Dekalb Superintendent Shares His Vision For The District: Championnewspaper Championnewspaper Champnews Championnews

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FRIDAY, august 14, 2015 VOL. 18, NO. 20 FREE
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A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
sports, 11A
DeKalb
superintendent
shares his
vision for the
district
A man was arrested for a suspended license and failure to appear in court during a roadblock set up in Lithonia
Aug. 5 by DeKalb County Sheriffs deputies. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
Deputies address
crime in Lithonia
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
Twenty-six deputies participated in the roadblock beside Lithonia High School.
The daughter of a man arrested by deputies is escorted to a vehicle to await

her mother.
championnewspaper
championnews
DeKalb County sheriff s

deputies used roadblocks to
send to message to criminals
in the Lithonia area Aug. 5.
Our deputies are always
actively involved in public
safety activities, including
making arrests and serving warrants, said DeKalb
County Sheriff Jeff Mann.
Sometimes, however, we
have to show up in a more
aggressive way to remind
offenders that they will be
apprehended if they continue
to knowingly break the law.
To address Lithonia area
residents complaints about a
surge in crime, approximately 26 deputies set up safety
checkpoints, or roadblocks,
on Phillips and Fairington
roads, checking licenses,
tags, insurance and whether
the driver had any outstanding warrants.
Recently the citizens in
the area out here have called
and complained [about] the
increase in crime, said Major L. J. Roscoe, the DeKalb
by Ashley Oglesby
ashley@dekalbchamp.com
eKalb County school Superintendent

Stephen Green visited seven schools
on Aug. 10 to welcome students back
to school and held a press conference at
Peachcrest Elementary to share his vision for
the school year.
Green said, This is the first of seven
schools that will have this same kind of
equipment [with] technology and security as
a way of moving forward in the 21st century.
Peachcrest is one of the first schools
completed that will benefit from the capital
improvements program under DeKalb
County Schools SPLOST program.
Fernbank Elementary will open in
November; Gresham/Clifton Elementary
will open in August 2016. Pleasantdale and
Rockbridge elementary schools are scheduled
to open in August 2017. Smoke Rise and
Austin elementary schools are scheduled to
open in August 2018.
Green said, Were concerned about our
environment and we are putting our money
where our mouth is when it comes to getting
our environment ready for our young people.
Green also visited Hawthorne Elementary,
Cedar Grove and Chapel Hill middle schools,
and Cross Keys, Stone Mountain and Tucker
high schools.
Today represents a new school year for
the DeKalb County School District but it also
represents a new chapter, Green said.
The district is ready to receive more than
102,000 students into our care and we take
that responsibility very seriously, Green said.
The official student population projection
for the 2015-16 school year is 103,550.
Green said he was proud to announce 137
schools within the district are prepared for
the 21st century.
When we talk about 21st century learning
were going to be talking about the five Cs
that are critical for students going forward,
said Green, nothing that collaboration,
critical thinking, creativity, caring and
See Roadblock on page 19A
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See Superintendent on page 19A
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local
Page 2A The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015
DeKalb wants to be
business-friendly
by Andrew Cauthen
DeKalb County is a business-friendly county.
Thats the message that
were trying to deliver to the
public, that we as a county
have changed our business
process, Andrew Baker, the
countys director of planning
and sustainability, told reporters Aug. 3.
The news conference was
held to discuss the countys
new expedited commercial
plan review program in
which the county guarantees
that all commercial plan
reviews will be completed
in 10 business days when
the applicant obtains preapproval from a registered peer
reviewer.
Its unprecedented in the
metro Atlanta area and it was
a major commitment that we
made, said interim DeKalb
County CEO Lee May, adding that so far, the county has
experienced great success
with the program.
Over 92 percent of
those who have entered into
that program did receive
their business permits within
10 business days, the average
being eight days, May said.
Patti Wallis, a permit
consultant with Permit Solutions Inc., said the expedited
commercial plan review
program has improved accessibility in the county government.
There are people to talk
to, Wallis said. There are
processes put in place and I
know exactly what you are
looking for and what you expect of me.
I dont always get a permit in 10 days, but I get a review in 10 days and there are
reviewers available to explain
what needs to be changed,
she said. As I become more
experienced with the peer
review, I am getting my permits in 10 days and it doesnt
matter what size the project
is.
Its working, Wallis
added. There is a different
philosophy here. And the attitude of the county has improved and I think [DeKalb
is] on the right track to
become a business-friendly
county.
Tina Rodriguez, a general contractor with Peachstate Dental and Health
Construction, said that during the permitting process
for a project that needed a
quick turnaround, everyone
at DeKalb County was more
than helpful in pointing me
in the right direction.
The new process has
been extremely successful for my clients, Rodriguez said. And that is what
DeKalb County is doing;
they are helping their clients.
Officials also announced
the release of a development
manual that guides applicants through every phase of
development, from land use
approval to business license
issuance.
The development manual is about being transparent in showing how you can
do business with the county,
May said. We want to make
sure people understand the
rules of engagement on the
front end, so that they
know what they have to do.
As far as we know we are
the only county providing
this kind of service and we
are the only county [that] has
published a comprehensive
development manual, said
Luz Borrero, the countys
deputy chief operating officer for development.
The manual has flow
charts that talk about the
step-by-step [process] that
you need to take to actually
comply with [county] regulations, Baker said.
Oftentimes the business
community says that they
dont understand the process, Baker said. What we
have doneis to outline that
for all our stakeholders.
May said, What weve
been doing over the past
couple of years is just being very intentional about
making sure that we are a
progressive county that is
focusing on the day-to-day
operations, May said.
Economic development
is priority No. 1 for us in
making sure that we are an
attractive place for business
to come, May said. Its a
work in progress. We are not
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May said, Economic development is priority No. 1 for us. Photo by Andrew
Cauthen
here to say we have made it

but we are making tremen-
dous progress.
It has everything with
improving the business climate here, May said.
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The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015
local
Page 3A
CID spruces up Wesley Chapel Road

by Andrew Cauthen
The East Metro DeKalb
Community Improvement
District (CID) has completed
its first project: the beautification of a median on Wesley
Chapel Road.
Representatives from
the CID and DeKalb County
held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 5 on Wesley
Chapel Road near the intersection of Snapfinger Woods
Drive.
Im really excited, said
Kevin D. Chapman Jr., a
member of the Wesley Chapel Curb Appeal Task Force
and South DeKalb Improvement Association.
Its been a long time
cominga lot of obstacles,
said Chapman, who has
picked up litter in the area
and planted flowers. The
good thing about it is other
people in the community
have partnered and weve
overcome those obstacles.
This is a building step for
other things to come. Im
happy that its a reality.
The beautification is the
result of a partnership of
several organizations where
we all come together to help,
said Frederick L. Daniels
Jr., East Metro DeKalb CID
chairman.
Daniels said the project
is important because its
reinvesting in south DeKalb.
Its showing that we all care
Interim DeKalb County CEO Lee May (third from left) joins members of the East Metro DeKalb Community
Improvement District for a beautification projects ribbon-cutting. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
and that we want our community to be just as beautiful

as every other community
across the metro area.
Many businesses and
other property owners want
to make sure that we are
continuing to prosper in the
south DeKalb region, Daniels said. This is just the first
of many projects that the
CID will execute in the near
future.
In addition to the CID,
the project was sponsored
by South DeKalb Improvement Association and Home
Depot.
The next beautification
project will focus on the median south of I-20, Daniels

aid.
Formed in 2014, the
CID includes more than 200
property owners who pay
extra taxes to support its efforts; projected revenue from

2015 taxes is approximately
$213,000.
Examples of the benefits
of a CID are the Perimeter
CIDs use of off-duty police

officer to direct traffic and
the construction of the diverging diamond interchange
in Dunwoody, said interim
DeKalb County CEO Lee
May said.
Im excited because we
now have a tool in our toolkitin the southern part
of the county that can do
these same things, May said.
Yea, they are generating a
couple of million dollars up
at the Perimeter CID with
all of those tall buildings
[and] all those Fortune 500
companiesthey pay a lot in
property taxes. But we will
get there.
Property owners who
support the CID get the
greater vision that sometimes
it takes money to make money, May said.
Community improvement districts are important
economic development tools,
May said.
CITYOFCHAMBLEE,GAPUBLICNOTICE
QualifyingfeesweresetbytheCityofChambleeMayorandCouncilinaccordancetoO.C.G.A.212
131(a)(1),duringtheregularlyscheduledCouncilMeetingheldonJanuary20,2015asfollows:forthe
officeofCouncilmemberDistrictTwo,CouncilmemberDistrictThreeandCouncilmemberAtLarge
$360.00.
PursuantofO.C.G.A212132(d)(3)thequalifyingdatesfortheupcomingGeneralMunicipalElection
tobeheldonNovember3,2015willbeTuesday,September1,2015untilThursday,September3,2015
from8:30AMuntil4:30PM(Out1:30PMto2:30PMDailyforlunch).
EmmieNiethammer,CityClerk/ElectionSuperintendent
ChambleeCityHall,5468PeachtreeRoad,Chamblee,GA30341
OPINION
Page 4A
Gender discrimination and the American male

by John Hewitt
Johnh@dekalbchamp.com
Across this nation in small
towns and major cities, men
are routinely discriminated
against and no one seems to be
concerned with our plight.
There are no protests. There
are no social groups to help call
attention to unfair treatment
we are exposed to on a daily
basis.
From the office cubicle to
board rooms to churches and
social settings, it is completely
unacceptable for men to dress
as comfortably as women during the long sweltering days
of summer. This must change;
men deserve equal rights just
as any other group.
Women have almost unlimited options in clothing and
footwear that are deemed appropriate for the average office
or social setting.
Men have extremely limited
optionsnone of which are
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
Chief Operating Officer

nearly as comfortable as the
options of women.
In all but the most casual
settings, men are expected at a
minimum to wear full coverage
shoes, socks, long pants and a
collared shirt. In many settings,
particularly when meeting with
clients or attending functions,
men are expected to wear the
above plus a necktie and often
a jacket.
I dont recall ever seeing a

sign in a fancy restaurant that
mentions anything about jackets being required for women.
Why are men the only gender
required to suffer from excessive layers of clothing to enjoy
a fine dining experience?
Women can wear open toe
shoes that allow their feet to
stay much cooler than their
counterparts. They can even
get away with shoes that look
as if there is nothing more than
a sole and single strap between
their first and second toes.
Men cant get away with this;
there are few places where men
in sandals are acceptable.
Over the last several years,
I began to wear casual, but
hopefully still professionalappearing, shoes sans socks.
And, both male and female coworkers have negatively commented on my lack of socks;
but it is my right and nowhere
in our employee manual is the
wearing of socks specifically
addressed. Not wearing socks

is much more comfortable and
its my own rebellious form of
silent protest.
Women can wear sleeveless
blouses or dresses to the office,
to church, to restaurants and
the like. Let a man show up in
a sleeveless shirt and he would
be subjected to comments such
as Ewwwwe dont want to
see your armpits, put a shirt
on.
Women can wear skirts,
dresses or those skorts things
and its acceptable in most settings. This privilege allows for
a flow of fresh air on their legs
and those unmentionable areas
of the human body that simply
are more comfortable with
airflow. Let a man show up at
work in shorts, and we would
be laughed out of the office
likely by both women and men.
Women often complain
about being cold in an office
environment while we suffer
from near heat exhaustion?
Men are forced to endure cruel

and unusual temperature torture while women flit about
with exposed extremities and
ample airflow.
Ever wonder why most
men despise having to go to
fancy parties, restaurants or
weddings? Women again get
to wear things that are far
more comfortable than what
we are expected to wear. Men
are usually expected to pile a
minimum of three layers on
our torso and often a choking
device around our neck; long
pants, dress shoes and socks.
Its just not fair.
Men have been conditioned
to accept our positions and
rarely complain about it, but
the time has come for us to
fight for our right to be comfortable.
I think Ill start shopping
for kilts and see how acceptable
these are in the office. Nowhere
in our employee manual does it
say that men cant wear skirts.
The Confederate flag:
Born out of commitment to segregation

by Glenn Dowell
It seems as if the Confederate flag
debate continues to be a passionate issue. Maybe Georgia could learn from
what happened in neighboring South
Carolina.
In a state that recently became
the center of attention in the media
because a deranged young man believed that he could incite a race war
by killing nine innocent victims, the
Governor was successful in persuading politicians on both sides of the
fence to give their support in removing the flag, replete with confederate
symbols, from its capitol grounds. The
young man chose a Charleston, South
Carolina African-American church as
his killing field because of its historical significance and importance to the
Black community. Dylann Roof, the
accused killer is correct, Charleston
is rich in history and culture. In fact,
historians believe that up to 60 percent
of the slaves brought to America entered through the ports in and around
Charleston, also called the Low country.
Some, I am sure with a degree of
sarcasm have even called the Low
country, a kind of Ellis Island for African Americans. It is sarcasm because
the Ellis Island immigrants arrived
voluntarily as opposed to the Africans
who were captured in the Atlantic slave
trade.
Can a flag really symbolize hatred
under the guise of honoring a groups
heritage?
In the case of Dylann Roof, he did
in fact, use flags that symbolized hatred and racism. In many of his photographs, he is seem proudly waving
a confederate flag in one hand and a
weapon in another. It did not appear,
however, as if he had any respect for
the American flag, which a recent New
York Times article reported he is alleged to have spat on an even burned.
Supporters of the Confederate flag
contend it is historically significant as a
memorial to Confederate soldiers who
died while fighting for the South, while
critics say it promotes racism.
Popular Charleston Mayor Joseph
Riley Jr., a Democrat, said hate groups
had appropriated the flag. We cant
put it in a public place where it can
give any oxygen to hate-filled people,
Riley said. Leland Summers, however,
South Carolina division commander
of the Sons of Confederate Veterans,
issued a statement during the flag
debate, dismissing any connection
between the killing of nine people by
Dylann and the flag.
He went on to say, do not associate
the cowardly actions of a racist to our
Confederate banner, Summers said.
There is absolutely no link between
the Charleston massacre and the Confederate memorial banner. Dont try to
create one.
Concomitant with the current flag
debate, an Alabama governor has ordered that four confederate flags be
removed from its capitol grounds.
Some high ranking republicans
even believe that the flag issue should
be laid to rest. Senate Majority Leader
Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the flag
continues to be a painful reminder of

racial oppression to many and that
the time for a state to fly it has long
since passed.
It is truly difficult for some people
to understand why a piece of cloth can
stir the angry emotions of so many to
the extent that it can cause terror in
those who do not embrace or submit to
the ideology in which it was created.
A symbol of good luck takes on an
evil meaning
Everyone is familiar with the swastika. Most assume that it was Adolf
Hitlers regime that created it. If you
believe this, then you are wrong. The
broken cross has been discovered in
caves and in other such places to include China, long before it became a
symbol of fear, which embodied Hitlers Nazi regime. It was actually not
initially associated with evil but with
good luck.
Wear the symbol on clothes today,
and you are automatically perceived as
advocating racial and ethnic divisiveness. Although Hitler was certainly
a demonic individual who rose from
humble beginnings, he was a marketing genius who wanted to rule the entire world.
He was able to persuade the Germans that their countrys bad economy
and moral malaise was the result of a
Jewish conspiracy. Too many Germans
and other countries that aligned themselves with Germany believed in this
paranoid and schizophrenic character.
Hitler caused the majority of the civilized world to believe that the German
people were either being held hostage

or were demonic co-conspirators in his
evil empire. He perverted legitimate
businessmen who submitted bids to
secure contracts from his government
to build the best and most efficient gas
ovens which could exterminate the
maximum number of Jews.
This was done under the banner of
a flag that forced the majority of the
God-fearing world, and those who just
hated Germany, to come together and
say enough is enough and defeated
Hitler s 1000 year Reich. The swastika
insignia on a flag, even today, causes
most Jews to rally their forces in order
to ensure that it will never again be
accorded the status it once had under
Hitler. In spite of this, it continues to
be an important part of the rituals
and uniforms worn by neo Nazis, skin
heads, and other groups who espouse,
racial and ethnic purity.
Popular Georgia governor loses reelection over flag
Most in this country take our
American flag very seriously. It typically evokes powerful emotions of love
and respects for the rights of others
without our own being abridged or
violated. Individual states are given the
latitude to determine what kind of flag
they will fly over their state capitols.
Five states currently incorporate confederate symbols into their flags. They
are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida (whose
flag resembles that of Alabama), Georgia and Mississippi. Attempt to remove
the Confederate symbols from the flags
in these states as a governor, and the
See Flag on Page 5A
OPINION
Page 5A
One Mans Opinion
Being stoned, Part 2

It was the valuable Stone
Mountain rock, in Georgias
pre-Gold Rush days, that attracted the formation of the
Southern Granite Company,
which included among its
major shareholders and organizers in 1886, brothers William and Samuel Venable.
By 1893, the Venable granite
empire would own most of
Lithonia and eastern DeKalb
County, and a 1901 brochure
published by the Venables
billed Stone Mountain as the
largest deposit of merchantable granite in the world.
Though the Venables by
day were pillars of society and
the business community, by
night they were apparently
getting between the sheets, or
a least younger brother Sam
Venable was, in the reformation of the Klu Klux Klan atop
Stone Mountain in a rally on
Nov. 25, 1915.
Spurred in part by the release of the film The Birth of
a Nation in Atlanta a week
later, the Klan billed itself as
the worlds greatest secret,
social, patriotic, fraternal,
beneficiary order.
The Klan initially presented itself more as an uber
patriotic version of the Masons or the Shriners, as there
were visible connections to
the Democratic Party of that
Bill Crane
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
Columnist
day, and also plenty of hate

to go around, as the Klan had
harsh words for the Catholic
Church, Jewish and Irish immigrants, Blacks and served as
a major proponent of Prohibition.
The younger Venable
granted the Klan a 40-year
easement to hold rallies atop
the mountain in 1923, but it
is urban legend that the Klan
owned Stone Mountain and
began the efforts to create the
memorial carving.
William Terrell, an Atlanta
attorney and son of a Confederate veteran, suggested the
notion as a guest editorial in
The Atlanta Constitution on
May 26, 1914 (a year prior
to the Klans re-birth). Helen
Plane, an 85-year-old Confederate widow, held the title of
honorary life president of the

Georgia Chapter of the United
Daughters of the Confederacy
(UDC), and Plane contacted
Sam Venable on behalf of the
UDC seeking his interest and
permission to create such a
memorial and monument at
Stone Mountain.
Plane would ultimately
serve as the first president of
the Stone Mountain Memorial
Association.
The Stone Mountain Memorial Association selected
sculptor John Borglum to
design, engineer and complete
the carving.Borglums original
design called for five groups
of figures, each representing
an aspect of the Confederate
forces, surrounding a central
group of Generals Lee, Stonewall Jackson and Confederate
President Jefferson Davis.
All figures in the original
design, estimated at 7001000, would be facing east to
greet the dawn of a new day.
Borglum estimated the work
at eight years and a budget
comparable to the Lincoln
Memorial, then also under
construction.
Under pressure from Venable, Borglum would later join
the Klan, although he was a
Yankee and was fired from the
project due to its long noncompletion in 1925, and even-
tually became the sculptor and

project manager for Mount
Rushmore.
Though Klan members
were among the executive
committee and board of directors, financial contributions
toward financing the carving
also came from the Rotarians,
Freemasons and numerous
Jewish and Catholic groups
across the South.
The project would sputter along with fits and starts
throughout the Great Depression and World War II
eras.After being championed
by Atlantas mayor William
B. Hartsfield in 1945, the
legislature authorized the issuance of $5-million in revenue
bonds to reactivate the Stone
Mountain Memorial Association and move forward with
the project.
In 1949, Gov. Herman Talmadge worked with DeKalb
County Commissioner Scott
Candler to renew an option
with the Venable family for
five more years, to keep the
mountain from reverting to
the Venable family. In 1955,
Gov. Marvin Griffin worked
with civic leader and banker
Mills B. Lane of C&S Bank to
secure acreage at the base of
the mountain for a state park,
as well as the eventual completion of the carving.
Flag Continued From Page 4A

voters can turn against you. This is exactly
what happened to Georgias former, popular governor Roy Barnes in 2002.
Voters who went to the polls in 2002,
did not care about Barnes popularity, they
were outraged that he had changed the
states Confederate flag. Cecil Alexander,
a prominent Atlanta architect at the time,
was key to the design of a new flag for
Georgia under Barnes. Mr. Alexander,
who is Jewish, and I served on Atlantas
Black/Jewish Coalition (a collection of
community stakeholders who collaborated on issues of mutual importance that
impacted Blacks and Jews). His design
minimized the Confederate battle insignia (Southern Cross) on the flag.
On July 30, 2001, with Governor Roy
Barnes support, the Georgia senate in a
vote of 34-22 approved Alexanders flag.
Changing the flag was done essentially
to appease Blacks and to prevent them
from organizing an economic boycott of
the state which had occurred ironically, in
South Carolina. Legislators attempting to
appease Blacks in South Carolina simply
moved the flag on July 1, 2000 from the
state house to the capitol lawn.
Political pundits in response to Barnes
loss at the time stated, The Confederate flag is still a very powerful symbol. A
lot of white voters felt Barnes was not on

their side when he pushed to change it.
The governor who defeated him appeased
his supporters on May 8, 2003 with a new
flag during his term in office.
Ironies and contradictions related to the
Confederate flag
If the Confederate flag does not symbolize intolerance for other races, which
includes hatred and racism, why has it
been appropriated by groups such as the
Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups? This
is the question that is always asked by the
Southern Poverty Law Center in response
to those who embrace the Confederate
flag. The nonprofit center operates out of
Montgomery, Ala., and combat groups
like the Klan utilizing education and litigation.
There are some obvious fallacies relating to the confederate flag. It was not
the national flag of the Confederacy. The
Confederacy changed its flag three times
during the course of the Civil War. Another misconception is that the flag was
flown uninterrupted since the Civil War.
The fact of the matter is that southern
states, for the most part, incorporated the
flag into their state flags during the tumultuous 1950s and 1960s in protest and
defiance against integration.

Is the name Denmark Groover familiar to you?
If you like or dislike the flag, you
should be familiar with Groovers contribution to the flag issue in Georgia. He
was the Georgia house floor leader under
Gov. Marvin Griffin who ran for office
as a staunch segregationist. Groover in
1956, sponsored the legislation to incorporate the southern cross into the states
flag. He is alleged to have admitted at the
time that he and other Georgia legislators
supported the addition of the symbol as a
protest against federal integration orders.
You know what? In 2001, forty-five
years later, Groover again stepped into
the flag controversy. This time, however,
his tune was different. He sang to all who
would listen that the onfederate flag was
divisive and should be taken down.
What do you really think? Is the Confederate flag really used by those who
have an intolerance for other ethnic or
racial groups? Does it really divide us?
You be the judge.
Glenn Dowell is a lecturer, researcher
and author Back to Africa For AfricanAmerican: Is it Possible? and No Cross
No Crown.
To be continued 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 bill.csicrane@
gmail.com.
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.
local
Kevin D. Chapman Jr.

Kevin D. Chapman Jr.
said he used to be embarrassed about the trash near
his south DeKalb home.
When I first bought my
property, the area looked really, really nice, Chapman
said. As the years passed
and the market crashed, so
did the upkeep of the community. One of the things I
would do is try to figure out
what I could improve that
would make it more comfortable when people come
and visit me. That was just
to pick up the trash [and] try
to get some plants put in the
intersection.
So Chapman took mat-
ters into his own hands, and

began picking up litter in the
area. He also planted flowers at an intersection and
brought water for the plants.

After couple of months,
he attracted the attention
of other homeowners who
joined him.
Other people saw that
effort and shared their efforts
close to their homes and
we got on a united front,
Chapman said. We joined
together [and] had monthly
cleanups.
The group also renewed
an old conversation about
a community improvement
district focused on Wesley
Chapel.
Chapman is a member
of South DeKalb Improvement Association, District 5
Community Council, Wesley

Chapel Curb Appeal Task
Force, Atlanta Metro Chapter
of the Morehouse College
Alumni Association, Berean
Christian Church and president of Snapfinger Manor
Condominium Association.
Its not good enough just
to complain, he said about
why he volunteers. Everybody has a role in being part
of the solution. I really care
about the county obviously.
I invested in that area. Our
kids and our neighbors deserve a good quality of life.
Thats why I volunteer.
Chapman said there is a
way for everyone to volun-
teer no matter what your

schedule and your capabilities are.
It can be something as
simple as sending an email
about a pothole, Chapman
said. It can be talking to one
of the youth. [There are] so
many different ways to get
involved, especially with social media these days.
I would encourage everyone to take a couple of
minutes and think about
how they can contribute to
the solutions that we need in
our communities, Chapman
said.
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.
Local company awards community volunteers

by Andrew Cauthen
A lifetime of volunteerism led a DeKalb business owner to support the efforts of other volunteers and nonprofit organizations.
On Aug. 1, Forrest Tuffs Clarkston-based
multimedia production company, One Vision
Productions, sponsored its inaugural Presidents
Volunteer Service Award, a program that recognizes volunteers who have achieved the required
number of hours of service over a 12-month
period or cumulative hours over the course of a
lifetime.
We normally do a lot of thingsjust a lot of
community service helping out, Tuff said.
We found this program, and it created a way
to give people an incentive to do something, Tuff
said about President Barack Obamas Volunteer
Service Award. Sometimes its easier to get people
to do stuff with that kind of incentive. Its a great
program so we became a part of it, and we use
that when we talk about doing community service. It gets them motivated.
Tuff s company is a certifying organization for
the award, overseeing and coordinating local volunteers in the program.
People sign up for the presidents volunteer
program [and] they do anywhere from 60 to 500
hours within a fiscal year, Tuff said.
The winners received a medal from the president, a letter from the National Society of Community Service and a certificate from the White
House, Tuff said.
As a part of One Vision Productions Pay It
Forward initiative, the company finds nonprofits
thatare really doing things in the community
and really helping people and sometimes they just
need finances, Tuff said. Every year we give [to]
an organizationwe know is really working in the
community.
This year a $500 gift was awarded to I Am
B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L., a nonprofit organization that
engages girls in interactive learning experiences
designed to build self-esteem and strong leadership skills.
Winners of the Presidents Volunteer Service Awards were recognized Aug. 1. Photos provided
Left, The awards honor those who have completed the required number of volunteer hours in a year. Right, Apostle Ulysses
Tuff and Pastor Deborah Tuff received lifetime achievement awards.
Members of the nonprofit I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. received the Pay It Forward Award.
local
AroundDeKalb
Page 7A
Atlanta
Pine Lake
PAWS Atlanta host fundraising party
Post Office may be renamed in honor of

fallen officer
On September 19 from 6:30 10 p.m., PAWS

Atlanta will entertain guest with blues and BBQ,
a silent auction, craft beer tastings and a brewery
tour at Red Brick Brewing Company at 2323 Defoor Hills Road, Atlanta.
Since 1966 PAWS Atlanta has found loving,
permanent homes for more than 45,000 homeless
anumals in Metro Atlanta.
Tickets for the event are $85 person. To
RSVP or make a donation to the not-for-profit
shelter visit pawsatlanta.org.
Avondale Estates
Girl Scouts troop to hold registration
meeting
Girl Scout Troop 3647 will hold a registration
meeting Aug. 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Avondale Pattillo
United Methodist Church located at 3260 Covington Highway. The troop is a multi-level troop
that moved to Avondale Estates last year. The
troop meets from 2 to 4 p.m. on the second and
fourth Sundays of each month. For more information, call Bonny Wilder at (770) 469-9032.
City to host yard sale

Avondale Estates will host its second citywide
yard sale Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help plan and organize the
event. For more information, call Mary Bell at
(678) 596-4895.
Registration opened for Labor Day race

Runners and walkers can register for Avondale Estates 37th annual Labor Day Race. The
race will be held Sept. 7. The event benefits the
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association.
The event includes a 1-mile and 5K race followed
by an awards ceremony. The race will start and
end by Willis Park, at the corner of Dartmouth
Avenue and Clarendon Place. To register, visit
www.active.com.
Brookhaven
Adult beverages available at food truck
event
Beer and wine will be sold during Brookhavens Food Truck Wednesdays at Blackburn Park.
The adult beverages will be available in the Slice
tent. The food trucks roll into Blackburn Park every Wednesday evening from 5 to 9 through Sept.
30. The park is located 3493 Ashford Dunwoody
Road.
Monastery presents weekly public talks

On August 18 Drepung Loseling Monastery
will hold its weekly public talk on Using Buddhist
Psychology to Overcome Suffering by Geshe Ngawang Phende.
The public talk class is a great opportunity to
get started and learn the fundamentals of Buddhism. Each session begins with a talk on the inner science of the mind. The point of the practice
is to bring the mind under control through working with the mind itself. The class aims to demonstrate how Buddhist psychology offers practical
methods for overcoming suffering and achieving
peace and happiness.
The class will take place at the 1781 Dresden
Drive NE, Brookhaven from 7:30 9 p.m.
Dunwoody
City launches contest to name new park
Dunwoody has launched a contest to name
the citys newest park at Pernoshal Court.
The Name Your Park contest runs through
Sept. 30 and provides an opportunity for city residents to vote on potential park names or provide
a write-in name.The five potential park names
are Pernoshal Park, Hightower Trail Park, Muskogee Park, Old Buck Park and Magnolia Park.
Contest participants will be limited to one
vote per person. The winning name will be identified by city staff and announced by the mayor
and city council on Monday, Dec. 14, at the 6
p.m. city council meeting.
The new park, located at Pernoshal Court,
will be approximately 5 acres and the largest
newly built park created since incorporation.In
addition to the multiuse trail, the park will have
a centralized pavilion/restroom facility, 162
parking spaces open areas/fields for sports and
basketball courts with a pickle ball court overlay. Park construction is expected to be complete
by the end of 2015.
Interested residents may participate in the
contest by registering at the Name Your Park
online contest portal at www.connectdunwoody.
com. Contest rules and additional details on voting procedures also are available on the website.
Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced Aug. 4 that he has introduced a resolution to rename the Pine Lake Post Office at Rockbridge Road and Spring Drive in honor of fallen
police officer Francis Manuel Ortega.
The measureH.R. 3274is supported by the
entire Georgia House of Representatives congressional delegation. Aug. 11 marks the 10-year anniversary of Ortegas death.
On Aug. 11, 2005, Ortega, 25, was shot and
killed in front of the Pine Lake Post Office while
conducting a routine traffic stop. Ortega was a
part-time officer in the Pine Lake Police Department and a full-time officer at Georgia Regional
Hospital. He was survived by his parents Francisco and Luz, his sister Joann and his children
Frankey and Kaylie.
Officer Ortega made the ultimate sacrifice
and gave his life for the protection of his community, said Johnson, who was a DeKalb County
commissioner in 2005 when the incident occurred. Officer Ortegas commitment to justice
and willingness to face danger... should be applauded, commended and recognized in perpetuity.
The resolution now goes to the Committee
on Oversight and Government Reform. Once it
is voted out of committee, it goes before the full
House for a vote. Johnson said he hopes the measure will be approved by the end of the legislative
year, which is Dec. 18.
Countywide
New mobile farmers market locations
considered
DeKalb County Extension is planning to
expand the route of its mobile farmers market,
which provides fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables.
The mobile farmers market initiative is
sponsored by DeKalb County Extension with assistance from DeKalb County Government and
DeKalb County Board of Health.
DeKalb County Extension seeks community
partners, particularly those in south DeKalb
County, who are interested in hosting new locations. Religious institutions, nonprofit organizations, clinics, community centers, and neighborhood associations can contact DeKalb County
Extension at (404) 298-4080 or uge1089@uga.edu
for more information.
local
DeKalb County commissioners present Arthur Blank with a plaque in recognition and appreciation for bringing professional soccer to DeKalb County.
Atlanta United FC wins approval in DeKalb
by Ashley Oglesby
Dozens of supporters gathered at the Manuel
Maloof Auditorium on Aug.
4 to celebrate the Board of
Commissioners approved
partnership between DeKalb
County and Atlanta United
FC, the newest addition to
Major League Soccer (MLS)
DeKalb County Board of
Commission approved the
agreement to allow Atlanta
United FC to build a $30
million soccer complex and
training facility by a 4-3 split
decision.
Atlanta United president
Darren Eales said, This
will be one of the top training grounds in MLS in the
country.
The training stadium is
expected to be the site for
US Open Cup matches, a potential United Soccer League
team and other soccer exhibitions, as well as high school
sports and other events hosted by DeKalb County.
The training ground is
the heartbeat of any football
club. We always said that we
had three main goals for Atlanta United. Firstly, we want
to have a winning team on
the pitch. Secondly, we want
to have the best fan experience possible and thirdly we
want to engage in our community. The training ground
is crucial to all of these
goals, said Eales.
As in the case of other
MLS clubs, Atlanta United
is looking to land a naming
rights deal for the complex,
with 15 percent of the net
revenue going to DeKalb
County, which will take over

ownership of all the assets on
the property at the end of the
30-year lease.
At a press conference on
Aug. 4 interim CEO Lee May
said, Downtown DeKalb has
been a vision and priority of
mine since I assumed this office. Our quality workforce,
our public transportation,
our diversity and our natural resources are why companies, entrepreneurs and
students come from all over
the world to make DeKalb
County a place where they
can live, work and play.
May said the Memorial
Drive area has not seen any
development for two decades.
We anticipate that this
development will have a
catalytic effect. We predict
that this will be a magnet for
future economic investment
for this area, May said.
He added, We want to
just make sure that the world
knows that DeKalb County
is serious about doing business.
DeKalb County will
spend roughly $12 million
and relinquish 41 acres of
government land for Atlanta
United FC to build a $30
million soccer complex at the
intersection of Kensington
Road and Memorial Drive
near Interstate 285 in Decatur.
Additionally, the county
also will seek funding for pedestrian improvements from
the soccer complex to the
Kensington MARTA Station
and to demolish the current
animal shelter.
Soccer franchise owner
Arthur Blank plans to build

a 3,500-seat stadium, three
outdoor practice fields and
a two-story corporate headquarters on land behind the
DeKalb County Jail. The
memorandum of understanding states four additional fields and an indoor
training facility could be
built later.
Decide DeKalb is an economic development agency
responsible for working with
DeKalb County officials and
the greater business community to attract and retain
strong partners such as Atlanta United.
President of Decide
DeKalb Development Authority Ray Gilley said, Our
CEO knows that economic
development works best with
strong public and private
partnerships. It is a top priority of this administration
to increase DeKalb Countys
visibility as well as attract
thriving business.
Under the proposal, the
total cost for land prepara-
tion and demolition of 40

acres is an estimated $3
million to $5 million. Additionally, $7 million would
be paid to Blank over three
years beginning on the date
the countys parks department occupies its new offices
as rent. The annual payment
would be $2.33 million for
the first three years and then
$10 per year for the remainder of the ground lease.
Blank said Were actually projecting initially that
phase one will be closer to
$35 million than $30 million and we think phase two
could be an additional $1516 million just to put that
into perspective with the
$7 million. Beyond that in
terms of the activity that soccer will bring to this area; the
vibrancy, the energy, the enthusiasm you will see and
feel all of that and that will
also be converted into dollars
as well.
If you look back in a
retrospective way, since 1991
our foundation has commit-
ted over $40 million to the

county with this now being
an anchor part of our businesses and an anchor part of
what were going to dowe
can anticipate a closer connection to our family foundation as well.
Although many residents
have raised concerns about
the cost of the project, May
said, The fact that our $7
million commitment to this
endeavor will yield a $30
million, at minimal project
will help to revitalize this
corridor. This property is
county-owned. We have not
experienced any property
tax revenue from this site
in decades. This investment
will help to improve this parcel of land which will have
a catalytic effect for those
surrounding properties as
well and thats what were
interested in; the central development that will occur as
a result of this spark will help
to develop this whole area.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The City of Stone Mountain will hold a general municipal
election for three (3) Council Member seats on November 3, 2015
for four-year terms. All persons desiring to run for any of these
offices shall qualify at City Hall located at 875 Main Street, Stone
Mountain, GA, 30083. The qualifying period shall begin at 8:30
a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 and end at 4:30 p.m. on
Thursday, September 3, 2015. The qualifying fee for the office of
Council Member will be $108.00. The qualifying fee must be paid
during the qualifying period.
local
Page 9A
Local restaurant helps tell the McDonalds story

by Kathy Mitchell
The Founder, a movie
scheduled for release in fall
of 2016, tells the story of
how milkshake dispenser
salesman Ray Kroc turned a
small hamburger restaurant
called McDonalds into a
worldwide fast food icon.
To tell the story of the
business legend, who died in
1984, FilmNational needed
another restaurant and the
company found it in Toco
Hills. Scenes for the movie
were shot this summer at Petite Auberge Restaurant and
Catering.
A lot of movies are made
in Georgia now and people
come in scouting the restaurant from time to time. They
came in when they were
looking for a place to shoot a
scene for The Founder and I
remember someone saying,
Oh, yes, this should work
nicely, said Michael Groop,
general manager and coowner of Petite Auberge.
The scenes are actually
supposed to be taking place
in the 1950s and in another
state, Groop said. Were celebrating our 41st anniversary
right now, but we have such
a classic look that with a few
changes we could easily be a
1950s restaurant.
Groop said the restaurants continuity is part of
its appeal, noting that Eater
Atlanta named it among
its 20 Classic Restaurants
Every Atlantan Must Try
and Creative Loafing called it
Atlantas king of upscale old
school.
We have a joke around
here that we change the
menu every 50 years whether
it needs it or not, Groop
said.
A few details had to be
changed in the restaurant
that has operated continuously since 1974, according to Groop. They had to
remove a few things, add a
few things and cover up a
few things, but I think our
customers will recognize the
banquet room if they look
carefully, he said.
Petite Auberge had to
close for a few days for filming. That was a tough decision, Groop said. Weve
been here for our customers
for 41 years, but they were
very understanding and
many of our regulars are excited that were appearing in
a major motion picture.
Groop said he was astonished to learn how much

goes into getting a few feet of
footage. There was a large
crew doing everything from
set decoration to lighting
to sound. They shot in one
of our banquet rooms but
another room was used for
equipment and another for
things like hair styling and
makeup. He said less than
six minutes of footage shot in
the restaurant is to appear in
the film.
The details in setting and
sound also were impressive,
according to Groop. We
had to turn off everything,
including the air condition-
ing and the refrigerators so

there wasnt even a hum in
the background. To cool the
place they brought a huge
air conditioner that made
the room really cold before
they turned it off. The thing
looked like something out of
a space movie. I guess people
driving by wondered what in
the world was going on.
Groop was given a small
part as an extra. I was a customer. They told me to carry
on a conversation with another diner. I was instructed
to mouth actual words but
not to make a soundand
look natural. Thats harder
than you would think it
would be, he said.

You hear people say
that movie people are rude
and arrogant, but that wasnt
my experience at all. I want
to dispel that myth right
now. They were all very nice
including the stars, Groop
said.
He said he did not spend
much time with the star,
Michael Keatonwho plays
Kroc in his 50s, when he
began working as a franchising agent for the McDonald
brothers in 1954but found
him pleasant and easy to
work with. All the actors,
even the top stars couldnt
have been nicer. And before
they left, the crew put everything back exactly as it was,

he noted.
Calling his restaurant a
longtime supporter of the
Georgia movie industry,
Groop said Petite Auberge
has catered movies sets in the
area but his experience this
summer was his first being
closely involved with production.
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF ELECTION
DECATUR CITY COMMISSION AND
DECATUR BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Decatur City Commission officially announces the Call for the City's General Election to be held in the
City of Decatur, Georgia, on November 3, 2015 for two Decatur Board of Education members for four year
terms of office, and three City of Decatur Commissioners for four year terms, such terms to begin at the
organizational meeting in January 2016.
One City Commissioner from Election District 1, Post B
One City Commissioner from Election District 2, Post B
One City Commissioner District At-Large
One Decatur Board of Education member from Election District 1, Post B
One Decatur Board of Education member from Election District 2, Post B
DeKalb County will conduct this election at the following proposed precincts:
Election District
Clairemont East
Clairemont West
Glenwood Precinct
Oakhurst
Ponce De Leon
Renfroe
Winnona Park
District :
1
1
1&2
2
1&2
2
2
Polling Place for Election

: First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave
: The Church at Decatur Heights, 735 Sycamore Drive
: Holy Trinity Parish, 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
: Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 E. Lake Dr.
: First Christain Church of Decatur, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave
: Renfroe Middle School, 220 W. College Ave.
: Winnona Park Elementary School, 510 Avery St.
Each candidate will file notice of his or her candidacy and the appropriate affidavit in the office of the Election
Superintendent at City Hall, 509 North McDonough Street, Decatur, Georgia. The opening dates for qualifying
will start Monday, August 31, 2015 beginning at 8:30 A. M., and continuing until Wednesday September 2,
2015 at 4:30 P.M. The qualifying fee for City Commission office is $144.00 and the qualifying fee for Board of
Education members is $35.00
Registration for voting in the November 3, 2015 election will cut off on Monday, October 5, 2015.
For the November 3 General Municipal Election, the Absentee Poll will open 21 days prior to the Election (October 12).
All Advance Voting (Absentee in person) will be held at 4380 Memorial Drive, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM
to 4:00 PM, October 12 through October 30.
Questions concerning absentee voting, early voting or voter registration should be directed to DeKalb County
Elections Division at 404-298-4020.
The Decatur City Commission gives notice this 20th of July, 2015
local
Praise 102.5 radio personality Veda Howard poses with program director Christin Taylor, Councilman Dean Moore and pre-K student Victoria Johnson.
Five-year-old King Hernandez poses

with program director Christin Taylor
on the last day of summer camp.
Blue Wave Foundation Founder QC Blue Jr. poses with

Executive Director Dejuan Byrd.
Victoria Lee and David Michael carry their back-to-school supplies.
Clarkston leaders organize school supply giveaway

by Ashley Oglesby
K.D. Moore Community
Development hosted a basketball jamboree and school
supply giveaway on Aug. 7
at the Clarkston First Baptist
Churchs family life center
gymnasium.
The Clarkston-based
non-profit aims provide
opportunities that address
physical, education, economic and financial wellness of children, seniors and
families in Clarkston and
throughout metro Atlanta.
Program Director Christin Taylor, who relocated
from New Orleans, said
once she began attending
the Clarkston First Baptist
Church she was inspired to
do more for the surrounding
community.
I built a really strong relationship with the first lady
and our pastor K.D. Moore.
Their passion and desire to
give back to the community
is one thing that I believe in
as well, she said.
Taylor solicited donations and support for the

giveaway from Global Innovator, DeKalb County Board
of Health and her church
among others.
Taylor said the organization stuffed more than 100
bags with composition notebooks, pencils, crayons, erasers, markersthe basics that
students can start off with.
She added, Its so needed because a lot of people
dont have the means and
being that the economy level
is going downhill right now
were just trying to have a
positive impact within the
Clarkston area. Its really key
that we give back to the community as much as possible.
Clarkston First Baptist
offers after school programs
as well as a summer camp for
Clarkston residents. Many of
the students enrolled in the
programs received school
supplies and were entered
into a raffle to win a bookbag
with more than $50 worth of
supplies.
City Councilman Dean
Correction
Lithonia asks to manage county-owned part of local park article
In the Aug. 6, 2015 issue, the Lithonia asks to manage countyowned part of local park article had an error that The Champion
Newspaper would like to correct.
Lithonia owns the entire Lithonia Park, and the county manages
an area of the park that includes the pavilion and ball fields.
We apologize for the error.
Moore attended the event

and said he thought the efforts of the church were critical.
Its been going on for
some time and it really helps
out the families and children
to get school supplies. It
builds enthusiasm for learning and its good to build
enthusiasm for education,
Moore said.
Members from the Blue
Wave Foundation, an organization formed to assist atrisk students, also assisted in
handing out school supplies.
K.D. Moore Community
Development founder and
Pastor Karl Moore said the
jamboree gives an outlet for
our kids to come and have
something to do to kickoff
back-to-school.
He added, For some of
our kids they wouldnt have
anything if they didnt have
these supplies coming to
them. Its essential for them
to start off the school year
with the entire essential they
need to get started.
NOTICE OF ELECTION, QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS, AND

REGISTRATION
CITY OF AVONDALE ESTATES, GEORGIA
Notice is hereby given that a General Municipal Election for the City of Avondale
Estates will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 to elect one (1) Mayor and two (2)
Commissioners to the Avondale Estates Board of Mayor and Commissioners. The term
of office is four (4) years. Voting will take place at Avondale Estates City Hall, 21
North Avondale Plaza from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Any person who is a resident of the
City of Avondale Estates and who is registered with Dekalb County Board of
Registrations and Elections as an elector within the City of Avondale Estates at least
thirty (30) days prior to this election, shall be eligible to vote in this election. Deadline
for voter registration is October 5, 2015.
Persons wishing to qualify for this election may file a notice of candidacy with the
Qualifying Officer at Avondale Estates City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza, from 8:30
a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning Monday, August 31
through Friday, September 4, 2015. The qualifying fee is $3.00.
Application for absentee ballots may be made by mail, fax or in person to: DeKalb
County Election Supervisor, Memorial Drive Complex , 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite
300, Decatur, GA 30032-1239, Telephone: (404) 298-4020, Fax: (404) 298-4038.
This notice is given pursuant to Chapter 21 of the Official Code of Georgia, as
amended, pertaining to municipal elections, this 6th day of August 2015.
City of Avondale Estates
SPORTS
Page 11A
Recruiting parity growing in DeKalb

by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
eKalb is a county with

many talented football
players.
Over the past 10 years,
DeKalb has had high
numbers on National Signing Day,
including six consecutive years of
100 football players signing letters
of intent. However, only a few teams
have had large recruiting classes that
feature top recruits signing to top
Division I college football programs
in the nation.
Stephenson is known nationwide
as a melting pot of highly touted
football players who succeed in
college football and the NFL.
Tucker, Columbia and M.L. King
also have had large signing classes
with highly recruited athletes,
although MLK has fallen off the top
of the recruiting list due to coaching
changes in the last three years.
However, one school has
garnered much of the attention of
college scouts in recent years. Cedar
Grove has moved its way to the top
of the football-recruiting mountain
in DeKalb in the last five years.
Since 2011, the Saints have
had at least one player with a 3-star
rating. This year is no different, with
two players with a 4-star rating,
including defensive tackle Antwuan
Jackson, who is ranked in the top
10 in the state on various recruiting
From left, Cedar Grove defensive tackle Antwan Jackson and linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse, and Lithonia defensive end Jordan Smith are
three of the top recruits in Georgia. Photo by Travis Hudgons
lists.
Jackson is ranked second overall
in the state by ESPN and ranked
23rd overall on ESPN 300. He is
ranked eighth in the state on Rivals.
com and 59th nationally. Jackson
has received more than 30 offers
from Division 1 schools.
Ohio State, Auburn and Georgia
are his top three choices. Jackson
said several factors will play a role
in his final decision.
I just have to love the school,
education [is important] and I have
to love the coaches, he said.
Jackson led Cedar Grove last

season on defense with 51 solo
tackles and tied for first in total
tackles (73). He also led the defense
in sacks with 9.5 and tackles for loss
with 29.
Jackson said he worked hard this
offseason to improve his skills to
help lead his team to a region title
and possibly a state championship.
[Ive been working on] my
power and my take off, he said.
Ive been working to get my hands
and feet [technique] better.
Jacksons teammate linebacker
Elysee Mbem-Bosse has racked up

nearly 30 offers.
Mbem-Bosse is ranked 15th in
the state on Rivals.com and 38th on
ESPN. He said being one of the top
ranked players in the state is a result
of hard work.
It just goes back to listening
to my coaches [who say] that hard
work pays, he said.
Mbem-Bosse has narrowed his
choices to seven schools, most of
which are SEC schools.
Im looking for a great
See RECRUITS on page 15A
SPORTS
Page 12A
2015 team previews

Arabia Mountain Rams
Head coach: Stanley Pritchett

(third season) - Region: 6-AAAA
2014 record: 4-6
Outlook: Arabia Mountain
took a step back in 2014 after
making history with its first
winning record in 2013. The
Rams will look to rebound
with returning starters in
senior wide receivers Marcus
Gay and Malick Mbodj. Gay
finished third in the county last
season with 660 yards on 43
receptions and nine touchdown
receptions. Mbodj was sixth on
the top wide receivers list with
33 receptions, 521 yards and
eight touchdowns.
Bulldogs experienced their first

losing season under coach
Allen Johnson. The Bulldogs
will have to depend on new
offensive weapons after losing
their quarterback (Brent
Burgess), leading running
back (Xzavier Shugars)
and leading receiver (Chris
Burgess). Chamblee hopes
to have good production from
junior quarterback Bruce
Lasher, senior running back
Willie Mosley and senior wide
receiver Devin Wallace, who
led in touchdown receptions
(three).
Head coach: Jermaine Smith

(third season)-Region: 4A-AAA
2014 record: 9-2 (Playoffs)
Outlook: Expectations are
higher at Cedar Grove this
season. After another second
round playoff loss, the 2015
Saints expect nothing less of a
state championship because of
a highly talented senior class.
The class features returning
starting running back LaBron
Morris, last seasons county
leading rusher in yards, and
four-star recruits defensive
tackle Antwuan Jackson Jr.
(2014 team defensive leader)
and linebacker Elysee MbemBosse. Were going to get it
done, coach Jermaine Smith
said.
Clarkston Angoras
Outlook: Coach Terrence

Hugheys first year at
Clarkston was disappointing
with a winless season.
Clarkston has not had a
winning season since 1998.
The Angoras will return most of
their 2014 offensive production
in senior Jayson Harrell, who
played quarterback and led the
team in rushing with 748 yards
and scored six touchdowns.
He had a 7.3 yards average
per attempt. Clarkston will also
have its two leading receivers
from last seasonDashamien
Paden and Xavier Anderson.
Head coach: David Edwards

(fourth season) - Region: 6-AAAA
Head coach: Allen Johnson

(fourth season) -Region: 6-AAAA
2014 record: 1-9
Outlook: Chamblee will look
to get back to its winning
ways this season after the
(sixth season) - Region: 6-AAAA

Outlook: Last season,
the Bulldogs made their
first playoff appearance
since 2002, and they now
have their sights on a state
championship. Since defense
wins championships, The
Bulldogs will rely heavily on
its defense, which will be led
by Jordan Smith, one of the
top defensive players in the
state. Lithonia will also have
returning offensive starters,
including quarterback Robert
Hatchett.
Head coach: John Bowen

(first season) - Region: 6-AAAA
2014 record: 1-4
Columbia Eagles
Chamblee Bulldogs
Outlook: Coach Mark Adams

said he expects his Red Devils
to be more competitive in his
third seasons because of the
large number of experienced
players this season,
specifically on defense. The
Red Devils will have their
leading sacker from last
season in senior defensive
lineman Javier Lee. Lee had
13 sacks and led the team in
tackles for loss (12).
Cross Keys Indians
Head coach: Terrence Hughey

(second season) - Region:
6A-AAAAA
2014 record: 0-10
Cedar Grove Saints
stout on defense with most

of the stat leaders from
DeKalbs third-ranked defense
returning. Those players
include linebackers Rasaan
Johnson and Michael Hector,
defensive lineman Bobby
Tillman and defensive back
Rickquez Cuffie.
Outlook: The Columbia

Eagles are hoping to take
another step forward after
coach David Edwards led
the team to its first playoff
appearance since 2011.
However, they will have to
replace the majority of their
2014 offensive leaders.
Columbia is expected to be
Outlook: The Indians are

starting over again under new
head coach John Bowen.
With a low participation during
summer workouts, Bowen said
he will focus on establishing
a roster when school begins.
Cross Keys will need the
returning players to provide
additional leadership. Those
players include Calvin Farley,
who was the leading receiver
for the Indians.
Dunwoody Wildcats
Head coach: Michael Nash

(first season) - Region: 6A-AAAAA
2014 record: 4-6
Outlook: New head coach
Michael Nash will try to lead
Dunwoody to its first winning
record since 2011. He will have
to do that with young talent
after graduating a large senior
class. Junior Nick Patrone will
be the starting quarterback,
and the Wildcats will look to
get some production out of
junior running back Brashaun
Askew.
Decatur Bulldogs
Head coach: Scott Jackson

(third season) - Region: 4B-AAA
2014 record: 6-4
Outlook: The Bulldogs missed
the playoffs again because
of a losing region record at
2-3. However, coach Scott
Jackson said he expects
the leadership of the senior
class, along with the talent, will
get Decatur over the hump.
Decatur will have one of its top
running backs, Tray Tice, and
receiver, Quintavius Eagle,
on the field this year.
Head coach: Alan Chadwick

(31st season) - Region: 6-AAAA
Outlook: After a disappointing
end in the semifinals of the
state playoffs, the War Eagles
will regroup and try to make
another run for a state title
as coach Alan Chadwick
enters his 31st season. With
an offense that focuses on
running the ball, the War
Eagles could have a triple
threat with running backs
Chris Bradley, Cameron
Pearson and Spencer Taylor.
Lakeside Vikings
Head coach: Heath Hinton

(third season) - Region: 2-AAAAAA
2014 record: 3-7
Outlook: Lakeside will need a
strong replacement for former
running back Kellyen Walker,
who had 1,528 total offensive
yards for the Vikings last
season. The teams second
leading receiver, tight end
Daniel Gordon, is returning as
well as the teams sack leader,
defensive end John Ashby.
Druid Hills Red Devils
Head coach: Mark Adams

(third season) - Region: 6A-AAAAA
2014 record: 4-6
Marist War Eagles
Lithonia Bulldogs
Head coach: Marcus Jelks
M.L. King Lions
Head coach: Nicolas Kashama

(second season) - Region:
6A-AAAAA
2014 record: 3-7
Outlook: Coach Nicolas
Kashama will try to get the
Lions back to the top in
DeKalb after King suffered its
first losing season since the
programs inaugural season
in 2002. Quarterback Jordan
Douglas could be on tap to
lead the offense this season,
and linebackers Jonathan
Mathis and Khaliq Byard
two of the Lions top tacklers
are back on defense this
season.
SPORTS
McNair Mustangs
St. Pius Golden Lions
Stone Mountain Pirates
Outlook: With two seasons

under his belt, coach Shelton
Carleton will try to lead the
Mustangs to their first winning
season since 2008. The
quarterback-wide receiver
tandem of Joseph Mitchell
and Missouri commit Christian
Holmes could give McNair
a spark on offense. Holmes
will also be in the secondary
on defense behind linebacker
Brandon Duckworth and
Jamie Jinks.
Outlook: The Golden Lions

missed their goal of winning a
state title last year. However,
coach Paul Standard is
confident this group can get
back to the title game with
multiple playmakers returning,
including quarterback Reed
Egan, running back/defensive
back Ransom Klinger and
fullback/linebacker Lawson
Cooper.
Outlook: The Pirates will try

to build stability this year and
the coming years under new
head coach Utavius Ingram,
Stone Mountains second
consecutive new coach. The
Pirates will have returning
starters, including quarterback
DVonne Gibbons.
Head coach: Shelton Carleton

(third season) - Region: 4A-AAA
2014 record: 3-7
Head coach: Paul Standard (15th

season) - Region: 6-AAAA
2014 Record: 11-2 (Playoffs)
Head coach: Utavius Ingram

(first season) - Region: 6-AAAA
2014 record: 0-10
Miller Grove Wolverines
Head coach: Damien Wimes

(sixth season) - Region: 6A-AAAAA
2014 record: 5-5
Outlook: Miller Grove got
back to .500 last season due to
great offense. The Wolverines
led the county in total offense,
averaging 396.2 yards per game,
behind returning quarterback
Sedric Jefferson, who threw for
nearly 1,600 yards last season.
Jefferson will be throwing it to
6-foot-6 Raylon Richardson
this season, a basketball player
making his high school football
debut.
Head coach: Michael Tanks (third

season) - Region: 6A-AAAAA
2014 record: 6-4
Outlook: The Panthers got

back on the winning track last
season after experiencing
their first losing season since
1979 in 2013. Quarterback
Justin Tomlin fared well as a
freshman with a 48.4 percent
completion rate and could
have a breakout season this
year. However, he will throw
to new receivers after most of
the starters graduated, as well
those on defense.
Head coach: Brian Montgomery

(second season) - Region: 4A-AAA
2014 record: 2-8
Outlook: Last years coaching
change affected the Titans
in 2014 after going from a
winless team (2012) to a .500
team (2013) in one season.
The Titans will have a large
senior class to lead the way
to a possible winning season,
including playmaker Torrance
Marable, who rushed for 1,164
yards and scored 14 total
touchdowns.
Tucker Tigers
Redan Raiders
Head coach: Roderick Moore

(second season) - Region: 6-AAAA
2014 record: 2-8
Outlook: During his first year at
Redan, coach Roderick Moore
said his focus was on having
the team be competitive in each
game. This year, it is all about
winning. My job now is to turn
competing into winning. Weve
taught them how to compete
compete in practice, compete in
everything that you do and now
its time to teach them how to
win, Moore said. The Raiders
will have most of their starters
returning to transform the team
into winners.
Stephenson Jaguars
Head coach: Ron Gartrell

(20th season) - Region: 6A-AAAAA
Outlook: The Jaguars had
to rebuild again this season
after graduating another large
senior class. On offense,
the Jaguars will have Khalil
Ladler, Eric Elder and Dezric
Cook. The Jaguars will have
their leading tackler, linebacker
Michael Makins, returning.
Defensive end Michael
Pitts, who transferred from
Shiloh, will add more veteran
leadership to the defense.
Miller Grove coach Damien Wimes shares words of encouragement

with DeKalb football players and coaches during media day. Photo by
Travis Hudgons
Health scare refocuses

Miller Grove coach
by Carla Parker
Towers Titans
Southwest DeKalb Panthers
Page 13A
Head coach: Bryan Lamar

(fourth season) - Region:
2-AAAAAA
Outlook: Although some of
the top playmakers from last
years team graduated, coach
Bryan Lamar is confident that
this group has what it takes
to reach the teams goal of
winning a state championship.
I think we have a great group
back, Lamar said. The kids
have been working extremely
hard. The 2015 Tigers
including returning quarterback
Garrett Rigby and wide
receivers Akeem Peters and
Joshua Vann. Peters also led
the defense in interceptions
last season.
On Sept. 27, 2013, the

Miller Grove Wolverines lost
a tough game to Dunwoody
20-6.
And, they almost lost their
coach.
Shortly after the players
and coaches of both teams
shook hands at midfield at
North DeKalb Stadium, Miller
Grove head coach Damien
Wimes was walking over to
his teams huddle when he
collapsed. Wimes was rushed
to the hospital by ambulance
and was there for three days.
They did every type of
testEKG, CAT scanthey
did everything, Wimes said.
[The doctors] said my heart
and my lungs stopped at the
same time.
Wimes, who is diabetic,
said he had never experienced
any serious health issues. He
said stress from dealing with
issues in his personal life and
on the football field caused his
health scare.
I was going through
a divorce, he said. Our
best player tore his ACL the
fourth play of the season off a
noncontact [play]. It was a lot
of stuff going on at the same
time and it was a wakeup call.
I wasnt eating right. I wasnt
exercising like I usually did, so
I was doing nothing to reduce
the stress. It was just football
and more football.
I had an overall lapse in
strength and that was the week
before that, he added. I kind
of had some signs the week
before that, like dizziness. I
couldnt sleep, and I wasnt
really feeling like myself. I was
feeling exhausted. I was trying
to do too much on my own.
Wimes called the health
scare a breaking point, which
led him to make changes in
every aspect of his life.
I knew I had to do
some stuff from a spiritual
standpoint, he said. That
was the biggest thing really.
That incident led me back to
church, and really teaching the
kids that its more than just
football.
Wimes started Fellowship
of Christian Athletes (FCA)
in his football program. FCA
is an international nonprofit
Christian sports ministry.
We started FCA because I
knew I was going through stuff
that a lot of people didnt know
about, but the kids were [also]
going through stuff that we
didnt know about, he said.
You never know what people
are going through. I think a lot
of these kidsthey go through
stuff so we try to be a lot more
than just football.
The football program also
provides pastoral services to
the players, bringing in local
pastors to talk to the players.
We want to make sure
these kids have spiritual role
models besides us, he said.
Wimes also makes sure his
coaching staff is doing what
they need to do to stay healthy
physically and mentally.
I try to make sure they
make their regular doctor and
dentist appointments, he
said. We work out together
too, and we keep each other
lifted in that way. I try to offer
counseling to all the coaches.
I probably do better than
all of us, he added. The only
meat I eat is fish. Ive lost 25
pounds so far.
He also encourages the
coaches to spend more time
with their families.
Thats really important,
he said. I think a lot of times
people lose focus about that.
Football is important but its
not your life. Everything could
be taken in a moment. You
really learn that more things
are important.
SPORTS
Page 14A
Tucker, Marist, Stephenson and Cedar Grove will represent Georgia in the third annual Chick-fil-A Battle of the Borders. Photo by Travis Hudgons
Third annual Battle of the Borders set for Aug. 29

from a 0-11 season in 2011. Coconut
Creek is making its first appearance
Georgia and Florida high school in The Battle of the Borders.
Two first-time participants
football teams will go head-tocollide in the second game of the
head for the third consecutive year
day at 2:30 p.m. as the Cedar Grove
at James R. Hallford Stadium in
Saints take on the Hallandale (Fla.)
Clarkston in the Chick-fil-A Battle
Chargers.
of the Borders Aug. 29.
Coach Jermaine Smith had a
Four games are on tap beginning
productive year in his second year
at 11:45 a.m. with the Marist War
Eagles taking on the Coconut Creek at the helm of the Saints as the team
finished 9-3 overall and reached
(Fla.) Cougars.
the state playoffs for the fifth
Marist, the only Georgia team
consecutive season. Cedar Grove
to win in last years classic, returns
fell to Calhoun in the second round
for the second year. Coach Alan
of the Class AAA state playoffs in
Chadwicks War Eagles defeated
Godby (Tallahassee, Fla.) 17-14 on a 2014 to finish with the programs
last minute field goal and went on to best record since a 9-3 season in
1992.
finish 11-2 on the season.
Coach Dameon Jones has the
The War Eagles fell in the Class
Chargers on the rise after finishing
AAAA quarterfinals in 2014 to
8-2 in 2013 and going 10-2 in
eventual state champion Buford.
2014 with a second round Class
Coconut Creek is coming
AAAAAA Florida state playoff
off a 4-6 season, which started
appearance.
out promising at 4-2. Then four
The Chargers lost to eventual
consecutive losses, three by a total
of 11 points, dropped the Cougars to state champion Central (Miami),
which escaped in a 21-20 win
below .500 on the season.
against Stephenson in the 2014
Coach Kareem Reid has his
Battle of the Borders.
team preparing to return to the state
The Tucker Tigers return for
playoffs for the first time since
their second appearance in the Battle
the 2010 season. The Cougars had
of the Borders as they take on fellow
winning seasons six out of seven
returnees Godby Cougars in the 5:30
years (2004-2010) and has climbed
by Mark Brock
p.m. game.
Coach Bryan Lamars team is
coming off a 10-3 season, its first
in Class AAAAAA, which had the
Tigers winning 10 games in a row
after dropping their first two games
of the season.
The Tigers second loss of the
season was a 19-7 loss to three-time
Class AAAA Florida state champion
Booker T. Washington (Miami) in
the 2014 Battle of the Borders. The
10 consecutive wins earned the
Tigers their eighth consecutive state
playoff berth. Lamar is 34-7 in his
three seasons at his alma mater.
Coach Todd Lanterns Godby
team had a similar run after losing
to Marist in the 2014 Battle of the
Borders. Godby finished 12-3,
winning 12 of its next 13 games
to reach the Class AAAAAA state
finals.
The Cougars, four-time Florida
state champs (1976, 1986, 1987,
2012), scored 159 points in their
first four-state playoff games, but
were shutout 38-0 by 2015 Battle
of the Borders participant American
Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) in the title
game.
The American Heritage Patriots
will take on the Stephenson Jaguars
in the final game of the Battle of the
Borders, which is scheduled to start

at 8:30 p.m. This is the Jaguars third
consecutive year in the classic.
Coach Ron Gartrells Jaguars
finished the 2014 season at 8-4, with
a 27-7 loss to Stockbridge in the
second round of the Class AAAAA
state playoffs. It was the Jaguars
15th consecutive playoff appearance
under Gartrell.
The Jaguars lost 21-20 to
Central (Miami) in the 2014 Battle
of the Borders and are 1-1 overall in
the Georgia-Florida series.
American Heritage is coming
off back-to-back Florida state
championships under Coach Mike
Rumph. The Patriots went 13-3 last
season, including the championship
victory over Godby.
The six game series is currently
tied at 3-3 between the two states
after Florida won three of four in
2014. Stephenson defeated twotime participant Norland (Miami)
29-12 in the inaugural Battle of
the Borders in 2013, while Martin
Luther King Jr. ran away from
Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach, Fla.)
41-15.
A two-game format started the
series in 2013, was expanded to four
games in 2014 and continues with
four this season.
SPORTS
Page 15A
Which players could have breakout seasons?

threw nine interceptions, which is something he
wants to avoid this season.
Im looking to get that down this year, he
said.
here were a few underclassmen who put up
Tomlin said he has been working on reading
high numbers on the stat sheets last season,
defenses
this offseason as well as being more of a
and those same players are looking to take a
vocal
leader.
step forward this year.
Ive been more [active], talking to players to
Arabia Mountain had two wide receivers who
make sure theyre good, making sure theyre on
burst onto the scene last season. Marcus Gay and
their A game and were all on the same page, he
Malick Mbodj were among the six top receivers
in the county. Gay finished third in the county with said.
On the defensive side of the ball, a few non660 yards on 43 receptions and nine touchdown
seniors made the top 10 of various defensive stats
receptions, while Mbodj was sixth on with 33
list. One of those players is Druid Hills defensive
receptions, 521 yards and eight touchdowns.
lineman Javier Lee, who led the county in sacks
Both receivers said they have been working
(13) as a junior.
hard to have another breakout season their senior
Lee said he wants to improve that number this
season.
season,
and has put in the work to reach that goal.
Ive been working on getting faster, working
[Ive
been] going to camps, working on
on my footwork and release moves, Gay said
my
footwork,
getting as much coaching, taking
During the offseason Ive been working on
in as much as possible and learning new things,
my speed, also dropping my hips as far as running
watching [tape] and learning from college
my routes, and perfecting my craft, Mbodj.
coaches, he said. Just trying to get better as a
The receivers had former quarterback Jakobi
player.
Myers to thank for their play on the field after
Lee said his goal is to have 150 tackles and to
throwing for 1,562 yards and 17 touchdowns on a
be
unstoppable.
He said it will take hard work to be
54.7 completion average. The duo will now depend
the
best.
on their new starting quarterback Emmanuel
Southwest DeKalb sophomore quarterback Justin Tomlin
When you put in hard work you get great
Moton to help them reach their goals of 1,000-plus
threw for 1,057 yards and had a 48.4 completion percentresults, he said. Hard work beats talent at all
yards and 50-plus catches.
age last season.
times. Im just putting in as much work as I can
Moton said he and his receivers put in extra
and perform at my highest potential.
work during the summer to build on-the-field
Miller Grove wide receiver Raylon
chemistry.
Richardsons, goal is to get his first touchdown
Weve been going to the practice field and
throwing around some stuff, working on our timing as a high school football player. Richardson, who
has played basketball throughout his high school
to get ready for the season, Moton said. Theyre
career, has not played football since middle school.
two great receivers and my arm strength has to
He was the best middle school receiver I saw
be able to go with their speed because theyre
at
Miller
Grove Middle School, Coach Damien
[Division] 1 receivers. I have to be ready for
Wimes
said.
I just convinced him that it is a little
them.
bit
more
profitable
being a 6-foot-5 receiver than a
Speaking of quarterbacks: there are not many
6-foot-5 center. Were still encouraging him to play
freshman quarterbacks who can say they are
basketball also.
among of the best in the county.
I had a change of heart, Richardson said
Southwest DeKalb quarterback Justin Tomlin
about
playing football. People kept telling me to
can. As a freshman, Tomlin threw for 1,057 yards
play football throughout my ninth, 10th and 11th
and had a 48.4 completion percentage, which was
[grade years], and I decided to play my [senior
eighth best in the county last season. Being the
year]. I was telling everyone I was going to play
starting quarterback as a freshman was no sweat,
my [junior year] but I didnt go on the field, so my
according to Tomlin.
Druid Hills senior defensive lineman Javier Lee led the
[senior year] I said I was going to play and now
It was kind of easy because I knew most of
county with 13 sacks last season.
Im
on
the
field.
the players around me, he said. It was an easy
Im just ready for that touchdown, to see how
Richardson has the potential to do well on the
transition for me, but it was some tough challenges,
that
feels, Richardson said. I have a little bit of
football field with the help of quarterback Sedric
but I got through it.
jitters. Varsity football on Friday nights is going to
Jefferson, who finished second in the county with
Although Tomlin had a decent completion
be crazy.
1,598 passing yards.
percentage, he only had three touchdowns and
by Carla Parker
RECRUITS from page 11A

relationship with the coaches, a
great environment and just a great
atmosphere and fans, he said.
Mbem-Bosse said he worked
on his leadership skills in the
offseasonjust being a team
leader all around, just not on
defense but also on offense as
well, he said.
Although the Lithonia Bulldogs
have not had large recruiting
classes as large as their neighboring
programs, the Bulldogs have
churned out quality talent in the

past five years including 3-star
recruit Cedrick Cooper (2011) to
4-star recruit Joe Harris (2012)
and 3-star recruit David Johnson
(2013).
This year 4-star recruit Jordan
Smith has brought the spotlight
back to Lithonia. Smith, who
received more than 30 offers,
committed to South Carolina where
he will join Cooper and Johnson.
South Carolina felt like
home, Smith said. I go down

there, and I feel like Im still at
Lithonia. Its kind of set aside from
other schools.
Smith is ranked 21st in the
state by ESPN and 211th overall
on ESPN 300. He is ranked 52nd
in the state on Rivals.com. Smith
said he has enjoyed the attention he
has received from scouts and the
media.
It feels good, he said. I
earned it. I worked hard, I did a lot
in the offseason. I did a lot during

the season. It feels like it was meant
to be.
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound pass
rusher led the team last season in
total tackles (55), tackles for a loss
(18) and sacks (seven). Smith said
he worked on building his strength
during the offseason as well as his
speed and technique to help his
team reach its goal.
I want to make the playoffs
and win a ring, he said.
SPORTS
Page 16A
Cross Keys head coach John Bowen
by Carla Parker
ross Keys and Stone Mountain football

programs have been on a coaching carousel
the past two seasons, which is expected to
end soon.
The two teams, and Dunwoody, will
have new coaches on the sideline this season. John
Bowen has taken over at Cross Keys, replacing
Kevin Saunders who coaches the Indians for one
season. Bowen, who has 23 years of coaching,
spent the last 10 years at Hephzibah High School
near Augusta, but he familiar with DeKalb County.
I was born in DeKalb County, I grew up in
Rockdale and upon graduation from college the first
available jobs were kind of further away, Bowen
said. I ended up taking a job in the Augusta area
in 1994 and stayed there ever since. I was always
looking for a chance possibly, when the time was
right, to get back up this way. The timing was right,
and a good school like Cross Keys was open.
Its always good to be back in the metro area,
he added.
The last time Cross Keys had a winning season
was in 1994. Coaches have come and gone over the
years and none has managed to coach Cross Keys
above four wins, which could have been due to the
lack of talent or resources. Bowen said he knows
the challenge that faces him.
Its going to take patience and time, he said.
Ive been at some places that a lot of people
considered tough places. My first head [coaching]
job was at Glascock County where we took 14
players on the roster that year to play [teams
such as] Lincoln County, Putnam County and
Washington-Wilkes, which were state powerhouses.
I know what its like to get through tough situations.
I left that program after seven years in the best
shape that it ever was in at that point.
Before Bowen became the head coach at
Hephzibah, the football team had only been to the
state playoffs once in program history.
We went to the playoffs three times in the last
seven years, Bowen said. I know what Im in for.
Its a tough thing and Im willing to stick it out and
not just looking to come and make a quick move
somewhere else and give up when it gets tough.
Ive been in those situations and I know it takes
patience and time and sowing in a certain level of
Dunwoody head coach Michael Nash
work ethic and professionalism. Thats not going

anywhere, and the kids will eventually fall in line.
Bowen said he will let his action speak louder
than his words when it comes to convincing the
players that he is with the program for long-haul.
I tell them, Im not going to sit here and
talk about it; youll see, he said. I dont believe
in talking a lot about that stuff. Like I tell them,
Ill just show you and youll see. My work ethic
doesnt change if we have 15 people in the weight
room or five people in the weight room. Were there
to do a job and were going to get that job done that
day and move on to the next day.
With small participation numbers during the
offseason, Bowen is focusing on sparking an
interest in football to bring in more players.
We want to get a stable number of players and
stability there, and just build each week to be the
best that we can be each day, he said. If we do
that then the wins will take care of itself.
Utavius Ingram at Stone Mountain

The Stone Mountain Pirates new head coach
was a member of the 2014 coaching staff. Utavius
Ingram was promoted from offensive coordinator
to head coach, making the transition between
coaches a little easier for the players.
Being that I was the offensive coordinator I
had some familiarity with the players and it was a
smooth transition, Ingram said. I think that being
here for a year and the stability and knowing what
they expect from me made it easy.
This will be Ingrams 10th year coaching. He
coached for seven years in Alabama at Opelika
High School and Auburn High School. He later
moved to Georgia and coached a year at Peach
County High School and then became a wide
receiver coach at Savannah State before becoming
the offensive coordinator at Stone Mountain.
Ingram is replacing Chaka Mason, who
coached one seasona winless season. Ingram
said this years team will have all of the offensive
skills players from last years team. He said his
focus during the offseason was getting the players
stronger.
Weve put in a weight program, working in
the weight room and thats what weve been doing
all summer along with the 7-on-7 camps and other
camps between here, Alabama and Mississippi, he
Stone Mountain head coach Utavius Ingram
Photos by Travis Hudgons
Three teams welcome new coaches
said. Its just getting the kids used to working and

trying to increase their football IQ.
Ingram said his goal this season is to have his
team compete.
We just want to be competitive, more
competitive than we were last year, he said. We
just want to get better every day.
Michael Nash takes over at Dunwoody

After Dunwoodys third consecutive losing
season, new head coach Michael Nash hopes to
bring back the winning tradition.
Nash replaced Jim Showfety, who coached the
Dunwoody football team for five seasons. Nash,
who came from Shiloh High School, is getting his
first opportunity as a head coach in his 15 years of
coaching.
Im really excited, he said. Im excited about
being at Dunwoody for its history and its tradition,
and really looking forward to trying to bring that
back.
Since his hiring, Nash said he has been building
relationships with the players and parents. However,
it was a struggle to get players to come out for
summer workouts and practice.
[The] numbers are way down in the football
program, but were building it, he said. Hopefully
by the time were starting the season well have 6070 kids, which would be exceptional compared to
what theyve had in the past couple of [years].
Dunwoodys last playoff appearance was in
2009. Nash said many things go into building a
winning program.
The winning combination is no secret and all
of these great programs in DeKalb know it, he
said. Its hard work, its commitment, its building
incredible feeder program and its just being
consistent and I think thats what we have to do
here.
My goal is to always win, but more than that
its to reestablish that work ethic and reestablish
that sense of community pride, he said.
Dunwoody football is going to be a big thing
for this community and we have to make sure
this community wants to be a part of what were
doing. Were going to do that by being a part of the
community.
local
Page 17A
Cityhood groups continue to garner support

by Carla Parker
With the November election approaching, groups
for the proposed cities of
LaVista Hills and Tucker are
working to convince voters
to favor incorporating the
two central DeKalb communities.
Bills for both cities
passed the General Assembly in April, and voters within the proposed
borders will go to the
polls Nov. 3 to vote on
the referendums. Both
cityhood groups have
worked to gain support
for their movements.
Our group, and other cityhood supporters,
has been hosting small
neighbor to neighbor
meetings, distributing
yard signs, appearing
at forums sponsored by
civic associations, and doing
our best to get our message
out, said Allen Venet, cochairman of LaVista Hills
YES. As we get closer to
the Nov. 3 referendum, we
expect to have more public
meetings.
Frank Auman of Tucker
2015 said the positive momentum continues to grow.
Even more Tucker cityhood supporters have volunteered with Tucker 2015, and
we are focused on educating
the community about the
benefits of cityhood, Auman
said. Weve been talking
with Tucker residents and
business owners at neighborhood and community meetings, going door to door and
attending events [such as]
the weekly Tucker Farmers
Market.
People enjoy reading our Friday Facts on the
Tucker 2015 website that addresses topics such as taxes,
city services and set up,
schools and voting, Auman
added. Its all about people
making an informed decision
on Nov. 3 when they vote on
cityhood for Tucker.
Before the two cityhood

bills passed the General Assembly, last-minute negotiations were made between the
state House and Senate over
a disputed area in the Livsey
Elementary School area. The
House did not agree with
altered maps from the Senate
State and Local Governmental Operations Committee
General Assembly has given

the residents of the proposed
cities of LaVista Hills and
Tucker a historic opportunity
for responsive, efficient, honest local government.
Auman said the last-minute changes garnered more
support for Tucker cityhood.
If you drive through
some of the neighborhoods
Change is never easy, and

we are asking our neighbors
to vote for change.
nance.
Although the cityhood
groups have seen a rise in
support, there are still doubters such as Citizens Against
Cityhood in DeKalb, who
have spoken against cityhood, and the Save Tucker
from Lakeside City group,
which is against LaVista
Hills. There are homes in the
North Druid Hills area that
have yard signs opposing
LaVista Hills.
Venet said LaVista Hills
message to doubters is to
simply look around.
Compare the way the
existing cities, old and new,
provide local government
services with the way things
are handled in unincorporated DeKalb, he said. The

contrast is more stark all the
time. The existing cities are
not perfect, but perfect is not
on the ballot. Our residents
have a clear choice between
the way cities operate and the
inefficiency and corruption
that is rampant in the county
administration.
Auman said Tuckers
message has always been the
same.
Cityhood will enhance
what makes Tucker a special
community and ensure its
success with local control
over tax dollars, services and
economic development, he
said.
-Allen Venet
that shifted 2,000 residents
from Tuckers map to LaVista
Hills.
A Conference Committee was formed, and it voted
5-1 to return 500 residents,
along with a Walmart and
a QuikTrip to Tucker, and
1,500 residents remained in
LaVista Hills. The committee
also removed the Medlock
and Mason Mills neighborhoods from LaVista Hills
map.
Venet said the changes
impacted the support for
LaVista Hills.
There were people who
were happy, or unhappy, to
find themselves in, or out,
of our map and the Tucker
map, but that is the nature of
the process, Venet said. Our
citizens group submitted our
idea for a map, the Georgia
House changed the map, the
Georgia Senate changed it
more, and a conference committee compromised on the
final map with more changes. Without question, the
process was, and the map is,
messy but politics and compromise can be messy. The
important thing is that the
that were removed from the

Tucker map, you will continue to see Tucker 2015 signs
proudly displayed in many
yards, he said. That should
tell you something. These
people will always be a part
of the greater Tucker community and a line drawn by
Sen. [Fran] Millar will not
change their feelings toward
their hometown or how they
may vote Nov. 3.
With the conviction of
former CEO Burrell Ellis,
the miscommunication during the July 24 water main
break and the practice facility for Atlanta United FC,
and other negative attention
DeKalb County has received,
Venet said he has seen a
spike in support for cityhood.
Change is never easy,
and we are asking our neighbors to vote for change, he
said. To vote yes for LaVista
Hills, residents must first
accept that there is a problem that needs fixing. Sadly,
DeKalb County government
is making that case for us
with one shocking example
after another of poor gover-
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EDUCATION
Page 18A
Nonprofit battles rising

school supply costs
by Ashley Oglesby
Communities In Schools
of Atlanta (CIS) is participating in a statewide partnership with Walmart to collect
donations of school supplies
for at-risk students in more
than 363 school districts nationwide.
The nonprofit organization is partnered with
DeKalb and Fulton counties
public schools. Throughout the year CIS places staff
members, called site coordinators, in schools to assist in
building relationships with
students, educators and community members.
CIS of Atlanta has partnered with two Walmart
locations, 1105 Research
Center, Atlanta and 844
Cleveland Ave., East Point to
collect donations.
Through Aug. 15, designated bins located in the
front of select Walmart locations throughout Georgia are
allowing shoppers to donate
school supplies. All school
supplies are needed but recommended items include:
backpacks, pencils, pens,
erasers, crayons, markers,
loose leaf paper, glue, binders, calculators, rulers and
scissors.
CIS Executive Director
Frank Brown said the annual Build a Backpack back-toschool drive was designed to
supply students with all the
supplies needed so they are
prepared to be successful.
According to the latest
backpack index released
by Huntington Bank on July
29, the cost of equipping
students to go back to school
for the 2015-2016 school
year will increase nearly 10
percent for high school students and could cost families
with more than one child in
elementary, middle or high
school as much as $3,000 for
school supplies and activity
fees.
The rising costs are expected to create a financial
hardship for many of the nations public school children,
according to Communities
In Schools of Atlanta, part of
the nations largest and most
effective dropout prevention
organization.
CIS cited new federal
data indicating that 51 percent of the students across
the nations public schools
are low income.
Brown said, To see all
this granular information
about how much it costs to
buy supplies for children...
its scary as a parent myself.
This is why were doing these
kind of events to drive home
the notion that just because
America looks like its recovering, there is still a deep
pocket of citizens around the
state, in local communities
that cannot afford supplies
that are critical to making
sure that a kid gets off to a
good start.
According to the index,
parents can expect to pay
$649 for elementary school
children, a 1 percent increase
compared to 2014; $941 for
middle school children, a 2.5
percent jump compared to
2014; $1,402 for high school
students, a more than 9 percent increase compared to
2014.
Brown said there are a
host of other issues that this
backpack drive highlights.
If a parent cannot afford
to buy basic school supplies,
imagine what else is not being covered like clothes, food
and shelter. We think its
imperative that people not
just take this one touch point
but to get involved with us
on a deeper level because we
do these sorts of things yearround.
The organization also
assists schools to improve
attendance, improve behavior, support academic per-
STOP CYBER BULLYING
Stand up Speak out
formance, increase parental

involvement, increase community partnerships and
support families that are in
crisis.
We want to be a community asset and get people
involved, he said.
Individuals can also participate in the school supply
drive by donating online.
Money collected will be
used to purchase additional
supplies and fill specific requests that cant be met with
donated items.
By donating to nonprofit organizations like
Communities in Schools
or giving to churches and
civic groups that hold supply drives each year, we can
ensure all our students have
the tools and support they
Donations of school supplies can be dropped off in designated bins

through Aug. 31.
need to succeed in school,

Brown said.
For additional information visit cisatlanta.org.
State Representative Billy Mitchell, DeKalb Board of Education Vice Chair James McMahan, GPC Development
officer William Covington, AT&T Regional Director of Legislative and External Affairs Delores Crowell, DeKalb
Board of Education members Michael Erwin, Marshall Orson, Stan Jester, Board Chair Melvin Johnson and
Vickie Turner, DeKalb Early College Academy Principal Edward Conner and Superintendent Stephen Green.
$25,000 granted to
early college students
by Ashley Oglesby
On Aug. 3 Georgia Perimeter College Foundation
received a $25,000 grant
from AT&T Georgia to support DeKalb Early College
Academy (DECA).
The funds will be used
to provide college textbooks
to high school students who
are currently dual enrolled in
Georgia Perimeter and earn-
ing their associates degree.

AT&T Director of Public
Affairs Stephanie Smith said
the textbooks purchased in
this program will be returned
to the college as DECA students finish their courses and
be reissued to new students
next semester.
Since many of the courses taken are core classes such
as English, grammar and
algebra 1, Smith said, The
books will easily last several
semesters benefitting hundreds of students.

There are more than 80
dual enrolled students who
will get these books.
According to a statement released by the DeKalb
County communication office, A portion of the funds
will go for online courses
that will benefit, 125 students
for the 2015-16 school year.
local
Page 19A
Roadblock
Continued From Page 1A
County Sheriff s Departments

field division commander. And
weve noticed an increase in crime
in the Hillandale/Fairington Road
areaviolent crime, especially,
including a lot of gang-related
activity.
Based on the complaints and
statistics provided by the DeKalb
County Police Department, we
decided this would be a good area
to target to try to reduce some of
those crimes, Roscoe said.
One checkpoint was set up in
the parking lot of Lithonia High
School.
In order to make a safety
checkpoint more fluid, we need
an area with a parking lot, Roscoe said. We dont want to cause
undue stress to the people of the
community. We dont want to inconvenience them. We want to
keep it moving.
One man was arrested didnt
have his wallet in his pocket. He
told deputies it was elsewhere in
the truck.
When deputies ran his information through their database,
they discovered he had an outstanding warrant for failure to
appear in court. His license had
been suspended for more than
year.
He told deputies he was unaware of the suspension.
In the car with the man was
his young daughter. Deputies allowed the handcuffed man to call
someone to pick up his daughter
and car.
Deputies issued 34 tickets for
such violations as failure to provide child restraints, expired tag,
operating an unregistered vehicle,
driving with an expired license, no
proof of insurance, driving with a
suspended license, no tag, and operating a vehicle without a current
license plate.
The deputies also attempted to
serve 100 active warrants in the
Lithonia area, resulting in three
arrests for felonies and 10 arrests
for misdemeanors. Deputies also
confiscated two weapons and,
with the help of K9 Officer Viper,
an undisclosed amount of suspected illegal drugs.
During the checkpoint on Fairington Road, a driver presented
false identification. A deputy was
involved in an altercation with the
driver as he attempted to flee the
scene by driving away.
The suspect managed to evade
deputies who were in pursuit.
Charges are pending for the man
who remains at large and the incident is under investigation by the
countys police department and
sheriff s office.
DeKalb County Board of Education member Vickie Turner, Superintendent Stephen Green and Peachcrest Elementary Principal Sheila Nelloms answer questions from the media.
Superintendent Continued From Page 1A

communication are key components
of his vision for the district.
He added, Our primary focus this
year will be to set the stage in terms
of district wide curriculum. We have
a framework but that framework
needs a lot of work. It needs to be
upgraded, it needs to be flushed out,
it needs to be fully packed with the
kind of instructional practice that we

know our students needthe kind
of rigor, relevance and relationshipbuilding that needs to be embedded
in a quality educational experience
for our young people.
The newly renovated Peachcrest
Elementary School design totals
128,000 square-foot and features
900 student seats. The district spent

approximately $20 million on the
design that includes a 3,000-square
feet kitchen, four special-needs
classrooms, a gymnasium, 44
classrooms, media center, art and
music classrooms, computer lab,
science lab and a shared lab.
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August 2015
News and events of the

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave. Suite 235, Decatur, GA, 30030 404.378.8000 www.DeKalbchamberofcommerce.org
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce 11th

Annual Golf Tournament Provides
Unique Opportunity for Players to
Connect and Collaborate
To find a mans true character, play golf with
him. -P.G. Wodehouse
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce has been the
organization to advocate and create opportunities for
local businesses to flourish and thrive for more than 77
years. What better opportunity to help businesses grow
than through a day on the green connecting with top
DeKalb business leaders.
The tournament is more than just a day to relax and
play golf. Its a day to collaborate and exchange ideas
with others. As the second largest event for the DeKalb
Chamber, the 11th Annual Golf Tournament, presented
by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Atlanta
United FC and Discover DeKalb will draw close to 144
women and men who play major roles in the business
and local community.
For one day, players will gather in a central
location, form new connections and build upon
existing relationships with some of DeKalb and metro
Atlantas most influential leaders and business owners.
Networking from this day alone will also give players
a small overview of the businesses and opportunities
offered in DeKalb County. Players can later cultivate
their new connections to further their personal and
professional reach.
If your golf game needs a little help and you still
want to participate in the days activity, the 2nd Annual
Womens Golf Clinic, sponsored by Intown Doula and
the CDC Federal Credit Union, invites men and women
to join us from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Network with other
leaders while learning the fundamentals of playing golf
and getting your individual needs addressed in a onehour professional golf lesson. Register separately for the
Womens clinic online at bit.ly/2ndweldgolf.
To close, players will gather for the 19th Hole
Reception and Ceremony, where they can cool off, and
compete for raffle prizes and receive awards.
In order to build a strong community, its important
to engage and support local businesses. We invite you
to join us in our efforts to build a stronger DeKalb on
August 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Druid Hills
Golf Club, 740 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta. Breakfast
will be provided from 8:30 to 9:30 with a 10:00 a.m.
Shot Gun start.
Local businesses interested in donating raffle items
for the 19th Hole Reception, or learning about registration or sponsorship opportunities may contact Rick
Young at ryoung@dekalbchamber.org or Rachea Brooks
at rbrooks@dekalbchamber.org.
John Kelley
Co-Chair of the Golf Committee
Area Manager at Georgia Power
Dr. R. Stephen Green: Change is coming to DeKalb

County, looks forward to working with parents,
business and local community.
Interim CEO Lee May, Chamber President Katerina Taylor

with Dr. R. Stephen Green and wife, Kim at the Official
Welcome Reception on July 29.
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Welcomes

Dr. R. Stephen Green to DeKalb County
Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world.
- Nelson Mandela
DeKalb Chamber commends the work
of the Board of Education for their arduous
dedication and service to the students
of DeKalb County. We look forward to
working with Dr. Green in our shared efforts
of moving the county forward.
To learn more about Dr. Green and hear

about his vision for the DeKalb County
School District, DeKalb Chamber invites
members and guests to attend the upcoming
General Membership Meeting on September
17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are
$35 for members and $45 for nonmembers.
For more details about the event, please
contact our office at 404-378-8000.
Upcoming Events
August 18: 5:30 to 7:3- p.m. Business After Hours Networking: Iberian Pig, 121 Sycamore
Street, Decatur. Join us for a casual evening of networking and hear updates of the Chambers
programs. Appetizers will be provided by Iberian Pig. Drink specials. Cash bar.
August 31: 11th Annual DeKalb Chamber Golf Tournament, Druid Hills Golf Club, 740
Clifton Road, Atlanta
September 17: 1:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting with Keynote Speaker Dr.
R. Stephen Green, Superintendent of DeKalb County School District.
September 23: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Atlanta Journal Constitution Presents the DeKalb
Chamber of Commerce Technology Symposium and Luncheon.
September 24: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Business After Hours Networking: Holiday Inn AtlantaNorthlake. Appetizers will be provided by Holiday Inn. Drink specials. Cash bar.
October 21: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Save-The-Date W.E.L.D Luncheon hosted by AT&T
November 19: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Save-The-Date General Membership Meeting
Economic Outlook and Financial Impact 2016 with Keynote Speaker Dennis Lockhart,
President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
Additional information available on our events page: www.dekalbchamber.org.
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BUSINESS
Page 22A
Decatur student turns problem into product

by Kathy Mitchell
When David Spratte
was a student at St. Pius X
Catholic High Schoolin Decatur, he attended a worship
service in the schools gym
on a warm day. There was
little air conditioning, and I
noticed people wiping their
hands on the chairs or on
their pants to avoid the awkwardness of shaking hands
or holding hands with sweaty
palms, he recalled.
The observation led to
the development of a company and a product, Carpe
Lotion, which Spratte and his
partners introduced to the
market this summer.
Ive always been interested in chemistry, and
it occurred to me that a
product that prevents sweaty
hands would be useful for
lots of people, Spratte said.
I couldnt find any such
product on the market so I
started conducting late night
and early morning kitchen
experiments to see what I
could come up with. I talked
to chemists and cosmetic
professionals. I even made
fake dermatologist appointments to discuss my idea and
get advice.
While the idea remained
in his thoughts, Spratte took
no further action until he
was a student at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill. There, in 2013,
he met Chris Jenks, a fellow chemistry student, and
the two started discussing
Sprattes product idea. Jenks
now serves as the companys
chemist.
Spratte also met Kasper
Kubica, a Duke University
student, who along with
Spratte was in the Robertson
Scholars program. The two
were living and working together in New Orleans the
summer of 2014, when the
product idea found its way
into the conversation.
It was the evening of my
birthday, Spratte recalled. I
started excitedly telling him

my plans for multiple product lines and international
distribution. Kasper, who has
a lot of experience in product
launch, told me everything
that was wrong with my
plan. But he didnt stop there;
he told me what I would
need to do to succeed.
Calling Kubica one of
the smartest people that I
know, Spratte was eager to
make him part of the team.
Hes an amazing student of
chemistry. His entire family
is made up of chemists; its in
his blood.
Jenks joined the team
to work on formulating the
lotion. He had access to a
lab and materials over the
summer, so it worked out
perfectly, Spratte said.
Using a key ingredient found in many extrastrength underarm antiperspirants, Jenks developed
a product to reduce palm
sweat. We tested each version on ourselves until we
found what worked best,
Spratte said, noting that
Jenks developed more than
50 prototypes before the
team settled on their ideal
formula.
We went through the
federal food and drug administration to make sure it
met standards for safety and
effectiveness, Spratte said.
The team next explored
finding the market for the
new product. We thought
of some of the places it
would be usefulin social
or business situations or during sports activities when
you dont want your hands
to slipbut new applications keep coming up, many
of them ideas from users,
Spratte said. The partners
say theyve received emails
from musicians, people who
wear prosthetics, gamers and
teenagers nervous as they go
on dates. Although the product was developed for use on
hands, its safe to use on foreheads and other body parts,
according to Spratte.
We kicked around
names for the new product
and discovered that some
we came up with were too
close to names already in
use. Finally, we decided on
Carpe, Latin for seize, he
said, explaining the inspiration was the Latin aphorism
carpe diem, meaning seize
the day.
The idea was to use the
product to build confidence.
The person could feel confident shaking hands in a business situation, holding hands
on a date or holding on to
equipment during sports activities. He or she could feel
self-assured enough to seize

the moment. At the same
time the person would physically seize anothers hand or
a piece of equipment.
The students had
planned to go it alone
bringing their product to
market when Bootstrap, a
Durham, N.C.-based investment firm that describes
its mission as empowering
and partnering with local
entrepreneurs as they create
simple consumer products,
took an interest in their enterprise.
Bootstrap offered a really generous investment, considering the students werent
producing anything at the

time, according to Spratte.
Through their investors,
the team found suppliers of
ingredients and packaging
as well as a Durham-based
manufacturer.
Spratte, a premed student, who aspires to be a
dermatologist, said he is especially proud to have helped
create a product that has
the potential to be helpful
to many people. Sweat can
destroy confidence, create
anxiety, and serve as a social
and professional barrier. We
want to break down that barrier, one sweat-free hand at a
time, he said.
City of Doraville
2015 Notice of General Election and
Qualifying Information
Notice is hereby given that the City of Doraville, Georgia shall hold Municipal General
Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 from 7:00am-7:00pm. A municipality shall fix
and publish a qualifying fee for each office to be filled in upcoming election. Such fee
shall be (3) three percent of the total gross salary of the office paid in the preceding
calendar year including all supplements.
OFFICE
Mayor, At Large
(Incumbent) Donna Pittman
SALARY
$14,800.00
QUALIFYING FEE
(3%) $444.00
Council Member, District 1

(Incumbent) Pam Fleming
$8,400.00
(3%) $252.00

(Incumbent) Trudy Jones Dean
$8,400.00
(3%) $252.00

(Incumbent) Maria Alexander
$8,400.00
(3%) $252.00
Qualifying for the election shall be held at City Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville,
Georgia 30340 beginning on Monday August 31, 2015 through Friday, September 4,
2015 from 8:30am- 4:30 pm.
Qualifications to Hold Public Office In the City of Doraville

Pursuant to the Doraville City Charter, the Qualifications of
Mayor and Council Members shall be as follows:
No person shall be eligible for the office of Mayor or Council of Doraville

unless he/she have been a resident of Doraville for a period of one (1) year
immediately preceding the date of the election, and a resident of Georgia for at
least two years; and
*
*
Shall have attained or passed his/her twenty-first birthday (21); and
No persons name shall be placed on the ballot as a candidate for Mayor

or Council member unless such person shall have filled a Notice of Candidacy
with the Office of the City Clerk.
Collaboration
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite, Decatur, GA 30030 404.378.8000 www.dekalbchamber.org
WEEK
In
Pictures
Northlake Malls parking lot is filled with a blur of colored lights for the visiting carnival. Photo by Travis Hudgons
Clarkston hosts National Night Out at Milam Park. Community members had the opportunity
to meet the people who protect and serve them. DeKalb County firefighters and Clarkston law
enforcement along with city officials interacted with the community. There was free food, live
entertainment and a replica of the Batmobile. Photos by Travis Hudgons
DeKalb County District 4 Commisser Sharon Barnes Sutton poses with Batman in front
of the Batmobile at Clarkstons National Night Out. Photo by Travis Hudgons
From left, Clarkston Police Chief Christine Hudson, Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry and Clarkston City
Clerk Tracy Ashby.
From left, Clarkston City Manager Keith Barker and V-103 radio personality Greg Street.
Photos brought to you by DCTV

DeKalb County begins one-day-a-week sanitation collection service July 6, 2015
Residential customers will have same-day garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection
For more info, call or visit:
(404) 294-2900
www.rollingforwardtoone.com
local
Welcomes Dr. Davina Dansby

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS!
championnewspaper
championnews
championnews
champnews
Dr. Davina Dansby
Dr. Dansby recently came from a private practice in

Stone Mountain and is currently practicing family
medicine at Rockbridge Family Medicines Snellville
office. She has a special interest in womens healthespecially in the areas of herbal medicines and nutritional
healing. She is currently accepting new patients.
Call: 678.701.3851 to schedule your appointment.

We are conveniently located at:
1800 Tree Lane, Suite 120, Snellville, GA 30078

www.rockbridgefamilymedicine.org

Dekalb Superintendent Shares His Vision For The District: Championnewspaper Championnewspaper Champnews Championnews

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FreePress

FRIDAY, august 14, 2015 VOL. 18, NO. 20 FREE

A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

Twenty-six deputies participated in the roadblock beside Lithonia High School.

The daughter of a man arrested by deputies is escorted to a vehicle to await

DeKalb County sheriff s

eKalb County school Superintendent

See Roadblock on page 19A

See Superintendent on page 19A

Page 2A The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

here to say we have made it

improving the business climate here, May said.

Share your best shots of DeKalb

Win roundtrip airfare

The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

CID spruces up Wesley Chapel Road

and that we want our community to be just as beautiful

project will focus on the median south of I-20, Daniels

extra taxes to support its efforts; projected revenue from

CIDs use of off-duty police

The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

Gender discrimination and the American male

Chief Operating Officer

I dont recall ever seeing a

addressed. Not wearing socks

Men are forced to endure cruel

The Confederate flag:

Born out of commitment to segregation

continues to be a painful reminder of

people were either being held hostage

The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

One Mans Opinion

Being stoned, Part 2

day, and also plenty of hate

honorary life president of the

tually became the sculptor and

Flag Continued From Page 4A

lot of white voters felt Barnes was not on

defiance against integration.

To be continued Bill Crane also serves as a

Statement from the

Page 6A The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

Kevin D. Chapman Jr.

ters into his own hands, and

brought water for the plants.

Community Council, Wesley

teer no matter what your

Local company awards community volunteers

Members of the nonprofit I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. received the Pay It Forward Award.

PAWS Atlanta host fundraising party

Post Office may be renamed in honor of

On September 19 from 6:30 10 p.m., PAWS

City to host yard sale

Registration opened for Labor Day race

Monastery presents weekly public talks

Page 8A The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

Atlanta United FC wins approval in DeKalb

County, which will take over

Arthur Blank plans to build

tion and demolition of 40

ted over $40 million to the

The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

Local restaurant helps tell the McDonalds story

Page 2A The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

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The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015

The Champion FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, August 14, 2015