the News May 23, 2015 Volume 7, Issue 6 by The Covington News

the NEWS May 23, 2015

Volume 7, Issue 6

Life after high school

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See our special graduation special edition inside

Serving Rockdale County and Conyers

rockdalenews.com

Meet the Vals & Sals Pill identified by GBI, investigation ongoing By Martin Rand III

jruch@rockdalenews.com

The GBI have identified the unknown pill that Magistrate Court Judge Phinia Aten found in her glass of water last week, according to Sherry Lang, public information officer for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Lang says while the GBI has identified the pill, the agency is withholding any further information because the situation is still under investigation. On May 11, Aten found a white pill in her water after first appearance hearings at the Rockdale

See PILL on PAGE 14

City’s $14M budget to include new police cadet program

OPEN WITH A SPLASH

By John Ruch

jruch@rockdalenews.com

The Conyers City Council held its first hearing on the city’s proposed $14 million Fiscal Year 2015 budget on May 20. Among the significant new budget items is a police cadet program requested by Conyers Police Chief Gene Wilson to boost police recruiting and diversity. City Chief Financial Officer Isabel Rogers estimated general fund revenues and expenditures balancing out at $14,143,988 - a number that surely would change in practice. The budget requires a second council hearing before it can be approved in time for the start of the fiscal year

See PROGRAM on PAGE 14

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Rockdale County Department of Recreation & Maintenance and the SPLOST Citizens Oversight Committee celebrated the grand opening of the Milstead Park splash pad on Monday, May 18, at Milstead Park, 1665 Main Street, Conyers 30012. After taking nearly a year and a half to complete, the newly renovated park includes an open lawn, small walking trail, a pavilion, picnic area, grill, swings and exercise equipment. The 20 by 30 foot splash pad, which now stands where the old historic Milstead pool used to be, is an above ground play area with various water fountains and streams, and combines different water movements to entertain users. The park and splash pad is open for public use 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The splash pad uses anywhere from 30-60 gallons per second and is the same drinkable water that comes from household taps. Officials in attendance included Rockdale County CEO and Board of Commissioners Chairman Richard Oden, Post I Commissioner Oz Nesbitt, Post II Commissioner Doreen Williams, SPLOST Citizens Oversight subcommittee members Barbara Kilpatrick, Frank Culbreath, Bill Hughey, Sam Smiley, Charlene Ellis, Rockdale County Recreation Commission members Dotti Bala (chairman, pictured holding scissors), Robin Berry, Eddie Shirey, Zeste Debro, Chester Benton, Valerie Sewell, and Rockdale County Recreation and Maintenance Directo Jackie Lunsford, Deputy Director Sue Roberts, Capital Projects Manager Andrew Morton, and parents including Debbie Stephens. Craig McCullough, head of the parks and recreation subcommittee SPLOST Citizens Oversight Committee, proclaimed after the ribbon cutting, “Ladies and gentlemen and kids, your park is now open!” (photos by Michelle Kim)

2 • Saturday, May 23, 2015

The News

the NEWS 1009 Milstead Ave., Ste 200, Conyers, 30012 www.rockdalenews.com Office 770-787-6397 FAX 678-253-5988 News Tips: 770-728-1437, news@rockdalenews.com Advertising: 770-728-1436 Circulation: 770-728-1414 The News is published weekly on Saturday, for $32.00 a year (plus tax) for home delivery, or $33.92 by mail per year by Covington Newspaper Company, Inc. 1166 Usher Street, Covington, Ga. 30014. Periodicals postage pending at Covington, Ga. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The News, P. O. Box 1249, Covington, Ga. 30015

Meeting Place

BOC VOTING SESSION Tues, May 26, 10 a.m., 901 Main Street

MASONS VETERANS HONORED The Masons Philologia Lodge #178 recently hosted the Grand Master of Masons in Georgia Douglas McDonald, who recognized the veterans of the lodge. Master of the Lodge Dan Payseur gave an update on the events of the organization. Veterans recognized were: (Pictured, left to right) Joe Neely, Lenny Boss, Dan Payseur, Buddy Sumner, Douglas McDonald, Jim Killman, Harland Lund, Bill Weston. (submitted photo)

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The News

Saturday, May 23, 2015 • 3

Conyers Medical Park breaks ground More space for Rockdale Medical Center service expansion will soon be coming online as McWhirter Realty Partners, a real estate services firm, along with MB Real Estate Healthcare Group (MBRE), the project owner, broke ground on a second medical office building in the Conyers Medical Park May 19. The expansion provides 30,000 square feet of medical office space for the expansion of RMC’s general surgery, urgent care, vascular and neurological operations. This is the second of four buildings planned for the Conyers Medical Park, an 11 acre campus located at 1301 Sigman Road, Conyers. The project is scheduled for completion in fourth quarter 2015. Pictured left to right: Front Row: Dr. Benjamin Fernando (Georgia Primary and Urgent Care), Dr. Thomas Lyons (Advanced Gynecology Associates), Rockdale Medical Center (RMC) Assistant Administrator Cliff Wilson, RMC CEO Deborah Armstrong, RMC Human Resources Vice-President Marianne Freeman, VP, Dr. Harmon Smith (Georgia Primary and Urgent Care); Second Row: Cheryl Raper, practice administrator for RMC, RMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lisa Gillespie, Barry McWhirter, president of McWhirter Realty Partners, Peter Westmeyer, president and managing principal of MBRE Healthcare Group, Erikaa Mann, PA-C (Rockdale Vascular Associates); Third Row: Dr. Michael Manning (MdVIP/Bridgewater Family Practice), RMC Chief Financial Officer Diane Roth, Conyers-Rockdale Economic Development Council Executive Director Marty Jones , RMC Board of Trustees Chairman Rick Simmons, Bob Groote. (photo by Annette Godwin)

Honoring Military Sacrifice on Memorial Day By Staff Reports

news@rockdalenews.com

Memorial Day is a holiday in which we take time to honor the lives of our military men and women who have died fighting on our behalf, defending our rights and freedoms. This Memorial Day, May 25, two local veteran-focused groups based are going to hold ceremonies to do just that. American Legion Post 77 will hold a morning ceremony at 11 a.m. at its headquarters located at 674 Legion Road, Conyers. The service will include a speech from Butch Woodruff, member of the American Legion in Covington, and wreath placement on a war memorial outside the facility. The event should last for about 45 minutes. Afterward, people will move inside the building to partake in a barbeque, which will last for as long their food, says American Legion Post 77 Commander Art Darr. A blood drive, handled by the American Red Cross, will also be taking place. Later in the evening, when temperatures have cooled a bit, The

Walk of Heroes/Veterans War Memorial at Black Shoals Park will host a ceremony, starting at 7 p.m. The event, brought due to popular demand, will have state Senator Hunter Hill, R-Atlanta, present at the guest speaker. Hill also sits on the state senate’s Veterans Affairs committee as chairman. “We decided to avoid the heat and

move to 7 p.m. to accommodate the elderly and those that can get off work,” said Tommy Clack, president and board chair of the Walk of Heroes Memorial nonprofit. “ Schools are out, and hopefully students can attend and bring their parents, said Clack. For more, go to www.walkofheroes.org 2574 OLD COVINGTON HWY., CONYERS, GA 30012

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4 • Saturday, May 23, 2015

The News

TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS

The 1st Annual Conyers-Rockdale 2015 Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon would not have been possible without the support of local contributors.

Barlay Law Group, LLC Ben & Sarah Teach Brian Jenkins Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce Dart Container Corporation Edward Jones - Elly Dalton Georgia’s Own Credit Union Georgia Primary & Urgent Care Georgia Veteran’s Memorial Park Greystone OB/GYN Hedrick and Dodson Family Dentistry High Priority Plumbing and Services, Inc. Jim McBrayer Las Flores Olde Town Mex Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, LLC Marvin & Deborah Armstrong Performance Chiropractic of GA Robert Brayton, CPA, LLC Rotary Club of Rockdale County Scot Ward Funeral Services

Evans Tool & Die, Inc. Rockdale Medical Center Massey Law Firm, LLC BB&T Bank Corner Market, LLC The NEWS Planet Fitness

Shadowood Enterprises Snapping Shoals EMC Talley & Associates, P.C. 4D Printing Inc. Bank of North Georgia Brian D. Allen Conyers Flower Shop, Inc. Conyers Smiles Dentistry Cowan ACE Hardware Company Ecker Construction, Inc. First Light Homecare Nation, Moore & Associates, LLC Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers Pratt Recycling Rockdale Cares, Inc. Rockdale Emergency Relief Ron S. Cavola D.D.S., P.C. Charles Walker Jean Yontz

Opinion the

NEWS

PUBLISHER T. Pat Cavanaugh

EDITOR Michelle Kim

pcavanaugh@rockdalenews.com

mkim@rockdalenews.com

DESIGN EDITOR Sabastian Wee

SALES DIRECTOR Annette Godwin

swee@rockdalenews.com

agodwin@rockdalenews.com

CIRCULATION DIR. Amanda Ellington

COMPTROLLER Debbie Thompson

aellington@covnews.com

dthompson@covnews.com

Our Thoughts Memorial Day Cover them over with beautiful flowers, Deck them with garlands, those brothers of ours, Lying so silent by night and by day Sleeping the years of their manhood away. Give them the meed they have won in the past; Give them the honors their future forcast; Give them the chaplets they won in the strife; Give them the laurels they lost with their life. ~ Will Carleton

This Memorial Day weekend we pause to honor and celebrate the men and woman who gave their lives in honor to forge this glorious country of ours. It is not one of our grand holidays like the Fourth of July, but it does merit a national holiday and a live performance on the Capitol Green that is guaranteed to bring tears of pride to your eyes. This day of remembrance started out as Decoration Day 133 years ago as families gathered to honor the dead from both sides of the Civil War. Now, it is a time to honor our dead heroes who rest in peace in all parts of the world, buried where they stood and died in blind courage to defend our way of life. This year we especially want to honor and remember those who gave their all in World War II, the Korean conflict and our Vietnam warriors. We will always remember your sacrifices. We also salute and honor the families who have lost loved ones through the years in defense of our nation. We know the hurt never lessens and the loss always tugs at the heart. May the Good Lord bless you and comfort you. And may God bless our homeland and its flag. May it forever wave in peace.

Saturday, May 23, 2015 Page 5 rockdalenews.com

Tears on Memorial Day I am still not quite choked up and welled sure whether it is the up with those tears. results of the open Reading the old stoheart surgery I had 17 ry about family caused years ago or the fact I some of the tears but have gotten older, but the truth of the matit seems that I can well ter is that Memorial up with uncontrolled Day and Veterans Day T. Pat causes a twinge in my tears because of the strangest things. Cavanaugh heart starting with the The other weekPublisher day the government end Molly and I were found me physically cleaning out the basement and unfit to serve it. I talked her into bringing upSince that fall day in 1966, stairs one of the many bins of when the major sent me back pictures we have accumulated down the road with a big rejecover the years. tion notice because I just hapI was looking through them pened to have a few toes missand was thinking about all ing, I often feel a little ashamed the good things that accom- when at patriotic gatherings panied each memory when I they ask members of different pulled out an old Cavanaugh service groups to stand and be reunion book. As I began to recognized. I sometimes feel I look through the book of mem- let someone down. ories, I came across a copy of Just like many of you, I have an old Washington Post story relatives who have served and from 1915 that had a picture are currently serving in the of my grandfather and his two service of our country. They all brothers. I began to read a sto- make me proud. I have a friend ry about a mother who had her whose name is forever etched on three sons go to war at the same the wall at the Vietnam Memotime. The good news is they all rial. Visiting there, and the Movcame home. Two were gassed ing Wall that came recently to up a little bit, though. I tried Rockdale, brings up those tears. to read the story to Molly but I When I see the flag, and the

sacrifice, service and freedoms it represents, I still feel a surge of pride and again those damn tears well up. Today I am proud that as Americans we welcome our troops back home with speeches and music and special thanks for their selfless contribution to our way of life. I can remember the time many spat on our troops as they returned from Vietnam. I myself was spit upon by a member of one of the same scraggly and dirty group that resurfaced during the Occupy sit-ins. I remember clearly the warm spring day I was walking on Dupont Circle in D.C. wearing my proudest American flag tie, when I saw an old classmate with a group of people. Since she had been one of my favorite and trusted friends, I went to greet her warmly. Instead, she and her friends spit on my tie. I was mortified. I thought our country was truly finished because of such people. It wasn’t and it won’t be today because we have the countless men and women, both young and old, who are putting their lives in harm’s way for us who will insure that as a nation we will

not fail. I believe that with my whole heart and soul. On this Memorial Day weekend, I look forward to my special thoughts for my father who is still proud that he served in World War II, for my cousins and nephews who are serving now, for my co-workers whose children are overseas, and for our readers and their families. Throughout the day, I say a few prayers to keep all of them safe and to bring them home to their loving families. Many times during the day as I think of all of these people and the heroes that served before them, those tears will well up. They won’t be because of age or a broken and repaired heart. They will be tears of pure unadulterated pride. God bless our veterans who paid the ultimate price and their families and to all our veterans. May you always be showered with special blessings for your contributions to our lives. T. Pat Cavanaugh is the Publisher of the Rockdale News and the Covington News. He can be reached at pcavanaugh@rockdalenews.com

FACEBOOK FEEDBACK We asked, “What real-world advice would you give to the high school seniors graduating this week? What do you wish someone had told you when you were graduating?” Shannon PeeBee: Start and finish your degree...in something, anything. It’s was too hard to be an adult student Craig Pittman: Get out of conyers... Amber Reese: Don’t be in such a rush. Don’t get wrapped up with what your friends are doing, go and live your life for YOU. These are the best years to live life and go experience the what this world has to offer. Get an education, travel, save money. Live for yourself and not anyone else. Caitlyn Cofer: Don’t spend

your time dreaming about the life you want to have, go out and live it. Get involved with things that interest you. Build relationships on a positive foundation with people who can help you most to grow -- unfortunately those people probably won’t be in a bar. Find a cause or group you can be passionate about and volunteer your time and energy whenever you can. Get relevant experience while going through school. Spend a summer traveling or at an internship instead of binge watching Dexter on Netflix. Ask questions and yell for help if you need it. Call home. And say thank you.

Mary Allen: Finish all college degrees before starting a family if at all possible! Leigh Hardin: Don’t sweat the small stuff, enjoy the journey. Marty Bussard Welsch: Understand your strengths & follow your heart. Holly B. Powell: Don’t do what you think you OUGHT to do if your heart is not in it. Paul Turner: Keep your private life private, not plastered all over social media. Your postings are like tattoos. They are permanent.

Samm Modrell: Keep your eye on the prize, and don’t let anyone influence you to not be YOU! Amber Holmes: Work hard, work harder. Pray hard, pray harder. Focus on your education whether that’s college, technical school or trade school. You will have the rest of your life to have a relationship; save the serious ones for after you complete your education. Use these years to set up a good life for yourself. Always remember a smart person learns from their own mistakes; but a wise person learns from everyone else’s mistakes.

6 • Saturday, May 23, 2015

C H A L L E N G E Y O U R S E L F

The News

CITY AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP May 30th & 31st Tee Times—9:30 The City of Conyers is hosting the 5th Annual City Amateur Championship. Our goal is to find the best of the best amateur players in the area. This event is open to all amateur players. We will crown the best male and female amateur, the best junior male and female amateur, and the best senior male and female amateur. Players 50 years of age and older may play in the senior division or may choose to play in the open division. Juniors must be seventeen or younger. Are you the next City Amateur Champion?

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INCLUDES Practice Round Green Fee on Friday - Cart Not Included Saturday and Sunday Tournament Golf Lunch on Sunday

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Cherokee Run Golf Club 1595 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers, GA 30013 770-785-7904

The News

Saturday, May 23, 2015 • 7

Heritage Graduation 2015 Heritage High School’s Class of 2015 walked the stage for commencement May 21 at the Georgia International Horse Park. Heritage’s graduating class had 358 students. Of those, 79 were honor graduates, with 30 students graduating Summa Cum Laude (3.9 GPA and above), 20 as Magna Cum Laude (3.7-3.89 GPA and above), 29 as Cum Laude (3.5-3.69 GPA). About 60 percent took at least one AP class during high school and 127 students took an AP class in their senior year. The graduating class was offered between $1.5 million - $2 million in scholarships. Student speakers were Kahmoi Crawford, salutatorian Crystal Sipp, valedictorian GraceAnne Dukes, Brandon Curtis, Sydni Moore, and D’Azia Spivey. For more photos, go to rockdalenews.com. For official graduation photos, go to ezellsstudios.com. (photos by Darrell Everidge)

Georgia Piedmont Technical College

2015 Spring Commencement Announcement

Dr. Jabari Simama, President and The Board of Directors of Georgia Piedmont Technical College with The Board of Trustees of the Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation

Invite you to attend our

2015 Spring Commencement Saturday,

the Thirtieth Day of May, Two Thousand Fifteen at

Ten o’clock in the morning Teddy Riley, Speaker Grammy Award Winning Singer, Songwriter & Musician at the

Georgia World Congress Center 285 Andrew Young International Boulevard, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Presidential Sankofa Award Recipients: Teddy Riley J. Jeil Shorthouse Patricia A. Pflum Georgia Piedmont Technical College 495 N. Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston, GA 30021 • 404-297-9522 Equal Opportunity Institution

8 • Saturday, May 23, 2015

The News

Graduation: Vals & Sals Heritage High School

VALEDICTORIAN GRACEANNE DUKES Heading to: Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina Aspirations: To pursue a career in business, incorporating psychology into demographics, with a resulting focus on target marketing Favorite Subjects/Classes: AP Art History Attended: Sims Elementary, Lorraine Elementary, Davis Middle School Activities: Flag and dance line captain; Beta Club president; Copy and assistant editor of student newspaper; National Honor Society; Dance Captain for musicals. Where grew up: Conyers Advice to live by: From her brother Cory Dukes, “Treat college like a 9 to 5 job.” From her sister, Natalee Dukes-Hamby, “Keep sight of who (she is) and get involved.” Family: Parents Grady and Roxanne Dukes; older brother Cory Dukes, older sister Natalee Dukes-Hamby

SALUTATORIAN CRYSTAL SIPP Heading to: University of Georgia Aspirations: To be a physician’s assistant and anesthesiologist Activities: President, Interact Club; President of the Clean Air School Association; Secretary for the chorus; member of the chorus; Ga. All State Chorus; treasurer of the Beta Club and National Honor Society; apprentice at Rockdale Medical Center Where grew up: Born in Detroit, MI, moved to Georgia when she was 2 and lived in Newton County until she was in second grade, before moving to Rockdale County. Inspirations: Music. A mezzo soprano, Crystal is passionate about music and the emotions that course through her when she sings. Advice to live by: “One must ask questions in order to learn and develop.” Family: Mother Tameka Osaburtey and father Gregory Sipp, II; five brothers and sisters.

Salem High School

VALEDICTORIAN MICHEALA DAVIS Heading to: Georgia State University, to major in Biology Aspirations: To go to Emory Medical School and become an OB/GYN Favorite Subjects/Classes: Anatomy Attended: Rockdale County High School, North Springs High School Activities: National Beta Club, National Honor Society, Interact Club, several organizations with her church Conyers Seventh Day Adventist Grew up: Jamaica Inspirations: Her family, chorus teacher Mrs. Lenae Rose, 11th grade literature teacher Mrs. DeBraca Rodriguez, counselor Ms. Cecile Cooper; “They always coached me. They always pushed me, they were there when I needed them.” Family: father Michael Davis (nurse at Emory), stepmother Janet Davis; mother Odette Crump; three younger siblings

SALUTATORIAN CHRIS JACKSON Heading to: Clark Atlanta University, and eventually to Georgia Tech, to major in mechanical engineering Aspirations: To work in robotics and artificial intelligence Favorite Subjects/Classes: Pre-calculus and statistics dual enrollment classes with Ga. Piedmont Technical College Activities: Varsity football since freshman year, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Youth Apprenticeship, Work Based Learning for RCA, volunteering with Grace Church International/ Total Grace Christian Center, keyboardist/pianist for Center of Hope Ministries; working at Advanced Auto Supplies. Inspirations: His mother, substitute teacher Mark Anthony Boat who became a mentor. Family: Mother Nolita Lynn Jackson; father Michael Lorenzo Jackson; older brother Lorenzo Jackson, younger sister Michaiah Jackson

Peachtree Academy

Class of 2015: (Pictured left to right) Greg Hill, Kaylee Piper, Nicole Osborne, Julie Ozburn, Riley Clingerman, Jordan Ozburn. Valedictorian: Jordan Ozburn, attending Georgia Perimeter College to transition to a four-year college Salutatorian: Nicole Osborne, attending Piedmont College

On May 16 Peachtree Academy Private School held commencement exercises for the graduating class of 2015 at its Covington campus. The Rev. Matt Funk of the First Baptist Church of Covington led the invocation, Peachtree Academy’s High School Principal Sha’Ronda McRae provided the address to the school, Dan Murphy, President of Kentwood Performance Apparel, gave the commencement address, musical selection performed by Peachtree Academy’s Kindergarten instructor Olivia Adams preceded the salutatorian and valedictorian speeches. Graduating seniors were presented with scholarships including the Sidney Hensler Memorial Scholarship, the Frank Johnson Award, the Dean’s Scholarship presented by Piedmont College, and the Academic/Athletic Scholarship. Diplomas were presented by Headmaster Wendy Hughes, High School Principal Sha’Ronda McRae, and College and Career Advisor Robin Barnes. The Peachtree Academy Band performed the recessional.

Young Americans Christian School Class of 2015: Blake Andrews, Lyndi Brooke Bailey, Kristen Black, Cassidy Brown, Rachel Campbell, Chelsea Forbes, Clayton Gilchrist, Hailey Garner, Jordan Hardee, Sarah Heft, Natalie Hickein, Adam Hudlow, Lizzie Humphrey, Kathryn Johnson, Aijah Lawrence, Callan Latimer, Kailyn Ledford, Connor Longbottom, Connor Longbottom, Ajoya Monell, Paige Oglesby, Corban Rainwater, Zack Rankin, Ethan Saglimbene, Connor Sisk, Paul Turner, James Wages, Alan Wills, Kyra Winley, Kalyn Young, Paul Young, J.J. Zehner Valedictorian: Callan Latimer, heading to Georgia College Salutatorian: Paul Turner, heading to Mercer University, YACS STAR student

The News

Saturday, May 23, 2015 • 9

Graduation: Vals & Sals Rockdale County High School

VALEDICTORIAN RONZELL TEAGUE, JR. Heading to: University of South Alabama Aspirations: To become a physical therapist Favorite Subjects/Classes: AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, math Activities: Football (WR, QB, CB), wrestling, track and field, baseball; AVID program; apprenticeship at Rockdale Medical Center rehabilitation center; working with father’s construction company Inspirations: “I try to let my actions speak for myself. My Mom died when I was 12. I can’t bring my Mom back but I know she’s watching me. From that day on, I told myself I’m going to make my mom proud.” Family: Father Ronzell Teague, Sr., stepmother Sjuwana Harris-Teague, mother Yvonne Robinson, siblings Jasmine Harris, Brandon Harris, Porcha Robinson, Marqurtous Sanders, Taylor Sanders

SALUTATORIAN BRIONNA JOHNIGAN Heading to: Kennesaw State University to major in Marketing Aspirations: To become a Sports Marketing Agent Favorite Subjects/Classes: Economics Activities: FBLA state; DECA; over 175 hours of community service; employed with Next Play Promotions in Covington; cheerleading; GIFTS; Rockdale Youth Leadership; Senior Class Vice President; Governor’s Honors Finalist Family: Mother Dionne Johnigan, father Dexter Johnigan (both UGA alums), younger brother Brandon Johnigan Inspirations: “My parents, they always encouraged me even when I didn’t believe in myself; and my bosses (at Next Play Promotions), they took me in as family; I learned a lot.” Possible Speech topic?: “I really cherish the county. Teachers really care about you here. The Career Academy has changed our lives...”

Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology

VALEDICTORIAN TIFFANY ADJMUL Heading to: University of Pennsylvania to major in management/finance Aspirations: To become a CEO and go into nonprofit management, eventually starting a philanthropy to help at risk youth realize their full potential Favorite Subjects/Classes: AP & research courses Activities: Magnet School Ambassadors President, National Honors Society; took a lot of AP Courses, you learn time management skills; research Grew up: Born in Miami, Fla., moved to Conyers in 4th grade Inspirations: Family, administrators, Dr. Chuck Garner, Dr. Debra Russell. “My mother had the greatest influence. She’s always talked to me about being a leader and instilled in me business skills. She moved here from Jamaica; she didn’t go to college and encouraged me to be the best I can be.”

SALUTATORIAN NAOMI SIDDIQUEE Heading to: University of Georgia, to major in biochemistry Aspirations: To pursue a career in the medical field Favorite Subjects/Classes: Math, biochemistry Activities: Math team for four years and current captain; Governor’s Honors Program Inspirations: Dr. Chuck Garner, calculus and math team instructor. “He’s a motivational speaker, comedian. He teaches us a lot of life lessons, which I really appreciate.” Family: Mother Farzana Huq, father Dr. Masood Siddiquee, younger brother Yasin Siddiquee Topic of speech given earlier this year to Magnet seniors: “I talked about how high school is like a puzzle. You don’t know what these pieces are going to be. Once they come together… you realize you have the big picture. But graduation is where the pieces start to come in place. But then you realize the pieces are infinite” as you make more and more decisions in life.”

Superintendent’s Academic Awards HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL Sophomores Jessica Leigh Ann Brown, Julia Rene’ Garner, Emily Grace Howe, Kalee Michelle Martin, Justine Annabelle McPherson, Smith S. Meach, Malaikia Monique Sims-Winfrey, Jordan Keith Thomas, Michelle Rhiannon Tompkins, Tony Lee Wilson, Jr. Juniors Fathma Abdulkhader, Steven Andrew Bishop, Sara Caroline Boggus, Conner Elijah Domaleski, Michaela Jewel-Rene Finlayson, Brian Scott Landers, Jacquelyn Rose Manning, Leydis Laura Morell, Kamryn Janee Toney, Maggie Rose Wigton Seniors Elizabeth Caitlin Butler, Josie Lynne Crane, Stacia Graceanne Dukes, Daniel Chase Hall, Courtney Danielle Jones, Seth Franklin Kirksey, Kayona Cameron Meade, George R. Moll, Jean Yen Pham, Crystal Alyce Sipp ROCKDALE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Sophomores Audrey Sentara Banks, Emily Rose Barrus, Jack Henry Dugan, Doran Candice-Kim Johnson, Karmen Alexis Johnson, Jayle Imon Myers, Jina Mahesh Patel, Johanna Kate Stokes, Jahnei Imani Turner, Kneuna Deshaye Williams Juniors Landy Amor Alvarez, Mireya Arteaga, Sadiq Arte Baker, Asia Khairayyah Bilal, Nia Logan Carson, Dajalyn Mahognay Collins, Kaila Abree Gabaree, Logan Christopher Hull, Tatum Shaye Turner, Aaron Zheng Seniors Salvador Chalate Castro, Kaegan O’Sheill Gregory, Brionna Nicole Johnigan, Brian Luong, Aleksey Andreyevich Mamontov, Leslie Ivette Millan, Alexis Shiree Nation, River-Lynn Lee Reece, Ronzell Lamar Teague, Karra Doriann Williams ROCKDALE MAGNET SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Sophmores

Andrew Markham Bonar, Candace Kathryn Hill, Jordan Marie Holmes, Laurel Jane Holmes, Dominic K. Lal-SmithLindsey, Emmeline Wynn Lombard, Chyna Janell Mays, Vraj N. Patel, Nkima Jenell Stephenson, Dahlia Elise Walters Juniors Caira Isabella Anderson, Courtney Taylor Hogan, Matthew Thai Binh N Le, Julia Bennett Long, Rajuan Denard Nelson, Mai Thanh Nguyen, Molly Grace Niemczyk, Kristin Nkechi Nzerue, Bhaskar Ghanshyam Patel, Srusty Jignesh Patel Seniors Tiffany Alexis Adjmul, Joshua Lonnie Baker, Jeff Chanhyuck Bang, Jordan Tyler Dobson, Carlan Anthony Ivey, Lawrence Conley Jacobs, Zaib Taskin Momin, Rachel Scott Read, Naomi Afnan Siddiquee, Lilith Renae South SALEM HIGH SCHOOL Sophomores Tyra Da’Shan Boone, Kevin Jackson Crews, Bly Kudzai Doma, Wilt-line

Jean-Baptiste, Kyla Renee King, Rosendo Lopez-Molina, Vladislav Alex Mandzyuk, Akash Raj Patel, Kaiylin Iyana Randolph, Manuel Omar Tapia Juniors Semeiah Yasmine Bourn, Tavonnia Emanie Fisher, Mark Anthony Jones, Isaiah Butch Joseph, Zhnae T. Murray-Baptiste, Michael Anatoliy Shvets, Leilani Makini Smith, Darren Jacob Smith, Ferre-Ghian Trujillo, Malcolm Akil Wimpye Seniors Pritesh Hermant Amin, Jorge Angel Castro, Micheala Desere Davis, Brani Tanaghe Gilbert, Christopher Michael Jackson, Avery Kristen James, Dat Tien Le, Alexis Nicole Moreland, Lilia Perju, Hannah Nicole Watkins HONOR TEACHERS Joy Alford, Lennox Amsterdam, Christopher Anglin, Joanna Anglin, Catherine Arendt, Justin Arrington, Lauren Arrington, Amy Baxter, Jill Beach, Dr. Michael Beshiri, Kimberly Brassard, Tre’nee Brooks, Mo-

nique Brown, Lauren Bryant, Fatima Cheffen, Crescynthia Christian-Shrader, Katie Cobb, Christopher Coleman, Brett Creel, Master Sgt. Robert Crenshaw, Owen Daniel, Bren Daniell, Cheryl Dreslin, Dr. Miki Edwards, Kelly Elder, Erwin Equihua, Tim Fleming, Antione Ford, Darius Freeman, Dr. Charles Garner, Terrance Green, Ailia Gilbert, Claudia Hagan, Paul Hagan, Allison Hall, Sheila Hamler, Marion Hanahan, Noah Harrell, Jim Hauck, Kimberly Hudson, Natasha Johnson, Tiffany Jones, Diana Kennen, Brian Kicklighter, Julie Kimble, Julie Kristin, Kristina Larkins, Dan LaVorgna, Whitney Logsdon, Mary Mansell, Cynthia Mason, Chris Mays, Judy McCart, Shanee McDaniel, Kevin McKinney, Tiffany McLymore, Rachel Metellus, Maribel Montgomery, Nancy Moon, Anita Nelson, Jill Oldham, Nilesh Patel, Donna Payne, Melinda Roberson, Debraca Rodriguez, Kechia Rowles, Juan Ruiz, Dr. Debra Russell, Dr. Dennis Russell, Michael Ryan, Sharon Shahan, Karleta Sigman, Heidi Smith, Caroline Snell, Caroline St. John, John Starr, April Swain, Samantha Swaney, Kathie Tallent, Meredith Anne Texter, Michelle Thorne, Jennifer Toney, Cherie Ullo

10 • Saturday, May 23, 2015

The News

We were young, invinbaseball, hot dogs, apple cible; we knew the awful pie, and Chevrolets. But things would happen to our country had changed. the “other guy.” The war We arrived to discover an in Vietnam was nothing ungrateful nation govmore than a stumbling erned by ungrateful leadblock, something our ers. But we came home. country needed us to do Wounds would heal or Pete fester, minds would mend before we continued on with our lives, our eduMecca or break, yet we had been cations, marriages, raisColumnist given the opportunity ing rug rats, growing old to live out the American with a sweetheart. Our tools of war dream while suffering the nightwere lethal and high tech, the best mare of Vietnam. bombs and bullets taxpayer money “The other guys” came home, could buy. Turn us loose, let us do too, with the six ladies who shared what we were trained to do, we will their fate. Parents, spouses and offwin this war then bring us home to spring, sisters and brothers, knew a grateful nation. “the other guys” had come home, But war doesn’t cater to pipe- but not until 1982 was the coundreams or politicians. Our invin- try as a whole able to gaze upon a cibility was the first casualty as the long black wall and reflect on the reality of rockets and mortars, punji true cost of freedom. The Wall was stakes and poisonous snakes, an- built surrounded by controversy ti-aircraft fire and an invisible nem- and protests, but with the passage esis chewed up optimism and spit of time the huge chunk of black out skepticism. Death was real; our granite became a healing location, a potential futures, in doubt. place for closure, a spot to reflect, to “The other guy” did have awful remember… it became Our Wall. things happen to him and we saw “The other guys” included Richwhat those awful things were. Then ard B. Fitzgibbon and his son Lance we realized there were no “other Cpl. Richard B. Fitzgibbon III. guys,” only guys. Fate, luck, coin- Three sets of fathers and sons are cidence, friendly fire, a jammed etched on Our Wall. The first day in M-16, a Coke can booby-trap, a Vietnam for 997 of “the other guys” flame-out, a misfire, carelessness, was their last day in Vietnam, while conspired against our survivability 1,448 “other guys” completed their and labored vigorously to make us one year tour but never boarded “the other guy.” Yet most of us did the Freedom Bird having perished survive then came home to the within their last 24 hours “in-counreal world of round-eyed women, try.” Plus “the other guys” devas-

tated small town America: the 475 residents of Beallsville, Ohio lost six of its boys; six of the nine male 1966 graduates of a small copper mining town in Arizona are on Our Wall. Approximately 2.7 million men and women served “in-country” – or, as we like to call it, “Boots on the Ground.” Two-thirds of us volunteered, and “the other guys” turned out to be 73 percent volunteers. One “other guy,” an African-American Marine Pfc. Dan Bullock, occupies a unique place on Our Wall; Dan was the youngest to fall, only 15 years of age. “The other guys” visited The Walk of Heroes War Memorial in Rockdale County May 6 - 12. The Moving Wall, Our Wall, was a homecoming for 11 Rockdale and 12 Newton County heroes, “the other guys.” The event created breakeven financial support from community philanthropists, businesses, patriots, veterans, and civil leaders. Long, hot, tough days were endured by Walk of Heroes board members and dozens of volunteers, many working 10 to 14 hours daily to make sure “the other guys” received the proper respect and recognition earned so many years ago in rice paddies, dense jungles, rubber plantations, and mountain resorts turned into death-traps. Unbelievable abilities and grit came into play to bring “the other guys” home, but to give credit where credit is due would require a full page of individual listings.

Suffice to say, the event was a success with a good turnout, yet in this writer’s and Vietnam veteran’s opinion, it was not a great turnout. The heavy advertising blitz, personal invitations and multi-county presentations, generated noble interest yet lacked impressive public participation. The main culprit was our national malady known as indifference. Too busy with this, too busy with that, not enough time to take the time to honor heroes that gave their all so the rest of us could have the gift of opportunity to make a choice, and yes, even freedom to make excuses. Not all events draw large crowds, that is a given, but once-in-a-life-

Darrell Everidge/The Rockdale News

THE OTHER GUYS part 1 of 2

time opportunities to offer marks of respect, education, wholesome family experiences and patriotism, are counterbalances to the flag stompers, activists “offended” by Old Glory, and flip-flop legislators engaged more for votes than paying wordless tribute to mere kids that sacrificed their tomorrows for our todays. See next week’s edition for part 2 of “The ‘Other Guys’” or go to rockdalenews.com

Pete Mecca is a Vietnam veteran, columnist and freelance writer. You can reach him at aveteransstory@gmail.com or aveteransstory.us.

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Saturday, May 23, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 11

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12 â&#x20AC;˘ Saturday, May 23, 2015

The News

Sports

Best of the best Bulldogs claim Class AAAAAA track and field state championship By Shakeem Holloway

sholloway@rockdalenews.com

Rockdale County High School claimed the Class AAAAAA state title just one week ago from Saturday taking first place with a final score of 53. After a season marred with injuries early on, the Bulldogs were fully healthy when it all mattered and they took what they had been working for since late last year. “The kids started working out on their own back in December,” Venson Elder, RCHS head coach, said. “We put workouts on the board and they would go out in the cold, they’ll run and they come back in and lift weights. Everything started back then.” Last year, the Bulldogs finished fourth in the state just one point behind second and half a point behind third. RCHS returned some of their best athletes from last season, including future Mississippi State track and field athlete Lawrence Crawford as well as a number of others such as Jhibri Greer and Keijne Thomas. Some of the younger kids got a

chance to step up at the beginning of the season when some of the seniors were dealing with injuries. The team managed to go undefeated when they were able to put an entire team out on the track and field, Elder said. The team knew they were top contenders based off last year’s performance. The Bulldogs got off to a slow start last Thursday, Elder says they expected to get 14 to 16 points in the field events, but managed just three. “Coming back Friday, we had to battle. Everybody had to qualify for the finals – that’s Friday night – to give us a chance, and everybody did do that,” Elder said. “We came back in on Saturday and the pride took over. The kids had worked hard. This is what we wanted, this is what we dreamed about the whole time and everybody got out their and they did their part and we won the state championship.” As a team they competed and fought back from the brink of elimination to win. Crawford and Greer were the Bulldogs’ two individual title winners with Crawford taking

Maddox throws down at state

Salem’s own Quintis Maddox won the Class AAAAA State Championship in the discus throw with a final score of 16905 beating out the competition by a large margin. From left to right: Thrandon Echols (Salem head coach) and Quintis Maddox. (Photo by Shakeem Holloway)

Saturday, May 23, 2015 Page 13 rockdalenews.com Front to back - from left to right: Keijne Thomas, Lawrence Crawford, Malik Dawkins, Jhibri Greer, Sean Mer, Head Coach Venson Elder, Mytavious Carrigan, coach Everett Nicholas.

No. 1 in both the 100 and 200m event and being a huge part of the 4x100 relay team. Greer won a title in the 110m hurdles with a new school record and personal best of 13.97. Greer also contributed in the the 300m hurdle event, adding five points to the team’s total.

“Not many people see track and field as a team sport, but when it comes down to winning the state championship everybody had to come together as a team in order to make that happen,” Elder said. The Bulldogs took control on the final day of events and

beat out second-place Archer by eight points. Elder, immensely proud of his team, credits his exceptional coaching staff (Kelia Thomas and Everett Nicholas) this season saying they’ve done wonders for the program.

Heritage to host softball camp June 1-4 Heritage head softball coach Jason McBay will host the Patriots third annual softball camp from June 1-4 running from 9 a.m. to 12 noon each day for ages 6-14. The cost of the camp is $75, which includes a camp t-shirt. The camp theme is “Your best or nothing.” Instructors for the camp will include current HHS coaches and players, as well as current college coaches and players. The deadline to register is Friday, May 29. For more information, contact coach McBay at 770-3610747 or jmcbay@rockdale. k12.ga.us.

14 • Saturday, May 23, 2015

PILL

PROGRAM

County Jail. According to RCSO Deputy Grace Gilbert’s incident report, the pill was “(disintegrating) rapidly” in her drinking water glass after she poured water from a bottle into the glass. According to the report, Aten left her glass unintended in the courtroom when she took a restroom break. The report also makes note that Gilbert, Magistrate Court Clerk Michelle Sinclair, Detention Deputy Stacy Armstead, Detention Deputy Michael Ramsey and Detention Deputy Michelle Ragan were present in the courtroom during the incident. There were three or four inmates in the courtroom as well during Aten’s absence, but they never approached the bench, according to the report. Part of the ongoing investigation probably includes reviewing surveillance footage from the jail. RCSO Cpl. Michael Camp says that anything related to the incident, including the footage, was turned over to the GBI, and the RCSO has no involvement with the investigation at this point in time. Since deputies are involved in the incident, the department wants to be on the “safe side” and not be involved with the investigation, says Camp.

on July 1. Wilson proposed the police cadet program at the city’s annual Winter Retreat in January. It would offer behind-the-scenes police jobs to grads of the Explorers, a police career program for young adults. The salaried work would give the cadets a leg up on being hired by the department if they complete police academy training. And the career pipeline could encourage them to stay at the Conyers department due to local ties, even if another department might offer a bit more money. Wilson has previously said that recruiting and retaining quality officers is very difficult these days. He also wants to diversify CPD ranks, which are more than

From FRONT PAGE

80 percent white in a minority-majority city. Most of the current Explorers are minority youths, Wilson says, and are Rockdale residents with natural community-policing interests. “They grew up here,” Wilson told the News after the council meeting. “They went to school here. Their parents are here. Their roots are here.” The proposed pilot program would start with two cadet positions. Their proposed salary would be roughly 10 percent less than the rookie officer salary-around $30,000-and would come with benefits. Some other expenditures Rogers noted are a 12.7 percent increase in city health insurance premiums, and the adoption of the “rule of 85” system to allow older employees who transfer to city jobs to retire with a full pension. Rogers said the in-

“

The News

fund revenues as $13,981,537 and generThey grew up here. al fund expenditures as They went to school here. $13,608,162. Their parents are here. This is also the time of Their roots are here.” year that the — Gene Wilson, city usually approvConyer Police Chief gets al to borrow money surance premium increase to cover exwas negotiated down from penses until tax-collection more than 30 percent, and time. This year, Rogers innoted that in recent years instead sought and received a creases have been very low. thumbs-up for a $1.5 milCouncilmen praised her lion revolving line of credit efforts at keeping the insur- from United Community ance costs down. Bank of Conyers at 2.75 perA full copy of the proposed cent interest. That will allow budget is available for view at the city to borrow the exact Conyers City Hall, 1184 Scott amount it actually needs Street. rather than a lump sum, The council also approved she said. Councilman John an updated version of the Fountain, a board member current city budget, which at the bank, recused himself has a relatively small sur- from the vote and left the plus. Rogers reported general room during the discussion.

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The News

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The City of Covington has a vacancy for a Natural Gas Project Manager located in the Gas Department. This posi�on is responsible for planning, implemen�ng and evalua�ng mul�ple ac�vi�es associated with opera�on and administra�on of the Covington Natural Gas Distribu�on System. This posi�on assists the U�li�es Director with various administra�ve tasks associated with gas project maintenance and construc�on. Required training and experience includes gradua�on from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science Degree, At least fi�een (15) years prior natural gas construc�on and opera�ng experience, a minimum of ten (10) years of which shall be with a municipal, other public gas system or investor owned u�lity. Must meet Office of Pipeline Safety requirements within 1 year of employment. Salary to commensurate with qualifica�ons and experience. Qualified applicants may apply via our website at www.cityofcovington. org or may apply at the City of Covington Human Resources Office, 2194 Emory Street, Covington, Georgia 30014, 770.385.2025. This posi�on will remain open un�l 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. The City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

16 • Saturday, May 23, 2015

The News

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2 • Saturday, May 23, 2015

The News

Saturday, May 23, 2015 • 3

Conyers Medical Park breaks ground

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BOC VOTING SESSION Tues, May 26, 10 a.m., 901 Main Street

More space for Rockdale Medical Center service expansion will soon be coming online as McWhirter Realty Partners, a real estate services firm, along with MB Real Estate Healthcare Group (MBRE), the project owner, broke ground on a second medical office building in the Conyers Medical Park May 19. The expansion provides 30,000 square feet of medical office space for the expansion of RMC’s general surgery, urgent care, vascular and neurological operations. This is the second of four buildings planned for the Conyers Medical Park, an 11 acre campus located at 1301 Sigman Road, Conyers. The project is scheduled for completion in fourth quarter 2015. Pictured left to right: Front Row: Dr. Benjamin Fernando (Georgia Primary and Urgent Care), Dr. Thomas Lyons (Advanced Gynecology Associates), Rockdale Medical Center (RMC) Assistant Administrator Cliff Wilson, RMC CEO Deborah Armstrong, RMC Human Resources Vice-President Marianne Freeman, VP, Dr. Harmon Smith (Georgia Primary and Urgent Care); Second Row: Cheryl Raper, practice administrator for RMC, RMC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lisa Gillespie, Barry McWhirter, president of McWhirter Realty Partners, Peter Westmeyer, president and managing principal of MBRE Healthcare Group, Erikaa Mann, PA-C (Rockdale Vascular Associates); Third Row: Dr. Michael Manning (MdVIP/Bridgewater Family Practice), RMC Chief Financial Officer Diane Roth, Conyers-Rockdale Economic Development Council Executive Director Marty Jones , RMC Board of Trustees Chairman Rick Simmons, Bob Groote. (photo by Annette Godwin)

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