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Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
DECATUR COUNTYWIDE
Firefighters Honored
File photo
AN HISTORIC
DECISION
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
AROUNDDEKALB
BROOKHAVEN The event is an agenda-free way for
Dunwoody residents to speak with and get to STONE MOUNTAIN
know officers in their neighborhood.
Brookhaven hosting Daddy Daughter For more information, see the event page at Writers group at library
Valentine’s Dance http://www.facebook.com/dunwoodypolice.
Writers group will meet Feb. 7, 5 to 7 p.m. at
LITHONIA
Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library. The group
Brookhaven’s Parks and Recreation
is for those 18 and older. The library is located at
Department is hosting its annual Daddy
952 Leon Street. For more information, call (770)
Daughter Valentine’s Dance on Saturday, Feb.
10, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Lynwood Park Recreation Steering committee in Lithonia 413-2020.
Center, 3360 Osborne Road.
The participants will have a chance to have
their photos taken, a DJ will play hit songs and
A third steering committee meeting will be
held Feb. 8 at Lithonia City Hall from 6:30 to 8 TUCKER
take requests, and refreshments and giveaways p.m. City hall is located at 6920 Main Street. For
will be included. more information, visit www.cityoflithoniaga. Tucker Lifelong Community Committee to
The event costs $25 per family and is for girls org. meet
ages 5 to 15. To register call 404-637-0512 or
visit www.brookhavenga.gov/parksrec Church announces Black History Month The Tucker Lifelong Community Committee
events will meet Feb. 13, 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hearthside
Club. Tucker Lifelong Community is an
CLARKSTON Ousley United Methodist Church will present
“African Americans in Times of War: Soldiers of the
initiative led by the Tucker Civic Association to
incorporate lifelong community work including
Cross”—a series of services that will reflect on a citizen assessment survey, community garden
Library to offer technology coaching “heroic sacrifices of the African American soldier’s accessibility enhancements, transportation
presence and participation around the globe for accessibility enhancements, pedestrian safety
Got questions about your email, peace and prosperity.” improvements, health and wellness initiatives
smartphone, tablet, finding something on Each Sunday of February will feature a different and community events. The Hearthside Club
the web, a Microsoft Word document or other speaker and topic. Scheduled services include:
is located at 4358 Lynburn Drive. For more
library resources? The Clarkston Library staff will • Feb. 4: “The War on Hypocrisy” presented by Rev.
McCallister Hollins, senior pastor Ousley UMC information, www.tuckercivic.org.
answer basic computer questions Feb. 5, 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Interested parties must call (404) 508- • Feb. 11: “The War on Illiteracy” presented by
7175 or visit the library to set an appointment. Dr. James Salley, Associate Vice-Chancellor of Tucker library to host Medicare workshop
Sessions are held throughout the month. The Institutional Advancement Africa University
library is located at 951 North Indian Creek Development Office Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library will host an
Drive.
• Feb. 18: “The War on Injustice” presented by educational workshop with non-profit Medicare
Rev. Romal Tune, global preacher, author, advisors Feb 1, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For
philanthropist and founder and director of Faith more information, contact the library at (770)
DUNWOODY for Change
• Feb. 25; “The War on Poverty” presented by Dr.
270-8234.
Evelyn Wynn-Dixon, mayor of Riverdale. The
Dunwoody police to host Coffee with a Cop Annual International Feast will be held Feb. 25
following worship.
The Dunwoody Police Department is asking Ousley United Methodist Church is located at
residents to join them for Coffee with a Cop 3261 Panola Road in Lithonia.
Feb. 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Da Vinci’s
Donuts, 5537 Chamblee Dunwoody Road.
WE ARE SOCIAL
@DEKALBCHAMPNEWS
#ITSINTHECHAMPION
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Page 4
404.373.7779 x 110
she said. “I was very thankful an informative assistant define you is not your failure,
to have had such amazing application that would help but instead, your response to
teachers at Tucker High international students learn failure.”
School. They taught the about job opportunities,
subjects in a more hands- visa information and school
on, visual and steady pace. regulations.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Page 5
DREAMS
Continued From Page 1
SAMS
for their 16th birthday, Owens
Continued From Page 1 celebrated his by conducting
his first solo flight. The following
year for his 17th birthday, Owens
notice to the community; no notice received his private pilot license.
to vendors; no notice to anyone. Owens said his father missed
This is not a 60-day notice. This is the opportunity to become a
already a violation of that act. naval aviator. With that in mind,
Jones said the city of Stonecrest Owens joined the Junior Reserve
never received a letter from Wal- Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC)
Mart. program and military operations
“It has been sloppy from the in high school.
“I feel like I was held to a
very beginning,” Jones said. “I am
higher standard. Like failure
surprised by Wal-Mart. It has let this [wasn’t] an option. There was no
community down. It has come in quitting,” Owens said.
here and brought services and then Owens transferred to Arabia
one day they vanish like a genie.” Mountain High School and
Jones encouraged Sam’s em- continued with the JROTC
ployees, vendors, city officials program. He would eventually
and others involved to review the receive a full ROTC scholarship
WARN act and decide whether to to attend Tuskegee University.
seek legal action. Owens also worked part time at
“They can actually file a lawsuit a local airport during his time at
as either an individual or a class Tuskegee.
Working a part-time job while
action,” Jones said. “I am in con-
lated the law. Jones said he wants compensation to those employees? trying to finish school and ROTC
versations now with a number of wasn’t easy, Owens said. But
lawyers and I will be talking to the Wal-Mart to acknowledge that the “I hope Wal-Mart comes to the
company violated the WARN act. table and makes sure they do the when his captain told him he
attorney general for the state of would be in the Navy as a pilot,
Georgia to ensure if there is any- “They need to acknowledge right thing, at least by its employ-
that they did not contact the state ees and by this community,” Jones he said the journey was worth it.
thing that [Wal-Mart] could be “He told me, ‘You’re going to
held accountable for according to of Georgia nor Stonecrest accord- added. “I am just so disappointed. be a pilot for the U.S. Navy. It was
the WARN act. We will get as much ing to the state law,” he said. “Let’s So, I ask Wal-Mart, let’s get together kind of hard to soak in at first.
information [as we can] and we will make sure they follow the spirit of and talk. Let’s rectify this and let’s I thought it could have been a
potentially file a lawsuit.” the law and the letter of the law. make sure no more sloppiness is joke. All that work I was doing
If Wal-Mart is found to have vio- Although, they closed their doors done, and this community gets paid off,” Owens said. “Something
lated the WARN act, the company and it’s out that they didn’t do the what it deserves, and that [there I’d been pursuing my entire life
could face a penalty of up to $500 warning notice, are they going to are] accurate answers and [we came together and it took a
continue to provide what they are know] what we are going to do couple of weeks to realize that.”
per day for the days that it vio-
supposed to provide in terms of next.”
OPINION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Page 6
FREEPRESS
the DeKalb Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Derek Smith We sincerely appreciate the
Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Let Us Know What You Think! Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
THE DEKALB FREE PRESS encourages opinions from SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR, Production Manager: Donna Seay The Champion was founded in 1991
expressly to provide a forum for
The DeKalb Free Press, Kemesha Wadley discourse for all community residents
its readers. Please write to us and express your views. P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; on all sides of an issue. We have no
Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com desire to make the news only to
FAX To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779. The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday report news and opinions to effect
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forward. We are happy to present
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Page 8
COUNTYWIDE
COUNTYWIDE CHAMBLEE
CENTRAL DEKALB
facebook LIVE
DEKALB HISTORY CENTER’S
10TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION
WEEK in PICTURES
The Southwest DeKalb High School wrestling team won its second consecutive area 5-AAAAA
traditional championship. Photo submitted
The city of Dunwoody and Mayor Denis Shortal hosted Kingsley Elementary School fifth grade
leaders Jan. 23 at Dunwoody City Hall. Photo courtesy of the City of Dunwoody.
Four Cedar Grove High School NJROTC cadets met Rep. John
Lewis at a ceremony in Atlanta.
STONECREST
Chamblee recognized WATER
as a Tree City USA Continued From Page 8A
2 - Current estimated revenues increase from $466.0 million to $525.0 million by: (1) re-estimation of E-SPLOST III revenues to $488.1 million, (2) the addition of $23.3 million from the Georgia DOE
reimbursements expected for E-SPLOST III projects, and (3) an addition of $13.6 million for local-funded projects (which are included).
3 - Total expenditures as presented in this E-SPLOST report will differ from the annual financial audit report due to timing differences not included in this E-SPLOST expenditures report, relative to contracts
payable, retainage payable, and accounts payable.
4 - The current project estimate for "other improvements and supporting services" includes $20,050,000 for principal payments for the $300 million bond, approximately $13.6 million for local-funded capital
projects, and other projects added during the mid-term assessment.
5 -The original budget for this was allocated to each individual project and contained therein for projects #1 - #27.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Page 13
COUNTYWIDE DUNWOODY
1. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvements $2,342,500.00 $2,647,052.34 $248,700.95 $975,419.32 $1,224,120.27 $0.00 Sep 2018
2. Stadiums $9,557,400.00 $11,813,309.00 $3,527,113.40 $4,557,069.23 $8,084,182.63 $0.00 Sep 2017
3. Capital Renewal Program $84,892,200.00 $116,278,737.78 $17,574,258.73 $28,128,361.59 $45,702,620.32 $0.00 Aug 2018
4. Code Requirements $2,342,500.00 $2,562,296.48 $164,268.40 $973,541.73 $1,137,810.13 $0.00 Sep 2018
5. Coralwood Diagnostic Center Addition $9,932,200.00 $9,804,210.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Apr 2019
6. Early Learning Center $2,717,300.00 $2,682,284.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Jun 2018
7. Arts School at former Avondale MS $4,029,100.00 $9,377,167.00 $116,549.31 $56,958.60 $173,507.91 $0.00 Dec 2018
4
8. Renovation of Southwest DeKalb HS and Stone
Mountain HS $11,056,600.00 $35,525,148.58 $21,884,115.33 $4,077,148.59 $25,961,263.92 $0.00 Aug 2018
9. Replacement of Austin ES, Fernbank ES, Gresham Park
ES, Pleasantdale ES, Peachcrest ES, Rockbridge ES, Smoke Rise
ES $135,021,700.00 $146,479,570.97 $57,806,210.14 $22,631,527.01 $80,437,737.15 $0.00 Jun 2020
10. Henderson MS Renovation/Addition $14,992,000.00 $19,270,623.91 $6,384,146.22 $10,732,929.87 $17,117,076.09 $0.00 Aug 2017
11. Redan HS Renovation/Addition $20,988,800.00 $21,018,330.00 $17,888,287.46 $2,001,968.80 $19,890,256.26 $0.00 Jan 2018
12. Chamblee HS Replacement $55,001,900.00 $54,992,632.00 $16,760,316.01 $5,567,557.98 $22,327,873.99 $0.00 Jun 2019
13. McNair MS Replacement $35,043,800.00 $37,292,213.00 $4,931.60 $371,809.31 $376,740.91 $0.00 Nov 2018
14. Local School Priority Requests $5,153,500.00 $3,202,479.00 $2,902,294.25 $0.00 $2,902,294.25 $0.00 Completed
15. Demolition $2,342,500.00 $4,412,309.00 $2,742,280.21 $330,446.85 $3,072,727.06 $0.00 Aug 2018
16. Safety/Security Systems Upgrade $2,342,500.00 $2,312,313.00 $2,055,999.24 $236,720.00 $2,292,719.24 $0.00 Completed
17. Technology Equipment and Infrastructure Refresh $36,261,900.00 $34,252,207.00 $31,550,634.08 $1,270,912.81 $32,821,546.89 $0.00 Aug 2018
18. School Buses $9,463,700.00 $12,800,319.00 $12,800,247.61 $0.00 $12,800,247.61 $0.00 Completed
19. Service Vehicles $1,592,900.00 $2,255,311.00 $2,107,220.33 $145,310.00 $2,252,530.33 $0.00 Completed
20. Other capital improvements and supporting services
$29,925,000.00 $89,421,486.94 $20,187,623.83 $23,564,955.40 $43,752,579.23 $0.00 Oct 2018
All Projects $475,000,000.00 $618,400,000.00 $216,705,197.10 $105,622,637.09 $322,327,834.19 $0.00 Jun 2020
In compliance with O.C.G.A. 48-8-122 and O.C.G.A. 48-8-141
1 - $475 million is each of the first 19 projects minus the 6.3% taken off and the sum of the 6.3% dollars provided to Project #20, as described in the literature provided to the public prior to the
November 2011 E-SPLOST vote at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/splost-iv/referendum.
2 - Current estimated revenues increase from $475 million to $618.4 million by the increase of $105.4 million from the Georgia DOE reimbursements expected plus the $38 million in bond
revenues for partial program financing.
3 - Total expenditures as presented in this E-SPLOST report will differ from the annual financial audit report due to timing differences not included in this E-SPLOST expenditures report, relative
to contracts payable, retainage payable, and accounts payable.
4 - The Board of Education moved the Southwest DeKalb HS project from E-SPLOST III to E-SPLOST IV, increasing its total project budget by $22.3 million, in accordance with the E-SPLOST
Corrective Action Plan approved on April 27, 2012. This Board action can be found at https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/ViewMeetingOrder.aspx?S=4054&MID=25181.
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Page 14
DECATUR
Goats gather in the Oakhurst Greenspace on the southern edge of the Agnes Scott College campus Jan. 25. Photos by Derek Smith.
COUNTYWIDE COUNTYWIDE
RECYCLE
became what Gevertz called
a “grassroots advocacy “Because our system is only
organization” to try to get going to be as successful as
the DeKalb County School our least successful school.”
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Page 16
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BUSINESS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Page 17
CHAMBLEE
Photos provided
MARTIAL ARTS
1897 2018
Alfred L. Cralle Maya D. Jones scoops
invents the ice her own ice cream for
cream scoop. the very first time.
This Black History Month, take time to celebrate the achievements of African Americans,
from the lesser-known inventions that helped weave the fabric of our day-to-day lives,
to the more widely-known achievements that revolutionized our culture. All of these
accomplishments come together to pave the way to a bright—and sweet—future.
Join Publix in the celebration of Black History Month. Explore African American
contributions to food history at publix.com/BlackHistoryMonth.