Free Press 7-1-11

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and
Stone Mountain.
FreePress
Celebrating 20 years of DeKalb County news coverage. 20th Anniversary Issue 1991-2011
WWW. C H A M P I O N N E WS PA P E R .C OM FR ID AY, J u LY 1 , 2 0 11 VOL. 1 4 , N O. 1 4 FR EE
A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
Hurray for the red, white and blue
its Americas 235th birthday

Decatur
See 20th Anniversary Issue inside
by Kathy Mitchell lags, patriotic banners and hot dogs galore mean its once again the Fourth of July. All around DeKalb County and in surrounding areas people will be joining Americans from sea to sea in celebrating Americas 235th birthday. As usual, the festivities will include parades, picnics and fireworks. Here are some of the activities that will be going on July 4 in DeKalb County. Avondale Estates Avondale Estates will continue its timehonored tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July with a parade and fireworks at the lake. Residents and friends are invited to be part of this years celebration. Heres the schedule: 9:15 a.m. - Parade line-up at Avondale High School 10 a.m. - Parade begins up Clarendon Avenue 7:30 p.m. - Atlanta Blue Notes perform at the lake Dusk - Fireworks begin at the Lake Visit www.avondaleestates.org to view traffic plan for Fireworks at Lake Avondale. Clarkston The Clarkston Fourth of July Parade starts at Clarkston City Hall, Monday, July
4, at 2 p.m. Activities continue until 4 p.m. Residents and visitors are invited to decorate bikes, cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, wagonsor whatever. The city promises prizes, hot dogs and fun.
Time running out for DeKalb superintendent search

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbcounty.com A leak to the press has once again shown that in-fighting on The DeKalb County School Board is making it difficult for members to agree on hiring a new superintendent by its self-imposed deadline of July 1. This past week an unidentified board member told members of the media the name of a candidate who was favored by several other members, once again breaking the boards confidentiality policy. Board Chairman Tom Bowen said that the leak was primarily about Robert Duron, superintendent of the San Antonio Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, not getting enough votes to be endorsed by the board as a final candidate. Duron was favored by board members Nancy Jester, Donald McChesney, Pam Speaks and Vice-Chairman Paul Womack and shortly after the leak they sent out a letter to constituents. The letter, penned by Jester, was in support of Duron and urged residents to e-mail their board members and ask them to vote for Duron as a finalist. In the letter, Jester said that they believed the board needed to
See Superintendent on Page 13A
Decatur will hold its traditional Fourth of July Pied Piper Parade in which decorated vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, wagons and walkersstarting at 6 p.m.follow a route from First Baptist Church of Decatur through downtown Decatur to the Decatur Square. This year, watch for The Champion Newspapers vehicle as the DeKalb County legal organ celebrates its 20th anniversary also on July 4. The concert on the square, featuring the Callanwolde Concert Band, begins at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks at dark. The events, sponsored by the Decatur Business Association, are free. Dunwoody Dunwoody will get things started early the morning of July 4. Hosted by the Dunwoody Homeowners Association and the Dunwoody Crier Newspaper, the Dunwoody parade will feature marching bands, floats, clowns, animal units and local celebrities. Last years parade attracted more than 2,500 participants and 32,000 spectators. The parade route is 2.7 miles. Step off from the intersection of Mount Vernon and Jett Ferry is at 9:30 a.m. The parade will
See July 4 on Page 13A
1st Place General Excellence Award Winner

Georgia Press Association Better Newspaper Contest 2007, 2009, 2010 & 2011
The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 1, 2011
Local News
Page 2A
Newspaper seeks to recognize Community Champions

Dr. Earl and Carolyn Glenn, publishers of The Champion Newspaper, have announced details of the 2011 Community Champions nomination process. We are seeking nominations from the public of community members and/or organizations who have dedicated their time, talents and in many cases financial resources, to making DeKalb County a better place for all. This is an opportunity to honor a community servant, organization or individual in the DeKalb community who tirelessly volunteers his or her service for the betterment of DeKalb County. Those individuals or organizations selected will be recognized at our Celebration of Community Champions Gala luncheon in September, will receive a commemorative trophy and a financial contribution to enable them to do even more great work in DeKalb. Those who nominate a community champion will need to provide an explanation of why the individual or organization deserves the award, and those chosen for recognition will be asked to submit additional information prior to the awards luncheon. There are a number of ways to nomi-
Among this years Dough Getters are, front from left, Lillian Arnold, Aurielle Purdue, Nevaeh Sutherland and Sarah Tawfeek; back from left, Gabrielle Latimore, Mallori Sewell, Jordan Brown, Imani Golden and Tasneem Tawfeek. Not pictured are Jessica Carr, Amber Roberts, Tamya Rosborough, Emily Tichenor and Katherine Whisnant. Photo provided
14 DeKalb County girls are top Girl Scout cookie sellers

Fourteen girls from DeKalb County were among 241 Girl Scouts recently honored as members of the Dough Getters Club for selling 1,000 boxes or more of Girl Scout Cookies during the 2011 Girl Scout Cookie Program. Lillian Arnold, Jordan Brown, Jessica Carr, Imani Golden, Gabrielle Latimore, Aurielle Perdue, Amber Roberts, Tamya Rosborough, Mallori Sewell, Nevaeh Sutherland Sarah Tawfeek, Tasneem Tawfeek, Emily Tichenor and Katherine Whisnant were the top-selling Girl Scouts from DeKalb County. By selling 1,000 boxes or more, these Dough Getters demonstrated with Girl Scout Cookies they have what it takes for success as entrepreneurs, states an announcement from the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Inc. Along the way they also learned their economic ABCs and gained valuable life skills. The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the premier financial literacy and entrepreneurial program for young girls. Many of todays leaders, including former Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin, TV news anchor Monica Pearson, and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor, were once part of the Girl Scout Cookie Program. This business run by girls provides the opportunity for each girl who participates to learn five skills to use in her daily life: goal setting, money management, people skills, business ethics and decision making. Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta announced that 29,601 girls from 2,900 troops participated in the 2011 Girl Scout Cookie Program. These Girl Scouts generated $2.5 million to support their troop programs and community service. Girl Scout Cookies have long been a major fundraiser for girls and their troops across the region, and is an integral part of Girl Scoutings business and economic literacy initiative for girls ages 5-17. The program provides finance, marketing and public speaking skills as well as experiences that develop girls personal leadership style. No other program offers girls so much in developing courage, confidence and character and it all starts with a box of cookies. Many troops use cookie proceeds to help fund the more than 1.5 million hours of community service projects completed by girls every year, according to Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta. Proceeds from the Girl Scout Cookie Program fund activities for individual troops as well as Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, including financial assistance for girls to participate in events, program fees, volunteer recruitment, training and maintenance of eight camp properties.
nate a community champion: Visit www. ChampionNewspaper.com and click on the Community Champions logo on the home page. Nominations can be completed and submitted online or returned via fax to (404) 373-7721. Nominations may also be mailed to: The Champion Newspaper, Community Champions Nominations, P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30030 For additional information contact Louise Dyrenforth Acker at (404) 373-7779, Ext. 102, LouiseD@DekalbChamp.com or John Hewitt at (404) 373-7779, Ext. 110, JohnH@DekalbChamp.com.
EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX RATES The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has tentatively adopted millage rates which will require an increase in property tax rates as listed below. 2011 Atlanta Avondale Estates Chamblee Clarkston Decatur Doraville Dunwoody Lithonia Pine Lake Stone Mountain Unincorporated 10.39 15.41 13.71 15.06 10.82 13.60 13.35 15.33 15.61 13.90 19.62 Rollback Rate 8.938 13.464 12.223 13.242 10.087 12.607 11.357 13.280 13.541 12.980 18.017 0.647 1.631 % Increase 16.25% 14.45% 12.17% 13.73% 7.27% 7.88% 17.55% 15.44% 15.28% 7.09% 8.90% 66.92% -59.53%
Countywide Debt 1.08 Unincorporated Debt 0.66
This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 21.36 mills in the unincorporated area, an increase of 4.50 mills. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearings on this tax increase to be held at the Maloof Administration Building Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA on: Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 10:00 AM Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at 6:00 PM Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 10:00 AM These millage rates are prior to the application of the Homestead Exemptions and credits from the Homestead Option Sales Tax. In 2010, the Board of Commissioners granted a 56.6% HOST Credit for County operations and maintenance based upon the use of 97.3% of last years HOST receipts. In 2011, the Board of Commissioners has voted to use 80% for the HOST Credit.
Local News
ment complex, police found a paper bag containing a large amount of cash. Bennett, who has a criminal record in Fulton County containing various narcotics charges, theft and sexual battery charges, was not charged in the kidnapping case. A missing person flyer release after the kidnapping said the five-footfour, 135-pound Bowie, who was 34 at the time, was last seen wearing a dark green dress shirt and blue denim pants. She had braces on her teeth. Bowie has not been seen or heard from since.
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Kidnapped woman still missing after four years

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com
Senate Democrats elect new leaders

The Georgia Senate Democratic Caucus voted June 20 to install two members to their leadership team. Sen. Steve Henson (DTucker) and Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) were elected as Senate Democratic Caucus Leader and Senate Democratic Caucus Whip, respectively. Henson was elected to fill the position of caucus leader after Sen. Robert Brown resigned to become a candidate for mayor of Macon. Fort was elected to fill the position of whip vacated by Henson. Both are long-time members of the Georgia legislature. Both Steve and Vincent bring valuable leadership skills to our Caucus team, said Caucus Chairman Sen. Doug Stoner. This has been a seamless process within a caucus that honors individual opinion, while working together to advance Democratic principals. Voting for the positions was by acclamation.
our years ago, Monica Renee Bowie, 34, an energetic, outgoing, free spirit, was kidnapped in broad daylight in front of witnesses, never to be seen again. Theres no way on Gods green earth you can totally disappear, said Linda Howard, Bowies mother. People were standing there when she was taken. Nobody knows anything. Bowie grew up in Pittsburgh living with her mother, stepfather James and four siblings. After graduating high school, Bowie attended Cheney University in Pennsylvania, where she graduated as valedictorian of her class with an accounting degree She was a very smart girl, Howard said. She was very active in everything. You name it, she did it. Bowie moved to Delaware to accept an accounting job with Mitsubishi. From there, she moved to Atlanta in 1997. For about six weeks, Bowie worked as an exotic dancer at Blue Flame Lounge, an adult club in Atlanta. She had to make ends meet, Howard said. Bowie was an entrepreneur. She owned Go2girl Promotions Inc., a company that promoted hip-hop acts in Atlanta, and LaCoca Wear Clothing, a boutique in southwest Atlanta. While in Atlanta, Bowie remained very close to her family. She came home to visit all the time, Howard said. There was not a holiday she missed. Bowie also made a lot of friends who still keep in touch with Howard. They call me on her birthday. They call me on Mothers Day. They call me on my birthday. They still call me, Howard said.
New leads needed

In her search for answers, Howard has solicited the help of Jean and Suzanne Vincent, two sisters who are psychic criminal investigators. She was somebodys daughter and she deserves to be brought home, Suzanne Vincent said. Somebody knows where she is. After profiling the crime, the Vincents believe Bowies body is within a three-mile radius of where the burned vehicle was found and is encased in something. The Vincents, who have not visited the site where the kidnapping occurred, hope to come to Atlanta sometime this summer to search for leads. We are still diligently hoping that a new lead will turn up, said attorney Gerald Griggs who represented Bowie on her criminal charges which were dropped before she disappeared. She was a wonderful, open person in love with life. When she came into a room, the whole room lit up, Griggs said. I just wish at some point we could give some closure to her family. Bowies case is officially classified as open, but suspended, said Mekka Parish, public information officer for DeKalb County Police. The case will remain suspended until new, viable information comes forward. The department has worked all the leads from the past, Parish said. Sparks said the trouble that caused Bowies disappearance came from whoever she was hanging around. At some point its apparent that she crossed paths with the wrong crowd, Sparks said. The trouble was brought to her. She was not a mean or spiteful person. Bowies family and friends still miss her a lot. Her mother still sets a place for Bowie at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Balloons and cake were on hand on March 30 as approximately 50 people gathered at Howards Pittsburgh home to remember Bowies birthday. Howard still has the unopened birthday cards. Its still fresh for a lot of people, Sparks said. Every year, it doesnt get easier.
Bowie claimed she knew nothing about the drugs and gun, and the charges against the pair were eventually dismissed. Because Walters was on parole at time, he was taken to jail, where he remained on the day Bowie disappeared. Bowie and Walters planned to get married in 2008.
Screams for help

Bowie was last seen at approximately 11:14 p.m. on July 5, 2007. She had apparently had an evening out. Five witnesses at her apartment complex, Berkshire at Lenox Park, located on Gables Drive near Lenox Mall, heard screams for help coming from the parking deck. The witnesses told police they saw Bowie leaving the scene in a burgundy 2002 Mercury Sable with two men. The driver of the car was a heavyset Black male with fair skin, a beard and low haircut. The other man was described as a small, dark-skinned Black male. Witnesses recorded the license plate number and called 911. Police said there was a sign of struggle where the car had been parked. On the ground at the scene, police found a womans green jacket, eyeglasses, earring, a gold necklace with a cross pendant, a broken bottle of perfume, a manila folder containing miscellaneous paperwork, a white food container with chicken wings, and two broken fingernails. When the car was found later, it was abandoned and burned. Two days after Bowies disappearance, Jasper Keels, 24, of Decatur, was arrested for stealing the car from an acquaintance, and for possession of drugs. He denied any involvement in Bowies disappearance. After the kidnapping, DeKalb Police arrested 27-year-old Lonnie Bennett of Atlanta. Bennett was seen coming out of or near Bowies apartment after the alleged kidnapping. When his car was stopped leaving the parking deck of Bowies apart-
Rep. Oliver receives award from Common Cause Georgia

State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) recently received a 2011 Democracy Award from Common Cause Georgia, a selfdescribed statewide, nonpartisan, cross-ideology education and advocacy group dedicated to openness, accountability and ethics in government. We f a c e m a n y challenges at the Gold Dome when working to improve our ethics statutes, but we must do better and implement higher standards to earn the publics trust and confidence, Oliver said. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Common Cause on this noble effort. Each year, Common Cause Georgia recognizes individuals for their commitment to improving democracy in Georgia. The organization chose
See Oliver on Page 9A
Monica loved life

One such friend is D. L. Sparks, Bowies best friend in high school. Bowie moved to Atlanta to join her friend. They were roommates for a couple of years in Atlanta, until Sparks got engaged. We had a ball all the time, Sparks said. Monica didnt want anybody not laughing in her presence. She loved life, said Sparks, an author who has dedicated a book to Bowie. I can remember her life. I remember her driving me crazy sucking her thumb. I would say, Stop, youre grown now. She knew me better than anybody. Whenever she was around, everything was going to be OK. Bowies only brush with the law came two weeks before she disappeared. Her fianc, Shernotta Walters, borrowed Bowies car and was arrested after police found marijuana and a gun in the car during a traffic stop. When Bowie arrived at the scene to retrieve her vehicle, she too was arrested.
Opinion The Newslady
Page 4A
Commissioners beware!
boiling over. They are the dragging of your feet on a tough new code enforcement ordinance advanced by a citizens task force and the administration along with the June 14 vote to approve a biomass gasification plant in Lithonia. Commissioner Lee May, who championed the plant and within whose district the plant would be located, disagreed with his community about the so-called dangers of the plant and put out a rather lengthy missive attempting to debunk what he called myths circulated by opponents. Question: When did we come to a place in government where we no longer represent the wishes of an overwhelming number of ones constituents and simply ignore such them? It is not wise to ignore the people who voted you into office. It is not wise to ignore such pastors as Bishop Miles Fower of Big Miller Grove, Rev. Dr. Mark Lomax of First African Presbyterian and Rev. Dr.as in medicalMichael Crawford of First St. Paul A.M.E. They were joined by Ralph Thompson, moderator of the United Ministers Alliance that represents more than 20 interdenominational churches. Im still shaking my head on that one. The art of being wise is the art of knowing what or who not to overlook. Now instead of marching in the street as he did recently under lights, cameras, action, Presiding Officer Larry Johnson might have done better to march into Commissioner Sharon Barnes Suttons office and urge her to dig up the code enforcement ordinance that is buried in her committee. Community activist Gil Turman led a citizens task force that worked for months with the Ellis administration to craft the measure. It has been vetted and stands legal muster. There is no reason that it should not be enacted. People are watching. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. People want responsive leadership. The march in the street was cute. Voting for a film commission is wonderful. But thats like putting perfume on a pig. Neither makes a scintilla of progress toward cleaning up the blight in the county nor makes us attractive to the film industry or any other high value industry for that matter. In case our elected officials havent yet gotten the message, its a new day in DeKalb. The Wizard of Oz behind the curtain style machinations creating illusions of leadership just wont cut it anymore. Voters are better informed, more
DeKalb County Commissioners, especially those representing south and east DeKalb, beware. Something huge is brewing among your constituents. They are discouraged. They are restless and they are angryfeeling ignored and taken for granted. They are tired of your dog and pony show stunts like take back the street marches designed to attract television news live shots as if real work is being done. Your constituents are especially angry over the vote on the gasification plant. They are tired of what they view as a lot of palavering, pontificating and posturing without true representation. A word of advice, dear commissioners. When you see prominent, well-respected pastors standing in the streets and at commission meetings with their flocks, you might want to take heed. Two hot issues are sitting on the front burners at the point of
vocal and more engaged. They also have longer memories. Suggestion: Move that code enforcement ordinance out of committee. Dont be content with the monitoring of the gasification plant but immediately impose hefty fines and strict sanctions for violations before it rises to state and federal levels. Help voters understand the implications in DeKalb of the nearly $30 billion Transportation Investment Act. Stop decimating county services and delaying the minor mil tax increase that you know is inevitable. If you want to make a job seem harder, just keep putting it off. Charles Peagler, president of the Kings Ridge Neighborhood Association, perhaps said it best when he told the commissioners that residents are not asking them to do something they are not legislated to do. Just act. Legislate. Just do the right thing. Remember, when well-respected prominent preachers get out of their pulpits and into the streets with their flocks, you might want to prepare for a stampede that when the dust settles might make you a casualty come election time. Steen Miles, The Newslady, is a retired journalist and former Georgia state senator. Contact Steen Milies at Steen@dekalbchamp.com.
Perry's prayer-palooza
I'm fairly certain that God doesn't want anything to do with this goober's show.
When Texas became a republic in 1836, its constitution banned ministers of the gospel from holding any political office. Our problem these days, however, isnt by Jim Hightower ministers in ofColumnist fice, but politicians posing as ministers, seizing the pulpit to preach and proselytize. To see such Elmer Gantryism in action, look no further than the showboating Texas governor, Rick The Pious Perry. Embarrassingly inept at governing, he has lately turned to prayer as his official solution for all problems. I dont mean a quiet, contemplative kind of praying, but garish public displays. In April, with a Biblical-level drought and some 800 wildfires ravaging the state, Perrys gubernatorial response was to proclaim three Days of Prayer for Rain. Three days came and went, but no rain. Presumably, Perry the Pious was praying up a storm, but not a drop fell from the heavens. Undeterred, the gubernatorial padre simply doubled down on prayer politics. Proclaiming Aug. 6 as a Day of Prayer and Fasting, he invited all other governors to join him in Houston for a seven-hour prayer-palooza, dubbed The Response. Its billed as a nondenominational, apolitical, Christian event to unify all Americans by calling upon Jesus to guide us through unprecedented struggles. Wait...What about all those Americans who are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or members of other faiths? No room at the inn for them? Adding to this fiasco, Perrys co-sponsor for The Response is the American Family Associationa Mississippi-based extremist outfit infamous for bashing gays and Muslims. The governors spokeswoman loudly insists that his Prayerfest doesnt have anything to do with (Perrys presidential ambitions)which, of course, means that it does. But Im fairly certain that God doesnt want anything to do with this goobers show. Jim Hightower is a radio commentator, writer, and public speaker. Hes also editor of the populist newsletter, The Hightower Lowdown.
Opinion One Mans Opinion

and associations, leading mission trips abroad and establishing themselves as community leaders, while adding a free circulation edition of their Champion, called The Champion Free Press, which is more broadly circulated but without the legal advertising sections. But competing for readers and advertisers in a top 10 media market, dominated by group-owned media giants, is not a course of action for the timid or faint of heart. And yet, The Champion survived, and eventually thrived, drawing both a wide cross section of readers and subscribers, as well as a growing list of national advertisers. The diversity of opinion and voices contained in each Champion and/or Champion Free Press is as easily demonstrated as opening to pages 4-5A each week. My good friend, colleague and former state senator, the News Lady Steen Miles shares her thinking on the left hand page, while my own ramblings and singular opinions form more to right of center on the flanking page. This is the kind of community dialogue that Doc and Carolyn Glenn hope will eventually bring us a more unified DeKalb, respectful of each others
Page 5A
The press in our free country is reliable and useful not because of its good character but because of its great diversity. As long as there are many owners, each pursuing his own brand of truth, we the people have the opportunity to arrive at the truth and to dwell in the light. The multiplicity of ownership is crucial. Its only when there are few owners, or, as in a government-controlled press, one owner, that the truth becomes elusive and the light fails, said author E.B. White (1899-1985) in a letter to W.B. Jones on Jan. 30, 1976. If E.B. White is right, and he usually was, then we are blessed in DeKalb County, both with a diversity of opinion and ownership of our area press. DeKalb County is covered by the AJC, Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Champion and Champion Free Press, The Dunwoody Crier, CrossRoads News, On Common Ground and other outlets of varying
size, scope and circulation. Today we will spend a moment reflecting on The Champion, which celebrates its 20th birthday this month, as well as its owners and publishers, Dr. Earl and Carolyn Glenn. The first edition of The Champion was modestly circulated, primarily among churches and small businesses on the south side of DeKalb County. Doc and Carolyn Glenn, both with backgrounds in education, felt that DeKalb needed a new community voice, more reflective of the fast-growing south side of the county, which would soon grow to become a major part of making metro Atlanta a mecca for educated, upwardly mobile and middle-income Black families, as well as an expanding cadre of Black entrepreneurs. The early Champion was a community newspaper finding its niche until changes in demographics and local politics also brought the distinction of being the DeKalb County legal organ to the paper, boosting both circulation and revenues. The Glenns became increasingly active in a wide array of civic and charitable causes
Cheers for The Champion!
differences, perspectives and cultures. You can easily see the DeKalb that the Glenns might envision by visiting the DeKalb Farmers Market, International Village along Buford Highway or the fast-growing region still springing up around Panola Road and Lithonias Arabia Mountain (Stone Mountains slightly smaller and lesser known sibling). In more recent years, The Champion has also become an active member of the Georgia Press Association (GPA). The offices of ACE III, and halls of The Champion are lined with plaques, honors and awards from GPA and other entities, recognizing either excellence in journalism, or support for the community. At the recent 125th annual GPA Conventions Better Newspaper Awards on Jekyll Island, The Champion team took home another wheelbarrow full of plaques, including the General Excellence Award for the third consecutive year, and fourth time in five years. This is no small feat
given that The Champion is among the youngest members of GPA, an organization dominated by tradition and still including families who have owned their local community daily or weekly newspaper for generations. So, as you celebrate our nations birthday and the Fourth of July holiday, and reflect upon our Declaration of Independence, and later forward thinking Constitution, and the guarantees it brings of a free and unfettered press, perhaps consider adding a toast or a cheer for your community Champion, or lighting a sparkler or bottle rocket in its honor. Congratulations Doc and Carolyn Glenn, Happy anniversary! Bill Crane is a DeKalb County native and business owner, living in Scottdale, Georgia. He also serves as chief political analyst and commentator for 11Alive News and WSB Radio, News/ Talk 750. Contact Bill Crane at billcrane@earthlink.com.
FreePress
Let us Know What You Think!
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinions from its readers. Please write to us and express your views. Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the writers name, address and telephone number for verification. All letters will be considered for publication.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send E-Mail to Kathy@dekalbchamp.com FAX To: (404) 370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779 Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior to publication date. EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.
Publisher: Dr. Earl D. Glenn Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell News Editor: Robert Naddra Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt Graphic Designer: Travis Hudgons The Champion Free Press is published each Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc., 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 Phone (404) 373-7779.
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The Champion, Thursday, June 30 - July 6, 2011
Opinion
Page 6A
My favorite Fourth of July speech

One well-rehearsed performance in a single debate shouldnt wipe out the memory of Michele Bachmanns long public career filled with absurd misstatements of fact and bizarre conspiracy theories
ety, and hypocrisy a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. by Donald Kaul There is not a nation on the Columnist earth guilty of practices more shocking and more bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour. I like the Fourth of July. AlThat was Douglass most signifmost everyone does. Friends and icant contribution to our patriotic neighbors gathered in parks and holiday the truth. backyards throughout the nation, We eliminated slavery, of sharing food and drink and happy course, and it was a heavy lift that thoughts in a festive atmosphere. left some 625,000 dead and hunWhats not to like? dreds of thousands more wounded. Well the patriotic claptrap, of We have a right to pat ourselves on course. That I could do without. the back about that. I dont recall Im not talking about patriotany other nation fighting a civil ism. Acts of citizenship and service war on behalf of an enslaved peohonor this countrys traditions. Im ple. talking about the empty speechifyBut we shouldnt pat ourselves ing, often by politicians wearing too hard. A few weeks ago we faces gleaming with corruption, commemorated (or rather, failed which passes for patriotism these to commemorate) the 90th andays. niversary of the Tulsa race riot, a And the flag-waving. Im not shameful chapter in our history that big on flag-waving. we conveniently forgot about for Not that theres anything wrong nearly a century. with the flag, of course. Its a On May 31, 1921, a Black man beautiful symbol of the things we in Tulsa was arrested on charges of value. But too often it is waved to sexually assaulting a White woman substitute emotionalism for rational (a charge never validated, by the behavior. way). War, for example. How many He was taken to jail where a times have nations been led into lynch mob made up of White men truly stupid wars behind a flowing began to gather. Soon a group of flag? Does the word Iraq suggest armed Black men showed up to anything to you? protect the suspect. But I digress. I was talking Predictably, a gun battle broke about the Fourth of July. My faout and the Black men retreated vorite Fourth of July speech is the to the colored side of town. one the great 19th-century orator The Tulsa police chief deputized and civil rights leader Frederick hundreds of White men who gave Douglass delivered to a Rochester, chase. N.Y., audience in 1852. The former In the hours that followed, the slave said: African-American section of town What, to the American slave, was burned to the ground. As many is your Fourth of July? I answer, a as 300 people, most of them Black, day that reveals to him, more than were killed. Thousands were left all other days in the year, the gross homeless. injustice and cruelty to which he is Did you ever read about that in the constant victim. your history books? I didnt think To him, your celebration is so. You didnt hear it in any Fourth a sham; your boasted liberty, an of July speech either. Frederick unholy license; your national Douglass had passed away decades greatness, swelling vanity; your earlier. sounds of rejoicing are empty and So I say to you, enjoy your heartless; your denunciations of Fourth of July picnic and feel joy tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; that we live in this wonderful counyour shouts of liberty and equality, try, albeit one with a tragic past. hollow mockery; your prayers and But dont forget to keep it real. hymn, your sermons and thanksgivWeve come a long way but ings, with all your religious parade weve got a long way to go. Have a and solemnity, are to Him, mere happy Fourth. bombast, fraud, deception, impi-
The following comments are pulled straight from our website and are not edited for content or grammar.
South DeKalb residents rally against crime

My experience(s) with DeKalb Police Dept., with home having been robbed several times and the first response took the police 5hrs. to come, the final straw that made me abandon my home was a home invasion, in which they took almost an hour to respond and did not get out the car, and told me to open the front door, never pulled his gun, didnt bother to go around the back of the house where the door was kicked in at 11:30PM, it was an absolute nightmare. Then when the car was stolen, the officer was rude, never came to take the report, and made it clear that they were not going to look for my new car that had be stolen...gave the case number, when I received the report the name of the officer was entirely different from the officer;s name who took the report, which also falsely stated that she met with me! All Dekalb police are good for are giving tickets...not interested serving or protecting their residents...cant wait to leave out of Dekalb County... Sandra posted this on 6/24/11 at 9:33 a.m.
My observations of the DeKalb police is that they focus on writing reports, not on detecting or preventing crime. Ive seen this from my own and others experienceswhen a theft or break-in happens, there is no investigation at all. They dont talk to neighbors or other witnesses, they dont collect evidence, they just give you a file number for your insurance company. The crooks certainly know this, and depend on it. This is not the way police operate in safe communities. I wish the S DeKalb residents all the best in making the changes they need to be safe! Jo posted this on 6/24/11 at 7:49 a.m.
Time running out for DeKalb superintendent search

Dr. Walker thinks things are great in DeKalb. Make sure you all let him know otherwise. Here is a quote from a letter he sent in response to an email angry about the Boards performance. I hasten to tell you that we dont need to clean house because our System is not toxic. EUGENE_P_WALKER@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us> Let him know if you think things are going well. Someone should suggest he look at the systems test scores. Check out the front of the AJCs metro section. DCSS had the lowest or nearly the lowest test scores in all key subject and grade levels in the metro area. Lower than Atlanta and Clayton. If you want to see improvements in housing values in S. DeKalb, someone better demand improving schools. yes i am worried posted this on 6/23/11 at 12:45 p.m.
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Champion of the Week
John Mullins
He said that he decided to work for the DeKalb Habitat for Humanity because he wanted to work in the county where he lives. It is also a small organization, so there is always a need for my services somewhere, said Mullins. Mullins retired from the Army, was regional planning director for the Southeast at Travelers Insurance Company and national account executive with Aetna and has lived in Atlanta since 1969. Being a Habitat for Humanity volunteer can be long, arduous and rewarding experience, said Mullins, who has done work from cutting grass at home sites not yet under development, or cleaning and re-processing donated fountain coins from Perimeter Mall, to serving as president of the board of directors of the DeKalb Habitat Community Housing Development, LLC at its inception. He has been involved over the years with almost all aspects of Habitat operations. Mullins is from Roanoke, Va., and graduated from Virginia Tech. My goal is to be of use to Habitat commensurate with my abilities. I am quite content to be an Indian and not a chief.
by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com
We have to teach these people skills so they can successfully enter the workforce, Miller said. Prevention is key; education is Rep. Jay Neal once believed that the best key; training is key. way to deal with criminal activity is to punish The objective of the council on criminal and punish more if we dont feel like were justice reform will be to initiate criminal jusgetting the results. tice reform by studying Georgias criminal jusThats the way Georgia has pretty much tice system, particularly criminal sentencing done things over the last couple of decades, procedures for nonviolent offenders. Neal said. What weve been doing over the We now know, based on a lot of evidence past couple of decades has complicated the and a lot of data, that sometimes punishing situation, increased our prison population addictive behaviors and mental illness issues, and it has taken men and women out of their instead of correcting that, it makes it worse families. just like putting water on a grease fire makes it Neal, who sponsored House Bill 265 that worse, Neal said. will establish a special council on criminal jusIncarcerating nonviolent offenders with tice reform, made the comments at Fernbank addiction or a mental illness issues gives them Museum during a June 22 panel discussion on a criminal mindset because theyve spent a the bill. The bill was signed by Gov. Nathan lot of time around criminals, Neal said. Its Deal in April. an ongoing problem thats increasing and inThe panel, which included DeKalb County creasing. Public Safety Director William Miller, disEldrin Bell, Clayton County Commission cussed prisoner re-entry into society and the chairman and former Atlanta police chief, said impact of incarceration on Georgia and local the state needs to correct how convicted felons counties. The discussion was part of a symare reintegrated into society. posium sponsored by STAND Inc., a DeKalb You take him to prison and you teach him County based, non-profit organization that how to do a simple thing like cut hair, Bell focuses on comprehensive services for reentry, said. And then when he comes out you deny HIV/AIDS and substance abuse intervention him a license or ability to do what you taught and prevention. him to do. According to statistics provided by I dont know why we call it a correctional STAND, Georgia has the fifth-largest prison institution, because Ive never known in all population in the country, and the Georgia De- my 33 years that I served [in law enforcement] partment of Corrections is spending $3 million that it corrects anything, Bell said. We cant a day on corrections. lock up America to save America.
Panelists discuss criminal justice reform
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President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn are famous advocates for Habitat for Humanity and helped bring the once little known non-profit into the spotlight. However there are those who are less recognized for their work with the organization such as John Mullins. He has been part of Habitat for Humanity, as a weekly volunteer, since 2003. He was one of four awarded the prestigious Golden Hammer Award on April 16. As a volunteer, he worked on more than 30 homes in DeKalb County. Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that builds homes for low-income families worldwide. The non-profit was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. Today, Habitat for Humanity is a world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing.
Legal notices
If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at kathy@DeKalbchamp.com or at 404-373-7779, ext. 104.
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Local News
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Photos by Ricky Riley and Andrew Cauthen. Visit www.facebook.com/championnewspaper for additional photos
Go Skateboarding Day
celebrated in Dunwoody park
School, said Go Skateboarding Day is one day skateboarders can go out and skate everywhere. Cole said he enjoys the sport for three reasons: Its just fun. You can express yourself. You never get perfect at it. Vickie Humphrey, who brought her 13-year-old son Sharef Grady to the event, said skateboarding is a way to provide positive activities for him. He likes it and it keeps him out of trouble, Humphrey said about Grady, who wants to be a professional skateboarder. The contest was the second for Grady, who has been skating since he was 9. Humphrey said she only has one problem with skateboarding. by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com Dai Duong, 15, who has been skateboarding for two years, said he likes everything about the sport. Its frikkin wicked, Duong said. Its the rush you feel when you go really fast and people acknowledge you. When asked how long he plans to skateboard, Duong said until Im like dead. Duong was one of approximately 80 contestants, ages 4-50, and many more spectators, on hand June 21 for Go Skateboarding Day at the skate park at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody. The contests were part of a national event sponsored every year by the International Association of Skateboard Companies to increase the visibility of skateboarding as a sport and to encourage municipalities to construct skateboard parks. Its a day to get people out to celebrate skateboarding, said John Karg, the Dunwoody events organizer. Its just a community awareness thing. Slater Cole, 13, who attends Berkmar Middle Im nervous about him getting hurt, Humphrey said. I dont think I will ever be OK with it. At 27,000 square feet, the Brook Run Skate Park is the largest in the Atlanta area and has a variety of skate terrain for all skill levels. Fulton Science Academy student Jonathan Owens, 14, said he goes to the Brook Run skate park almost every week. I like the atmosphere; its sick, Owens said. The people are cool. Everybodys pretty nice. Owens said he liked the idea of Go Skateboarding day. We do that every day, Owens said. But its recognized today.
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NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The City Schools of Decatur has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 5.03 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held in the Auditorium of the Central Office at Westchester on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 9:00 AM. Additional hearings will be held in the Auditorium of the Central Office at Westchester on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 5:30 PM and on Tuesday, July 12 at 6:00 PM. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 20.90 mills, an increase of 1.0 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 19.90 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $295,000 with various exemptions applied is: No Senior School 70 and Disabled Exemptions School Tax older Veteran $147.50 $97.50 $137.50 $97.50 $97.50 And the proposed tax increase for nonhomestead property with a fair market value of $295,000 is approximately $147.50
Notice that the DeKalb County Zoning Board of Appeals hearing was advertised in error for Wednesday, July 8, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. will be held Wednesday July 13, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. in the Auditorium of the Manuel J. Maloof Administration Center, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30030, to consider the previously advertised cases from the legal section of the June 16th, 2011 Champion newspaper.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public hearings on rate increase set DeKalb Police bust AC theft ring
by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com DeKalb County Police have arrested a man thought to be the ringleader of an air conditioner theft ring that stole more than 30 AC units throughout the Tucker area. Police arrested 20-year-old Tariq Zachery on June 13 after an investigation led them to believe that Zachery and several others were responsible for stealing approximately $200,000 worth of AC units. According to DeKalb County Tariq Zachery Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish, the department received information regarding the thefts that led police to an abandoned house at 752 North Indian Creek Drive. Parish said that when officers arrived at the location they found a number of stolen AC units and a stolen U-Haul truck. The ring was thought to have stolen several AC units a day over the past five or six weeks. Officers believed that they would go out and steal the AC units with the stolen U-Haul then take them back to the house where they would disassemble them for parts, Parish said. Parish said that the thieves were mainly interested in the copper wire and the compressors in the stolen air conditioners. Parish said that Zachery will be charged with theft by taking, a felony, as well as some other unrelated drug charges. The names of the other members involved could not be released because the investigation is ongoing. DeKalb County will host public hearings to discuss a proposed increase in property tax rates on Tuesday, July 5, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and on Tuesday, July 12, at 10 a.m. in the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has tentatively adopted millage rates, which will require an increase in property tax rates as listed at right. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 21.36 mills in the unincorporated area, an increase of 4.50 mills. These millage rates are prior to the applica2011 Rollback Rate 8.938 13.464 12.223 13.242 10.087 12.607 11.357 13.280 13.541 12.980 18.017 0.647 1.631 % Increase Atlanta Avondale Estates Chamblee Clarkston Decatur Doraville Dunwoody Lithonia Pine Lake Stone Mountain Unincorporated 10.39 15.41 13.71 15.06 10.82 13.60 13.35 15.33 15.61 13.90 19.62 1.08 0.66 16.25% 14.45% 12.17% 13.73% 7.27% 7.88% 17.55% 15.44% 15.28% 7.09% 8.90%
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Countywide Debt Unincorporated Debt
66.92% -59.53%
tion of the Homestead Exemptions and credits from the Homestead Option Sales Tax. In 2010, the Board of Commissioners granted a 56.6 percent HOST
Credit for county operations and maintenance based upon the use of 97.3 percent of last years HOST receipts. In 2011, the Board of Commissioners has
voted to use 80 percent for the HOST Credit. The hearings are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend.
Oliver Continued From Page 3A

Oliver for a 2011 Democracy award because of her long standing commitment to ethics and transparency in government. This was evident this year when she co-sponsored an amendment to Senate Bill 160 that improved language in Georgias ethics laws by making it clear that lobbyists must disclose gifts to staff members of public officials.
Rep. Oliver also took a strong stand against lifting the 36-year ban on contributions to state campaigns from regulated utility companies. Common Cause Georgias slogan is holding power accountable and there is no one that meets this description better than Representative Mary Margaret Oliver, said William
Perry, executive director of Common Cause Georgia. When someone is needed to make the tough choices or carry a banner that might not be popular under the Gold Dome, Representative Oliver is always there to stand up and take on the challenge. You can always count on her to do whats right for her constituents and the people of Georgia.
City Schools of Decatur Estimated Tax Digest for 2012 Fiscal Year Budget July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 Fiscal Year Assessment Ratio Real Property Personal Property Public Utilities Motor Vehicle Total Digest School Fund Exemptions Net School Operations Digest School System Millage Levy Percent Change Dollar Amount Change 2007 50% $1,040,878,000 $18,709,100 $19,348,397 $43,697,000 $1,122,632,497 $60,537,475 $1,062,095,022 18.95 $20,126,701 11.05% $2,003,420 2008 50% $1,088,563,600 $17,577,800 $18,632,600 $47,267,600 $1,172,041,600 $66,510,000 $1,105,531,600 18.90 $20,894,547 3.82% $767,846 2009 50% $1,124,007,000 $18,342,500 $16,893,389 $49,014,800 $1,208,257,689 $64,210,729 $1,144,046,960 19.90 $22,766,535 8.96% $1,871,988 2010 50% $1,162,026,535 $20,387,550 $16,473,600 $50,081,000 $1,248,968,685 $66,710,729 $1,182,257,956 19.90 $23,526,933 3.34% $760,398 2011 50% $1,159,205,210 $21,391,124 $11,673,736 $46,119,588 $1,238,389,658 $63,620,529 $1,174,769,129 19.90 $23,377,906 -0.63% ($149,027) 2012 (est) 50% $1,170,797,262 $21,391,124 $11,673,736 $46,119,588 $1,249,981,710 $65,078,635 $1,184,903,075 20.90 $24,764,474 5.93% $1,386,568
The Fiscal Year 2012 Tentative Budget will be considered for final adoption by the Board of Education at 6:30 PM at the regular board meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, 2011. The FY 2012 Tentative Millage will be considered for final adoption on July 12, 2011 at 6:30 PM. The meeting will be held in the Auditorium of the Central Office at Westchester on 758 Scott Boulevard.
Apartment fire leaves 12 displaced

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com
Local News
Page 10A
ightning may be responsible for an apartment fire in Stone Mountain that left one firefighter injured and 12 people displaced on June 24. According to DeKalb County Fire Battalion Chief Christopher Morrison, firefighters arrived at the Landmark at Mountainview apartments on Woodbend Drive at approximately 7 p.m. that Friday evening. We dont know how it started right nowone witness said she saw some lightning come down and strike the building and then it started smoldering, Morrison said. A firefighter, whose name Morrison was not at liberty to release, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries after being hit by debris after a breezeway collapsed. According to Morrison, no civilians were injured and firefighters at the scene had the blaze out by approximately 7:35 p.m. The fire burned through six units on the top floor of the apartment building.
Photos by Travis Hudgons
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Film on Black Republicans features DeKalb candidate

by Gale Horton Gay A film that recently made its world premiere in Atlanta bears a provocative title and a complex subject matter. Fear of a Black Republican is a documentary about Black Republican candidates, how they are treated by the Republican and Democratic parties and how the parties view and treat African-American voters. A good portion of the documentary was filmed in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Some 100 people were interviewed for the film, including former president George W. Bush, former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele, former New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Sen. John McCain, former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and commentator Tavis Smiley. The films director Kevin Williams said hes been working on the project for the past six and a half years. A Georgia woman whose story plays a prominent role in the film is Stone Mountains Catherine Davis, who in 2006 ran unsuccessfully against Hank Johnson for then-Rep. Cynthia McKinneys 4th Congressional District seat. Williams said he met Davis in 2006 at a conservative action conference, the two hit it off and she agreed to grant him access to her campaign. The film debuted on June 23 at the Landmark Theatre in Atlanta. It also had screenings in North Carolina in Charlotte and Greensboro. Williams, whos White and Republican, said the film isnt partisan and his goal was to fairly portray why both parties act as they do toward the African-American electorate. And he said he wanted to explore why there are so few Black Republicans and what that means for the greater two-party system. Its a movie everybody should see, said Williams. Davis said although she didnt know she would be featured so extensively in the film, she is pleased with the outcome. He told the truth, said Davis The Republican Party did not support my campaign because of the nature of the district. There was little to no expectation that the Black community would support a Black Republican. The movie shows the lack of regard that the party has for some of its candidates, according to Davis, who added, As long as the African-American community remains primarily a one-party voting block, we lack real political power. Williams said he spent a good deal of time in Georgia following Daviss campaign while filming her at meet-and-greets and other events. He said he was surprised that as a 43-year-old Yankee (he grew up and resides in New Jersey) he was treated so graciously while in the South. Williams explained that Fear of a Black Republican provides an intimate profile of what its like to be a candidate and how hard Black Republicans have to work.
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Republican Congressional Candidate and DeKalb County, GA resident Catherine Davis campaigns the weekend before the 2006 Election. Photo provided
Asked what was his biggest surprise from his research, he said how focused the parties are on the very next electionThey
dont see the larger picture. For more information on the film, visit www. fearofablackrepublican. com.
DeKalb County Wants to Hear From You Regarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal with Comcast Cable Communications
Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcasts current performance under the current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests of your community to cable@co.dekalb.ga.us.
Local News
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Superintendent
Continued From Page 1A
hire a superintendent from outside of the district. She wrote that, although there are plenty of capable people within the system, there is a real structural impediment to success and a lack of public trust. As you know, our search has already been plagued by leaks that were purposefully made to undermine the will of the board and caused candidates to withdraw from considerationWe are convinced that the latest leak has made DeKalb radioactive to potential candidates, Jester said. Earlier in the search process details of contractual negotiations caused finalist Lillie Cox, who has since taken a job with the Alamance Burlington School System in North Carolina, to pull out of the running. As for the letter penned by Jester, Bowen said that the law requires certain items to be confidential but there is no language to address when there has already been a leak. It doesnt address where there has been a leak already, whether that releases the board members from maintaining confidentiality, he said. The answer should have been to err on the side of no disclosure. Marshall Orson, president of the Emory LaVista Parents Council, said that the leaking was symptomatic of a larger problem: a lack of trust among school board members. Orson suggested extending Interim Superintendent Ramona Tysons contract for a few months longer, stating that she had a proven track record so far. Part of my reasoning would be that would allow us to get past the election next year, Orson said. Next year the board will be reduced from nine to seven members because of a bill passed recently by the general assembly, and Orson said that this might help balance out the board. The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce also said that the board should hire Tyson at least until the next election cycle rather than having board members who might not even be re-elected make the important decision of hiring a new superintendent. However, Bowen said that the board is looking for someone who can be in place, sooner rather than later, to begin making the more longterm choices that the system needs. When you operate in an interim capacity its hard to make those choicesThe question is, is the district better off withholding another 18 months? The board believes that it wouldnt be prudent to put off having a permanent superintendent for that long, Bowen said. Bowen said that [the board] will likely ask Tyson to extend her contract for several months in anticipation of October, when they will be revisited by SACS after being placed on warning earlier in the year. Having a permanent superintendent in place is one of eight points the association wanted the school system to address before they could be placed back on a cleared status. In terms of the timing, the current superintendent contract runs out June 30, and as a result of us having not identified a candidate were going to have to ask for a slight extension, Bowen said. According to Bowen, the search is moving forward and the board is still working with search firm Ray and Associates to find a candidate all the members can support, which he said could be difficult at times. The goal at this point is to find a candidate that the board will have some consensus aroundthe issue really comes down to if you ask nine people what quality is needed to improve the district at this point in time you get nine different answers, Bowen said. Jerrie Williams, whose son is a DeKalb County student, said that she has not been comfortable with any of the candidates that Ray and Associates has come up with so far. One particular candidate had 10 jobs in eight years and I just feel like the superintendent search firm really needs to look at the background of these people, Williams said of the first three finalists who all came from systems with fewer than 10,000 students compared to DeKalbs nearly 100,000. Williams said that she thinks the superintendent search is important but she is more concerned about the way the board functions as a whole. She said that board members need to take a personal inventory and focus on serving the students and the voters of DeKalb County rather than petty politics. Im not sure if some of the board members really realize the repercussion of making drastic choices like this, Williams said.
July 4
Continued From Page 1A
then proceed west on Mount Vernon to Dunwoody Village Parkway, turn right and follow the right side of the median to Calico Corners and turn left into Dunwoody Village parking lot. Volunteers will guide spectators to parade parking. It takes approximately one hour to walk the entire parade route. Stone Mountain Once again the skies over Stone Mountain Park will light up in celebration of Independence Day as the park hosts its 44th annual Fantastic Fourth Celebration. The popular patriotically themed laser show has been revamped this year and includes some eye-popping new special effects as the mountain appears at points to open up and at other points to crumble. The show ends with a several minutes of fireworks lighting up the sky above Stone Mountains Confederate heroes carving. But before nightfall, when the laser show starts, theres plenty to do in the park, including live entertainment throughout the park all Independence Day weekend, July 2-4. Picnicking, hiking and splashing in the parks manmade lake are all popular family activities as are such attractions as Sky Hike, one of the nations largest adventure ropes courses. Premiering this year is the animated Yogi Bear 4-D Adventure, starring Dan Aykroyd as Yogi and Justin Timberlake as Boo Boo. To learn about other park features, activities and special family deals, visit www. Stonemountainpark.com. Stone Mountain Park typically experiences large crowds on the Fourth of July, so visitors are urged to come early. Gates may close early if parking reaches capacity.
Health
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Trial drug helps Decatur man overcome Hepatitis C

depression from the drug. I didnt feel better until after the trial, when I stopped Hepatitis C was the missing piece of taking the medication, he stated. the puzzle that explained Quinton Moores In its analysis, the FDA reported that 79 weight loss and fatigue. A routine blood test percent of those taking Incivek had clean to refill a prescription revealed abnormal blood tests 24 weeks after stopping treatliver function. Upon further examination, ment. Dr. Norman Gitlin, an Emory doctor his doctor found that Moore was in the final who has been treating hepatitis C patients stages of liver disease and would need a since 1985, explained that the disease is transplant if the disease progressed. completely curable if caught early. He said After weighing his options, Moore decided to participate in a clinical drug trial of it will not show up on routine physicals. So, demand to be tested for hepatitis C, Incivek (also known as Telaprevir), which he exclaimed. Approximately 8,000 to offered a better chance than the standard 10,000 people die every year from hepatitis treatment of curing the disease. The side C related liver disease. effects were uncomfortable, but he perseHepatitis C is transmitted from exvered with the six-month drug trial. He was posure to the blood of someone infected among the more than 2,200 people in the with the virus. Gitlin stated that IV drug trial that led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May to approve Incivek for use, from sharing contaminated needles, is the number one method of contracting the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. disease. Tattoo and body piercingunder Today, Moore is completely cured of unsanitary conditionsare also common the disease. I feel wonderful, said the 62-year-old Decatur resident. Im optimis- sources. Also, those receiving blood transfusions before 1992, when widespread tic about living many more decades. screening of the blood supply began, may According to the U.S. Centers for Disbe at risk for hepatitis C. ease Control and Prevention, about 3.2 Moore said he has never been a drug million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C infection, a viral disease user and has none of the other risk factors. But Moore suspects that he contracted the that causes inflammation of the liver that can lead to diminished liver function or liv- disease in 2006 at a construction site accident. When a beam struck an electrician er failure. Most people with hepatitis have no symptoms of the disease until liver dam- in his head, Moore rushed to put a towel age occurs, which could take several years. under his head to stop the bleeding. Moore As the FDAs statement noted, fewer was not wearing gloves and believes cuts than 50 percent of hepatitis C patients reon his hand from doing construction work spond to the standard treatment. So when for many years provided the opening for Moores Emory specialist, Dr. Kimberly the infection. Workowski, told him about the Incivek, he He encourages people in the advance didnt hesitate to join the trial group. stages of liver disease to talk with their Moore recalled that the six-month doctor about trying Incivek. And most of treatment (which consisted of taking the all, he says its important to get tested. standard treatment plus the trial drug) was With the disease behind him, Moore looks a challenge. He developed rashes that preforward to enjoying his retirement with his vented him from sleeping well. Some peo- wifewho supported him throughout his ple in the trial group, he noted, experienced clinical trial. by Nigel Roberts
Quinton Moore
Business
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Bacon waits to be sliced on a machine Bowers says hes really proud of.
Pine Street Market has a cure for the common meat

Owner Rusty Bowers explained that many are served at several local restaurants, including choose the handcrafted cured meats processed at Brick Store Pub and Ducks Cosmic Kitchen, the little market over supermarket brands because both in Decatur. theyre made the old fashioned wayno crazy, We love this area, Bowers said of the trendy ingredients, just good honest food. Avondale Estates-Decatur part of DeKalb CounBowers said hes a fan of the slow food, ty. We have so many friends here and there are farm-to-table movement thats receiving a lot of so many people here who, like us, really appreciattention in the area. Unlike some mass-produced ate good food. cured meats, he said, those from Pine Street MarThe heart of Pine Street Market is the area ket dont use wheat protein as a filler and binding Bowers calls the cave, the room that the ownagent and contain no gluten or dairy. The meats ers built themselves to keep meats at precisely the are made by adding all natural seasonings to right temperature and air flow as they are cured, porkbut not just any pork. It all comes from a a process that sometimes takes months. Its poswest Georgia farm where antibiotic-free Berkshire sible to buy curing rooms, and taking it on as a pigs are raised in pastures that are not treated with do-it-yourself project was a lot of work, but the insecticides or herbicides. end result was something so much better than we The result apparently is not only more health- could have bought ready made, Bowers said. ful than mass produced meats, but also tastier. Pine Street Markets first prosciutto will be Pine Street Markets coppaa traditional Italian ready in August and the shop is planning a procold cutearned one of 680. Tucker, Awards sciutto party to celebrate, said Bowers, who ex100 Crescent Center Pkwy., Suite71 Good Food GA 30084 (404) 378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org presented earlier this year in San Francisco. It plained that the Italian-style dry-cured ham takes Bowers says hes fortunate to have a team of top-notch employees such as Arilene Galeana. was the only Georgia entry recognized at the first 18 months to cure. Good Food national competition. Its the best The shops four fulltime employees include by Kathy Mitchell thing we make, Bowers said of the coppa. his brother Kyle, also a veteran of the restaurant kathy@dekalbchamp.com After years in the food industry, including business, who is the markets director of operaBowers 15 years as a chef at an upscale Atlanta tions, overseeing both day-to-day kitchen pron unassuming little shop on a short side 100 Crescent Center Pkwy.,restaurant, he and his wife decided to follow their www.DeKalbChamber.org and his wife, Travis. Suite 680. Tucker, GA 30084 (404) 378-8000 duction and market staffing, street in Avondale Estates, Pine Street Mar- passion for meat and begin producing their own She often is the face of the business behind the ket would be easy to overlook. Certainly sausages, bacon, cold cuts and other cured meats. counter at the retail store or at one of the farmers from appearance alone few would guess that inIn 2009, they opened Pine Street Market. markets where Pine Streets meats are also sold. side foods were being produced that are served at At first we thought nearly all of our busiIn addition to the meats, the market also sells restaurants and private homes across the country ness would be shipping nationally, but the retail a number of items that might be served with his and have received national acclaim. store has really taken off, Bowers said, adding meats, including breads, pickles, relishes and The artisan meats processed at Pine Street that although its not the most lucrative end of cheeses. All are from small Georgia cottage busiMarket are the choice of several restaurants and 100 Crescentbusiness Pkwy., favorite because he enjoys the Center its his Suite 680. Tucker, GA 30084 nesses. I like the fact that our shop celebrates all are ordered online by customers around the404-378-8000 coun- interacting with customers, getting their feedback thats good about Georgia grown food, Bowers www.DeKalbChamber.org try. and suggestions. Pine Street Markets meats also said.
Rusty Bowers shows off the cave, where a precise temperature and air flow are maintained as meats are cured. Photos by Kathy Mitchell
All items sold at Pine Street Market are produced in Georgia.
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100 Crescent Center Pkwy., Suite 680. Tucker, GA 30084 (404) 378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
Business
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News and events of the DeKalb Chamber of CommerCe

100 Crescent Center Pkwy, Suite 680, Tucker, GA 30084 404.378.8000 www.DeKalbchamberofcommerce.org
ccording to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Advocacy, small businesses have generated up to 80 percent of new jobs annually over the last decade. As a supporter and advocate of small businesses, the DeKalb Chamber continues to explore and facilitate ways to bring value to their members investment in the Chamber and to help as they continue to contribute to the county in which members reside. Recognizing the importance of small businesses, the role they play in the economy, in the county and with the membership-atlarge, the Chamber is proud to re-launch its Small Business Committee initiative with the help of its board of directors and select businesses from the members of the Chamber. The Chamber has assembled a panel of invested business partners from varying industries to create programs that will bring even more value to the small business mem-
Betsy Mercier
Arnie Silverman
bership it serves. Serving on the Small Business Committee are co-chairs Arnie Silverman, president of Silverman Construction Program Management, and Betsy Mercier, president of the CDC Federal Credit Union. Additional committee members are Earl Walker, owner of Indigo Signs; Quincy Sampson, president, DeKalb County, East Atlanta District/Atlanta Region of Wells Fargo; Al Edwards, managing director of Corporate Environmental Risk Management, and Janniece Leonard, marketing & communica-
tions manager with the DeKalb Chamber. The overall program goals of the committee are to bring together small businesses for seminars aimed at helping them run the day-to-day operations of their business. In 2012, the Small Business Committee will launch a series of presentations that will serve to round out a business persons portfolio of information in running and sustaining a business. Speakers will be selected from various partner agencies, Chamber members and industry experts.
G.L.E.A.M. Gregory B. Levett stands behind todays youth

DeKalb Chamber board member, Gregory B. Levett Sr. puts his name and action behind the initiative to groom young people for successful entrepreneurial ventures. G.L.E.A.M., an extension of the 100 Black Men of DeKalbs Leadership Academy stands for the Gregory Levett Academy for Minorities. The program is geared toward assisting McNair High School students grades 10 12 in the quest to learn about entrepreneurship from the ground up. Every participant of the program is groomed and encouraged to use their positive leadership skills in his or her development as positive and enlightened community citizens. Levett is the founder, owner and chief executive officer of Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home Inc. Born and raised in Conyers, he was introduced to the funeral service industry at a very early age by his father and has been serving families throughout the metro Atlanta area for more than 30 years. Levett, a devoted and community minded citizen states, I work hard simply to help provide opportunity and assistance to the community. Destined to leave a positive footprint in the paths many will take to fulfill entrepreneurial aspirations, we say, well done, Gregory. Well done.
Georgia Work Ready, helping businesses remain competitive in the global economy
As the unemployment rate continues to exceed national levels Georgia has made a commitment to creating the best possible environment for businesses. In order to compete in a global economy, companies must have access to longterm, qualified labor pools. The unique design of Work Ready provides a thorough understanding of the skills of a companys current workforce, a roadmap for developing training programs and reliable hiring criteria to ensure they find the best talent for their specific needs to stay ahead of the competition. Georgia Work Ready can give you access to a qualified workforce that can boost your bottom line. Its available at no cost for businesses that meet the minimum hiring requirements and is readily available through the states network of technical colleges. Georgia businesses can implement Work Ready through job profiling and Work Ready Certificates. Work Ready job profiles identify the job tasks and skill levels necessary to be successful in any job and match those profiles to Work Ready Certificates which measure core skills to ensure the right person is placed in the right job. Businesses implementing Work Ready invest time in developing strong job profiles. This initial investment can reap great rewards including improved hiring procedures, reduced turnover, reduced training costs, increased productivity and profitability. In fact, a recent survey among companies that are using Work Ready found that 90 percent would recommend the initiative to others businesses. A business of any size can take advantage of Work Ready to improve their hiring processes. While larger companies should have a job profile completed before listing the Work Ready certificate as a part of their hiring criteria; small companies can use occupational profiles and request that job candidates complete the Work Ready assessment as part of the application process. Special acknowledgements given to DeKalb Workforce Development for their contributions to this article.
Upcoming Events: July 4th -Independence Day Holiday Office Closed July 12th - New Members Lunch Reception July 14th - Executive Speaker Series Raymond King, Zoo Atlanta
July 20th -Network DeKalb Leads Group July 26th -Email Marketing & Social Media Seminar Constant Contact Save the Date: August 1st -First Monday Lunch Location Villa Christina
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DeKalb students learn media literacy from CNN

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com The Georgia Institute of Technology hosted the sixth annual Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience June 19-24; 75 high school students from around the state attended the workshops. Among them, 13 students from DeKalb County attended the weeklong event, which included workshops and discussions focused on media literacy. When youre little everyone kind of wants to be the anchor but then you find out that theres so much more going on behind the scenes, Sophia Baur-Waisbord said. Baur-Waisbord, a rising junior at Lakeside High School, said that she wanted to attend the workshop because her dad teaches journalism and she wanted to see if it was something she would be interested in pursuing as a career. Before this camp I wanted to do sports psychology but now Im weighing between sports psychology and marketing in journalism, Baur-Waisbord said. Eugene Sanders, a spokesman for CNN, said that there were 584 applicants statewide and only 75 students were selected to participate in the program. Basically, were looking for an average student; they dont have to be a valedictorian and they dont need to have a 3.9 grade point average. We want someone that actually has leadership skills and is interested in media, Sanders said. Lakeside senior Akshita Angra said that her favorite workshop of the week had been the diversity workshop. Im Indian and theres not that many Indians at Lakeside in my grade so theres not that much diversity in my classes. But, it was really good to see a whole lot of people coming together and, regardless of race and gender and sexuality, they were all just working together, Angra said. Angra, who is one of the editors of the school newspaper at Lakeside, said that she was planning on attending Georgia Tech in the fall as an engineering student but the weeklong program might have changed her mind. She also said she likes the fact that it was held on a college campus. We lived in their dorms and now were going to go to the recreation center. I kind of feel like a college kid already, so its a good experience, Angra said. Brittany Williams, a rising junior at Southwest DeKalb, said that she was not really interested in pursuing journalism as a career; she attended the program to develop her leadership skills. Personally, I feel that you can never have too much leadership training and Ive jumped at every opportunity to improve my leadership skills, said Williams, who wants to eventually pursue a career in medicine. Aside from being one of the editors
Education
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at Lakesides student newspaper Angra also teaches Taekwondo at the Tucker Recreation Center and volunteers at public libraries. Williams is a cheerleader at Southwest DeKalb and said she loves to volunteer any chance she can get. Baur-Waisbord plays varsity softball at Lakeside, is captain of the varsity basketball team, sports editor of the yearbook. She coaches young girls in softball and basketball and also sings in her church choir. The program was developed by CNNs Student News Team and executive producer of CNN Student News Donna Krache, who said curriculum of the program is focused on helping students be savvy news consumers. The media literacy skills they learn, combined with the exposure to CNN executives and media professionals, gives students a unique opportunity to experience journalism and the business of media, Krache said. Students agreed that one of the most interesting things they learned throughout the week was the importance of what goes on behind the scenes and the way that a diverse group of people have to come together to make a story happen. A lot of our peers dont get the same opportunity. When I first came all I thought about was the people you actually see on the air at CNN; I didnt think about the people that work behind the scenes to make it happen, Williams said. Today in the diversity workshop, one thing that really stuck out to me that Ill leave here with is, we think so much about diversity as whats on the outside and whats on the surface but it really is whats on the inside that counts because diversity comes from our experiences and our background, Baur-Waisbord said.
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

The City Schools of Decatur has tentatively adopted a millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 5.03 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held in the Auditorium of the Central Office at Westchester on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at 6:00 PM. Additional hearings will be held in the Auditorium of the Central Office at Westchester on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 5:30 PM and on Tuesday, July 12 at 9:00 AM. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 20.90 mills, an increase of 1.0 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 19.90 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $295,000 with various exemptions applied is: No Senior School 70 and Disabled Exemptions School Tax older Veteran $147.50 $97.50 $137.50 $97.50 $97.50 And the proposed tax increase for nonhomestead property with a fair market value of $295,000 is approximately $147.50
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Around deKAlb
ATLANTA
Callanwolde summer jazz series continues
Callanwoldes Jazz on the Lawn Summer Concert Series continues as singer-songwriter Lindsay Appel blends pop, rock and blues to create a sound that is all her own Friday, July 8, at 7:30 p.m. A resident of Atlanta, Appel was Creative Loafing Readers Pick for BestLocal Singer-Songwriter 2008, and she has built an avid fan base around the Atlanta area. The concert will be held on the front lawn of the historic mansion at 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta. In case of rain, the concert will be moved to Callanwoldes indoor courtyard. Tickets are $15 advance purchase online or $20 at the door. Tickets may be purchased online at TicketLeap. Parking is free and on-site. For more information, call (404) 872-5338. of the road and more. This event is offered free to the community. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information call (678) 553-6541, or email cheryl.burnette@decaturga.com
Church announces new schedule

Pastor Junaldo and Co-Pastor Tiffany Lee invite the community to Impact Ministries International-Atlantas new The Shift Is On Saturday Services, starting July 2 at 11 a.m. The church is located at 1600 Agape Way Decatur. For more information, visit imiatlanta.org or call (770) 771-3299.
Book discussion announced

A group discussion of the book The Once and Future King by T.H. White will be held Tuesday, July 5, at10:15 a.m. at the Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library, 1282 McConnell Dr., Decatur. For more information, call (404) 679-4404.
Carnival to visit Northlake

Mega Midways Carnival is coming to Northlake Mall July 7-17. There will be such typical carnival offerings as funnel cakes, candied apples, a Ferris wheel, Tilt-a-Whirl and games of chance and skill. Mega Midways Carnival at Northlake Mall will be open weekdays 4-10 p.m. and weekends 1-11 p.m. The carnival will be at Northlake Mall, in the front parking lot, 4800 Briarcliff Road, N.E., Atlanta. For more information, call (770) 938-3564 or visit www.northlakemall.com.
Family movie to be shown

The Flat Shoals Library has announced that it will show The Karate Kid, the remake of the classic 1984 film Friday, July 8, 1 - 3:30 p.m. Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith star in this tale of a boys discovery of Chinese culture and his own inner strength. Flat Shoals Library is located at 4022 Flat Shoals Pkwy., Decatur. For more information, call (404) 244-4370.
Free summer concert announced

The Emory Summer Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Scott A. Stewart, director of wind studies at Emory University, presents the annual Twilight Concerts in the Jenkins Courtyard of the Goizueta Business School on the Emory campus. Music includes light summer fare, and picnics are encouraged. The event is Thursday, July 7, at 8 p.m. The Goizueta Business School is located at 1300 Clifton Road, Atlanta. Admission is free, and free parking is available in the Fishburne Parking Deck. For more information, visit www.arts.emory.edu.
STONE MOUNTAIN
Computer class offered
A computer class introducing mouse, computer and keyboard basics will be offered Wednesday, July 6, at Hairston Crossing Library, 10 a.m. - noon. Instructors will teach the basic parts of a computer, basic terminology and how to use a mouse. This class is for those with no previous computer experience, but some ability to type is required. Registration is now open to first 12 participants. Call or visit the branch to register. Hairston Crossing Library is located at 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain. For more information, call (404) 508-7170.
DECATUR
Congressman to speak at youth breakfast
DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton recently announced that the second annual Youth Empowerment Breakfast will be held Saturday, July 9, at 8:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, Decatur. The guest speaker will be 2010 Medal of Freedom recipient Congressman John Lewis. The mistress of ceremonies will be news anchor Karyn Greer. Proceeds will benefit the Youth Leadership Academy. For more information, call Barnes Suttons office at (404) 371-4907.
TUCKER
TCA board to meet
Tucker Civic Association Board of Directors will meet Tuesday, July 14, at 7 p.m. at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 4882 LaVista Road, Tucker. For more information, contact Tom Lawrence at pres@tuckercivic.org.
Bicycle registration and safety fair plans announced

Join the Decatur Police Department and Decatur Active Living for their Bike Registration and Safety Fair to be held on Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the upper parking lot of Decatur High School. The parking lot is located at the corner of North McDonough Street and West Howard Avenue in downtown Decatur. Visitors can register bikes, receive a bike and helmet safety check, ride the safety course to learn bike safety, hand signals, rules
Friday matinee announced

The Northlake-Barbara Loar Library offers popcorn and a movie the second Friday afternoon of every month. Some old favorites and newer releases are scheduled to be shown. Julys movie is Tron: Legacy. It will be shown Friday, July 8, 2-4 p.m. The Northlake-Barbara Loar Library is located at 3772 LaVista Road, Tucker. For more information, call (404) 679-4408.
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DISCL AIMER is proposed on the south side of Lake Hearn Drive/Perimeter Summit Parkway extending from Perimeter Center Parkway to Ashford Dunwoody Road. This project is located in DeKalb County in Land Lots 329 and 330; and is in Land District 18. Drawings or maps or plats of the proposed project, as approved, are on file and are available for public inspection at the Georgia Department of Transportation: Thomas Parker Area Engineer 805 George Luther Drive Decatur, GA 30032 404-299-4386 tparker@dot. ga.gov Any interested party may obtain a copy of the drawings or maps or plats or portions thereof by paying a nominal fee and requesting in writing to: Bobby Hilliard, P. E. State Program Delivery Engineer Georgia Department of Transportation 600 West Peachtree Street Atlanta, GA 30308 404-6311122 bhilliard@dot. ga.gov Any written request or communication in reference to this project or notice SHOULD include the Project and P. I. Numbers as noted at the top of this notice. Bids & PRoPosALs Lanier Contracting Company is soliciting bids for the Emerency Modifications of High Service Pump Station at the Scott Candler WTP project, Dekalb County, GA. This projection bids July 7, 2011@3 PM. Types of work to be performed will consist of: Masonry, Painting, Electrical, and HVAC. This project is an opportunity for all subcontractors. LSBE, MBE, and WBE subcontractors are strongly encouraged to submit bids. Project specifications and drawings are available: please contact Lanier Contracting Company at 770-932-1800 or email: lboggs@ laniercontracting.com or tankerich@laniercontracting.com.
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for next publication date. via Email The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales final.
1 COL. X 4 CLASSIFIED DISPLAY SALE #1 G.N.A.T.S (ATLANTA, GEORGIA The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 1, 2011 Decatur Champion Rep: Louise D
A PDF of this Ad will Follow
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.
AnnounCeMents NOTICE OF LOCATION AND DESIGN APPROVAL Streetscape Design Services: Lake Hearn Drive, Perimeter Summit Parkway, and Parkside Place DeKalb County P. I. No. 0010164 Notice is hereby given in compliance with Georgia Code 22-2-109 and 32-3-5 that the Georgia Department of Transportation has approved the Location and Design of this project. The date of location approval is April 18,2011 Proposed streetscape construction along Perimeter Summit Parkway (0.74 miles), Lake Hearn Drive (0.61 miles), and Parkside Place (0.27 miles) includes overall pedestrian access improvements that include the addition and/or renovation of sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant facilities, street and pedestrian lighting, street furniture, landscape improvements including new/larger medians and islands, restriping and/ or addition of crosswalks. Lane widths will be narrowed on Lake Hearn Drive, Perimeter Summit Parkway (from Parkside Place to Ashford Dunwoody Road), and Parkside Place for traffic calming and to accommodate the landscape and pedestrian improvements. Furthermore, the driveway for the Hilton Garden Inn hotel on the one way portion of Lake Hearn Drive will be modified to restrict exiting traffic to turning movements in one direction only. Intersection improvements will consist of traffic signal upgrades to mast arm type installations at the intersections of Perimeter Summit Parkway and Parkside Place and Lake Hearn Drive and Parkside Place. The intersections of Lake Hearn Drive and Parkside Place and Lake Hearn Drive at the Cox Enterprises, Inc. driveway will be raised to help mitigate excessive vehicle speed along Lake Hearn Drive. An 8 foot to 10 foot wide concrete multi-use trail
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Braves deliver fun time for young campers
Sports
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by Robert Naddra robert@dekalbchamp.com There was no Tomahawk Chop chant, no roar from a large crowd in appreciation of a home run or a string of strikeouts. Instead, broad smiles and high fives from a group of 8- and 9-year-olds was all the motivation a group of Atlanta Braves players needed. Pitchers Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel, and third baseman Brooks Conrad helped out June 21 in a free skills clinic for 104 Boys and Girls Club members at the Samuel L. Jones Boys and Girls Club in Decatur. Personally, its just fun, Conrad said of the Junior Braves/RBI Youth Baseball League event. I have kids of my own and I went to camps when I was little. I have a lot of good memories and hope we can give that to these kids. Whatever they get out of it is great. I can teach them about what I know and if they learn one thing from this, thats what its all about. Conrad helped out on a hitting drill, while Venters gave pitching tips and Kimbrel assisted in fielding drills. Most of the campers had never played organized baseball, but being around the big leaguers was a special treat. Venters watched as eyes widened when he answered the question How hard can we throw? with As hard as you can; let it rip. In addition to helping with baseball skills, the Braves threesome also spoke to the campers about the importance of teamwork, leadership and respect. Kimbrel, a 23-year-old reliever in his second season with the Braves, said he enjoyed his first time helping out with a camp. Kimbrel could relate to the group, having grown up in Huntsville, Ala., a Braves fan. I like to interact with the kids, he said. When I was younger if I had a chance to have a Braves player teach me something, Id be there. Now that Im playing for the Braves and have seen what the organization is made of, Im just happy to be a part of such a high-class organization. Its just fun to be able to help out with something like this. Eric Osborne, the health and fitness coordinator for 25 Boys and Girls Clubs in Georgia, estimated that 85 percent of the campers in attendance had never played organized ball before. Most of our kids are pretty priced out of playing in a league, Osborne said. Either the travel demands on the parents are too much or its too expensive. We encourage the kids to get involved and play as much ball as they can. Our hope is that they can get some confidence and skills, and want to play more. If not, its a fun summer.
Draft pick top Dugout Club all-county team

by Mark Brock Redan senior shortstop and Washington Nationals draft pick Deion Williams leads a group of 20 DeKalb County baseball players selected to the 2011 DeKalb Dugout Club All-County first team. Williams was taken in the 16th round by the Nationals as the 487th pick of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft. He batted .350 with doubles, 20 RBIs and 26 runs as the Raiders reached the Class AAAA state playoffs in 2011. Williams, one of three Raiders to make the first team, was joined by senior infielder Mason Davis and senior outfielder David Richards. DeKalb County Senior All-Star Classic South MVP Uwem Udofia was also selected to the first team after a solid senior campaign at Miller Grove. Udofia had a pair of hits and pitched three solid innings of relief to help the South stay close in a 5-2 loss to the North All-Stars. Udofias junior teammate, outfielder Sean Charleston (a Junior All-Star Classic selection), was also selected to the first team. Arabia Mountain had a pair of selections to the first team after making the schools first state playoff appearance in 2011senior pitcher John Bryant and junior outfielder Tevin Martin. Bryant became the first DeKalb County player to start on the mound in both the junior and senior all-star games. Cedar Grove had a pair of freshmen selected to the first teaminfielder Deion Sellers (.486 with 25 RBI) and pitcher Codorius Dorsey (5-6 with a 2.15 ERA and .343 batting average). Chamblee junior outfielder David Coble (tied record for most hits in the Junior All-Star Classic with three) and senior pitcher Joe Alberston (pitched two innings for a save in the Senior All-Star Classic) were also first-team selections. Dunwoody, which reached the quarterfinals of the Class AAAA state playoffs, had junior catcher Jared Martin and senior pitcher Wes Bancroft named to the first team. Several schools had one selection to the first team, including Columbia senior catcher Quinneton Osby, Decatur senior pitcher James Burrell, Lakeside senior outfielder Bradley Dennis, Lithonia senior outfielder DAngelo Smith, Martin Luther King Jr. senior utility player Cedric Daniel, Stephenson senior infielder Jordan Tarver and Southwest DeKalb senior pitcher Andre Wilson. All but Decaturs Burrell played in the Senior All-Star Classic.
Sports
involvement has included scouting basketball talent, establishing scholarships and holding fundraising events. And this year, he has recruited a couple of esteemed assistants to help out Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks and Jamaal Anderson of the Atlanta Falcons, whose father is deaf. In the past, Glenns NBA connections have brought in other luminaries, such as Dominique Wilkins and Doc Rivers. However, further help has also come from within DeKalb Countys wider basketball community. Games are being held at Southwest DeKalb High School, which had some of its basketball players rally behind the cause. Glenn, who also played with the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks, believes camp attendees have benefitted from working with the countys top talent. [DeKalb County] has great talent. We have Southwest DeKalb,
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Former NBA great creates hoop dreams for deaf youth

by Matt Amato Mike Glenn once graced the floors of the NBA as a prolific player, sharing court time with some of basketballs greatest stars. However, fame was never a distraction for a man once known as The Stinger. It became a force for positive change. This weekend marks the 32nd anniversary of Glenns basketball camp for deaf and hearing impaired youth, an enduring event that started when he was the toast of Madison Square Garden as a New York Knick. And the desire to help others hasnt diminished since. I grew up around deaf kids; they taught me how to play basketball, he said, harking back to a childhood spent in the shadow of the Georgia School for the Deaf, where his father taught. [Starting a camp] has been in the back of my mind since high more lately Miller Grove and Columbia, he said. We really appreciate how theyre welcoming us with open doors. Also pitching in are local churches. Daily practices for the five-day event, starting at 8 a.m., were held last week at Clairmont Presbyterian Church, which has provided full use of its gym facilities. During the evenings, teams are organized for competitive games designed to give participants an opportunity to test skills acquired from days filled with practicing drills and three-onthree matchups. The camp culminated with an all-star game, which drew in many from the local deaf community. Were celebrating diversity through basketball, said Glenn. Its been a blessing. I wouldnt change it for the world.
Mike Glenn
school. I always thought that it was a shame that they couldnt be included in camps. Since he started the nations first deaf and hearing impaired basketball camp in 1980, Glenns
P U B L I X S UN DAY D I N N ER CHE F.
My family calls me the grilling king. Folks like my food so much they put me in charge of the family reunion this year. Of course Im going straight to Publix. They always have these amazing cuts of meat and they know a lot of great recipes and tips too. In fact, now on Sundays my friends come over and I make my whole meal right on the grill. Yeah, its not the kind of Sunday Dinner most people expect but its definitely one theyll never forget.
Grilled Flank Steak with Grilled Veggie Salad. Find recipes, tips and more at publix.com/sundaydinners
Dont forget your neighborhood Publix will be open during regular store hours Independence Day, Monday, July 4, 2011.
2011 Publix Asset Management Company

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Hurray for the red, white and blue

its Americas 235th birthday

See 20th Anniversary Issue inside

Time running out for DeKalb superintendent search

1st Place General Excellence Award Winner

The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 1, 2011

Newspaper seeks to recognize Community Champions

14 DeKalb County girls are top Girl Scout cookie sellers

Countywide Debt 1.08 Unincorporated Debt 0.66

The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 1, 2011

Kidnapped woman still missing after four years

Senate Democrats elect new leaders

New leads needed

Screams for help

Rep. Oliver receives award from Common Cause Georgia

Monica loved life

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Opinion The Newslady

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Opinion One Mans Opinion

Cheers for The Champion!

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My favorite Fourth of July speech

South DeKalb residents rally against crime

Time running out for DeKalb superintendent search

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Countywide Debt Unincorporated Debt

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Apartment fire leaves 12 displaced

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DeKalb Technical College 404-297-9522 www.dekalbtech.edu

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Film on Black Republicans features DeKalb candidate

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Trial drug helps Decatur man overcome Hepatitis C

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Pine Street Market has a cure for the common meat

All items sold at Pine Street Market are produced in Georgia.

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DeKalb students learn media literacy from CNN