the DeKalb FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 VOL. 21, NO.

32 FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker

IRMA
A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

GEDDON
DeKalb responds to first-
ever tropical storm warning
as result of largest recorded
hurricane in history
Hurricane Irma was declared early in its track over the Carribean as the largest recorded hurricane in history.

Compiled by Carla Parker, Horace

Holloman and R. Scott Belzer

A
s Hurricane Irma decimated many
parts of Florida with wind speeds
reaching up to 80 miles per hour,
the Peach State hunkered down
for its first-ever tropical storm
warning. On Sept. 9, Gov. Nathan Deal
issued a state of emergency for all 159
Georgia counties.
DeKalb County officials said they were
all hands-on deck for the storm as first
responders worked to respond to fallen trees
and downed power lines.
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond
said the county will serve as a safe-haven
for Florida residents affected by Hurricane
Irma.
We would like to send our sincerest Initial effects were seen early afternoon of Sept. 11. Photo by John Hewitt
thoughts and prayers to those that have
been effected by this historic hurricane, wish them safety, Thurmond said. hitting the Florida Keys, said Loeffler.
Thurmond said. Here in DeKalb County, we Susan Loeffler, director of the DeKalb The county created the website www.
want to extend our friendship and support County Emergency Management Agency dekalbcountyga.gov/irma for residents to
for those coming to Georgia and ensure that (DCEMA), said her department prepared for visit and receive updates on the storm.
anyone in this county will be safe and secure power outages and trees down and urged Its all about being prepared. Weve
as we wait out this storm. residents to stay safe during the storm. She been working with everybody from roads
DeKalb County officials said one of the also said residents should be prepared to be and drainage to our school system, our
biggest concerns would be dealing with without power for four to five days. hospitals and infrastructure officials. We
power outages and fallen trees and tree This is not a big rain maker storm like wanted to do everything we could to be
limbs. you saw in Houston. Were not going to be prepared, Loeffler said. Its been a lot of
As of Sept. 11, according to Georgia getting 50 inches of rain. We know were preparing because you never know whats
utility provider Georgia Power, more than going to get some spot flooding and were going to come at you.
200,000 customers were without power. preparing for trees down and trees down on DeKalb County Government offices
Thurmond said the countys first houses, Loeffler said. I know its exciting closed Sept. 11 and Sept. 12. Several
responders were scheduled to work around and this is something that doesnt happen remembrance ceremonies scheduled
the clock until the conditions of the storm very often, but please dont run to your glass throughout the county for the anniversary
passed. windows. Get inside and stay safe. of the Sept. 11 terrorists attack were also
These men and women have dedicated The DCEMA contacted county first cancelled.
their lives and careers to protecting and responders a week prior to Hurricane Irma
serving this community and I thank them and See Irma on page 5

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

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 2

MARTA top official

stepping down, search for
replacement begins
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
After nearly five years
with the United States he said, he worked on
ninth largest transit
system, MARTA CEO and
General Manager Keith
Parker decided to call it
quits.
Parents at DeKalb School of the Arts said their children were shown an inappropriate video that had elements of racism Recently MARTA
and sexism. confirmed that Parker, who
to work for Goodwill of
North Georgia as its new
president and CEO in the
fall.
During Parkers tenure,
changing the publics
perception of mass transit.
MARTAs board will
vote to approve an interim
general manager in an
upcoming session and will
launch a national search

NAACP involved after racist

joined the transit company for a permanent chief
in December 2012, would
be leaving his position SEE MARTA ON PAGE 8A

video shown in class

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN The DeKalb County School District
horace@dekalbchamp.com issued a statement regarding the video
stating, The DeKalb County School

T
District (DCSD) regrets that students
he DeKalb County Chapter of at the DeKalb School of the Arts were
the National Association for the exposed to the nudity and racist
Advancement of Colored People caricatures contained in the video. Those
(NAACP) has taken action after images have absolutely no place in our
students at a DeKalb County High School classrooms, and the decision to show the
were shown what some parents say was a video is totally outside of the districts
racist video. policies, expectations and standards. An
On Aug. 31, DeKalb NAACP President investigation was conducted, and the
Teresa Hardy, along with DeKalb NAACP personnel responsible for the showing
Education Chair Lance Hammonds, met have been addressed through personnel
with DeKalb Schools Superintendent matters. Moving forward, DCSD will
Stephen Green to discuss the video. partner with community agencies to
According to a press release sent by the provide support and work to ensure that
DeKalb NAACP, Green was understanding incidents like this do not happen in the
of parents concerns after the video was future.
shown in class. The NAACP has no input how the
According to parents, third level French school will handle personnel matters,
students in Jim Dicksons classroom at Hardy said, but she stated Green said he
DeKalb School of the Arts were shown will take responsibility to make sure the
an excerpt from the film The Triplets of issue never happens again.
Belleville. Theres a lot of stuff going on and
According to some parents, the everyone has some sensitivity. The things
movie has elements of racism, sexism and we saw in the video are some of the things
misogyny. The movie also featured a bare- that were still fighting for today, Hardy said.
breasted caricature of Josephine Baker Nwandi Lawson, a parent whose
dancing in a banana skirt. Baker wore the daughter is in Dicksons class, said her
banana dress in 1926 at the Folies Bergre daughter was reprimanded for attempting
in Paris when she danced in a musical to capture cell phone footage of the
show called la revue ngre or the negro incident during class.
show. Initially, Lawson said she was upset
Hardy said the meeting with Green was with her daughter for being sent to the
productive and hopes diversity training principals office, but once she discovered
will be given to teachers and school the reason she became upset with the
personnel in the future. school.
The meeting with Dr. Green actually The statistics are there. Black girls are
went very well. He was aware of our far more likely to be disciplined in a school
concerns as it relates to the video and our setting. While the students sat in abject
biggest [request] of him is to make sure silence, no one is saying anything, Lawson
this doesnt happen again, Hardy said. We said If you can imagine being a 16-year-
talked about giving cultural bias training old girl and a person, an adult figure, is
entered into the curriculum. subjecting you to this kind of abuse.
LOCAL
AROUNDDEKALB
AVONDALE
ESTATES
Annual yard sale announced
Avondale Estates will host its annual citywide
yard sale on Sept. 16, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The
yard sale will take place throughout the city. For
more information, visit www.avondaleestates.
org.
CHAMBLEE
Onion Man to help residents explore
creative side
Onion Man Productionsa nonprofit theater
located at 5522 New Peachtree Roadwill host a
series of writing workshops known as Just Write!
beginning Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Known as Onion Mans signature class, Just
Write! helps participants learn the basics of writing
a play. By the end of the series, participants will
leave with a draft of a 10-minute play. Promising
plays may be considered for submission at the
theater.
Participants are asked to bring something to
write with and on.
Cost for the course is $85 total for five weeks
of instruction. Other dates for the series are Oct. 7,
14, 21 and 28. The series will be taught by Onion
Man Productions founder and managing artistic
director James Beck.
For more information and to register for the
course, visit www.onionmanproductions.com/
adult-programs.
COUNTYWIDE
Superintendent Green arrives on the scene
DeKalb County School District (DCSD) and
Superintendent R. Stephen Green will host their
first On the Scene with Dr. Green event for the
2017-2018 school year at Wadsworth Magnet
School for High Achieverslocated at 3039 Santa
Monica Dr.on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 3
Past On the Scene events have included
Greens plan for the remainder of the school
year, important dates in the district, introduction
to Greens cabinet and updates from DCSD
administrators.
Near the end of the event, Green will take
questions from parents and stakeholders in
attendance.
Future 2017-2018 On the Scene with Dr. Green
events will take place at Cross Keys High School
on Nov. 9, Marbut Elementary School on Jan. 18,
Druid Hills Middle School on March 8 and Stone
Mountain Middle School on April 19.
LITHONIA
10-foot-by-10-foot lawn spaces for $10 each. For
Panola Mountain hosts Junior Ranger Day
Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area will
host Junior Ranger Day at Panola Mountain State
Parklocated at 2620 Highway 155 SW.on Sept.
30 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Participants will have the opportunity to
explore Panola Mountains alien-like landscapes,
learn about local nature and history and learn how
to protect the environment.
Our Junior Ranger Program is a great way
to inspire kids to discover the rich cultural
and natural landscapes around them, said
Mera Cardenas, executive director of the
Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance. Were
encouraging families to join us for a day filled with
adventure where future Junior Rangers can come
explore, learn and protect our wonderful resources
in the National Heritage Area.
Attendees will also have the chance to become
Junior Rangers, a program in which kids ages 8 to
12 can learn farming basics, stain glass design and
animal interaction. At the end of the day, on Sept.
30, those interested will be sworn in and receive
badges as part of a special ceremony.
Participating partners include the AWARE
Wildlife Center, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature
Preserve, Flat Rock Archives, Monastery of the Holy
Spirit and Panola Mountain State Park.
To RSVP to Junior Ranger Day, visit
juniorrangerday.bpt.me. Registration is $5 per
child. Parking for the event is also $5 per car.
For more information, contact Sarah Lisle at
sarah@arabiaalliance.org or call (404) 998-8384.
STONE
MOUNTAIN
Citywide yard sale announced
Stone Mountains citywide yard sale will be held
Sept. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the First
Baptist Church lawn in the center of town. Set
up begins at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the sale
tables will not be provided. A limited number of
10-foot-by-10-foot spaces under the pavilion are
available at $20 each on a first come, first served
basis. Residents and non-residents can reserve
more information, contact Susan Coletti at (404)
444-5607.
Music event coming soon
Heart Hunters will perform Sept. 22 at Stone
Mountains Tunes By The Tracks event in the
Municipal Parking Lot, next to the Gazebo.
Attendees can bring their lawn chairs. The
two-hour concert begins at 7 p.m. For more
information, visit www.stonemountaincity.org.
LOCAL
CLARKSTON
Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry announced his intent to rerun for mayor in late June. In November, he will
face former council member Beverly Burks. Photo by R. Scott Belzer
Clarkston mayor
seeks four more years
Ted Terry running for second term
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
When Mayor Ted Terry first ran for
public office in 2013, he had one goal for
the city of Clarkston: to put it on the map.
The role of every mayor is to
represent the city to the outside world,
Terry said. Youre an outward facing
leader. Every mayor wants to say the
name of their city and have people
say, Oh, Ive heard of that. Not, What
is that? Where is that? Thats a major
accomplishment of mine.
Terry, who, along with city council
members, has appeared on local,
statewide and national news because
of Clarkstons progressive legislation,
announced his intent to rerun for mayor
in late June.
Over the last three and a half years,
Clarkston has been a model community
for welcoming and compassionate
action towards refugees and immigrants.
We became the first city in Georgia to
raise the minimum wage to $15 per
hour for city employees, make election
day a holiday, decriminalize simple
marijuana possession and just last month
passed the first in the state tiny house
neighborhood development ordinance
an initiative to provide more affordable
housing options in our city, reads Terrys
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 4
MARTA CEO and General Manager Keith Parker announced he would be
resigning and joining Goodwill of North Georgia.
MARTA Continued From Page 2A
executive. Chairman Robbie Ashe said Parker will be
greatly missed.
We are deeply grateful for his stewardship and proud
of the many strides we made as an agency during his
tenure, said Ashe. As chief executive, Parker helped to
usher in a new day for MARTAs customer service, fiscal
responsibility, and service expansion. He leaves MARTA
stronger and healthier than ever before.
Starting Sept. 18, MARTA will have a new deputy
general manager. Arthur Troupe, a former Washington
Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) executive,
was named to the position after a nationwide search
conducted by the board, according to MARTA officials.
MARTA may have plans to expand in DeKalb County in
the future. Some DeKalb County officials have speculated
that Emorys move into Atlanta is meant to jumpstart the
Clifton Road light rail system in the Clifton Corridor area.
In a statement, DeKalb County CEO Michael
Thurmond said the rail system could benefit DeKalb if
done properly.
MARTA will also receive an estimated $2.5 billion over
announcement. Over the next 4 years I the next 40 years for high-capacity rail improvements
intend to work on innovative new models after Atlanta residents voted on additional sales tax
around civilian led policing, micro- increases.
farming, as well as committing Clarkston
to a goal of 100 percent clean energy by
2050.
Terry said he has enjoyed his role
in representing the city at the local,
national and international level through
delegations, service on state and county
boards as well as participation in national,
mayor-centric committees.
Terry called the experience a positive
start for Clarkston, which is often referred
to as the most diverse square mile in the
country.
When I first ran, the city was
known as one that wasnt welcoming
to refugees, Terry said. [Former Mayor
Emanuel Ransom] was saying bad things
about refugees. By reopening our minds
and hearts to all people, we have made
welcoming refugees a foundational
principle. The next step is to implement
welcoming and compassionate policies.
If reelected, Terry said, he would
like to address affordable housing in
Clarkston, increase public safety and
assure the city is getting its fair share of
the countywide special local option sales
tax (SPLOST).
To address affordbale housing, Terry
SEE CLARKSTON ON PAGE 8A
LOCAL
DeKalb County officials held a press conference on Sept. 8 to update
residents on Hurricane Irma.
IRMA Continued From Page 1
Peggy Allen, director of DeKalb County
roads and drainage department, said the
department began 24-hour operation on
Sept. 10.
We will operate 24 hours until the storm
has passed us, Allen said. We will clear
debris to prevent additional flooding. We
worked with our maintenance technicians
to make sure all our chainsaws were ready;
all of our chains were ready [to] remove any
debris in the way.
Local transportation shuts down in
response to Irma
The anticipation of Hurricane Irma caused
many local agencies to take precautions, in-
cluding MARTA.
MARTA suspended bus and rail service
for Sept. 11 ahead of the anticipated severe
weather conditions expected in metro Atlanta
as Irma approached.
The projected impact of this approaching
storm requires us to suspend all MARTA ser-
vice for [Sept. 11], MARTA GM/CEO Keith
Parker said. Safety remains our top priority
for both our customers and employees.
At the Peachtree-DeKalb Airport, no
flights were scheduled to fly in or out of the
airport on Sept. 11. Airport director Mario Ev-
ans said the airport took precautionary mea-
sures to protect the planes on the property.
The precautionary measures that we
have taken is to make sure that all aircrafts
that are here on the airfield are tied down, an-
chored, doors lockedanything thats out on
the ramp that could possibly be moved with a
gust of wind, Evans said. We have informed
all of our tenants and customers, as of last
week, to make sure they are locked down.
Evans said there are 409 aircraft based at
the airport and there were some planes that
flew in from Florida before Hurricane Irma
made landfall.
I [had] one runway closed for that pur-
pose as we have seen this happen in the
past, Evans said. Currently, we have about
12 that are sitting on the runway right now
that are big enough to not be moved by the
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 5
Tree limbs and debris accumulating in Avondale Estates. Photo by John Hewitt
gusts of wind we are looking at that will hit the
metro Atlanta area.
Irma delays DeKalb education
Education facilities throughout DeKalb
County joined many others across the state
in closing their doors Sept. 11 and Sept. 12.
DeKalb County School District (DCSD) of-
ficials met early Sept. 8 and held a joint press
conference with DeKalbs Emergency Man-
agement Agency to prepare residents. At the
time, deputy superintendent Vansanne Tins-
ley said district officials would meet over the
weekend to discuss whether to open schools
in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
On Sept. 10, DCSD officials announced
school closures Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 out
of an abundance of caution and safety of its
students and employees, according to a
release. As a result, DCSDs monthly board
of education meetingscheduled for Sept.
11will be rescheduled.
Were on high alert, like the state and
eastern seaboard of the nation, as we
anticipate the arrival of Hurricane Irma,
said DCSD superintendent R. Stephen
Green. Were working both laterally with
intergovernmental agencies and also with
my colleaguesthe other superintendents
across the areato make sure we are all
prepared. Were monitoring the situation
closely and were ready to make a rapid
response if the situation develops as
anticipated over the next three or four days.
We dont want to take any chances or take
anything for granted. We want to be in a
preventative mode, rather than react after
the fact.
According to a release from the district,
Greens administrative team and the DCSD
board of education monitored reports
from the National Weather Service and
coordinated with regional agencies to arrive
at the decision.
The health and safety of our DCSD
family are of the utmost importance,
Green said. With the information currently
available, it would not be prudent to open
schools knowing the potential impact
Hurricane Irma will bring to the area. We will
continue to monitor the situation and react
accordingly on behalf of our students and
employees.
Similarly, City Schools of Decatur (CSD)
announced on Sept. 10 its decision to
close its facilities Sept. 11-12 due to the
tropical storm warning issued for the area
and the forecast for dangerous winds and
heavy rain, according to a release. As a
result, CSDs board of education meeting,
scheduled for Sept. 12, was rescheduled.
Please take precautions to stay safe
during this severe weather event, the
release states.
Georgia State University closed all its
campuses Sept. 11 and Sept. 12 in the wake
of Irmas intense winds and heavy rains.
Food staff at Georgia State were provided
housing accommodations to make sure
students who live on campus were provided
sustenance.
We cant leave students in residence
halls with no food, the university said via
Twitter on Sept. 10.
Emory University closed its doors Sept.
11 but required healthcare and emergency
employees to show up for work in case they
are needed.
Based on the current track of the storm;
heavy rain, destructive winds, flash flooding,
and tornados appear likely, the university
announced on its website. Emorys Office of
Critical Event Preparedness and Response
(CEPAR) is working with teams across the
University to ensure the sustainability and
safety of the community. There is no need to
evacuate Emory campuses; the community
will follow the procedures to shelter in place
should we need to do so.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College
announced its intention to close Sept. 11
and Sept. 12 on Sept. 10 at approximately 3
p.m. due to weather.
Drew Charter School, which typically
follows Atlanta Public Schools decisions
regarding inclement weather, closed school
Sept. 11 but as of press time had not made
a decision regarding Sept. 12.
OPINION DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 6

Mother Natures worst brings out humanitys best

Its happened again. A
natural event of epic proportions
has struck an American region
with shocking force and
devastation.
Hurricane Harvey brought
unprecedented rainfall resulting
in homes being torn apart and
record flooding. Many Texans
were caught off guard, expecting
to ride out just another storm
and instead found themselves
wading through waist- and
chest-high murky water and
others forced to escape to
rooftops to await rescue. The
storm hung over the state with
ferocious intensity for days,
went out to sea, regathered its
strength and returned again with
additional waves of record rain.
Those of us not living in
devastated Houston, coastal
Texas as well as parts of
Gale Horton Gay
gale@dekalbchamp.com
Louisiana have been transfixed
by the news and social media
reports of what has happened in
the Lone Star State and the Gulf
region.
Just as the hurricane
has reminded us of Mother
Natures awesome power
and indiscriminate wrath, its
also shown us once again
that humanity has immense
compassion and boundless
resourcefulness in coming to the
aid of people in need.
Folks came to aid Texas
from hundreds of miles away
bringing their motorboats, jet
skis, rowboats, rafts, kayaks,
monster-like trucks and more
to help evacuate people. These
regular folks felt compelled
to help in any way they could
and they did. Average Joes
and Janes were plucking folks
in desperate situations and
taking them to higher ground.
Others not affected by flooding
opened their homes to strangers
and hundreds stepped up to
volunteer with their hands and
their cash.
Gratitude was expressed
over and overthe rescued
giving hugs and calling their
rescuers heaven sent and
through so many tears and
words of thanks.
For days, no one seemed
to care about others political
affiliations, religion, race, sexual
orientation, ethnicity, views on
major issues and how and when
they arrived in the United States.
Mother Natures worst had once
again evoked humanitys best.
The outpouring of kindness
and self-sacrifice is likely to
continue for weeks as Houston
and other affected areas dry out,
rebuild and return to normalcy.
Unfortunately, it wont last.
Once the crisis is far enough
in our rear-view mirror, we
will refocus attention on our
differences, disagreements
and what we dislike about each
other. No more working with
compassion and collectively for
the common good. Well be right
back to spewing contempt for
one another and trying to tear
each other apartuntil the next
natural disaster.

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OPINION
Analysis: After tough talk on immigration, Trump waffles
by Julie Pace
(AP) Since the day he
launched his presidential cam-
paign, Donald Trump has talked
tough on immigration, promising
to take the kind of decisive action
he accused other politicians of
avoiding.
Now he has waffled.
Trump passed off responsi-
bility for the fate of the 800,000
young immigrants brought to the
United States illegally as children
to a Congress that has shown
little ability to tackle politically
fraught issues. He gave lawmak-
ers six months to act, then said in
a tweet that he would revisit this
issue if they didnt. He sent Attor-
ney General Jeff Sessions out
to be the face of the controversial
policy, effectively ceding one of
the central roles of the presiden-
cy: explaining difficult decisions
to the American people.
Trump addressed the move
only briefly during a tax policy
event at the White House, saying
he had a great heart for the folks
were talking about, a great love.
It was the path of least resis-
tance for a president who prom-
ised bold action and decisive
leadership. And it pleased almost
no one.
Democratsincluding former
President Barack Obama, who
instituted the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals program in
2012 by excutive fiatand im-
migration advocates slammed
Trump as cruel and heartless.
Some Republican lawmakers
said the decision was counter
to American values and bristled
at Trumps decision to foist the
problem on Congress at the
start of a fall legislative session
already packed with high-stakes
issues.
Conservatives who pinned
their hopes on Trump and his
hard-line immigration policies
during the campaignincluding
an unfulfilled pledge to build a
wall along the southern border
FREEPRESS
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DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 7
and have Mexico pay for itac- But rarely do presidents hang young immigrants. But as presi-
cused him of breaking his prom- the kind of legislative albatross dent, he assured the dreamers
ises. on their own party in the way they could rest easy. In private
Ann Coulter, the far-right Trump did. The six-month time- meetings with aides, he often
commentator who informally frame he set for lawmakers to tried to skirt the issue and delay a
advised Trump on immigration act before pulling work permits decision on the programs future.
issues during the campaign, said from the Dreamers extends into Ultimately, Trump left many
Trumps sudden eagerness for a midterm election year, when questions unanswered. Among
immigration legislation that ad- Congress is less likely to take up them: what happens in March if
dressed the fate of DACA recipi- a politically sensitive issue. Congress hasnt passed legisla-
ents and other issues was exact- Republicans, who have spent tion to clarify the status of the
ly what he used to denounce. years struggling with the partys young immigrants?
Officials offered few details positioning on immigration, have The presidents Tuesday night
about what the president wants no appetite for taking up legisla- tweet appeared to leave open
Congress to do, beyond provid- tion this year. While some GOP the possibility that he could follow
ing legal status for young people leaders complained of executive Obamas lead and use his execu-
brought to the U.S. illegally as overreach when Obama enacted tive power to continue protecting
children. Spokeswoman Sarah DACA, many are sympathetic to the Dreamers from deportation.
Huckabee Sanders said the the young immigrants brought to But in another indication of the
president wanted Congress to the U.S. illegally as children and president trying to have it both
include those protections in a were willing to let the program ways, the guidance the White
broader immigration package, but stand. House sent to members of Con-
did not spell out what else Trump I strongly believe that chil- gress included an ominous warn-
wanted in a bill. Previous efforts dren who were illegally brought ing.
to pass comprehensive immigra- into this country through no fault The Department of Home-
tion reform have included road- of their own should not be forced land Security urges DACA recipi-
maps to legal status for people to return to a country they do not ents to use the time remaining
living in the country illegally, a know, said Sen. John McCain, on their work authorizations to
step Trump has panned as am- R-Ariz., who called Trumps move prepare for and arrange their de-
nesty. the wrong approach. parture from the United States,
Republicans made clear they The presidents decision un- the guidance read.
werent ready to go down that derscored his own uneasiness
road again without clear markers with the future of the program. As Editors Note: Julie Pace has
from the president. a candidate, Trump vowed to end covered the White House and
It is important that the White the deportation protections for politics for the AP since 2007
House clearly outline what kind
of legislation the president is will-
ing to sign, Florida Sen. Marco
Rubio said. We have no time to
waste on ideas that do not have
the votes to pass or that the pres-
ident wont sign.
In punting to Congress,
Trump is taking a page out of
the playbook of predecessors.
Presidents often try to pass the
burden for difficult decisions on
to Congress. Obama tried for
years to get Congress to take up
sweeping immigration legisla-
tion, and ultimately took execu-
tive action to protect hundreds of
thousands of young immigrants
from deportation when it became
clear lawmakers wouldnt act on
that front ahead of his re-election
campaign.
Publisher: Photographer: STATEMENT FROM THE
John Hewitt Travis Hudgons
PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Staff Reporters: We sincerely appreciate the
discussion surrounding this and any
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 8

Avondale Estates officials discuss streetscape project

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Before more new development
comes to Avondale Estates, city
officials want to make sure the
central business district has a
consistent streetscape standard.
Mayor Jonathan Elmore
started a streetscape discussion
during the Board of Mayor and
Commissioners work session on
Sept. 6. With the construction of
the mixed-use development at
Sams Crossing and East College
Avenue, and Avilaformerly
Euramex Managementmoving
forward with its plans for the
Fenner Dunlop property, Elmore
said he wants to make sure the city
has streetscape standards in place
before more development takes
place in the city.
This is really kind of a big
deal and I just want us to start
talking about it, Elmore said.
[Streetscape] is tied to zoning,
but I think we need to nail that
Avondale Estates officials wants streetscape standards in place before more new development takes
place in the city. Photo by Travis Hudgons
down and we need to do it in
a way thats compatible to the
downtown master plan, with our
vision with zoning and all of that.
Yes, this is a bigger discussion
about the entire framework
and zoning, but I think this is
something thats going to start
coming up more and more often,
Elmore added. Were going to
have to talk about it as we move
forward with the [city-owned] four
acres [of Fenner Dunlop]. People
are looking at property, people are
going to be buying property. [We]
have to start nailing down what
we want our street to look like.
In addition to the current
development projects, the city will
soon have a new design for the
Highway 278 road diet project. The
city is currently asking for requests
of qualifications for engineers to
design the citys section of the
highway.
Commissioners agree the city
should continue discussions on
developing standards.
If we go ahead and decide on
[the standards] it makes it easier
for a developer to know that this
[sidewalk] is done so they can get
to another part of the sidewalk
and its consistent with the rest,
Commissioner Brian Fisher said.
The board asked city staff to
provide them with the standards
that currently shape the streets in
downtown Avondale Estates.
I think where we need to start
is what we have now, Elmore said.
I just know that if we dont start to
think about streetscape standards
now its going to be really difficult.
It may involve acquiring property
to create more rights-of-way to do
these things. It can be a big deal.

CLARKSTON Continued From Page 4A

suggests providing city-
based initiatives for home
owership and affordable
housing.
Rent is too darn high
and 80 percent of the
Clarkston community are
renters. Its going up every
single year and pricing
people out. From the citys
perspective, we have to be
active, Terry said.
For safety, Terry said
the city should develop
a civilian-led oversight
board to develop policies
for the Clarkston police to
implement. The result, Terry
said, will be partnerships
with neighborhoods,
businesses and other
stakeholders.
Weve grown the size
of the city by annexing the
Brockett Road community,
Terry said. While weve
added to our police force,
weve also added more
911 calls. I want to focus
on a way for residents
and the community to be
more involved in enforcing
public safety. This is true
community policing. We
need to do a better job in
making Clarkston one of
the safest cities in America.
For SPLOST-based
projects, Terry wants
Clarkston to make the best
use of its funds.
The infrastructure
projects need to create a
good entrance for our city,
connect all our people to all
of the citys assets, schools
and the downtown core,
Terry said. Theres a lot
of ideas on how to spend
the money, but we have
to make sure were using
taxpayer money wisely.
Terry said he has
worked in, and volunteered
for, political campaigns and
elected officials since he
was 17 years old. He said he
enjoys being able to help
people and effect change.
Its the greatest job
ever, Terry said. We
get to fix real world
problemssome big, some
small. Fixing a pothole is
something we can do right
away. In the long term,
we can address policy
problems. When people
come to you with an issue,
you find a solution and
empower them. At the end
of the day, we get to make
the community better.
Terrys sole opponent
in November will be former
councilmember Beverly
Burks, who was first had to resign, as you cant need to come together
elected to city council in do everything in one and as a community. Always
2015. a half years and I feel you serving in communities has
I have nothing need a record of success. prepared me and led to a
negative to say about my Terry said he looks successful time as mayor.
opponent. I wish she would forward to four more years Everything I do, I do for
stay on council because she of service to the people of Clarkston. I notice every
is a great council member, Clarkston. piece of trash, crack in the
Terry said. We have a lot of My main mindset is sidewalk, pot hole and
common ideas and great the seat for mayor is not water leak and Im always
things we were able to mineits the peoples, thinking of solutions. It
accomplish together. Im Terry said. Its up to the doesnt matter the size of
supportive of her initiative people to decide who the issuethe mayors job
to create more public art can represent them for is to solve problems and
in Clarkston. I regret she the next four years. We create a better Clarkston.
CITY OF CLARKSTON
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS AND REGISTRATION
Notice is hereby given that a Special Election will be held in the City of
Clarkston on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, to fill an unexpired term on the City
Council; said term expires December 31, 2019.
Voting will take place at the Clarkston First Baptist Church Family Life
Center at 4007 Church Street, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Any person who
is a resident of the City of Clarkston and who is registered at least thirty (30)
days prior to this election with the DeKalb County Board of Registrations and
Elections as an elector within the City of Clarkston shall be eligible to vote in this
election. Deadline for voter registration is October 10, 2017.
Persons wishing to qualify for this election may file a Notice of Candidacy
with the Municipal Election Superintendent at Clarkston City Hall Annex, 1055
Rowland Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning on Monday, September
18, 2017 to Wednesday, September 20, 2017. The Qualifying fee for council is
$105.
Application for absentee ballots may be made by mail or in person to the
Absentee Ballot Clerk, DeKalb County Elections Division, 4380 Memorial Drive,
Decatur, GA 30032, 404-298-4020.
This notice is given pursuant to Chapter 21 of the Official Code of Georgia, as
amended, pertaining to municipal elections, this 6th September, 2017.
Tracy Ashby, City Clerk and Municipal Election Superintendent
LOCAL
Darrow Brown, 49, and Laura Whitesell, 33, were convicted of child cruelty for
starving and beating children.
Assistant D.A.: Tucker children
physically OK after abuse
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
The children who suf-
fered abuse and starvation
at their parents Tucker
home are in a safe environ-
ment and physically doing
OK, according to DeKalb
County Senior Assistant
District Attorney Mirna An-
drews.
DeKalb County District
Attorney Sherry Boston
announces a conviction by
jury in the starvation case
against two Tucker parents.
The parents, Darrow Brown
and Laura Whitesell, were
charged with five counts of
first degree cruelty to chil-
dren for abusing and starv-
ing four of their 6 children
living in the home.
Andrews, the lead pros-
ecutor on the case, said
the children are recover-
ing from their physical and
mental scars and were re-
moved from the home by
the Department of Family
and Childrens Services. Two
of the victims are now living
with their biological father.
Physically, they are all
healthy and they are doing
fine, Andrews said.
Andrews said the case
was personally difficult to
prosecute. As a mother, she
said she tries to separate
work and personal life.
It is not always easy.
I go home to my children
and family and its a balanc-
ing act. I have to have dif-
ferent outlets and different
ways to balance it or else I
dont think I could sustain
it for this long, Andrews
said. Were very supportive
of each other here. The of-
fice under [Sherry] Boston
understand what we go
through. Theyre very open
and allow us to take a few
days off to get ourselves to-
gether mentally.
Sentencing for Brown
and Whitesell is scheduled
for Oct. 18. Andrews said
the department will decide
an appropriate sentence to
suggest to the judge, who
will have the final say.
The details of neglect in
the case will play a role, An-
drews said.
This is a case where the
family said they were finan-
cially struggling, but they
had so many resources,
Andrews said. The four
children that were malnour-
ished were not in school.
You can get free or reduced
lunch at school and the
family at one point had food
stamps but opted not to
renew it. They had enough
money to buy weed twice
a week and as a parent, its
your responsibility to take
care of those children.
According to investiga-
tors, three of the couples
six children, who ranged
from 6 to 9 years old, were
severely malnourished. The
children were starved and
beaten as punishment. The
oldest child was punched
and beaten with a pipe by
the parents for attempting
to steal food.
In 2015, paramedics
were called to a motel room
where the family lived after
their 13-year-old daughter
was found unresponsive in
the bathroom. The daugh-
ter weighed 52 pounds
at the time. According to
healthadvisor.com, the aver-
age weight of a 13-year-old
girl ranges from 82 to 137
pounds.
be heard at the above mentioned time and place. A report by the Zoning Administrator
Theres a silver lining
to this story that doesnt
always happen and were
happy to see justice done,
Andrews said.
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 9
DeKalb CEO to update residents on water bills
DeKalb County residents will have The meeting will come just weeks
the opportunity to express concerns after the county released approximately
regarding the countys water billing 7,500 previously held bills.
system during a water billing update In total, the county has released
meeting hosted by DeKalb CEO Michael roughly 72 percent of the previously held
Thurmond. bills. Normal billing was suspended for
The meeting will be held at the approximately 37,000 of the countys
Maloof Building in downtown Decatur 194,000 water and sewer accounts in
Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. December 2016 when DeKalb County
Before the meeting, residents will officials determined that the accuracy
have a chance to speak with DeKalb of the bills could not be independently
County water billing representatives verified, according to county officials.
and inquire about general water billing We have made significant progress
questions, according to county officials. in the past six months toward addressing
According to county officials, the decades of mismanagement that led to
meeting will feature a question and the failures in our water and sewer billing
answer session with the CEO. The process, Thurmond said in a statement.
meeting will also be lived streamed on We are getting closer to restoring normal
Facebook on the countys Facebook page. billing for all of our customers.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
Notice is hereby given that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Lithonia, Georgia will
hold public hearings on Monday, October 2nd, 2017 starting at 6:00 pm at Lithonia City Hall,
located at 6920 Main Street, Lithonia, Georgia, on the following zoning matters:
1. AN AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATING PLAN OF THE DOWNTOWN LITHONIA
FORM-BASED CODE
This is a City-initiated amendment to the Regulating Plan of the Downtown Lithonia Form-
Based. The amendment would designate the property at 6947 Main Street as the Downtown
Sub Area on the Regulating Plan. The property is now designated as the Edge Sub Area on
the Regulating Plan. Such Plan amendments are subject to approval by Mayor and City Council
following a public hearing.
2. A TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE DOWNTOWN LITHONIA FORM-BASED CODE
This is a City-initiated amendment to the text of the Downtown Lithonia Form-Based Code.
The amendment would add cigar lounge, cigar bar, hookah lounge, and hookah bar to Sec.
7. Schedule of Uses of that Code and define these uses in Sec. 27-31. Definitions of the Lithonia
Zoning Ordinance. These uses would be subject to approval of a Special Exception Use by Mayor
and City Council following a public hearing.
3. SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE AT 6947 MAIN STREET
The application of Mr. Michael J. Smith concerns the proposed establishment of a cigar bar
at 6947 Main Street as a Special Exception Use. Mayor and City Council may consider the
application upon approval of an amendment to the Downtown Lithonia Form-Based Code that
would add cigar bars to the Sec. 7. Schedule of Uses of that Code, subject to approval of a Special
Exception Use following a public hearing.
4. SPECIAL EXCEPTION USE AT 6860 MAIN STREET
The application of Ms. Scharika May concerns the establishment of a Family Personal Care
Home at 6860 Main Street as a Special Exception Use.
Written comments concerning the proposed Plan amendment may be filed with the City Clerk
prior to the public hearing or submitted at the hearing. Individuals interested in commenting
on the proposed amendment, either in writing or verbally, will be given an opportunity to
concerning the amendment and the Regulating Plan may be examined at Lithonia City Hall.
Further information may be obtained by contacting Ms. Cheryl Foster, City Administrator, at
770.482.0152.
Deborah A. Jackson
Mayor, City of Lithonia
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 10

PULL UP WITH PULL UPS

Radio shows host diaper drive in DeKalb for
Hurricane Harvey victims
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN friend of mine and were something or not, but with
horace@dekalbchamp.com expecting him here in these cause, you know its
spirit with a big donation for the kids and the babies.
today. We dont want parents to
DeKalb County officials, Cameron said the worry about how they can
residents and radio hosts reports on CNN prompted take care of their kids.
stopped by South DeKalb him and other radio show DeKalb County
Mall in Decatur to give hosts to act. resident Nathalie
diapers and wipes for the Its just sad, Cameron Robinson said she came
help Houston diaper drive said. I mean, who doesnt by the diaper drive to do
for the victims of Hurricane love babies? Somethings her small part. Robinson,
Harvey. are polarizing on whether
The drive, held Sept. people want to support SEE HELPING ON PAGE 12A V-103 morning show host Ryan Cameron helps a woman carrying multiple
6, was hosted by radio boxes of diapers to the diaper drive at the South DeKalb Mall on Sept. 6.
stations V-103, 92.9 The
Game and 1380 WAOK.
Volunteers collected wipes
and diapers for newborns
and adults.
According Rashad
Richey, a mid-day host
for 1380 WAOK and
contributor for V-103, the
needs of babies and the
elderly are sometimes
overlooked during a
disaster.
Based on our research,
we found that FEMA does
not provide diapers for
those that are in need. Not
just kids, but were also
talking about the elderly,
Richey said. We decided
to take up the slack and
do a diaper and baby
wipes drive because that
is a need not currently
provided by FEMA.
Volunteers collected
diapers and wipes until 6
p.m. at South DeKalb Mall
and filled a 58-foot-tractor
trailer. The drive even
received a sizable donation
from Atlanta-based actor
and director Tyler Perry.
Perry delivered a 22-foot
Penske rental truck filled
with diapers and wipes.
V-103 Morning Show
host Ryan Cameron
said it was important to
give diapers to victims of
Hurricane Harvey because
it is an item that may be
overlooked.
A lot of these service
organizations, not to knock
them or anything, dont
give out diapers, Cameron
said. Were expecting to
fill up this truck up at our
three various locations.
Tyler Perry is a good
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 11

WEEKinPICTURES

More than 3,000 middle school students from DeKalb County School District participated in a Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) rally on Sept 8 at Hallford
Stadium in Clarkston. Photo courtesy of DCSD.

Have you created programming youd like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb Countys Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.
(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com
LOCAL
A challenger emerges in Chamblee
RESIDENT VAN PAPPAS PLANS TO UNSEAT LONGTIME MAYOR
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
According to Chamblee
resident and mayoral candidate
Van Pappas, its time for a change
in leadership in city government.
Sometimes when youre in a
leadership position for a long time,
you can get blinded to what people
want or need, Pappas told The
Champion on Sept. 5. If you dont
know what citizens want, how can
you give a city what it needs?
Pappas is the sole opponent
running against current Mayor Eric
Clarkson, who has occupied the
office since 2005. For the past eight
years, Clarkson has run unopposed.
Its been eight years since
citizens have had a choice, Pappas
said.
Pappas, an independent
financial planner since 1999, helped
found the Chamblee Downtown
Development Authority, serves
as chairman of the Chamblee
Business Association and was the
first chairman of the Chamblee
Chamber of Commerce.
Pappas said he hopes to bring
his business acumen to Chamblees
city government.
Everything in life costs money,
Pappas said. If you have goals for
the future, you have to figure out
how to pay for them. In business,
you ask clients what their goals are
and you figure out a way to achieve
them. A city is no different. I want
to ask the citizens what our goals
areparks, safer neighborhoods,
more developmentand figure out
HELPING Continued From Page 10A
a mother of three kids, said she was
happy to see the community come
together for the diaper drive.
The radio stations also collected
diapers at two other locations at the
Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth and
Camp Creek Marketplace.
Sometimes we do forget about
the babies, Robinson said. It kind
of pulls at your heart because I can
only imagine a baby there thats
helpless. They depend on you, so you
must take care of their every need.
They dont know that a hurricane
has happened. The least we can do is
help. Every little bit helps.
DeKalb County Health Director
Mayoral candidate Van Pappas said Chamblee
residents are ready for a change in leadership.
Photo submitted.
how to pay for them.
A way Pappas hopes to
accomplish this feat is establishing
an economic roundtable
committee made up of bankers,
lawyers, property owners and other
business leaders to streamline the
process of development.
Pappas said traffic is another
major issue Chamblee is facing, a
consequence of the citys fast pace
of development.
We live in the middle of a huge
metropolisits going to continue
to grow and traffic is going to get
worse, Pappas said. Ive heard from
elected officials that the Georgia
Department of Transportation
(GDOT) is hard to work with. Ive
met with GDOT twice in the last 60
days and didnt get that impression
at all. Theyre receptive to work on
ways to reduce traffic.
Pappas proposes establishing a
city traffic engineerwho primarily
serves as a go-between with
Elizabeth Ford and David Manuel,
interim deputy director of DeKalb
County Parks and Recreational Affairs,
also attended the diaper drive.
This is wonderful for the
community and its exciting to have
V-103 here which is like my family.
This is the community I work in
and the community I pour myself
in, Manuel said. Ryan [Cameron]
does so much in the south DeKalb
area and now were helping others
outside the community.
Volunteers said individuals can
donate by texting Harvey 2017 to
91999 to support the Hurricane
Harvey relief fund.
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 12
Chamblee Mayor Eric Clarkson has held the
position since 2005 and ran unopposed in the
last two mayoral elections. Photo submitted.
GDOTto identify problem areas
and come up with technological
solutions.
Another key issue for Pappas is
affordable housing for workers and
seniors. He said Chamblee should
not push out those who call the city
home or who have grown old in its
boundaries.
People dont want to leave
the community theyve been in
for years, Pappas said. We need
to have options and we dont have
enough senior housing. If we push
people out, they have to move
away and drive in, which causes
more traffic.
On a more local level, Pappas
also desires improvement in zoning,
preference of business in Chamblee
as well as the way in which
Chamblee markets itself. He feels
strongly about the citys incoming
town center and feels, with the
right direction, it can make a major
difference in the city.
Radio stations V-103, 1380 WAOK and 92.9 The Game held a diaper drive at the South DeKalb Mall
Pappas also said he feels that
there should be more town hall
meetings with citizens to gauge
what the people want and develop
goals. Clarkson has held three town
hall meetings this year.
Its funny that he has town
hall meetings now that theres a
challenger, Pappas said.
Pappas said an evolving sense
of civic pride instilled in him the
desire to run for mayor.
This is my community, I want to
make it better, Pappas said. I dont
want to be a career politician, I want
to help my local community. I love
it hereIm raising my family here
and plan on retiring here. I want to
do whats best for the community,
and being the mayor is the best
way to do that.
According to Pappas, the meet-
and-greet events he has attended
and door-to-door conversations
with residents has given him the
impression Chamblee is ready for a
change in leadership.
[Clarkson] has served our
community for a long time and
should be commended for the work
hes done here, Pappas said. My
financial planning approach would
be a much better way of doing
things than how hes [running the
city]. I can do a better job in the
position than he can.
Voting for the mayors race in
Chamblee will take place on Nov. 7
from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To locate your
polling station, visit chambleega.
com/288/Polling-Locations.
For more information about Van
Pappas, visit www.vanpappas.com.
LOCAL
DECATUR
Hate Free Decatur along with local chapters of the NAACP and Black Lives Matter held a press conference to ask government officials to remove the Confederate monument located in downtown Decatur.
SHOULD IT STAY OR SHOULD IT GO
Rally held to remove Confederate monument
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Several DeKalb County-based
civil rights organizations and
DeKalb residents held a march
in Decatur proclaiming the
Confederate monument near the
old courthouse in Downtown
Decatur must be removed and put
into a museum.
Hate Free Decatur, a newly
formed grassroots civil rights
organization, along with local
chapters of the NAACP and Black
Lives Matter held a rally to ask
government officials to remove
the monument Sept. 10. The rally
began at the Beacon Municipal
Plaza with protesters holding signs
condemning the lost cause of the
Confederacy.
Sara Patenaude, co-founder
of Hate Free Decatur, said the
monument sends the wrong
message to residents.
We have a petition with [more
than] 2,000 signatures calling for
this monument removal. We know
that they are currently delaying in
action, Patenaude said. We want
to end the White supremacist
systems in Decatur and in DeKalb
County. We are calling for the
commission to take action.
Some protesters believe the
monument, built in 1907, was a
way to support Jim Crow laws of
the south. In 1907, the Agnes Lee
chapter of the United Daughters
of the Confederacy raised
approximately $2,000 to build the
statue.
Protest and rallies for
the removal of Confederate
monuments in Georgia hit a
stall after reviewing state law
OCCG 50-3-1 (b) (1). The law
states that makes it unlawful
to mutilate, deface, defile, or
abuse contemptuously or for
local governments to remove
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 13
or conceal from displayfor the
purpose of preventing the visible
display
Attorney Gerald Griggs, a
former public defender with the
DeKalb County Public Defenders
Office, said county officials and
city commissioners can still act to
remove the statue despite state law.
Monuments under [state law]
50-3-1 (b) (2) says monuments
can be removed and replaced for
their preservational protection.
Thats a clear exception in the law,
so theres no need for legislative
change, Griggs said. I think the
lawmakers are being disingenuous
when they talk about not having
the power to remove these
statues.
In August, the city of Decatur
reported someone smeared feces
on the monument and weeks later
the monument was covered in
yarn to hide the statutes wording.
For this monument own
protection, it should be removed
and placed in a museum. Currently
the law allows that to happen,
Griggs said. I would call on the
county commissioners to research
the law and go to that exception
and make that decision to remove
this.
During a press conference
before the rally, DeKalb Chapter
President of the NAACP Teresa
Hardy said she was thrilled to see
Hate Free Decatur bring other
groups together for a common
goal.
Hardy said she wants the
NAACP to continue to collaborate
with other organizations.
Under my leadership, my
biggest thing is collaboration.
We all worked together to end
segregation and end racial
discrimination, Hardy said. If we
can all work together to get this
done together, I think the fight will
get better.
EDUCATION
Approximately 70 members of Lakeside High Schools marching band participated in the 2017 Dragon Con Parade on Sept. 2, the only Atlanta high school to do so. Photo submitted
THREE YEARS MARCHING
Lakeside High School marching band continues Dragon Con tradition
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
For the third consecutive year, members of
Lakeside High Schools marching band donned
their uniforms, polished their instruments and
marched alongside stormtroopers from Star
Wars, warriors from 300, celebrities and other
royalty from pop culture.
Approximately 70 students from Lakesides
marching band participated in Atlantas annual
Dragon Con parade on Peachtree Street on
Sept. 2.
The paradewhich coincides with the
annual four-day Dragon Con festival at
the Hyatt Regencyfeatures thousands
of cosplayers (people in costumes), floats
and participants and attracts an estimated
attendance of more than 100,000.
According to Lakeside High School band
director David Fairchild, the parade is a once-
in-a-lifetime chance for music students.
Part of what I do is give students
experiences that will last a lifetime, Fairchild
said. At Dragon Con, theres an unbelievably
welcoming crowd filled with nothing
but positivity and acceptance. This is the
opportunity to serve more than 250,000
members of our Atlanta community and
perform for people not native to the city.
Lakeside Highs marching band was the only
high school marching band that participated
in the parade for the third year in a row. This
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 14
Lakeside Highs band director, David Fairchild, said the
parade provides students with a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity. Photo submitted.
year, the band played Counting Starts by
One Republic and Fly Me to the Moon, made
famous by Frank Sinatra.
Past years, according to Fairchild, have
included the theme from Mario Bros. as well as
Downtown, by Beulah Clark.
Fairchild said many participating students
enjoy setting up and staging for the event, as
it provides ample time for pictures with people
dressed as Yoda, Mario, Luigi, Boba Fett and
more.
Others just enjoy the chance to play on
that big of a stage, Fairchild said.
Fairchild said many Lakeside High School
students and alumni attend Dragon Con and
make the experience even more unforgettable.
Every year weve done it, weve had people
yell out the years they attended Lakeside High
School, Fairchild said. It helps students really
feel connected to the history of the school and
the biggest event in our city.
According to Fairchild, the 1.1 parade route
is considerably short for marching bands.
Even though the parade is considered extra
duty for the band, he said the 70 students
that participated were all volunteers. The few
students that did not volunteer were going out
of town for Labor Day weekend.
This is a very fun parade to be in, Fairchild
said. The crowd is great. Its the biggest part of
the convention. Its perfect.
Fairchild said the Dragon Con parade
coincides with a function of the bands overall
mission as it relates to Lakeside High School:
good, positive publicity.
One of the great things and big jobs of any
marching band at any school is to be a vehicle
for positive news and positive [public relations]
for the school district, Fairchild said. We should
be an uplifting part of the school and our
community. We feel that weve accomplished
that. We saw more people in this one parade
than all our annual football games, concerts
and performances combined!
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 15

Bridging the gap

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS MEETS STUDENTS ACADEMIC, SOCIAL AND MENTAL NEEDS
BY R. SCOTT BELZER three). Students at all levels are readiness. Honduras. Teodori said the pair
put in touch with community or Last year we did a literacy does not have any struggles to
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com school-based resources to help program at Woodward Elementary speak of, but said they benefit from
maintain or recapture academic School, Teodori said. The year the motivation, empowerment and
Each day of the week, Cross success. before we went to an assisted advice she offers.
Keys High School educator According to Teodori, living home for seniors during We started in ninth grade,
Federica Teodori helps students teachers at Cross Keys will Valentines Day and students Calix said. At first, we helped her
cope with difficult home lives, write out a referral form or an delivered handmade cards. The with projects. She started talking
faltering grades, English as a email recommending they take year before we did a schoolwide about the community and how we
second language, unacceptable advantage of CISs services. If a health fair, which we now do every can help. I like everything about
behavior and adapting to life in the students grades start to slip or year. volunteering. She gives great
United States. missing school becomes more Tier one activities include support and is always here. We can
This is because Teodori is frequent, chances are at least schoolwide activities such as field talk to her about personal things.
Cross Keys site coordinator for one teacher will contact Teodori. trips to nearby universities or She speaks Spanish, Caballero
Communities In Schools (CIS), a In other cases, she will examine colleges, State Farms Choice Bus, said. It would be much harder
dropout prevention organization retention rates from the previous which simulates a prison cell or without her here.
established in Atlanta in 1972. school year and assess student schoolwide assemblies focusing on Teodori, who moved to the
CIS provides schools with needs. criminal justice. United States five years ago from
at least one coordinator who For tier three, we use In some cases, Teodori will Italy, said her own experience
identifies social, economic or individual counseling for help non-case load students helps her connect to Cross Keys
mental barriers keeping at-risk academic issues because course who simply need advice following High students. Cross Keys serves
students from succeeding in the performance is very lowpoor graduation or need emotional a diverse student body that is 80
classroom. CIS is currently available efforts and poor commitment, support from a difficult homelife. percent Hispanic or Latino, 11
to students at Cross Keys and Teodori said. We talk with them She said the most common percent Black, 6 percent Asian, 1
Towers high schools in DeKalb and connect them with resources, problem at Cross Keys involves not percent White and 1 percent other.
County, but has also been available maybe tutors or volunteers who having basics at home or having to I love this school, Teodori
to past students at McNair High can help them pass a class and work to provide for the family. said. I can see myself here in
School. graduate. Tier two activities involve Some students like to come this community and with these
According to Teodori, her job mentoring groups for females and eat lunch with me, use the kids. Im an immigrant myself. I
is simple but not easy: help 70 males, to talk about life skills. computersimple stuff, but not speak bad English and Spanish
studentsher current caseload According to Teodori, she is simple for them, Teodori said. pretty well, so that helps me with
in any way possible. currently helping a few students Mostly, they come from another students and parents a lot. Having
We do anything and on tier two who are parents country and a different school someone who can speak to them
everything inside the school, or pregnant. She said she is system. What theyve been taught and connect with them in their
Teodori said. Translation, connecting the students with at home is different, now theyre own language makes things much
counselingeverything. My office groups in the DeKalb County here and they have to start from easierBy the end of the day, Im
serves as a library, Kroger and a community who specialize in the beginning. Language can be a glad I can help them. Its rewarding
therapy office. helping student mothers. Other barrier and access to public health to see students succeed.
Teodori uses CISs three-tier tier two groups focus on such can be a big issue. For more information about
system which helps children subjects as cyberbullying, self- Two students familiar with Communities In Schools, visit
schoolwide (tier one), in a group esteem, attendance in school, Teodori are seniors Yesi Calix and www.cisatlanta.org.
(tier two) and individually (tier community service and career Yanoisy Caballero, both from
BUSINESS
In her fathers footsteps
entrepreneur mentors his daughter
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
After Leighton Hull developed
a business proposal package for
a man seeking to buy a franchise
with a national tire company,
officials at the company declared
it the best they had ever seen and
invited him to establish his own
tire franchise. Instead, he bought
a restaurant in a national fast-food
chain, but his experience with
the tire company prompted him
toward a new career path.
It is a career path he is so
confident in hes working to
establish it for his familys next
generation. While he operates
a number of retail businesses,
Hull also acts as a mentor to his
daughter Sydney, who is slated
to take over businesses her father
is currently operating or opening.
Entrepreneurship is a good career
path, especially for a young Black
person. When you own your own
business, you have control of your
business life, Leighton Hull said.
After Sydney Hull graduated
from Spelman College, she went
to DePaul University, where she
got a law degree. That was my
suggestion, her father said. A
law degree is the best education
you can get in preparation for
business ownership. Studying law
teaches you to think critically and
analytically. Thats what you need
in business.
Leighton Hull honed his
business skills while working for
the state of Illinois commerce
department then became a
consultant helping clients put their
business ideas on paper as they
sought to become entrepreneurs.
He found that he liked
opening franchised businesses
and has owned and operated such
businesses across the country,
including in California and Hawaii.
When a business is part of a
franchise its products and business
model are already established.
People know who you areand
you have the backing of a national
corporation. With a franchise,
Hull said, youre in business for
yourself, but youre not in business
by yourself.
The owner of a Bojangles
restaurant on Panola Road, Hull
this month is opening a second
Bojangles in Stonecrest. He has a
third Bojangles under construction
in Ellenwood.
As Leighton Hull was
overseeing the final details in
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 16
preparation for opening the
Stonecrest store, his daughter
was interviewing candidates for
the approximately 100 jobs the
restaurant will provide. Thats
another thing I like about being
a business owner, the father said,
it gives you the opportunity to
provide jobs in your community
to help the community develop
and grow. Every one of the jobs
this restaurant provides will go to
someone right here in the local
area.
He said the Stonecrest store is
in a great location. Stonecrest is
growing rapidly. Thats especially
true since now that it has become
a city. Like the other locations Hull
has chosen for restaurants, the one
on Turner Hill Road is in a high-
traffic area near other business
destinations such as malls and
big box stores. He said he also
makes sure to open restaurants
on the breakfast side of the road
so commuters going to work can
approach them with a simple right
turn.
Bojangles, a 40-year old
Charlotte, N.C.-based chain, came
to Hulls attention when he was
living in Illinois and Sydney was a
Spelman student. While visiting
his daughter in Atlanta, he met a
Bojangles official who urged him
to consider buying one of the
restaurants. I wasnt familiar with
Bojangles at the time, because its
stores are primarily in the South,
but I agreed first of all to see
whether I liked their food.
A good business owner has to
believe in his product. I wouldnt
sell something that I wouldnt eat
or use, he explained. Hull said he
and his daughter were impressed
with the products Bojangles offers,
especially its signature item
made-from-scratch biscuits. Each
store in the restaurant chain sells
an average of 945 biscuits a day,
each made by a person trained
and certified by the corporate
office. The restaurant also features
spicy fried chicken and other
Cajun-inspired menu offerings.
There are currently approximately
740 Bojangles restaurants,
primarily in the Southeast, 426 of
which are franchised, according to
the Bojangles website.
While he is currently focused
on the restaurant business, Hull
said solid business skills can be
applied to any enterprise and he
and his daughter will remain on
the lookout for promising business
opportunities.
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SPORTS
YOUTH FOOTBALL
Former University of Florida quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Danny Wuerffel is a coach within the program. Photo by Travis Hudgons
Decatur launches youth tackle football program
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The Decatur youth tackle football program
had its first home games Sept. 9 at Decatur
High School.
The program, which has a fifth and sixth
grade team, kicked off its inaugural season
Aug. 26 in the North Metro Football league.
Decatur Active Living Athletics Program
Supervisor Stacey Green said the Decatur
recreation center tried to start a program a
few years ago. However, it was new Decatur
High School football coach Cody Corey who
got the ball rolling to create a program this
year.
I know his goal is to get the numbers
back up and get them started early, Green
said. [Corey] said one of the problems he was
having was kids that never played football
[were] coming out to play at the high school.
Its hard to teach them, at that age, the proper
way to play football. Thats one of the reasons
why he wanted to have a feeder program so
that they can start young and can learn.
During the DeKalb County School Districts
football media day in July, Corey mentioned
the youth football program.
Were trying to do big things and [trying]
to move our program forward, Corey said.
When Decatur Active Living announced
the launch of the program, Green said they
had more than 50 children sign up.
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 18
Photo by Travis Hudgons
Our parents are excited, our kids are
excited, our coaches are excited, she said. Its
a new program so everyone is excited.
One of the coaches is Dr. Sean Stowell,
a former Brigham Young University football
player who coaches the sixth-grade team.
Stowell said he coached at the Druid Hills
youth football programs for many years and
has coached players that lived in Decatur.
We reached out to coach Corey and told
him a lot of these kids are from Decatur,
Stowell said. He organized it in terms of
meeting with Stacey and it went from there.
The city was extremely supportive. Our goal is
to give these kids an opportunity to learn life
lessons from football.
Stowell said the experience with the
Decatur youth football program has been
fantastic.
We have some kids that played a little
longer than other kids and a lot of kids who
are brand new to football, he said. So, there
are different levels of experience but theyve
all come together and learning together how
to play football.
Former University of Florida quarterback
and Heisman trophy winner Danny Wuerffel
is also a coach within the program, assisting
the fifth-grade team. Wuerffel, who has lived
in Decatur with his family for 12 years, said he
got involved with the program because his
son is on the team.
Like a lot of other fathers, you want your
kids to have a good experience, he said.
Wuerffel said working with the players has
been a little challenging but fun.
Its a brand-new program so its difficult to
kind of get kids at this age focused and lined
up, but we made some progress and we got
better each time, Wuerffel said. Hopefully,
theyre having fun and getting better.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 19

FOOTBALL

Second half comeback

propels Stephenson
over Southwest DeKalb
BY CARLA PARKER We have two
carla@dekalbchamp.com quarterbacksthe

T
advantage is we have
he Stephenson two quarterbacks that
Jaguars outscored we work in tandem, he
the Southwest said. So sometimes one
DeKalb Panthers [quarterback] will play
31-12 in the and sometimes the other
second half to beat their will play. Were just glad to
rival 31-18 on Sept. 8 at have two that can play. Its
Hallford Stadium. not about Parker, its not
The Jaguars went about Wray, its about them
into halftime down 6-0. working together.
Stephenson received On the Jaguars first
the ball at the start of offensive drive of the
the half and cornerback second half, Parker hit
Ira Henderson gave his wide receiver Deshon
team the spark it needed Stoudemire on a slant pass
by returning the opening and Stoudemire ran 56
kickoff for a touchdown, yards to the end zone for a
tying the score at 6-6. touchdown. Tisdale kicked
Darian Tisdale kicked the extra point to extend Deshon Stoudemire out runs a pair of Southwest DeKalb defenders on a 56 yard touchdown reception. Photo by Travis
the extra point to give the Stephensons lead to 14-6. Hudgons
Jaguars a 7-6 lead. Southwest DeKalb
Assistant head coach responded with a
Donald Sellers said the touchdown drive. Tomlin
OTHER SCORES
touchdown on the kickoff connected with wide
return was the play that receiver Tommy Wright on
turned the game around a 27-yard touchdown pass.
for them. The Panthers tried to go for
We had an emotional the two-point conversion,
swing then and it got our but was unsuccessful,
kids motivated, Sellers said. leaving the score at 14-12.
They rallied behind that In the fourth quarter,
positive motivation and the Jaguars extended their
we were able to maintain it lead to 21-12 when Parker
and keep it going. and Stoudemire connected
Both teams struggled again on a touchdown
to hold onto the football pass, this time for 16 yards.
in the first half with both Running back Deondre
teams committing two Jackson extended the lead
turnovers each. Southwest to 28-12 on a 21-yard run.
DeKalb scored the only Southwest DeKalb
touchdown in the first responded again with a 17-
half on a 9-yard pass from yard touchdown pass from
quarterback Justin Tomlin Tomlin to wide receiver
Photo by Travis Hudgons
to wide receiver Michael Aquil Muhammed. The
Pace. The extra point was Panthers were unsuccessful Sept. 8 Open
no good, leaving the score again on the two-point Cedar Grove (3-0) 33, Columbia (2-2) 0 Chamblee (1-2)
at 6-0. conversion attempt,
When the Jaguars Lakeside (1-2) 53, Druid Hills (0-3) 0 Decatur (1-2)
leaving the score 28-18.
offense took the field in the A field goal by Tisdale Marist (3-0) 17, St. Pius X (0-3) 14 Cross Keys (0-1)
second half, Darren Parker with 1:01 left to play Dacula (1-2) 9, Arabia Mountain (3-1) 0 Lithonia (1-2)
came in at quarterback, brought the final score North Atlanta (3-0) 14, Dunwoody (2-1) 0 M.L. King (1-2)
replacing Gavon Wray, to 31-18. This was the
who played in the first sixth consecutive year Salem (2-1) 35, Miller Grove (2-2) 6 Redan (1-2)
half and couldnt get the Stephenson (1-2) has Stone Mountain (1-2)
Jaguars in the end zone. defeated Southwest Sept. 9 Towers (1-2)
Sellers said Wray wasnt DeKalb (2-2) in this rivalry.
replaced because of his Clarkston (1-3) 34, South Atlanta (0-4) 0 Tucker (2-1)
Stephenson is 9-5 overall
inability to move the against Southwest DeKalb. Therrell (1-3) 8, McNair (2-1) 0
offense.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2017 Page 20

Year of
Progress
continues
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Brookhaven is continuing its mission to improve
city parks in what city officials have dubbed the
Year of Progress.
Mayor John Ernst, City Councilman John
Park and others broke ground Sept. 7 on phase
Brookhaven city officials broke ground on phase I of improvements to Georgian Hills Park. Photo by Carla Parker
I of improvements to Georgian Hills Park on East
Georgian Drive. In July, the Brookhaven City Council
approved the $1.2 million improvement project dollars and I hope we make you proud, Park said to There will be designated parking space for electric
for the 3.6-acre park, which will include an open residents in attendance. cars with an electric charging station.
field with Bermuda turf, an irrigation system and a Georgian Hills joins three other parks/ Ernst said the city will also soon break ground
walking trail that extends around the open space greenspaces that are being constructed in the city. on the improvement project for Murphey Candler
field. In July, the city demolished the Skyland Center on Park. The park will get a new open space and
Today is the next chapter of our summer/fall Skyland Drive to make way for a new state-of-the- playground. Ernst said the city has also purchased
progress of our parks as we continue the rest of this art park. Skyland Park will feature sand volleyball 33 acres of greenspace near DeKalb-Peachtree
year getting these park improvements done, Ernst courts, picnic shelters, dog parks, a new restroom Airport last April. The property, located west of
said. facility, a playground area and a large open space Clairmont Road at the intersection with Tobey Road,
Georgian Hills Park also will have a new field. contains mature trees, a stream, wildlife and native
playground, picnic shelter and a basketball half- There also will be two additional shade plants.
court. A redesigned parking lot will be ADA structures that will serve as device charging stations Its been a great year so far with our park
compliant and improvements will be made to the for the public. The shade structures will be made improvements and bringing the promise of that to
sidewalk that runs along Clairmont Road. of material that will incorporate solar panels, which our citizens, Ernst said.
Were doing stuff. Were doing it with your tax will allow park visitors to charge electronic devices.