the NEWS May 9, 2015
Volume 7, Issue 4
Law Enforcement Appreciation Week Highlighting those who go above and beyond to protect and serve, Page 10
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rockdalenews.com
Serving Rockdale County and Conyers
A ‘Chipmunk’ Mardi Gras
Student charged for bringing gun to middle school By Michelle Kim
mkim@rockdalenews.com
The student who brought and accidentally fired a gun in a boys bathroom of Conyers Middle School, putting the school on lockdown Tuesday, now faces criminal charges. The 14-year-old eighth grader was arrested and detained at the Rockdale Youth Detention Center Tuesday, according to Rockdale County Sheriff Eric Levett. He was charged with possession of firearms by a minor, possession of firearms on school property, reckless conduct and false statement. The student reportedly did not have a history of disciplinary problems and made good grades. He obtained his father’s handgun, a Glock 22, and reportedly brought it to school to show off. The father is not in law enforcement but may work in private security, said the sheriff. “He had no intentions of using a weapon. He just felt it was ‘cool’ to carry a weapon,” said Levett. “It was discovered he only had one bullet, which matches the evidence.” There were several other students in the bathroom when the single bullet was loaded into the gun. The student was not aiming at anyone or anything, according to witnesses, when the gun reportedly accidentally went off around 1:45 p.m. A school employee heard the gunshot and reported it to administrators, who reported it to the School Resource Officer and law enforcement. “With the SRO on scene, and deputies getting here, they were able to identify things pretty quickly. We’re grateful for that,” said Levett. Students at Conyers Middle School will not be allowed to bring bookbags and backpacks for the remainder of the school year, said RCPS spokesperson Cindy Ball. This typically happens during the last two weeks of the school year, but it has been moved up by about a week. “We have increased our staff for the remainder of the week... we also are maintaining a heightened awareness during our transition periods - arrivals,
See CHARGED on PAGE 8 It was a Mardi Gras celebration “Chipmunk”-style as the fourth Alvin and the Chipmunks movie,”Road Chip,” filmed in Olde Town Conyers May 4-8. The first of the Chipmunks animation and live action films, “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” grossed more than $361 million. Two sequels followed, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel” in 2009 and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” in 2011. On Wednesday, Conyers City Council heard another earful of complaints about filmmaking’s impact on Olde Town businesses, and some changes are in the works-likely including adding a merchant to the city’s film-policy committee. Also this week, it was announced the hit Fox supernatural TV show “Sleepy Hollow” would be moving production from North Carolina to Rockdale County, much of it out in the Georgia International Horse Park or open areas. For the full articles, go to rockdalenews.com
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2 • Saturday, May 9, 2015
The News TRAIN SWIPES TRUCK A train swiped a pickup truck Saturday afternoon at the West Avenue crossing, sending the driver, a 41-year-old man from Covington, to the hospital complaining of injuries to his side. A black pickup truck was stopped in traffic at the train crossing shortly before 1:45 p.m. when a train heading west on the tracks began approaching. According to an investigation report, “the crossing arms began to come down and the crossing bell began to sound warning of the train.” Other vehicles were able to clear the track but the pickup truck was not able to in time. The driver “stated there was little warning of the train’s approach... when the crossing bell began to sound and the crossing arms came down the train was already at the intersection.” The driver was taken to Atlanta Medical Center. The train was stopped and all Olde Town railroad crossings remained closed for several hours. No citations were issued. (photo by Michelle Kim)
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
PATRIOT PROM NIGHT Heritage High School let its hair down for prom at the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta on Saturday, May 2. Jemiah Booker was crowned as Prom Queen and Brandon Curtis was crowned as Prom King. For more photos, go to ezellsstudios.com (Photos courtesy of Ezell’s Studios)
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The News
Saturday, May 9, 2015 • 3
‘Sleepy Hollow’ TV production moving to Rockdale By John Ruch
jruch@rockdalenews.com
The Headless Horseman will soon join vampires in Conyers as Fox’s popular supernatural TV series “Sleepy Hollow” moves its production here. “Sleepy Hollow” will bring about 300 jobs — most of them new and local — with a $4 million payroll in two rented spaces totaling around 200,000 square feet. The deal was announced at the May 7 meeting of the Co-
nyers Rockdale Economic Development Council board. “It’s a pretty huge production,” said Gina Hartsell, CREDC’s film production liaison. But, she added, “They’re not really interested in filming in Olde Town Conyers,” which drew some signs of relief, as the impact of other film shoots there drew strong complaints this week from local merchants. The Georgia International Horse Park is among likely outdoor filming locations, besides the rented soundstage spaces.
A thriller series set in Colonial New York State, “Sleepy Hollow” will join the vampire drama “The Originals” as another supernatural TV hit headquartered in Conyers. “The Originals” has pumped millions of dollars into the local economy, according to CREDC. “We stole them away from North Carolina,” which recently ended its film tax-credit program, said Hartsell. “Sleepy Hollow” filmed in that state for its first two seasons. “This was a competition to land
Funds approved for security cameras for park trails By Martin Rand III
mrand@rockdalenews.com
forward, at which point anoth- sonnel. I think it’s going to be more er committee member said that sheriff ’s department.” the increase in security would The employee who will be have to come from the Rockdale monitoring the cameras will be County Sheriff ’s Office and not the newly created parks security Parks and Recreation employee. coordinator, a position that was “The only that’s going to prevent approved for the county’s budget anything from happen on the Discount. trail this year. The coordinator, who is a presence,” said the committee hasn’t been hired yet, will moniDiscount. member. “I’m not 100 percent con- tor the cameras from the mainDiscount. vinced that’s going to a presence tenance facility, which will act as from Parks and Recreation per- their base of operations.
The Rockdale County SPLOST Oversight Committee approved a number of items for the at their Monday meeting, mostly for the Parks and Recreation department. The most expensive request made by Craig McCullough, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Subcommittee, was for $90,000 to purchase new cameras and build Discount. a maintenance facility to raise the WallyWally Taylor, Agent Taylor, Agent with “security” presence along the South Get them all Get with them all Discount. 885 Honey Creek Road 885 Honey Creek Road Discount Double Check. Discount Double Check. Conyers, GA 30094 Conyers, GA 30094 River trail. Bus: 770-483-4134 Bus: 770-483-4134 Discount. It’s a quick and easy It’ s away quick and easy way wally@wallytaylor.com wally@wallytaylor.com The cameras will be placed along to make sureto you’re saving sure you’re saving make all you can. And free. can. And it’s free. allit’syou the trail, unable to be detected by Like a good Like neighbor, a good neighbor, State Farm is there. pedestrians, in order to catch peoState Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY . CALL ME TODAY. ple in the act of violating park rules, Wally Taylor, Agent Get them all with 885 Honey Creek Road Discount Double Check. Wally Taylor, Agent such as littering, vandalism, drivConyers, GA 30094 Get them all with Bus: 770-483-4134 885 Honey Creek Road It’s a quick and easy way wally@wallytaylor.com ing cars on the trail and dumping Discount Double Check. Conyers, GA 30094 to make sure you’re saving household trash at the park. Bus: 770-483-4134 all you can. And it’s free. It’s a quick and easy way Like a good neighbor, wally@wallytaylor.com “The cameras that will be used State is there. to make sure you’re saving CALL Farm ME TODAY. are wildlife cameras, so we can Agent Wally Taylor, Get them with all you can. Andall it’s free. 885said Honey Creek Road 0901116 State Farm, Bloomington, IL move them around,” Parks Discount Double Check. Conyers, GA 30094 Like a good neighbor, Bus: 770-483-4134 and Recreation Executive DiState Farm is and there.® easy way It’s a quick wally@wallytaylor.com rector Jackie Lunsford. “We can CALL ME TODAY. to make sure you’re saving Lucy Cherry use them in places where we all you can. And it’s free. have trouble along the trail sysSame Great Like Service a good neighbor, tem. We have people who dump State Farm is there.® New Location CALL ME TODAY. their household garbage in our trashcans. We just got a couch a couple of weeks ago at one of our parks.” Lunsford added that the cameras Give her a call, she’s well qualified 0901116 State Farm, Bloomington, IL and new facility would be mainly to put you in a new or used used to stop people from breaking vehicle. She has put hundreds in park laws and not necessarily to cars, and backed up by a company 0901116 catch high level crime. State Farm, Bloomington, IL that has been in business for “Those are the kinds of things over 90 years. we looking at. We want a presWe are better than all the rest! ence. When you don’t have a presence it’s kind of a free for all,” she Challenging Credit, O.K, B.K and told the committee. “If there’s an Good Credit. We have a program emergency situation, that’s a 9-1for everyone. 1 type of thing. That’s not what With over 26 years of experience! where going for.” Give her a call at 404-960-4121 One of the committee members suggested that the depart3198 Salem Road, Conyers, GA • Office: 770-784-7042 ment should make more of an lucy_cherry@getginn.com • www.ginnsuperstore.com effort to boost security going
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these guys,” said CREDC Executive Director Marty Jones, saying “Sleepy Hollow” considered such other metro Atlanta locations as Fayetteville, home to the major Pinewood Atlanta Studios. “Sleepy Hollow” will begin shooting its third season here in July. Jones said TV series that last this long often are renewed for at least a fourth season to ensure enough material to sell it as a rerun broadcast package. Hartsell said the production has five-year leases with hefty buy-out clauses.
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4 • Saturday, May 9, 2015
The News
Bon Jovi charity helps Phoenix Pass expand
Transitional housing for homeless women and children to add 8 apartments By Sandra Brands
news@rockdalenews.com
It’s the final push, and thanks to a $60,000 grant from the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, Phoenix Pass, Inc., will break ground on the new apartment units for temporarily homeless women and their children on Thursday, May 14 at 10 a.m., at the Conyers complex. The grant from the New Jersey-based charity will be used, in part, to help the Rockdale County transitional housing project garner more community support. Phoenix Pass will need to raise an additional $40,000 from the community to partially match the Foundation’s grant and complete its capital campaign. “Jon Bon Jovi Foundation really tries to help families in economic stress,” said Marcie Howington, Executive Director of the
transitional housing program. “They have been overwhelming with their support and they’ve been very happy with the program we’ve had with our first set of apartments. Located on the Light House Village campus at 541 Sigman Road, Phoenix Pass is a partnership between First Baptist Church of Conyers and Rockdale Emergency Relief, a non-profit organization supported by United Way in Rockdale. During construction, HomeAid Atlanta, will partner with Phoenix Pass by providing donations of providing donations of professional construction services. The apartments provide transitional housing for families in crisis, offering independent living and preparing them to be self-sufficient. In addition to providing stable housing, the program pro-
vides services and resources to help families rebuild their lives. The families are then expected to transition back into the community as productive and self-sufficient citizens. “We’re trying to break the cycle of homelessness,” Howington said. “Some of these families may have been homeless most of their lives. Other families may have [experienced] traumatic events. They may have been homeowners, are educated and used to living on their own. To put them in a dorm-like room would be even more traumatic.” The apartments, she said, gives them something to be proud of, and it gives them hope for the future. It’s not the first time the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has giv-
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Opinion the
Remembering Mahaffey’s Sacrifice
NEWS
PUBLISHER T. Pat Cavanaugh
pcavanaugh@rockdalenews.com
DESIGN EDITOR Sabastian Wee
EDITOR Michelle Kim
mkim@rockdalenews.com
SALES DIRECTOR Annette Godwin
swee@rockdalenews.com
agodwin@rockdalenews.com
CIRCULATION DIR. Amanda Ellington
COMPTROLLER Debbie Thompson
aellington@covnews.com
Saturday, May 9, 2015 Page 5 rockdalenews.com
dthompson@covnews.com
Our Thoughts A Grand Weekend One of the most sober and touching memorials to our fallen war heroes is often simply called the Wall. Located in Washington D.C., this memorial to American veterans who died on Vietnamese soil was unveiled under much controversy in 1982, but the starkness and reality of the memorial touched visitors in so many ways that it today is one of the revered and visited monuments in our Capital City. If you have never had the opportunity to visit the Wall, you can now. We are blessed to have The Moving Wall - a traveling replica of the Wall - right here in Conyers-Rockdale County at the Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial in Black Shoals Park in north Rockdale. We humbly suggest that you take your whole family and take a few minutes to walk from the beginning of the wall to the end. Please make sure you bring a hankie or two because if you can make this walk without shedding a tear, you’re a very cold person. The wall contains over 50,000 names. One or two or more might have been someone you knew; if so you won’t be able to resist just touching their name and thinking some special thoughts. We are going this weekend and I’m going to say hello to my friend Carl Dean, a great young man who never received the chance to enjoy life the way we have. God Bless our Vietnam Veterans. May this memorial and its replica make it so that we never forget their sacrifice. God Bless you, Carl Dean.
Law Enforcement Appreciation
Next week is a celebration of our law enforcement officers. In today’s paper there are stories on the law officers and first responders who have gone above and beyond in their duty to serve the residents of his good county. On Friday the business community and community friends will have a special luncheon for our local officers in order just to say thanks. We appreciate the leadership and officers that take care of our protection 24 hours a day in Conyers-Rockdale; we pray that the Good Lord continues to give them the courage and the wisdom to continue to do so.
Editor’s note: This editorial was originally printed May 15, 2010, after Rockdale County Sheriff ’s Office Investigator Deputy Brian Mahaffey was killed in the line of duty five years ago on May 8, 2010. Our community mourns as one of our finest and bravest has gone home. Deputy Brian Lamar Mahaffey was brutally gunned down last Saturday doing his duty by a man named Terry Brown hiding behind a closed closet door. Mahaffey was just barely 28 years old and had a wife and two young children. By all accounts, Mahaffey was a devoted husband, loving father, good officer, avid fisherman and fun loving-friend. But in one moment, Brown, through his own personal selfishness, tore apart not just his life and Mahaffey’s, but the lives of everyone around them with a shot that freakishly found a spot past the safety vest that Deputy Mahaffey wore. Deputy Brian Lamar Mahaffey is and was a hero. Not just because he gave the ultimate sacrifice, but because he did his job as a deputy day after day, knowing that was the risk he was taking. We, like others, will not take for granted the works of all of our law enforcement officers; these ladies and gentlemen put their lives on the line to ensure our safety. It is because of them we can sleep in our beds at night. We will always be grateful for his and his family’s sacrifice and promise to never forget it. We mourn the senseless and sudden death of Deputy Brian Lamar Mahaffey, but through faith we know he is in a good and safe place now and his legacy will live on. We mourn even more for his young family and for the difficult road they have ahead of them. We know the good people of this
community will rally around them. And we would expect nothing less of such an extraordinary place such as Rockdale. We as a community should guarantee that the deputy’s family wants for nothing in the upcoming years.
For all of our law enforcement officers, we pray that our good Lord will keep his hand firmly on each of you and your families. We thank you for every minute we are kept safe here in our beautiful Rockdale County by your efforts
letter to the editor
Dear Editor: Do these people work for the NSA? So now I can’t even take a walk in the park without the government spying on me? If I want to stop and kiss a girl, the pictures will be all over the internet, and government officials will be leering at me? (“Oh no, that would never happen, we will have safeguards in place to prevent that..”) LOL. And I have a bridge to sell you.
Is there ANY place outside that the government isn’t watching me? Did anyone ever read Orwell’s “1984”? This brought to mind the situation a couple years ago up in PA, where local police decided to put security cameras by the restrooms of the township pool, with the intent of providing “added security”. (Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County). Some people
complained that the police would be watching and videotaping young girls in their bathing suits; but if anyone ELSE did that, they’d be arrested for child pornography – yet it’s ok for the government to do it. Joe Fonte Conyers GA
6 • Saturday, May 9, 2015
The News
Walk Among the Heroes The Walk Among the Heroes Veterans Fundraiser and Festival, held May 2 at 1400 Parker Road by organizer Angie Frost and Frosty Acres Family Events, featured more than 80 vendors and activities, including crazy hair booths, crafts, services, pony rides, face painting, games, moonwalks and gospel singing. The inaugural event raised more than $2,600 towards the completion of the Walk of Heroes Veterans War Memorial in Conyers. (Photo by Michelle Kim)
Vietnam Moving Wall comes to Rockdale
Moving Wall The Vietnam Moving Wall arrived in Conyers this week, and will be exhibited at the Walk of Heroes through Tuesday, May 12. The wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., arrived at Black Shoals Park Thursday with an escort from several motorcycle clubs. Visitors can look, touch and take home rubbings of the names etched on the wall. The Moving Wall will be open 24 hours a day starting at 8 a.m. Thursday and running until noon Tuesday. There is no entry or parking fee. Along with the wall visitors can see the Through the Eyes attraction, featuring photography and memorabilia, and a display of helicopters presented by the North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. Commemorative T-shirts and lanyards will be available to help raise funds for the completion of the Walk of Heroes Veterans Memorial at Black Shoals Park in north Rockdale. For more, go to www.walkofheroes.org. (Photos by Darrell Everidge)
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The News
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8 • Saturday, May 9, 2015
CHARGED From FRONT PAGE
dismissals... We have all teachers in the hallway monitoring, making sure supervision is there at all times,” she said. After the initial lockdown and sweep ensuring the school was clear Tuesday afternoon, parents were allowed to pick up their children early. The line of waiting parents’ cars stretched across the street to the shopping center, where parents and media had initially congregated. Levett was among those that responded to the scene of the 1999 Heritage High School shooting that left six injured. “Protocol has been updated since then,” he said. “Safety and training is always incorporated every year to better how we handle incidents in the school and how sheriff ’s offices and police department respond to those types of incidents. We constantly change those protocols on best practices. The school system, RCSO and CPD participate in an active shooter exercise at a local school at least once a year, typically during sum-
The News
mer break or other school breaks. Several parents expressed concern about multiple lockdowns that the school has gone through. Ball said some of those are precautionary actions taken due to events outside the school. Other parents said they heard about the situation through friends, internet or social media and only later received a message from the school. “We do have a rapid communication system,” said Ball. “However, it doesn’t always beat Facebook and texting from students. We try to communicate as soon as we can... It’s hard to beat Instagram and texting and other social medias that are very instant.” Some parents and relatives were able to communicate with students during the situation. Ashton Williams said his 13-year-old little sister, Michelle, who was in band class at the time, told him that she hadn’t heard a gunshot and was not scared. Mother Sophia Brown rushed over when her friend got word from an employee of a nearby store about the commotion and police cars at the school. All the information she’s gotten has been from Facebook or the internet, she said.
CHARITY From PAGE 4
en to Phoenix Pass, which is the only project in Georgia it funds. In 2010, during the first phase of construction, the foundation donated $60,000 to the project. Since then, the Conyers-based project has kept in contact with the foundation, sharing success stories about the families that have graduated from the program and sending Christmas cards, said Howington. Mimi Box, Executive Director of the Philadelphia based nonprofit, said Conyers stood out for several reasons, including the strong partnership between the Phoenix Pass project and Rockdale Emergency Relief that would “enable the program to focus on the needs of the families who would be in residence. Support that empowers individuals to rebuild a productive, self-sufficient lifestyle is an important component of any build we do. “The need to address the issues of the chronically homelessness as identified by the county
school system was so compelling, we had to act,” she said. “So when they were ready with Phase II of this project, we, too, were ready to respond – again with the ‘gap’ funding that would be needed to move the project forward.” Box said. Originally, the second phase of the Phoenix Pass project was to break ground in January of this year, but “we wanted to wait until the weather was more temperate [to begin construction],” Howington said. They also wanted to have at least 75 percent of the $600,000 capital campaign raised before breaking ground, she said. “Getting the $60,000 puts us so close to our goal. Once we raise the $40,000 [from the community], we will be able to move forward debt free. We hope to have the construction completed this fall, with families moved in by the end of the year.” The non-profit has raised more than $500,000 since July. “We’ve been really blessed with support from individuals to corporations and businesses,” said Howington. The new units will double the size of the existing program,
making it possible to serve eight additional families of single women and their children. The $600,000 construction project will add six two bedroom and two three bedroom apartments, as well as a classroom, a bigger laundry facility and office space. Two of the apartments will be made available to women veterans with children. Referrals will be done through United Way of Greater Atlanta. The expansion of the transitional housing program is needed, she said. Recently, an apartment became available and there were 85 applicants. “It was overwhelming for us, and disheartening to applicants,” she said. “People are shocked to learn there are over 400 kids who are identified as homeless. There are [others] who sleep in cars or who couch surf week-to-week, and they may not be included in that number.” Once the buildings are completed, Howington said, Phoenix Pass will need volunteer help to prepare and furnish the apartments. For more information or to donate online, go to www.phoenixpass.org.
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The News
Saturday, May 9, 2015 • 9
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Moms of Distinction
My mother is my rock she has been through an abusive relationship with my biological father, survived much turmoil in her life and also dealt with the loss of both her parents within 3 years of each other but not once did she stop being mine and my sisters’ mom she kept us strong. She has done nothing but sacrifice things so that my sister and I could have things we needed even worked two jobs when I was younger. She will always inspire me to become more and make her proud of the woman I am becoming. My mother has never tried to keep me from being who I am or keep me from experiencing life as should be. She makes me proud to call her my mom and as you can tell I get my good looks from her. Katherine Rhianna Haynes Daughter of Kathy Martin This lady is my supporter, best friend but best of all my mom. She deserves nothing but the best. My mom has raised my two sisters and I on her own for the last 15 years. Only God knows the struggles and obstacles she has gone through. No matter what challenges come her way she manages to continue to raise us. There is nothing she wouldn’t do for us. And if you ask around in the community (Conyers) every knows she has raised her daughters well. Lila Fernandez Daughter of Rosa Fernandez
I love my mom. She is celebrating her birthday today. I wasn’t able to go see her in Brooklyn but I made sure I sent her love through the mail. As I grew into the woman I am today, I have to say my mom did an awesome job. She taught me so much and loved me so much even though I had my days as a teen not wanting to be bothered. She has sacrificed so much for my siblings and I, and we will be forever grateful for her. I hope she has an awesome Mother’s Day! Sara Vega Daughter of Cheri Powell
I loved my Mom. After 3 years with Dementia, she passed away 3 weeks ago on April 9th. After my dad and sis passed away, she and I used to go every Friday to Conyers Jewelers and buy a charm or bead for our Pandora bracelets. It took us 2 years to fill them. She loved talking to the ladies there. She sold Mary Kay Cosmetics for 45 years. My mom to me, was the best I could ever ask for, and she became my baby at the end of her journey. My sister has her mom back for Mother’s Day in Heaven. It will be happy day for them. Peggy Prather Daughter of Christine Prather My mother Frances Easley is the best mother, grandma, Gammy ever! My mother was a stay at home mother until all five of her children started school, after that she worked very hard helping our father, Vernon Easley support our family. She is now happily retired and enjoying a much deserved break. My mother who is very family oriented enjoys spending time with her 5 children (and their spouses], 13 grandchildren, and 7 great- grandchildren. Mrs. Easley is also very active at the Olivia Haydel Senior center here in Rockdale County as well as being very involved at her church, the Bald Rock Baptist Church also located in Rockdale County! My mama will be celebrating her birthday on Friday, May 8th, we are truly BLESSED to be able to celebrate with her! We truly love our “Mama”!
Congratulations to the winner of the 2015 Moms of Distinction contest, sponsored by Conyers Jewelers, and to all the moms that were entered. Here are the nominating letters for our winner and honorable mentions. Happy Mother’s Day! Cynthia Easley Barnes Daughter of Frances Easley I am very blessed that God gave me an awesome Mama. She is the anchor and glue of our family. The true meaning of superwoman. She works full time, took care of her step dad until he passed away, takes care of her Mom who lives with her, is active in her church, very involved in her family’s life and that is just the start... God gave me to this woman who will give the shirt off her back. She taught me at a young age about generosity. We would help families in need by getting groceries and seeking them on their porch when they were not home and I was sworn to secrecy that I could never tell. She taught me that family comes first and you have to stand for what you believe. She always still eats last and me and my brother are grown. My mom is my rock, my ultimate best friend and is always there for me. If she knows of anyone in need she is still the first one in line. I couldn’t on and on because she really is that great. When I think of my Mom I think of, Godly, consistent, generous, amazing, dependable, hard-working, true, loving, wise and a true example of the woman in Proverbs. Not only do I have the best Mama my children have the best Mimi and a great example to follow. We are truly blessed... All who know her call her amazing... I am blessed to call her mine... She truly puts herself last. Juanita Henderson Tamasi Daughter of Linda Henderson
Where do I begin? My mom is the sweetest, hardest working person I know. She puts everyone else’s needs before her own. She would go without to do for others. My mom loves unconditionally. Through all of life’s ups and downs she has always been my biggest supporter. She’s always pushed me to be the best possible person I can be. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model. I now have two kids of my own and can only hope I’m half the mom she’s been to me. I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be able to call her my mom. Tiffany Tabler daughter of Jane Kinnett I would like to nominate my mother, Norah Stolarski. As mother and daughter we have had our share of ups and downs but she has been there for me through it all. I am an only child and on March, 13th 2013 I found my unborn son had passed at 24 weeks. My mother lost her grandchild. She has been the best support and stood by my side through the worst time of my life. My mother is an amazing woman and always puts everyone else before herself. The enclosed picture I attached is my mother with my now 13 month old daughter Aeryn on her 1st birthday. She is an amazing mother and grandmother and I don’t know what I would do without her. Shannon Stolarski Daughter of Norah Stolarski
East Metro Board of REALTORS®, Community Service The East Metro Board of REALTORS®, Community Service Committee collected pencils for the organization Pencils from Pete for their April Community Outreach. The committee collected over 1,200 pencils to be sent to underdeveloped countries. LOOK FOR THE
WWW.EMBOR.COM
Pictured Dr Cynthia Davis, Pete Benson, President and Founder of Pencils from Pete, Chair, Kristy Stubbs-Henderson, and Simah Benyamin
10 • Saturday, May 9, 2015
The News
Law Enforcement Appreciation Week The Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce is thanking the men and women who work to keep the community safe during National Law Enforcement Appreciation Week, May 11-15, with a luncheon for Conyers Police Department and Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office on May 15 at 1400 Parker Road and is asking local businesses to show their appreciation during this week as well. Officer spotlight: Officer Spencer Holland
Right place, right time By John Ruch
jruch@rockdalenews.com
A good memory about a suspicious vehicle led Conyers Police Officer Spencer Holland to enable the capture of the suspect in 35 armed robberies last fall, an achievement for which the American Legion Post 77 recently named him Officer of the Year. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Holland told the News this week, recalling the Oct. 30 incident that led him to identify a Douglasville man as the robbery suspect wanted by the FBI. While responding to a domestic disturbance call that day, Holland saw an SUV cut off another car ahead of him, forcing him to hit the brakes on his police cruiser. “I was thinking, ‘This guy is up to something,’” Holland said. But the call took priority, so he did not pull the driver over. A short time later, Holland responded to a call for an armed robbery at a local TitleBucks loan store off Ga. Hwy. 138 and Flat Shoals Road. A masked gunman had locked the employees and a customer in a back room before fleeing. On the way, he saw the same SUV in the area again.
Holland then remembered that the SUV matched the description of a vehicle seen fleeing the scene of a similar robbery in Gwinnett six months earlier. Using an automatic license-plate reader mounted on his car, Holland was able to connect the vehicle to Avery Frazier of Douglasville. Other evidence soon connected Frazier to a string of pawn and title-loan robberies, police officials said, including a February 2014 robbery of Georgia Autopawn on 138. The FBI became involved, and Frazier was arrested in November in Douglasville. Conyers Police Chief Gene Wilson told the News that Holland helped to crack “one of the largest serial armed robbery cases in my time in Georgia.” “He was so observant that day,” Wilson said, praising Holland’s ability to remember the suspicious-vehicle description from a half-year earlier. Holland is in his fifth year as a Conyers police officer. He said he prefers the night shift, which he worked for three years. But these days, he’s working the day shift now that he and wife Krista have children ages 2 and 7 months. Holland said he appreciated the Legion’s recognition and enjoyed the ceremony, where he received a plaque. “It was really nice to do it,” he said.
CONYERS 911 Conyers Mayor and City Council recently recognized the Conyers Communications Division with an April 15 proclamation during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. TOP: (Left to right) Mayor Randy Mills, Kelly Honea, Sandy Pendley, Marie Willis, Cathy Williams, Keisha Thompson, Debra Curry, Tahina Westbrook and Stacy Kelley. Front row - David Binder and Liz Hamilton. Not pictured – Howard Reynolds, Ethara Roseberry, Victoria Jones.
ROCKDALE E-911 911 Operators are truly the first responders to a crisis situation; they are the guiding voice residents hear when calling for help and they are the communication point of contact between the many agencies. ABOVE LEFT: (Left to right) Ciara Hodge, Kelley Kalvelage, Melissa Wandel, Jocelyn Adams-Meyers, Ashley Richardson. Not pictured - Octavia Sanford, who was named the Operator of the Year for 2014. ABOVE RIGHT: (Left to right) Carla Bernskoetter, Myisha Callaway, Meg Joyner. (submitted photos)
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR Tyler Parzych, a fire apparatus operator with Rockdale County Fire and Rescue, was named the 2014 RCFR Firefighter of the Year and was honored by American Legion Post 77 in March. “His dedication to duty and attention to detail set this firefighter head and shoulders above the rest,” said RCFR Fire Chief Dan Morgan in describing Parzych at the department’s annual banquet. Parzych “has a positive attitude, and is a consummate professional. (He is) sought out by his peers for his technical knowledge and is a mentor to junior firefighters. These outstanding traits, leadership abilities and selfless devotion to duty reflect greatly upon himself and Rockdale County Fire Rescue.” (submitted photo)
The News
Saturday, May 9, 2015 • 11
Deputy spotlight: Deputy Dexter Harris
Solving cases, helping people By Martin Rand III
mrand@rockdalenews.com
When Dexter Harris was a youngster, his only dream was to become a police officer. He began idolizing the profession when he saw how many men, who attended his childhood church, were officers of the law. “Their job just seemed so cool,” he said as he remembered what it was like to be 11-years-old. Nowadays, Harris no longer has to imagine what it would be like to be cop, because he’s been working with the Rockdale County Sheriff ’s Office for almost 20 years – it will be officially be 20 years of service after June 30. In that timeframe, Newton County native Harris, who’s now a sergeant, managed to work in a variety of departments, including the Rockdale County Jail, investigator and judicial services. “I done worked so many different jobs since I’ve been here,” Harris said with a big laugh. His longest tenure, and his admittedly favorite, position was as an investigator. “I just liked going in and solving cases,” said Harris, who worked in the criminal investigations division for nine years. “It’s a lot of footwork, and then you’re going all over the place and meeting different people from different agencies. It was always interesting.” Harris has been working in the Judicial Services department, where warrants, protective orders, citations and evictions are handed out, for the past year. Even though he’s been working in the RCSO for two decades, Harris has not gotten tired of his
job. On the contrary, the 45-year-old wakes up just about every morning with a wide smile on his face. “(People) ask me, ‘Why are you so happy?’” he said. “I tell them, ‘I like my job. I enjoy having to get up and go to work.’” That’s one of the prerequisites to being an officer of the law, says Harris. “I think you have to enjoy it. For Harris, the best moments of being a deputy is simply helping out the citizens of the county. “You get your best enjoyment when you go out and help somebody. Like changing a tire or something like that,” he said with his deep Southern drawl. “You get the best enjoyment out of your job just doing small stuff like that. Knowing that you got the person who stole stuff from this person, you know you get great enjoyment out of it.” Of course, there is one thing Harris would change about being a deputy. The public perception that surrounds local law enforcement these days isn’t the best, and he wishes he could alter the perception. “Usually every chance I get, I try and stop to talk to the people out there,” he said. “About the only thing you can tell them is that we’re out here to help you. We’re human. There’s always going to be bad seeds out there. Those (are) the ones we get out of here.” Prior to working in the law enforcement, Harris served in the U.S. Army. He reached the rank of sergeant after eight years of service and duty served in Desert Storm. The self-proclaimed “country boy” currently lives in Newton County with his wife of two years, Melba. They have three children between them, Harris’ 19-year-old son and Melba’s 20-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter.
EMT OF THE YEAR Bryan Brantley was nominated by his coworkers at National EMS as the Emergency Medical Technician of the Year for the Rockdale division. “He’s always willing to help, always has a positive attitude,” says Huey Atkins, National EMS’s director of operations for Rockdale and Morgan counties. “He’s very dependable, very good in his skills and in taking care of patients.” The 31-year old Salem High School alum has been with National EMS for seven years. Brantley, his wife, and their young daughter live in Conyers. (submitted photo)
12 • Saturday, May 9, 2015
The News
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Saturday, May 9, 2015 Page 13 rockdalenews.com
3 d n u o r o t e c n a v d a s t o i r t Elite Pa By Shakeem Holloway
sholloway@rockdalenews.com
The Patriots did it again. This time it didn’t take an extra period and/or penalty kicks to decide the game. In the second round at home, Heritage soccer defeated Richmond Academy 6-0 to advance to the elite eight where the Patriots will travel to play Allatoona on Saturday night 7:30 p.m. “We had a fantastic week from the last playoff game and kind of getting over the hump. The training week was fantastic. You could see it out there [Wednesday]. Lots
of moving the ball quickly, finishing, executing the game plan that we had,” Brandon Stewart, Patriots’ head coach, said. Stewart added that getting star player Andre Deas back helped the team a lot with the way he opens things up for other players, but he says the team played extremely well overall especially in the first half. “Anytime they tried to get anything forward, we countered and just punished them, man. My guys were finishing goals and creating chances,” Stewart said. Stewart, who has been waiting for his team to play a full 80 min-
utes of exceptional soccer all season, says the team cranked up their play to about 75/80 percent in the first half when they took a 3-0 lead that could’ve been more had Richmond Academy’s goalkeeper not made three incredible saves. “If we could maybe do that on Saturday we can really start talking contention, but there’s still eight teams left in it, man, and any eight of ‘em can win,” Stewart said. Stewart acknowledged that of the eight teams left, he believes Dalton is a notch above everyone else. He added that the team is trending in the right direction and he wants to
hit that crest of the waves they continue to fight their way to a possible state championship. “The farther you go, the higher the stakes are,” Stewart said, “so are the goals. As you move along you’re not gonna get 10 or 12 chances you may get five or six or three or four. You’re playing a team that’s better than you, you’ve got to be able to bury those chances. So the further you move along the more important every aspect is. We’re getting there.” Unfortunately, the Patriots might not have their full roster on Saturday. Center defensive midfielder Steven
Bishop was injured in HEritage’s second round matchup and Stewart says that some of his players have to work to put food on their table, so they might miss the game. “Even though we’re deeper than we were last year that Saturday date kind of hurts us,” Stewart said. “I need my squad, but you get a real understanding of priority. As important as all these things are, I would never ask a player to take food off their table, ever,” he added. Stewart and co. will need all of the support from Patriot nation as they look to reach the final four with a win on Saturday.
Growing through adversity RCHS baseball has grown through trials and tribulation this season By Shakeem Holloway
sholloway@rockdalenews.com
Rockdale baseball didn’t finish its season on a high note in terms of wins and losses, but the young Bulldogs team did make the playoffs with its young nucleus of players featuring just two seniors. In first-year head coach Jonathan Brewer’s inaugural season, he worked equally hard to build young kids into young men as well as build a good baseball team. They finished 12-16 which Brewer says is not acceptable, dismissing youth as an excuse. When Brewer and the team got started initially, he says the locker rooms were full of trash and mice.
Players wore their jerseys untucked and came to practice late. “When they stepped out there in January, they were like deer in headlights,” Brewer said. “I was expecting a lot out of ‘em it was a big culture change so it took us the first month of the year to even adjust to how I wanted things done. Next year we won’t have that growth period. We’ll be ready to roll. We’ll know the call signs, how I like to do things, our approach hitting. So I’m excited in that aspect.” Brewer had to suspend some players for different violations, but it got the message across and he began to see a change in them. He says they got better as the year
went on, and they all expect a lot of each other now on the field and in the classroom. “I thought we had a terrific year,” Brewer said. “I’m looking forward to next year,” Brewer said proudly. “Just seeing them grow over the course of the season was amazing and I can’t imagine what they’re gonna look like maturity-wise, physically and just knowing how I want things done. I’m so excited to see what they look like when they come in.” The Bulldogs level of maturity couldn’t have shined brighter than when the team went down to Tift County for its first round playoff series.
Brewer says that his players were called racial slurs such as “monkey” among other things by the opposing team. Brewer, a white coach whose players are predominantly black, says he knows his players were angry, but they remained unhinged and showed true class. “It’s such a shame that things like that happen based on a kid’s skin color,” Brewer said. “Obviously they were very, very upset as I would think anyone would be in there shoes, but they continued to handle themselves with class and dignity,” he added. After the game, Brewer says he talked the team about being men, how stuff like that happens unfor-
tunately and about not repaying evil with evil. With their emotions high, the two teams met at the mound and prayed together after the game “I was just so, so proud of their growth and the way that they showed class. I was just overwhelmed with emotion just because of that. It was really overwhelming to see my kids carry themselves in that way,” Brewer said passionately. The Bulldogs faced a lot of growing pains this season, but they’re all the better for it. The 14, 15 and 16 year-olds that make up the majority of the roster are blossoming into young men right before our eyes.
14 • Saturday, May 9, 2015
The News
NewRock 2014-2015 All-Area baseball team By Shakeem Holloway
sholloway@rockdalenews.com
One thing I’ve found to be true in creating these All-Area teams is that the Newton/Rockdale area has a lot of impressive ball players. There is a lot of talent at this level and plenty that have the talent to play at the next level. With that said below you’ll find the first and second All-Area teams for the 2014-2015 school year. Because there’s so much talent some players were left out, but that doesn’t take away from each player’s individual ability. There are some positions loaded with talent whereas others there are only a few players to consider and as far as pitching goes some guys pitch and play other positions. It just so happens that some of those players are better at that position than they are at pitching or they’re equally good at both. There is only so much room. Each All-Area team has 11 players with the usual nine positions, a backup utility player
(someone who can play multiple positions) and/or DH and an extra pitcher. Here we go. NewRock All-Area First Team Pitcher - Kevin Barham (Salem, sophomore): Just a young sophomore, Barham helped lift Salem to the playoffs with an impressive 7-2 record. In 58 innings pitched, Barham has thrown 76 strikeouts with an ERA of .76. First base - CJ Clark (Rockdale, freshman): Clark is the lone freshman on the NewRock All-Area First Team, but it’s for good reason. Clark batted a stellar .421 on the season and held down the fort at first with just two errors on 152 chances. Second base - Jeff Sweat (Rockdale, junior): Sweat, who pitched when he wasn’t playing second and led the team in innings at 62.2 innings pitched with a 1.62 ERA, hit .333 on the year. Sweat made just one error all year on 30 chances.
Third base - Nick Womack (Eastside, junior): Nick Womack was one of the main pieces of Eastside’s strong offensive attack and he’s pretty good defensively, too. Womack’s splits at the plate were .380/.440/.437.
OF - Mason Calloway (Newton, Junior): If there was an MVP for the All-Area Team, Calloway would be it. Mason put up astronomical numbers in his junior season. On defense, Calloway was great with a 1.000 fielding
Shortstop - Austin Holloway (Eastside, sophomore): In 99 plate appearances, Holloway posted splits of .463/.541/.524. He totaled 36 hits, 33 runs and 21 RBI. Catcher - Alex Johnson (Newton, junior): Johnson is equally strong behind the plate as he is on the mound. As a pitcher, Johnson went 3-2 with an 3.14 ERA and 68 K’s. Johnson was more than solid at the plate batting . 317 with two homeruns and six doubles. OF - Auliver Austin (Newton, junior): Austin finished the season strong and concluded with a .354 batting average, nine doubles and one homerun plus a .950 fielding percentage.
the
NEWS
percentage, but his real prowess comes on offense. At the plate Calloway batted .549, scored 29 runs and had 55 stolen bases
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Wednesday, May 6, 2015 Serving Rockdale County and Conyers, Ga.
DO YOU OWE
DIGITAL TAXES? EDITION Every Wednesday, just in time for your morning coffee.
See the top 10 taxpayers who do
What’s in this week’s edition: — Worst Offenders: Who’s not paying their taxes, to the tune of $771,000 — SPLOST Update : A look at putting security cameras on park trails, and celebrating four new firetrucks — Moms of Distinction : Meet the winner of the Mother’s Day Contest and all the great moms who were entered Register for free, then visit rockdalenewsdigital.com
$771,000 Also inside: SCHOOL SCARE —Conyers Middle School goes into lockdown after gunshot heard
The News
Saturday, May 9, 2015 • 15
Yard Sales
Services
Drivers Wanted
Help Wanted
Real Estate
Yard & Estate Sales
Business Services
Local trucking company taking applications for over the road truck drivers. Home some week nights and every weekend. We have dedicated runs, no brokers involved, very low driver turnover rate and new Peterbilt trucks. Must have tanker endorsements, have at least 2 years verifiable experience with a clean MVR and be at least 25 years of age. Benefits include paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick days and health insurance. Call (770) 464-1935 for more information.
Ginn Chrysler is looking for 2 UNEXPERIENCED salespersons. You will be trained and have unlimited earning potential. Call Rick Pittman at 770-786-2271.
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Community yard sale. Saturday, May, 9th. 8 am- 4 pm. Mulitple familes. Entrances from Salem Road, Flat Shoals Road, and Fairview Road. Yard Sale
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT The City of Covington is currently accepting applications for a GIS Manager in the Engineering Department. This position performs professional level management related to the development and implementation of systems, networks, database, and macros to create, maintain, display and update a local government Geographic Information System. Required training and experience includes graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in geography, computer science, earth science, civil engineering or related technical field. At least 40 CEU’s of specialized GIS Software Training. Two or more years of progressively related experience in management of a GIS project, relational databases, GPS collection and GIS web related technology. Salary range is an annual minimum of $48,360 to an annual maximum of $71,531 will be determined based upon qualifications. Qualified applicants may apply via our website at www.cityofcovington.org or may send resume to or apply at the City of Covington Human Resources Office, 2194 Emory Street, Covington, Georgia 30014, (770) 385.2025. Position will remain open until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5th, 2015. The City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Local catering company in Covington is seeking a kitchen assistant. Job responsibilities include prep, cook, working events. Weekends are a MUST. If interested, call 770-784-7001 and ask for Sandi. Personal Care Home hiring for all shifts-CNAs, housekeepers, cooks. LPN for dayshift medication management. $500 sign on bonus after 90 days. Apply in person at 621 N. Cherokee Rd., Social Circle. NO Phone Calls
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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 9, 2015
The News
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$9,595
ALL PRICES PLUS TAX,TAG AND TITLE. VEHICLES SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE. DEALER NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.
3198 SALEM ROAD, CONYERS, GA 30016
770.784.7021 GINNSUPERSTORE.COM