the DeKalb FRIDAY, JUNE 07, 2019 • VOL.

24, NO 17 • FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

RESTORATION OF LYON
FARMHOUSE COMPLETED
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
What started as a vision
nearly two decades ago–to
preserve the historic Lyon
Farmhouse–is now a reality.
Arabia Mountain
Heritage Area Alliance,
along with DeKalb County
and Stonecrest officials and
members of the Lyon family
celebrated the completion
of the Lyon Farmhouse
preservation project May
31. The farmhouse, which is
part of the Arabia Mountain
National Heritage Area, Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, along with DeKalb County and Stonecrest officials and members of the Lyon family celebrated the completion of the
was stabilized to secure the Lyon Farmhouse preservation project.
aging structure and provide
education and conservation
programs at the site,
according to the alliance.
The Lyon family is
one of the oldest families
in DeKalb and established
the farm in the 1820s.
For nearly 150 years, the
family carved out a rural
life where they cultivated
crops and raised livestock,
according to the alliance.
A log cabin was reportedly
the first structure built on
the property in the 1820s, The Lyon Farmhouse is one of the oldest houses in DeKalb County.
according to the alliance.
The property was expanded
in 1853 and again in 1893,
creating the house that
stands today.
Arabia Mountain
Heritage Area Alliance
co-founder Kelly Jordan
said he and then DeKalb
County Commissioner
Hank Johnson met George
and Betty Lyon at the
farmhouse 20 years ago.
“They were still living
here, as the Lyon family
A sign displaying the history of the Lyon Farm will be placed on the property Congressman Hank Johnson and DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis
for tourists to see. Johnson spoke about the importance of preserving the Lyon Farmhouse and its
SEE FARMHOUSE ON PAGE 6 history.

Visit www.TheChampionNewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 2

DECATUR

DeKalb police officer indicted

for baton assault on woman
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
A DeKalb County Police
officer has bonded out of
DeKalb County Jail after
being indicted on two felony
charges, including assault.
A DeKalb County Grand
Jury returned an indictment
May 30 against officer
Phillip Larscheid. The
29-year-old is charged with
one count of aggravated
Larscheid McCrary DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston, left, announced that a DeKalb County
assault and one count of
Grand Jury returned an indictment against DeKalb County Police Officer Phillip
violation of oath, both Larscheid. Photos by Carla Parker
felonies, in connection with
an incident involving Katie legs consistent with baton “The GBI findings were officer charge against and make sacrifices that
McCrary that was captured strikes, according to Boston. then submitted to our office McCrary. The DeKalb we may never be able to
on cell phone video, DeKalb Boston said DeKalb for review and subsequent County Police Department consider,” she said. “We
County District Attorney County Police Department investigation,” Boston said. has not responded to The also understand that this job
Sherry Boston announced initially investigated the “We determined that the Champion’s request seeking requires judgement calls
at a press conference. use-of-force case and later case warranted prosecutorial information on Larscheid’s and split-second decisions.
According to DeKalb cleared Larscheid. However, action and presented the status with the department. It also requires appropriate
County Sheriff’s Office when a cell phone video of case [May 30] to the grand Boston said the case is and sound decision making
jailing records, Larscheid the incident surfaced online jury for one count of not an indictment against all and behavior, coupled with
was booked in the early approximately a month later, aggravated assault and one police officers. accountability for officers
hours of June 1 and bonded the department reopened count of violation of oath of “We believe our law who may run afoul of these
out shortly afterward. the case and forwarded it office, both felony charges.” enforcement partners are expectations.”
The charges against to the Georgia Bureau of Boston said her office hard-working, dedicated
Larscheid stem from an Investigation (GBI) for an will not proceed on the professionals who put their
incident inside a Chevron independent investigation. felony obstruction of an lives on the line every day
Gas Station on Glenwood
Road in Decatur on June 4,
2017. According to Boston,
the officer responded to a The DeKalb County Board of Education does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the
DeKalb County School District Administrative & Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, Georgia
shoplifting and loitering call on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 7:00 p.m., and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. 48-5-32, does hereby publish
involving McCrary at the the following presentation of the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy
for the past five years.
gas station.
According to the CURRENT 2019 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
investigation, Larscheid
encountered McCrary near DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

the front door when he Real & Personal 18,945,661,424 21,114,929,747 22,708,465,405 24,341,209,784 27,176,816,870 29,255,960,658
arrived and advised her Motor Vehicles 1,135,212,830 781,124,040 568,562,240 501,760,240 288,361,800 225,493,960
that she needed to stay so Mobile Homes 355,333 358,733 769,100 486,235 476,807 494,206
he could speak with her. Timber - 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0

McCrary attempted to leave Heavy Duty Equipment

Gross Digest
57,864
20,081,287,451
2,208
21,896,414,728
76,000
23,277,872,745
81,886
24,843,538,145
38,569
27,465,694,046
174,154
29,482,122,978
by pushing into and past Less M& O Exemptions 2,923,178,437 3,144,309,260 3,295,536,890 3,414,913,868 3,621,177,159 3,442,877,662
Larscheid to go around Net M & O Digest 17,158,109,014 18,752,105,468 19,982,335,855 21,428,624,277 23,844,516,887 26,039,245,316
him and leave the store, State Forest Land Assistance
Grant Value 0 0 0 0 0 0
according to Boston. Adjusted Net M&O Digest 17,158,109,014 18,752,105,468 19,982,335,855 21,428,624,277 23,844,516,887 26,039,245,316
Larscheid deployed
his baton and repeatedly Gross M&O Millage 23.98 23.98 23.73 23.38 23.28 23.18
struck McCrary across her Less Rollbacks 0.00 -0.25 -0.35 -0.10 -0.10 0.00

arms, legs, back and once Net M&O Millage 23.98 23.73 23.38 23.28 23.18 23.18

in the head, according to Total School Taxes Levied $411,451,454 $444,987,463 $467,187,012 $498,858,373 $552,715,901 $603,589,706
Boston. McCrary was later
handcuffed and arrested Net Taxes $ Increase $26,658,066 $33,536,009 $22,199,550 $31,671,361 $53,857,528 $50,873,805
for felony obstruction of Net Taxes % Increase 6.93% 8.15% 4.99% 6.78% 10.80% 9.20%

an officer and was taken

to an area hospital where NOTES:
medical staff determined she 1. THE NET LEVY DOES NOT REFLECT ACTUAL REVENUE RECEIVED OR AVAILABLE DUE TO VALUE ADJUSTMENTS RESULTING FROM APPEALS, DELINQUENT TAXES,
sustained a laceration to her COLLECTIONS FROM PRIOR YEARS, AND A FEE OF 1.25% PAID TO THE COUNTY FOR BILLING AND COLLECTIONS.

lower left leg and multiple 2. THE 2019 MILLAGE RATE IS THE PROPOSED RATE. THE PROPOSED SCHOOL OPERATIONS MILLAGE IS 23.18 MILLS.

contusions on her arms and 3. 2019 DIGEST FIGURES ARE AN ESTIMATE.

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 3

Kenny Smith (middle) helps cut the ribbon on the opening of a refurbished Boys & Girls club gym in Decatur.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Lowe’s and TNT sports analyst Kenny Smith hosted an
unveiling event to showcase the renovated gym at Salvation Army Peachcrest Boys &
Girls Club in Decatur.

New gym a slam dunk for

local Boys & Girls club Children learn dribbling skills during basketball camp

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com

With the help of former NBA star Kenny Smith and

Lowe’s, the Salvation Army Peachcrest Boys & Girls Club in
Decatur unveiled its new gym to the community.
The renovation included a new court, hoops, scoreboard
and paint. Lowe’s volunteers also installed new tile around
the clubhouse.
Joshua Dickerson, executive director of Salvation Army
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta, said the Peachcrest
Boys & Girls Club needed to improve its facilities.
“It’s going to increase our membership because children
will be excited to come and play at a new gym. It will
also allow us to host basketball tournaments. We’re super
excited,” Dickerson said. “Lowe’s and Kenny Smith really
came through for us.”
Lowe’s plans to donate more than $1 million in grants to
Boys & Girls Clubs throughout America in 2019. According
to Lowe’s officials, each selected club will receive a $50,000
grant and hands-on support from Lowe’s volunteers.
Dickerson said he is excited about the new look of the
facility.
“These floors are top of the line. It’s absolutely amazing
and it’s nice to see all the enthusiasm surrounding this,”
Dickerson said. “This gives me a great sense of pride. The
children who come to this program may not come from
the best circumstances...but giving them this opportunity is
absolutely amazing.”
The grants are part of a Lowe’s Renovation Across the
Nation initiative which is currently in its fourth year and has
funded approximately $10 million of renovations.
SEE CLUB ON PAGE 9 Local boys participate in a basketball camp taught by former NBA player Kenny Smith
OPINION
The dangers of spreading falsehoods
With the deluge of misinformation
that was disseminated intentionally
and unintentionally during the 2016
election cycle, it would seem that
the public would have learned not to
believe everything they hear, read or
see; unfortunately, this does not seem
to be the case.
On the heels of Georgia, Alabama
and several other states passing
legislation limiting access to abortions,
falsehoods, misconceptions and blatant
distortion of facts are spreading like
wildfire.
It has not been uncommon to
read accusations such as Georgia’s
law includes provisions to prosecute
women who have abortions after a
heartbeat is detected and that women
Foreclosures
Tax Sales/Ads for Bids
Trade Name Registrations
Public Notices/Public meetings
Sheriff Sales/Local Legislation
Notices of Incorporation
To subscribe, visit DeKalbLegalNotices.com
or call 404-373-7779, X 0
#ItsInTheChampion
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
can be charged with murder if they
miscarry.
Once again, with the help of
social media, falsehoods are being
perpetuated and some in the public
are believing these falsehoods. Some
accusations are likely due simply to a
lack of knowledge and sadly, others
are likely intentionally distorting facts
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 4
to further their individual social and
political beliefs.
When false information is
intentionally disseminated, there is
no gain for anyone and in the case of
abortion issues, can lead to personal
harm, or even death, if someone takes
action based on false information. The
person sharing the false information
may be seen by some as an authority
on a particular issue and as such many
will not question the validity of the
false claims.
All are entitled to have personal
views and beliefs on any topic, but
when they fail to research the basis of
their beliefs, they are doing a disservice
to themselves and to all who may
believe their false assertions.
With the looming 2020 national
elections, we should expect another
onslaught on false information
perpetuated by candidates, followers
and supporters, special interest groups
and organizations worldwide who
intentionally create discourse to further
divide the American public.
I encourage all to become
somewhat of a citizen journalist and
to learn to not believe claims that in
some cases are so farfetched that the
premise is absurd. By doing just a little
research on any particular topic, and
validating truth or confirming falsities,
we can help many avoid undue stress
and anxiety.
OPINION DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 5

A Hollywood happy ending?

Speaking recently to Reuters, credits. within limits to be prescribed by
Walt Disney Company CEO Bob
Iger said, “It would be very difficult
‘One Man’s  Georgia, along with so far
five other states, has passed
and which may vary at the state
level.
for the company to do business in Opinion’ statutes significantly limiting legal  
Georgia if the new abortion law access to abortion. These laws It will be more than slightly
takes effect.” Bill Crane have yet to take effect in any of interesting to see the end of
  bill.csicrane@gmail.com these states, with each seemingly this story, whether high-minded
Like or loathe the entertainment racing and eager to land their Hollywood executives follow their
industry, in less than a decade it law before the U.S. Supreme principles, or their tax and bank
credits are not for federal income Court. Though overturning Roe account balances. Knowing what I
has become a significant player
tax, they are transferable. That vs. Wade (1973) is spoken of most have experienced of that industry,
in, and contributor to, Georgia’s
means if the expenses were often as the goal of these efforts, I’m betting on some pull-back for
economy. The last year for which
legitimately incurred, and the the perhaps more relevant case show, but largely sticking here with
data is available—2017—puts that
producers/owners of the film law and Supreme Court precedent the green.
impact at $9.25 billion, with direct
don’t need all those tax credits in would be Planned Parenthood vs.
and indirect employment exceeding
Georgia, for now or future years, Casey (1992). Without getting two
100,000. Iger was not the first, Bill Crane also serves as a
they can bundle and sell those heavily into the particulars of the
nor will he be the last, prominent political analyst and commentator
credits.  latter case, the Supreme Court then
industry voice to warn Georgia for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
 One of the largest private had six GOP appointed justices
leaders about the potential impact AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
investors in the industry and (under presidents Reagan and
of the new fetal heartbeat law, HB FM, as well as a columnist for The
primary owner of what is now Bush), including the two most
481, signed into law on May 7, Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
one of the world’s largest film recent appointments, justices David
2019, and intended to take effect Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
production studios, Pinewood Souter and Clarence Thomas. 
on Jan. 1, 2020 if not delayed or native and business owner, living
Studios Atlanta (in Fayetteville), The case ended up being a
overturned by the courts. in Scottdale. You can reach him
is Dan Cathy, the CEO of Chick divided judgment, decided by
Many of the industry’s major or comment on a column at bill.
Fil A. The Cathy family and Dan plurality opinion, written by justices
players, including Warner Media, csicrane@gmail.com. 
in particular, are well known Souter, Kennedy and O’Connor,
NBCUniversal, Viacom, Sony,
philanthropists and donors, often upholding the core constitutional
CBS and AMC have each issued
anonymously. But, thanks to right to a safe and legal abortion,
statements indicating production
all those stores and Chick Fil A
halts, draw-downs or departures, if
sandwiches being consumed, he
the law goes into full effect. That
can also use a great deal of Georgia
said, as of this writing, Georgia
income tax credits. And a cottage
remains exceeded only by the
industry has even developed of
entire nation of Canada in current
local brokers buying and selling
motion picture and television film
those same tax credits to much
productions.
smaller enterprises for a fraction of
 The very generous Georgia
that full tax credit dollar.
Film Commission Tax Credits are
 There are two new film
the primary enticement, writing
production studios in or near
down or off income taxes up to 30
DeKalb County, the Screen Gems
percent of the hard costs of the film
Studios at Lakewood near Hartsfield
production by producing here in
Airport and even a converted beer
Georgia, and including our lovely
warehouse, well cooled, insulated
Peach Georgia Film Commission
and spacious on the border of
logo in closing credits (sans Peach,
Tucker and Clarkston, housing the
the credit is 20 percent). 
production of a handful of network
Let’s take the most recent
TV series. And as those production
example of what may become the
facilities have taken root, many of
world’s highest box office film
those stars have purchased second
ever, Avengers:  Endgame. Though
homes and primary residences here
Georgia was not the sole production
as well. Establishing residency is
site, it is where the bulk of filming
not all that difficult and if you are
and a healthy amount of post-
an equity owner in the movie or
production were completed, with
TV series featuring your work, you
film production costs exceeding
are then also eligible for those tax
$300 million. Though these tax

FREEPRESS
the DeKalb Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Taylor Robins We sincerely appreciate the
Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Let Us Know What You Think! Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
THE DEKALB FREE PRESS encourages opinions from SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR, Production Manager: Donna Seay The Champion was founded in 1991
expressly to provide a forum for
The DeKalb Free Press, Kemesha Wadley discourse for all community residents
its readers. Please write to us and express your views. P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; on all sides of an issue. We have no
Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com desire to make the news only to
FAX To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779. The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday report news and opinions to effect
writer’s name, address and telephone number for verifi- Deadline for news releases and advertising: by ACE III Communications, Inc., a more educated citizenry that will
cation. All letters will be considered for publication. Thursday, one week prior to publication date. 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
Phone (404) 373-7779. ideas for discussion; however,
EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions www.championnewspaper.com we make every effort to avoid
of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The printing information submitted to
us that is known to be false and/or
Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110 assumptions penned as fact.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 6

FARMHOUSE
Continued From Page 1A

has done since the Creek Indians

ceded this land to the United States
in the early 1800s. We spoke with
them about our desire and their
desire to see this property preserved
in the future for everyone to enjoy
and come and visit,” Jordan said.
“George Lyon has sadly passed away
since then. Betty Lyon is still with us
and lives in Tennessee and couldn’t
be here today, but she still calls us
every few months and says, ‘Have
y’all ever fixed up the old house
yet?’ And I’m proud to say that we
can finally tell her, ‘Yes.’”
The DeKalb County Department
of Watershed Management (DWM)
purchased the Lyon Farm in 2003
to buffer the Pole Bridge Advanced
Wastewater Treatment Plant and
Sprayfields, according to the
alliance. In 2016, the house was
placed on the Georgia Trust for
Historic Preservation’s “Places in
Peril” list due to advanced structural
damage, potential for imminent loss Black to Africa team (from left) Marjorie Coley, Arthur Fennell and Carolyn Anderson are working on a TV reality show introducing African-American
and its historic significance. The travelers to Africa. Photo by Gale Horton Gay
alliance, DeKalb County DWM and

Reality TV show in planning stages

contractor F. H. Paschen kicked off
work on the historic structure in
October 2018 to stabilized it.
Johnson said he is happy to see
the farmhouse preserved.
By GALE HORTON GAY The show is tentatively called of other experiences.
“I’m looking forward to seeing
“Black to Africa.” Anderson along Anderson said one of her goals
more resources applied to do
whatever needs to be done to make
A reality TV show in which with co-creator Arthur Fennell and for what she hopes will be a weekly
sure that this place will live on in
African-American participants casting director Marjorie Coley series is to broaden viewers’ travel
are introduced to Africa and their and a few others are working on horizons. However, she’s quick to
history and that many people from
first-time reactions and experiences developing a pilot of the show. point out that the show is expected
America and around the world will
filmed is in the planning stages. They hope that pilot will appeal to to be a mix of comedy and drama.
come here,” he said. “This is such a
According to Carolyn a television network or streaming Anderson, who is known by
wonderful asset for us.”
Anderson, CEO and president of service and will be picked up. the nickname Mama Zulu among
Johnson’s wife, Mereda Davis
Atlanta-based Beyond All Borders, Anderson’s company Beyond many of the people she leads on
Johnson, who is the District 5
the project, which is her brainchild, All Borders, which she started in international trips, will accompany
representative on the DeKalb Board
is in early development and a cast of Decatur 26 year ago, specializes in cast members on their adventures.
of Commissioners, said it was
five is being assembled. global special events, destination She promises excitement.
important for the county to acquire
Anderson said the point of the weddings, media familiarization “I want people to really
the Lyon Farmhouse and stabilize it.
program is to show the beauty and tours, meetings and expos. Her consider tourism and the ease of
“I always talk about the
diversity of African culture and travels have taken her to 40 it and to really step outside their
uniqueness of the 5th district; this is
reveal what happens when African countries including Italy, India, borders and experience different
another one of our jewels,” she said.
Americans are exposed to new China, Russian, Barbados, Turkey cultures and destinations,” she said.
“I’m so glad and appreciative that in
people, places and experiences. and several African countries such Anderson said she’s been
2018, the board of commissioners
Two members of the cast are as South Africa. working on Black to Africa for
unanimously authorized CEO
Sherrod Rutland of Decatur and “I want them to see and two years and so far has received
Michael Thurmond to execute an
real estate agent Kenya Green. experience Africa through my eyes positive feedback from those with
agreement to stabilize the historic
Rutland, an author and TV/film and experience it the way I interact whom she’s shared the concept.
Lyon Farm and restore the structural
producer, said although he’s with people,” said Anderson. She said she and her team
integrity of the home.”
traveled internationally, he’s never Tanzania is where the pilot is are still seeking sponsors to help
Arabia Alliance Executive
been to Africa. He said being able expected to be filmed later this year. financially support Black to Africa
Director Mera Cardenas said the
to go to the African continent is Tentative plans call for the cast to as well as additional cast members.
preservation of the farmhouse is just
an opportunity that many people go on safari, visit a tribal village,
the beginning of a bigger project for
don’t get and is one he’s eagerly track rhinos, relax at a luxurious
the house and the Arabia Mountain
anticipating. safari resort and have an assortment
National Heritage Area.
“We’re looking forward to
fulfilling the vision that this will be
a place, and is currently a place, that
tourists come to from all over the
THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
world,” Cardenas said.
#ItsInTheChampion
LOCAL
DECATUR
Residents weigh in on proposed
budget, millage rate
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Decatur residents had
an opportunity to discuss
the city’s recent proposed
2019-2020 budget as well as
the proposed 2019 millage
rates during a commission
meeting June 3.
The meeting was the
first of three budget hearing
meetings to be held in June.
Decatur City Manager
Andrea Arnold said the
proposed general fund
budget is approximately
$28.7 million and there is
a proposed millage rate
increase of 0.3 mill for
Decatur Legacy Park debt
service.
“The millage increase is
to pay the remaining balance
of the debt service for the
Legacy Park property. We
raised taxes slightly last year
to pay for part of the debt
service and this year we need
another slight increase to
pay the full amount [of debt
service],” Arnold said.   URBAN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
“We encourage people to
chime in through open city
hall,” Arnold said.
Arnold said the value
of all the property in the
city of Decatur increased
approximately 7.5 percent,
according to DeKalb County.
Decatur resident Mike
Johnson said he wanted to
know if the city would be
able to lower the millage rate
in the future.
“We hear a lot about the
millage rate going up. It’s
constantly going up. But can
it ever go down?” Johnson
asked. “As we see increases
happening year after year,
but can [the commission]
ever see [a time] when we
level out [and] will the
millage rate decrease?”
Decatur Mayor Patti
Garrett said this year’s
millage increase was to
offset the debt service fund
for Legacy Park.
“We recognized at the
time that there wasn’t room
in the budget to pay for the
debt service, so there had
to be a budget increase in
DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 7
certain funds. It’s not a given approved and the city is
that the millage rate has to waiting for bids on the
go up,” Garrett said. project.
In 2017, Decatur “You’re going to
purchased approximately 77 probably hear backlash
acres of property on South when Aug. 1 gets here and
Columbia Drive owned people have been under the
by the United Methodist impression that the path was
Children’s Home for $40 going to be established for
million. City officials plan our children to get to all the
to add affordable housing, different schools from all the
a competition track and different feeder schools on a Residents and commissioners discussed the proposed millage rates during a June 3
field area and greenspace very busy street without any public hearing meeting. City officials propose a millage rate increase of 0.3 mill to
enhancements. connectability,” said April pay for a Decatur Legacy Park debt service.
Other residents Biagioni.
expressed concerns about On June 10 the city will
funding for a shared use host another public hearing
to discuss the budget and
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX
path.
“At the Talley Street millage rates at Decatur INCREASE
school, sidewalks are needed City Hall.  On June 17 at The Governing Authority of the City of
and there are questions about 7:30 p.m. the city will host
Avondale Estates has tentatively adopted
when those sidewalks will a final public hearing before
be coming or if they will commissioners adopt the a 2019 millage rate which will require an
be coming,” said Heather fiscal year 2019-2020 budget increase in property taxes by 5.81 percent.
Gonzalez-Rouse. along with an adoption of
Garrett said the project the 2019 millage rates.
All concerned citizens are invited to the
and design have been
public hearing on this tax increase to be
held at City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza,
Avondale Estates, Ga. 30002 on Thursday,
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON June 13, 2019, at 6:01 p.m.
FOR THE CITY OF Times and places of additional public
AVONDALE ESTATES, GEORGIA hearings on this tax increase are at City
Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza, Avondale
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, YOU ARE
HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 13th day of June, Estates, Ga. 30002 on Thursday, June 20,
2019, at 6:01 p.m., at City Hall, 21 North Avondale 2019, at 6:01 p.m. and Monday, July 1,
Plaza, Avondale Estates, Georgia 30002., the 2019, at 6:01 p.m.
Board of Mayor and Commissioners for the City
of Avondale Estates will hold a public hearing (the
“Hearing”) on the Urban Redevelopment Plan for This tentative increase will result in a
stormwater improvements for the City of Avondale millage rate of 9.8 mills, an increase of
Estates (the “Urban Redevelopment Plan”). The
Urban Redevelopment Plan designates the urban 0.538 mills. Without this tentative tax
redevelopment area and specifically sets forth increase, the mill rate will be no more than
urban redevelopment projects within the urban 9.262 mills. The proposed tax increase for
redevelopment area bound by Berkeley Road
to the west, Covington Highway to the northeast a home with a fair market value of $375,000
along the City boundary and the south east City is approximately $81. The proposed tax
boundary north of Memorial Drive, located within increase on non-homestead property
the City of Avondale Estates, Georgia. The general
scope of the urban redevelopment projects set with a fair market value of $525,000 is
forth in the Urban Redevelopment Plan consist approximately $113.
of the construction of stormwater improvements
including but not limited to a stormwater detention
pond and associated piping, stormwater mitigation The reason for the tax increase is
projects, erosion control, and mitigation of lake as follows: from 2014 to 2018, City
sedimentation. Any interested person may expenditures have increased by an average
submit oral or written comments on the Urban
Redevelopment Plan at the hearing. The Urban of 6.53 percent, so a similar increase in the
Redevelopment Plan is on file at City Hall, 21 North dollar amount collected from property tax is
Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 and likely necessary to maintain the same level
a copy of the Urban Redevelopment Plan may be
obtained from the City Clerk of the City. of service to City residents and businesses
in 2019.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 8

BROOKHAVEN

City completes 2019

paving program
Using Special Purpose
Local Option Sales Tax
(SPLOST) proceeds,
Brookhaven wrapped up
its 2019 paving schedule
with the completion of
Winchester Trail and
Clearview Drive.
“We have a five-year
paving program (2017-
2021) approved by the city
council in the fall of 2016
based upon the pavement
condition Index, which
helps us prioritize projects
with available funding,”
said Public Works Director
Hari Karikaran. “Since
that time, we’ve always
been working ahead of
schedule. The roads we
originally on the 2020
paving list.”
A total of 6.85 lane-
miles on 20 different streets
were resurfaced this year,
according to city officials.
In the past three years,
Brookhaven has paved more
than 46 lane-miles on 127
streets. Brookhaven wrapped up its 2019 paving schedule.
“Brookhaven is well on
its way to having the best can continue to prioritize way to get the best roads at paving projects for
roads in the entire state of the voter-approved SPLOST the best price.” previous years at www.
Georgia,” said Mayor John funds in the most efficient Residents can view brookhavenga.gov.
Ernst. “Since we are so far
ahead of schedule, we will CITY OF DORAVILLE
bring in the laser trucks to
NOTICE OF FIVE YEAR HISTORY
scientifically evaluate the Pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year’s
present condition of all our tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years. All citizens of Doraville are invited to
attend.
roads, to provide the basis
for a new five-year plan. CURRENT 2019 TAX DIGEST AND FIVE YEAR LEVY

paved this year were With this information, we 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Real & Personal 416,275,686 581,682,045 591,797,702 675,554,262 763,728,235 792,051,713
Motor Vehicle 14,025,040 9,332,050 7,001,920 6,360,280 4,056,520 3,539,250
Mobile Homes 0 0 0 0 0 0
Timber 100% 0 0 0 0 0 0
Heavy Duty Equipment 0 0 2,222 0 4,496 2,311
Gross Tax Digest 430,300,726 591,014,095 598,801,844 681,914,542 767,789,251 795,593,274
Exemptions 37,540,708 66,165,651 61,667,310 76,694,898 75,080,282 73,850,998
Net Tax Digest 392,760,018 524,848,444 537,134,534 605,219,644 692,708,969 721,742,276
Net Millage 8.75 8.50 8.371 8.951 10.000 10.000
Net Tax Levy 100% 3,436,650 4,461,212 4,496,353 5,417,321 6,927,090 7,217,423
Net Increase/(Decrease) (278,904) 1,024,562 35,141 920,968 1,509,769 290,333
Net Levy %
Increase/(Decrease) (7.51%) 29.81% 0.78% 20.48% 27.87% 4.19%

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The City of Chamblee has tentatively adopted a new millage rate

of 6.25 mills for the General Fund which will require an increase in
property taxes by 7.89% over the rollback millage rate.

All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this

tax increase to be held at the Chamblee Civic Center located at
3540 Broad St, Chamblee Georgia on June 13, 2019 at 6:00 PM.

Two additional public hearings on this tax increase will be held at

the Chamblee Civic Center on June 27, 2019. There will be one
hearing at 11:30 AM and a final hearing at 6:00 PM. After the final
public hearing, the millage rate will be formally adopted.

This tentative new millage rate of 6.25 mills will result in an in-
crease of .457 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the mill-
age rate will be 5.793 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home
with a fair market value of $293,965 is approximately $53.71 and
the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair
market value of $923,009 is approximately $168.48.
LOCAL
CLUB Continued From Page 3
Brad Thompson, a Lowe’s store manager, said the
renovation process at Peachcrest Boys & Girls Club took
several man hours to complete.
“What you see here is nothing like what it looked like
a couple of weeks ago when we started,” Thompson said.
“There was plastic flooring, the paint was torn and coming
off the walls and a separate crew had to come in and redo the
floors. Now they have a world-class facility.”
Smith hosted a basketball camp for children after the
unveiling of the new gym. Smith and the Kenny Smith
Foundation partnered with Lowe’s to refurbish the gym.
Smith said he hopes to impact more communities in the
metro Atlanta area.
“I just wanted to give back to communities,” Smith
said. “[Atlanta] is my second home. It’s exciting overall.
When kids see something new, it makes them feel good. I
remember how I felt when I was the recipient of some of
these things and I want to continue to spread that feeling.
CITY OF DORAVILLE
NOTICE OF PROPERTY
TAX INCREASE
The City of Doraville has tentatively
adopted a millage rate of 10.00
which will require an increase in
property taxes by 0.77 percent.
All concerned citizens are invited
to the public hearing on this tax
increase to be held at the Doraville
City Hall located at 3725 Park
Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340 on
June 3, 2019 at 6:00pm.
Times and places of additional
public hearings on this tax increase
are at the Doraville City Hall on
June 3, 2019 at 11:30am and on
June 17, 2019 at 6:00pm.
This tentative increase will result in
a millage rate of 10.000 mills, an
increase of 0.076 mills. Without this
tentative tax increase, the millage
rate will be no more than 9.924
mills. The proposed tax increase
for a home with a fair market value
of $175,000 is approximately
$5.32 and the tax increase for a
non-homestead property with a
fair market value of $700,000 is
approximately $21.28.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 9
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
The DeKalb County School District has tentatively adopted a
millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by
6.81 percent.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax
increase to be held at 11:30 a.m. June 10, 2019, DeKalb County
School District J. David Williamson Board Room, 1701 Mountain
Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain, Georgia
Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase
are at:
6:15 p.m. June 10, 2019, DeKalb County School District J.
David Williamson Board Room, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.,
Stone Mountain, Georgia
6:15 p.m. June 25, 2019, DeKalb County School District J.
David Williamson Board Room, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.,
Stone Mountain, Georgia
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 23.18 mills,
an increase of 1.477 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the
millage rate will be no more than 21.703 mills. The proposed tax
increase for a home with a fair market value of $250,000 is
approximately $129.24 and the proposed tax increase for nonhomestead
property with a fair market value of $400,000 is approximately $236.32.
City of Doraville
PUBLIC MEETING
Notice is hereby given by the City of Doraville that a Public Meeting on the
following item will be held by the Doraville City Council:
Date & Time: Monday, June 17, 2019 at 6:30pm
Location: Doraville City Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340
Text Amendment to Chapter 8 - Floodplain Management/Flood Damage
Prevention Plan
The City seeks to amend Chapter 8 - Floodplain Management/Flood
Damage Prevention Plan to ensure the City of Doraville remains in program
compliance with federal and state requirements for participating in the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A second reading of the proposed ordinance
amendments are tentatively scheduled for Monday, July 23, 2019 at 6:30 p.m.
For more information contact Raquel Gonzalez, Doraville City Clerk, at (770)
451-8745 or city.clerk@doravillega.us.
CITY OF DORAVILLE PUBLIC NOTICE
Fiscal Year 2020 Budget
Notice is hereby given that the proposed budget for the City of Doraville shall
be available for public inspection beginning Monday, May 20, 2019, in the City
Clerk’s office from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at City Hall, 3725
Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340.
A Public Hearing shall be held on the 3rd day of June at 6:00 p.m. at City
Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340 before the Mayor and Council
of the City of Doraville at which time public comment pertaining to the Fiscal
Year 2020 (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020) budget shall be sounded. All
citizens of Doraville are invited to attend.
A Public Hearing shall be held on the 17th day of June at 6:00 p.m. at City
Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340 before the Mayor and Council
of the City of Doraville at which time public comment pertaining to the Fiscal
Year 2020 (July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020) budget shall be sounded. All
citizens of Doraville are invited to attend.
A Regular Meeting shall be held on the 17th day of June at 6:30 p.m. at City
Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340 before the Mayor and Council of
the City of Doraville at which time the Fiscal Year 2020 (July 1, 2019 through
June 30, 2020) budget shall be approved and the budget ordinance adopted in
accordance with O.C.G.A. 36-81-5. All citizens of Doraville are invited to
attend.
 LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 10

Metro South CID selects new board member

Metro South Community Parking. Montgomery is also As a board member, will increase the CID’s funding for
Improvement District (MSCID) involved in mentoring groups Montgomery will be involved in more projects and improvements,
recently selected Virginia through the Georgia Association making decisions for MSCID, along according to Morsberger.
Montgomery as a new board for Women Lawyers and is an with seven other board members. Metro South CID was
member. active member of the Association of “Virginia is an incredible asset established in 2016 by the Conley
Montgomery is replacing Corporate Counsel. to our team,” said Metro South CID Area Business Association (CABA)
Mychal Pickens, division manager “I’m really looking forward president Emory Morsberger. to create a positive environment
of Schneider National, who has to being involved with the Metro “She will be beneficial to the board by building relationships among
been a board member since 2016. South CID board,” Montgomery since she is an experienced attorney property owners, businesses
Montgomery is a managing said. “The CID and board are and familiar with the area.” and local government to address
partner for Secured Parking. composed of a variety of people In addition to Montgomery's problems in the district.
She focuses on contracts and who are dedicated to enhancing the appointment to the board, MSCID
compliance, along with overseeing area and accomplishing projects in a recently added 18 new members to
development projects for Secured timely manner.” the organization. The new members

NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

RETHINK
RECYCLING The Decatur City Commission has tentatively adopted a combined
millage rate of 13.92 mills for maintenance and operations and
debt service which will require an increase in property taxes of
6.83% for fiscal year 2019-2020. This millage rate generates rev-
enue necessary to fund the City of Decatur’s general operations,
downtown development authority and capital improvements.

Don’t Wait. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax
increase to be held at the City Commission Meeting Room, Decatur
City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, on Monday, June
17, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. This tentative increase will result in a mill-
Communicate.
REDUCE age rate of 13.92 mills, an increase of 0.89 mills over the rollback
millage rate. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate

REUSE will be no more than 13.03 mills. The proposed tax increase for a
home with a fair market value of $500,000 is approximately $64.00

RECYCLE and the proposed tax increase for a nonhomestead property with a
fair market value of $650,000 is approximately $97.50.

City of Decatur Georgia Ad Valorem Tax Digest History

Decatur - Digest
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Assessment Ratio 50% 50% 50% 50% 50% 50%

Real Property $ 1,326,596,200 $ 1,594,612,800 $ 1,693,241,200 $ 1,835,249,100 $ 2,014,946,720 $ 2,197,960,700

Personal Property $ 22,248,300 $ 22,322,600 $ 23,627,600 $ 25,448,800 $ 26,673,465 $ 25,026,100
Public Utilities $ 15,152,700 $ 17,209,600 $ 15,658,700 $ 16,521,530 $ 16,257,600 $ 15,852,900
Motor Vehicle $ 47,331,600 $ 35,521,587 $ 26,623,700 $ 23,481,400 $ 13,249,900 $ 10,074,200

Total Digest $1,411,328,800 $1,669,666,587 $1,759,151,200 $1,900,700,830 $2,071,127,685 $2,248,913,900

City Operations

General Fund Exemptions $ 125,393,000 $ 130,639,000 $ 128,646,080 $ 169,825,080 $ 175,774,991 $ 176,630,080

Net City Operations Digest $1,285,935,800 $1,539,027,587 $1,630,505,120 $1,730,875,750 $1,895,352,694 $2,072,283,820

City Operations Millage 11.580 11.080 10.680 10.680 10.900 11.340

City Operations Levy $14,891,137 $17,052,426 $17,413,795 $18,485,753 $20,659,344 $23,499,699

Make your Percent Change

Dollar Amount Change
13.50
$1,770,811
14.51
$2,161,289
2.12
$361,369
6.16
$1,071,958
11.76
$2,173,591
13.75
$2,840,354
emergency plan today. The Decatur City Commission announces that the 2019 tentative millage rate was adopted at their meeting on
Monday, May 20, 2019. Hearings on the budget and millage rate will be held on:
Visit Ready.gov/communicate Monday, June 3, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Monday, June 10, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.
Monday, June 17, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
The hearings will be held at Decatur City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA. Final adoption of the
2019 millage rate and fiscal year 2019-2020 budget is scheduled for consideration at the Decatur City
Commission meeting on Monday, June 17, 2019. The above table is presented pursuant to O.C.G.A. 48-5-32
showing the estimated current year's digest and proposed millage rates along with a five-year history of the tax
digest and millage rates.

ADC29448_3.75x21_Newspaper_NATFire_Eng.indd 1 9/25/15 3:07 PM


COUNTYWIDE
MomoCon raises
$22,000 for charity
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
The self-proclaimed
“geek culture” convention
MomoCon was held May
23-26. Event organizers
now plan to donate $22,000
to charity.
The annual four-
day anime, gaming and
cosplay─the practice of
dressing up as a character
from a movie, book, or
video game─convention
held at the Georgia World
Congress Center is run by
DeKalb County couple
Jessica Merriman and
Chris Stuckey. Charities
receiving donations from
the convention are St.
Jude Children’s Research
Hospital and the Boys &
Girls Clubs of Georgia.
More than $21,000 was
raised for St. Jude through
events, a commemorative
pin sold at the MomoCon
VISIT US ONLINE @
WWW.THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
THIS
COULD
BE
YOUR
AD!
Call 404.373.7779 Ext 110
for more information.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 11
store and donations. More
than $700 was raised for
the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Georgia through a “Blast
a StormTrooper” event
sponsored by the 501st
Georgia Garrison.
This year’s MomoCon
was the most-attended A young MomoCon attendee participates in “Blast a StormTrooper” to raise charity funds for Boys & Girls Clubs of Georgia. Photo
provided by MomoCon.
in its 15-year history,
with more than 39,000
gamers, animation fans,
and cosplayers. The 2018 NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
convention had 35,000
attendees and this year’s
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Lithonia have
event was expected to have tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an
38,000 attendees.
Similar to San Diego
increase in property taxes by 8.15%.
Comic-Con and Dragon All concerned citizens are invited to the public hear-
Con─held in Atlanta
during Labor Day ings on this tax increase to be held at City Hall, 6920
weekend─MomoCon Main Street, Lithonia 30058. The first public hearing will
focuses on Japanese and
American animation, be held on June 17, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. and a second
gaming and comics. The hearing at 6:00 p.m. A third public hearing will be held
event also features celebrity
panels and attendees at City Hall on July 1, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. The proposed
participating in cosplay. millage rate will be adopted at the July 1, 2019 meeting
at 7:00 pm.
This tentative increase results from maintaining the cur-
rent millage rate of 11.116, an increase of 0.838 mills
over the millage rollback rate of 10.278. Without this
tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more
than 10.278 mills.
NOTICE
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Lithonia do hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the
Lithonia City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia 30058 on Monday, July 1, 2019 at 7:00 pm and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 48-5-32
do hereby publish the following presentation of the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest
and levy for the past five years.
CURRENT 2019 PROPERTY TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
Real & Personal
Motor Vehicles
$
$
2014
20,095,784
1,554,440
$
$
2015
22,172,872
981,640
$
$
2016
26,527,218
794,580
$
$
2017
29,294,531
765,330
$
$
2018
38,544,385.00
347,940.00
$
$
2019
34,917,393
301,750
Mobile Homes $ 93,990 $ 93,990 $ 93,990 $ 87,151 $ 79,712.00 $ 75,224
Timber - 100%
Heavy Duty Equipment
Gross Digest $ 21,744,214 $ 23,248,502 $ 27,415,788 $ 30,147,012 $ 38,972,037.00 $ 35,294,367
Less Exemptions $ 526,915 $ 536,850 $ 550,783 $ 572,747 $ 5,357,734.00 $ 31,414
NET DIGEST VALUE $ 21,217,299 $ 22,711,652 $ 26,865,005 $ 29,574,265 $ 33,614,303.00 $ 35,262,953
Gross Maintenance
& Operation Millage
Less Rollback
(Local Option Sales
Tax) $ 21,217,299 $ 22,711,652 $ 26,865,005 $ 29,574,265 $ 33,614,303.00 $ 35,262,953
NET M&O MILLAGE RATE 17.869 17.000 15.768 14.074 11.116 11.116
NET M&O TAXES
LEVIED
17.869 17.000 15.768 14.074 11.116 11.116
$ 379,131.92 $ 386,098.08 $ 423,607.40 $ 416,228.21 $ 373,656.59 $ 391,962.99
$ 379,131.92 $ 6,966.17 $ 37,509.31 $ (7,379.19) $ (42,571.61) $ 18,306.40
#DIV/0! 1.84% 9.71% -1.74% -10.23% 4.90%
LOCAL
ELLENWOOD
Ellenwood residents had an opportunity to view the fire trucks at the open house.
Fire Station 4 welcomes
community at open house
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
Residents of Ellenwood
had an opportunity to
explore their fire station and
learn more about fire safety
at an open house May 30.
DeKalb County Fire
Station No. 4, also known
as “Fantastic Four,” hosted
its first open house since it
opened in 2001. Station 4
originally opened in 1948
in Chamblee but relocated
to Flakes Mill Road in
Ellenwood in 2001 to meet
the needs of the growing
area.
“This is one of our newer
stations in DeKalb and we
thought it would be a great
opportunity to get a chance
to know our community,”
said Capt. Dion A. Bentley,
public information officer for
DeKalb County Fire Rescue.
The event featured fire
safety information and
demonstrations for children
and adults; CPR lessons;
meet and greets with fire
fighters, police officers, a
fire service dog and other
emergency personnel; and
refreshments. Bentley said
the fire station is always
open to the community,
including use of the meeting-
room space.
“We’re always available
for different demonstrations,
[such as] a young child
who just wants to see a fire
truck,” Bentley said. “Even
adults may want to come by
and see what the inside of a
fire house looks like. We are
a public facility and anytime
between the hours of 7 a.m.
and 7 p.m. [the public] can
come by any of our stations
DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 12
to say hi to the firefighters.
We’re always open to our Families had an opportunity to explore DeKalb County Fire Station No. 4 and learn more about fire safety at an open house.
community.”
Carlton and
Cassaundra Bell brought
their two sons to the open
house to meet the firefighters
and police officers.
“We want our children
to know that they are
always safe and if we do
have a problem at home
that [firefighters and police
officers] are on the way
to help us,” Cassaundra
said. “We wanted them to
have a personal, first-hand
experience with those who
are serving the community.”
“Also, to see what our
dollars are doing as well,”
Carlton said. “This building
has been sitting here looking
a little unused for a while.
So, it’s good to see them Children were taught how to perform CPR at the open house.
have an official open house
and let people know that
they’re here.”
Bentley said the message
to the community is that the
fire station, firefighters and
emergency responders are
here for them.
“We want to go ahead
and give them the best
service possible from the fire
rescue service. Whether it be
fire related or medical related
or miscellaneous things
that they may not be able
to solve a problem to,” he
said. “We go out to flooding
calls, electrical issues
that could possibly be fire
related. The main message
is that we’re here. All of our
firefighters in DeKalb are
service orientated, meaning
that we want to provide the
best services quickly and
efficiently to the public.”
Residents also got to meet the station’s service dog. Photos by Carla Parker
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 13

WEEK in PICTURES

Towers High School seniors graduate during a May 28 ceremony. Photo provided by DeKalb County School District Twitter Page.

Decatur Police Officer Orlando climbs a Decatur Fire and Rescue fire truck ladder.
Photo by Decatur Fire and Rescue
Dunwoody High School seniors Weston Spencer, left, Daniella D’Angelo, Luther Pankey, Annie Solomon, Christopher Johnson and
Nathan Stefanik, right, were recognized as 2019 Georgia Scholars by State School Superintendent Richard Woods. Photo provided
by Dunwoody High School Twitter Page.

Workers construct a sidewalk on Fellowship Road in Tucker. Photo from City of Redan High School seniors celebrate their May 29 graduation at the Georgia World Congress Center. Photo provided by DeKalb
Tucker’s Facebook page County School District Twitter Page.

Have you created programming you’d like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.

(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com

LOCAL
DECATUR
A local band performs on the last day of the Decatur Arts Festival.
Artist Kent Ambler exhibited his work at the annual Decatur Arts Festival.
Arts Festival draws crowd of all ages
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
The annual three-day
Decatur Arts Festival, held
in downtown Decatur May
24-26, again drew hundreds
of artists and art enthusiasts.
Downtown Decatur was
temporarily closed as more
than 150 artist booths lined
Ponce de Leon Avenue.
The festival also
included live performances
featuring genres such as
bluesy licks, funky beats,
jazz, rock, bluegrass and
African rhythms.
“We love coming to the
festival. It is fun and it gets
the family out of the house.
It’s unusually hot this year,
but we’re still enjoying
ourselves,” said Decatur
native Fred Stevenson.
Stevenson, who was
shopping for a painting
for his home office, said
he looks forward to the art
festival every year.
Decatur Arts Festival
volunteer Niomi Bridges
said the event is perfect
for all ages. She helped
several children make
Children learn to decorate and create personalized buttons.
The Decatur Arts Alliance hosted the annual Decatur Arts Festival from May 24 to 26 in downtown Decatur.
handcrafted buttons to wear
as accessories.
“I just enjoy
volunteering. Art shows
what people can do and
what creative things you can
accomplish,” Bridges said.
Artist Kent Ambler said
he has been a full-time artist
for 22 years and said he was
excited to attend the arts
festival for the first time.
Ambler carves blocks of
wood and then prints them
on a canvas.
His art represents his
life, he said.
“My artwork is based
off everyday life stuff. I
have 12 acres and three
dogs. Lots of woods and
lots of birds,” Ambler said.
“Some pieces I make I think
not too many people will
like it, but it’s exciting when
someone connects with
my artwork. Everyone has
their own story of why they
connect with my artwork.”
Another first-time
Decatur Arts Festival
featured artist said he enjoys
the atmosphere of Decatur.
Matt Bolton created a
painting style called “drip
DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 14
Assorted jewelry for sale at the arts festival.
impressionism.” which child, said he enjoyed his when people come up to me
features dripping paint on a time in Decatur. and tell me they enjoy my
canvas. “This has been a pretty artwork. It makes me feel
Bolton, who has been good time. It’s great out like a kid—a 40-year-old
creating art since he was a here,” Bolton said. “I love it kid.”
NOTICE OF ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
REGARDING PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE
The Assembly Community Improvement District (the “District”) does
hereby announce that the millage rate for calendar year 2019 will be set at a
meeting of the District to be held at the Doraville Sixty Construction Trailer, 5801
Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, on June 13, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. and, pursu-
ant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. §48-5-32, does hereby publish the following
report of the assessed taxable value of the properties subject to taxes for the
current year and the immediately preceding five years, the proposed millage
rate for the current year and millage rates for each of the immediately preced-
ing five years, and the total dollar amount of ad valorem taxes proposed to be
levied for the current year and levied in each of the immediately preceding five
years, as well as the percentage and dollar increase with respect to the immedi-
ately preceding calendar year.
Assessed Value Millage Rate Taxes Levied
2014 N/A N/A N/A
2015 N/A N/A N/A
2016 $ 9,596,410 N/A N/A
2017 $ 18,151,500 25.0 $ 453,787.50
2018 $ 18,232,655 (1) 25.0 $ 455,816.38
2019 (proposed) $ 20,180,807 (2) 25.0 $ 504,520.18
Net % increase 10.68% N/A N/A
Net $ increase $ 1,948,152 N/A N/A
*The District was activated in 2016 and calendar year 2017 was the first year in which the
District levied taxes.
(1) As reported in the District’s Annual Filing for the period ending December
31, 2018, prepared by MuniCap, Inc., dated January 31, 2019.
(2) Based on information received from the DeKalb County Tax Commission-
er’s Office, Parcel ID No. 18 322 02 017 has been removed from the boundaries
of the District.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 15

CHAMBLEE

New texting service offers new way of communication

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Chamblee is the first
city in Georgia to launch
“Citibot,” a new texting
service, according to a press
release.
“As a city, we want to
provide the highest quality
customer service while
being accessible via all
modes of communication.
Citibot enables us to be
connected to all constituents
through text messaging,”
said Chamblee Mayor
Eric Clarkson. “We want
to be available through
all channels. We have the
website, the app, via phone
and now texting. No matter
how you prefer to reach us,
we’ll be there.”
With the service,
Chamblee residents are
able to text questions and
concerns, to access city
information about business
licenses, trash pickup times,
permitting info and public
meeting announcements.
“We are proud to be the
first municipality in Georgia
to enable its residents to
interactively text message
with local government.
Citibot helps us scale up
this aspect of customer
service,” said Chamblee
City Manager Jon Walker.
Residents also can report
potholes, broken street signs
and missed trash pickups,
all through the program that
responds immediately to
a text message. When the
city fixes the reported issue,
Citibot follows up to let the
resident know their concern
has been resolved.
To start a conversation
with Citibot, residents are
asked to text “hello” to
(470) 450-2533. When a
text comes in, an alert will
go directly to Chamblee’s
list of requests. The request
is sent to the appropriate
department, prioritized and
handled. The tool will help
address multiple issues
quickly, reduce turnaround
time and enhance team
productively, according to
city officials.
According to the city,
texting eliminates website
searches and reduces
customer service calls.
“Residents’ expectations
of high-quality customer
service are ever increasing,”
said Bratton Riley, CEO
and co-founder of Citibot.
“Cities like Chamblee
are leading the way by
delivering powerful
solutions to maximizing
efficiency and enhancing
access to information and
vital services.”
Photo provided by JÉSHOOTS
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
At their regular meeting on June 10, 2019, The Board of Education of the City of Decatur will
tentatively adopt a 2019 millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 12.07
percent.
All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held at the
Board Room of the Central Office, 125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, Georgia on Tuesday, June 18,
2019 at 8:00 a.m.
Times and places of additional public hearings on this tax increase are at the Board Room of the
Central Office, 125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, Georgia on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.
and 6:00 p.m.

This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 20.250 mills, an increase of 2.181 mills

GOT A NEWS TIP?

over the rollback millage. The rollback millage rate is calculated to produce the same total
revenue on the current year’s digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no
reassessments occurred. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more
than 18.069 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $498,783 is
We’d love to hear from you. approximately $543.92 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair

404.373.7779
market value of $644,913 is approximately $703.28.

NOTICE

The Board of Education of the City of Decatur does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the
Board Room of the Central Office at 125 Electric Avenue, Decatur, Georgia on Tuesday, July 16, 2019 at 6:30 PM
and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. 48-5-32, does hereby publish the following presentation of the current year's tax digest
and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years.

CURRENT 2019 TAX DIGEST AND FIVE YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY

PROPOSED
Fiscal Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Assessment Ratio 50% 50% 50% 50% 50% 50%

REAL PROPERTY 1,326,224,078 1,593,567,251 1,693,241,224 1,834,363,413 2,014,946,720 2,167,405,870

PLEASE
PERSONAL PROPERTY 22,086,973 23,124,213 23,627,668 25,728,874 26,673,465 25,429,686
PUBLIC UTILITIES 15,152,714 15,236,377 15,658,734 16,521,530 16,257,608 15,852,838
MOTOR VEHICLE 47,331,663 35,521,587 26,623,700 23,481,413 13,249,950 10,074,188
GROSS DIGEST 1,410,795,428 1,667,449,428 1,759,151,326 1,900,095,230 2,071,127,743 2,218,762,582

RECYCLE
LESS M&O EXEMPTIONS 65,251,923 65,148,453 84,745,047 230,800,694 275,708,328 304,154,135
NET M&O DIGEST 1,345,543,505 1,602,300,975 1,674,406,279 1,669,294,536 1,795,419,415 1,914,608,447

GROSS M&O MILLAGE 20.50 18.66 18.66 18.66 18.66 20.25

THIS LESS ROLLBACKS

NET M&O MILLAGE

NET TAXES LEVIED

0.00
20.50

$27,583,642
0.00
18.66

$29,898,936
0.00
18.66

$31,244,421
0.00
18.66

$31,149,036
0.00
18.66

$33,502,526
0.00
20.25

$38,770,821

PAPER! NET TAXES $ INCREASE

NET TAXES % INCREASE
$2,654,348
10.65%
$2,315,294
8.39%
$1,345,485
4.50%
($95,385)
-0.31%
$2,353,490
7.56%
$5,268,295
15.73%
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 16

TUCKER

City council approves lease for Fitzgerald Field

BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com

The field where the

Tucker Football League
hosts home games is
now under the operation
of Tucker Parks and
Recreation Department.
Tucker City Council on
May 28 passed an ordinance
approving a 10-year lease
with the Tucker Football
League for the use of
Fitzgerald Field. The city
will acquire approximately
19 acres of the field located
on Lawrenceville Highway
will be the sports complex
for the city’s parks and
recreation department,
according to city officials.
City officials said the
park will add several multi-
use fields, a football stadium
and baseball fields and
will provide opportunities
for rental and increased
programming. According to
city officials, the acquisition
of Fitzgerald Field was
budgeted as part of the
city’s general operating
expenses with the expanded Tucker City Council approved a 10-year lease with the Tucker Football League for the use of Fitzgerald Field. Photos by Carla Parker
maintenance contract for
OpTech consulting firm. The “By joining forces and
annual cost for increased leveraging our combined City Schools of Decatur
maintenance is $135,700. resources, we’re going to Budget for Fiscal Year 2020
July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020
Last month, Tucker ensure the strength of that
Mayor Frank Auman program for at least another General Fund Special Funds Nutrition Fund Capital Funds
announced the city’s intent 50 years while making ESTIMATED REVENUES
to partner with the Tucker available much-needed
Local Taxes
Local Other
$ 40,029,891
3,032,410 $ 1,863,550
$ 5,000,000

Football League and said additions to the fields that State General 32,516,521
the city and youth sports we have available in Tucker State Other $ 883,564 47,500
program will benefit from for sports,” Auman said.
Federal 1,473,588 706,500 167,240
Transfers from Other Funds 283,532
the partnership. General Fund Balance Obligated 350,446
Capital Fund Balance Restricted 2,627,913
Total Revenues $ 75,929,268 $ 2,640,684 $ 2,617,550 $ 7,795,153

ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES
NOTICE OF HEARING Instruction
Pupil Services
$ 48,911,685
3,762,437
$ 2,214,962
244,273
$ 450,000

For the approval of the Exercise of Eminent Domain Improvement of Instructional Services 1,580,224 80,415

by the City of Tucker pursuant to Instructional Staff Training

Educational Media Services 1,429,726
1,524

O.C.G.A.§ 22-2-100 et seq. Federal Grant Administration 73,555

General Administration 1,354,477 20,955
School Administration 6,019,899 285,000
The Tucker City Council will hold a meeting on June Support Services - Business 752,487
26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, Maintenance and Operation of Plant Services
Student Transportation Service
6,772,387
1,504,975 5,000
25,000
87,500
4228 First Avenue, Suite 2-4, Tucker, Georgia, Support Services - Central 2,257,462 115,000
30084 to consider and vote on the use of eminent Other Support Services 109,500
domain to acquire fee simple title to one parcel School Nutrition Program
Community Services Operations
902,987 $ 2,617,550

fronting on Lavista Road, 18 225 05 008, for the Facilities Acquisition and Construction Services 4,500,000
construction of Tucker City Hall. Transfers to Other Funds 283,532
Debt Service 287,490 2,332,653
Total Expenditures $ 75,929,268 $ 2,640,684 $ 2,617,550 $ 7,795,153
If you have any questions, please contact Brian
Anderson at 678-597-9040. The Fiscal Year 2020 Tentative Budget will be considered for final adoption by the Board of Education at
5:00 PM at the regular board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, 2019. The meeting will be held in the
Board Room of the Central Office at 125 Electric Avenue.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 17

BROOKHAVEN

Tennis center to get facelift

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

During the May 28

Brookhaven city council
meeting, Brookhaven council
members unanimously
approved $169,500 to go
toward renovations for
Blackburn Tennis Courts.
According to the
tennis center’s site, the
center─located at 3501
Ashford Dunwoody Road
inside of Blackburn Park─is
home to 18 lighted tennis
courts a staff of tennis
Participants play on the newer tennis courts at Blackburn Tennis Courts. Photos by
professionals, a pro shop Taylor Robins.
with a 48-hour stringing
service and a variety of
tennis accessories.
Six of the property’s
courts are to be rebuilt in
June. To replace the concrete
will take up to eight weeks.
Six other courts on the
property were renovated
last year and the city plans
to finish the remaining six
courts next year. Blackburn
Tennis Courts Manager Patti
O’Reilly said the courts’
total renovation time could
be due to the city budget
and continuous play on the
courts.
“It’s safer and newer,” Brookhaven city officials recently approved to renovate Blackburn Tennis Courts.
said O’Reilly. “The six that
we built last summer were
very well received and so
we’re very excited to have
six more new courts.”
Prior to last year,
Blackburn Tennis Courts
have been resurfaced but
never rebuilt since its
opening in the early 1970s,
according to O’Reilly.
THIS COULD BE
Blackburn Tennis Courts
offers a variety of programs
including summer camps,
YOUR AD!
adult and junior programs,
beginner classes and weekly
Call 404.373.7779 Ext 110
round robin competitions.
Older courts at Blackburn Tennis Courts show cracks in the ground.
for more information.

Visit us online at
www.thechampionnewspaper.com
EDUCATION
Follow-up regarding Green resignation
mimics announcement
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
After DeKalb County
School District (DCSD)
Superintendent R. Stephen
Green announced May 24
that he would not extend
his current contract beyond
the 2019-2020 school year,
The Champion Newspaper
requested a follow-up
interview but instead
received little information
outside of the original
announcement.
The Champion
Newspaper requested a
phone interview with Green
May 24, however, due to
Green’s end-of-the-school
year, graduation duties and
limited availability The
Champion sent 15 questions
via email to Green. Of the
15 questions submitted,
responses for nine were
received from DCSD
communications May 29.
The questions and answers
are as follow:
1. Do you have any
other details about your
departure?
“After much thoughtful
consideration and reflection
with my family, I’ve
decided not to seek a
contract extension past my
current term, which will end
on June 30, 2020.”
2. What are your plans
after you leave DCSD in
2020?
“I am proud to serve
alongside our amazing
teachers and staff who are
dedicated to our mission of
ensuring student success
and plan to continue to do
so throughout next school
year. Then I’ll focus on the
next chapter of my career.
Until that time, I will remain
committed to ensuring our
students have opportunities
for college, a career, or the
military.”
3. You will be assisting
in the transitional process
with the new superintendent.
What does DCSD need in a
superintendent?
“The DeKalb County
DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 18
School Board will lead a
national search process
which is set to begin next
month. More information
on the search for a new
superintendent will be
shared in the coming
months as the process gets
underway.”
4. What are your
biggest accomplishments
since becoming DCSD
superintendent?
“It’s important to
note that our district
has seen great academic
growth while I’ve served
as superintendent, but
the credit for these
accomplishments is shared
with our larger DeKalb
County School District DCSD Superintendent R. Stephen Green announced his plan to resign May 24. File Photo
community─students and
their families, teachers and
staff, our board members and achievement. DCSD’s education efforts have there is always more to
and community partners. College and Career Ready expanded. accomplish. I am excited
Working together, Performance Index (CCRPI) We’ll continue to focus to see what the future
we regained full scores continue to climb on ensuring student success holds for our district and
accreditation and received each year as well as student leading to higher education, our students─both have
a five-year renewal in progress on the Georgia work and lifelong learning.” limitless potential.”
2017 from AdvancED. Milestones End of Course 5. Are there specific 6. The Georgia
We decentralized the and End of Grade tests. situations that you wish Professional Standards
district office to place Our graduation rates have you would have handled Commission is investigating
more emphasis on support increased as well as student differently? Do you have you. Can you tell me exactly
services in the field for participation in Advanced any regrets? what is being investigated
students and their families, Placement and International “While DCSD has seen and if the investigation in
which has led the way for Baccalaureate programs. great academic growth any way played a part in
significant academic growth Our career and technical during the past four years, you not extending your
SEE GREEN ON PAGE 19
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
1st and 2nd PUBLIC
MILLAGE RATE HEARINGS
3rd PUBLIC
MILLAGE RATE HEARING
Monday, June 10, 2019
TIME LOCATION
11:30 a.m. J. David Williamson Board Room
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.
TIME LOCATION Stone Mountain, GA 30083
6:15 p.m. J. David Williamson Board Room
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex Monday, June 10, 2019
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083 TIME LOCATION
6:15 p.m. J. David Williamson Board Room
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex
Citizens interested in reviewing a detailed copy of the program 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.
based budget may do so by visiting the DeKalb County School Stone Mountain, GA 30083
District website at www.dekalbschoolsga.org.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE Citizens interested in reviewing a detailed copy of the program
based budget may do so by visiting the DeKalb County School
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.
District website at www.dekalbschoolsga.org.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 19

EDUCATION BRIEFS by Taylor Robins • Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

Local residents initiated into The Honor alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each
Society of Phi Kappa Phi year.

The following residents were recently
initiated into The Honor Society of Phi
Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest all-discipline
collegiate honor society, according to the
society.
Arrianna Hagins, of Brookhaven,
was initiated at Clark Atlanta University;
Jenny Jones, of Decatur, was initiated at
Clark Atlanta University; Felicia Mayfield
of Lithonia, was initiated at Clark Atlanta
University; Lauren Lopez, of Tucker,
was initiated at Clark Atlanta University;
Quynh Lu-Lewis, of Decatur, was initiated
at University of Alabama at Birmingham;
Stephen Barwick, of Decatur, was initiated
at University of Georgia; Morgan Taylor, of
Stone Mountain, was initiated at University of
Georgia; Britain Williams V, of Tucker, was
McTier receives social foundations doctoral
award
Syreeta McTier, of Lithonia, is a 2019
recipient of Georgia State University’s Social
Foundations Doctoral Award for Scholarly
Achievement.
This award, given by Georgia State’s
College of Education & Human Development, Alexander Goebel Margarer Carlton. Photos provided by
recognizes doctoral students for exceptional City Schools of Decatur.
scholarly accomplishment through original
publication in the social foundations doctoral
program. Students named with
Simony receives graduate teaching assistant
award

Christopher Simony, of Clarkston, is the

initiated at University of Georgia; Caroline
Owen, of Tucker, was initiated at University
of Georgia; Cierra James, of Stone
Mountain, was initiated at Auburn University;
Mellen Townsend, of Lithonia, was initiated
at Columbus State University.
These residents are among approximately
30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and
2019 recipient of Georgia State University’s
Outstanding Social Foundations Graduate
Teaching Assistant Award.
This award, given by Georgia State’s
College of Education & Human Development,
recognizes a graduate teaching assistant for
outstanding teaching in the classroom and in
working with individual students.
top graduation honors
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
For the 2018-2019 school year, City Schools of
Decatur named Decatur High School’s valedictorian
and salutatorian. Alexander Goebel was named the
school’s valedictorian and Margaret Carlton was named
the school’s salutatorian. Decatur High School held its
graduation May 31 at Georgia State University.

GREEN Continued From Page 18

contract?
“No. There is no
pending complaint,
contention or claim that I
personally engaged in any
individual wrongdoing. I
am only involved because
of my official role as
superintendent as I am not
involved in the decision-
making processes regarding
which terminations to
report to the PSC. DCSD
is working with the PSC
to ensure they have a full
opportunity to review the
terminations of certificated
personnel.”
7. How do you feel
about the DCSD students
and staff? How do you think
they feel about the district?
“I am proud to serve
alongside our amazing
teachers and staff who are
dedicated to our mission of
ensuring student success
and plan to continue to do
so throughout next school
year.”
8. How do you feel
about the DCSD parents
and stakeholders? How do
you think they feel about the
district?
“I am dedicated to
fulfilling my commitment to
our DeKalb County School
District community and will
continue to do so through
next school year.”
9. What will you miss
about DCSD? Any parting
words?
“The DeKalb County
Schools community is
truly inspirational. We
have amazing teachers and
staff who are dedicated to
our mission of ensuring
student success and who
work hard every day to
make it a reality. Together,
over the last four years,
we’ve seen our graduation
rates and our College and
Career Ready Performance
Index (CCRPI) score
increase more than ever
before. Also, the number
of students in Advanced
Placement and International
Baccalaureate programs
has significantly increased.
Our expanding career and
technical education efforts
have also been strengthened.
I hope the bold decision the
Board made to invest in our
Family Impact Hub and our
Early Learning Center, the
only center of its kind in the
state, is a legacy that will
last and pay dividends for
generations.”
The announcement
emailed to press May 24
stated:
“DeKalb County
School District (DCSD)
Superintendent/ CEO Dr.
R. Stephen Green intends
to continue serving in his
current role through June
30, 2020, but will not seek
to extend his contract. A
national search for DCSD’s
future superintendent will
begin next month, and Dr.
Green will remain to help
transition the role… Dr.
Green advised the DeKalb
County Board of Education
of his decision last week,
attributing his departure
to personal reasons after
thoughtful consideration
with his family... ‘The
DeKalb County Schools
community is truly
inspirational. I am proud
to have the opportunity
to help lead our students
to achieve educational
excellence alongside our
exceptional teachers and
staff,’ said Dr. Green. ‘I’m
excited to see what the
future holds for our District
and our students─both
have limitless potential.’...
During Dr. Green’s tenure, significant academic growth
DCSD regained full and achievement. DCSD’s
accreditation and received College and Career Ready
a five-year renewal in Performance Index (CCRPI)
2017 from AdvancED. scores continue to climb
His vision to decentralize each year as well as student
the District office to progress on the Georgia
place more emphasis on Milestones End of Course
support services in the and End of Grade tests.”
field for students and their
families has led the way for
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
2nd PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020
Monday, June 10, 2019
TIME LOCATION
5:30 p.m. J. David Williamson Board Room
Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex
1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold a public budget
hearing to solicit feedback from the public regarding the 2019-
2020 school system’s budget. FY2020 DCSD budget information
can be found on DeKalb County School System’s website at
http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/superintendent/budget.
FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.
LOCAL

AROUNDDeKalb
DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 20

BROOKHAVEN
Watch a movie in the moonlight
Brookhaven will host a free movie night June 7 at
Skyland Park, 2600 Skyland Drive in Brookhaven. The event
is scheduledfor 7:30-11 p.m.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and
food, refreshments will also be available. The movie being
shown has yet to be announced.
CHAMBLEE
Summer concert comes to town
Chamblee will begin its 2019 Chamblee Summer
Concert Series June 7. Entertainment for the night includes
live music from Electric Avenue. The free event will be held
at City Hall Park, 5468 Peachtree Road in Chamblee, 6:30-
10 p.m.
TUCKER pork butts will also be available for purchase. The event will
be held at Tucker Christian Church, located at 4291 Lynburn
Organization to host car show Drive. For more information, visit www.tuckeroptimistclub.
org.
Tucker Cruise-In, a non profit, old-fashioned town
meet and greet car show will be held June 8 on Main
Street in Tucker. There will be a variety of cars included
STONE MOUNTAIN
from antiques, street rods, motorcycles and imports. The City to host music event
Cruise-Ins are held on the second Saturday of every month
until September. The event begins at 5 p.m. and nds with The Albert White Band with Lil Joe Burton will
the presentation of awards around 8 p.m. There is a $5 perform June 14 at Stone Mountain’s Tunes by the Tracks
registration fee for to enter a car into judging. The cut off
time to enter a car in competition is 6:30 p.m. For more
event in Stone Mountain Village. Attendees may bring lawn
chairs. The free two-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. Beer,
information, call (770) 527-1521. wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase. For
more information, visit www.stonemountaincity.org.
Club to host BBQ
The Tucker Optimist Club will host a Spring BBQ
fundraiser June 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chicken or pork
plates can be purchased for $10, and whole chickens and

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BUSINESS DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 21

After less than a year, pressure washing business is cleaning up

BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
When David Sessions
was working in Emory
University’s recycling
department, he learned a
good deal about the pressure
washing business. He
discovered that not every
pressure washing company
uses environmentally
friendly products and
many pay their employees
minimum wage or only
slightly more. When he
started Peach State Pressure
Wash last year, he was
committed to caring about
the environment and his
staff.
“Two things that I
felt strongly about as I
started my business were
using only biodegradable
chemicals and paying
people a fair wage,”
Sessions said, adding that
he plans by 2020 to pay no
employee less than $20 an
hour.
“I started with just
one pressure washer that I
carried around in the trunk
of my car,” he recalled,
adding that soon after he
went into business his one
machine broke in the middle
of a job and he had to rent
one to finish the job. “It
took me about 30 days to
recover.”
His venture, however,
quickly took a positive
turn, thanks in part to a
program created to give
new businesses a boost.
Sessions’ Emory connection
continued as he was
accepted into the Start:ME
program offered annually
by Emory University’s
Goizueta Business School in
partnership with community
nonprofit organizations
Friends of Refugees, East
Lake Foundation, Focused
to provide critical
support for entrepreneurs
participating in the program.
“Start:ME helped me figure
out a proper scale for my
business so that I wasn’t
trying to do too much or too
little at the start,” he said.
The program exposed
Sessions to other nascent
businesses and made
him part of a networking
program. Within months,
the business quadrupled. “I
started in September 2018
and I am now at the point I
expected to be in year three
based on my business plan,”
he said.
Peach State Pressure
Wash now has six
employees, including
Sessions, and three vehicles.
The business serves
commercial and residential
customers within 10 miles
of his North Druid Hills
hub. Part of the East Lake
Start:ME program, Sessions
said he has many customers
in the Oakhurst and
Kirkwood communities.
The commercial-
residential mix is about David Sessions visits one of the east Atlanta communities in the service area of his recently established business, Peach State
50-50, he explained. “Most Pressure Wash.
of our residential work is in
the summer and we serve who will be operating our Administration has been is an integral part of his
commercial customers year- vehicles.” helpful in finding suitable business. “In East Atlanta
round,” Sessions said. A veteran himself, job candidates. gentrification is an issue
He noted that his staff Sessions said the tries to Peach State Pressure in many neighborhoods.
has certifications in such employ veterans when Wash’s success is largely As more upscale homes
areas as roof washing and he can. “Often veterans attributable to customer and businesses are built in
chemical use. “If you don’t have trouble finding work satisfaction, according to a neighborhood, property
know what you’re doing, because the training and Sessions. “We’ve been taxes go up, sometimes
you can damage a roof in experience they had in the getting great community creating a problem for
the process of cleaning military doesn’t translate feedback. People seem to longtime residents. We are
it. We’re masters of our well to civilian employment really like the way we do involved in a program to
craft. We’re trained to do even for those who have things.” help those residents stay in
a quality job while not a good work ethic,” he Sessions said giving their homes.”
harming anyone’s property,” said. He said the Veterans back to the community
Sessions said, adding
that should something go
wrong his company is fully NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MILLAGE RATE
insured. “We make sure we The City of Tucker has tentatively adopted a millage rate of .9 mills in the city. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on the millage rate adoption to
be held at the City Hall Annex, 4228 First Avenue Suite 2-4, Tucker, GA 30084 on June 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm.
protect ourselves and the
homeowners who hire us— The City of Tucker Mayor & City Council does hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the City Hall Annex, 4228 First Avenue Suite
2-4, Tucker, GA 30084 on June 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. Section 48-5-32 does hereby publish the following presentation of
even their pets. Not every the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest and levy for the past five years. There will be three publice hearings held and duly
advertised for the following dates: May 28th, June 10th and June 26th, 2019. City of Tucker expected revenue generation in the amount of $1,500,000. The adoption
pressure wash company can of the .9 mills is lower than the previous rate for the services as provided by DeKalb County. City of Tucker is advertising at 100% increase

Community Strategies say that.” CURRENT 2019 TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
(FCS) and Purpose Built Sessions said he City of Tucker 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Schools Atlanta. carefully selects those Real & Personal
Motor Vehicles
1,679,063,795 1,809,804,379
26,631,760
968,019,546
18,858,550
1,075,936,079
23,917,145
Through Start:ME, he hires. “I look for Mobile Homes

Sessions not only received honest, hardworking Timber - 100%

Heavy Duty Equipment 50,098
a grant but also training people. You want to be Gross Digest 0 0 1,679,063,795 1,836,436,139 986,878,096 1,099,903,322

and mentoring from confident that anyone

Less M& O Exemptions
Net M & O Digest 0 0
61,277,075
1,617,786,720
670,730,920
1,165,705,219
220,270,453
766,607,643
303,239,510
796,663,812
seasoned executives. you send to someone’s
State Forest Land Assistance Grant
Value 0

Start:ME engages home is professional and Adjusted Net M&O Digest 0 0 1,617,786,720 1,165,705,219 766,607,643 796,663,812

more than 75 volunteer trustworthy. That why we Gross M&O Millage 0.000 0.000 0.000 1,500,000

mentors with significant do thorough background Less Rollbacks (LOST)

Net M&O Millage 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
professional business and/or checks, including reviewing Net Taxes Levied $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

entrepreneurial experience the driving records of those

Net Taxes $ Increase
Net Taxes % Increase
#REF!
#REF!
$0
0.00%
#REF!
#REF!
#REF!
#REF!
#REF!
#REF!
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 22

BASEBALL

Redan pitcher Donye Evans, left, was named MVP for the East team and Cedar Grove’s
Kolby Taylor was the West MVP in the DeKalb County School District Junior All-Star
Baseball Classic. Photo by Mark Brock

West rolls past East in

county junior All-Star game
Southwest DeKalb’s Juston Jordan, left, and Chamblee’s Travis Hammond were named Most Valuable Players of the DeKalb County by Mark Brock
School District Senior All-Star Baseball Classic.
The West Junior All-
Star team has now won
as the lead increased to
13-4. Eith had a sacrifice
fly to score Decatur’s
Jackson Hills, and

East ends slide against West in five of seven all-star games

since 2013 following a 15-5
victory over the East in the
Cedar Grove’s D’Corrie
Kimble’s groundout sent
home Chamblee’s Michael

senior All-Star baseball classic

11th annual DeKalb County Sarzen in the top of the
School District Junior All- eight to make it a 15-4 lead.
Star Baseball Classic at Arabia Mountain’s
Redan High School May Desmore Joseph drove in
28. the East’s final run of the
by Mark Brock later scored on a wild pitch to push the lead Trailing 4-2 heading game in the bottom of the
to three 4-1. into the top of the fifth eighth with an RBI single
The East All-Star’s pitching staff Chamblee’s Travis Hammond inning, the West squad that scored his Arabia
combined for 18 strikeouts and allowed just delivered a two-out, RBI single in the took advantage of two East Mountain teammate Eric
three hits on the way to a 5-2 win over the top of the fifth inning to trim the lead to errors to put eight runs Matthews.
West All-Stars May 31 in the 17th annual 4-2. Hammond’s hit sent home McNair’s on the board. West Most Redan’s Donye Evans,
DeKalb County School District Senior All- Michael Stowers, who had walked and Valuable Player Kolby the EAST MVP, pitched
Star Baseball Classic at Redan High School. stole second base to lead off the inning. Taylor of Cedar Grove two scoreless innings for
Stephenson senior Ga’Von Wray had Jordan ended the threat via his third picked up two of his three the East to open the game
five of the strikeouts on the mound for the strikeout of the inning to strand Hammond RBIs in the game with a and Chamblee’s Michael
East as he struck out five of the first eight at second. one-out single to center to Sarzen matched the two
batters without allowing a hit or run in the The West was held scoreless the rest of send home Decatur’s Eddie scoreless innings for the
first two innings. The win closed the West’s the way as the East pitching staff compiled Galatos and Lakeside’s West as the two teams went
series lead to 4-3 since going to the East/ six more strikeouts in the final four innings. Deatric Alexander to make into the third tied at 0-0.
West format in 2013. Kilpatrick tripled to left center in the it a 9-4 game. The West took the
Redan’s Christian Webb and bottom of the eighth inning and scored on Two batters later, lead in the top of the third
Southwest DeKalb’s Juston Jordan a wild pitch to give the East another run, Decatur’s Lukas Clark with a pair of runs driving
delivered RBI singles in the inning to send bringing the final to 5-2. doubled to deep right- by Harris on a fielder’s
home Southwest DeKalb’s Theo Bryant Stephenson’s Talib McDaniel- center field to send home choice that scored Eith and
and Redan’s Kevin Kilpatrick, who both Burdeaux walked one batter in the ninth, Taylor to complete the Alexander’s RBI double to
reached base via the walk. but also had a pair of strikeouts and not eight-run inning before push Harris across for the
Webb would score the third run of the allowing a run to pick up the save for the Redan’s Brandon 2-0 advantage.
inning on a throwing error by the West East. Lamback came in to close Evans hit a double to
defense for the early 3-0 lead. Jordan was 2-of-2 at the plate with out the inning. deep left-center field to
The score remained 3-0 until the top of an RBI, two stolen bases and pitched two Dunwoody’s Tyler Eith score Lithonia’s Theodore
the fourth inning when Chamblee’s Davis innings with five strikeouts to earn the East and McNair’s William Reddick to put the East on
Jenkins singled into center field to score Most Valuable Player Award. Harris both picked up the board and trim the lead
fellow Chamblee teammate Matthew Arabia Mountain’s Tyson Scott pitched RBIs in the inning for the to 2-1 in the bottom of the
Welsh, who reached on an error to lead off two innings and added a pair of strikeouts West. third.
the inning, to make it a 3-1 game. Bryant and allowed just one hit and one walk for Taylor’s RBI single in The East took a short-
would end the threat by stranding Jenkins the East. the seventh inning added lived 4-2 advantage with
at third base with his third and fourth Hammond finished the day 1-of-1 at three more runs for the three runs in the bottom
strikeouts. the plate with an RBI and two walks to be West in the seventh inning of the fourth. Tucker’s
The East answered with another run in named the West MVP. Decatur’s Tucker
the bottom half of the fourth when Stone Jones had a double as he went 1-of-2 in the
Mountain’s Jacorrie Knolton walked and game. SEE GAME ON PAGE 23
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 23

St. Pius X wins

Regions Bank
Director’s Cup
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
St. Pius X Golden Lions has bested rival Marist once
again.
St. Pius X won the 2018-19 Georgia Athletic Directors
Association (GADA) Regions Bank Director’s Cup in St. Pius boys’ won its third consecutive state swimming title this school year.
Class AAAA, ending Marist’s 19-year run. This year’s cup
is St. Pius’s sixth cup overall and its first in Class AAAA.
The GADA Director’s Cup recognizes athletic programs in
each Georgia High School Association classification that
has “excelled and shown superior performance” for the
school year.
St. Pius scored 1,272 points in the overall cup
standings, beating Blessed Trinity (1,231 points) and Marist
(1,209 points). St. Pius finished first in the boys’ sports
program standings and second in the girls’ standings. The
Golden Lions won six state championships this school
year—boys’ cross country, boys’ golf, boys’ swimming,
girls’ soccer, boys’ track and field and volleyball.
Girls’ cross country and girls’ swimming finished as
state runners-up. Of the 22 sports programs at St. Pius X,
all but one advanced to the state playoffs during the 2018-
2019 seasons, according to the school. St. Pius X Director
of Athletics Todd Mooney said in a statement that he is
proud and excited for the student-athletes and coaches. St. Pius X girls’ soccer team won their sixth state championship in seven years this school year and ninth in program history.
“This is an amazing accomplishment and a testament
to the hard work, unity, and commitment found in our
athletic department,” Mooney said. “We are blessed to be
at a Christ-centered school that values strong academics
coupled with a strong and comprehensive commitment
to all of our sport programs. To all of our Golden Lion
student-athletes and coaches, congratulations on a fantastic
2018-19 campaign.”
Girls’ soccer coach Sara Schmitt, who has led the
program to nine state titles in the past 11 seasons, said
winning the Director’s Cup is a great honor to all players
and coaches.
“It validates that here at St. Pius X we are building
up all of our programs and the community continues to
support all student athletes,” Schmitt said in a statement.
“I am blessed to be a part of such an amazing athletic
department.”
St. Pius X won its first boys’ golf state title in program history this school year.

GAME Continued From Page 22

Lennox Moody grounded out to
first base to score Martin Luther
King’s Lamont Barner, who
reached on a walk, and Lamback
singled to score Stephenson’s
Alote Jones, who had walked
earlier in the inning.
Taylor finished the day 2-of-4
at the plate with three RBIs and
pitched a perfect fifth and sixth
innings on the mound to earn the
West MVP honors. Taylor struck
out two batters while setting down
six consecutive East batters.
Alexander, Eith and McNair’s from the bit eight-run inning.
William Harris all drove in Evans finished the day with
two runs in the game for the six strikeouts in his two-inning
West. Harris also had two stolen start and 1-of-2 at the plate with a
bases. Druid Hills pitcher Augie double and RBI for the East MVP.
McQuaig earned the win in two Reddick finished the day 2-of-3
innings of relief as he benefitted with a run scored.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • JUNE 07, 2019 • Page 24

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