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KIDS HUNT EASTER EGGS IN ASHFORD PARK
LOCAL, 13A
FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014 VOL. 17, NO. 4 FREE
A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSIONERS RETHINK CREDIT CARD USE

LOCAL, 10A
FATAL FIRE HITS AVONDALE ESTATES HARD

LOCAL, 12A
Historic Tobie Grant church up for sale

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com In Scottdale, Travelers Rest Baptist Churchs members and community are moving. The church, located at 554George Howell Way, is on the only privately-owned land in the 55-acre Tobie Grant Manor public housing complex. Week by week, more and more homes are boarded up as residents move out to make way for the demolition of the Housing Authority development. Constructed in the 1960s on land, much of which was donated to the county, Tobie Grant Manor will soon be razed and replaced with $34 million in new construction, including 452 new housing units, 180 senior apartment units, 200 multifamily units, and 72 town homes. Construction is expected to begin late this summer. I think its going to be a tremendous move for this community, said Rev. Barrett Johnson, senior pastor of Travelers Rest Baptist Church, also known as The Church. I think its really going to uplift this community and the neighborhood. Its progress. But progress has a price and Johnson said his church would not be able to survive in the construction zonethe unpleasant aesthetics of the boarded up homes, of abandoned cars, of the trashsome people are angry that they have to move and theres been vandalism, Johnson said. We realized that our members and our congregation do not want to ride through all of that on Sunday morning to come to worship, Johnson said. That affects us. It tremendously affects us.
The 75-year-old Travelers Rest Baptist Church in Scottdale is up for sale.
County employee pens book on fatherhood

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com
David Manuel, the executive director of the Porter Sanford Performing Arts and Community Center, has authored two books, I Am a Father: Celebrating African American Fathers and I Am a Mother: Celebrating Mothers.
A
Pastor Barrett Johnson said the church will not be able to survive the demolition of the Tobie Grant public housing complex that surrounds the church.
Prime real estate

The church is already experiencing a decline in our revenue [and] our weekly attendance because many of our members have been relocated or displaced, Johnson said. Thats why the 5,948-square-foot building and its 0.62-acre property are on the market for a firm $900,000. The complex will be replaced with new senior and single family Scottdale is prime real estate, Johnson apartments and townhomes. Photos by Andrew Cauthen said. It is centrally located. You can get to anywhere you want to get to in 15 minutes. You can get to the airport. You can get to downtown Atlanta. You can go north. You can go south. You can get to Stone Mountain. The $900,000 price tag would allow Travelers Rest Baptists growing, thriving minis-
s a child of a single mother, David Manuel understands the importance of a child having a father in its life. A father of two boys himself, Manuel makes sure that he is apart of every aspect of his sons lives. However, he realizes that many children, specifically Black children, are not as fortunate as his sons Branden and Blake are. Manuel, who is the executive director of the Porter Sanford Performing Arts and Community Center, saw firsthand as a second grade teacher with the Atlanta Public School System that there were a large number of students without a father. I realized that there were so many kids in our classroom that were from single parent homes, Manuel said. The father was not only missing, but some were in jail or [the students] just didnt know who their fathers were. And you had all these boys in the classroom and they didnt have any father figures. Manuel said he knows there is a perception in society that most Black men are absentee fathers that abandon their families, do not pay child support or are abusive to their families. Therefore, he decided to write a book that celebrates Black fathers. Im positive and a lot of the men I hang around or know are fathers that are committed, Manuel said. I wanted to do a book that would celebrate the positivity of fatherhood, and who is
See Church on page 15A
See Manuel on page 15A
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THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014
Suspect in fatal hit-and-run flees country

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com DeKalb County Police said a man from El Salvador believed to be responsible for a hit-and-run accident that left a 4-year-old child seriously injured and a 2-year-old child dead has fled the country. Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Public SafetyCedric Alexandersaid police had located the white truck involved in the accident, which belongs toConcepcion Cruz, 57. Police said Cruz boarded a flight bound for El Salvador from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport April 8 and has fled the country. An arrest warrant has been issued for Cruz on two counts of felony hit-and-run. DeKalb Police continue working with our federal partners and the El Salvador government to begin the process of locating and extraditing Cruz, a press release stated. I wanted to bring the community up to date in terms of where we are in this investigation. A great deal of hard work has been done as it relates to this case, Alexander said during an April 10 news conference. Alexander said a tip led police to a residence in Gwinnett County believed to be the home of Cruz or a member of his family. It was there they found the white truck with a camper that is believed to have struckCaleband Meyaria Lindsayas they waited with their motherVashti Lindsayto cross the road April 5. The incident, which occurred at the corner of Pleasantdale and TuckerNorcross roads, happened
LOCAL NEWS
PAGE 2A
See Suspect on Page 3A
Get to know the candidates for DeKalb County Sheriff

Mon. April 28 DeKalb History Center 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Candidate Forum
All candidates for the office of sheriff will be invited to participate. Audience members will be allowed to suggest questions to candidates.
An open house that opens minds.

RSVP online at openhouse.gpc.edu.
Candidates confirmed to participate are Dale Bernard Collins, Ted Golden, R. Tony Hughes, Melody Maddox, Jeff Mann, Melvin Mitchell and LaSalle Smith, Sr.
Be an informed voter; know the candidates!
GPC SPRING OPEN HOUSES DATES Tuesday, April 22 | 6 p.m. | GPC Online Thursday, April 24 | 5 p.m. | Dunwoody Campus Saturday, April 26 | 10 a.m. | Clarkston Campus Saturday, April 26 | 10 a.m. | Newton Campus Tuesday, April 29 | 5 p.m. | Decatur Campus Saturday, May 3 | 10 a.m. | Alpharetta Center FREE! GPC Application Fee Waiver.* A $20 savings!
*Advance sign up and student attendance are required to receive fee waiver. Application fee waivers must be used by July 1, 2014. Limit one fee waiver per household.
TheChampionNewspaper.com 404.373.7779
A BETTER WAY FORWARD
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014
Living without gluten
PAGE 3A
by Marta Garcia marta@dekalbchamp.com Staff Writer Marta Garcia describes her personal experiences, and those of others, of dealing with Celiac Disease. The day I was diagnosed with celiac disease, about five months ago, I felt sad but relieved. Sad because it meant a lot changes in my life, but relieved because I knew the pain, the nausea and the bloating would eventually go away with the right diet. Gluten intolerance, diagnosed as celiac disease, is a genetic disorder resulting inintestinal damage from eating gluten, the general name for the proteins found in wheat, rye, oats, barley and triticale, and it can be found in almost all processed foods. So, that means I wont be able to eat Honey Nut Cheerios anymore? was my first question to the doctor, because I love eating that cereal with my children. And the answer was yes. If you are celiac or have gluten intolerance you wont be able to eat things like crackers, pasta, cereal and a long list of everyday foods unless you find the gluten-free option. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, it affects at least one in 100 Americans. I was having stomach aches, vomiting, diarrhea and feeling just
People with celiac disease or have gluten intolerance have to find the gluten-free option for eating bread, cereal and pasta. Photo by Marta Garcia
sick and tired all the time. For years, I visited an incredible number of doctors, 22 to be exact.No one knew what was wrong with me, Mary Rowland, a Decatur resident, said. I was diagnosed 10 years ago with celiac disease and back then it wasnt that popular and, of course, there were not as many gluten free options as now. In the last few years gluten has become a celebrity. Gluten-free appears on food labels, diet plans and restaurant menus, and the amount of media coverage of the benefits of avoiding gluten in your diet is extensive. For Jenny Askew, nutritionist
and dietitian, the answer to whether gluten-free diets are a fad or a necessity is simple. For some people, a gluten-free diet is a necessity but if it is not medically necessary, it is simply a personal decision, she said. The only treatment for celiac disease is to avoid gluten. This means learning about which foods contain gluten and learning how to check for gluten in everything consumed, including medications and supplements. Gluten is present in so many foods, sticking to this diet can be an uphill battle, she added. Those with celiac disease and gluten-related disorders, Askew
said, must read the ingredients list for everything they consume to make sure the gluten grains and their derivatives are not present. My doctor told me that if I cant verify ingredients for a food item or if the ingredient list is unavailable, I cannot eat it, Rowland said. So I usually eat at home before I go to a party or a social event. Its kind of sad, but what else can I do? Get sick? The nutritionist explained that the consumption of gluten sets off an autoimmune response in the body. This response results in damage to the small intestine. The damage to the small intestine can create digestive problems, nutrient deficiencies and a host of other symptoms that accompany celiac disease. According to Askew, more than 2.5 million Americans have celiac disease and have not been diagnosed. Getting a proper diagnosis is critical due to the complications of the disease and associated conditions that people with celiac disease should be screened for. The day I was diagnosed I got my life back, Rowland said. Theres no cure for celiac, but I was told that by adopting a gluten-free diet and ridding myself of anything derived from wheat, barley, or rye, my health would return and I could live a normal life.And it did.
Suspect Continued From Page 2A

in the early evening. Witnesses said they saw the truck hit the children and continue driving, stopping briefly so the driver could throw a beer bottle out the window. We have reason to believe he has friends and relatives here and it is our understanding that he does visit the metro area on some infrequent basis. We can only assume he was here visiting, because he was known to go back and forth from here to El Salvador, Alexander said. Detectives stated that Cruzs family had seen him recently and then he went ghost on us. His truck has been confiscated and will be given a thorough forensic investigation, Alexander said. Residents with any information regarding the whereabouts of Cruz are encouraged to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at (404) 577-TIPS.
THE CHAmPIoN FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014
oPINIoN
ONE MANS OPINIoN
PAGE 4A
Goodbye Clyde. See you on the other side:

A Tribute to Brian Keith Crane (March 20, 1962 April 2014)
edy team, aka the Smother Brothers of that era with our own show, and our mirror was the camera and viewers point of view. Instantly, The Clyde & Wilbur Show was born. It had a theme song, running gags often involving spit takes, squirting me with the shower head, frequent practical jokes, etc. And there was a long running debate as to who was Clyde and the other Wilbur, as again in those days the movie Bonnie & Clyde was iconic, and Clyde had been a young Warren Beatty. Brian and my other siblings were also well aware that I had an irrational fear as a child and young teen of going bald. I still cant explain this, but many mornings I would check my hairline for signs of recession. One morning, after pulling and cutting off some of his own hair for more than a week, he filled my hairbrush with his hair (then nearly the same color), and as I reached for the brush that morning, covered in fallen hair, I instantly knew that the moment had come, and I was going bald. I can still feel the near heart attack anxiety which followed, as Brian watched with a bemused smile from the door, waiting until I had reached near complete freak-out to say, Oh, I think I used your brush earlier this week....I must be shedding. It took me at least the rest of that week to find that gag funny. As boyhood became adolescence, Brian and I started down divergent paths. High school and later college widened those gaps, and by the time adulthood arrived, and for most of the past 30 years, we have been somewhat estranged. But during the past few years, we had found some time for reconnection and common ground, and on a few occasions longer talks. Clyde and Wilbur did not come out of retirement, but we shared old stories, and some new laughs. Brian left the building and the stage recently at age 52, in some respects reminiscent of the passing of his hero Elvis Presley at 42, with friends and fans still calling for encores, and stunned by his early departure. Clyde of course always received top billing. Like Tom Smothers, he was the real genius of the pair, allowing himself to appear the simpleton, even while making his older brother Dick Smothers look good. The straight man always has the easier job. So, I will end decades of debate by letting you all know that Brian is in fact, Clyde, and that his top bill-
Bill Crane
Columnist
Two brothers, two sisters and our parents Jerry and Lynn made up the Crane household at 2183 El Dorado Drive.Im the eldest child. My brother and I, Brian Keith Crane, were only 13 months apart. As young boys we were inseparable and often mistaken for twins. We shared a bedroom until nearly high school graduation, and for 17 years we shared a bathroom. As my former spouse and a few college roommates can testify, it was quite a trial for Brian, getting between me and a mirror every morning.Fortunately, Brian always had a knack for cutting through tension with humor. One morning, early in elementary school, I was hogging the sink brushing my teeth with a lengthy routine, and after the teeth came the hair. Brian knew he was going to literally have to knock me out of the way to get a crack at the sink before school started. He turned his toothbrush into a microphone and began playing off the mirror as if he and I were a com-
ing is and was well deserved. Though I was the big brother, he clearly did more of the heavy lifting, particularly in those early years to build the bond between us. But if I know Brian/Clyde at all well, and I think I still do, Im sure that where he is now, he has his drumsticks in hand, with several guitars on stands nearby awaiting his reach, and if he isnt already on stage, he is cued to play the next set. A cold beverage is on the table, and a lovely lass either serving or enjoying his stories and good humor is nearby. Youre on in just a moment Clyde; if you can, try and stay on stage for a while, and Ill try to be there before your curtain call. See you on the other side, brother Clyde. Love, Wilbur. Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist for The Champion, Champion Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native and business owner, living in Scottdale. You can reach him or comment on a column at billcrane@ earthlink.net.
OPINION
of a beloved community, whereas the aftermath of violence creates tragic bitterness. King believed that the non-violent approach offered the best chance of influencing the oppressors moral capacity for meaningful change. Dr. King was working to calm fears and bring about justice and peace in the nation. During the summer of 1967 urban warfare was going on in a number of cities throughout the nation. For instance, in Newark, 23 were killed and 1,500 wounded, and in Detroit, 43 were killed while 2,000 were wounded. The violence and fury increased and was propelled not only by civil rights grievances, but also concerns over the Vietnam War. In the spring of 1968, Black and White students linked forces and staged massive demonstrations for peace and freedom. According to Lerone Bennett, Realizing that the situation was rapidly worsening, Martin Luther King tried to change the movementand historyby bringing together poor Whites and poor Blacks in a Poor Peoples March. The objective of the campaign was an economic bill of rights, including a guaranteed annual income, full employment, decent housing and quality education. Under Kings plan, poor people, Black and White, would converge on Washington, D.C., and would demonstrate beginning on April 20, 1968, until the government responded to their demands. What brought him to Memphis, in keeping with the ideals of the planned Poor Peoples March, was an unscheduled detour to help striking sanitation workers. It was during this trip that the hate, vengeance and racism snuffed-out
PAGE 5A
Reflecting on the anniversary of Dr. Kings assassination, legacy

Gene Walkerk
Columnist
This past April 4, 2014, marked the 46th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On the day of his assassination, I was a 32-yearold graduate student at The Johns Hopkins University. Kings assassination stunned me beyond comprehension. It also stirred the nation and brought forth a response of violence and looting resulting in greater tension between the races. This 39-year-old civil rights leader, which Dr. Ralph D. Abernathy called, the most peaceful warrior of the 20th century, was pronounced dead at 7:05 p.m. Lyndon B. Johnson, one of the most thoughtful and caring presidents this nation has ever had, declared a national day of mourning and ordered the U.S. flag to fly at half-staff on U.S. installations at home and abroad in honor of Kings life and legacy. All across the nation, schools and public facilities closed to honor Dr. King who was being eulogized as one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the century. On Monday, April 8, I was still in Baltimore, while my mother-in-law, wife and 5-year-old son, along with thousands of others, went to Sisters Chapel on Spelmans campus in the Atlanta University Center, to view his remains. The following day more than 200,000 Americans followed Kings coffin as it was carried through the streets of Atlanta on a wagon drawn by two Georgia mules. On June 8, two months later, a
man identified as Kings assassin, James Earl Ray, was captured at a London airport. He later pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. Eighteen years later, in response to intense pressure from Americans of all races, the U.S. Congress made the third Monday in January a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Though Dr. Kings assassination resulted in the grandson of a slave becoming the first American citizen honored with a national holiday after George Washington, we should still use this occasion to accentuate who King was, what he was working on, and what brought him to Memphis. This is the foundation of his true legacy. Dr. King was a man of very strong faith who nurtured and bequeathed to each of us that courageous nonviolent leadership committed to building a beloved community. He accurately captured the spirit of the Black community by repeatedly insisting that nonviolent resistance is redemptive. He taught that nonviolent resistance was not a method for cowards, because it did resist. To be sure, it was not passive nonresistance to evil, it was active nonviolent resistance to evil. The purpose was to win friendship and understanding from the oppressor, not to defeat or humiliate; it was a means to awaken the sense of moral shame with the end being redemption and reconciliation. I hasten to add though that various Black nationalist groups did not share that opinion toward Whites. In contrast, King worked to achieve a beloved community with an implied thrust for unity between contending parties. The outcome of nonviolent protest is the creation
his life with an assassins bullet. Dr. King firmly subscribed to the idea that the government could and should be the entity to help resolve the problems that loomed so large in this nation. Unfortunately, the same forces that opposed Dr. King then, are opposing our current president. But, thank God, we have a president fighting to keep alive Dr. Kings vision of helping the poor, down trodden and working class. This fight is captured best in a declaration Dr. King made during the planning of the Poor Peoples March on Washington: We will place the problems of the poor at the seat of the government of the wealthiest nation in the history of mankind. If that power refuses to acknowledge its debt to the poor, it will have failed to live up to its promise to insure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to its citizens.
F REE P RESS
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We sincerely appreciate the discussion surrounding this and any issue of interest to DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in 1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse for all community residents on all sides of an issue. We have no desire to make the news only to report news and opinions to effect a more educated citizenry that will ultimately move our community forward. We are happy to present ideas for discussion; however, we make every effort to avoid printing information submitted to us that is known to be false and/or assumptions penned as fact.
COMMUNITY
PAGE 6A
DeKalb Medical may not be included in new county health plan

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com This hospital was created, nurtured and developed so that DeKalb County could benefit and it would be unfair to your The DeKalb County Board of employees, and unfair to the community, Commissioners recently approved changes to not have us involved in the insurance in its health plan for county employees that program that you would select for your could force some of them to drive outside employees, Wilson said. of the county to receive treatment. County staff and commissioners Commissioners voted in favor of a plan minimized the impact the health plans that will save the county approximately $2 changes would have on DeKalb Medical, million a year, according to county staff. stating that the majority of the countys County employees will have the option of employees are already covered by Kaiser. choosing insurance coverage from either Were in the process of trying to Kaiser Permanente or Blue Cross Blue arrange a meeting with DeKalb Medical Shield (BCBS). to talk through opportunities for them to Previously, county employees could participate, whether its through various choose between BCBS or Cigna insurance partnerships with Kaiser or other programs companies, both of which have partnerships they [could offer] in the wellness area, with DeKalb Medical. Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams DeKalb County finance director Jay said. Vinicki said those employees covered by Commissioner Elaine Boyer said she BCBS will have access to DeKalb Medical, supports the changes and hopes the county and those covered by Kaiser will have can work with DeKalb Medical to ensure access to DeKalb Medicals Emergency the hospitals involvement. Room. Williams said DeKalb Medicals Bob Wilson, vice president of the relationship with Kaiser is at the heart of DeKalb Regional Health System board the issue. He said Kaiser has partnerships of directors, chided commissioners for with four hospitals in the area, but there are approving a health plan that doesnt additional services not provided by those consider DeKalb Medical Center as an hospitals that DeKalb Medical may be able integral part. to provide. How can you possibly consider any Commissioner Stan Watson said the insurance program for the employees of board has been working on the proposed this county that does not consider DeKalb plan changes for approximately a year and Medical Wilson asked. The convenience that the county was on a strict timeline if for the employees to go to the hospital that benefits are to begin in July. is closest to them is self-evident. We gave this information to everybody, Wilson told commissioners that a county and I just think that DeKalb Medical came employee shouldnt have to pass DeKalb to the table late but I want to make sure we Medical and go to another county for have those conversations so they can be a service, which could potentially happen. part of it, Watson said. According to Wilson, DeKalb Medical According to Williams, the changes to has an annual impact of more than $800 the plan will save the county money on million on DeKalb County. claim and administrative costs.
Champion of the Week

THAI LY
Since 2012, Thai Ly has been volunteering with the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center encouraging residents to file for citizenship and register to vote. Ly came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam and has made it a point to help other immigrants and refugees in the community. Additionally, Ly volunteers with different organizations in Clarkston and has hosted New Years events for the Vietnamese community in DeKalb County. Ly said she is a lifelong volunteer. I am an outgoing person and I love to work with others, Ly said. I volunteer whenever I have [time] to and Im very devoted to what I do. Ly also volunteers with Refugee Family Services, a program that helps support refugees transition to life in metro Atlanta. Throughout her time volunteering with legal advocacy center, Ly said she has registered others to vote and participated
in lobbying for bills directly related to immigrants and refugees. I was able to deliver important messages to my community and others regarding how important voting is, why we all need to vote, and why we need to have our voice heard, Ly said. Those who are interested in volunteering, Ly said, should get connected with their community and learn from others. It brings happiness to others that need us, Ly said. Volunteering is very important because it is a great way to learn and build our communication skills.
Judge rules on remaining motions in Ellis trial

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com A DeKalb Superior Court judge has ruled on all the outstanding motions in the corruption case against suspended DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, and the case is expected to go to trial June 2. Ellis is accused of strong-arming county vendors into donating to his po- Ellis litical campaign and was named in a 14-count indictment last year. Judge Courtney Johnson denied Ellis motion April 8 to dismiss the indictment against him, stating several reasons why the indictment is justified. Ellis defense team argued that he was lured to testify in front of a special purpose grand jury and that it exceeded its scope, therefore information contained in Ellis testimony used in the indictment should be excluded. Johnson stated in her decision that the special purpose grand jury that called Ellis to testify did not exceed the scope of its investigation, therefore it had the power to compel Ellis testimony by subpoena. Additionally, Johnson stated that the charges in the indictment were unrelated to Ellis testimony for the special purpose grand jury. The court also found that Ellis fifth and sixth amendment rights were not violated because he testified in front of a special purpose grand jury that didnt have the power to indict him. Ellis and his attorneys filed an appeal of Johnsons rulings April 11.
If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Andrew Cauthen at andrew@dekalbchamp.com or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 117.
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE
Avondale Estates
AROUNDDEKALB
ment Director, Jim Summerbell, at (770) 986-5010 or jsummerbell@ chambleega.com.
COMMUNITY
PAGE 7A
Police department to collect unwanted drugs

The Avondale Estates Police Department is again participating in the National Drug Take Back Initiative sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency. The purpose of this event is to promote proper disposal of surplus, outdated and unwanted household medications in a safe manner, thus keeping them out of the wrong hands and out of the water supply. The event will take place Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the rear of the Avondale Estates City Hall. All forms of medication will be accepted. For more information, contact SSgt. Jason Browen at (404) 2945400, ext. 212, or by email at jbrowen@avondaleestates.org.
Decatur
Oakhurst preschool to host 5K
The Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool is holding its 7th Annual Beat the Street for Little Feet 5K May 3, beginning at the preschool at 8 a.m. The race will be included in Decatur Active Livings Grand Slam Fitness Challenge and is familyfriendly, with several options including a 5K race with a jogging stroller division, a one-mile race and a tot trot for the youngest kids. All pre-registered runners will receive a race T-shirt and tot-trot runners each receive a Pete the Cat medal. Registration closes April 30, at 3 p.m. For more information, visit www. ocprace.com or contact Kimberly Head Amos at 5k.oakhurstcoop. com.
catur, across the street from Decatur High School. Registration is $25 and includes materials and taste testing. Call Mothers Voices Georgia at (678) 476-3791 to register.
needed. For more information, please contact Leadership DeKalb at info@leadershipdekalb.org or (404) 373-2491.
Countywide
Clean DeKalb and help the environment
Keep DeKalb Beautiful, an organization with the mission promote sustainability focusing on litter prevention, waste reduction, and beautification, will offer an open house and training session on its Adopt-ARoad program on April 24. The event will also discuss community clean-ups and other programs. It will be held at county sanitation offices, 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, from 4 to 8 p.m. For more information call (404) 371-3689.
Dunwoody
Easter egg hunt Dunwoody
One fun event children like to take part in is the Easter egg hunts. Dunwoodys store Sweets n Dreams will host its first one on Saturday April 19. The event is for children ages 3 to 10. Doors open at 10 a.m. with the hunt beginning promptly at 10:30 a.m. The store is located 5500 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Suite 5A.
Lithonia
City to celebrate Georgia Cities Week
Lithonia will celebrate Georgia Cities Week with weeklong events. On April 17, the city will have bingo night at the Lithonia Womens Club, 2564 Wiggins Street, from 6:30-9 p.m. On April 18, the city will host Blues Night in Kelly Park, 6886 Main Street, from 8-11 p.m. Attendees can bring a blanket or chair. On April 19, there will be a Lithonia Housing and Homeownership event for residents to learn about their rights as a tenant, and moving from renting to owning. The event will be held at First Lithonia United Methodist Church, 3099 Stone Mountain Street, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, call city hall at (770) 482-8136.
Brookhaven
Group to host park cleanup
Friends of Blackburn Park will host a park cleanup May 4, from 1-4 p.m. The park is located at 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/BlackburnParkFriends.
Leadership DeKalb to promote voter education with forums, website

Leadership DeKalb has received a $25,000 grant from The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to fund Its For Them, DeKalb, a voter education project for the countys upcoming Board of Education elections. Leadership DeKalb will use the grant to inform the public about the countys Board of Education candidates through nonpartisan online videos, candidate questionnaires and live forums. Additional voter information, such as how and where to vote, will be available on the projects website, www.itsforthemdekalb.org, when it goes live on April 22. Leadership DeKalb is partnering with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Junior League of DeKalb County, Parents Council United and South DeKalb Improvement Alliance to sponsor the forums. The forums will be moderated by Linda Torrence, principal/chief executive officer of Torrence Management/Communications LLC. Candidates from Districts 2-4 will participate in a forum on Tuesday, April 22, at the Tull Auditorium at Emory University School of Law, 1301 Clifton Road, from 7-9 p.m. A second forum will be held with candidates from Districts 5-7 on Tuesday, April 29, from 7-9 p.m. at Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive. Both forums are free and open to the public. No registration is
Delta Life Development Center to host wine tasting

Members of the Delta Life Development Center, in conjunction with the Community Achievement Center, will sponsor, Elixirs and Edibles: A Wine-Tasting Affair, May 30, from 6:30-10 p.m. The event will be held at the Community Achievement Center, located at 4522 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. There will be live music, dancing, appetizers, a silent auction and a cash bar at the event, which features an in-house sommelier. For additional information, visit www.delta-ldc.org.
Chamblee
Residents invited to talk about citys future
On April 24 Chamblees residents are invited to attend to a public workshop, an opportunity to get involved in the Chamblee 2040 strategic development initiative. The event will be held at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street from 6p.m. to 8 p.m. The workshop will be a handson meeting to collect input on the future vision of the city, including the future development map which guides rezoning decisions. The city led planning effort is designed to give government officials guidance in making policy and capital investment decisions, as well as improve and streamline the citys land use regulations. For more information about Chamblees strategic development initiative, contact Deputy Develop-
Raw, Living Soul Food Cooking Workshop scheduled

Chef Femi Ibin will give tip on how to have a slimmer, healthier and energized summer through healthy eating. Ibin will be on hand for the Live, Raw Soul Food Cooking Workshop on Sat., April 26, from 10 a.m. to noon for a. Participants can learn how to prepare delicious, tasty raw foods. Raw foods help to create more energy, are easier to digest and add more nutrients and energy to your diet. The event will be held in the community room at W.I.F. Excellence Church, 266 Robin Street, De-
Pine Lake
Volunteers needed for spring cleanup
Volunteers are encouraged to join the newly formed Rockbridge Coalition for a community cleanup, April 26, 9:30 a.m.-noon. The cleanup will focus on Rockbridge Road between Hairston and Hambrick roads. Volunteers will meet in the Pine Lake Village parking lot. To volunteer or for more information, send an email to cleanuprockbridge@gmail.com.
LOCAL NEWS
2012 1 4 28 12 45 272 1552 111 2013 1 2 31 19 53 252 1519 75
Establishment Name: Brockett Pub House & Grill Address: 4522 East Ponce De Leon Avenue Current Score/Grade: 93/A Inspection Date: 04/09/2014
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2009 Homicide Rape Armed Robbery Aggravated Assault Total Violent Crime Burglary Larceny Motor Vehicle Theft 0 5 56 31 92 186 1015 85
2010 4 8 50 42 104 241 1331 118
2011 1 2 50 36 89 223 1370 95
Restaurant Health Inspections
Chief Grogan:
by Marta Garcia marta@dekalbcham.com
Observed expired bread stored in dry storage area. Dates marked to be used by 88th and 98th day of 2014. Advised PIC to discard expired bread. (-3 points) New Violation. Observed mushroom in vegetable sink stored in grocery bag. Informed PIC food must be stored in food grade bags. (-3 points) COS- PIC relocated food to zip lock bag. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Observed plates stored not fully dried. Informed PIC utensils must fully air dry before being stored. (-1 point) New Violation. Establishment Name: New Wonder Wok Address: 3365 Glenwood Road Current Score/Grade: 88/B Inspection Date: 04/09/2014 Observed employee coming into facility and put on apron and began touching equipement and utensils with out rst washing hands. Another employee was observed removing raw chicken livers and taking o gloves and placing on new gloves without washing hands in between before prepping other foods. PIC was advised to inform employees on when to wash hands. COS- employees washed hands. Corrected OnSite. Repeat Violation. 55/U inspection report not posted in public view. Advised PIC to post current inspection report. COS- inspection report was posted. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Establishment Name: China Buet Address: 2887 North Decatur Road, Suite A&B Current Score/Grade: 82/B Inspection Date: 04/09/2014 Failure to post food safety certication in public view. PIC advised to post CFSM certicate in public view. COSCerticate clearly posted. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Observed ready-to-eat foods in top of prep top cooler stored next to raw foods uncovered. Also, egg rolls in Walk-inCooler and cooked chicken in 1 door prep top cooler stored uncovered. PIC advised to prevent contamination during food prep, raw foods that are stored next to ready to eat foods should be covered. COS- PIC advised to cover foods immediately. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Mechanical ware washing machine between 10-50ppm, Chlorine. PIC advised that an approved nal rinse for Chlorine should be between 50- 100ppm, Chlorine. COS- During inspection type up, owner repaired machine. Final rinse at 100ppm, Chlorine Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Observed in use wet wiping clothes stored on countertop. Observed serving trays stacked wet. PIC informed that all utensils/ equipment should be air-dried. New Violation. Observed container lids -used to cover seasonings and peanut dressing- not clean to sight and touch with food accumulation. PIC advised to clean immediately and more frequently. Corrected On-Site. Repeat Violation. Establishment Name: Wae House Address: 1194 Columbia Drive Current Score/Grade: 82/B Inspection Date: 04/09/2014 Establishment Name: Mr. Wok Address: 2050 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite G-36 Current Score/Grade: 88/B Inspection Date: 04/09/2014 Observed chicken and beef cooling in a ice bath with trays not coming in contact with the ice. PIC advised the tray holding the product must be completely submerged in the ice to achieve proper cooling time restraints. COS- PIC recreated ice bath and placed pans completely in ice. Corrected On-Site. New Violation. Observed door handles on both prep top coolers, container tops in walk in cooler, and exterior rims of containers not clean to sight or touch. PIC advised to sanitize non- food contact surface immediately and more often. Repeat Violation.
Dunwoody residents feel safe in their city

The Dunwoody Police Department celebrated its fifth anniversary on April 1. To commemorate it and honor the contributions of those who have worked to build the department, officers participated in an informal party and put together a tribute video to highlight the achievements accomplished in the last five years. We are looking forward to the next five years and the things we can do to strengthen our relationship with the community, help reduce crime and improve the quality of life for folks in Dunwoody, said Police Chief Billy Grogan. Our department has formed many great partnerships and has developed a high level of mutual trust. The department has also been a law enforcement leader in using social media to build and strengthen our relationship with our community while being open and transparent. The Dunwoody Police Department serves 47,000 residents and thousands of people who work and visit the city each day. According to the crime comparison report published on the departments website, the total number of violent crime in 2010 was 104 (that includes homicide, rape, armed robbery and aggravated assault) and in 2013 the number dropped to 53. We made a significant number of arrests and we are tough on crime. I can say that Dunwoody residents feel safe in their city. According to the 2013 community survey report conducted by Pioneer Marketing Research, the police department was the highest rated city department examined in the survey and the overall performance of the police (average rating 4.33 of 5) was the highest rated factor among with the officer visibility (4.29), quality of personnel (4.28), and providing a safe place to live (4.26). It is an honor and privilege to be a part of this proud and progressive department; we look forward to continuing in the spirit of service to others, Grogan said. The department has an interactive website that provides real-time information about reporting crime in Dunwoody. The department also uses Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and a smart phone app to engage, inform and educate residents. Technology over the last few years really has revolutionized law enforcement, Grogan said. Our website was designed for the community, so they can understand what we do, actively collaborate with us and learn how to protect themselves. For Grogan, the departments strength is being a proactive police group that creates strong connections with the community through programs such as situational awareness classes, citizen police academy and the police-to-citizen portal, where residents can get important information about an ongoing alert. As our department moves forward, I expect to see a reduction in crime and disorder in Dunwoody. We have a culture built upon a foundation of fair and impartial policing provided by a highly motivated and trained staff that is committed to delivering a high level of customer service, Grogan said. The professional staff values honesty, integrity, team work, professionalism, loyalty and serviceare the core of the department, according to Grogan, along with the officer experience and education. More than half of Dunwoodys Police officers have bachelors degree and several uniform patrol officers have masters degrees. Technology and vehicles are tools that we use but it is the people who really make a difference in any organization, Grogan said. Our police officers have great technical and communications skills and a positive attitude. They really have a desire to serve the community and a lot of compassion for those in need. They really go above and beyond providing that special unique touch, he concluded.
What residents say

There is crime, like in every other city, but overall I feel safe. Kevin Arnold I havent ever heard of a police department taking their time to visit neighbors to reduce crime. Usually its the other way around. Kudos to the DPD! Isis Pelandale Love the DPD! Happy Anniversary Joyce Waller Chrisman Thankful for your service! Donna Wilson
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MARTA will increase rail and bus service in May

by Marta Garcia marta@dekalbchamp.com Commuters will find more frequent MARTA trains running beginning May 19, as the transportation authority increases service. Saba Long, media relations and external affairs representation for the authority, said that during weekday peak hours (from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.), trains on the Red and Gold Lines, which extend to North Springs and Doraville respectively, would run every 10 minutes instead of every 15 minutes as they do now. That means where the trains share a line from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport north to Lindbergh Center Station, trains would run every five minutes during those times. On the Blue and Green Lines, which run to Hamilton E. Holmes and Bankhead Stations, respectively, rush-hour service would be every 10 minutes instead of 15 minutes. And where the lines share tracks, from Ashby east to Candler Park Station, trains would run every 5 minutes during those times. Midday service on weekdays will be every 12 minutes on each of the lines, and six minutes where the Red/ Gold and Blue/Green lines merge. I look forward to this, along with the other initiatives they have in the works. Hopefully theyll consider running the green line all the way to Avondale Station when the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project is completed to capitalize on its potential for ridership gains, said Peter Martin, an Avondale Estates resident. A TOD is a pedestrianfriendly, mixed-use community that provides relief from totally automobile-dependent lifestyles by increasing access to transit for residents and workers, enabling them to drive their cars less and ride transit more. Ongoing construction and infrastructure improvements will keep weekend wait times significantly longer at 20 minutes per line, and occasionally every 24 minutes. Having taken MARTA a few times, I think its a great option to consider for people in the northern suburbs to use on the weekends and visit some sites in the city, Mark L. Stadler, a Dunwoody resident said. The biggest issue with MARTA is that it is not pervasive enough. There is simply not enough of it. For other commuters decreasing the waiting time for trains and buses is not enough to make the service better. I am a first time MARTA rider and it will likely be my last, Duane Matthews, a Brookhaven resident complained. I really do not need the freaks and vagrants in and around me just to make it into the city. For whatever you may save in money, the heckling and stench just isnt worth it to me. The MARTA folks need to go to D.C. and see how the Metro runs in a large urban city. Bus service, according to Long, will be ramped up as well starting on May 17. MARTA is increasing frequency on about 17 bus routes. That will amount to an additional 23 trips on weekdays, 99 trips on Saturdays and 55 trips on Sundays. The improved economy with stabilized fuel prices makes driving alone more attractive, CEO and General Manager Keith Parker said. We have to make using the bus and the trains more attractive. Thats why were adding service and buying new buses and more technology and these sorts of things. The proposed service changes were expected to cost about $1 million a year when MARTA first announced them in the fall. According to Parker, it took several months to implement the service because MARTA needed to recruit and train new drivers. The improvements were made possible by the authoritys renewed solvency extensive spending cuts put the agency back in the black last year for the first time in seven years and by $11.4 million in federal funding awarded this year from a program aimed at relieving congestion and improving air quality.
Beginning in May, commuters will be spending less time waiting for MARTA trains and buses. Photos by Marta Garcia
DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management Public Advisory Johnson Ferry Sewer System Maintenance
April 10, 2014 Advisory Issue Date May 8, 2014 Advisory Close Date
This advisory is issued to inform the public of a receipt of an Application for a variance submitted pursuant to a State environmental Law. The public is invited to comment during the 30-day period on the proposed activity. Since the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has no authority to zone property or determine land use, only those comments addressing environmental issues related to air, water, and land protection will be considered in the application review process. Written comments should be submitted to: Program Manager, NonPoint Source Program, Erosion and Sedimentation Control, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, S.W., Suite 1456, Atlanta, Georgia 30034. Type of Permit Application: Variance to encroach within the 25-foot State waters buffer. Applicable Law: Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act O.C.G.A. 12-7-1 et seq. Applicable Rules: Erosion and Sedimentation Control Chapter 391-3-7 Basis under which variance shall be considered {391-3-7.05(2)(A-K)}: A Description and Location of Proposed Activity: The proposed project involves buffer encroachments necessary to construct temporary roads along sewer easements to provide access for vehicles required for maintenance inspections and activities. The project will also involve the removal of 12 trees and the installation of temporary BMPs necessary for maintenance activities. The project is located near London Road in the City of Chamblee and will result in 1,180 linear feet of buffer impacts along an unnamed tributary to Nancy Creek. The Public can review site plans at 1580 Roadhaven Drive, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. Phone 770-621-7200.
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DeKalb County purchasing card administrator Travis Cherry discusses the proper use of the county-issued credit card with commissioners. Photo by Daniel Beauregard
Commissioners consider changes to county-issued credit card policy

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com Several county commissioners met April 8 to review and discuss changes to the policies relating to county-issued purchasing cards (P-Card) after a recent ethics complaint alleged improper use by some commissioners and staff. Commissioner Elaine Boyer and her chief of staff Bob Lundsten were named in an ethics complaint for using the cards for personal expenses and food purchases totaling thousands of dollars. According to P-Card administrator Travis Cherry, the information session, billed as a P-Card Lunch and Learn had been scheduled well before the allegations of misuse. Cherry said the P-Card program is based on one adopted from the state in 2004 and is used to obtain any goods needed for the county and its departments. In 2013, the county had 294 P-Card users constitutional officers, have a $5,000 limit. Purchases should be strictly for county use; if theres any improper use it complete a transaction log and present receipts detailing each transaction. Each cardholder is required to sign a users agreement further outlining their responsibilities as it relates to P-Card purchases. I agree to use this card for DeKalb County approved purchases only and agree not to charge personal purchases, the agreement states. I further understand that improper use of this card may result in civil action, criminal prosecution, and/ or disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Unlike county staff, elected officials are allowed to use their cards for travelrelated purchases. An agreement detailing P-Card use for travel expenses states that all employees must save receipts for each charge. Additionally, the agreement states county policy only allows a daily meal allowance of $36. Boyer reportedly used her P-Card for personal purchases, including funding family vacations. Although she has paid all the money back and issued an apology, according to county policies she could face repercussions. Shortly after issuing her apology, Boyer and Lundsten suspended their P-Card use. Commissioner Larry Johnson said county staff will be working with commissioners and experts to develop an updated P-Card policy that will follow best practices and procedures being carried out throughout the state. Johnson said he hopes commissioners will be able to enact a new policy by the end of May.
Purchases should be strictly for county use; if theres any improper use, it could lead to a civil action or termination. Travis Cherry
who made approximately 9,430 transactions totaling approximately $1.2 million. Cards for county staff have a monthly credit limit of $2,000, and P-Cards for elected officials, such as commissioners and could lead to a civil action or termination, Cherry said. Cherry said only P-Card holders are authorized to make purchases with the card. Each month, the cardholder is required to
Former GPC student preps for open records trial

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchap.com A former Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) student who was editor of the schools student newspaper will appear in court April 16 to argue that university officials knowingly obstructed his request for records relating to a $25 million budget shortfall in 2012. David Schick, now a student at the University of Georgia, filed a civil action charge June 10, 2013, against the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) alleging that his requests for records have at every turn, been met with obstruction, delay and at times outright misrepresentations. Ten months after Mr. Schick first requested the public records necessary for his reporting, the defendant, the Board of Regents, continues to, without lawful justification, withhold records that indisputably are subject to timely production under the Georgia Open Records Act, the civil suit states. In May 2012, GPC announced a series of campus-wide layoffs and then-President Anthony Tricoli was removed. Schick, the editor of GPCs weekly newspaper The Collegian, requested documents related to the shortfall, hoping to determine how the college could run up such a deficit without financial staff being aware. According to Schicks complaint, he requested items related to the deficit in August 2012 and was informed the items he requested would cost nearly $3,000. On prior occasions when Schick requested items he was allowed to receive them free of charge. On Schicks behalf, Frank LaMonte, executive director of the Student Press Law Center, sent a letter to USG Director of Media and Publications John Millsaps stating
See GPC on page 16A
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New Dunkin Donuts to continue Wesley Chapel Road renaissance

by Travis Hudgons travish@dekalbchamp.com Signs of new life are popping up on Wesley Chapel Road. On April 9 DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson and a group of residents welcomed the arrival of a Dunkin Donuts store with a groundbreaking ceremony along the Wesley Chapel corridor near I-20. This will be an upscale coffee shop with WI-FI that we want in our community, Johnson said. According to the owner, the new 3,500-square-foot Dunkin Donuts, slated to open this July, will be located at 2555 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, and will bring 10 new jobs to the area and have an additional adjoining retail space. The Decatur location will be the seventh store opened by local franchisee Salman Badruddin, who also owns Panola Road and Memorial Drive locations. currently being demolished, was home to several businesses in the past but has sat vacant for several years. Its important that we get rid of these vacancies. It creates code issues, promotes vagrancy and its just an eyesore, Johnson said. When you have new, vibrant businesses opening, it shows the renaissance of Wesley Chapel and District 3. Residents at the ground breaking expressed excitement about the neighborhood-friendly business opening and the possibilities for other businesses to move in to the area. Were in a renaissance. Were trying to restore and rebuild, said Paula Tate, a resident for more than 30 years and director of the Heart of South DeKalb Festival. Were also focusing on shopping local and building localwhich is the only way well save our community.
From left, Paula Tate, Valerie J. Morgan, representing Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce President Doreen Carter, Commissioner Larry Johnson and owner Salman Badruddin stand in front of the future location of the Wesley Chapel Dunkin Donuts store. Photo by Travis Hudgons
I like this area, Badruddin said. Im excited to bring a community coffee shop to this area.
We are not renovating this property, we are rebuilding this property. This will be a brand new build-
ing from the ground up, he said. The existing building,
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LOcAL NEWS
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People embrace in front of the site of a house fire that killed a mother and daughter in Avondale Estates on April 12.
The family had just moved into the home about six weeks ago, and were hosting a housewarming party when the fire started.
Friends and neighbors touched by the fatal fire are showing an abundance of support to the family and others affected by the tragedy. Photos by John Hewitt
Mother, daughter die in Avondale Estates house fire

by Marta Garcia marta@dekalbchamp.com Tragedy struck when Tami Willadsen, 43, and her 10-year-old daughter Jess were killed April 12 in a house fire on Lakeshore Drive in Avondale Estates. According to DeKalb County Fire Rescue Capt. Eric Jackson, the department received a call about the fire at 70 Lakeshore Drive at approximately 11:08 p.m. that Saturday. Jackson said the fire was so intense nearby homes were damaged. Paint melted on five nearby cars and the tops of trees approximately 80-feet high caught fire. The family had just moved into the home six weeks ago, and were hosting a housewarming party when the fire started. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to fire officials. Willadsens husband Dave, who had minor burns, was able to rescue his 5-year-old son Jack, who is being treated at Grady Memorial Hospital for serious burns and remains in critical condition. Friends have established a Go Fund Me online account to raise money for the family. Neighbors in Avondale Estates are also showing astated by the loss of our friend and colleague. Tami was the heart of our office, and she was deeply committed to conservation. We are keeping her husband and young son in our thoughts and prayers, Deron Davis, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia, said. Friend and colleague Erin Vilines said her thoughts and prayers go out to the family. She was my boss and a really good friend. My heart is broken, like everybody elses here at the office. I dont know how we are going to make it. She was a loving, caring, beautiful, intelligent soul. I cant imagine what her family is going through right now, Aspen Kron, chair of The Museum Schools governing board, said the school is deeply affected by this tragedy. We are devastated by the loss of our fourth-grade student, Jess, and her mother, Tami, Kron said. Jess was a bright, engaged student, and Tami served countless hours as founding president of The Museum School Foundation. Tami and Jess are a beloved part of our school community and will be missed.
Willadsen
support to the family and others affected by the tragedy. There just are no words that can convey the sense of loss we are experiencing as a community. Many friends and neighbors have begun efforts to help the families that were affected by this tragedy, Ed Rieker, mayor of Avondale Estates said. Tami Willadsen, known in the community for her philanthropy, was chairwoman of the board for EarthShare of Georgia, president of The Museum School Foundation and in November was named director of philanthropy at The Nature Conservancy in Georgia. Our entire staff is dev-
WEEK
In
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PICTURES
Children get ready to hunt for eggs at the 8th annual Ashford Park Easter Egg Hunt April 8.
From left, the Stern siblings Michael Carter, 4, Garrett Thomas, 6 months, and 2-year-old Lana Jeane takes a picture with the Easter Bunny. Photos by Carla Parker
Hutson Sturgis, 3, checks out his face painting as 4-year-old Max Brecher looks on.
From left, Rebecca Brodhad shows her 19-month-old son Judah a sticker that was inside one of his eggs. Two-year-old Parker Hidock plays on the playground.
Connor Onan receives a free Frisbee at the Easter Egg Hunt.
Max Brecher, 4, before he looks for eggs.
Two-year-old Don Jackson poses with the Easter Bunny.
Children play on the playground after the Easter Egg Hunt.
Photos brought to you by DCTV
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For a programming guide, visit www.yourdekalb.com/dctv
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Environmental nonprofit groups join to oppose biomass plant

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com it granted a special land use permit for the facility after the county already had Citizens for a Healthy signed a contract with Green and Safe Environment Energy Partners to sell (CHASE) announced April wood waste for an estimated 9 that it has joined the Blue $200,000 per year. Ridge Environmental DeIn July 2011, Green fense League (BREDL), a re- Energy Partners pulled its gional environmental justice permit application after failnon-profit organization. ing to complete the environBREDL will help CHASE mental permit application in fight against a biomass plant time. The withdrawal was in that is expected to be built in response to a Georgia EnviLithonia. The plant, which ronmental Protection Diviwill be operated by Green sion (EPD) request for adEnergy Resource Center, ditional information on the planned gasification process to be used in the plant. On Feb. 14, 2012, the Development Authority of DeKalb approved a resolution declaring its intent to issue $53 million in bonds to help Green Energy Partners get started. The authority later approved a 10-year tax abatement for the facility. Charles Utley Green Energy Partners filed its air permit application to the Georgia EPD April 24, 2012 and it received the permit would be located on 21 acres April 26, 2013. at 1770 Rogers Lake Road. Green Energy Partners CHASE has done well, proposed to use wood focusing its efforts on prebiomass, purchased from venting the development of DeKalb County and deliva biomass gasification burn- ered by truck, to generate ing electric plant located electricity by processing on Rogers Lake Road in Liapproximately 165,000 tons thonia, said Charles Utley, per year of, untreated wood Environmental Justice cam- and yard waste. paign director for BREDL. The facility would be The plant has not been constructed on property in a built, and its not too late. heavy industrial zone. We must remain steadfast in Wood biomass would be our goal. stored uncovered in an iniConstruction for the tial receiving area capable of plant has been delayed storing a minimum of a sevbecause Green Energy is en-day supply. The biomass having difficulty getting a would then be transferred license from the Georgia to a covered area. FollowPublic Service Commission, ing screening, the biomass according to CHASE presiwould be fed to two biomass dent Renee Cail. units. I met with the public Cail said the delay is a commissioner and requested small victory for CHASE but that they deny the license added that the group cannot because a biomass plant is relax on the issue. detrimental to the health We are continuing to of our community and sureducate the public and enrounding, Cail said. courage people to join the After the DeKalb County fight against it because south Board of Commissioners DeKalb is already saturated approved the facility in June with gas and land fields, 2011, CHASE filed a lawsuit trucking companies and against DeKalb County to things that are just destroyprevent the construction ing the health of these comof the facility. The lawsuit munities in general, Cail claims the county engaged said. in contract rezoning when
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The plant has not been built, and its not too late. We must remain steadfast in our goal.
Members of Citizens for a Healthy and Safe Environment and Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League have joined forces to oppose a proposed biomass plant in Lithonia.
THE CHAmPIoN FREE PRESS, fRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2014
LocAL NEWS
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Church Continued From Page 1A

try to pay off the current mortgage and move into a larger facility with lots of classroom space, which Johnson said is needed. Johnson said church officials have talked with housing authority officials and understand that the government entity has limits on what it can pay for property no more than fair market value. An appraiser for the housing authority set the value of the property at $140,000. That appraisal, Johnson said, was for residential use. It should have been appraised at its best and highest use, he said. The property could be worth millions to the housing authority, said Johnson, adding that an appraiser for the church valued the property at $340,000. Church officials have suggested that the private developer kick in the difference between the appraised value and the churchs price tag to help close this deal, Johnson said. Its much like the deal with the Falcons and the stadium where the Georgia World Congress Center association couldnt do but so much because of regulations, but the private part of the deal were able to close it, he said. to take approximately 24 months. Those complexes will have a total of nearly 400 apartments, double the units in the current complex, and will contain a mixture of market rate and subsidized units. You wont be able to tell one from the other, Grant said. They all will look the same. Anyone will be able to come live in the new community. You will have more people that enjoy living in Scottdale and more housing that is available. That is something that is needed. Johnson said the church is not fighting the development. We as a church welcome progress and we welcome all of this new growth in the community, he said. We understand about development. We understand about building a greater community. And we understand the bottom line and how this is economically going to help this region. We realize with progress comes change, so were ready, Johnson said. We will still be a beacon of hope for this area. If we dont make this deal, we will still be serving.
I Am a Father: Celebrating African American Fathers, contains testimoniespresented through interviews with children (young and old)on moments with their father that have made lasting effects on their lives.
Manuel Continued From Page 1A

better to tell that story than the children? The book is told through the eyes of the children celebrating their fathers, Manuel added. The self-published book, I Am a Father: Celebrating African American Fathers, contains testimonies presented through interviews with children (young and old)on moments with their fathers that have made lasting effects on their lives. Each page introduces the reader to the positive influence of the fathers. The book includes the children of actors Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman and Ossie Davis, as well as the children of rappers Yung Joc and Big Boi from Outkast. The book also features local fathers such as radio personality Ryan Cameron, New Birth Missionary Baptist Director of Public Relations Art Franklin and Bishop Eddie Long, and Bill Cartwright from 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. Different men, different careers but they all have one thing in common: they love being a father and they celebrate it, Manuel said. The book has sold more than 10,000 copies and its success led Manuel to collaborate with journalist Karyn Greer to compile a book about mothers titled, I Am a Mother: Celebrating Mothers. The mother book is really celebrating what I think is one of the hardest jobs in the world and thats being a mom, Manuel said. A mother would sacrifice her own desires and her own happiness to make sure her family is taken care of. Unlike Manuels first book, which focuses on Black fathers, I Am a Mother features mothers of all cultural backgrounds. The mothers share their stories about being a mother. They talk about their triumphs, their tragedies, their struggles and their achievements of being a mom, Manuel said. The book features actresses Nia Long and Jasmine Guy, former news anchor Monica Pearson, singer Regina Bell, and Yolanda Lee, first lady of Berean Christian Church. On March 22, Manuel partnered with Berean Christian Church to host the I Am Series. The program was an up-close and personal conversation with influential men discussing faith, fatherhood and family. The panelists included Manuel, Cameron, Berean pastor Kerwin Lee, DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May, poet Hank Stewart and violinist Ken Ford. It was great, Manuel said about the event. It was something that has been in me for the longest, even before I wrote the book. But to put together a panel of influential men, leaving their egos outside the door and having a heart-to-heart, up-close and personal conversation about fatherhood, family and faith was a powerful setting. Manuel said he wants to put a program together that would bring father figures into young men lives. Thats what the whole creation of this I Am Series is really about, he said. Its about being there and being active.
A rich history
Travelers Rest Baptist has a rich, 75-year history. It was formed by the sons and daughters of slaves who constructed the building themselves. Stained glass windows commemorate the founding members of the congregation. After growth of the church in the 1980s, then-Pastor Kenneth Samuel was at the helm when a decision was made to move to a building on Snapfinger Road. The church changed its name to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and eventually became a nationally-known megachurch. Samuels started another churchVictory for the World Church, now located in Stone Mountain. But a group of members never left the Scottdale location and continued that church until today. That history, Johnson said, cant be purchased at a fair real estate market value. You cant tell us what the church is worth to us, he said. You cant tell us what 75 years of history is worth to us and then having to pick up and moveit costs money. Were not trying to be greedy. We just want to keep doing what we do and do it in a better and greater way.
Good neighbors
Paula Gwynn Grant, vice president of communications and community development for the DeKalb housing authority, said the church and Tobie Grant Manor have been good neighbors for 47 years. We just look forward to them remaining there with us for the next 47 years, she said. I think in the new community it would be great to continue to have them as neighbors. Grant said she is sure the construction will impact them just like it will all of our other neighbors all around us. Construction does that, Grant said. Were going to do our best, though, to continue to be good neighbors and not have the construction negatively impact all of our surrounding neighbors. Were going to keep that to a minimum. Were going to be respectful of our neighbors just like we always have been. Demolition is expected to begin in late spring with construction beginning in late summer. The first phase of the construction will include two apartment complexes: one for seniors and one for families. Construction is expected
REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE
Area residents invited to go Wylde for Earth Day

by Kathy Mitchell kathym80@hotmail.com Decatur is known for its green initiatives and fun events, according to Andrea Zoppo, public programs manager at the Wylde Center, so an Earth Day celebration is a natural fit for the city. On Saturday, April 19, the city, in partnership with the Wylde Center, will celebrate Earth Day with an afternoon festival. First suggested by Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day started in 1970, in the wake of a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, Calif. Celebrations have been held throughout the United States ever since. By 1990, Earth Day had gone global with approximately 141 countries spotlighting environmental issues on the world stage. The Wylde Center has always celebrated Earth Day as an event, Zoppo said. This is our 17th year. As a collaborative event with the city of Decatur we have celebrated with a festival for about seven years. Zoppo said last year more than 600 people attended the festival, and the crowd is expected to be at least as large this year. People come from all around, she said. We have many families who come to enjoy the free arts and crafts, scavenger hunt, music, parade and wildlife preservation exhibit. Although the festival is free, there will be more than 40 vendors, six of which will sell food. A popular feature of the festival is the cake contest. Bakeries, families, groups and individuals are invited to submit Earth Day themed cakes in the hope of winning cash prizes. We all love cake. The contest is easy and informal, Zoppo said. After judgingabout mid-afternoonthe cakes will be served to those in attendance. Environmental responsibility is always the overarching theme, but each festival has its own. Last year, it featured a pirate theme that was so
LOCAL NEWS
PAGE 16A
Unnamed DeKalb County official in federal corruption probe

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com A DeKalb County official has been tied to a federal corruption probe in which S.C. businessmen are accused of soliciting bribes. In a federal indictment filed in South Carolina, an unnamed DeKalb County official is mentioned as being involved in a possible scheme to receive kickbacks. The indictment involves the dealings of South Carolina businessmen Jonathan Pinson and Eric Robinson. Pinson and Robinson were indicted for a total of 52 counts including racketeering, theft and bribery. Robinson also owns interest in the Arizona Steakhouse at Stonecrest Mall. According to the indictment, in October 2011, Pinson and Robinson used a phone to discuss soliciting a kickback from a businessman to pay off a DeKalb County Official. The indictment details a scheme devised by Pinson and Robinson in which they would allegedly solicit an inflated kickback from a business partner, pay off the DeKalb County councilman and pocket the remaining money. Nowhere in the indictment does it state that the official from DeKalb County is a commissioner and no one from Georgia has been charged in connection with the indictment. However, interim CEO Lee May and Commissioner Stan Watson have both served the district including Stonecrest Mall. Each member of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has reportedly denied any involvement in the case. The unnamed official from DeKalb County is not accused of receiving kickbacks in the indictment. The public may have to wait until the case goes to trial this summer to find out which elected official it is.
popular its being reused this year. Earth Day, Zoppo explained, is a pirates favorite holiday, because its all about the three Rsreduce, reuse, recycle. Pirates, according to legend, were fond of saying, Arrr! Stephanie Van Parys, executive director of the Wylde Center, suggested ways of playing around with the triple-R theme. Well kick things off with a pirate paRRRade that starts at Harmony PaRRRk and ends in the Oakhurst GaRRRden, where well offer aRRRts and crafts for the kids, she joked. Another highlight of the event is the award ceremony that is the culmination of a T-shirt design contest in which local school children participate. Agnes Scott College staff and Decatur city officials chose winners this year from among more than 40 drawings. This years grand prize goes to fifth-grader Aliyah Bradley-Davine, whose drawing will be printed on the festival T-shirts; the student also receives $50. Second-grader Chloe Whitney Harris, fifth-grader Yasmeen Shad and 10th-grader Sara Tanner won the first prize of their grade categories and will each receive a $25 prize. Second prizes winners are second grader Vivian Poley and fourthgrader Jeffrey Markowitz; third prize winners are second grader Isabella Watkins and fifth grader Gaia Watts. Second and third prizes winners will receive gift certificates. The festival starts at 12:30 p.m. with a Pirate Parade. To be part of it, all one has to do is line up by noon at Harmony Park. Participants are encouraged to wear pirate garb and join in the buccaneer spirit. Seriously, Van Parys said, its a gRRReat way to celebrate the natural world and to learn more about how to better care for the Earth. Oakhurst Garden, the site of the festival, is at 435 Oakview Road, Decatur.
Neighborhood watch training and 911 center tour set

DeKalb County will open up its 911 center for a public tour April 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. The county will also hold a neighborhood watch training workshop. Neighborhood watch groups are effective because they decrease opportunities for criminals to commit crime, according to the countys announcement. The added bonus is the cohesiveness it provides between members of your community. The workshop will educate participants on the most effective ways of identifying and reporting suspicious activity and mobilizing a neighborhood watch program.Topics will include why there is a the need for a neighborhood watch program; what is needed to start a neighborhood watch program; and a discussion regarding resources to keep informed and connected using technology and the internet. The event will be held at the DeKalb Police and Fire Rescue Headquarters, 1950 and 1960 West Exchange Place, Tucker.
GPC Continued From Page 12A

the monetary request was excessive. Millsaps responded, reducing the fee by several hundred dollars. Schick then hired a computer expert who testified under oath that the information he was seeking should cost no more than $50 and could be easily retrieved. This information was sent to Millsaps and the fee was eventually reduced to $291, approximately 10 percent of the original fee. To date, neither Georgia Perimeter nor the University System has produced more than a small number of the documents Schick requested. The Georgia Open Records Act states that records must be produced in a timely manner not to exceed three business days. Schicks suit requests that an injunction be entered directing the USG and GPC to fully comply with the Open Records Act and furnish all documents hes requested. It also requests that all fees be waived and that the defendants be required to pay Schicks attorney fees. The public deserves to know how so much money could have gone missing from the budget and how it could go undetected for such a long period in time, Schick said. The buck stops with the Board of Regents, and the records I requested could go a long way toward revealing what officials knew and when they knew it. These are open records, and the public has a right to know. Schick said that a special audit and review released by the Board of Regents regarding the shortfall didnt fully explain what happened and how GPC could have amassed such a large deficit. Millsaps filed a response to the suit on behalf of the Board of Regents stating the complaint should be dismissed in its entirety with all costs cast against the plaintiff. Additionally, Millsaps said he could not comment further on any pending litigation. Since the University System of Georgias headquarters is located in Atlanta, the trial will take place in Fulton County Superior Court.
bUSINESS
PAGE 17A
Local restaurants feast on Easter Sunday patronage

by Kathy Mitchell kathym80@hotmail.com Easter, on the Christian calendar, is called a moveable feast because it occurs on different calendar days from year to year. Many families take the feast suggestion literally and celebrate the holiday with a big meal, often brunch. Restaurants across the country report a hefty increase in business as diners pursue special menus and lavish all-you-can-eat buffets. Although, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), fewer Americans will celebrate this year80.3 percent compared with 83 percent last yearfamilies are still looking forward to a traditional Easter Sunday meal. Those who plan to celebrate will spend a large portion of their holiday allotment on a family dinner or Sunday brunch out, NRF officials said. According to NRFs survey, 85.7 percent of those celebrating will spend an average of $43.18 on a holiday meal, totaling $5 billion nationally. Overall Easter spending, including apparel, candy, gifts, decorations and other items, is expected to average $137.46 per consumer, down from $145.13 in 2013. Several DeKalb County restaurants are looking forward to big sales on Easter Sunday. Brantley Smith of Chequers Seafood Restaurant in Dunwoody reported that two weeks before Easter, Chequers already had accepted more than 800 reservations. Its one of our biggest days right up there with Mothers Day, he said. Archie Mitchell, service manager at J. Alexanders, also in Dunwoody, said the restaurant is a Sunday brunch destination throughout the year, but does a high volume of business on Easter Sunday. Were still working on this years menu, he said April 9, but we will definitely have some special items. Parkers on Ponce in Decatur doesnt ordinarily have a Sunday brunch buffet, but its been open it has had one every Easter, as well as Mothers Day and Fathers Day, according to Christopher Scott, one of the owners. Its quite popular, Scott said. While Petite Auberge in Toco Hills does not feature an Easter buffet, it lures Easter diners with a special menu. Michael Gropp, general manager, commented, We are all about family and tradition, so our Easter brunch is a popular event that the community looks forward to every year. We are celebrating our 40th anniversary in August, andmany families havebeen attending our Easter brunch for decades. Marlows, which has three DeKalb County locationsNorthlake, Dunwoody and Emory Pointexpands its already extensive Sunday brunch menu on Easter Sunday. The Northlake Marlows, which is located inside the Doubletree Hotel not only offers many additional menu items, but also more than doubles its dining space by setting up tables in the hotel lobby. Those who plan to cook the big meal at home also typically spend more than usual at the grocery store, according the NRF, and stores target to holiday shoppers. Fresh Market in Dunwoody, for example, provided recipes and menu ideas at an Easter Eggztravaganza event the week before Easter. Of the nine spending events that the NRF tracks, Easter falls in the middle, with consumers spending less at Easter than for winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, etc.), back to school, Valentines Day and Mothers Day, but more than for Fathers Day, the Super Bowl, Halloween and St. Patricks Day.
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
The Voice of Business in DeKalb County
Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030 404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
EDUcAtION
PAGE 18A
Two Georgia Perimeter students receive prestigious scholarships

Trung Quach and Matthew Tate have become the 11th and 12th Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) students to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Scholarship since the national program was initiated in 2002. Quach, 21, is a native of Vietnam and attends GPCs Clarkston campus where hes majoring in biology. Tate, 22, is a science major who lives in Monroe and attends GPCs Newton campus. The largest private scholarship for two-year community college transfer students in the country, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation provides up to $30,000 a year for up to three years to the nations top low-income community college students seeking to complete a bachelors degree at an accredited college or university. Quach and Tate are among 85 scholars in the country who received the award in 2014. Scholars were selected based on high academic ability and achievements, persistence, leadership and financial need. Quach, who has a 4.0 GPA, will graduate from GPC with an associate degree in biological sciences in May. He has already been accepted to Georgia Tech where he plans to major in biochemistry. Tate holds a 3.9 GPA and is currently taking classes in differential equations and chemistry. He plans to major in electrical engineering and has applied to Georgia Tech. As an international student, Quach will have to pay out-of-state tuition at Georgia Tech. The scholarship will help him continue to pay for college, he said. My mom and dad were so happy and proud of me, said Quach, who lives in Stone Mountain with his brother; his parents live in Vietnam. They said I made the whole family proud. Tate, who is a newlywed, is financing his own education at GPC through his job, Georgias HOPE scholarship Matthew Tate, a science major, said his scholarship will allow him to continue college. and Pell grants. I had a lot of people praying for me, Tate said. I doubt more college would be possible without this scholarship. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has long been committed to helping outstanding community college students transfer to and succeed at the nations top colleges and universities, said Emily Froimson, vice president of programs at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Since the program started in 2002, the foundation has supported 643 community college students directly, and thousands more through the foundations grant-making Trung Quach will use his scholarship to attend Georgia Tech. Photos provided initiatives.
Skys the limit for Georgia Perimeter student

by Kysa Daniels Tayvon Snowden speaks rapidly and excitedly about anything concerning aviation. Tail winds. Head winds. Airplane performance charts. The terminology flows easily and energetically as he discusses his desire to someday own a charter airline, after first becoming a test pilot for airplane manufacturers. I have several friends, and we just get on the phone and literally talk for hours about aviation, he said. Ive always been interested in technical things, and Ive always been fascinated with planes and carsall my life. At 17 years of age, Snowden already appears to be on a clear path for making his dreams reality. This past fall, he began his first semester at Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) as an aerospace engineering student on GPCs Clarkston Campus. As a Regents Engineer Transfer Program participant, hell head to Georgia Tech to earn his bachelors degree after graduating from GPC. In addition to maintaining a rigorous home-school schedule that culminated in his high school graduation, Snowden has managed to receive his student pilot certification and launch a website and web design business to fund future aviation aspirations. Hes an outstanding young man, said Julius Alexander, Snowdens flight instructor and president of Atlantas Aviation Career and Enrichment Academy. Hes going to go places, too. He has goals and objectives, and hes mature to where he knows how to prioritize. Snowden has won numerous aviation and academic awards over the past several years, including invitations to attend camps at the prestigious Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and at Delta Airlines, among other programs. Snowden cites personal drive as well as strong support from family as two of the driving forces behind his success. His mother, Queen Taese Snowden, said she always has been careful to not place limits on her children. We dont put them in a box, she said. Its about teaching them that anything can be accomplished. This type of attitude fuels her sons ambitions. I have to give a majority of the credit for the path Im on to my mom, he said. She kept me around positive people, doing positive thingspeople who are always displaying good character and good morals. It was a pair of Snowdens cousins who, in part, led him to GPC. They were recent graduates and convinced him of the colleges academic soundness and affordability. After visiting and also learning about the program that will allow him to transfer seamlessly to Georgia Tech, Snowden said he knew Georgia Perimeter would be a good fit. I didnt want to jump into anything overwhelming, he said. GPC offers a good transitional phase for the student.
Week
See Wrestling on page 19A
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EDUcAtION
PAGE 19A
President: Georgia Piedmont keeping its head to the sky

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com Quoting lyrics from an Earth, Wind and Fire song, Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) President Jabari Simama said the college is keeping its head to the sky. Our vision is large and our vision is bold, but our vision is realistic, Simama said. We will build our future here at Georgia Piedmont Technical College by keeping our head to the sky. Simamas comments were part of his State of the College address given April 10 during the schools honors convocation. As I reflect over the past year and the many accomplishments we achieved in our ambitious goals, Im excited and I am encouraged about where we are headed in the future, the president said. Simama said GPTC officials want to make our college the premier institution for technical and adult education in Georgiaa new vision with a global commitment to personal, professional and community transformation. Weve begun this journey but we have not arrived yet, Simama said. Can I have an Amen? But make no mistake, my friends, we are on our way and the state of our college is good. One way the college, Simama said, is seeking to be the premier institution is by striving hard to ensure that we provide for our students not only an environment for learning and educational excellence, but also an environment where students feel valued and part of an extended family. The enrollment for GPTC, one of the fastest growing colleges in the state, is nearly 22,000. Of those students, 85 percent are minorities. Additionally, 58 nationalities are represented. Last year, approximately 2,100 degrees, certificates and diplomas were conferred. With a budget of $42 million, the college serves four counties: DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Morgan. Simama detailed the colleges five-year strategic plan developed around four goalsmanagement excellence, educational excellence, engagement excellence and communications excellence. In the area of educational excellence, Simama said the college is focusing on creating a new educational paradigm. The old educational model just doesnt work, Simama said. In our four-county service area, over half of the adult population does not have the necessary education or the training to meet the current market demands. Simama said the college is working to address that problem by implementing programs that will allow students to earn a GED while receiving training to enter the workforce. The college will also focus on Black males to do something about the shortage of African American males in higher education. In order to truly change the paradigm we must address the major problem we have with 1.3 million Georgians who do not have a high school diploma, he said. How are you going to get a job in this market if you dont have a high school diploma? Additional goals for GPTC include elevating the college in the community; expanding student enrollment; promoting student success; supporting open communication; implementing a digital media production technology degree; establishing a veterans and military support center; and expanding its transit training program. We believe these goals will take GPTC to the sky, Simama said. Our vision is large and our vision is bold, but our vision is realistic. We will build our future here at Georgia Piedmont Technical College by keeping our head to the sky.
The state of our college is good, said Georgia Piedmont Technical College President Jabari Simama on April 10.
Simama recognizes students during the colleges honors convocation.
From left, Georgia Piedmont faculty members and actress/singer Maria Howell provide entertainment. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
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DEKALB BASEBALL SCORES:

Week 7 (March 31-April 5): ARABIA MOUNTAIN HIGH March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 3 Thursday CEDAR GROVE HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday CHAMBLEE HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday CLARKSTON HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday CROSS KEYS HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 3 Thursday DRUID HILLS HIGH SCHOOL April 1 Tuesday DUNWOODY HIGH SCHOOL April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 3 Thursday LITHONIA HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday MARTIN LUTHER KING HIGH March 31 Monday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday MCNAIR HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday MILLER GROVE HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 2 Wednesday April 3 Thursday (2-2 last week; 11-5-1 overall; 4-2-1 in 6AAAAA) Martin Luther King Jr. at Clarkston at Lakeside Miller Grove (2-2 last week; 11-9 overall; 4-5 in Region 6AAA) Cross Keys at Decatur St. Pius McNair (1-2 last week; 8-11 overall; 4-4 in Region 6AAAA) Columbia Banneker at Grady (0-4 last week; 2-13-1 overall; 0-8 in 6AAAAA) Lakeside Arabia Mountain at Dunwoody Mays (4-0 last week; 17-3 overall; 7-2 in Region 6AAAA) at Chamblee South Atlanta Lithonia at Banneker (0-4 last week; 0-14-1 overall; 0-9 in 6AAA) at Cedar Grove at Towers at Blessed Trinity St. Pius (1-0 last week; 9-8 overall; 3-4 in 2AAAAAA) Lovejoy (3-0 last week; 8-9 overall; 5-2 in Region 6AAAAA) at North Atlanta Clarkston Martin Luther King Jr. (3-1 last week; 12-6 overall; 6-2 in 6AAAAA) at Clarkston Stephenson Arabia Mountain at South Forsyth (1-2 last week; 6-9 overall; 4-4 in Region 6AAAA) at Grady at Columbia Carver (1-2 last week; 11-6 overall; 4-3 in 6AAAAA) at Arabia Mountain Tucker at Dunwoody (0-4 last week; 5-13 overall; 2-7 in Region 6AAA) at St. Pius Blessed Trinity Woodward Academy at Cedar Grove (0-3 last week; 1-14 overall; 0-8 in 6AAAAA) at Stephenson Southwest DeKalb at Arabia Mountain L 13-3 W 22-0 L 10-0 W 15-0 W 19-0 L 5-3 L 18-7 W 11-1 L 10-1 W 10-0 L 4-2 L 15-0 L 22-0 L 19-0 L 15-0 W 10-1 W 12-1 W 14-3 W 15-0 L 19-0 L 15-2 L 16-0 L 17-0 W 3-1 W 5-3 W 19-0 W 13-1 W 15-0 W 8-7 W 10-0 L 17-12 L 15-8 L 14-3 W 10-8 W 13-3 L 8-2 L 13-1 L 10-0 L 15-0 L 16-1 L 11-1 L 14-6 L 11-2 L 15-0
GPC womens tennis team pose with the tournament trophies. From left, assistant coaches Christian Bellini and David Bennett, MVP Niriantsa Rasolomalala, Corina Anghelescu, Fatyha Berjane, Eduarda Marins, Drew Anderson, DAsha Davis and Coach of the Year Mohamed Nait Omar.
GPC womens tennis wins second consecutive GCAA title

Georgia Perimeter College womens tennis captured its second consecutive conference championship April 12 and will go to Tyler, Texas, for the national tournament in May. The No. 2 ranked Jaguars won every match they played in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament. The GCAA named sophomore ace Niriantsa Rasolomalala the tournaments Most Valuable Player for the second straight year. Also, head coach Mohamed Nait Omar was named Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. The seasoned sophomores set the pace for the Jaguars. Rasolomalala defeated persistent Kelly Burge of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) 6-2, 7-5 in No. 1 singles, and in the top flight doubles match she and Corina Anghelescu rolled by Burge and Lorraine Chon Qui 6-0, 6-1. Last year Rasolomalala beat ABACs Camelia Abdallah for the No. 1 singles title. This year Abdullah moved down to No. 2 and faced GPCs All-American sophomore Fatyha Berjane. Berjane, who earned her 2013 All-America honor by winning the national No. 2 singles title, topped Abdallah 7-5, 6-1 for her second GCAA title in two years. She is undefeated at 9-0 in singles play this season. In No. 2 doubles, Berjane teamed up with Drew Anderson and defeated Abdallah and Gillian Mitchell 6-3, 6-3. DAsha Davis and Eduarda Marins defeated ABACs Scarlet Cook and Haley Humphrey 6-0, 6-4 in the other doubles match. Marins defeated Keirra Toole of Oxford College of Emory 6-0, 6-0 in No. 5 singles. In the final, Marins pulled away in the second set to defeat Cook 7-5, 6-1. In the third singles match, Anderson defeated Mitchell 6-2, 6-1. Anghelescu won the No. 4 title, topping Chon Qui 6-2, 6-2. Davis defeated Apu Thakk of Oxford College of Emory 6-0, 6-3 to win the No. 6 championship. GPC has defeated ABAC in every outing the teams have held since Feb. 15, 2013. The Jaguars will take a rest until May 1, when they travel to Lawrenceville for a match with NAIA power Georgia Gwinnett College. The NJCAA national tournament will take place May 5-9.
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PAGE 22A
Baseball Scores
Continued From Page 21A REDAN HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 3 Thursday SW DEKALB HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 2 Wednesday April 5 Saturday STEPHENSON HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday STONE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 2 Wednesday April 3 Thursday April 4 Friday TOWERS HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 1 Tuesday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday TUCKER HIGH SCHOOL March 31 Monday April 2 Wednesday April 4 Friday Week 8 (April 7-12): ARABIA MOUNTAIN HIGH April 11 Friday April 12 Saturday CEDAR GROVE HIGH SCHOOL April 11 Friday CHAMBLEE HIGH SCHOOL April 12 Saturday CLARKSTON HIGH SCHOOL COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL April 12 Saturday CROSS KEYS HIGH SCHOOL DRUID HILLS HIGH SCHOOL April 10 Thursday April 11 Friday April 12 Saturday DUNWOODY HIGH SCHOOL April 12 Saturday LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL April 7 Monday April 9 Wednesday April 9 Wednesday (0-2 last week; 11-7-1 overall; 4-2-1 in 6AAAAA) at Cedar Grove at Chamblee (1-0 last week; 12-9 overall; 4-5 in Region 6AAA) Arabia Mountain (1-0 last week; 9-11 overall; 4-4 in Region 6AAAA) Arabia Mountain (0-0 last week; 2-13-1 overall; 0-8 in 6AAAAA) (0-1 last week; 17-4 overall; 7-2 in Region 6AAAA) at Tucker (0-0 last week; 0-14-1 overall; 0-9 in 6AAA) (1-2 last week; 10-10 overall; 4-5 in 2AAAAAA) at Morrow Newton County at Prince Avenue (1-0 last week; 9-9 overall; 5-2 in Region 6AAAAA) at Alpharetta (T) (2-1 last week; 14-7 overall; 6-2 in 6AAAAA) Bolingbrook, IL at Disney, FL Tourney Bolingbrook, IL at Disney, FL Tourney Osceola, FL at Disney, FL Tourney W 12-2 L 8-5 L 7-1 W 3-1 W 4-0 W 9-6 L 12-6 L 5-4 L 11-10 L 11-0 W 11-10 W 11-0 (3-1 last week; 14-5 overall; 7-2 in Region 6AAAA) at Marist at Banneker Therrell at Washington (2-1 last week; 9-7-1 overall; 1-3-1 in 6AAAAA) North Atlanta at Miller Grove at Stephenson (3-1 last week; 17-3 overall; 7-1 in 6AAAAA) Miller Grove at Lakeside at Mays Southwest DeKalb (1-3 last week; 3-11-1 overall; 1-8 in 6AAAA) at South Atlanta Washington at Grady at Marist (1-3 last week; 4-12-1 overall; 1-8 in 6AAA) Blessed Trinity Cross Keys Decatur at Woodward Academy (2-1 last week; 11-7 overall; 4-3 in 6AAAAA) Mays at Martin Luther King Jr. North Atlanta L 2-1 W 14-0 W 15-0 W 19-1 W 11-1 W 11-2 L 6-3 W 14-6 L 8-7 W 5-1 W 6-3 L 14-4 W 16-15 L 15-0 L 10-0 L 17-0 W 14-2 L 22-3 L 7-0 F L 11-4 W 8-2 W 5-1
Miller Grove boys basketball coach Sharman White receives the Region 6-AAAAA championship trophy last February. White was named All-USA Boys Basketball Team coach of the year. Photo by Travis Hudgons
Miller Groves Sharman White named All-USA coach of the year

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com After coaching the Miller Grove Wolverines basketball team to its sixth consecutive state championship, Sharman White was named AllUSA Boys Basketball Team coach of the year. It was the sixth consecutive state title that led to White receiving the honors, according to www.usatodayhss.com. His team rallied after the preseason death of freshman Terrell Too Tall Coleman, who collapsed during an all-star game, the website stated. White has been the basketball coach and athletic director at Miller Grove since the school opened in 2005. White said he was surprised, but humbled and honored, to receive the honor. That is one of the top honors you can receive as a coach, White said. It covers the entire country, which is pretty big when you look at it from the outside. White said when he and the coaching staff started the program in 2005 the plan was to have a winning and successful program. When we embarked on this we wanted to be the best and, by Gods grace, thats what were living in, White said. It took faith, hard work, commitment and dedication, and the guys were committed to win. White told USA Today that he set the culture from day one and all the players bought into it. We became a powerhouse in a matter of years, White told USA Today. Weve had great players, like Stephen Hill (now a receiver with the New York Jets) and Tony Parker (a sophomore forward at UCLA). We lost all those guys, but the expectations are still there. Our older guys are always around during spring break and they talk to the current players. Even with six championships, White said there is always something to strive for or improve on. Our expectations dont change year to year, he said. Winning state championships is not something were going to get tired of doing. We want to continue to keep this program at its cusp of one of the top programs in the country, if not the top program in the county.
LITHONIA HIGH SCHOOL (0-0 last week; 6-9 overall; 4-4 in Region 6AAAA) MARTIN LUTHER KING HIGH SCHOOL (0-1 last week; 11-7 overall; 4-4 in 6AAAAA) April 12 Saturday Southwest DeKalb MCNAIR HIGH SCHOOL MILLER GROVE HIGH SCHOOL REDAN HIGH SCHOOL April 12 Saturday SW DEKALB HIGH SCHOOL April 11 Friday April 12 Saturday STEPHENSON HIGH SCHOOL (0-0 last week; 5-13 overall; 2-7 in Region 6AAA) (0-0 last week; 1-14 overall; 0-8 in 6AAAAA) (1-0 last week; 15-5 overall; 7-2 in Region 6AAAA) Mundys Mill (2-0 last week; 11-7-1 overall; 4-4-1 in 6AAAAA) at Centennial at Martin Luther King Jr. (0-0 last week; 17-3 overall; 7-1 in 6AAAAA)
L 2-1
W 10-0 W 6-3 W 2-1
STONE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL (0-0 last week; 3-11-1 overall; 1-8 in 6AAAA) TOWERS HIGH SCHOOL TUCKER HIGH SCHOOL April 12 Saturday (0-0 last week; 4-12-1 overall; 1-8 in 6AAA) (1-0 last week; 12-7 overall; 5-3 in 6AAAAA) Columbia W 5-4
SPORtS
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Former Tucker baseball coach Dorsey Brooks with current baseball coach Vince Byams.
The Tucker baseball ball field was renamed after Dorsey Brooks, who started the baseball program at Tucker in 1947. Photos by Travis Hudgons
Tucker baseball field renamed after Dorsey Brooks

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com The Father of Tucker baseball was honored April 12 when the Tucker High School baseball field was renamed after Dorsey Brooks. Brooks, 99, started the baseball program at Tucker after he was hired in 1947 to develop the athletics program. During his 15-year tenure, Brooks led the Tucker baseball team to 13 consecutive region titles and a state championship in 1956, the first state title for Tucker. Family, friends and past playersincluding members of the 1956 championship baseball teampaid tribute to Brooks by telling stories of the greatest coach in Tucker history. Brooks said it felt great to be recognized. They have really honored me and I feel humbled, he said. I hope Im worthy of it. When Brooks formed the athletic program, he was a one-man show, coaching football, basketball, baseball and track. He also assisted with the girls sports program before more coaches were hired. He did all of this while maintaining and preparing the field. Larry Ross, a member of the 1956 championship baseball team, said Brooks was the greatest coach he has ever had. He was such an inspiration to me, Ross said. He loved this school and he loved his students. He taught us a lot, taught [me] how to be a man. I love him today just like my daddy. Born on Nov. 26, 1914, the year Tucker High opened, Brooks learned to play basketball while living on a farm. He played basketball at Martin Institute in Jefferson, where the team won a junior high eighth grade tournament. The next year as a freshman, he moved to Lattimore, N.C., to live with his brother, who was farming cotton. His team won the North Carolina state championship that year. After moving back to Jefferson, he graduated from Martin Institute and tried to join the Navy. However, he was denied entry because he was underweight. Brooks went back home with the hopes of finding a job at the Jefferson Cotton Mill, but the owner of the cotton mill could not hire him because of the Great Depression. The cotton mill owner did help Brooks pay for college, giving him $300 for the first quarter at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where Brooks played football and basketball at ABAC. He later transferred to the University of Georgia and played on the basketball team. After graduating from college, Brooks served a short term in the Navy then became a vocational agricultural teacher. Avery Graves, a principal whom Brooks worked, became the principal at Tucker and asked Brooks to come to Tucker. Im proud that Avery Graves called me to be his coach at Tucker, Brooks said. It was the greatest [part] of my career. My total coaching job was at Tucker and I was honored to be there. Brooks was also a part of the creation of the Tucker Little League program. He handled the correspondence and interfaced with Little League headquarters to get Tucker sanctioned. Brooks later became a principal of Carrollton High School in Carroll County in 1966. He retired from education in 1976 and returned to Jefferson. Brooks currently lives in Hoschton, but said Tucker will always feel like home. Ive lived [in Tucker]; three of my four children were born here, so I feel like Tucker is a part of my home and I appreciate what they have done, he said. Decatur Bulldogs
LOCAL NEWS
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COMMISSIONERS RETHINK CREDIT CARD USE

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