the DeKalb FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • VOL.

24, NO 28 • 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

Animal shelters search

for foster homes after
record-breaking intake
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com

A
nimal shelters in DeKalb and Fulton counties
are at capacity after receiving more than 1,800
animals in July, according to Lifeline Animal
Project officials. 
Lifeline took in 870 animals in July this year compared
with 706 in July last year. Officials said they are in need of
foster caregivers to house the animals until a home can be
found. 
According to
Lifeline Animal Proj-
ect Animal Service
Lifeline Animal Project spokesperson Karen Hirsch visits some of the animals being kept at
an animal shelter in DeKalb.
'We urgently need Director Lara Hud-
son, the shelter re-
foster homes for any ceived an average of
30 animals every day
amount of time or last month.  
“We have hun-
dreds of metro At-
[number of] adopters.' lanta’s homeless pets
who deserve to make
LARA HUDSON it out alive and into
loving homes, but
that won’t happen
without metro Atlan-
ta’s help,” said Hudson.  “We urgently need foster homes
for any amount of time or [number of] adopters.”
Lifeline spokesperson Karen Hirsch said the organi-
zation is unsure what caused the influx of animals in July.

Lifeline Animal Organization officials said DeKalb and Fulton county's animal shelters are full due to high intake in July.  Photos SEE SHELTER ON PAGE 6
provided by Lifeline Animal Project

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

LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
DeKalb to introduce new literacy program
STONECREST
Arizona’s reopens after passing health inspection
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Arizona’s steakhouse in
Stonecrest has reopened after
receiving an A rating from the
state’s health department.
The restaurant was inspected
again by the Georgia Department
of Public Health Aug. 17 and
received a score of 91. The passing
score comes a week after Arizona’s
received two unsatisfactory
scores. It scored a 21 following an
inspection on Aug. 13 and a 46 after
a reinspection on Aug. 46.
According to the Aug. 14
inspection report, the restaurant had
a pest control problem, which was
a repeated violation. Employees’
hands were not properly washed and
cleaned, and the restaurant failed
to have adequate handwashing
facilities supplied and accessible.
The report also said Arizona’s food
was not in good condition nor kept
at proper cold holding temperatures.
Arizona’s management
temporarily closed the restaurant to
bring it into compliance with state
standards. Management announced
Aug. 19 on the restaurant’s
Facebook page that Arizona’s had
reopened.
“Arizona’s steakhouse opened
more than 14 years ago in the
Lithonia area. From day one, the
goal has always been to provide
quality food, excellent customer
service, and a great dining
experience,” the Facebook post
read. “Today, that goal remains the
same.”
The Facebook post stated
that during the time of closure,
management and staff made
adjustments within the restaurant
and management reopened the doors
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 2
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
According to county officials, 74
percent of DeKalb students are reading
below their grade level. Organizers of
a new literacy program, however, hope
to help students become better readers.  of children show reading improvement
DeKalb County Human Services
Department is recruiting volunteers to
participate in a new tutoring program.
The program, which is designed
to help DeKalb students improve
literacy skills, is an evidence-based
literacy initiative for students from
kindergarten through third grade who
are behind by at least two grade levels.  Elementary and Redan Elementary.
DeKalb County Human Services
Department is working with United
Way of Greater Atlanta, AARP
Foundation and DeKalb County School
District on the initiative.
The human services department
hosted informational sessions
regarding the program at Lou
Walker Senior Center in Stonecrest
Aug. 14 and Aug. 15. According
to a county spokesperson, DeKalb
Experience Corps Program will need
at least 65 volunteers to be effectively
implemented. Volunteers must be at
least 50 years old and have a high
school diploma or G.E.D to participate.
Arizona’s in Stonecrest reopened after receiving an A score following an inspection by the Georgia
Department of Public Health. Photo by Carla Parker
Aug. 18 after receiving an A rating
from the health department.
Arizona’s Marketing Strategist
Roberto Woods said the restaurant
partnered with Georgia Department
of Public Health and industry
professionals to provide continuous
training to staff and ensure
guidelines are met to prevent low
scores from happening in the future.
“The community can
“The Experience Corps Program
is a national program that utilizes
best practice methods and strategies
to teach volunteers to assist children
with improving their reading. A to
Z reading materials are utilized and
program data indicates that 65 percent
annually,” said program organizer
Debra Furtado.
The tutoring program will begin
on Oct. 21 and will follow the DeKalb
County School District 2019-2020
calendar. Participating schools include
Stoneview Elementary, Murphy
Candler Elementary, E.L. Miller
Teachers at the four selected
schools will select students who could
benefit from the program. Volunteers
will be trained to assist these students
in improving their reading skills using
a national reading model, according
to county officials. Volunteers will be
asked to tutor two days a week, during
an after-school program at the school.
Tutoring sessions will be 30 minutes
per student. 
County officials said individuals
interested in the program can contact
Furtado at dlfurtado@dekalbcountyga.
gov or (770)-322-2969.
rest assured; we have a safe
environment and have proven to
the Georgia Department of Public
Health that we are ready to operate
this establishment,” Woods said.
“We appreciate our community
partners and those who supported
us during this time. We are only
better because of your prayers,
encouragement and standing with us
during this time.”
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 3

DORAVILLE

City moves to become

more pedestrian friendly
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
During the Aug 5
Doraville city council
meeting, the rezoning of the
Buford Highway’s east side
passed.
The east side of
Doraville’s Buford Highway
is to be rezoned as LCC
from its previous C1/
C2 zoning. Doraville
officials want to update
their “suburban design
model” that favors cars for
a pedestrian friendly zoning
code.
“If we really want our
city to look a certain way,
we have to change the
zoning to match what we’re
saying we want it to look
like,” said Doraville City
Council Member Stephe
Koontz.
According to Koontz,
rezoning plans are now in
front of the city’s planning
commission.
“The zoning that
was created back in [the]
1960s only addresses
what is allowed to be
there and what’s not
allowed to be there,” said
Koontz. “It doesn’t talk
about sidewalks, what the
buildings look like and
where they’re supposed to
be placed on the property.”
With the code, buildings
would be constructed by the
road with the parking lot
behind the building.
“It makes it so if you’re
walking down the street,
you can walk into a store
and you don’t have to walk
across a sea of asphalt,” said
Koontz.
The city’s new zoning
code allows for mixed-
use development where
residential properties and
businesses can neighbor.
The city’s C1/C2 zoning
code did not allow
residential areas.
With the LCC zoning,
if a business is next to
residential properties, the
Doraville city council recently voted to rezone part of Buford Highway. File Photo.
business can only be two-
stories high near its property
line and further away from
residential properties, the
business’ building can
increase to be six-stories
high.
Doraville officials are
now in talks to rezone the
remainder of Doraville’s
Buford Highway─north
of I-285─to the Gwinnett
County line. Doraville
city council plans to have
the proposal ready for
an October first read and
a November vote. The
remaining area is currently
C1/C2 as well.
“I want to make sure the
residents and the business
owners understand what this
is and that we don’t have a
lot of misinformation going
on,” said Koontz.
According to Koontz,
city council can’t “bring in”
specific businesses. “What SAVE
we do is make the zoning YOUR HOME
fit the use we want to see FROM
there. Then allow those uses
by right to open up,” said FORECLOSURE
Koontz. and avoid bad credit!
Residents can read For free information
more about the LCC code
and how the city plans to
go to
Foreclosurepreventionsolution.com
use it in the city’s 2017-
2037 comprehensive plan. or call
Documents are on the city’s
website.
(678) -662-5096
Foreclosurepreventionsolution.com

Teacher accused of NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public

molestation at mall
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
A DeKalb County
School District (DCSD)
teacher has been accused
of attempted molestation at
Perimeter Mall earlier this
month.
A 13-year-old boy said
he was approached at a
Perimeter Mall bathroom
by a male Aug. 4. The
teen said the man asked
him questions while in the
bathroom. The adult then
went into a bathroom stall
with the boy and closed and
locked the stall. While the
victim and suspect were
in the bathroom stall, the
suspect asked the victim to
expose himself and reached
for the victim’s pants,
according to the Dunwoody
A DCSD teacher has been accused of
molestation. Video screenshot.
Police Department.
The victim left the
bathroom and notified his
father, who chased after
the suspect. The suspect
got away from the victim’s
father.
SEE MALL ON PAGE 7
hearing on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540
Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 at 7:30 p.m. to receive public comments
regarding the following matters:
•PZ2019-519 Applicant and Owner: Kevin Price requests a variance for
a deck to encroach into the minimum required rear yard setback. The property
is located at 1854 8th Street, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18 271 11 006,
and zoned Neighborhood Residential 1.
•PZ2019-522 Applicant and Owner: Unico Insurance Company,
Ltd. requests a Development of Community Impact with variances for
the development of an office building, from the City of Chamblee Code of
Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, to increase the
percent of open space allowed to be impervious; to decrease the required
percentage of publicly accessible open space; to exceed the maximum
retaining wall height; to allow accessory mechanical structures to be located
between the building and street; to increase the amount of allowable wall
signage; to increase the required supplemental zone width; to exceed the
maximum height of the supplemental zone to the adjacent sidewalk; to allow
the parking deck to face a public a street; to allow the external openings of the
parking deck not to be screened with decorative elements; to allow the parking
deck façade not to screen automobiles; to allow the parking deck to not have
the appearance of a horizontal-storied building; to allow the parking deck to be
constructed without flat floor plates on every above-ground level; to reduce the
minimum floor-to-ceiling height of the parking deck; to eliminate the minimum
required shade cover of the parking deck roof level. The property is located at
5238 Peachtree Road, being DeKalb County tax parcels 18 299 14 001 and
zoned Transit Oriented Development.
•TA2019-004 The City of Chamblee proposes to amend the Official
City Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Title
2 Land Use and Zoning, Chapter 240 to allow photographic studios to be
considered a general Personal Service use.
OPINION
Former slave plantations aren’t for entertainment
Recently while scrolling my Twitter
feed, I saw a thread of tweets that blew
my mind but also didn’t surprise me.
Saira Rao, a former congressional
candidate from Colorado, tweeted a
screen shot Aug. 8 of a review some-
one had written of McLeod Plantation
Historic Site in Charleston, S.C. The
plantation enslaved people who survived
the Middle Passage, mostly from west
and central Africa. Slaves were forced to
labor on rice, indigo and cotton planta-
tions such as McLeod.
Rao said in her tweet, “This is how
decent White people who tell the truth
about slavery on plantations are re-
viewed by White people.”
The review said, “My husband and I
were extremely disappointed in this tour.
We didn’t come to hear a lecture on how
the white people treated slaves[.] [W]
e came to get this history of a southern
plantation and get a tour of the house
and grounds. The tour guide was so
radical about slave treatment we felt we
were being lectured and bashed about
slavery.”
The person, who graded the planta-
tion two stars out of five, went on to say
that her ancestors are from Sicily, Italy,
and the husband’s ancestors are Ger-
man and their families had never owned
Foreclosures
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CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
slaves.
“I am by far not a racist or against
all Americans having equal rights, but
this was my vacation and now we are
crossing all plantation tours off out list,”
the reviewer continued. “It was just not
what we expected. I’ll go back to Loui-
siana and see some real plantations that
are so much more enjoyable to tour.”
I don’t know where this reviewer is
from or his or her knowledge—or lack
thereof—of American history. However,
from what I have gathered from this
review, this person either doesn’t know
anything about American history (or
world history since the reviewer men-
tions Italian and German ancestry), or
this person is racist and hates hearing
about how White slave owners abused
their Black slaves.
This reviewer also must not have
researched McLeod Plantation prior to
visiting. McLeod Plantation’s website
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 4
has an overview of what visitors can
expect, which includes hearing stories
about the slaves who lived and worked
on the plantation. The main page of
McLeod Plantation’s website also has
this tidbit: “McLeod Plantation was built
on the riches of sea island cotton—and
on the backs of enslaved people whose
work and culture are embedded in the
Lowcountry’s very foundation.”
Rao’s tweet of this review also led
to other Twitter users revealing reviews
left by visitors who toured other historic
plantations. Journalist Shannon Sims
posted a review about Whitney Planta-
tion in Wallace, La. The reviewer gave
the plantation one star and said they
would not recommend it.
“Tour was all about how hard it
was for the slaves and hard done by
they were.” They [forget] how hard it
was for most poor people in those days
anywhere in the world. Go somewhere
different if you want to experience a
plantation tour.”
It’s baffling, but not surprising, that
some White Americans don’t under-
stand or refuse to accept what happened
on plantations in Southern states. The
Middle Passage was real. Black people
were stolen from their homelands, sold
to White colonizers and forced to work
with no pay.
Slaves were shackled while work-
ing in fields in hot, humid weather. If
their work wasn’t satisfactory or they
stopped working because of exhaustion,
they were whipped or murdered. If they
tried to escape the plantation and were
caught, they could have been hung from
a tree or eaten alive by dogs. Enslaved
women were often raped by their slave
masters. Some of those rapes resulted in
unwanted pregnancy and children who
were more than likely not accepted by
their White fathers.
Slavery happened in America and it
was horrendous, and majority of planta-
tion tours—where slaves worked and
lived—will feature stories of the horrors
that slaves experienced. It isn’t possible
to run from history—good, bad or ugly.
And this country should never run from
or forget its ugly history.
If one doesn’t want to be reminded
of this country’s ugly history with
slavery and African Americans while on
vacation, then perhaps plantation tours
should not be on one’s vacation itiner-
ary.
OPINION
When the grass really isn’t greener
“My beloved hometown of
Decatur is well managed, and
in many ways, offers an idyllic,
walkable downtown, similar to
what generations of Georgians can
remember. Though one can seldom
get too much of a good thing, it is
still possible to overindulge,” said
columnist Bill Crane in a July 2012,
Georgia View column in Georgia
Trend magazine.
 
Nearing a decade ago now,
we started a raised bed vegetable
garden behind our Scottdale home. I
wanted to try my hand at tomatoes
and a few other homegrown
veggies, as well as educate my
youngest child on where our
food supply comes from, and
perhaps broaden her interest and
taste for vegetables that weren’t
potatoes. We’ve had great success
with the former, and the latter—not
so much.  resodding playground lawns each
Those years in the “grotten,”
toddler Olivia’s early name for
our tiny green space, don’t make
me into an expert like DeKalb
County’s famed Extension Agent
Walter Reeves, but it has caused
me to learn more than a little bit
about what will and won’t grow
well in our non-amended and
heavily underfertilized DeKalb
County topsoil atop a miles-long
granite shelf that eventually raises
to become Stone Mountain, twin
Arabia Mountain and the several
granite quarries nearby.  resodded and/or replanted, patched
Our topsoil is predominantly
red clay, well compacted and
requires nitrogen, fertilizer and
other amending to produce solid
crops, beautiful flowers or even
strong lawns. During 2012, the
city of Decatur and MARTA were
completing a rather significant
renovation of the Decatur MARTA
station rooftop, which is at the
center of the Decatur square, and
including the adjoining small lawn
and green space, centered on the
performance gazebo behind the Old
FREEPRESS
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 5
patches of weed that have survived.  years now. 
‘One Man’s At a fraction of the cost and
much easier to maintain, this
Not all cities are as fortunate
as my hometown of Decatur to
Opinion’ artificial turf should easily last a have several hundred grand to
decade before need for repainting expend on a lawn much smaller
Bill Crane or replacement (yes, you can green than the average homeowner who
bill.csicrane@gmail.com spray and repaint artificial turf–isn’t helped fund this green-space. Yes,
that green/grand?).  it’s a microcosm, among millions
Fake grass may not blend well otherwise well spent, but it also
DeKalb County Courthouse. 
with the positioned egalitarian, underscores that it sometimes
As recently as May of 2012, the
left-leaning community (at least pays to listen to outside voices,
Decatur City Council, at the behest
covering the sometime elitist coming from multiple sources, and
of longtime City Manager Peggy
leadership decisions underneath) always managing resources as if
Merriss, appropriated $375,000
as well as Decatur’s so often stated you will soon be doing more with
for the mini-lawn redo. You are
and prioritized sustainability, but less. That’s just making the best and
reading correctly, though given the
common sense and practical green- most sustainable use of what will
one-eigth to one-fourth of an acre
space planning should also include always be limited green.
of lawn surface, this sounds more
the use of recycled materials and
like a federal government level
when necessary artificial versus Bill Crane also serves as a
expenditure. 
organic components, such as the political analyst and commentator
There was some pushback at
rubberized pellets and flooring now for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
the time, as that grand gazebo,
found on most public playgrounds, AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
sidewalks, benches and park-
to best serve the purpose intended at FM, as well as a columnist for The
like atmosphere could all be well
a reasonable cost. Pelletized rubber Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
maintained laying astroturf or some
from old tires lasts a lot longer than Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
similar artificial surface, given the
native and business owner, living
festivals, regular foot traffic and
year, and the city has understood in Scottdale. You can reach him
family/dog lounging that daily
that with most of its playground or comment on a column at bill.
occurs in the tiny green-space. 
spaces in city parks for several csicrane@gmail.com. 
The mini-park is adjacent to a
Decatur MARTA station entrance/
exit as well as atop the station.
The new lawn required gravel,
fresh topsoil, drainage lines and
an irrigation system, despite the
warnings of many that without
ending/limiting or removing
the foot and people traffic that
a green, grassy lawn was not
sustainable. Since then, as that new
lawn soon died, Decatur has thrice
and thatched that ailing lawn. 
Not knowing the exact costs
of the three re-sods; I think it’s
safe to say that Decatur has now
probably spent somewhere in the
neighborhood of $1-$3 per blade
of grass, before finally reaching
the long advised determination that
astroturf is the better choice for
this space, and another $39,383 has
now been awarded in a contract
with Atlanta-based Synthetic Turf
to install artificial turf atop what is
now the remaining dirt and small
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LOCAL
Discover the unsearchable
Discover the forest
Find a trail near you at
DiscoverTheForest.org
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 6
SHELTER Continued From Page 1A
Hirsch said Lifeline is trying to decrease intake by offering
programs to local communities.
“We wish we knew the cause of the increase in animals,
but both strays and surrenders were up across the board.
We are unable to pinpoint any reasons. Most of these issues
would be resolved if everyone spayed/neutered their pets,
microchipped their pets and kept their pets from roaming,”
Hirsch said. 
In 2018, Lifeline Animal Project offered a door-to-door
outreach program which provided free veterinary care,
spay/neuters, transportation, pet supplies and resources to
more than 3,600 animals.
Lifeline officials said the organization plans to hold fee-
waived adoptions at all animal shelters until Aug. 26–Na-
tional Dog Day.
Lifeline also plans to unveil a Community Animal
Center in DeKalb County in October. The additional facil-
ity will be larger than the Avondale Estates location and
will allow Lifeline to increase capacity by 2,000 annually,
Hirsch said. 
The Community Animal Center will also provide a full-
service, low-cost veterinary clinic that will be open to the
public.
Hirsch said she hopes the metro-Atlanta community
steps up and helps save some of the animals in the shelter. 
“Consider opening up your home and fostering a pet
for whatever amount of time you can. Even a week helps to
make space for other animals and may save a life,” Hirsch
said. “[The shelters are] more stressful on the animals be-
cause they have less space. It is noisier and they don’t get
as much one-on-one attention. It is also extremely stressful
for all of the employees who become attached to these ani-
mals and who are working desperately to find them homes,
knowing they may not make it out of the shelter.”
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 7

STONECREST

Senior housing coming to Stonecrest

BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
A $70 million senior
community is coming to
Stonecrest.
The Stonecrest Housing
Authority adopted a bond
inducement resolution to
fund a senior community,
according to city officials.
The community, which
will be located at 6757
Covington Highway, will
include 238 units of one,
two and three bedrooms,
and a 14,000-square-
foot “senior day out”
community center. Those
ages 55 and older with
annual incomes between
$18,000 and $66,500 are
eligible to live in the future
community.
City officials said
the adopted resolution
will allow the city to
issue bonds of up to $40
million to help fund the
development, which will
be named “Legends of
Stonecrest.” The bond is
expected to be repaid by
The Stonecrest Housing Authority adopted a bond inducement resolution to fund a senior community in the city. Photo from the
city of Stonecrest
the developer, Beverly J.
Searles Foundation.
Beverly J. Searles
Foundation Chief Financial
Officer David Searles said
in a released statement that
construction of the senior
community should begin
before the end of the year.
“We are very
enthusiastic about the entire
development, but especially
excited about the senior day
out facility which will be a
community center featuring
meals, health initiatives
and activities that will
complement the Lou Walker
Senior Center,” Searles said.
The Stonecrest Housing
Authority was developed
earlier this year by Mayor
Jason Lary and city
council, according to city
officials. The authority
consists of a representative
from each council district.
Lary said the housing
authority was created to
provide funding for a senior
development,
“In Stonecrest, we are
focused on providing a
better quality of life for
those who have given us so
much—our seniors,” Lary
said in a released statement.
Beverly J. Searles
Foundation also constructed
Antioch Manor Estates in
Stone Mountain, according
to city officials. Legends at
Stonecrest will be one of the
developer’s largest projects
at more than 260,000 square
feet.

MALL Continued From Page 3

Two weeks after the alleged incident, DCSD officials
were notified that the suspect is a teacher at Tucker Middle
School.
“DCSD is committed to providing a safe and
welcoming learning environment for students and staff,”
said DCSD officials in a statement. “Staff immediately
reported the incident to the Office of Legal Affairs and
DCSD Public Safety.”
DCSD officials said the public safety department has
been working with the Dunwoody Police Department since
being notified by providing information to help with the
investigation. Stephenson High School was placed on lockdown Aug 13. File Photo.
“The allegations, if verified and true, will lead to
immediate termination. All accusations of employee
misconduct─off-site allegations included─are investigated
thoroughly by DCSD personnel to ensure student and staff
Stephenson cleared after school lockdown
safety,” said DCSD officials in a statement.
The investigation is ongoing according to the
BY TAYLOR ROBINS County School District (DCSD) officials said in
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com a statement.
Dunwoody Police Department. The Stone Mountain school was placed on
Stephenson High School was placed on a level three lockdown when DCSD officers
lockdown and later cleared after reports of an responded to intruder reports, according to
district officials.
WE ARE SOCIAL
intruder Aug 13.
During the level three lockdown, student The lockdown was reduced to a level one
and faculty were temporarily evacuated and lockdown “out of an abundance of caution”

@DEKALBCHAMPNEWS roads near the school were blocked.

“All students and faculty are safe. DCSD
police officers and DeKalb County Police are
after the reports were investigated and the
building was considered “safe.” The students
were able to resume the school day.
onsite and will remain on campus,” DeKalb
 LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 8

COUNTYWIDE

DeKalb could limit

dollar store chains
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN neighborhoods, and rural
communities face much
horace@dekalbchamp.com greater challenges finding
healthy food,” Georgia
There is no shortage of Department of Public Health
Family Dollar, Dollar Store officials stated.
or Dollar General businesses Johnson said south and
in south DeKalb, according central DeKalb are affected
to some county residents.  the most by dollar store
DeKalb County chains. 
Commissioner Lorraine “There business
Cochran-Johnson said she model targets low-income
wants to put a halt on the neighborhoods,” Johnson
expansion of dollar-type said. “The majority of dollar Dollar store chains are plentiful in south DeKalb along Candler Road. Photo by Horace Holloman
stores in DeKalb County. stores are located in south
DeKalb commissioners may and central DeKalb. This is
introduce legislation that a fact as it relates to DeKalb the viability of local generations by providing programming throughout
would essentially limit how County. Their business produce and to preserve access to fresh produce DeKalb County, according
many such chains could be model is oversaturation.” the environment for future and nutritional education to DeKalb County officials.
located in one area. Some DeKalb County
“We’re looking at residents said they’re
ways to contain their tired of the dollar store
growth because of the chains and want more
negative impact they have shopping variety. South
on communities and box DeKalb resident Monique
supermarkets,” Johnson Newsome said she has lived
said.  in the county for more than
Johnson said when these 25 years and wants to see Use these steps to follow
stores dominate shopping her community improve.
options rather than a mix
that includes grocery stores step
“I’ve seen the county
up in the last few
safe medication practices:
and big box stores that offer years, but we’ve had a lot
of shootings and we have ✓ Only use medications as directed by your
Use these steps to follow
fresh produce and meats,
the situation creates “food the same type of stores on
deserts” in low-income every corner. Other parts of healthcare professional
communities. According
to the Food Empowerment
Project, food deserts are
safe medication practices:
the county don’t look like
this,” Newsome said. “It’s
frustrating.” ✓ Never share your prescription
defined as geographic areas DeKalb resident Lee medications or take someone else’s
where residents’ access to ✓ Only use medications as directed by your
Foster said the south area
affordable, healthy food of the county is in need of medication
options, especially fresh revitalization, especiallyUse these steps to follow
healthcare professional
fruits and vegetables is along Glenwood Road.
restricted. “Bring the old safe medication practices:
✓ Safely secure medications and dispose of
Use these✓steps
In DeKalb County, 25
percent of the population,
Never share your prescription
to follow
neighborhood of Glenwood
Road back to life with good
medications or take someone else’s
✓ Onlythem when no
use medications as longer
directed by needed
your
or 173,323 people, live in businesses instead of dollar healthcare professional
safe medication
a food desert, according to
a study from the Georgia
practices:
stores, and liquor stores on
medication
every corner,” Foster said.
✓ Model safe medication practices
✓ Never share your prescription
Department of Public “I hear all this stuff about medications or take someone else’s
✓ Only usethe
Health. Approximately medications as directed by
movie industry coming your
✓ Safely secure medications and dispose of
into DeKalb, bring it down medication
70 percent of adults in
DeKalb over the age healthcare
of 18
are consuming fewer than
professional
to Glenwood also.”
them when no longer needed
DeKalb County offers ✓ Safely secure medications and dispose of
For local information, visit www.gu
hese steps to follow
five servings of✓fruits
Never
vegetables each day. 
and share
a Freshyour
on Dek prescription
mobile
program. The program
them when no longer needed
✓ Model safe medication practices
medications featuresor take someone else’s
✓ Brought
Model safeto you by: practices
medication practices:
“There is strong
evidence that residing in
medication
a 60-foot bus that
travels throughout the
county offering nutrition
medication
a food desert is correlated
education and fresh fruits
y usewith a high prevalence of
medications as directed by your www.guideinc.org
For local information, visit www.guideinc.org
overweight, ✓ Safely
obesity, and secure medications
and vegetables for sale. and dispose of For local information, visit
thcare professional
premature death. There are
them
The program, which
also consistent findings thatwhen no longer
runs through needed
September,
people living in low-income is designed to improve the
Brought to you by:
er share your prescription
neighborhoods, ✓minority
Model safe health of the community,
medication practices
dications or take someoneBrought
else’s to you by:
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

A car accident caused a traffic jam at the intersection of New Street and East College Avenue in A white sedan is damaged after an accident on New Street in Decatur. Photo by Carla Parker
Decatur. Photo by Carla Parker

Dunwoody High School sophomore Douglas Johnson, center, was recognized at the Aug. 12 Dunwoody city council meeting
for winning first place in Introduction to Public Speaking during the Future Business Leaders of America’s National
Leadership Conference International Public Speaking Competition.
(Above and below) DeKalb County’s Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling and District
Attorney Sherry Boston were guest speakers at the DeKalb County Police Department
Citizen Police Academy Aug. 15. Photos by DKPD Tucker Precinct.

A buddy bench has been installed at Cary Reynolds Elementary School for student’s enjoyment. Photo provided by DeKalb
County School District STEM 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

EDUCATION
A classroom trailer located at Dunwoody High School. Photo by Taylor Robins.
DCSD given action plan after construction update
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
After DeKalb County School
District (DCSD) representatives
gave a school construction and
project update during the July 22
Dunwoody city council meeting, a
five-part action plan was proposed
by Dunwoody City Council
Member Terry Nall at the Aug. 12
Dunwoody City Council meeting.
The action plan was
unanimously approved by council.
“The school district’s update to
Dunwoody City Council on July
22 made it clear to me the DCSD
did not follow Dunwoody’s process
with respect to the new trailer
classrooms,” said Nall.
DCSD’s July update proposed
portable classroom trailers for
Dunwoody high and elementary
schools. The high school will
receive two four-classroom units
with restrooms, with construction
completion dates set before Aug. 19.
Six single portable classrooms and
one restroom trailer were completed
for the elementary school Aug. 2,
according DCSD officials.
According to Nall, DCSD did
not apply for a land disturbance
permit; the first step required in
a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) between Dunwoody and
DCSD, signed by Dunwoody
Mayor Denis Shortal and DCSD
Superintendent R. Stephen Green.
The city issued a stop work
order in addition to Nall’s action
plan. City council also agreed to
dissolve the MOU with DCSD.
“In my book accountability
matters and the school district was
not faithful to its obligations to
Dunwoody or to the students that
they serve, so consequences are
needed,” said Nall.
Nall’s action plan includes
revoking DCSD’s ability to use
the city’s professional engineering
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 10
stamp for construction projects;
having the city attorney and
staff prepare and negotiate an
intergovernmental agreement
(IGA) for use with DCSD
for construction and ongoing
maintenance; engaging specialized
outside legal counsel for a second
opinion for code enforceability
limits for the city against DCSD;
seeking injunctive relief for
violations of city ordinances and
other codes applicable in Georgia
and Dunwoody; and establishing a
general assembly legislative priority
to clarify the enforceability powers
of a city against school district
construction projects.
Since the action plan was
approved, a 30-day notice letter
has been sent to DCSD and outside
counsel has been engaged for a
second opinion.
An IGA would help the city
enforce and collaborate on DCSD
construction plans and an outside
legal counsel would help Dunwoody
limit the usage of trailer classrooms,
according to Nall.
Trailers in Dunwoody have
been used as portable classrooms to
remedy overcrowding.
During a March 2019 On
the Scene with Dr. Green event,
attendees expressed concern about
overcrowding and the use of
classroom trailers. According to one
attendee, Dunwoody High School
was 536 students over capacity at
the time.
Dunwoody High School will
get a 41-classroom addition and an
expansion to core spaces such as the
cafeteria, kitchen and parking lot,
according to DCSD officials.
DCSD is in the preliminary
design stages of Dunwoody High
School additions with plans to
complete the building in November
2022; the proposed budget is $27
million, up from an original budget
of $18 million.
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 11

Scouts support stronger

with parent website
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
Parents is a recently launched
independent advocacy group to
help parents connect with other
parents as their children grow
within the youth organization.
“The values that scouting
teaches youth─integrity, service,
citizenship and leadership─will
help them be successful wherever
they go in life,” said Mitch Leff,
Atlanta area spokesman for BSA
Parents and long-serving local
scout leader. “These values are
especially important right now. The
more young people who engage
in scouting today, the stronger
our national fabric will be in the
future.”
The BSA Parents program and
website launched in Atlanta in
July and has recently expanded to
Dallas and Denver. Through the
website, Parents are able to share
their experiences with other parents
and discuss why the organization
is important to the youth and the
communities they serve.
“Scouting is in my blood.
I’m a proud father of two Eagle
Scouts and grandfather to two
scouts on their Trail to Eagle,”
said Don McChesney, chairman
of BSA Parents. “[BSA] plays an
indispensable role in developing
communities and the formation of
character and values in our youth.
I’m proud to carry the torch of this
wonderful organization to ensure it
thrives for generations to come.”
According to Leff, parents can
relate to one another through the
site.
“I trust them and their
experiences,” said Leff.
Local Troop 177 ready to depart for Scout Camp in July. Photos provided by Mitch Leff.
Leff has two children in
the BSA program and said it is
important for his children and other
children─boys and girls─to learn
about the outdoors. Leff said when
parents are fully informed and
educated about how the program
works, their children are better able
to navigate through the program
and succeed.
Each year, scouts perform
community service hours at
schools, parks, community centers
and religious institutions. Scouting
also teaches leadership and helps
students develop knowledge, self-
confidence and courage they need
to be leaders in their scouting unit
and in their community, according
to the parent group.
Parents can join the parent
group and visit the website at www.
BSAParents.com.
Local Troop 77 during a recent six-day canoe trip in Minnesota.

EDUCATION BRIEFS
Ayers-Irusota awarded with endowment characteristics of Mr. Lewis, exemplifying Undergraduate Research Conference
service to others, particularly through clinical earned a sustainability award, presented
Joseph Ayers-Irusota of Stone Mountain work and patient care. by the university’s Office of Sustainability
has been awarded the Georgia State for research focused on environmental
University Student Ernest Fritz Memorial Nursing students inducted into honor protection and ecological problem-solving.
Field Camp Endowment. Ayers-Irusota is a society at Georgia State University Franka Riviere of Lithonia is a student
geosciences major in the university’s college that was awarded.
of arts & sciences. The Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing
The Ernest Fritz Memorial Field Camp and Health Professions at Georgia State Cannon awarded student award in
Endowment provides annual scholarships to University recently inducted nursing students mathematics education
students enrolled in the university’s summer into the Sigma Theta Tau National Honor
field camp course who are in good academic Society. Susan Cannon of Decatur is the 2019
standing. Honorees included Macy Mosher of recipient of the Outstanding Ph.D. Student
Tucker, Yah Marian Webba of Lithonia and Award in mathematics.
Foney receives award Sharon Henderson of Stone Mountain. The award, given by the university’s
College of Education & Human
Courtney Foney of Decatur, who is Riviere earns research conference Development, recognizes a mathematics
a student in Georgia State University’s sustainability award education Ph.D. student for outstanding
Respiratory Therapy program, has received academic achievement, teaching expertise,
the James Ancil Lewis Award. Several undergraduate students community service and a commitment to
Foney has been selected for having the at the 2019 Georgia State University excellence.
 AROUNDDeKalb
PINE LAKE
City celebrates The Great Georgia Pollinator
Count
Pine Lake will serve as an official waystation
during Georgia’s first Great Pollinator Census
Aug 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. DeKalb neigh-
bors are invited to become resident scientists by
being census-takers. Arrive early at the Pine Lake
Clubhouse–300 Clubhouse Drive–for coffee and
a guided pollinator count.
The city will also offer live music, bee and
butterfly experts and “A Pollinator Picnic” col-
lage on the city’s outdoor Art Wall. This is a free
event. For more information, visit pinelakega.
net/PollPic.aspx or call 678-557-9303.
LITHONIA
City to host block party
DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda
Davis Johnson and Lithonia Mayor Deborah
Jackson will host the fourth annual old school/
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driver. Must pass background, drug test and MVR.
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RATES: $30 for up to 40 words, each
additional word $0.60. All ads are prepaid. All
major credit cards accepted.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 12
new school block party Aug. 31 from noon to 2
p.m. in downtown Lithonia. There will be activi-
ties for children and a free fish fry. The event will
be held on Main Street. For more information,
visit www.commissionermeredajohnson.com.
STONE MOUNTAIN
City to celebrate new visitor center
Stone Mountain will host a grand opening
ceremony Aug. 26 for its new visitor center and
Downtown Development Authority building
at Stone Mountain's Old Train Depot. The
ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The Train
Depot is located at 922 Main Street. For more
information, visit www.stonemountaincity.org.
TUCKER
Air Force Junior ROTC to host blood drive
Tucker High School’s Air Force Junior
ROTC will host a community blood drive Aug.
Location is 5721 Miller Grove Road, Lithonia, GA
30058.
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29 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the school’s
gymnasium. The school is located at 2036
Lavista Road. For more information, visit www.
tuckerhs.dekalb.k12.ga.us.
COUNTYWIDE
DCSD offering free GED program for parents,
guardians
DeKalb County School District (DCSD)
parents will have an opportunity to earn a
General Education Diploma (GED) through a
free program.
The program will begin with an information
and orientation session Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. The
session will take place at the DeKalb Early
College Academy auditorium─1701 Mountain
Industrial Boulevard in Stone Mountain.
Attendance is mandatory for the GED
Tutorial Class. Participants must also be a parent
or guardian of a current DCSD student. These are
the only requirements for this free opportunity.
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DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate,
or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept
employment advertisements that are not bona-fide job offers. All real estate
advertisements are subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept
advertising that is in violation of the law. The law prohibits discrimination
based on color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status.
BUSINESS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 13

Practice offers help for allergy, asthma sufferers

BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
A common mistake
among allergy suffers is
believing that they have
no choice but to suffer,
according to Dr. Howard
Silk of the Northlake area
office of Atlanta Allergy &
Asthma.
“It’s important to visit
an allergy specialist such
as those in our office to
identify the substance
causing the problem so that
a course of treatment can be
devised,” Silk said.
He said many allergy
sufferers depend on over-
the-counter medications to
feel better. “These simply
mask symptoms,” Silk said.
“When the person stops
taking the medication,
the allergy is still there.
Immune system therapy,
however, can actually leave
the person symptom-free
even without continuing
medication.”
Silk noted that many
sufferers may be unaware
that they are allergic to
mold. Atlanta Allergy
& Asthma now reports
airborne mold activity
alongside its daily
pollen count. The daily
mold report appears at
AtlantaAllergy.com and in
the practice’s daily e-mail
newsletter. Atlanta Allergy
& Asthma asserts that it is
the only National Allergy
Bureau-certified pollen
counting station in the
Atlanta area.
Atlanta Allergy &
Asthma technicians report
the daily mold level as
Howard Silk
either low, moderate,
high, or extremely high.
This reporting coincides
with peak mold season,
which typically takes place
between late spring and
early fall when the weather
is warm and moist. Mold
grows in soil, piles of
cut grass and leaves, and
decomposing wood. In
southern climates, mold
spores are present year-
round.
Those allergic to mold
have immune systems
that are overly sensitive
to specific mold spores,
according to Atlanta Allergy
& Asthma. “This triggers
symptoms similar to those
caused by other allergens
found in the air, such as
pollen and dust,” Silk said.
These symptoms include
runny nose, congestion,
watery eyes, sneezing, and
itchy eyes, nose, mouth,
and lips. High mold levels
can also exacerbate asthma
symptoms in asthmatics
sensitive to mold, he said.
The most common
allergy-causing molds
include Alternaria,
Aspergillus, Cladosporium,
and Penicillium, Atlanta
Allergy & Asthma reports.
Silk said the best way to
know if mold is causing
symptoms is with an allergy
skin test.
Allergy skin testing
and treatments to control
symptoms due to mold
allergy are available at
all 16 Atlanta Allergy &
Asthma metro Atlanta
locations as well as the
Rome location.
The mold activity levels
do not impact the numerical
pollen count, which
measures pollen from trees,
grasses, and weeds, Silk
explained. “In the Atlanta
area, allergies tend to be
seasonal. There are specific
allergies that surface in the
spring and as we approach
fall, sufferers can anticipate
reaction to substances such
as ragweed that are common
in the fall. Those who are to have been an increase in 1989.
sensitive to dogs or cats the number of adult-onset Atlanta Allergy &
may suffer year-round." allergies, Silk said. Asthma, which bills itself
Atlanta Allergy & Silk said he became as the largest allergy
Asthma has had a Northlake interested in allergies practice in Georgia, has
area office since the 1980, as a specialty during his been a provider of care
said Silk, adding, “We try medical residency. “We and research in the field
to be convenient no matter saw incredible numbers of allergies, asthma, and
where in the metro Atlanta of people suffering from immunology for more
area people live. We’re allergies. It’s more an issue than 45 years. The practice
near I-285 in an area that’s than many people realize. includes board-certified
accessible to both north and It’s a very rewarding field allergists and nurse
south DeKalb residents,” to be in. A doctor can see practitioners who have
he said. The practice a person go from being been specially trained in
treats approximately absolutely miserable to the diagnosis and treatment
equal numbers of adults leading a comfortable, of allergic, asthmatic, and
and children, although in normal life,” said Silk, who immunologic diseases.
recent years there appears has been in practice since

NOTICE OF MEETING OF
DEKALB COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY

To the public: Please take notice that the DeKalb

County Hospital Authority’s July 2019 meeting has
been rescheduled for the date, time, and location
listed below. This meeting is open to the public.

•A rescheduled meeting of the DeKalb County

Hospital Authority will take place on August 30,
2019 at 12:00 pm. This meeting will be held in the
Thrasher Conference Room in the administration
suite at Emory Decatur Hospital, 2701 North Decatur
Road, Decatur, Georgia 30033.
Please note that the Thrasher Conference Room will be
open to the public attendees for purposes of this meeting.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 14
SPORTS
SOCCER
Players from Atlanta United and Club América were in attendance for the unveiling of a new soccer space at Sequoyah Middle School. Photos by Carla Parker
Students participated in soccer drills on the new soccer field.
New soccer space unveiled
at Sequoyah Middle
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
Students in the Sequoyah Middle
School cluster now have a new space for
soccer activities.
DeKalb County School District
partnered with the Latin American
Association, Atlanta United, Major League
Soccer (MLS), Club América and Liga MX
to refurbish the soccer fields at Sequoyah
Middle. The school hosted an unveiling
ceremony for the soccer fields Aug. 12.
Atlanta United FC players Mo Adams,
Andrew Carleton and Tito Villalba, along
with Club América players Paul Aguilar,
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 15
The field behind Sequoyah Middle School received new sod, soccer lines, goals and donated equipment.
Nicolás Benedetti and Carlos Vargas
attended the ceremony and participated in
soccer drills with students.
The refurbishing project included
new sod, soccer lines, goals and donated
equipment. A mural titled “Soaring to the
Top” by local artist Thomas Turner was
painted in July to honor the Campeones
Cup competition as well as the Sequoyah
Middle School community.
The Campeones Cup, which took place
Aug. 14 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in
Atlanta, featured MLS champions Atlanta
United against Liga MX champions Club
América. Atlanta United defeated Club
América 3-2.
Atlanta United player Tito Villalba ran soccer drills with students.
SPORTS
Miller Grove coach Terrence Canty, right,
chats with one of his players before the
start of the inning.
A Miller Grove player strikes out. Photos by Carla Parker
Sunday
Dinner
It’s so much more than a meal. It’s love.
Find new dishes to gather around
at publix.com/sundaydinner.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2019 • Page 16
WEEKLY
SOFTBALL SCORES
Aug. 14
Arabia Mountain 14, Shiloh 13
Chamblee 11, Rockdale County 0
Marist 20, West Hall 0
Mays 21, Tucker 20
Arabia Mountain’s Michaela Evans had a .500 Miller Grove pitcher Latiya Lee throws out a pitch.
batting average with two hits and three RBIs Aug. 15
against Miller Grove.
Arabia Mountain 14, Miller Grove 0
Chamblee 17, Cedar Grove 2
Decatur 11, Lakeside 3
Marist 12, West Hall
Southwest DeKalb 17, Lithonia 1
Douglass 23, McNair 3
Madison County 14, St. Pius X 1
Aug. 17
LaGrange 6, Decatur 3
Lamar County 12, Decatur 1
Arabia Mountain pitcher Michaela Evans pitched
four innings and struck out five batters and
allowed not hits.