activities together.

Love is not only for family, but also for pets, friends, yards, favorite pastimes and activities.

Love is the recognition of the bit of God, the spark of God, in each one of us and in the sunsets, sunrises and activities of life. Love is anywhere you take the time to stop, pause, breathe and notice God. Being first, feeling special.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Why are we at war against ISIS? Is there any justification for bombing ISIS? There isn’t any Congressional authorization, much less a declaration of war. Is there even a good reason for the U.S. to be involved?

There is no better time to ask this question than now, Guest as much of Columnist the world (me included) is disgusted by the Islamic State’s beheadings of two kidnapped Japanese nationals.

It is easy to forget that, for Americans, going to war was, until recently, an act undertaken only after every other alternative had been thoroughly explored and completely exhausted Hard to imagine now, but the United States did not declare war against Germany after its U-boat torpedoed and sank the RMS Lusitania in 1915, killing 1,198 passengers, including 128 Americans. Instead, President Woodrow Wilson demanded com-

Ted Rall

pensation and a promise from Germany not to do it again.

War has since become much too easy.

We go to war fast, without national discussion — much less debate. We go to war indiscriminately. We war against several nations (Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria), at the same time we’re warring against a tactic (terrorism), as well as various so-called “non-state actors” (discrete branches of al-Qaida, Khorasan, Abu Sayyaf). So much war, we think it’s normal that when someone/something/some group does something we deem wrong, like slitting the throats of reporters as GoPros record the bloodshed in glorious high resolution, war is the knee-jerk response.

In one day over the past weekend, the U.S.-led coalition carried out 27 airstrikes against ISIS-held territory in Syria and Iraq. We have no way to know how many ISIS soldiers, or civilians, were killed or wounded in those bombardments.

U.S.-led forces are responsible for at least 16,000 airstrikes against ISIS in the last six months, killing an unknown number of people — but guessti-

mates logically begin in the tens of thousands, including civilians.

Despite all that carnage, the air campaign has not had the desired effect: ISIS is stronger than ever.

American war officials concede that the air war is failing. “I think [the war against ISIS] may require a forward deployment of some of our troops,” Hagel told CNN. “I would say we’re not there yet. Whether we get there or not, I don’t know.”

“This is going to be a long, nasty, dirty war that in many ways is going to look a lot like the first go-around in Iraq,” Stephen Biddle, ex-adviser to Army General David Petraeus, told U.S. News & World Report.

But ... why?

Why are we in this “long, nasty, dirty war” against ISIS? No one is arguing that the Islamic State is run by nice people. ISIS has carried out ethnic cleansing, enslaved women, raped children, slaughtered POWs in summary executions and Talibanized areas under their control, imposing their brutal, medieval version of Sharia on citizens accustomed to modern life under socialist, secular states.

But ISIS is not alone in its bar-

barism.

Saudi Arabia routinely carries out public beheadings and floggings, as well as crucifixions, and treats women like dirt. Yet we don’t bomb them. To the contrary, the Saudis are close allies.

President Obama cut short important diplomatic trips in order to join the Saudis as they mourn their dead king.

Another close U.S. ally, the government of the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan, either boils or freezes political dissidents to death, depending on the government’s mood. Quirky! No air raids there either.

Among the worst nations on earth for human rights abuses are Yemen and Pakistan, both of which, like ISIS, are fundamentalist Islamist regimes, but receive hundreds of millions of dollars in American weapons and cash.

So what’s special about ISIS? War is serious business. It takes lives, costs money, destroys infrastructure and the environment, and creates new problems, including laying the ground for future wars. The least — the very least — we can do is think about it, and talk about it, before starting one.

The News

6 • Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015

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The News

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 • 7

On God’s Green Earth

Conyers resident Frank Almand shares his military experiences

By Pete Mecca

news@rockdalenews.com

Dr. David Almand opened his medical practice in Conyers when we both were still relatively young.

Goodness, how time flies when you’re having fun. Albeit, only recently did I find out his father, Frank Almand, was a World War II veteran who served in Europe.

This is Frank’s story.

West Avenue in Conyers, Ga., 1924 – Frank Almand begins his journey on this earth in the old Baker house. The Baker house stood on the left hand side of the road if one traveled south from the railroad tracks.

No title loan business or Waffle House. No Piggly Wiggly or package store. No McDonald’s or convenience stores. Everyone knew their neighbors.

“I graduated from Conyers High School in 1941,” he recalled.

“I found a job with the Atlanta Constitution in the circulation department. I still remember the day a couple buddies and I hitchhiked a ride into Atlanta. The driver had his radio on, the date was December 7, 1941. We heard the news about Pearl Harbor. We knew a war had started, but I wasn’t upset and it didn’t worry me, most likely because I realized that sooner or later I’d receive a letter of ‘greetings’ from Uncle Sam.” Frank was drafted in 1943.

“That just about killed my mother,” he said. “She was worried sick.”

Considering the circumstances, her anxiety was more than sagacious. Frank was not only the baby of the family but her only son.

He continued, “They sent a bus load of us to Fort McPherson for exams and tests then sent us home for a week. After that we went back to Fort McPherson to board a train. We didn’t even know where we were going. We rode and rode and rode. We finally arrived at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. in the middle of the night. Officers were waiting to greet us, but they were expecting trained troops, not recruits.”

Winter time at Fort Leonard Wood was no picnic.

“It was cold, real cold,” Frank recalled. “I was assigned as squad leader and had an arm band signifying my little authority. I remember this one guy, bless his heart, a farm boy that just couldn’t catch on to things, like always step off on your left foot when starting to

march. Well, I solved that problem by putting a rock in his left hand so he’d remember to use his left foot.”

Frank was assigned to the 137th Ordnance Battalion. “Captain Diamond, our company commander, was forced to start from scratch,” Frank said. “He sent as many of us as possible to a variety of schools, mechanical, welding, cooking, instruments…I ended up in artillery.”

A notch above the crowd, the Army shipped Frank to Grinnell University in Iowa. “The Army wanted me to earn a commission,” he said. “But I just didn’t have the educational background for college, so I returned to the same outfit at Fort Leonard Wood. I was given a clerical position to maintain all the records and to trace the equipment coming and going.”

Temporary duty assignments included Camp Phillips in Kansas to ready another outfit for overseas duty, training maneuvers and war games in Tennessee in the dead of winter, and in Dec of 1944 to Camp Shanks in New York to board a ship for the war in Europe.

“We sailed on the USS Mount Vernon, a converted cruise ship.

Picture 5,000 soldiers at sea for the first time. Talk about sick! It was horrible. Guys threw up in their mess kits standing in line for chow. Shoot, even if you weren’t sick you got sick from all the sickness. I got so sick that I was already dreading coming home on another ship after the war was over!”

Docking at Marseille, France, Frank’s outfit set up a staging area before moving on to Luneville, France. He said, “We set up shop in Luneville. I had to sleep in the shop since broken down or battle damaged vehicles came in 24/7.”

As the front lines moved for-

ward, so did Frank, all the way into Germany: Kaiserlautern, Frankenthal, Willsback, Bobbingen, Wusiedel, Darmssteadt, Kiessel, Ehringhasen, Mannheim, Deggendorf, and into Munich.

Frank recalled the activity before crossing the Rhine River.

“Our tanks were fitted with floatation devices because the Germans had blown all the bridges.

Our entire area was covered with tanks. We had a country fellow in our unit named Walter. He’d never been anywhere. Captain Diamond put him in charge of guarding the tanks with explicit orders, ‘Walter, nobody, and I mean, nobody, gets into this area.’ Well, later this guy walked up and demanded entry into the area. Walter refused his entrance. The guy was furious, claiming he was a General. Walter told him he didn’t care who or what he was he wasn’t getting into the area. The sergeant of the guard had to straighten things out, but we sure were proud of Walter.”

Due to the problems associated with moving heavy equipment, Frank’s unit was normally in the rear areas.

“That didn’t mean much,” he said. “I remember setting up shop in a rail yard then German planes strafed our positions. I was in the

shop and had to sprint for a foxhole.

Shoot, my legs were so rubbery I had trouble running. Luckily, things turned out okay.”

Snipers were a problem.

“One day when we were receiving small arms fire a young lieutenant decided to fight back.

He grabbed a .50-caliber machine gun and started firing tracers into the enemy positions,” said Frank. “Well, some of the tracers fell short into the rail yard, right on top of boxcars loaded with hundreds of thousands of five gallon cans of gasoline. The tracers burnt through and started a chain reaction fire visible for miles around. I helped fight the fire all day long.”

Frank Almand received the Bronze Star for his bravery.

Ironically, nobody ratted on the lieutenant, who also received a Bronze Star.

Frank’s opinion of the French – “Pretty lazy, if you ask me. Give them a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread and they’re happy.”

His view of the Germans, “I thought German people very industrious. In the destroyed towns they had started rebuilding, but some towns were still intact. In Ehringhasen we took over a German house and the family had to live in the basement. The lady came up every day to clean. And her two kids, a boy and girl approximately six and eight years of age, spoke perfect English.

There was no animosity, no bad feelings. We loved those kids. My wife and I visited Ehringhasen in 1987. Our tour guide took us right to the same house. The boy, now a man, still lived there. We talked for hours. His sister was in Amer-

ica going to college. Another lady spoke to us and it turned out she used to wash our uniforms. Later the tour gathered in a restaurant with a big turnout from the townspeople. The mayor even picked up the tab.”

When asked his reaction upon Germany’s surrender, Frank said, “There was no celebration, from what I remember. We were concerned about our next port-of-call.

You see, we’d just been ordered to pack up. We were heading to the Pacific to fight Japanese.”

The war ended before the bags got packed.

“We were going home,” he said, smiling. “We took a train to Bremerhaven and boarded a ship that I considered no better than a canoe.”

The “canoe” was the Liberty ship, the USS Tufts Victory.

“Scared me to death,” Frank said. “I didn’t think a ship that small could make it across the Atlantic. But there we went, up and down storm swells like a roller coaster, 11 or 12 days of it. Well, guess what, I didn’t get sick.

Don’t know why, but I didn’t.

There was a lot of gambling going on, not much else to do, but I didn’t gamble then and still don’t.

One of the gamblers was a fireman from New York; he took the boys to the cleaners.”

Frank Almand returned to the Atlanta Constitution for a short period of employment before attending an Electrician’s school in Chicago.

“Yeah, I walked 40 blocks each day, to school, to work, in the middle of a cold Chicago winter. I returned to Atlanta and found a good job at Georgia Power.”

Frank worked at Georgia Power for over 30 years in the general repair shop refurbishing ground and above-ground transformers. One of the transformers blew up in his face. “I still have eye problems from that,” he said. Frank will be undergoing his third eye operation this coming Friday.

In 1948, he married Hattie Spivey, daughter of the then-pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Stone Mountain. The couple was married for 62 years until her passing.

Frank has been an active member of Zion Baptist for over 65 years.

“Hattie and I had a wonderful life together,” Frank said. “God has been good to me. Hattie was the best woman on God’s green earth.”

The News

8 • Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015

Honoring Judge Bills A standing ovation greeted State Court Judge Nancy Bills as she spoke to a crowd of supporters Thursday at the Cherokee Run Golf Club event honoring Bills for 10 years of service as State Court Judge and more than two decades of service to the community. She also announced her intention to run for re-election in 2016.

More than 250 citizens joined her in the celebration. Standing at the podium, Judge Bills said the last two weeks have been wonderful while receiving proclamations and accolades, but exclaimed that the amount of individuals attending was simply overwhelming. She said much of the success is due to enjoying collaborative efforts in all endeavors such as the accountability courts or the family violence task force. However, she added that the celebration was not just about her, but to serve as evidence of the accomplishments a community could achieve while working together. She concluded that accomplishments are based on the past and that she wanted to focus on the future.

City of Conyers Manager Tony Lucas introduced Judge Bills by offering some observations from having served with her in many roles for over 25 years. Lucas stated that if you solely looked at her work in the courtroom, you would not grasp the impact she has had on community. Judge Bills is the epitome of a public official, he said, in possessing the ability and knowledge to solve community issues with the character to complete a task with integrity.

Accolades came in through the week from U.S. Sen Johnny Isakson’s office, where Bills had served as an intern years ago, Gov. Nathan Deal, Rockdale County Board of Commissioners, Conyers City Council, from the Ga. House of Representatives and more. - Staff Reports

(above) Judge Bills and Mayor Randy Mills. (Right) Bills is presented a proclaimation by the Rockdale Board of Commissioners. Submitted photos/Martin Rand

Perception From Page 3

The LeadsOnline program, an online system that works with police across the country to track and recover stolen property, has helped solve a lot of thefts and burglaries cases.

“We have solved a number of burglary cases with that, and we would not have been able to solve those cases had we not had LeadsOnline,” Freeman said.

A predictive crime area analysis program launched last year has helped the department with knowing what areas of the county need the most patrolling.

Also, the RCSO has gotten better at doing the basics. Freeman said that the deputies have gotten with good at identifying prolific offender, processing evidence quickly and setting up perimeters to catch suspects who flee scenes.

“It’s a combination of investigation, allocation of resources,” he said. “Our patrol deputies are out here working the streets.”

Another big reason for the crime reduction has been the citizens, said Freeman.

“We can’t take all the credit for that. We have to give the citizens credit as well,” he said. “They have been instrumental in reporting crimes when it’s happening, usual or suspicious behavior. That said they have a lot of confidence in us to do the job.”

CPD Chief Wilson praised the good work of officers and detectives in a department that has been understaffed since October 2013.

“I can’t say enough for the work the officers and detectives have done. They have done just an ex-

cellent job. You never can put a number on what you prevented – you just don’t know. But the crimes that have been reported, they’ve been so good at making traffic stops based on something they saw on the bulletin.”

Wilson cited giving supervising officers the flexibility to create mini-task forces to address situations they see, such as a rash of car break-ins at hotels, as key.

That constant flow of information from lookouts and descriptions, enabled by advances in technology and sent out by other agencies over email and electronic communication, has been key to catching suspects.

Lucas said, “I think it’s at the best point now it’s been since I’ve been involved. We’ve established great relationships with the RCSO, city of Covington, Newton County; DeKalb…. We’re a member of so many different organizations, if I need to talk to someone in Columbus, I can put a face to a name. The flow of information has been really great. We’ve had so many cases span over jurisdictions.”

The latest developments in policing have been the discussions of body cameras and agencies being warned by the FBI to prepare for active shooter situations, said Wilson – both of which are expensive for local agencies to prepare for.

He is waiting to see what the result will be of this year’s General Assembly session regarding body camera use.

The only two crime figures to go up in Rockdale County from 2013 were murder and rape incidents reported. There were three murder cases in 2014 - one more than 2013 - and there were 12 rape cases in 2014, five more than 2013.

“We’re not isolated. We’re not in a bubble, unfortunately,” said Freeman.

The News

MAYS

From FRONT PAGE

ones used to kill 24-yearold Hughes, says Conyers Police Investigator Kristen Moore, the lead investigator on the case.

Greene told investigators at the time of his arrest that wasn’t involved in the murder. He did admit to owning a 22-caliber handgun, but said he sold it a week before the murder took place and had no idea how the weapon got back into the apartment, says Moore. .

Police also found blood on the bottom of Greene’s pants and shoes. Both items were sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, (GBI), for further analysis.

“We still don’t have any direct evidence,” said Gasner to Rockdale County Magistrate Court Judge Phinia Aten. “(It’s) a lot of circumstantial (evidence).”

What did suspects say?

Statements given to police from the other two suspects in the case were also heard. According to Moore, Jackson admitted to being with Greene and Hunley on the night of the murder, but didn’t admit to going to

“

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 • 9

WE STILL DON’T HAVE ANY DIRECT EVIDENCE. (IT’S) A LOT OF CIRCUMSTANTIAL (EVIDENCE).

Hughes apartment.

Hunley placed all three suspects at Hughes’ apartment on the night of the murder. Moore says that Hunley stated all three suspects decided to go to Hughes’ apartment to purchase marijuana, but devised a plan to rob him.

Hunley stated Greene had the gun in his hand, then put Hughes in a headlock and pointed the gun to his head, according to Moore. Hunley then got scared and ran out of the apartment before she heard a gunshot. Moore says that abrasions were found around Hughes’ neck.

Gasner questioned the statements given to police

by Hunley since her and Jackson were supposedly involved in a romantic relationship. Moore says Hunley stated that her and Jackson were not in a relationship but would have sexual interactions sometimes.

A bloody shoeprint was discovered in the area of Hughes’ apartment. The shoeprint was from a Puma brand shoe and matched the brand of shoes that Jackson was wearing when he was arrested. The shoes have been sent to the GBI for further analysis.

Hunley’s private attorney was not presented Wednesday, and Melinda Johnson, Jackson’s public defense

Hughes’ neighborhood who stated a man, who Moore identified to be Jackson, was seen arguing with Hughes.

In an unrelated case, Gasner began asking Moore Witness testimony Four people, Hughes girl- questions in which a witfriend and three juveniles ness to another case stated were present in Hughes’ they saw Jackson had been apartment at the time of the pointing guns at random shooting. people, although, AssisAccording to Moore, tant District Attorney Kirk Hughes’ girlfriend told po- Thomas objected to that lice when they heard knocks line of questioning. on his front door, Hughes an“It doesn’t matter if he was swered the door and began seen waving guns around,” talking to the visitors in a Thomas said. “It’s not rele“friendly-like” manner. Very vant.”

Aten upheld his objection. quickly, she began to hear a Following the questioning “struggle” taking place.

She then heard Hughes of Moore, Aten concluded yell to her to call 9-1-1, be- Thomas and the state had esfore hearing gunshots. tablished probable cause to An 8-year-old girl was a accuse Greene. The trail now witness to the incident. She moves to the Rockdale County told police she woke up to State Superior Court for trail. use the restroom. She saw Greene is being charged the Hughes arguing with with two counts of possesanother male and heard the sion or transfer of a firearm, male ask Hughes, “Where aggravated assault, felony was the money at,” says murder, murder and cruelty to children. Jackson is also Moore.

The little girl told police being charged with murder, the two men starting fight- two counts of aggravated ing and then she heard gun- assault, possession of marshots. The other two juve- ijuana, cruelty to children niles, ages 8 and 6, did not and theft by receiving stolen witness the incident. property. Hunley is being Police received statements charged with felony murder from people who lived in and murder.

attorney waived his preliminary hearing. Johnson was also absent from the court room Wednesday.

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The News

10 • Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015

CUTEST COUPLE

CONTEST WINNERS 1st place

2nd place Hannah and Duane Turner

Jarrett Brown and Grace A. Gilbert

3rd place Felisha and William Fleming

4th place

The votes are in! Congratulations to the winners of our Cutest Couples Contest for 2015, Grace Gilbert and Jarrett Brown, who won gift certificates for a night out at Nagoya Restaurant.

Love was certainly in the air as dozens of couples posted their pictures and gave a picture of what love looks like.

Winner: Grace A. Gilbert, a deputy with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, and Jarrett Brown Honorable Mentions: Second Place: Hannah Jones Turner and Duane Turner have been married for 13 years, have five children and are still “madly in love!”

Third Place: William and Felisha Fleming say “love is not just about finding the right person, but creating a right relationship.

It’s not about how much love you have in the beginning, but how much love you build to the end.”

Fourth Place: Dave and Kim Ballard

Dave and Kim Ballard

Secrets to a long and happy marriage

By Jessica Smith

news@rockdalenews.com

Ernest and Rosemary Gerstner’s 60-year union withstood a world war, raising four children, work separations, and the Internal Revenue Service. And, it all began with a whistle.

The Hayes, Kan. grade school acquaintances’ romance began with Ernie and his Catholic boys’ school classmates whistling as Rosemary strolled by them. Their marriage was fast tracked three years later just before his mother’s death and his deployment with the 96th Infantry to the Pacific theater in 1942.

The master sergeant and his bride didn’t see one another again for almost three years.

Upon Ernie’s return, they began their family, and his career as a Colonial Pipeline superintendent brought them to Atlanta. Rosemary

says a challenge during their marriage was his frequent work travels, but through everything they genuinely enjoyed one another and their children.

When their youngest daughter was four and though “working mothers” were less common then, Rosemary, 42, decided to go work with the IRS because “after the children were off to school and the house was cleaned, what else was there to do?” She worked as a supervisor for 17 years, during her tenure the IRS went to computer systems. She was able to “balance” it all with a neighbor’s help, summer furloughs and Ernie’s support.

After retiring, Rosemary volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital for ten years before they moved to Conyers in 1995. To this day, at 92-years-young, and for the last 19 years, she volunteers every Tuesday at Rockdale Medical Center’s

Birth Place desk.

Ernie passed away in 2003, and she still misses him every day, but “treasures the life and family they built.” It also includes eight grandchildren, five greats and one greatgreat. Rosemary lives with her son, Greg, in Conyers and is close by to her daughter, Linda, and son-inlaw, Dr. Michael Manning.

Her “secrets” for their long, strong and happy marriage centered on faith: • “We didn’t argue or raise our voices very much.”

• “Regular Friday night dinner dates.”

• “He was neat and tidy.”

• “He always remembered my birthday and our anniversary with flowers and candy.”

Husbands everywhere, kindly take note.

The News

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 • 11

Opportunity District brings caution BOE reacts to Governor’s proposal for failing schools

By Martin Rand III

mrand@rockdalenews.com

Governor Nathan Deal’s recently proposed “Opportunity District,” where the state would take over failing schools and place them into a new state-wide district under the Governor’s office, drew an apprehensive reception from the Rockdale school board Thursday.

Similar initiatives have been underway in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and in Tennessee, though Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Richard Autry said this proposal seemed to lean more towards Tennessee’s “Achievement District” model.

The bill, unveiled earlier this week, would apply to schools that score less than 60 for three consecutive years on the College and Career Readiness Index “school report card.” Currently, that’s about 144 schools in the state; none are in Rockdale County Public Schools.

If it passes the General Assembly this year and passes a state-

wide constitutional amendment referendum on the 2016 ballot, it would start in 2017.

The new district would accept up to 20 schools per year and would govern no more than 100 at any given time. Schools would stay in the district for at least five years but no more than 10 years.

A superintendent appointed by and reporting to the governor, not the Ga. Department of Education, would choose one of four options for each school in the new district: manage the school directly, share management with a local school board, convert the school to a charter school or close the school. A nonprofit board would be appointed by that superintendent to oversee each school.

Autry explained that there would be funding implications for local school boards.

Financially, the schools in the Opportunity School District would receive a share of local tax dollars and state funding, based on the number of students enrolled. Private donations would be accepted for the schools and the General Assembly could set aside addi-

tional money for the schools.

The new district schools could purchase the services of local school districts for routine operations. While the state would pay for routine maintenance and repairs of the new district’s schools, local school districts would be obligated to provide for extensive repairs of those schools and any capital projects.

Deal said in a released statement, “While Georgia boasts many schools that achieve academic excellence every year, we still have too many schools where students have little hope of attaining the skills they need to succeed in the workforce or in higher education. We have a moral duty to do everything we can to help these children. Failing schools keep the cycle of poverty spinning from one generation to the next. Education provides the only chance for breaking that cycle. When we talk about helping failing schools, we’re talking about rescuing children.

I stand firm on the principle that every child can learn, and I stand equally firm in the belief that the

OBITUARY: KEN BROWN Mr. Ken Brown, 73 of Buckhead, died February 8, 2015. He was a native of Arkansas, born July 1, 1941 to Omer and Nancy Cogburn Brown. He served in the United States Air Force before going to work in the paper industry. He was married to Betty Straw on November 1, 1983. After Mr. Brown’s retirement, the Browns moved to Buckhead from Conyers. He was a member of Buckhead Baptist Church where he organized visitation.

He was an avid outdorsman. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.

He also enjoyed woodworking. Mr. Brown was also a faithful fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Ken Brown is survived by his wife Betty as well as two children, Kevin Wayne Brown and Kim and Christy Markray. He also leaves a sister, Terry Lawyer as well as grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 1-3 p.m. at A.E. Carter Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 3 p.m. in the chapel. Intermment will follow at the Buckhead Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the humane Society of Morgan County.

status quo isn’t working.”

The proposal drew cautious reactions from school board members at the Thursday work session.

Board member Sharon Pharr expressed concern with the direction of the proposals. “This is the centralization of education,” said Pharr. “It’s putting education in very few hands” “It looks like there’s kind of a plan,” she continued. “Now they’re saying with the Georgia Milestones they’re expecting scores are going to drop…

They’re looking for schools that are going to fail.”

Member Wales Barksdale gave his reading of the proposed bill.

“Private donations would be readily accepted. If you think on the charter school amendment, the Walton foundation gave three quarters of a million dollars to pass the charter school amendment. We’re trying to get tax dollars into private corporations for education.

“It’s centralization, plus directing money into private hands to provide education.”

He continued, “I do not think the charter schools will provide the needs of all the special education students and they will be left to the backs of the local school boards.

“It’s so far away from the idea in this country that localities get to provide education for students.

It’s taking that away one step at a time.”

“I believe in local board control,” Autry reiterated for the record.

However, he added, “I want to wait and see how this rolls out.”

Other bills reviewed at the Thursday night school board work session included: SR 138 – State-wide ballot referendum that proposes the superintendent be an elected position and school boards be appointed by the grand jury HB 100 – change the age eligibility to start enrolling in Pre-K and Kindergarten HB 243 – Education Savings Account, where parents could use state funds for educational expenses for private schools, home schooling and tutoring.

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Sports

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 Page 12 rockdalenews.com

Salem advances to region championship

By Shakeem Holloway

sholloway@rockdalenews.com

S

alem was awarded the opportunity to host the region tournament this year and they opened the semifinals with a match against Flowery Branch at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. The region tournament hosts put on a show with a thrilling 52-47 victory over Flowery Branch.

Ayanna Mitchell was the MVP of the contest. Mitchell opened up the game scoring Salem’s first seven points. She would score 12 of the team’s 18 first-half points, she attacked the basket relentlessly and went 6-9 from the charity stripe.

Down 27-21 in the second half, Mitchell went on a 5-0 scoring run to bring the game within one before Breanne Locke hit a three to put the Lady Falcons up 30-26.

Trailing 35-28 in the fourth, a Shay Tarver and-one and a

Mitchell steal-transition-layup got the Lady ‘Noles back into the game, down 35-33 with 7:13 to go.

Salem kept charging, but every time the Lady Seminoles got close, the Lady Falcons just hit shots to maintain their lead.

The Lady Falcons were back up by seven with five minutes to go, and Salem’s chances were fading.

The Lady ‘Noles made another charge as the game winded down. Tarver got fouled behind the arc and made all three free throws to bring Salem within two (44-42). Mitchell would hit a layup to tie the game. Salem played great defense on the other end and forced a turnover.

Salem head coach Rochone Dilligard took a timeout at the 1:30 mark to dial up a play. The Lady ‘Noles worked about 10 seconds off the clock and then went to work. Mitchell got the ball and drove down the middle

of the lane to hit the jumper and give Salem a 46-44 lead.

Salem’s defense held and Mitchell hit two free throws to give Salem a 48-44 lead and the

game as Flowery Branch just wasn’t able to climb back in.

Mitchell finished with 30 points including 12 in the fourth quarter while Tarver finished with

18 points, also scoring 12 in the fourth.

Salem will play in the region championship game Saturday evening at 6 p.m.

Playing with the boys

By Shakeem Holloway

sholloway@rockdalenews.com

As the youngest and only girl with two older brothers (Anthony and Darren Dilligard), growing up as Rochone Dilligard (Lady ‘Noles head coach) meant playing more than a fair share of sports.

“When you’ve got two brothers and you’re the only girl, it’s either play or stay at home,” Rochone Dilligard said.

And play she did. Dilligard says that she looked up to her two older brothers, and that they took her under their wing.

Since five, Dilligard played organized basketball with boys instead of girls. Dilligard says that she was kind of tall for her age and her mother Linda, who was a coach, developed her early.

“A lot of times when you have a really tall kid, the first thing you think about doing is putting them in the paint and my

mom always made sure that I knew how to dribble, how to shoot – those kinds of things so as I grew I still had those skills,” Dilligard said.

Dilligard didn’t play organized basketball with girls until she was 10 or 11. Playing with the boys helped Dilligard groom her offensive game that helped her blossom into the All-American that she was in high school, which eventually landed her at the University of Tennessee where she played for four years under legendary head coach Pat Summitt.

“It helps you develop moves.

You really have to be strategic and it increases your basketball IQ a lot quicker because you can’t just turn and jump and shoot. You can’t just dribble the way you’ve always dribbled," Dilligard said. “You have to come up with counter-moves in order to be successful. That’s one thing that developed my skillset. After getting your shot

blocked a couple times, it’s not a fun thing to do so you’ve got to come up with a move. It also makes you a lot more aggressive.”

“You can’t be afraid of contact, you’ve got to pretty much welcome contact,” Dilligard added. “I can see a lot of that in Shay [Tarver]. She definitely welcomes contact, she’s not afraid of it. She actually goes to it. A lot of times when you’re more aggressive and you play really, really hard good things come to you just from working, rebounding, getting to the basket – those kinds of things.

Those are places where you can score, even if you don’t have a high-level skillset you can still be successful.”

Under Summitt, Dilligard learned a lot about teaching athletes how to be better people first and better players on the court second. She says the prin-

See Dilligard, Page 13

Anthony Banks/The Rockdale Newa

Rochone Dilligard coaching on the sidelines of Salem vs. Newton.

The News

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 • 13

Rockdale athletes named All-region

HHS athlete of the week: Isaiah Banks Isaiah Banks scored 14 points, helping to lift Heritage to a 55-46 win over Lanier to advance the Patriots to the semifinals of the region tournament.

By Shakeem Holloway

L

sholloway@rockdalenews.com

ast week, we named our picks for the basketball All-area selections, which were headlined by the finest players from the six high schools between Rockdale and Newton County. This week we learned that some of last week’s All-area selections were named All-region.

For Region 2-AAAAAA, which is home to three of the six high schools between Newton and Rockdale County (Rockdale County, Newton and Alcovy) Dwayne Brown (Rockdale) and Connor Ferrell (Rockdale) were named to First Team All-region with the other three players – Bryce Brown, Joshua Parker and Ayinde Russell – coming from Tucker.

The Second Team All-region players from the area included D.J. Hill (Newton), Jalen Jordan (Rockdale) and Jaquan Sims (Newton). Two other players, Najee Kemp (Lakeside) and Larry Pittman (Lovejoy) rounded the All-region roster.

The honorable mentions were: Sean Atwater (Lakeside), Donovan Grubb (Newton), Javon Rosse (Alcovy), Jaron Shivers (Lovejoy) and Jonathan Stephens (Tucker).

Auburn commit Bryce Brown also won Region 2-AAAAAA Player of the Year.

Dilligard From Page 12

ciples they lived by were to stay here (University of Tennessee), to play here and to be successful here.

“There were things that you had to do as a person before you became a basketball player. So I’ve learned pretty much that you’ve got to work hard for everything, you have to be responsible and accountable,” Dilligard said. “I always tell people, ‘If you can play for Pat, you can work for anybody.’”

Being responsible and being accountable are the two most important themes that Dilligard learned during her time at UT. She has carried those themes over in her teachings as a coach.

“You have to be responsible for your actions, on and off the court and you have to be accountable for them.

She wasn’t necessarily a yeller. A lot of people see the ‘Pat stare’ – that’s what they call it – but that is just her way of letting you know that you were not responsible and you were not accountable for what you’re supposed to be doing,” Dilligard said. “Then there’s a discussion after. However, there are consequences when you’re not accountable. I believe that’s one of

the biggest things that I try to carry over in my coaching, because it really is bigger than basketball. Not everybody’s going to play after high school and not everybody’s going to play after college, but you still have to be responsible and accountable in your life to be successful.”

Dilligard got her first head coaching job at Lebanon High School in Tennessee, her alma mater, in 2003.

“Any time you can ever go back and coach at your own high school, that’s kind of like the culmination of everything. It really is a big deal to go back to where you graduated from and influence those people in your community that you were able to receive help from growing up as you were getting through. So that was a big accomplishment and very rewarding to go back there,” Dilligard said. “I had a brother that lived down here and that’s kind of how I migrated down to Georgia. Went to Eastside and ran into a really, really good coach and friend now, coach Gerald [Walker]. He stepped out on a limb for me and asked me to coach something that’s not normally done in a female sitting on the boy’s sideline. He trusted me and really put a lot of trust in me to do that so I appreciate that.”

Dilligard went from playing with the boys to coaching them at Eastside, where she had success coaching Eastside’s junior varsity boys’ teams.

“By that way of being at Eastside, we’d always played Salem, so I kind of knew coach [Darren] Wilkins when he was a coach and stuff like that. We had developed a friendship just as a rivalry every time we would play so I actually knew him prior to. When the job came available it just happened to be the right timing and it all worked itself out,” Dilligard said of how she ended up at Salem.

Dilligard did get the opportunity to coach the varsity boys once at Eastside, and for her she has no preference in coaching the boys or the girls. She says basketball is just basketball. Her love for the sport seems to be the common denominator.

“The only difference between boys and girls basketball for me is boys are quicker, faster, stronger. Girls are typically more fundamentally based, so they really focus on those fundamentals. When you have a girl that is quicker, faster, stronger like an Ayanna [Mitchell], she still has that fundamental base. She still can shoot, pass and dribble and play every position. So she excels as a female,” Dilligard said. “As a guy, a lot of times they just rely on that they can run fast and they can jump high, but the elite guys really develop that skillset, that fundamental set. So guys will play hard on the court, because they love to play. Girls will play hard once they know you care.”

The News

14 • Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015

Car tag self serve kiosk launched

Community Calendar Please note the Calendar deadline for Saturday’s paper is noon Thursday. Email events to news@ rockdalenews.com.

Saturday, Feb. 14 Spread the Love Community Breakfast 9-11 a.m., Feb. 14; Macedonia Baptist Church, 1052 Barton Street, Conyers; breakfast for those at extended stay hotels, boarding houses and homeless in the community

Bald Rock Baptist Women’s Day Celebration

Rockdale County Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley and the Rockdale County tag office launched a new self-service kiosk for vehicle registration on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The kiosk expands the ways residents in Rockdale and other select counties can renew vehicle registrations. Submitted photo/The News

January Yard of the Month Conyers Garden Club awarded the landscape plaque for January 2015 to Gail Roberson and Dumont Camp at 3672 Sweet Briar Lane. The beautiful green winter color and pleasing texture of their fesque lawn requires a fertilizing schedule in fall and spring. Fall overseeding is sometimes necessary to maintain the coverage. Pinestraw islands add contrast. A vegetable garden is planted each spring.

Submitted photo/The News

Mays

From front page

in Magistrate Court, but later requested to dismiss the dispossessory at the last minute before it was to be heard in Magistrate Court Nov. 5.

A dispute reportedly arose around the end of January about Pearson's belongings in the home.

Pearson called Conyers police to the home on Feb. 4 around 6 p.m.

She told police she had been illegally evicted and a court injunction against this was to be served by the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office the next day. She reportedly asked the officer to stand by while she served the papers to Mays.

According to the police report, Mays, his son Charles K. Mays Jr., and his nephew Jordan Mays came out of the home. Pearson reportedly attempted to hand Mays, Sr. the paper. "He would not accept the paper so she threw it in his direction and it appeared to hit him on the right shoulder," wrote

the observing officer. Pearson reportedly went back to her vehicle.

The officer was called out to the McCalla Street home again around 7:30 p.m. for a reported assault. Mays. Sr. reported that "Pearson struck him on the shoulder when she threw the paper at him and it was starting to hurt."

The officer responded that they had seen the interaction and did not see Pearson make physical contact with Mays, Sr. The officer took witness statements from Mays, Sr., Mays, Jr., and Jordan Mays.

For the police report, Pearson reportedly did not provide a current address. "She advised Mays would get a copy of the report and come after her. She became very upset, advising that she was interested to see how this turned out because (CPD) would not help her but (CPD) would help him," wrote the reporting officer.

The warrant hearing is reportedly awaiting scheduling by DeKalb County courts, since Rockale circuit judges have recused themselves from hearing the case.

Pearson also faces separate federal court actions in Kansas City, Missouri where she was recently indicted by a federal grand jury for nine counts, including wire fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and false witness. The charges are related to Pearson allegedly stealing more than $400,000 from a Missouri lotto winner.

10 a.m. Feb. 14 Brunch; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Feb. 15 service; Bald Rock Baptist Church, 2284 Old Covington Road, Conyers; Women Ministry Annual Women’s Day Celebration. 770-929-3421.

Friends of Library Book Sale 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Feb. 14, Nancy Guinn Library, 864 Green St.; used book sale; 770-388-5040.

RREA meeting

scapes with a lovely view of the night sky; register in advance. $5 plus $5 parking; 706-557-3001.

Valentine’s Dinner Family Promise fundraiser 6 p.m.; Conyers First United Methodist Church; 921 North Main ST NW; “Love to Laff” Valentine’s Dinner Fundraiser featuring author Darrell Huckaby; Tickets $40 per couple; dinner of pork loin or chicken, raspberry spinach salad, mushroom rice, green beans, cherry or strawberry cake; jsprague396@gmail.com

Wednesday, Feb. 18 Pesticide Class 8 a.m. -12:15 p.m.; Rockdale County Cooperative Extension, 1400 Parker Rd; Category 24 Ornamental and Turf Pesticide – 3 CEU hours Applicator’s License class;$10 at door; Pre-registration required; 770278-7373

Thursday, Feb. 19

11:30 a.m., Feb. 14; Rockdale Baptist Church at 1295 Smyrna Rd, Conyers. ; Rockdale Retired Educators Association meeting, speaker will be RCSO Deputy Peter Elizabeth Wolfe; RSVP for lunch; Helen,770-483-6808, helensteve25@ bellsouth.net

GPTC State of the College Address and Convocation

EMACW Writing Workshop

XYZ Organization

1-5 p.m.; at Ga. Piedmont Technical College, Newton Campus, 8100 Bob Williams Parkway, Covington; East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers host a Writing Workshop by David Darracott; 404-444-7514 or 770784-0079

Valentine’s Day Wagon Rides 1 p.m.; Hard Labor Creek State Park, Rutledge, GA; This wagon ride will begin at the beach and take riders through some romantic land-

3:30 p.m.; Ga. Piedmont Technical College, DeKalb Campus, 495 North Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston; Dr. Jabari Simama gives the GPTC State of the College Address and Convocation

10:30 a.m.; First Baptist Conyers, 2100 GA. Hwy. 138; lunch meeting Roy Mitchell;$6; to register call 770760-0083.

Friday, Feb. 20 Frozen Friday 3–5 p.m. Nancy Guinn Library, 864 Green St. Conyers; build a snowman, free movie “Frozen;” Registration required; 770-388-5040 x113.

FOR SALE: An 11 Year Family Member

“Big Red,” a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport (2 door), has 240,000 good, “just broken in” miles, has been well maintained and his body is in very good condition.

The price for this loyal guy is $2,500.

Please call 678-357-2401 to make arrangements to view.

If you decide to purchase “Big Red” you must bring the owner a box of Hankies.

The News

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 • 15

MARKETPLACE

B u y • S e l l • Tr a d e • S e r v i c e s Online @ marketplace.rockdalenews.com

Announcements For Your Information TOPS 514 COVINGTON 2101 WAShINGTON St. SeNIOr hIGhrISe TAke OFF Pounds Sensibly.

MeeTS eVerY Tuesday 10-11 WeIGh IN 8:30-9:45.

PleASe COMe join us if you need help losing weight. 770-780-9240.

Items for Sale Firewood SeASONed FIreWOOd for sale. Half a cord $150. Senior Citizen Discount. 404-219-9550.

Jobs drivers Wanted drIVer TrAINeSS Needed NOW! TrAIN TO drive for US Xpress. $800/week + Benefits!

NO eXPIereNCe NEEDED! Cdl & Job Ready in ASAP! US XPreSS can cover Cdl Training program!

CAll FOr details!

1-866-862-0484

help Wanted *PArT-TIMe OPTOMeTrIC Assistant Needed *NO eXPerIeNCe Necessary *STArT rATe: $8.00-$9.00/Hour (experience based) *BrING reSUMe to: 4106 Mill Street, Covington, GA 30014 ONLY on Fridays from 9-3

ACTIVITY dIreCTOr - Seeking full time activity director for personal care home. Must be well organized and energetic.

Must have senior living experience.

Excellent pay and benefits. Email resume to dedwards@oxtonsl.com. eleCTrICIAN helPer needed - with one (1) to three (3) years of experience in a commercial / industrial environment.

Must possess a clean MVR, pass a Drug & Alcohol screening, be available to travel and have a solid work ethic. Please forward a cover letter / resume of work experience to thenrickson@ datapowersource.com or call Tim at 678-671-2153. We are an AtWill, Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOW hIrING FRONT DESK CLERK. HARD LABOR CREEK STATE PARK. RUTLEDGE, GA. PART-TIME, UP TO 29 HRS/ WK, VARIABLE SCHEDULE. MUST PASS BACKGROUND CHECK. 706-557-3001.

PArT-TIMe, MAXIMUM 28/hrs per week. Dining hall position available at Charlie Elliott Conference Center located in Jasper County. Food service experience preferred.

Duties included cooking and cleaning. Must be 18 years old and flexible availability including early morning, nights, and weekends.

Application available by calling Cathy 770-784-3199 or Amy 770784-3152. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, EOE.

FOR SALE: An 11 Year Family Member

“Big Red,” a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport (2 door), has 240,000 good, “just broken in” miles, has been well maintained and his body is in very good condition.

The price for this loyal guy is $2,500.

Please call 678-357-2401 to make arrangements to view.

WellNeSS dIreCTOr - Seeking LPN for Wellness Director in Personal Care Home. Must be well organized, good clinical skills, computer literate, and possess strong supervisory skills. Must have senior living experience.

Excellent pay and Benefits. Send resume and salary requirements to dedwards@oxtonsl.com.

real estate For rent WAlk dOWNTOWN Covington, large 1bdrm duplex w/study, Quiet street single family homes and duplexes/Historical district, appliances/washer/dryer/ lawn maintenance, rocking chair front/back porches, $670 rent/deposit, 770-883-7586 speedwayrentalproper ties.com

Commercial Property For rent 6000 Sq. ft. with acreage. (NICE) 12582 Hwy 278 E. 404-787-8186.

FOr leASe- 800 to 2800 sqft. The best value in Covington. Retail or office space across from Walmart right off I-20. Call Vic 678-371-0402.

house For rent 2BdrM, 1BATh house, fenced yard, large storage building with shelving, close to Downtown Covington, all appliances/washer/ dryer/lawn maintenance, $745 rent/deposit, 770-883-7586 speedwayrentalproper ties.com MUST See! Two bdrm, 1 bath, newly renovated, Covington, very nice location, CHA, all appliances included. $750/ rent+deposit.

770-354-7774.

TOWN hOUSeS for rent.

2bdrm/1.5 bath. Refurbished.

New carpet, paint. Kitchen has all appliances. Back deck.

770-316-3267

Digital Advertising Account Executive The Covington News, the leading source of award-winning news in the east Atlanta area for 150 years, continues to expand in the digital landscape. We are expanding our Digital Advertising department to meet the growing needs of our advertisers and our readers. We are looking for those who work well in a fast-paced, challenging team environment with cutting edge advertising technology. Online Advertising Sales Executives will provide solutions to local and national businesses utilizing our entire portfolio of digital advertising products. Our Advertising staff strives for excellence in contributing to the overall achievement of the Advertising department’s financial and product sales goals. Ideal candidate should possess the ability to get to decision makers and build relationships that lead to increased revenue.

If you can’t wait for the next new product to be launched, and networking on Facebook & LinkedIn is second nature to you, we’ve got a great opportunity for you!

Our mission is to help local businesses market themselves in an online world that’s become too fragmented and complex for them to manage. Local merchants can now take control of their brand marketing and message to customers across all the channels. Our clients need to be online and have a partner there to help them through the process.

Essential Functions: • Selling online advertising across multiple platforms • Responsible for rate negotiation with clients • Responsible for cultivating and maintaining client relationships at all levels • Prospect new advertisers • Apply creative marketing plans to generate new revenue opportunities • Maintain current working knowledge of interactive products and their functions • Prepare and present proposals to advertisers • Performing research and developing leads for new online revenue opportunities • Service existing accounts and create special sales opportunities specific to each client • Assist in creating presentations, sales materials and online creative ads • Performing other incidental and related duties as required and assigned • Collect money as needed for outstanding accounts Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities a plus: • Understanding of digital advertising methods and concepts, web/ internet sales • Knowledge of interactive products and how they function • Ability to communicate and negotiate effectively is required • Able to create creative marketing plans for advertisers • Strong organizational and prioritization skills required • Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite • Ability to make sound business decisions and exhibit detail orientation • Able to quickly build and maintain relationships • Ability to follow up and adapt quickly in fast-paced digital industry • Maintain effective interdepartmental relationships and foster a positive workforce environment • Able to manage transactional sales activity for multiple products • Able to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines • Able to quickly, accurately and calmly handle decision-making process • Must represent the company with professionalism and integrity What we offer: • Competitive base salary, and commissions.

• Cell phone and car mileage expenses included.

• Laptop and/or Tablet for digital product presentation • Multimedia and design team for quick turn-a-round.

• Relaxed and Business Casual Atmosphere • A wide open and growing digital industry

If you decide to purchase “Big Red” you must bring the owner a box of Hankies.

Send resume to pcavanaugh@covnews.com

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWS BY CALLING 770-787-6397 or ONLINE @ rockdalenews.com

The News

16 • Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015

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