FreePress 10-31-14

championnewspaper championnewspaper champnewspaper championnews
thechampionnewspaper.com
FRIDAY, OCT. 31, 2014 VOL. 17, NO. 32 FREE
A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.
FREEPRESS
Tucker Tigers assistant football coach Robby Gilbert reunited with his birth mother
Tish Myatt during halftime of his teams 55-0 victory over Alcovy. Photo by Travis
Hudgons
Family and football
by Mark Brock
F
orty years ago Tucker Tigers
assistant football coach Robby
Gilbert was born and spent
a short time in the arms of
his 18-year-old mother before she
reluctantly gave him up for adoption.
Friday night at halftime of his
teams 55-0 victory over Alcovy,
Gilbert walked out of the locker
room with fellow assistant coach
Todrick Malone talking about second
half preparations and heard his son
shout at him from behind the Tucker
cheerleaders.
As he saw the cheerleaders part
and his birth mother, Tish Myatt,
standing there, a big smile came across
his face. Then they were in each others
arms for the first time since the night
he was born. There were tears, smiles
and hugs all around as he also met his
newfound brother and sister.
Gilbert knew he was adopted and
had talked with his mother about
trying to find his birth mother but met
some resistance.
It was something I had thought
about for a long time, but Mom did
not really want me to look for my birth
mother, said Gilbert. I just did not
know how it would turn out, and Mom
was not thrilled about me trying.
Unfortunately, his mother passed
away just more than a year ago, and
Gilbert once again began thinking
about his birth mother.
I finally decided to go to the
adoption service and filed the
paperwork, said Gilbert. They said it
would take three to six months before
they would have anything for me.
It did not take nearly as long,
and he got a call from the service
informing him they had found his
mother, but they had to wait until they
got her paperwork before setting up
a three-way call between them along
with someone from the service.
I figured it would be weeks
before I heard from them again, but I
got a call the next morning from the
agency, Gilbert said. We got to talk
the following Monday morning, and
we started talking and texting almost
every day for the past three weeks.
Myatt graduated from Jonesboro
High School and after giving Gilbert
up for adoption made her way
through life and landed in Taylor Mill,
Kentucky not far from Cincinnati.
This, by coincidence, happened to be
the same area where Gilberts wife,
Amy, grew up.
This same area where his in-laws
lived and he visited with his wife and
family a few times a year had him
close to his birth mother many times
without a clue.
I had the same pediatrician
growing up as Robbys [half] brother
and sister, Amy Gilbert laughed about
how close the two families have been
over the years without knowledge of
one another.
One of our favorite restaurants up
there is also one of hers, Gilbert said.
We could have been sitting across the
room from each other any number of
times over the years.
During his talks with his mother,
Gilbert learned about his half-brother,
Andrew, and half-sister, Olivia, who
both made the trip to Atlanta to meet
their new brother. As they began to
plan a meeting, they told their families
what was happening and how they
found each other after so many years.
Amy began to form a plan with
the help of Tish and coach Malone to
make Fridays surprise happen a week
earlier than Gilbert expected.
I was talking and texting with
coach Malone and then having to
delete the calls and texts so Robby
would not happen to see anything
before we were ready, said Amy.
Gilbert began picking up on things
such as extra trips to the grocery store
as Amy began to get ready for this new
part of the family to arrive.
He even told several people before
the game he had a feeling his mother
was going to show up at the game, but
he still wasnt sure.
He turned to Malone as he saw
his mother standing behind the
cheerleaders and told him he had a
feeling this was going to happen.
Tish Myatt kept wiping tears as
Gilbert went to hug her other children,
friends and family who all turned out
for the reunion.
Im just overwhelmed and so
blessed, said Myatt. I really have no
words. Ive thought about him every
day of my life.
Now they get to spend time getting
to know each other for the next part of
their lives.
Surprise mother-son reunion was almost 40 years in the making
Todrick Malone, right, helped plan the surprise half-
time meeting along with Gilberts wife Amy.
Gilbert, third from right, with his family and newly discovered
relatives. From left, Gilberts half-sister, Olivia, wife, Amy, half-
brother, Andrew, birth mother Tish, son Morgan and daughter Abby.
Education .....................15A
Business ........................16A
Sports ...................... 18-20A
Opinion ........................... 5A
Classifed .......................17A
QUICK FINDER
LOCAL, 12A LOCAL, 3A
TEN-YEAR P-CARD
AUDIT REVEALS
DEFICIENCIES
WHERE THE BODIES ARE
BURIED
LOCAL, 14A
NEW TRIALS ORDERED
AFTER APPEAL COURT
INTERVENES
Page 2A The Champion Free Press, Friday Oct. 31, 2014

LOCAL
Decatur Terrace wants to be in Decatur
Residents of Decatur Terrace, a neighborhood
located a mile from downtown Decatur, sent a
petition to Decatur requesting to be included in
the city annexation plan. Photo by John Hewitt
ATLANTA 5580414.1
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF BROOKHAVEN
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 4th day of November 2014, an
election will be held in all of the precincts of the City of Brookhaven. At the election there
will be submitted to the qualified voters of the City of Brookhaven for their determination
the question of whether a local law enacted by the General Assembly of the State of
Georgia, authorizing the City of Brookhaven to exercise all redevelopment and other
powers under Chapter 44 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, known as
the Redevelopment Powers Law, as such law may be amended from time to time, should
be approved or rejected.
Voters desiring to vote for the approval of such local law shall do so by voting
YES and voters desiring to vote for the rejection of such local law shall do so by voting
NO, as to the question propounded, to-wit:
Shall the Act be approved which authorizes the City of Brookhaven to exercise all
redevelopment powers allowed under the Redevelopment Powers Law, as it may
be amended from time to time?
The several places for holding the election shall be in the regular and established
precincts of the City of Brookhaven, and the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
on the date fixed for the election. Those qualified to vote at the election shall be determined
in all respects in accordance and in conformity with the Constitution and statutes of the
United States of America and of the State of Georgia.
The last day to register to vote in this special election is October 6, 2014, through
5:00 p.m.
CITY OF BROOKHAVEN
By: /s/ Susan D. Hiott
Municipal Election Superintendent
by Carla Parker
carla@dekalbchamp.com
T
wo cityhood groups
have a tentative
agreement on pro-
posed city boundaries that
could create one new city.
We have come to a
tentative agreement on the
boundaries, Mary Kay
Woodworth, co-chair of
Lakeside YES said. That
was the first step towards the
process the Rep. Mike Jacobs
and the House Governmen-
tal Affairs Committee put in
place at the end of August.
Lakeside YES and the
City of Briarcliff came to
the agreement earlier this
month. To help solve the
boundary issues between
Briarcliff, Lakeside and
Tucker, Jacobs (R-Brookhav-
en) and State Rep. Tom
Taylor (R-Dunwoody) met
the cityhood proponents to
discuss directions issued by
House Governmental Affairs
Committee Chairwoman
Amy Carter (R-Valdosta) for
the cityhood boundary line
proposals.
The House Govern-
mental Affairs Committee
oversees legislation in the
Georgia House of Represen-
tatives involving the creation
of new cities. The maps of
the three proposed cities had
overlapping areas, including
the Northlake area. Lakeside
map also included part of
Tuckers 30084 ZIP code.
Each of the three city-
hood proponent groups was
instructed to identify one
authorized signatory for a
compromise boundary map
by Sept. 5. They have until
Nov. 15 to come to a mutual
agreement on city boundary
lines and submit the agreed
upon map bearing three sig-
natures from the authorized
signatories to the House
Governmental Affairs Com-
mittee.
The next step was to
put together a united team to
meet with the Tucker people
to negotiate or work out the
boundary issues on the north
side of our cityhood maps,
Woodworth said.
Woodworth said Lake-
side and Briarcliff represen-
tatives will meet with Tucker
representatives sometime
next week.
It will be our first meet-
ing with them, she said.
If the two proposed cit-
ies combined, the estimated
population for this new city
is in the range of 75,000,
Woodworth said. If they do
propose a new city, there
could be a new feasibility
study done. Woodworth said
they have not been told that
a new feasibility study is re-
quired.
We feel that based on
the knowledge we have of
the areas that were looking
at that well still have a high
degree surplus revenue,
Woodworth said. Rep. Scott
Holcomb has also stated in
a few public venues recently
that if a new feasibility study
is required he is going to
try to secure the funding to
cover it, so the citizens in
these areas will not have to
pay for the feasibility study.
He hasnt made any promises
but he has stated publicly in
a couple of venues in the last
three weeks that is his goal.
The two groups have not
decided on a new name yet.
We think that choosing
a new name will just further
confuse people at this point,
so we thought it would be
better that well wait a little
bit down the road for that,
Woodworth said.
Lakeside, Briarcliff have tentative agreement on boundaries for new city
by Carla Parker
Residents of Decatur Terrace
have sent a petition to Decatur of-
ficials requesting to be added to
Decaturs annexation map, and a
petition to Avondale Estates re-
questing to be taken off its annexa-
tion map.
The petition, sent Oct. 20 to
the Decatur city managers office,
states that 110 of the 147 properties
in the neighborhood participated
in the petitioning effort, and 86
percent of those who participated
prefer to be annexed into Decatur.
The city of Avondale has
included us on their annexation
plan, the petition stated. As of to-
day, representatives of Decatur Ter-
race are presenting a petition to the
City of Avondale requesting that
we be removed from their annexa-
tion plan. We respectfully request
that you consider adding Decatur
Terrace to the city of Decaturs an-
nexation plan.
The petition was sent four
days before Decaturs deadline of
accepting annexation petition re-
quests.
Decatur Terrace, along with
the DeKalb Farmers Market, and
Forrest Hills and Stratford Green
neighborhoods, are areas included
in Avondale Estates annexation
map. Decatur Terrace residents
said during an Oct. 1 city council
meeting that they were unaware
that they are included in an annex-
ation bill that was filed in March
by state Rep. Karla Drenner (D-
Avondale Estates).
The Decatur Terrace petition
states that the community is a
small neighborhood located a mile
from downtown Decatur, adjacent
to the Derrydown neighborhood,
between College Avenue and
Craigie Avenue.
We are also in close proximity
to the planned mixed-use develop-
ment at the Avondale MARTA sta-
tion (Avondale LCI), the petition
stated. We work, play, shop, dine,
and worship in the City of Decatur.
The transparent and progressive
city government is a good fit for
our neighborhood. We share a
strong sense of community and are
civically engaged.
Decaturs proposed annexation
map includes the Patel Plaza and
DeKalb Medical Center, northeast
of the city from Scott Boulevard to
DeKalb Industrial and DeKalb In-
dustrial to Ponce De Leon.
The map also includes an-
nexing areas northwest of the city
from Clairmont Road to North
Decatur Road, southeast from Ka-
tie Kerr Drive to South Columbia
Drive and residential areas that
round off the city limits.
The Champion Free Press, Friday Oct. 31, 2014 Page 3A
LOCAL
Where the bodies are buried
Tiny south DeKalb cemeteries hold roots of regional history
by Kathy Mitchell
O
n the busy stretch of Candler/Flat
Shoals Road between I-20 and I-285,
there are a mall, restaurants, gas
stations, retail stores, motels, offices
and a cemetery, actually, two cemeteries.
Although Panthersville Cemetery and the
White Family Cemetery are adjacent to one
another and total approximately 265 graves
between them, they are two separate cemeteries,
according to an online article on the White
Family Cemetery.
The White Family Cemetery joins the
Panthersville Presbyterian Church Cemetery
just to the right [if one is facing south], through
a thin line of trees, the article states, adding,
There is a sign for The White Family Cemetery
at the far end of the cemetery. Recently, a sign
was erected marking the Panthersville Cemetery
and a fence was erected that roughly separates
the two burial grounds.
Panthersville, which apparently was
once a recognized community with several
organizations bearing its name, today survives
only as a 3.7-square-mile census designated
place, where the most prominent feature is the
Gallery at South DeKalb mall.
Both cemeteries were established in the 19th
century and most burials were in the late 19th
and early 20th centuries, though there are ones as
recent as 2012. The Panthersville Cemetery, like
many of its time, was associated with a church.
Panthersville Presbyterian Church, which
was approximately two blocks away from the
cemetery on Flat Shoals Road, officially dissolved
at the end of 1989 and the cemetery was placed
in perpetual care through a trust fund.
There are burials in the side-by-side
cemeteries that predate the Civil War. One
of the more readable older markers is for the
grave of John McDaniel, who died in 1839.
Although this grave is listed on the White Family
Cemetery registry, it is next to the fence on the
Panthersville side.
The marker actually was placed there some
time in the mid-20th century, explained Sue
McDaniel Spencer, great-granddaughter of
John McDaniel, who lives in Jacksonville, Fla.
Her older sister, the late Willie Ruth McDaniel,
placed the marker, possibly when she was
teaching at Agnes Scott College, because the
original ones marking family graves had become
unreadable.
Cemetery records show the three graves
near that of John McDaniel as unmarked, but
McDaniel family members say they believe those
graves belong to other family members who
lived in the 19th century. According to family
documents, John McDaniel was married and the
father of 12 children.
Youll notice that all those graves are covered
with heavy rock slabs, said Spencer, who at
94 is the lone survivor among nine siblings.
Thats because large cats once roamed freely
through the area. Thats why the area is called
Panthersville. The slabs were to keep the animals
from digging up graves. The term panther is
sometimes used to refer to a number of large
wild cats, including cougars, lynx, bobcats and
mountain lions.
The McDaniel family, according to Sue
Spencers youngest son Robert Spencer, figures
prominently into Georgia and Alabama history.
Rob Spencer, who holds a masters degree
in library information studies and has spent
years researching his family, said that one or
more of John McDaniels descendants founded
Bowdon College in Bowdon, Ga., the states fifth
chartered institution of higher education and
its first coeducational institution. The college
opened in 1857 and closed its doors in 1936.
Charles Ambrose McDaniel, John McDaniels
grandson, was the first president of Bowdon
College. He, along with 124 of the colleges 144
students, perished in the Civil War. According to
a historic marker at the site of the former college,
before it closed its doors, the college that was
founded in the wilderness educated students
who went on to become educators, doctors,
lawyers, journalists, judges, bankers, farmers,
industrialists, governors, and senators.
Family legend says John McDaniel was also
related to 19th century Georgia Gov. Henry
McDaniel, but family records do not document
this claim. I do know that Alabamas Governor
Bibb was a distant relative of Ruth Smith
McDaniel, my material grandmother, Robert
Spencer said. The first and second governors of
Alabama were brothers William Wyatt Bibb and
Thomas Bibb.
Heavy slabs were placed on graves following pre-Civil
War burials to prevent animals from digging up the
bodies.
Although the founding church is no longer active, the Panthersville Cemetery is in perpetual care through a trust
fund.
The White Family Cemetery, though adjacent to the
Panthersville Cemetery, is a separate burial ground.
OPINION
The clash of titans must end
by Allen Moye
District Attorney Robert James
has to make a difficult decision
about what to do with a case that
seemed so promising during the
investigation, but, in court, against
talented opposition, did not live up
to the promise.
Suspended CEO Burrell Ellis
has a similar and equally difficult
decision to make about his own
future courses of action. Both
men were elected by the voters to
protect the best interests of DeKalb
County, and I hope their sense of
duty will guide each to bring this
clash of Titans to an end.
During his first term of office,
Mr. James has brought Mr. Ellis,
the countys CEO, and Crawford
Lewis, the superintendent of
schools, to court. I am sure Mr.
James did not like the outcome
of the case against Mr. Lewis
any more than he liked [Ellis]
mistrial. But, he should recognize
that he has done DeKalb County
good service by highlighting the
pervasive nature of the culture
of corruption that continues to
sully the name of our county. His
investigations have stirred to action
the voters in DeKalb whose silence
over the last 14 years has allowed
that culture to be built. While he
has not prosecuted Vernon Jones,
as at least two grand juries in the
past 14 years have recommended,
he at least has riled the voters
sufficiently to keep Mr. Jones from
being elected to another office,
from which he could have done
unimaginable mischief.
He has found allies in the
battle against corruption in
unlikely places. Interim CEO
Lee May, who as a commissioner
drug his feet on some reform
issues, has become a champion
of ethical government. While
Mr. Mays Organizational Task
Force has excluded citizens from
membership, across the county
other organizations composed of
ordinary citizens, such as Blueprint
DeKalb and DeKalb Citizens for
Good Government, have organized
and are demanding reform. Even
though his cases did not have the
outcomes in court that James might
have hoped for, his efforts have not
failed, because DeKalb County is
on the mend, and those politicians
who put their own interests before
those of the county, may soon be
headed for the junkyard.
Burrell Ellis has just such a
decision to make. In light of the
information coming from the jury
about how deeply divided they
were during their deliberations,
Mr. Ellis could decide to stand and
fight.
Criminal cases generally do not
get any better with age. Assuming
he can continue to afford them, he
has assembled a very talented legal
team to defend him. Craig Gillen
will no doubt discuss with Mr. Ellis
a change of venue, given that the
hour-by-hour coverage of the trial
has so saturated the metropolitan
area that it is hard to believe 12
people exist who have not heard
something about the trial, the
evidence, and the outcome. But,
in light of the sympathy that was
evoked in the jury for Ellis, they
may decide that a change of venue
only benefits the prosecution.
However, any retrial anywhere in
Georgia will necessarily spread the
word about DeKalbs corruption,
further damaging its reputation,
and further stalling its recovery.
Mr. Ellis must understand
that the worst outcome of this
situation for the people of DeKalb
County would be for him to return
to the job from which he has
been suspended. Even if he is not
convicted, the evidence against him
was damning. Were Mr. Ellis to
return to the position of CEO, what
honest business would ever want
to do business here? What honest
contractor would ever want to seek
a permit from DeKalb County?
How many more millions would we
have to pay for work that was done
by those whose only qualification
was that they were willing to pay
tribute?
In the interest of the people of
DeKalb County who elected both
Mr. James and Mr. Ellis, these
two political titans must end this
nightmare, and settle this case.
Only then, can DeKalb County
really begin to heal and rebuild its
reputation.
Allen Moye is a retired federal
prosecutor and lifelong resident
of DeKalb County. He served in
1979 as chairman of the DeKalb
County Government Reorganization
Commission, the charter
commission created by the General
Assembly to propose a new form of
government for the county.
OPINION
The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 Page 5A

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, type-
written and contain the writers name, address and telephone number
for verifcation. All letters will be considered for publication.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-
1347; Send email to Andrew@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 refect 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: John Hewitt
Chief Financial Ofcer: Dr. Earl D. Glenn
Managing Editor: Andrew Cauthen
Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt
Photographer: Travis Hudgons
Staf Reporters: Carla Parker, Lauren Ramsdell
Advertising Sales: Louise Dyrenforth Acker
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.
www.championnewspaper.com
DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110
FREEPRESS
STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER
We sincerely appreciate the discussion surrounding this and
any issue of interest to DeKalb County. The Champion was
founded in 1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse
for all community residents on all sides of an issue. We have
no desire to make the news only to report news and opinions
to effect a more educated citizenry that will ultimately move
our community forward. We are happy to present ideas for
discussion; however, we make every effort to avoid printing
information submitted to us that is known to be false and/or
assumptions penned as fact.
Bill Crane
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
Columnist
ONE MANS OPINION
Take the real Deal
Without Jimmy Carter we might
not have gotten Ronald Reagan,
without Ronald Reagan there would
probably still be a Soviet Union,
former House Speaker Newt
Gingrich.
When you find the perfect
politician, please invite me to come
and meet them. We all have our
flaws; public and appointed officials
are no different.Even Jesus Christ
sometimes experienced challenges
with the company he kept.
As Americans, we remain
blessed with the option of selecting
and choosing our leaders, and
for those of us civic minded and
patriotic enough to participate
in the process, there are few acts
more American than exercising
our right to vote.Our nation is still
emerging from a long and lasting
recession.Georgia has many bright
spots in its current forecast, while
many challenges also remain.
It will take strong, able and
proven leadership to continue
to drive us forward, onward and
upward.Though this governors
race may well be close, and possibly
finish in a run-off, the choice for
whom is best qualified and prepared
is not remotely tight.By a difference
as long as the generations which
separate their ages, Gov. Nathan
Deal offers the best choice and
smart voters will ultimately select
four more years of the real Deal.
State Sen. Jason Carter is
articulate, attractive and passionate
about the causes and issues he
espouses. Often short on details
and more comfortable with the
vagaries of we can do better or
we arent going backwards again,
this younger and less baggage-laden
lawyer can and does recall some
of the more favorable legacies and
oratorical abilities of his grand-
father.However Georgias perhaps
best known ex-President required
two attempts as a state senator to
reach the office of governor.In
the first race he established
statewide name identification,
as well as moved his politics
considerably to the left, having
begun his first attempts at public
office with statements of support
for segregation.The elder Carter
has been a financial boon and an
occasional political albatross for the
grandson, but also a reminder that
perhaps Jimmy Carters greatest
achievement came in getting elected.
Gov. Deal has a long track
record of proven public service, as a
prosecutor, legislator, congressman
and now governor.He was not
my first choice four years ago,
but having won the office, he has
ably and repeatedly demonstrated
backbone and leadership when
tough calls had to be made,
and when quiet meetings in
the background were the more
effective path to a much-needed
solution.From saving the
DeKalb school district from a
rapid downward spiral to quietly
negotiating a path to solvency for
the HOPE scholarship and retention
of Georgia pre-K, to improving
Georgias economic development
and job creation programs and
initiatives for a massive three-tiered
rebuild of the states criminal justice
system, Deal has accomplished
much while rarely seeking the
limelight or credit.
Yes, the ongoing morass at the
Georgia Government Transparency
and Finance Commission (State
Ethics Commission) is a distraction,
but one has to ask how much is
media fixation on the search for
the proverbial white knight to root
out corruption, and how much
is true malfeasance of office?Ive
been around awhile and remain
convinced this is much more of the
former than the latter.
The Georgia General Assembly
will remain in GOP control, as
will the bulk of constitutional
offices.Though I do believe in the
need for a strong two-party system,
only a few Democratic nominees
made an effective case that their
path or vision for state government
was better, or more in keeping
with what Georgians are seeking
from their leaders, other than a
vague alignment with National
Democratic Party platform planks
about pay equity, increasing the
minimum wage and expanding
entitlement programs.
Jimmy Carter was president
along with a Democratic Congress,
and even with one-party rule in
Washington, was able to accomplish
very little.The young Carter as
governor would be faced with an
opposing party, and the playbooks
of current Washington gridlock
would likely be played out daily on
our home turf.Georgia Democrats
ruled, almost without exception
from the end of Reconstruction
until the end of 2002.The GOP
won the governors office that year
and has only controlled the General
Assembly for less than a full decade.
Carter may one day become
Georgias governor.My gut and
the tight polls tell me that is
considerably more likely to happen
on his second run, just as it did for
Grandpa Jimmy.
Bill Crane also serves as a
political analyst and commentator
for Channel 2s Action News, WSB-
AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
FM, as well as a columnist for The
Champion, Champion Free Press
and Georgia Trend. Crane is a
DeKalb native and business owner,
living in Scottdale. You can reach
him or comment on a column at bill.
csicrane@gmail.com.

LOCAL
If you would like to nominate someone to be
considered as a future Champion of the Week,
please contact Andrew Cauthen at andrew@
dekalbchamp.com or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 117.
MELANIE FUNK
Melanie Funk
Life takes us
down diferent paths,
some people may
need a helping hand;
so when you have
that opportunity to
do it, do it! Tats
Melanie Funks
attitude toward a
good life.
Funk was born
in Kapit, Malaysia,
where her parents
served as United Methodist missionaries. She
said its in her blood to give a helping hand.
We were taught at a very young age to serve
others before self, and Ive just always gained a
lot of gratitude from being able to do that, Funk
said.
She resides in Decatur and has taken on many
roles in the community. Funk has served on the
board of the Decatur Business Association, co-
chaired the boards Concerts Committee, and
was co-chair in 2009 of the Decatur Education
Foundations Low Country Boil, one of the
organizations primary fundraisers. Funk also
served as a community volunteer with the
Decatur Book Festival, Decatur Beach Party,
Decatur Beer Festival, and is a parent volunteer at
Decatur High School.
I learned at a very early time in my life,
being born in the jungles and then moving
to Georgia when I was 7, that life exists very
diferently for each of us and regardless of your
environment you need to learn to get along and
love each other for who we all are, Funk said.
Funk enjoys the outdoors, traveling and is
an avid fan of assisting City of Decatur schools.
While volunteering for the Decatur Beer Festival
through the Bulldog Booster Club, Funk worked
with a team that gave every penny they made
from the fundraiser booth back to student
athletes for both the middle school and high
school.
A lot of us dont have students in the school
system anymore, she said. Teyve all graduated
but yet there are still a group of parents who
recognize the fact that with our state funding
there are hardly any funds to support buying
uniforms and equipment that our athletes need in
order to compete.
Funk is a former cheerleader at Renfroe
Middle School, former cross-country and track
runner for Decatur High School and is a personal
banker with Private Bank of Decatur.
by Carla Parker
Brookhaven has formally
accepted annexation applications
from Childrens Healthcare of
Atlanta and Executive Park.
In a statement released Oct.
21, city officials said, As of Oct.
20, after a thorough review of the
annexation petitions by Brookhaven
officials, the city has determined
both petitions to be complete and
has notified DeKalb County of the
request for annexation.
The announcement came a
week after State Sen. Fran Millar
(R-District 40) asked Brookhaven
Mayor J. Max Davis during an Oct.
13 DeKalb Legislative Delegation
meeting at Brookhaven City
Hall. to put aside the annexation
request until the Lakeside/Briarcliff
cityhood issue is resolved
I would prefer that you
would let the cities of Lakeside
and Briarcliffsee if we can do
something with these areas in
January and February, Millar said.
If we cant get an initiative passed
to create cities in those areas, then
go do what you want to do with
Executive Park. [However], I would
give it through the Legislative
session and not do anything, if all,
at possible.
State Rep. Scott Holcomb said
during the meeting that Brookhaven
annexation plans were troubling to
Lakeside and Briarcliff. Davis said
the city could not stop anyone from
applying for annexation.
We cant shut down the door if
someone submits and application,
Davis told the delegation.
That doesnt change the fact
that of this very complicated
cityhood process, Holcomb
responded. That adds another
wrinkle to it. Were going to have
to deal with that. A proposal for
a city is going to be impacted by
that because of the potential loss of
commercial property.
When representatives from
Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta and
Executive Park announced that the
properties filed annexation petitions
earlier this month, the Lakeside
and Briarcliff cityhood initiatives
released a statement calling for a
halt to the annexation.
We certainly would like to
see this area in the proposed
city of Lakeside, said Mary
Kay Woodworth, co-chair of
LakesideYES! The CHOA
properties have been in our map
since 2013, and the Executive Park
properties were added in 2014. We
urge those businesses that are eager
to become part of an incorporated
city to wait just a little longer, as
Lakeside will soon be up for a
referendum.
With Brookhaven formally
accepting the annexation
applications, Woodworth is still
calling for a halt on the plans.
While Lakeside Yes and the
City of Briarcliff Initiative recognize
the legal process, for the property
to annex into Brookhaven is not
a legislative issue. We respectfully
ask that Brookhaven postpone
voting for that annexation until we
have a chance for a referendum,
Woodworth said.
Brookhaven receives complete annexation applications
Court of Appeals rules unanimously on Century Center annexation
by Carla Parker
The Georgia Court of Appeals
issued a unanimous ruling Oct. 23
in the annexation dispute between
Brookhaven and Chamblee over
Century Center.
In its ruling, the court wrote,
the trial court properly granted
Chamblees motion for summary
judgment and denied Highwoods
motion. In a released statement,
Chamblee City Manager Marc
Johnson said city officials are
pleased with the ruling.
It is truly unfortunate that the
citizens of Chamblee were burdened
with the time and expense of this
court battle when those resources
could have been much better spent
providing services to the newly an-
nexed area, Johnson wrote. Cham-
blee can only hope now that the
city of Brookhaven and Highwoods
Properties will accept the Appellate
Courts ruling and allow the annexa-
tion to move forward in its entirety
without the uncertainty and as the
General Assembly clearly intended.
State Rep. Scott Holcomb (D-
81), who represents Chamblee, re-
leased a statement commending the
court for its unanimous ruling.
This decision respects the out-
come of the referendum approved
by the voters in 2013. I see no basis
for any further appeals, and I hope
none are filed, Holcomb said. It is
time for both cities to move forward
planning their futures and I wish
them well.
For a year, Highwoods Proper-
ties, owner of Century Center, has
fought to be a part of Brookhaven
despite residents of neighborhoods
in the Dresden East and Clairmont
Road area, which includes the Cen-
tury Center property, voting in 2013
to be annexed into Chamblee.
Highwoods Properties filed
an application in June 2013 with
Brookhaven for Century Center to
be annexed into the newly created
city. DeKalb Superior Court Judge
Tangela Barrie issued an injunc-
tion in August 2013 to prevent the
Brookhaven City Council from vot-
ing on the annexation.
In October 2013, Barrie ruled
to stop Brookhaven from annexing
Century Center. Brookhaven filed
an appeal the next day. Brookhaven
City Council later approved a reso-
lution to stop any further funding of
the appeal of Chamblees litigation.
Highwoods originally appealed
the order to the Georgia Supreme
Court, where it filed an emergency
motion to block Chamblees annexa-
tion. However, the Supreme Court
ruled in December 2013 that it did
not have jurisdiction and trans-
ferred the case to the Court of Ap-
peals.
In the Oct. 23 ruling, the Court
wrote, Although, here, we have
found that the trial court properly
granted summary judgment to
Chamblee, we do not believe a re-
mand is necessary for consideration
of Highwoods constitutional argu-
ment because it is based on the false
premise that Brookhaven annexed
the Century Center property when
its city council voted on the issue.
As we have found that
Brookhaven lacked the authority
to annex that property during the
pendency of Chamblees referen-
dum process, no annexation by
Brookhaven has occurred. Thus, no
issue arises as to whether enforce-
ment of the Act will violate Art. III,
Sec. V, Par. III of the Georgia Con-
stitution.

COMMUNITY
AROUND
DEKALB

Atlanta
Agricultural event announced
Global Growers Network will to host the
third annual Culture in Agriculture event, 6:30
- 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the Marianna
above Wrecking Bar in Little Five Points.
A news release promises an eclectic mix of
local chefs, farmers, makers and artists to create
an evening of, unique cuisine and culture tailored
to the events central theme: Goats.All proceeds
from the event provide agricultural support to
farms and help pay for the public transportation
that farmers need to get to grow sites.
Some of Atlantas top farm-to-table chefs are
collaborating with Global Growers international
farmers to craf unique dishes that throw
an authentic cultural spin on locally grown
food.Tastings will highlight fresh goat meat
provided by White Oak Pastures, goat milk and
farm-crafed cheeses sourced from Decimal
Place Farm, and organically grown produce from
Global Growers farms. A curated exhibition of
photographs documenting Global Growers and
the farm-to-table process. Te event will also
feature local beer, wine, and signature cocktails
crafed by Paige Lane of Little Vinyl Lounge.
Will and Jenni Harris, the father and daughter
duo behind the award-winning White Oak
Pastures in Blufon, Ga., will be featured guests
for the evening.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at
the door. For more information, visit www.
globalgrowers.net orwww.brownpapertickets.
com/event/900647 to purchase your ticket.
Avondale Estates
Garden Club to host Holiday
Bazaar

Te Avondale Estates Garden Clubs (AEGC)
will host its annual Holiday Bazaar Nov. 8, 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. at the Avondale Community Club, 59
Lakeshore Drive. Attendees can shop for holiday
gifs and enjoy complimentary light refreshments
throughout the day. Proceeds from the annual
bazaar support many community projects, which
include seasonal plantings at the city entrances
and the clock tower. Te AEGC will be selling
Tanksgiving and Christmas decorations,
themed gif baskets, antiques, one-of-a-kind
birdhouses, holiday apparel, garden decor, plants,
jewelry, books and delicious homemade baked
goods such as their popular cheese straws. For
more information, visit www.avondaleestates.org.

Restaurant to host Dia de los
Muertos event
Tudor Square in Avondale Estates will host
Celebracion: Dia de los Muertos, Night of
Catrina. Te event is a celebration of life and
remembrance where all can come together to eat,
dance, see old friends and make new ones. Te
event includes food and drinks from Decaturs
Calle Latina, music by DJ Fernando of PR
Productions and Mexican sweet breads.
Attendees also can have their photo taken
by a traditional Mexican altar. Holiday-inspired
dress is encouraged and door prizes will be given
to the best dressed. Individual tickets are $35,
and $250 for reserve seating with table service for
six people. No tickets will be sold at the door. For
more information, visit www.adelaye.startlogic.
com.
Clarkston
Church to hold Hallelujah
Festival
Clarkston First Baptist Church is hosting its
Hallelujah Festival 2014 on Oct. 31, from 6 to 9
p.m.
Te festival, designed for participants of all
ages, will feature bounce houses, trackless train,
face painting, a snowball fght, hell house, free
food and more.
Clarkston First Baptist Church is located at
3999 Church St., Clarkston.
For more information, contact the church at
(404) 292-5686.
Lithonia
City to host Trunk or Treat
Lithonia and the business community will
host a Trunk or Treat event for children Oct.
31, 67:30 p.m. on Main Street in downtown
Lithonia. Tose who plan to participate are
asked to bring their cars with lots of treats. To
sign up or for more information, call City Hall at
(770) 482-8136.
Chess instructor to give life
lessons
Orrin Checkmate Hudson will bring his
life-sized chess board and chess instructional
skills to the Lithonia Stonecrest Library, Saturday,
Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Hudson will share his KASH Formula for
Successknowledge, attitude, skills and habits.
Tis could be the best time investment
parents can make if they will bring their
children to both learn a new skill and to watch
as I incorporate key messages into the learning
experience, Hudson said.
Te event is free and open to the public.
Te library is located at 3123 Klondike Road,
Lithonia.

Senior center to feed homeless
veterans
Te Lou Walker Senior Center (LWSC)
will hold its fourth annual homeless veteran
Tanksgiving dinner on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Te event is sponsored by DAV Chapter 91 in
partnership with the LWSC.
Te center will honor homeless veterans from
metro Atlanta, providing veterans with a meal,
medical screenings, grooming and a host of other
Veterans Administration services.
Te event will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the
LWSC, located at 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia.
Countywide
Annual poinsettia sale details
announced
The Junior League of DeKalb County (JLD)
poinsettia Sale will return for the 2014 holiday
season. By popular demand, JLD is bringing back
the flowers from wholesaler Dixie Green Inc.,
which provides poinsettias for Walt Disney World
and Sea World. The plants come in three colors and
sizes: red, white and pink six-inch for $10, eight-
inch for $15 and 10-inch for $20. The size refers to
the diameter of the pot and prices include tax. The
sale ends Nov. 7.
A news release from JLD states Poinsettias
make great gifts for family, friends and co-workers.
They have very large blooms and will last well into
the New Year. Poinsettias may be purchased on the
JLD website www.jldekalb.org or by contacting a
JLD member.
To celebrate its 80th anniversary, JLD is also
inviting the community to purchase six-inch
red poinsettias for donation to local charitable
organizations. These can be purchased online as
well.
Purchased plants will be available for pick up
at Mary Gay House on Nov. 28, 4 - 8 p.m. and Nov.
29, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. The Mary Gay House is located
at 716 W. Trinity Place, Decatur. Orders of $150 or
more qualify for free delivery.
For additional information contact Cristina
Wilson at JLDFallFundraiser@gmail.com.

LOCAL
by Ashley Oglesby
ashley@dekalbchamp.com
Te Doraville City Council
members approved the soccer mini-
pitch program proposed by Georgia
Soccer and its partners at its Oct. 20
meeting.
Georgia Soccer will revamp
Doravilles Bernard Halpern Park,
a neighborhood space with tennis
courts, but no nets.
In a previous council meeting,
the Doraville parks and recreation
department proposed forging a
relationship with Georgia Soccer
and its partners to assist the city
in building a successful soccer
program.
Te parks and recreation
department recalled several
instances in the fall season when
it attempted to hold practices for a
youth soccer league on the existing
felds of Halpern Park and were
limited in space because of the
youth football team.
In a request to approve the mini-
pitch agreement, Rip Robertson,
Doraville parks and recreation
director, said the mini pitches will
give residents an area to play soccer
without damaging the parks green
space and assist the departments
eforts to provide children with the
opportunity to play without being
displaced by adults.
Te grant awarded Doraville
$40,000 to convert two tennis courts
into soccer mini pitches, repair the
fencing around the courts and install
a fve-foot fence to divide the two
mini pitches.
Te soccer mini pitches will be
approximately 160 feet by 80 feet, the
size of the existing tennis courts in
Halpern Park. Te turf of the soccer
pitches will be made from AstroTurf
to minimize the maintenance cost of
the feld. Te turf also comes with a
10-year warranty.
Georgia Soccer Executive
Director Greg Grifth said, Te
reasons were doing these projects
is to encourage soccer free-play
and to encourage neighborhoods
to create soccer mini-pitches for
their constituents, because in cities
like Doraville their constituents
have changed with having new
immigrants, Hispanics and
immigrants from the Caribbean who
arent that interested in playing tennis
or basketball
Grifth began his tenure at
Georgia Soccer in January. Upon
being hired Grifth met with the
Georgia State Soccer Association
Board of Directors and told them
of his interest to create a mini-pitch
soccer program. Once he was given
approval for the idea he met with the
Arthur Blank Family Foundation
and Atlanta Silverbacks owner, Boris
Jerkunica for funding.
Tey both agreed to supply
$100,000 each with the understand-
ing that it would be used to build fve
mini-pitches.
Te Doraville soccer mini-pitch
is among the frst projects.
Tis installation will coincide
with the Halpern Park renovation
project. Te city of Doraville received
a $25,000 federal land and water
conservation grant that also will be
used to repair the park.
Te transition from tennis courts
to soccer pitches could occur as early
as this fall. Te pitches will not be
used for city recreation soccer, but
rather for free play, much as with
other park amenities.
Mayor Donna Pittman said she
has always been supportive of the
soccer pitch idea. I think its a good
organization thats going to provide
something for our kids, she said.
Id much rather see our kids playing
soccer afer school versus doing
something that they should not be
doing.
Pittman said soccer increasingly
has become as popular as football.
Doraville will be joining
neighbors Sandy Springs, which
received a mini pitch from the U.S.
Soccer Foundation a few years ago,
and Norcross, where Georgia Soccer
is also looking at putting in a mini
pitch.
Grant awarded for Doraville soccer mini-pitch
Advocates seek end to immigrant detentions
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
A group of residents is urging DeKalb County
officials to stop holding immigrants in jail for the
federal government.
An agency of the federal Department of
Homeland Security, the U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforces federal
laws governing border control, customs, trade
and immigration.
The problem is that basically ICE is using
local law enforcement agencies to turn over
anybody who comes into contact with the
police to immigration, said Eunice Cho, a staff
attorney with the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The center is part of the Georgia Not1More
Coalition of civil, immigration and legal rights
groups concerned about the use of immigration
detainers in Georgia.
An immigration detainer is a voluntary
request from ICE to hold individuals in police
custody, Cho said.
Theres this assumption that anybody who
comes into contact with the police is a criminal
and should be deported when its a much more
complicated situation than that, she said.
People are getting pulled over for traffic
stopsa busted taillight [or] speedingand
once the person gets involved with the police,
often it escalates to the point where theyre being
held and automatically, even if the person wasnt
charged or convicted or the person came to the
police as a victim of a crime, if an ICE hold is
made, then that person canget turned over to
ICE, Cho said.
The number of ICE arrests in Georgia
increased by at least 953 percent from 2007 to
June 2013, according to Prejudice, Policing
and Public Safety: The Impact of Immigration
Hyper-Enforcement in the State of Georgia,
a study released July 2014 by American Civil
Liberties Union Foundation of Georgia, Georgia
Latino Alliance for Human Rights, National Day
Laborer Organizing Network and Immigrant
Rights Clinic at New York University Law School.
According to the report, DeKalb County had
nearly 5,200 ICE detainees between 2007 and
2013.
The vast majorityover 95 percent
of those individuals end up in some sort of
deportation or removal proceedings, Cho said.
You dont have to be undocumented to be
eligible for deportation, she said. Its a really
complex process. If youve been charged with a
crime, there might be a very complicated process
where an immigration court decides whether
youre deportable or not deportable.
It sounds cut-and-driedeither youre legal
See ICE on page 9A
Doraville residents playing soccer in the park. Photos by Ashley Oglesby Halpern Park tennis court.

LOCAL
ICE Continued From Page 8A
or youre notbut actually it can be a very
complicated process to figure that out, Cho
said.
Additionally, Cho said, ICE has made
many mistakes.
There have been many instances when
a detainer has been issued for a Latino or
Hispanic individual and ICE is convinced
that this person is an undocumented
immigrant when in fact theyre a U.S.
citizen, Cho said.
There have been several cases around
the United States where U.S. citizens have
been held on immigration detainers and
have sued and won.
According to a spokeswoman, DeKalb
County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann is in touch
with organizations, including the Georgia
Latino Alliance for Human Rights,
which have expressed concern about law
enforcement agency compliance with ICE
detainer requests.
Our meetings with these groups have
resulted in a continuing dialogue over
the past several months, said Cynthia
Williams, public information officer for the
Sheriff s Office. However, we have not yet
issued a response to their request.Sheriff
Mann has requested a legal opinion
regarding his options, at which time he will
formulate a response.
In September the Fulton County Board
of Commissioners passed a resolution
urging the Fulton sheriff to decline ICE
detainer requests unless there is a written
agreement with the federal government to
reimburse Fulton County for all associated
costs.
The Fulton resolution also urges the
sheriff to decline access by ICE personnel
to Fulton County facilities for investigative
interviews or other purposes unless the
agents have a criminal warrant.
County personnel shall not expend
their time responding to ICE inquiries
or communicating with ICE regarding
individual incarceration status or release
dates while on duty, the resolution states.
Local law enforcement agencies, Cho
said, are not required by lawtheres no
legal obligation for them to release these
individuals to ICE.
The ICE detainer requests are not
like criminal warrants. There are no legal
safeguards for individuals, and theyre not
mandatory, she said.
Cho said the ICE detentions are having
a huge impact on immigrant communities.
There are a lot of people who somehow
come into contact with police and then
end up in immigration deportation
proceedings.
The detentions also are incredibly
expensive because ICE doesnt reimburse
local [law enforcement agencies], Cho said.
Every hour that these people are getting
put in custody of the sheriff s office, for
example...the localities are bearing the costs
of detaining someone for ICE.
Cho said the Georgia Not1More
Coalition wants the board of commissioners
and sheriff s office to stop honoring ICE
detainers, to follow the lead of 250 other
jurisdictions around the country who have
done the same thing and to avoid legal
liability for rights violations that happen as a
result of these ICE detainers.
We dont want local police officers
who are here to protect our communities to
become agencies in which our communities
are afraid of, Cho said. If youre always
afraid of interacting with the police, youre
not going to report crime. Youre not going
to come forward as a victim, and it erodes
an incredible amount of trust. This is why
sheriffs around the country have come out
against ICE detainers.
LOCAL NEWS
Upcoming Seminars at DeKalb Medical
For a referral to a DeKalb Medical physician or to reserve
your space for these free seminars, please call 404.596.4772.
Light refreshments will be served. Parking is free.
Doc Talks
www.dekalbmedical.org dekalbmedical
Mindful Eating this
Holiday Season
Monday, November 10, 2014
6:307:30 p.m.
Community Room at DeKalb
Medical Hillandale campus
As the holidays approach,
learn how to use all your
senses to choose food
that is both satisfying
and nourishing.
Trough interactive
techniques, diabetes
educators and dietitians
will explain how to
select the right foods
at parties, understand
physical fullness,
become a food critic, calm
your holiday stress without
overeating and change your
relationship with food.
Call 404.596.4772 or visit
www.dekalbmedical.org.
by Carla Parker
S
ince he was a child,
Jim Stacy knew he was
going to be a chef.
Stacy comes from a
family of cooks.
Everyone in our family
cooked, he said. Someone
in our family, kidswise, was
going to end up cooking for
a living, it was just a matter
of whom. It somehow stuck
with me.
Stacy, 47, has gone from
butcher, to chef, to restaurant
owner, to an Emmy-winning
celebrity chef. Stacy is the
owner of Pallookaville
restaurant in Avondale
Estates. He has made a
number of appearances on
television, and now he has
his own cooking travel show
on the Cooking Channel that
airs Friday nights.
Offbeat Eats with Jim
Stacy premiered Oct. 17.
The series includes seven
half-hour episodes as Stacy
celebrates Americas roadside
rebel chefs, the people who
create quirky eateries that
are off the beaten path and
serving up deliciously offbeat
food and experiences, the
shows press release said.
Stacy travels to 21 unique
and adventurous spots, from
Oakland to Boca Raton to
Falls Church, Va., to discover
hidden local restaurants
doing surprising new things.
Places such as Seattle, where
a restaurant has circus-like
dcor and serves carnival-
inspired dishes.
I get to hang out with
folks who are doing some
great things with food, he
said.
Stacys journey began
at his grandfathers grocery
store in Candler Park.
My first job was
sweeping up the butcher
shop. It was an old school
butcher shop with sawdust
on the floor, he said. It was
my job to sweep it out and
put new sawdust on the floor
every morning. I was a little
kid doing that, and I wanted
to be a butcher from then on
and did that in high school
and college. That led to me
working in the kitchen.
After graduating from
Sprayberry High School in
Marietta, he attended the
University of Georgia for
a minute before me and
the university had a judicial
misunderstanding.
He later started a
restaurant in Athens called
The Downstairs. He went
on to play in a rock and roll
band and performed around
the country for 10 years.
He was the lead singer and
played the harmonica. The
band performed in every
state except Maine and
Alaska.
He stayed in Athens for
13 years before moving back
to Atlanta, where he became
a tattoo artist and later
bought the Star Community
Bar in Little Five Points.
He sold the bar to run
the Starlight Drive-In. He
worked with the family that
owned the drive-in doing
marketing.
When I sold the bar,
they were between managers,
and they came to me the
day I sold the bar and asked
me if I wanted to run the
Starlight, he said. I jumped
at the chance because its a
rare thing, and I felt like I
could do a lot of good for it.
He and his wife, Kim,
restored the drive-in and put
a few new components in
place during his seven-year
tenure there.
It was a really great
experience up there, he said.
Our daughter was born up
there, and it was a cool place
to work.
After leaving Starlight in
May 2013, he and his family
began building Pallookaville.
The restaurant opened
Oct. 31, 2013. Stacy said
Pallookaville is an old boxing
term.
When a person has no
business being in a boxing
ring, [the fighter is called
a pallooka] its like being
punch drunk, he said
describing what Pallookaville
means.
Pallookaville was
originally a corndog booth
that he carried to various
festivals. He is known for his
corndogs and is the creator
of the Fryinstein Monster
and the Bananas Foster
corndog.
Stacy said he opened
the restaurant in Avondale
Estates because he has
always thought the city was
underused.
I was always intrigued
with the way it looked, he
said. It felt like it was a real
shame that these buildings
were sitting empty and fall-
ing apart. I felt like it was the
last in-town neighborhood
that hadnt been developed
yet. Its taking time for [the
city] to kick off, but there is
more going on down here
than there has been in 30
years.
I feel like weve given it
a kick start, he said. And
there are great neighbor-
hoods around us. Its a pretty
good cross-section of folks
that we built this for. We
built [the restaurant] primar-
ily for [children] to feel com-
fortablea place for parents
From butcher to TV chef
to bring their [children].
The restaurant has hosted
events for families, such as the
corndog-eating contest on the
Fourth of July, and will have a
Halloween event to celebrate
the restaurants one-year
anniversary.
Offbeat Eats with Jim Stacy
is not Stacys first go-around
on the small screen. Six years
ago, he made his debut on
another show he created, Get
Delicious, on PBA-30. The
show has produced three
specials and a fourth episode
will air before Thanksgiving.
The the show resulted in five
Emmy awards, three Telly
awards and a Gabby award.
He also has the Deep Fried
Masters and he has made a
couple of appearances on the
Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Some may say Stacy is living
the life with his own restaurant
and television show. However,
there are more important
aspects in his life than being a
celebrity chef.
Being on TV isnt the goal,
he said. Having the restaurant
is a stepping stone. My goals are
to be healthy and happy as long
as possible. To raise a good kid,
to make sure the people that
work for me have everything
they need, to be remembered
as honest and good. Everything
else is just stuff.
Jim Stacy, owner of Pallookaville in Avondale Estates, has created his own travel cooking show,
Offbeat Eats with Jim Stacy, which premiered Oct. 17.
LOCAL NEWS
WEEK
PICTURES
In
DCTV Your Emmy Award-
winning news source of DeKalb
County news. Available on
Comcast Cable Channel 23.
2014 DeKalb
NEIGHBORHOOD
Summit
Photos brought to you by DCTV
Junior League of DeKalb President Angela Turk and President-Elect Mindy Kaplan visited
the Sunshine House Early Learning Academy on Oct. 10, and read from two favorite
childrens books as part of Georgias Pre-K Week. Photo provided
Employees of Georgia Electric Membership Corp., Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. joined forces with several
other area organizations to make improvements to the Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve in Decatur. The Oct. 18 event was part of Hands On Atlanta Day. Photo provided
Tucker High School Assistant Principal Jo-Anne Branch enthusiastically runs
through the banner at the start of the Tucker vs. Alcovy football game Oct. 24 at
Adams Stadium. Photo by Travis Hudgons
Tucker High School students show their support of breast cancer awareness at the Tucker vs. Alcovy football game Oct. 24 at Adams Stadium. Photo by Travis Hudgons
LOCAL NEWS
Auditors discovered that a substantial
portion of the supporting documents
including the P-card accounting logs
were never prepared or submitted
in accordance with the policies and
procedures adopted by the county.
Ten-year P-card audit reveals deficiencies
by Andrew Cauthen
An independent audit of a decade of
spending habits revealed multiple deficiencies in
record-keeping.
The auditors, O.H. Plunkett & Co., reviewed
the financial transactions of the DeKalb County
Board of Commissioners from April 2004 to
April 2014.
Much of the audit focused on commissioners
use of purchasing cards (P-cards).
P-cards offer a quick and efficient means
of making business purchases, the audit stated.
Inconsistent compliance with P-card policies
provides a less-than-desirable internal control
environment and reduces level of transparency
for county resource utilization.
Auditors discovered that a substantial
portion of the supporting documents including
the P-card accounting logs were never prepared
or submitted in accordance with the policies and
procedures adopted by the county.
Deficiencies include improper or
nonexistent transaction logs; charges
unsupported by receipts or other documentation;
lack of approval at the appropriate levels by
authorized personnel as identified in the policies
and procedures manual; and incorrect coding of
transactions by budget line categories.
Auditors recommended that mandatory
training on P-card policies and procedures
should be implemented for all users. This would
mitigate noncompliance and exposure to fraud,
waste and abuse, according to the report.

Elaine Boyer, District 1
Auditors found transactions that were not
clearly in line with the intention of the stated
[P-card] policy, according the audit.
Boyers office had transactions for excessive
meals and several purchasesincluding airfare,
rental cars and mealswhich have been
deemed personal in nature and thus required
reimbursement to the county, the audit stated.
The reported also noted vendor M.
Rooks Boynton and the $83,250 he received
for professional consulting services, research,
legislative analysis and lobbying from September
2009 through November 2011.
We acknowledge former Commissioner
Boyers public admission that these expenditures
were made for nonexistent services, the report
stated.
In light of the Boyer/Boynton admitted
activities to defraud the county, it is advisable
that policies and procedures be both bolstered
and/or newly implemented for controls related to
vendor acceptance, according to the audit.
According to the audit, there were no
receipts available for review for 60 percent of the
transactions by Boyers office. Boyer only had 4
percent of her receipts, according to the audit.
Some of Boyers expenses noted included
$600 to the University of Georgia Bookstore;
$926 for a car rental; and $452 to a restaurant.
The P-card of Robert Lundsten, Boyers aide,
was charged $1,340 for Stars and Strikes; $50
for internet service installation and $57 for a car
towing expense.
The audit also noted that Boyer had
reimbursed the county for $14,000 in non-county
expenses while Lundsten had reimbursed the
county $6,500.
Boyer pleaded guilty Sept. 3 to charges of
mail and wire fraud. Her sentencing is scheduled
for December. She resigned her elected position
in August.

Jeff Rader, District 2
Although the audit cited limited
deficiencies in Commissioner Jeff Raders office,
it noted a general compliance with county
policies.
The report stated that Rader turned in 92
percent of his receipts. The missing receipts were
primarily related to parking expenses, the report
stated.
The audit noted $20,000 paid to Park Pride
Atlanta for various park improvement projects in
Raders district, and $9,300 paid to an attorney
for legal research. This money was Raders share
of services provided to Rader and Commissioner
Kathie Gannons districts.

Larry Johnson, District 3
Commissioner Larry Johnson turned in 97
percent of his receipts, according to the audit.
A noted expense was $12,000 in community
constituent support to the Porter Sanford Center
from 2011-2013.

Sharon Barnes Sutton, District 4
For District 4, the audit noted purchases for
home office supplies, printers and a computer.
We also observed specific charges for
individual meals neither related to business travel
nor in conjunction with larger groups while
conducting county business, the audit stated,
adding that the charges, totaling less than $100,
have been reimbursed.
After observing $1,150 in gift card
purchases with no explanation provided on the
required monthly transaction logs, the auditors
recommended further restriction and/or
emphasis of stricter policy adherence within the
district.
Auditors said Suttons office generally
complied with the P-card policy, but noted
opportunities for continued improvement.
See P-card on page 14A
The Champion Free Press, Friday, Oct. 31, 2014 Page 13A LOCAL NEWS
Pigeons Continued From Page 1A
by Gale Horton Gay
A
one-man show can
take audiences in two
directionswishing
there were more actors
or completely forgetting that only
one actor commands the stage.
In How I Learned What I
Learned, Eugene Lee takes
audiences on a 90-minute
adventure into the life of
playwright August Wilson,
and theres never a longing for
a larger cast. Lee, a 40-year
veteran of stage and flm, gives
a captivating performance
as Wilson. Te production
draws its strengths from Lees
physicality as he moves about
the stage, the infections
of his speech as he recalls
conversations with people from
Wilsons past and the brilliant
and vivid dialogue.
Wilson penned 10 plays set
in diferent decades of the 20
th

century about the African-
American experience. Fences,
Joe Turners Come and Gone,
Te Piano Lesson and Jitney are
among them. Wilson, who was
awarded the Pulitzer Prize for
drama twice, died in 2005.
Te play highlights
moments from Wilsons life that
profoundly afected him such
as when he quit a job on his
frst day at a toy store when the
owner threatened termination
if Wilson was caught stealing,
his encounter with his lovers
husband who was packing a
pistol and getting thrown in jail
because he couldnt pay his rent.
In the production Wilson
explains that he dropped out of
school at 15, but I didnt drop
out of life. He joined a group
of poets in Pittsburgh and
attempted to sell work to outlets
such as Harpers Magazine,
which paid $1 a line. He once
rewrote a 18-line poem into a
36-line piece in the hopes of
getting a larger check. Te play
includes colorful recollections
of Chawley Williams, a poet
and heroin addict, who took
young Wilson under his wing,
and a poignant experience
when Wilsons mother won a
radio contest and the prize was
changed from a new washing
machine to a used one when
they realized she was Black.
I am my mothers son,
says Wilson in the play I
learned from my mother that
something is not always better
than nothing.
Te lessons Wilson talks
of are at times harsh and the
language is ofen profane,
however it ofers tremendous
insight.
Kudos to all the behind-the-
scenes technicians involved in
the crafing of the set. All the
action takes place on a simple
platform that is tilted toward
the audience with only a metal
desk, stool and coat rack on
it. Rows upon rows of white
sheets of paper and envelopes
suspended on transparent
strands serve as a backdrop.
Te power of lighting is
demonstrated as the curtain of
paper convey diferent moods
depending on how it is lit.
How I Learned What I
Learned is the frst play of True
Colors 2014-2015 season. Co-
conceived and directed by Todd
Kreidler, it was frst performed
in 2003 in Seattle with Wilson
playing himself. Tis is only its
third production.
How I Learned What I
Learned runs through Nov. 2 at
the Southwest Arts Center, 915
New Hope Road, Atlanta. Go to
www.truecolorstheatre.org for
more information.
Lessons from August Wilson
a theatrical success
Playwright August Wilson penned 10 plays and won the Pulitzer Prize for drama twice. Photos by Josh Lamkin

LOCAL
New trials ordered after
appeals court intervenes
P-card Continued From Page 12A
Although Sutton had 70 percent of her receipts,
the missing receipts accounted for $33,000 in
expenses between April 2009 and November
2011.
As the Commissioner who recommended
the 10 year audits, I am satisfied with their
conclusion that all of the expenditures in my
office were for County business related expenses
or services, Sutton said in a statement. To
this end, I feel publicly vindicated by their
assessment.

Lee May, District 5
For his time as commissioner, May turned in
24 percent of his receipts, according to the audit.
The audit noted a $1,051 hotel charge and a
$1,124 air travel charge on May P-card that were
not neither included on the required monthly
transaction logs nor were receipts provided.
Auditors were able to eventually verify that the
charges were for county business.
Monthly P-card transaction logs and
supporting receipts were not available for the
majority of months reviewed, the audit stated
about District 5 office. Therefore a substantial
number of other expenditures, not supported
by appropriate documentation, could not be
identified as county-related business expenses.

Kathie Gannon, District 6
Auditors found that District 6 had few
deficiencies.
Ninety-nine percent of the related
transaction logs and accompanying receipts
were available for review, the report stated. For
Gannon, 93 percent of her receipts were turned
in.
I hope this analysis of my offices expenses is
one small, affirmative step to regain the publics
trust, Gannon said, in a statement.
Gannon said when media reports earlier this
year revealed excessive spending by former
Commissioner Elaine Boyer, it was apparent to
me that we should hire a professional auditor to
review the discretionary spending of all of the
Board of Commissioners.
DeKalb must be transparent and come clean
to its constituents, said Gannon, who sponsored
the legislation that called for the audit.

Stan Watson, District 7
Limited deficiencies were also in the District
7 office. While Commissioner Stan Watsons
office turned in 78 percent of its receipts, the
remaining 22 percent of expenditures appeared
to be county business related.
by Andrew Cauthen
A
DeKalb County judges
decision to sentence former
school superintendent
Crawford Lewis was
reversed by the Georgia Court of
Appeals Oct. 24.
Lewis originally faced
charges including violation of the
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt
Organizations Act and three counts
of theft.
In a plea agreement with
prosecutors, Lewis agreed to serve as
a key witness for the state to avoid jail
time. At Lewis sentencing hearing
last year, however, DeKalb County
Superior Court Judge Cynthia
Becker rejected the agreement and
sentenced Lewis to serve a year
behind bars.
According to the appeals
court, the record shows that the
state had made a negotiated plea
recommendation and that the
trial judge went along with this
recommendation at the time she
accepted the plea.
The failure of the trial judge to
adhere to the terms of the negotiated
plea would likely offend the integrity
and reputation of the criminal justice
system even more than any unkept
promise made by a prosecutor,
according to the appeals court. This
is so because judges are neutral,
whereas prosecutors are adversarial
by nature.
The appellate court stated that
prosecutors and Lewiss attorney
informed Becker that Lewis had
satisfied his obligation to testify
truthfully on behalf of the State at the
trial.
Becker did not disagree,
the appellate court stated, but
nevertheless imposed a harsher
sentence based on [her] reasoning
that [Lewis] is a public official, this
was on his watch, he stood by. And
then he hindered and interfered with
and tried to stop the completion of a
rightful, lawful investigation.
In order for the sentence to be
reversed, the court of appeals also
suggested that Beckers recusal may
be warranted.
After the appellate courts
decision, Becker on Oct. 27 ordered
new trials for former schools
construction chief Pat Reid and her
ex-husband Tony Pope, an architect,
who were found guilty of defrauding
the school district of more than $1
million.
Reid was sentenced to 15 years in
prison, while Pope received an eight-
year sentence.
According to Beckers order, Reid
and Pope are to be released from
prison immediately.
District Attorney Robert James
office has filed a motion for Becker
to vacate her order.
A group of community leaders
joined Thomas Brown, DeKalb
Countys former sheriff, in opposing
Beckers actions.
The U.S. Constitution gives
everybody a right to a jury trial,
Brown said Oct. 28 in front of the
DeKalb County Courthouse. That
has taken place. In my former years
in law enforcement, there have been
times when the men and women
[of] the agencies I had to manage
have gone to a judge, asked for
a warrant, and been denied that
warrant. And we had to live with
that.
There have been times when the
district attorney has tried a case, did
not get a convictionin fact, it was
an acquittaland he or she had to
live with that, Brown said. A judge
who is an impartial objective person
whose sole job is to manage that
courtroom. If a judge is not happy
with that [a jurys verdict], then so be
it. Thats the checks and balances of
our criminal justice system.
Brown said he and the
community leaders surrounding him
during the news conference believe
Beckers recent ruling is just wrong.
It is clear to us that Judge Becker
is taking this personally and that is
not her job, Brown said.
Crawford Lewis did nothing
wrong from a felony standpoint, said
Brown, calling Lewis a good friend.
We believe Crawford Lewis, who
is a broken man financially, a broken
man spiritually, has suffered enough,
Brown said.
Brown asked for assistance from
any legal bodythe bar association,
the qualifications committee
anyone that can step in and see this
emergency for what it is. Help the
people of DeKalb County stop this
injustice that is taking place.
Community leaders joined Thomas Brown, DeKalbs former sheriff, to protest a judges handling of the case of former school
superintendent Crawford Lewis. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
The Champion Free Press, Friday Oct. 31, 2014 PAGE 15A
EDUCATION
DCSD airs second season of The Bridge
Innovation summit aims to close achievement gaps
by Ashley Oglesby
Teen entertainment and
variety talk show The Bridge
is set for the production of its
second season.
The show launched
in the DeKalb County
Schools District (DCSD)
last May and increasingly
has gained leverage in youth
entertainment.
The student
programming is targeted
toward students and young
adults ages 13-25 with tips on
video gaming, how to stay fit,
budgeting finances, fashion
and more.
There are 30 students
involved in the production.
The series features
interviews with celebrities,
community leaders, as
well as student performers,
including singers, rappers,
spoken word artists and
dancers.
DeKalb Schools
Superintendent Michael
Thurmond said the students
have done an amazing job
and he is excited that the
district can provide them
with programming that gives
them a voice.
The Bridge airs on
PDSTV-24, an access channel
operated by DCSD. The
Comcast station partners
with students in the district
to produce programs that
highlight topics the students
are concerned about.
Alex Bragen, a senior
at Chamblee High School,
said hed like to see the
show achieve its goal and
create those dinner table
conversations.
He added, Its really a
show that I think is literally
helping bridge the gap
between the youth and
adults.
Bragen is a host on the
show and has an interest in
studying film and working in
entertainment.
Lead writer and DeKalb
Early College senior Taylor
Dudley said the show is a
great opportunity that she
plans to include on her
college applications and
resume.
Dudley plans to pursue a
career in journalism and said
The Bridge is really testing
me.
Dudley is responsible for
writing and editing scripts
and hosting a segment on the
show. Her favorite part, she
said, is production days. The
camera and the sets are all
up and everything looks so
nice. The lights are nice and
just having that experience
of being on a real set is
exciting, said Dudley.
On The Kickback
segment of the show students
discuss everyday issues
affecting their lives, peers
and future.
Zorian Ramone,
performer and Stephenson
High School sophomore, said
he was bullied when he was
younger and feels now he is
in a position to help other
people.
He said, A lot of people
go through that or are going
through that right now so its
about really connecting and
sharing your story.
The district expects
The Bridge to motivate
teens to bridge the
gap between effective
education and pathways to
success. The show is fun,
informative, educational and
entertaining, Thurmond
said in an April 28 statement.
Watching The Bridge
should open up some
discussion at the dinner table
and allow parents to engage
in conversation with their
children. I hope all of DeKalb
County tunes in to watch the
show.
For more information,
visit www.dekalb.k12.ga.us.
The Bridge crew gathers for a viewing of their second season taping.
Annual Southern K-14 Education Innovation Summit.
by Ashley Oglesby
Reading to children at an early
age, parental involvement and
student effort are key elements to
educational parity, according to
Former U.S. Secretary of Education
Dr. Rod Paige, a speaker at Georgia
Piedmont Technical Colleges
(GPTC) Oct. 23 regional education
summit.
Paige was invited to address
college presidents, school
superintendents, educators and
students by GPTC President Dr.
Jabari Simama for the second
annual Southern K-14 Education
Innovation Summit.
The focus of the summit and
Paiges address was closing the
achievement gap between minority
and majority students. Paige and
others in attendance referred to this
as the new civil rights issue of the
day.
Simama recalled attending a
segregated school system in his
home state of Missouri.
Without an education how
would my life have turned out?
Would I be president of this
prestigious college? Would I have
experienced the American Dream,
he asked.
Remarks were also delivered by
Dr. Josephine Reed-Taylor, deputy
commissioner for the Technical
College System of Georgia, and
Alan Cox, Senior Vice President at
the Center for Digital Education.
Paige expressed his concern
on what he called the inability
of students of color to achieve
educational parity with White
students.
He said the issues, Have had so
much reform, but very little change
in the performances of many of
our students. We need to try new
things, because it seems pretty clear
how we have been working isnt
working.
Paige said the issue does not lie
within the students, DNA.
He added that more emphasis
needs to be placed on students
obtaining technical and career
education because technical
education makes learning more
relevant.
They do not ask why they have
to learn something in technical
education, Dr. Paige said.
Following his remarks, Paige
joined a panel moderated by
Simama that centered on the
importance of education as a
modern-day civil right. Panel
members included Dr. Cheryl
Davenport Dozier, President
of Savannah State University;
Neil Shorthouse, president of
Communities in Schools; and Dr.
Jerome Morris, Professor of Social
Foundations of Education at the
University of Georgia.
Sponsors of the event included
Georgia Power Women in
Technology, DeVry University,
T-Mobile, Cisco, ADCAP Network
Systems, Florida Virtual Schools and
Jackson Pierce, Inc.
BUSINESS
The Voice of Business in DeKalb County
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030
Its Greek to me
Stone Mountain company makes items for fraternities, sororities
by Kathy Mitchell
Can you believe this all started as a hobby?
asked Terrance Miller, co-owner of Buffalo
Dallas, a Stone Mountain company that produces
specialty items for traditionally Black fraternities
and sororities. The company now supplies
wholesale and retail customers throughout the
country and internationally.
Buffalo Dallas was started by retired Army
Major Dallas Miller, who initially created
memorabilia honoring the Buffalo Soldiers,
a nickname given to all-Black U. S. Cavalry
regiments active between 1866 and 1951. Dallas
Miller was president of the Greater Atlanta
Chapter of the 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry
Association and was, according to material
provided by the company, a nationally renowned
re-enactor of the often forgotten Buffalo Soldier
war heroes. The company name, Buffalo Dallas,
combines the military nickname and with the
owners name.
Dallas Miller was my uncle, explained
Terrance Miller, But he was more than that. He
was my closest friend and my business partner.
In 2005, the two formed a partnership and started
looking for ways to expand. They decided there
is a demand for quality merchandise for the
Divine Nine as traditionally Black fraternities
and sororities are collectively called, and started
designing apparel and other items, including
shoes, bags, caps, shirts, jackets, sweaters and
customer-requested items.
The companys first item, Terrance recalled,
was a twill jacket. We ordered 1,000 or them. It
was a big risk; nobody was having organization-
specific items made in that quantity. We sold 700
in three months and we were able to sell the rest
at in a short period of time as word got around.
I have an entrepreneurial spirit, and Im
willing to take riskseven taking a second
mortgage on my house to cover big orders, he
said.
Dallas Miller died in 2009, and Terrance
Miller, who holds a doctorate in education,
decided to abandon his original career path and
continue his uncles legacy. Its amazing to recall
that we built this business in the middle of the
worst economic slump this country has seen in
decades. I think the fact that our customers are
college graduates means many of them were not
hit as hard by the economic downturn as many
people were.
Terrance said he believes that Buffalo Dallas
is now the largest business of its type in the
United States, maybe the world, he added.
The company supplies approximately 315 retail
stores as well as providing items for conventions
and trade shows. Representatives of the business
are often present when the organizations they
supply hold national and regional conventions
and at homecoming events at Historically Black
Colleges and Universities. Buffalo Dallas, which
also takes online orders, now has six full-time
employees and 12 subcontractors.
The business was doing so well that Terrances
wife, Cassandra, last year gave up her full-time
job to join the business.
We design the items, then the
manufacturing companies send samples for us to
inspect to be sure the manufacturer has captured
our vision. We choose every detail from the
materials to the stripe placement to the buttons,
Cassandra explained.
Looking over samples sent by suppliers, she
said, I like the pom-pom on this cap, but the
overall quality on this one is better. The quality
on the other one might be good enough for some,
but not for us.
When we send out an order its for hundreds,
sometimes thousands, of items; every one has to
be well made. We stand behind everything we
send out, she said. We would never risk our
relationships with our customers by skimping on
quality.
Even though husband and wife both pledged
Greek organizations, both say they are as
meticulous in creating items for other fraternities
and sororities as they are for their own. The
rivalries are primarily among college students,
Terrance said. Once weve graduated, were still
loyal to our own organizations, but we respect
the others and our shared legacy. We all serve
a common purpose. He said when he attends
gatherings of fraternities other than his own, he
doesnt wear his fraternitys apparel as a gesture of
respect.
Husband and wife team Terrance and Cassandra Miller say their specialty item business may be the
largest of its type in the world.
CLASSIFIEDS
DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate, or
intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept employment
advertisements that are not bona-fide job offers. All real estate advertisements are
subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept advertising that is in violation of
the law. The law prohibits discrimination based on color, religion, sex, national origin,
handicap or familial status.
The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales fnal.
RATES: $30.00 for up to 40 words, each additional word $0.60.
All ads are prepaid! All Major credit cards accepted!
For Prices, Deadlines and Information
Visit www.championclassifeds.com
Classifieds
TheChampion
Ads Due By Friday - Noon
for next publication date.
FOR RENT - RESIDENTIAL
House For Rent 4 bedroom, 2.5 baths 2
story home, living room with fire place,
dining room, kitchen with all appliances,
laundry room and two car garage. Home
is over 2700 square feet with ceiling fans
in each bedroom and carpet throughout.
Built in 2000 this home is located in Li-
thonia in a great theme school district.
1150/month 1000/deposit. Contact jim
770-331-3641
AUCTIONS
BANK ORDERED Auction 25 Assets in
AL, GA & SC Residential & Commercial
Real Estate November 13
th
2:00PM
Rowell Auctions.com 800-323-8288
GAL#AU-C00259.
ADVERTISE YOUR AUCTION in over
100 newspapers for only $350. Your 25-
word classifed ad will reach more than1
million readers. Call Jennifer Labon at
the Georgia Newspaper Service, 770-
454-6776.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
OWN YOUR own
medical alert company. Be the only
distributor in your area. Excellent monthly
residual $ income. Small investment
requred. Limited avail start today!
1-844-225-1200.
SAWMILLS from only $4397.00- Make
& Save MONEY with your own band
mill Cut lumber any dimension. In stock
ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.
NOrwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363.
Ext.300N
DRIVERS
ATTN: Truck Drivers! Covenant Transport
is HIRING! Team & Solo Drivers
Needed. No CDL? We can help! 3wk
training avail. Call Career Trucker today!
N. GA 866-494-7434; S. GA 866-557-
9244.
AVERITT EXPRESS New pay Increase
for Regional Drivers! 40 to 46 CPM +
Fuel Bonus! Post-Training Pay Increase
for Students! (Depending on Domicile)
Get Home EVERY Week + Excellent
Benefts. CDL-A req. 888-602-7440.
Apply @ AverittCareers.com Equal
Opportunity Employer Females,
minorities, protected veterans, and
individuals with disabilities are encourage
to apply.
Drivers: Run FB with WTI. Be home
through the week and weekends.
Start up to 28% plus fuel bonus. New
equipment. BCBS. Experience needed.
LP available. Call 877-693-1305.
25 DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Learn
to drive for Stevens Transport! NO
EXPERIENCE NEEDED! Earn $800+
per week! PAID CDL TRAINING! Call for
Pre-Hire! 1-888-749-2303.
Experienced OTR Flatbed Drivers earn
50 up to 55 cpm loaded. $1000 sign
on to Qualifed drivers. Home most
weekends. Call 843-266-3731/www.
bulldoghiway.com EOE.
START WITH OUR TRAINING OR
CONTINUE YOUR SOLID CAREER
You have options! Company Drivers,
Lease Purchase or Owner Operators
Needed. (855) 973-9344. www.
CentralTruckDrivingJobs.com
EDUCATIONAL TRAINING
MEDICAL OFFICE TRAINEES NEEDED!
Train to become a Medial Offce
Assistant. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!
Online Training can get you job ready!
HS Diploma/GED & PC/Internet needed!
1-888-407-7162.
AIRLINE CAREERS start here with
HANDS on FAA certifed training
for carrier opportunities in aviation,
manufacturing and more. Financial Aid
for qualifed students Job Placement
assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of
Maintenance (866)564-9634 www.fxjets.
com
MISCELLANEOUS
DIVORCE WITH OR WITHOUT children
$125.00. Includes name change and
property settlement agreement. SAVE
hundreds. Fast and easy. Call 1-888-
733-7165, 24/7.
REAL ESTATE
Tennessee Mountains NEW CABIN
$149,900. 3 BR, 2.5BA, sold as is 28.5
Acres, Creeks, Mountain Veiws, Trout
Stream, Minutes to Watts Bar Lake
Power, Roads, Financing. Call 877-509-
2372 or Remax 423-756-5700.
SERVICES
WELDING CAREERS Hands on
training for career opportunities in
aviation, automotive, manufacturing and
more. Financial aid for qualifed students
Job and Housing assistance available.
CALL AIM (877) 205-2968.
VACATION RENTALS
ADVERTISE YOUR VACATION
PROPERTY, to more than 1 million
Georgia newspaper readers. Your
25-word classifed ad will appear in
over 100 Georgia newspapers for
only $350. Call Jennifer Labon at the
Georgia Newspaper Service at 770-454-
6776 or online at Www.gapress.org/
georgianewspaperservice.html
Former Daycare Center
1PM, Tuesday, Nov. 11, On-site
1732 Cooledge Rd, Tucker, GA
Champion Newspaper, 2x2, Oct. 26; Nov. 2 & 9
3,390 sf Commercial Building
James Lee Owen, GA BK LIC# 341775, Firm H-63426, AU 003747
BANK ORDERED AUCTION
800-257-4161 higgenbotham.com
3,390 SF Building on .42 acres
Preview: 1 Hour Prior to Auction
2 Additional GA Former Day Care Centers
in Lake City & Mableton, GA
Marketing Provided by
10% Buyers Premium
Absolute 1-Day Public Auction
Nov. 7
Alabama Dept. of Transportation
537 Traf c Operations Dr. Montgomery, AL 36110
Bryant Wood
AL LIC #1137
(334) 264-3265
Online Bidding: visit us at: www.jmwood.com
SPORTS
Dunwoody, Marist advance
to volleyball semifinals
by Carla Parker
Dunwoody and Marist volleyball
teams are a step closer to a championship
after advancing to the semifinals.
The Dunwoody Lady Wildcats
defeated Camden County 3-1 in the
quarterfinals of the Class AAAAA
playoffs Oct. 25 at home. The Lady
Wildcats won the first set 25-16 before
losing the second set 25-19. They went
on to sweep the next two sets (25-19, 25-
14) to win the match and advance to the
semifinals.
This is the second consecutive
year that Dunwoody has played in the
semifinals. Dunwoody fell to Sequoyah
3-0 last year in the semifinals. The Lady
Wildcats faced Columbus Oct. 29. Score
was not available by press time.
Marist advanced to the Class AAAA
semifinals after beating North Oconee
3-0 in the quarterfinals Oct. 25 at home.
Marist won the first set 25-20, dominated
the second set 25-6, and pulled out a
tough win in the third set 28-26.
Marist faced Woodward Academy
Oct. 29 in the semifinals. Score was not
available by press time.
St. Pius saw its season come to an end
Oct. 25 after losing 3-0 at Buford in the
Class AAAA quarterfinals. St. Pius ended
the season with a 39-12 record.
Sophomore outside hitter Bridget Boyle. Photo by
Mark Brock
by Carla Parker
T
he Stephenson Jaguars football team was in
desperate need of a kicker after three-year
starter Wisdom Nzidee graduated last May.
Nzidee kicked for Stephenson from 2011-
2013 and had a season record for points scored (61) in
2012. Through the first four weeks of the 2014 season,
the Jaguars did not have an accurate kicker to replace
Nzidee. The lack of a kicker cost them a couple of
games, most notably the 21-20 loss to Central Miami
Aug. 30.
Coach Ron Gartrell and his coaching staff tried
some players in the program at the kicking position,
But none of them really came up to the expectation,
Gartrell said.
Cory Johnson, a former coach on the Stephenson
staff, told Gartrell about a girl at the school who could
kick.
Of course my response was, I dont want a girl
kicker, Gartrell said. He said to give her a try, and I
said if you feel that way then talk to her and see if she
can get out there in a few days.
When junior Zaida Joyeau came to practice to try
out for kicker, Gartrell was astonished.
I was surprised that she was so accurate, he said.
Joyeau, who is 5-foot-8, is already ranked fifth in
the county in place kicking statistics through three
games. Before Stephensons Oct. 24 game, Joyeau made
12 extra-point kicks out of 18 attempts, which has her at
a 66.7 percentage completion.
If wed had her earlier in the season, we could be
undefeated, Gartrell said. Shes been a blessing to us.
Although this is her first time kicking for a football
team, Joyeau is no stranger to kicking. Ive played soc-
cer since I was 3, she said.
For four years, she has played soccer for the DeKalb
United Soccer Club out of Wade Walker Park. When
she was approached about trying out for the football
team, she was hesitant.
I was scared that they were going to tackle me,
she said. But my mom told me to try it and see if I was
good enough. I came to a practice and the coaches said
I knew what I was doing. They said they were going to
protect me, so I said, why not make history?
She started out kicking extra points for the junior
varsity team before transitioning to the varsity team on
Oct. 3 against Miller Grove. She has kicked one field
goal so far, a 21-yard field goal against Dunwoody Oct.
10.
When she started playing varsity, she realized how
much larger the players are on the varsity level com-
pared to the junior varsity level. However, she still went
out to the field with little fear.
Im confident in my [defensive] line, she said.
They do what they do well, so nobody is going to get
through [to tackle me]. Its Stephenson, whos going to
come through?
Gartrell said it has been fun having her on the team
and said she has fit in well with the players.
She has really brought a different personality to the
team, he said. Shes been a great addition to the team.
He also mentioned that the players are protective
of her, as if she is their little sister. Joyeau said they have
been a little overprotective.
Im like a little sister with like 100 big brothers and
10 dads, she said. I cant do anything. The [players] are
like, Why are you talking to boys? And they are still
surprised I have nails and I get my eyebrows done. But
its like a family.
The team was initially shocked when she showed
up on the practice field for the first time, but they have
not mistreated her and have shown her respect as a
female and as a player. Outside of the team, everyone
from the Stephenson fans to its opponents were shocked
to learn the team has a girl kicker.
After my first game, I took my helmet off at the
end of the game, and while shaking their hands they
were like, Oh my god, shes a girl! Joyeau said. After
another game, when we stood in front of the band to
sing the alma mater, this guy in the stands was looking
at me and I just happened to make eye contact with
him. He was squinting at me, wondering if I was a girl,
and I was shaking my head, yes, and I started laughing.
People are reacting hilariously. Its really funny.
Although Joyeau is following in the steps of Nzidee,
she does not put pressure on herself to be as successful
as he was.
I feel like if I put pressure on myself then some-
thing bad will happen, she said. So I just try to do
what I need to do in practice, stay focused, according
to coach keep my head down and make sure the ball
goes through. Thats all I focus on. All that other stuff
will come later.
If a game ever comes down to a last-minute field
goal to win a game, Joyeau believes she can kick a win-
ning field goal.
Ill be too scared to miss, she said. So its going
in. Ill be as focused as possible. But things happen
for a reason. If I miss then we werent meant to win
that game. If I make it then we were meant to win the
game.
I hope that never happens, Gartrell said. But if
its in her range we have confidence in her to kick it.
Well make that decision once we cross the bridge
Joyeau she feels she is paving the way for girls who
may want to play football in the future.
I was always taught not to limit myself, she
said. There was always a gender barrier, especially in
sports. If a girl, 10 years from now, who can kick better
than anybody else can, she can come out and not be
scared. Go for it.
Stephenson adds first female player in program history
Junior Zaida Joyeau is the frst female to play for the Stephenson football team. Photos by Bruce James
SPORTS
Cedar Grove and Tucker advance to
Trail to the Title championship game
by Mark Brock
T
he Trail to the Title semifinals had
four undefeated teams coming and two
remain to play for the championship
trophy.
The Cedar Grove Saints jumped to a 22-6
lead and held on for a 28-22 victory over four-
time Trail to the Title champion Stephenson
Jaguars to advance to the championship game
Nov. 1 at Hallford Stadium.
The Saints (8-0) scored twice in the first
quarter to take a 14-0 lead into the second
period. Antwine Hicks opened the scoring on
an 8-yard run to put Cedar Grove up 6-0 early
in the quarter.
Deante Maxwell found Jaydon Haselwood
just behind a pair of Stephenson defenders for
a 44-yard connection with 1:25 left in the first
quarter.
Hicks ran in the two-point conversion to
make it 14-0 heading into the second quarter.
The Jaguars looked to gain momentum as
Kobe Branchs 23-yard gallop set up Jevon
Goffs 11-yard touchdown, trimming the lead
to 14-6 with 6:19 left in the first half.
Cedar Grove responded quickly as Devon
Barnes took the ensuing kickoff 80 yards
for a touchdown. Barnes caught a pass from
Maxwell for the two-point conversion and a
22-6 advantage at the half.
Goff scored his second touchdown of the
game with 4:08 left in the third quarter, and
Donny Harris added the two-point conversion
to trim the Saints lead to 22-14.
Williams Jenkins set the Saints up late
in the third period with an interception and
return to the Stephenson 22. Cedar Grove
cashed in via a three-yard touchdown pass as
Maxwell connected with Haselwood for the
second time in the game to push the lead to
28-14.
The Jaguars came back down the field as
Travon Ford connected on passes of 39 yards
to Deshon Stoudemire and 30 yards to Javier
Morton.
Ford then completed the drive by going
in from one yard out to trim the lead to 28-20
with 5:33 remaining in the game.
Kelvian Hayes took advantage of a fumble
in the end zone to chase down a Cedar Grove
runner for a safety to close the gap to 28-22
with 3:25 to play in the game.
Stephenson put the pressure on driving
to the Cedar Grove 32 where, on fourth and
10, Jenkins made another defensive play by
knocking down the pass to give the Saints the
ball back on downs.
The Jaguars got the ball back with 12
seconds to play on the Cedar Grove 29, but two
incomplete passes later the Saints had wrapped
up the win.

Tucker 14, Renfroe 0
Defending Trail to the Title champions
Tucker Tigers moved into the championship
game for the second consecutive season by
picking up their seventh shutout of the season
in a 14-0 semifinal win over the Renfroe
Bulldogs.
Renfroes defense had four shutouts of
its own on the season and the two defenses
dominated the first half as the teams went to
the break knotted at 0-0.
The Bulldogs (7-1) opened the second
half driving to the Tucker 34 before the Tiger
defense stiffened on fourth down. Quarius
Smith and Nathaniel Morgan broke through
on fourth down for a sack of the Renfroe
quarterback to end the threat.
The Tigers then began a march back down
the field, including a 12-yard run by David
Davis to the Renfroe one-yard line. Redeetris
Richardson finished off the drive with a one-
yard run to put the Tigers ahead for good.
Davis added the two-point conversion for the
8-0 lead with 28 seconds to play in the third
quarter.
Renfroe had a bad snap on a punt that gave
the Tigers the football at the Bulldog 20 with
5:41 to play in the game. Morgan exploded for
18 yards on the first play and going in from
two yards out on the second to give Tucker the
14-0 lead.
The two teams would trade four turnovers
in the next four possessions with the final
coming via an interception by Davis.
Vondarius Boynton broke off a 21-yard run
to help the Tigers run out the clock for the
victory.
The Cedar Grove Saints celebrate their 28-22 victory over the Stephenson Jaguars to advance to the
championship game Nov. 1 at Hallford Stadium. Photos by Travis Hudgons
Cedar Groves Jaydon Haselwood makes a catch between
two Stephenson defenders.
Redeetris Richardson carries the ball for Tucker.
Nathaniel Morgan attempts to out run a Renfroe defender.
SPORTS
Weekly ad in hand. Coupons in pocket.
BOGO-vision on. Its time to save.
publix.com/save
Pet of the Week
Glen (ID#: 23863067)
is as sweet as pie.
He is an affectionate
4 year old German
Shepherd mix with the
cutest face around.
Four years old is
such a great age; you
wont have to worry
about Glen chewing
your shoes! Glen is a
cuddly boy that would
love to have a family who will love and protect
him.
If you adopt Glen during October under the
Fall in Love promotion; his adoption is FREE!
He will be neutered, have all his vaccines and
microchip a $200 value for FREE! Please
come meet Glen, you will love him.
Please call (404) 294-2165 or email
adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com
for additional information. To view other
pets available for adoption please visit
www.dekalbanimalservices.com.
Athlete of
the Week
The Champion chooses a male
and female high school Athlete of
the Week each week throughout
the school year. The choices
are based on performance and
nominations by coaches. Please
e-mail nominations to carla@
dekalbchamp.com by Monday at
noon.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Garrett Rigby, Tucker
(football): The junior
quarterback was 5-of-7 passing
for 101 yards and three
touchdowns in the 55-0 win
over Alcovy Oct. 24.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Annie Magee, Marist (Cross
Country): The seventh grader
finished 10th with a time of
13:20 to lead the girls team
to the Middle School Cross
Country state title Oct. 18.
Next Level
Each week The Champion spotlights former
high school players from the county who are
succeeding in athletics on the college level.
Reggis Ball, Memphis (football): The junior
defensive back from Stephenson had one
tackle and an interception, returned for
24 yards, in the 48-10 win over Southern
Methodist University Oct. 25.
Jonathon Mincy, Auburn (football): The
senior defensive back from Southwest
DeKalb fnished second on the team in
tackles with seven, including a tackle for a
loss and a pass breakup in the 42-35 win
over South Carolina Oct. 25.
Matt Connors, Georgia Tech (football):
The senior blocking back from Marist had
fve rushing attempts for 56 rushing yards
and one touchdown in the 56-28 win over
Pittsburgh Oct. 25.
Ball Mincy Connors

FreePress 10-31-14

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

FreePress 10-31-14

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

championnewspaper championnewspaper champnewspaper championnews

You might also like