The News, Sat. Jan.24, 2015 V6 I43

The Fighting Cavanaughs

the NEWS

Jan. 24, 2015

Volume 6, Issue 43

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IF ONLY IT WAS THIS EASY. Georgia’s unemployment numbers are dropping and the east metro Atlanta area is investing in hot industries.

From bio-science manufacturing to aerospace to film we take a look at the hot industries that promise new jobs.

Stroud honored with gym, bronze bust

Page 12

Eastminster to close

Page 3 Stomach flu outbreak at HCE Page 2 Like us at facebook.com/ rockdalenews Follow us @rockdalenews

Business incubator plans revived

By Martin Rand III

mrand@rockdalenews.com

The idea of a building hub that will cultivate startup businesses was discussed in a little more detail at the City Council’s annual Winter Retreat at Lake Lanier Friday afternoon.

This new business incubator will be a located at the former Michelangelo restaurant building in Olde Town Conyers, and it could utilize the building’s 1,200-square-feet fully functioning kitchen and 2,000 sq. ft. bar to assist in those types of

See INCUBATOR on PAGE 8

Georgia’s Bio-Science training center prepares students, employees

CMS aerospace program shows promise

By Sandra Brands

A new aerospace engineering program in the Rockdale County Public Schools system could be the launching pad to many future careers in the aviation industry.

The new specialty program at Conyers Middle School will teach more than 100 students about different positions available in the aviation industry and raise awareness that’s there’s a need to fill the positions, says Conyers Middle School Assistant Principal Anterro Graham, the program’s project leader.

news@rockdalenews.com

It is part of the incentive package the state offered to attract one of the leading healthcare industries to Covington: Georgia Quick Start would build a training facility near the new Baxter campus and offer customized training to its employees.

That was one of the reasons Baxter chose to build the $1 billion dollar, state-of-the art manufacturing facility for plasma

See TRAINING on PAGE 9

By Martin Rand III

mrand@rockdalenews.com

See AEROSPACE on PAGE 9

The News

2 • Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 NEWS BRIEF | full story at ROCKDALENEWS.COM

Gastroenteritis at HCE

Honey Creek Elementary is underwent a thorough cleaning after an outbreak of gastroenteritis, along with other flu-like sicknesses, kept 10-18 percent of students home Thursday and Friday. Rockdale County Public Schools spokesperson Cindy Ball added some may have stayed home been kept home to prevent getting sick, after a letter and phone message went out to parents Thursday.

Trending MOST-VIEWED STORIES

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JAN. 17-23

Gay porn star, Newton resident arrested after assaulting girlfriend Teen ties up mother in burglary, attempt to steal guns New SUV for Oden questioned by Williams

Meeting Place

SPLOST Oversight Committee meeting, Mon., Jan. 26, 6:15 p.m., JP Carr Center, 981 Taylor St Rockdale Board of Commissioners meeting, Tues., Jan. 27, 10 a.m., 901 Main St.

the

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1009 Milstead Ave., Ste 200, Conyers, 30012 www.rockdalenews.com

CRIME

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Teen ties up mom in gun theft attempt

Williams questions new SUV for Oden

By Martin Rand III

mrand@rockdalenews.com

Post 2 County Commissioner Doreen Williams had some questions about a vehicle requisition by Rockdale County Chairman Richard Oden.

Her concern was whether the chairman needed the “expensive” vehicle that was requested.

“I was just wondering why there were so many upgrades on this car,” Williams asked the Rockdale County Finance Director Roselyn Miller during the Rockdale Board of Commissioner’s work session Tuesday morning. “What was the reasoning for that?”

The vehicle in question is a 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.

The new vehicle would replace the 2005 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer currently driven

by Oden. The 2005 Ford Expedition was purchased for $34,360 during former-County Chairman Roy Middlebrooks’ tenure and has accumulated 111,864 miles on the engine.

Rockdale County Public Works Deputy Director Sue Roberts explained the new ve-

hicle is comparable to the older model and it isn’t the highest trim level available for the 2015 Expedition model, which would be the limited edition.

“He’s not getting a limited.

He’s getting the midway,” said Roberts.

The 2005 model would be passed on to the board of commissioner’s office to be used by Chief of Staff Gerald Sanders and the Community Affairs department to tow their equipment when needed.

Post 1 County Commissioner Oz Nesbitt says he fully supports the purchase because it helps another county department and improves the image of the chairman.

“First of all, we need to make sure the chairman is looking good and representing his community as he goes from meeting to meeting in a vehicle that meets representation of Rockdale County government,” Nesbitt said.

Oden defended the purchase by reiterating that this newer vehicle has the same features as the current vehicle that was purchased ten years ago.

He did take the time to thank Williams for questioning the purchase.

See rockdalenews.com for the full story

three people running out from the back of the house - a white male, mkim@rockdalenews.com a black female and a black male.

Two deputies pursued the susA Conyers teen is back behind bars after he allegedly tied up his pects on foot. Another deputy went into the house. mother, attempted to “I went to the front break into a gun safe and door and identified myled deputies on a manself as Sheriff’s Office hunt Jan. 16. and I heard a female’s Shortly before 2 p.m., voice from the back of dispatchers received a the house,” wrote the call from a Squire Lane deputy. “I called to the residence saying the female again but did not caller needed police and receive any other anfor police to kick the door down, according CODDINGTON swers from her. I was unsure if anybody else was to Rockdale Sheriff’s Office reports. The caller said she in the house so I waited for another was tied up and her son, Joseph, officer to arrive to help clear the was trying to get into the gun safe. house.”

As another deputy arrived, they When deputies arrived, they parked up the street to avoid de- went into the house, making sure tection. As they approached at an each room was clear. In the dining angle, they could hear the sounds room, they saw a large gun safe on its back. of banging.

As they came closer, they saw See BURGLARY, Page 14

By Michelle Kim

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The News

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 • 3

The end of Eastminster

By Michelle Kim

mkim@rockdalenews.com

Eastminster School has faced tough funding times in the past and managed to pull through, but this year could be its last, according to administrators.

Headmaster Blake Craft sent a message to parents last week announcing that, “Eastminster School will no longer exist in its present structure at the end of this school year.”

The school’s board of trustees voted to enter into restructuring “in order to manage the debt load the school faces,” wrote Craft. The school will finish out the 2014-2015 school year. Parents were asked to make plans “in case Eastminster is forced to close.”

“The process is expected to take several months. The future of the school is uncertain beyond the present school year.”

The future is uncertain, wrote Craft, but he added

“There may be a group of committed parents who would like to see Easminster School emerge from restructuring and continue.”

“If the debt load is restructured favorably, it may be possible for Eastminster to emerge as a strong viable institution.”

Last year, Eastminster rallied with a fundraising campaign that went to parents and to the community to keep the private, secular school going. It was able to raise an annual fund of $197,000 and at least 120 student contracts by May 16.

Founded in 2004, the 501(c) (3) institution started with elementary grade classes and has grown to its current K-12 education with 137 students.

According to the school, it ranked at the top one percent nationally from the Iowa Test of Basic Skill results. In 2014, it saw its inaugural senior class graduate three students with scholarship offerings exceeding $700,000.

city council

Council seeks way to save business from zoning troubles

By John Ruch

jruch@rockdalenews.com

The owner of a well-regarded local company begged the Conyers City Council on Jan. 21 not to enforce zoning codes that, he said, will put him out of business with “doomsday restrictions.”

With some councilmen calling the fate of Rockland Cargo Equipment a tougher decision than the complicated and controversial Four A project zoning, the council decided to table a vote until Feb. 4. That will give the city and the business more time to explore a possible win-win solution.

Owner Ronald Ayers aims to expand his trailer-selling business at 1532 Old McDonough Highway by purchasing a half-acre parking lot from the adjacent Discover Point Church. That will allow him to increase inventory to boost business and

compete with giant chains, he said.

The roblem is, his business is a non-conforming use grandfathered into the Gateway Village rezoning carried out in 2012. Expanding a non-conforming use is virtually never allowed—the goal is for them to locate elsewhere—and city planners recommended denial.

Rockland Cargo opened in a different Conyers location in 1993, but has been on Old McDonough Highway through two rezonings. Ayers said he was never notified about the Gateway Village rezoning. He proposed several changes to the code to allow his business to expand, and church pastor Philip Lehman was there to support him.

“To hobble a surviving business of 22 years is counterproductive” to Conyers’ economy, Ayers said.

Planning officials did not speak in response, but their

written decision, provided to the News, shows they are concerned with setting a dangerous precedent that could attract less beloved businesses.

Councilman Cleveland Stroud called it a classic case of his head and heart being in conflict, and the rest of the council agreed. Councilman John Fountain said he’s one of the company’s customers, and Councilman Vince Evans said he has known the Ayers family for 20 years. While they were wary of setting a bad precedent, they also wanted further discussions about any possible loophole.

“Our attorney’s rolling his eyes at this,” Mayor Randy Mills half-joked. “Most of us are business people here…I understand exactly where you’re coming from,” he told Ayers. “I think it’s worth taking another stab at it.”

Full story at ROCKDALENEWS.COM

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The News

4 • Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015

LifePoint, Duke University expand collaboration

By Staff Reports

news@rockdalenews.com

LifePoint Hospitals, which owns Rockdale Medical Center, and Duke University Health System have expanded their collaborative effort by entering into a national quality agreement to enhance patient safety.

This collaboration will allow the two healthcare organizations to expand upon the work in which they have been engaged for several years to enhance patient safety and improve the quality of care.

Through the new national quality affiliation, all LifePoint hospitals will be part of a program designed to focus their improvement efforts and transform their culture of safety.

“Duke and LifePoint share a commitment to healthcare quality,” said William F. Carpenter III, chairman and chief executive officer of LifePoint Hospitals. “We have worked together for several years to develop innovative ways to improve patient care and safety. Our new partnership combines the tools and best practices we’ve developed over the course of our relationship, along with our unique experiences and expertise, and creates a national quality program that is founded on a culture of safety and teamwork, led by strong and accountable

leadership, and driven by measurable performance improvement.”

The collaboration between the two organizations began as a result of an existing clinical affiliation Duke had with Danville Regional Medical Center in Danville, Va., when LifePoint acquired the facility in 2005. In 2011, this successful alliance led to the creation of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, a joint venture that now operates 12 hospital campuses in four states.

The first collaboration opportunity came in December 2011 when LifePoint was named one of 26 organizations selected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to serve as a Hospital Engagement Network (HEN), designed to identify and share best practice solutions to reduce healthcare-acquired conditions. The HEN program was part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ HHS Partnership for Patients initiative, a public-private collaboration to make hospital care safer, more reliable, and less costly. It had a goal of achieving a 40 percent decrease in healthcare-acquired conditions by the end of 2014. LifePoint exceeded this goal months in advance of the conclusion of the HEN program on December 8, 2014, and achieved performance measures significantly better than national benchmarks.

Noteworthy LifePoint HEN accomplishments include: - A 42 percent reduction in healthcare-acquired conditions - More than 9,000 potential incidents avoided - New tools implemented to build a culture of safety and involve patients in their care

NEWS BRIEFS | full stories at ROCKDALENEWS.COM

Red, Hot, Healthy goes to Hollywood

By Staff Reports

news@rockdalenews.com

Get ready as the 10th annual Red Hot and Healthy Luncheon and Fashion Show at Rockdale Medical Center brings heart health awareness to the forefront on Friday, Feb. 6, noon - 2 p.m.

The event is themed “Hollywood’s Golden Age,” this year and fashionistas are encouraged to “dress in the era” to hob-knob with the stars.

Fashions are provided by Belk department store and the event is in celebration of American Heart Month.

Tickets are $15 a person. RSVP deadline is Monday, Feb. 2. Call 800424-3627 to reserve a space or for more information.

The luncheon takes place at the RMC East Tower Classrooms, 1412 Milstead Ave.

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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 Trash

One of our greatest weekend joys is cruising the countryside of Rockdale and Newton counties admiring the beauty of the creeks and fields, the farm animals and the wildlife.

During the last month, we have seen excessive amounts of trash along our roads; some folks are not just throwing out their food wrappers but dropping whole bags of trash beside the road. Scofflaws take advantage of quiet dead end streets and our beautiful streams and waterways to illegally dump entire truckloads of waste and trash.

It brings a tear to our eyes to see this wanton disrespect of our roadways and waterways.

We hope our local judges would include in any sentencing that people be sent to clean up our roads. We hope that would make you think twice about throwing anything out of your window. Please, save it until you get home.

If you see someone throwing trash out on our byways, please use your cell phones and report them to your local law enforcement officials.

Georgia is truly a beautiful state; it takes all of us to keep it that way.

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, Jan. 24, 2015 RockdaleNews.com/opinion Page 5

The ‘Do Something’ Congress A

s members of the 114th Congress were sworn into office on Tuesday, their party affiliations described what happened last November: 246 of the 435 representatives and 54 of the 100 senators are Republican.

That might be enough for some fellow GOP’ers to claim victory and a “mandate,” but they Columnist would be wise to recall a lesson from history.

The last time the House had so many Republicans was in 1947, when the 80th Congress was sworn in. At that time, Republicans also held 51 of the 96 Senate seats. Democrat Harry S. Truman, who had become president on April 12, 1945, upon Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s death, was beginning the third year of his first term.

In 1948, Truman ran against Republican nominee, Thomas Dewey, governor of New York.

That year, Truman was also running against what he termed the “Do-Nothing Congress.” Before

Jackie Gingrich Cushman

the election, polls and pundits put Dewey in the lead and many believed there was no way he could lose. The Chicago Daily Tribune ran with the headline,” Dewey Defeats Truman,” the morning after the election.

But, in one of the biggest upsets in U.S. politics, Truman won. Not only did he win reelection but his party wrested control of Congress, where Republicans lost 73 seats in the House and nine in the Senate.

Sixty-eight years later, the 114th Congress has an opportunity to become the Do-Something Congress. To earn that distinction, Republicans should focus first on moving rapidly to pass bills -- on bipartisan issues that Obama will have to sign, and then move to more partisan issues that will allow for clear, clean lines to be drawn for the 2016 election.

Republicans should constantly and consistently promote what they have passed legislatively and what President Obama either sits on or vetoes. The reality and narrative should reflect a Congress whose members work hard and pass legislation and a president who “does nothing” or seeks to obstruct the will of the majority. The Republicans will have to be aggressive in their communications strategy, as the

White House is very effective at shaping communications, if not governing.

Why is it important that they focus on execution? Last year, Americans told Gallup pollsters that government leadership was the country’s most important problem. This included “President Barack Obama, the Republicans in Congress and general political conflict.” It was the problem listed most often at 18 percent. (Conducted monthly, 1,000 adults, 95 percent confidence level, plus or minus 1 point.)

If, as the Gallup numbers show us, people are concerned with our government’s lack of performance and they want our government to work — who should take the lead? President Barack Obama, who is serving out the last two years of his second term, or Republicans, who recently gained seats in the House of Representatives and took control of the Senate? While some Republicans might claim they have the upper hand, given their pickup of many seats in the midterm election, the polling numbers provide a different perspective.

A Rasmussen poll released Tuesday found that “42 percent of Likely U.S. Voters think it would be better for the country if the president does more of what

Congress wants. Just as many (43 percent) say it would be better if Congress does more of what the president wants.” (Eight-hundred likely U.S. voters polled Jan. 2, 2015, 95 percent level of confidence, plus or minus 3 points.)

While the Republicans are busy being effective and making Washington work, they should also be focusing on the long term — reaching out to women, minorities and anyone else who may be willing to work with them.

This time, winning a midterm election should be about more than a short-term gain of seats; it should instead be about setting the stage for a larger win down the road. This will require that the Republicans govern the entire country.

This is a chance for Republicans to reach out, to be inclusive and to ensure that all Americans can have a brighter future together.

This is Republicans’ opportunity to lead America and set the pace in a Do-Something Congress.

To find out more about Jackie Gingrich Cushman, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit creators.com.

from facebook

Your reaction to “Teen ties up mother in burglary, attempt to steal guns” Rosa Taylor Lee A parent who

facebook.com/ rockdalenews

enables their child, does them no favors. Speaking from experience.

Leann Elkins Wheeler Yep saw this. Those kids are trouble.

I was home Friday when all of the cops were driving around the neighborhood looking for them. It’s just sad. They had a swat team here.

Didn’t know that conyers had a swat team but they do.

Jennifer Nathan Wages

Years ago judges would ban people from rockdale county for continuing to get into trouble here.!! I pray that they would start doing that again!!

Rockdale County was such a sweet

little town to grow up in but now... smh Peter R. Fischer The mom is defending the son saying that the Rockdale Citizen and the Sherriffs office are making all this up. She also bailed him out of jail when he got arrested for child molesting a 5 year old.

Melissa Metler Where is that at?

Peter R. Fischer She was defending him on the original post from Rockdale then she deleted her Facebook account later that day.

Katie Stoltz Ternes I almost feel bad for his mom. I hope she’s

getting some therapy and realizes that he’s dangerous and she is a victim here! I read what she said, but I still feel awful for her as a person. I can’t imagine one of my babies becoming a monster that molests a 5 year old baby and then assaults his mother for firearms.

What a heartbreaking situation to be in for her. She could just really be another on of his victims, but being his mother is a difficult power to overcome. I’m just saying that I hope she gets helps and can stop enabling and defending him, and get herself some help and guidance!

The News

6 • Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015

THE

FIGHTING

CAVANAUGH CLAN

T

his journalist is long overdue in expressing my appreciation to the staff and our two editors, Michelle Kim and Bryan Fazio, for their unwavering support of “A Veteran’s Story.” Likewise, the staunchest of unfaltering supporters is our publisher, Pat Cavanaugh. Pat has always been there for me, to encourage, to offer constructive criticism, to educate, to be a confidante, and occasionally suggest that perhaps I should be measured for a straightjacket along with recommendations for a padded cell.

Pat is not a veteran, but he comes from a remarkable line of Cavanaugh men who did serve. Only recently did I fully understand the Cavanaugh contribution to our country, from chasing Mexican bandit Pancho Villa out of the U.S. back into Northern Chihuahua, to trench warfare in WWI France or escorting Allied convoys across the Atlantic, and onto a ‘tin can’ (navy destroyer) in World War II. That these men made it home in one piece is an amazing narrative in itself, but what the Cavanaugh men did and what they went through is the essence of this article. Research sources include an article in The Washington Post on January 27, 1918. The Cavanaugh clan PETE MECCA resided in Washington, D.C. COLUMNIST The Mexican rebel and former governor of the state of Chihuahua, Jose Doroteo Arango Arambula, better known to Americans as “Pancho Villa,” attacked a detachment of the U.S. 13th Cavalry Regiment in Columbus, New Mexico on March 9, 1916. Eighteen Americans were killed, 100 horses and mules stolen, military supplies seized, and the town burned to the ground.

Needless to say, Uncle Sam and his electorates were not happy campers.

President Woodrow Wilson ordered General John “Blackjack” Pershing with 5,000 soldiers to pursue Villa for the purpose of retribution. Sixteen-year-old Billy Cavanaugh and his older brother, Tommy, were among those boys serving with General Pershing. The Cavanaugh clan knew the youngest Cavanaugh was underage and threatened disclosure to keep him out of harm’s way. Washington Post excerpt: “whereupon Billy made it clear that if any attempt was made to get him out of the Army he would start a private and very interesting war of his own right here in Washington.”

The U.S. Army, utilizing aircraft and trucks for the first time, chased Villa all over Mexico without success. The unproductive nine month pursuit ceased with America’s entry into The Great War, 20 years later referred to as World War One. The three Cavanaugh boys, Billy, Tommy, and Navy Reservist Arthur Cavanaugh,

See CAVANAUGH page 7

The News

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 • 7

CAVANAUGH

USS Cone in the Atlantic. Upon Germany’s surrender, the Cone was reassigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations for the finally push against Japan.

From my telephone interview with Mr. Thomas Cavanaugh: “We were assigned to the Pacific with four other destroyers,’’ he said. “Two days before our departure, the Cone struck a transport ship which heavily damaged the port side near my general quarters on the bridge.

We had to return to the Brooklyn Naval yard for repairs. Another destroyer took our place. The war ended while we were in dry dock, but the five destroyers sent to the Pacific got caught in the worst typhoon in recent memory. History calls it ‘Halsey’s Typhoon’ after Admiral ‘Bull’ Halsey. Three of the five destroyers went to the bottom with all hands.”

Apparently the Cavanaugh clan had a propensity for surviving war, and that, indeed, was a good thing. Pat Cavanaugh, my publisher, recalled a vague story or two from the family’s military folklore, but as with most combat veterans from any family, Pat’s grandfather, father, and

From PAGE 6

volunteered to fight for their country.

Momma Joanna Cavanaugh’s statements from The Washington Post in 1918: “It’s pretty lonely around the house. Everything is so quiet now. Sometimes I think I hear them around as they used to be, whistling and calling to one another. I’m mighty proud of them.” When the reporter suggested that she could have kept the younger Billy at home, Momma Cavanaugh replied, “Not when he wanted to go.” All three boys would go to war, together.

Seaman Arthur Cavanaugh served aboard the then-modern battleship USS New Hampshire.

The battleship escorted convoys from New York to the French coast. Later, Arthur served on a high-speed patrol boat used to hunt German submarines along the European coast. The other two brothers, Billy and Tommy, endured the most horrible element of the conflict: Trench warfare. They not only battled Germans, but had to fight off brown and black trench rats the size of house cats, foot rot known as Trench Foot, enemy snipers, lice infestation, artillery bursts, disease, machine guns, the stench of death, and poison gas.

Both of the Cavanaugh boys knew the odds were stacked against them. Billy served as a “runner,” dodging bullets and deadly shrapnel to deliver important messages between command posts on the front lines, one of the most dangerous jobs during The Great War. A runner had to be fast and able to think quickly on his feet. In addition to carrying messages, a runner was proficient in map and compass reading, plus kept a mental note of enemy positions. They memorized trench systems, reported on missing casualties, and often led soldiers to their correct positions.

The runners normally donned a red arm band, which gives pause to ask why they broadcasted their mission? Chivalry was still alive in WWI, mainly among daring young men flying rickety bi-planes, but I’m not really sure wearing a red arm band on the battlefield was a good idea.

Older brother Tommy served in the hospital corps as a medic, arguably the most dangerous job in modern warfare. Tommy was proud of his unit patch, the insignia of the famous 42nd Rainbow Division, the name “Rainbow” said to derive from a comment

by Major Douglas MacArthur, “The 42nd Division stretches like a rainbow from one end of

America to the other.” He was probably right.

The division represented 26 states and the District of Columbia.

Billy and Tommy Cavanaugh participated in 264 days of combat, most notably the Battle of Saint Mihiel and the horrendous Meuse-Argonne Offensive. During the Battle of Saint Mihiel, the terms “D-Day” and “H-Hour” were used for the first time.

Things did not go well.

The Rainbow Division alone suffered 7,000 casualties before muddy roads and rotten weather bogged down artillery and food resupply. Nevertheless, Saint Mihiel was only an omen of things to come.

The follow-up battle, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, is still considered the largest battle in U.S. military history. One million two hundred and fifty thousand American soldiers participated in the fight and casualties were horrific: 26,277 killed and 95,786 wounded. Imagine the terror as well as revulsion felt of a medic and a young runner in the midst of such death

uncles recognized that telling the tale can be heart-rending, and that silence can be golden.

Notwithstanding, Pat remembered back when he was a 3 or 4 year old kid and how his WWI veteran Irish grandfather would leave at dusk for the pub: “I’d be on the porch and as my grandfather left he would say, ‘Patty, watch the moon. I’m going to crank it up in just a bit.’ Well, of course the moon would rise but I thought my grandfather was doing it. I thought my grandfather, a combat veteran of World War I, hung the moon, literally.”

The military touches all of us.

It is the national glue that holds together our principles and defends our freedoms and way of life. Appreciated yet sometimes abused by the changing winds of politics, the men and women of our armed forces have always been there, for you, for me, and for the United States of America.

God bless them; America would not exist without them.

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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and destruction. No records exist of Billy’s and Tommy’s actions during the Meuse-Argonne slaughter, but suffice it to say both carried mental and physical scars of the battle for years to come. As veterans, Billy and Tommy’s compensation was $15 a month for the affliction of Trench Foot. Then again, and more notably, the three Cavanaugh boys returned home in one piece.

Fast-forward to World War II. Billy’s son, Thomas (Pat Cavanaugh’s father) joined the Navy and served aboard the destroyer

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The News

8 • Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015

THE FUTURE OF EMPLOYMENT IN

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INCUBATOR From FRONT PAGE

businesses, says David Spann, chief operating officer for the City of Conyers.

The project model the City discussed would be private/ public partnership with Harris Tessler, an investment and real estate broker who leased the former Michelangelo building from the Conyers Downtown Development Authority, who will handle the cost of renovations and management of the facility.

“This model business incubator will be on a smaller level,” said Spann. “Only thing he needs or wants is a public/ private partnership on the project.”

Spann says that by entering into a partnership, it will allow Tessler to receive federal grant money that can be used in the makeover of the building. Total cost for interior and exterior improvements, including painting, carpets, electrical, window and others, to the building would be about $180,000.

Although, it wasn’t exactly clear what the city would have to do establish itself as a partner in this project. Spann says the fact that the property is owned by the DDA may be enough of a partnership, but he also stressed that the city would bear no financial responsibility in the project.

The idea of creating a business incubator for the city was first discussed five years ago after Acuity Brands Lighting donated

a building with more than 50,000 square feet of office and warehouse space to the city. After two years of due diligence, the city determined that the building was too big to house a business incubator and be too much of a financial burden on the city.

The current site being considered for the project features is about 1.2 acres with 8,400 sq. ft. of space combined on the lower and upper levels.

It’ll feature a lounge area, conference rooms, a kitchen, bar and another workstation area for individuals who need to work on their computers on the first floor.

The workstation area is a major key in the project as most millennials, people under the age of 45, don’t need, or want, an office when starting a business,

says Spann.

“Most millennials simply need a workstation,” he said.

“That’s why you see so many sitting down at Starbucks on their computer.”

The second floor would have private offices for anyone who feels they need it or could utilize it well, says Spann. Conyers Main Street Program Director Brittany Evans would move from her current area in the Conyers Welcome Center and historic depot at 901 Railroad Street into one of these offices.

“What’s better for the (main street program director) than having a bunch of young people downstairs with business ideas,” said Spann.

In other city business, the city officials discussed rezoning the

West Avenue area from a mixed used developmental zone to a gateway village-neighborhood village district. This change would make legal non-conforming businesses in the area conformed.

Conyers Public Information Officer Jennifer Edwards requested the board consider hiring a new tourism manager.

The winter retreat was held at Legacy Lodge Conference Center, Lake Lanier Islands Resort, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. The public meeting lasted from 12:30 to 6 p.m. in Conference Room 3.

The retreat will continue today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again all-day Sunday in executive session to discuss personnel, potential litigation and real estate issues.

The News

AEROSPACE From FRONT PAGE

CMS had a long history with NASA as a NASA Explorer School, so as schools were shaping their specialty programs, an Aerospace Engineering focus for CMS, along with engineering focuses, was a natural fit.

CMS will have about 30 seats per grade for students not in CMS’s district and about 60 to 70 spaces reserved for students zoned to go to CMS when it officially launches at the beginning of the next school year. The school is also completing a new 15,000 square foot wing, funded with more than $6.8 million from the penny-sales tax for education, that will give additional classrooms, computer labs, manufacturing and design labs, and more.

There are also plans for a possible hangar and video studio space in the back in the future.

“I think it’s an opportunity to give these kids a chance to look at the world with a different lens,” he said. “We’re looking at creating a new curriculum that’s truly project based and truly blending our core teachers and elective teachers together so our kids have a different learning environment.”

Graham, who has background experience as a pilot for the U.S. Air Force, mechanical engineer and computer science engineer, envisions this program being a career pathway for students into different positions, like air traffic controller, pilots, drone pilots, mechanics and others, in the industry, which is losing thousands of jobs annually due to retirement, says Graham.

The plan is to get Rockdale County High School and Rockdale Career Academy involved to have students transition from CMS into a new phase of the program when they get to the high school level.

“We want to create a pathway for our students,” he said. “I want to be able to tell parents of sixth graders if your child does this and does that then they could be successful in this field.”

The school also has a partnership in place with The Covington Municipal Airport that will allow students to get a first-person view of the equipment used for aviation as well as see the day-to-day operations of an airport.

Airport Manager Vincent Passariello says that the school and students will have a 3,000-squarefeet facility to use at their disposal. In there, students will be shown and can handle some of the parts used on a daily basis.

He says getting kids to see these types of things at an early

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 • 9 age will help really help them get a sense of the business and spark interest.

“Many students at this age aren’t exposed to these types of industries,” said Passariello. “This is to promote interest in the area.”

Passariello adds that as the program progresses, student may be able to do internships at the airport while still in high school.

These internships through the program could save a student time and money on higher education costs.

“I can very well see a path where, maybe with an extra two years of schooling, right out high school, ( a student) can get a job in the field,” he said. “It’ll make a big difference.

Working with the Covington airport will also allow the school to become an official Civil Air Patrol Squadron, an auxiliary branch of the U.S. Air Force.

Graham says that the school has already received a memorandum of understanding from the Civil Air Patrol to start a squadron.

The program has seemed to garner interest of the parents of the community already. At an open house on Dec. 16, nearly 150 people showed up to learn more about the program and aviation.

Delta Airlines, another partner of the program, had about six professionals from the industry come to the open house to talk to the crowd. The Delta experts were able to give students and parents an outlook on the jobs needed for the aviation industry as far out as the year 2025.

There was also a panel discussion towards the end of the event where people were able to ask industry experts their own question.

“There was an 11 year old that came to the microphone and asked ‘What kind of CO2 emissions are coming from the airplanes?’ Stop the madness! To have an 11 year old ask that, that’s what we want,” Graham said.

The school is also looking to partner with other businesses and community organizations.

Graham says that this program can help aviation industry, but the skills that will be taught can be translated into other jobs and businesses as well.

“We really need industry in here with us,” said Graham, mentioning Baxter International in Newton County as another potential business partner for the program.

On top of finding more partnerships within the community, Graham is also looking for grants for the program to help fund new equipment for the program.

“Our mission for 2015-16 is to get collaboration going,” he said.

“We’re applying for grants. It’s all about funds. You get the funds, it happens in 2015-16.”

A rendering of the Georgia BioScience Training Center, which is being built across from Baxter International’s plant on the Newton/ Walton county border.

Submitted photo

TRAINING

Brown said the customized fractionation, the process of septraining is provided free, somearating, purifying and processing thing companies would normally proteins out of plasma, said Gabe From FRONT PAGE have to purchase. Building the Khouli, Communications Spetraining center across the street cialist for the company. from the Baxter campus in CovThough it’s not the first time the agency has provided customized training to ington, “pretty much guarantees that they will industries in its over 40 year history. Quick Start have qualified skilled work force that meets their has worked with companies like KIA, Ikea, Bass needs as they grow. It helps ensures their sucPro and Perdue attract manufacturing and indus- cess.”

While part of the new facility will be used for try to the state by developing customized training customized training for Baxter employees, othprograms.

It is the first time Quick Start has built a facility er areas will be used to provide courses leadfrom the ground up to support the training of a ing towards certification or a degree in various bio-technology fields. The BioScience Training future work force.

“Bio-technology is a big growth area for the Center is part of the Athens Technical College, future,” said Rodger L. Brown, Executive Di- itself part of a network of 23 technical colleges rector of Marketing and Strategic Media, Quick- around the state. As with other manufacturing Start Georgia. “By attracting a major player like and service industries attracted to the state by Baxter and by building the Georgia BioScience incentives such as Quick Start training, many of Training Center, the state [attracts] jobs and [in- the technical colleges will be working with Quick vests] in the creation of good, high-paying jobs Start on Baxter’ customized training, according to Simama said. for the future.”

“In addition to the jobs, Baxter has said it “Working closely with manufacturers and industries is not unusual because there’s so many is willing to work with us and other colleges jobs are involved, many of which will hopefully to provide internship opportunities,” Simama go to GTC and residents of neighboring coun- said. “ I think the interns will probably have ties,” said Dr. Jabari Simama, President, Georgia a leg up – once they complete their studies in Piedmont Technical College. Last year, he said, getting a leg up.

“Finishing our degree [program] will give Georgia’s technical college system provided over 80,000 hours of customized training for 71 indi- them a ticket into the training that will eventually get them in to the work force,” he said. vidual companies.”

Those who have completed the training needed Simama said the colleges’ relationships are not with the companies but with Quick Start. to meet basic qualifications for employment in “Quick Start is in the process of hiring staff for the bio-science and bio-technology fields, could a training facility the state is providing. Quick apply for positions at Baxter. That’s when the Start recently hired a biology instructor who is customized Quick Start training begins.

The first step, Brown agrees, is to enroll in a now working with [them] in the area of biologitechnical college and earn the degree or certifical science curriculum.

“The training facilities will be in Newton cation. “Then you can go apply to Baxter and be County, but there are a lot of counties adjacent,” eligible for the pre-employment assessment.

The assessment is one of two ways Quick he said. “We’re going to do as much as we can to prepare our students for those 1,400 jobs [at Start provides training, he said, The first is the pre-employment assessment. “People apply to Baxter]. Those are actual jobs.”

The return on the Quick Start’s investment in Baxter and Baxter will then select candidates building a training center and customizing train- to go through an assessment exercise,” he said. ing for new manufacturing and service industries “We assess them against the program customized moving into the state, is significant, said Brown. for Baxter, give information to Baxter, then they “These companies come here and create jobs,” make a selection and job offer.”

The second step happens when the new emhe said. “There are direct jobs and indirect jobs, the latter being jobs that support the needs of ployee returns for post-hire training.

“The training is a little more job specific,” said those working at these companies.”

The state also gets a return on its investment Brown. “We have teams of people working with through payroll and sales taxes. “It helps develop Baxter [who are] subject matter experts.”

Experience and educational requirements vary the overall economy.”

The new training facility isn’t expected to open according to the job available, said Khouli. For until late spring this year. However, “the relation- example, “education requirements range from ship that we’re developing with Baxter through high school diplomas to advanced degrees in sciQuick Start has already beginning to unfold,” ence and engineering.”

Khouli said that while production isn’t expectsaid Simama. “We are allowing to use our facilities in Newton in order to hold orientation session ed to begin at the new Baxter campus in Covingfor new workers and to provide training for new ton, jobs are continually posted and updated at the company’s website. hires for supervisory skills.

The News

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 • 7

The News

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 • 11 Pastor Billie Cox of Macedonia Baptist Church, the keynote speaker at the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce and the Rockdale Branch of the NAACP breakfast honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Jan. 19, at Longhorn, threw down a challenge to attendees to get beyond their comfort zones and reach out and mentor the young and at risk.

She spoke about the dream of equality that Dr. King eloquently described and challenged attendees, "Are we there yet?"

"I know there are great things going on in our city and our county... but where are the black males that need to be in the schools mentoring students? Is the dream still alive? Or did it die with Martin?"

"If I think about the map of redistricting... how do you put the back of inter-generational poverty and the flow of funds in the county don't go across the railroad tracks...

When I look at names in the jail log... None of these people came up with a dream of being a criminal... but life happens... I have to wonder if anybody stopped to tell them about the dream?"

She challenged attendees to be that postive mentor and voice in the lives of youth.

She asked what happens "if we stay behind our well manicured lawns, behind our three-car garages, and we never let the garages up, and when we do let it up we say 'Don't walk on my grass' instead of 'How are you doing today, son?'"

"Does anybody care about the dream?

Does anybody care about their dreams? Or did we just come here today to network, eat grits and go home?"

The Pastoral Accountability to Covenant Truth, a local pastors' network, was going to watch "Selma" at the Conyers Carmike movie theater later at 1 p.m. and she invited those who wanted to continue the discussion to join them.

Proceeds from the 11th annual event will be donated to United Way in Rockdale to benefit programs in Rockdale County. - Michelle Kim

‘Are We There Yet?’ Challenge given to reach out to youth, keep King’s dream alive

Cutest (Clockwise from top) Keynote speaker Macedonia Baptist Pastor Billie Cox; singing ‘We Shall Overcome’ / Speaker and Chamber Chair-elect Rockdale Medical Center CEO Deborah Armstrong and Gregory B. Levett of Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Services / The sold-out crowd line up for breakfast donated by Longhorn / State Rep. Pamela Dickerson, Armstrong, State Sen. Ronald Ramsey, Rockdale Superintendent Richard Autry, Post 2 Commissioner Doreen Williams, Rockdale school board Chairman Jim McBrayer, Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett /Rockdale Youth Leadership members and volunteers Kylie Kersh, Amarah Rashad, Caroline Norwood, Destiny Jno-Charles, Justine McPherson, Susan Paul Smith; Back Row: Lorraine Jarrett , Caroline St. John, Christopher Bryan, McBrayer, Autry.

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Michelle Kim/The News

Family Promise ‘Love to Laff’ Valentine’s Day Dinner Family Promise of New Rock is holding a Valentine’s Dinner as its first fundraiser of 2015 featuring Conyers resident and author, Darrell Huckaby. The “Love to Laff” event is Feb. 14, 6 p.m., at Conyers First United Methodist, 291 N. Main Street, Conyers.

Tickets to the “Love to Laff” dinner are $40 per

couple, $20 per person. Tickets may also be purchased the at the door the night of the event.

The dinner menu includes a choice of pork loin or chicken, raspberry spinach salad, mushroom rice, green beans and cherry and strawberry cake.

Contact Jackie Sprague at jsprague396@gmail. com for event info or to reserve tickets.

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Sports

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 Page 12 rockdalenews.com

Dedicated to Stroud

By Shakeem Holloway

sholloway@rockdalenews.com

Cleveland Stroud was the first black head coach at Rockdale County High School. He's known for his integrity, something that showed after Stroud reported to the Georgia High School Association that one of his players on the 1987 state championship was ineligible to play because of his grades. The honorable act forced GHSA to strip Rockdale of its 1987 state championship.

Stroud has since become a pillar of the community, as he has transitioned from janitor to school bus driver to coach to Conyers councilman.

According to Pastor Aldren Sadler, president of the Citizens Progressive Club of Rockdale County, and the community came together to raise $5,000 for a plaque that will be permanently mounted on the walls of the RCHS' Cleveland Stroud Gym.

The News

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 • 13

HHS athlete Artificial turf to lighten the load of the week: T Asia Caldwell

By Shakeem Holloway

sholloway@rockdalenews.com

Asia Caldwell, currently averaging 14 points per game, played lights out this week. On Tuesday she led Heritage to a much needed region win over Salem, scoring 15 points and leading her team in scoring.

Caldwell also scored 10 points in a close 36-33 loss against Newton, according to maxpreps.com

his year, all three high school stadiums will have the grass replaced with artificial turf, prompting graduations to be held at the Georgia International Horse Park. The implementation of the turf will begin in the Spring and will finish up some time in the summer.

Having the turf replaced is something that will benefit all three high schools – Rockdale, Salem and Heritage – and the teams that play on them. The stadium fields are used for soccer, lacrosse, band competitions and more, but the football teams will likely be the first to use the new turf.

“Having the turf will give us a chance to get some work on a regulated field,” Venson Elder, RCHS head football coach, said. “Up until now we could only use the stadium field on Thursday walk through. Now we can have our [receivers and quarterbacks] practice the proper alignments to get their timing down. We will still do a majority of practice on the grass fields.”

Elder added that the team will be able to get a lot done preparing for their opponents with the new turf.

Wendell Early, Heritage head football coach, said that he can’t wait to get started on the new turf. He says that turf is much easier to maintain than grass.

“There is little prep and little maintenance,” Early said.

“There is some maintenance like, brushing it and such; but overall, it is very easy to main-

tain. And no painting!”

More importantly, the new turf will keep the county’s pockets a little thicker now, as the costs for keeping up the fields is less for turf than it is for grass.

Phil Budensiek, chief operations officer for Rockdale County public schools, estimates the costs of the upkeep of the fields this year to be around $228,216 in comparison to the usual $300,000 to $325,000 they spend.

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The News

14 • Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015

Burglary From page 2

“It appeared it had been beaten with hammers and there was a crowbar that was wedged between the door and the frame of the gun safe.” There was also an air compressor in the kitchen with a line attached to an air drill lying next to the safe. There were also safety glasses and ear protection muffs on the dining room table.

When they opened the door the bedroom, they saw the 39-year-old female victim with her hands and feet tied. The deputies cut the rope.

Outside, deputies set up a search perimeter with K-9 units to track the three suspects. Honey Creek Elementary School was put on a preventative lockdown for about an hour, delaying students’ release from school.

The first suspect was caught around 2:30 p.m.

Quenton Lee Harris, 18, the black male suspect, was found near Goode Road and Stanton Road behind a house.

A 14-year-old black female suspect was spotted around 3 p.m. near Goode Road and Stanton Road and taken into custody.

The white male suspect, Joseph Tod Coddington, Jr., the 17-year-old son of the victim, was caught around 5 p.m. in the same area and taken into custody.

A neighbor later told deputies they saw Joseph Coddington with two other people on the front porch around 10:50 a.m. that morning. Coddington reportedly removed the storm window and pried open the window to enter the house. He then opened the door for the other two people.

The 39-year-old victim said her son had called her shortly after 11 a.m. asking when she would be home.

She came home around 1:30 p.m.

“When she entered into the front door her son Joseph was standing there and told her ‘We can do this the hard way or the easy way’ and then grabbed her,” wrote the reporting deputy. She struggled to get away through the front door, in but her son dragged her by the hair back to the bedroom. The victim’s shoes left marks in the foyer from the struggle.

Coddington then reportedly tied up his mother and told her “she had better not call the police because he was not going back to jail” and that if she did call the police, he would kill her.

Coddington was arrested in November 2014 on charges of child molestation and possession of marijuana less than one ounce.

All three suspects currently face charges of burglary, kidnapping, false imprisonment, criminal damage to property in the first degree, willful obstruction of law enforcement officers misdemeanor.

Coddington and Harris were booked into the Rockdale County jail. The 14-year-old was booked into the Rockdale Youth Detention Center.

Rockdale County Jail Log Daren Wayne Wallace, 49, Locust Grove, Jan 12, Failure to Appear Robert Louis Jackson, 45, Covington, Jan 12, Probation Violation Douglas Martin Williams, 52, Covington, Jan 12, Probation Violation Jason Troy Henry, 31, Covington, Jan 12, Theft by Shoplifting Nicholas Warren Cleveland, 25, Conyers, Jan 12, Probation Violation Bryan Anthony Landry, 20, Conyers, Jan 12, Poss. of Drug Related Objects Thomas Alan Hutcheson, 57, Loganville, Jan 12, Dui Courteia Leatrice Thompson, 31, Covington, Jan 12, Operating a Motor Vehicle While License Suspended Faith Lenore Garnett, 43, Eatonton, Jan 13, Theft by Conversion Sabrina Latrice Hickson, 43, Conyers, Jan 13, Simple Assault Eduardo Joel Corona, 36, Conyers, Jan 13, Theft by Shoplifting Dallas Jarrett Brown, 32, Covington, Jan 13, Sale of Cocaine Troy Daniel Young, 41, Harvey, Jan 13, Aggravated Assault, Battery, Cruelty to Children Ernest Richard Stevens, 22, Conyers, Jan 13, Battery Warren Eric Black, 36, Stockbridge, Jan 13, Poss. of Meth Barrington Adolphus Miller, 32, Covington, Jan 13, Sale of Cocaine Tyler Keith Collins, 21, Conyers, Jan 14, Dui, Open Container Jamari Martrell Deadwyler, 18,

Stockbridge, Jan 14, Burglary Kianedra T’chad Burroughs, 33, Doraville, Jan 14, Theft by Conversion Trevor Ashley Blake, 56, Stone Mountain, Jan 14, DUI Chanelle Kiyana Simon, 31, Conyers, Jan 14, Theft by Shoplifting Darryl Tyrone Sharpton, 39, Lakewood, Jan 15, Speeding, Open Container Shaka Sterling Smith, 35, Stockbridge, Jan 15, Probation Violation Scotty Bernard Thomas, 47.

Covington, Jan 15, Probation Violation Zeva D Allen, 55, Conyers, Jan 15, Disorderly Conduct Shemika Yulanda Richey, 37, Conyers, Jan 16, Poss. of Marijua-

na James Robert Lackey, 35, Shady Dale, Jan 16, Burglary Adrian Troy Nichols, 55, Conyers, Jan 16, Burglary Nicolas Lee Williams, 23, Conyers, Jan 16, Computer Child Exploitation Quenton Lee Harris, 17, Conyers, Jan 16, Burglary, Kidnapping, False Imprisonment Joseph Tod Coddington, 17, Conyers, Jan 16, Burglary, Kidnapping, False Imprisonment Dashan Christopher Daubon, 21, Lithonia, Jan 16, Burglary Lafyette Fitzgerald Brown, 31, Covington, Jan 16, Simple Battery, Cruelty to Children Julian Rodriguez, 22, Conyers, Jan 17, Criminal Trespass See full week’s jail log at

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The News

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015 • 15

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2012 Chevrolet Colorado Pick Up. Like new, $14,500.

770-464-9833

SPONSORED BY PAWS, WHISKERS & WAGS.

Take Comfort in Knowing that at Paws Whiskers and Wags: - We specialize in private cremation, which means that your beloved pet is cremated ALONE. - We are a 100% full disclosure establishment which provides you with the opportunity to view our state of the art facility before your time of need.

These babies are 8 weeks old and are ready for their Forever! Their mother is a purebred miniature dachshund... We do not know what father was.

For more information, visit ppnk.Org

Candy Cane is a gorgeous tabico. She is a very young adult that is nothing but purrs & enjoys being loved! Visit her @ Lilburn Petsmart For more information, visit ppnk.Org

Please visit our Covington location today and allow our family to serve yours.

- We have private waiting rooms which offer your family the ability to say farewell in comfort and peace.

- We provide competitive pricing for our services.

- Pre-arrangements may be made to lessen the anxiety of making such an important decision after your pet has passed.

16 • Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015

The News