the DeKalb FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019 • VOL.

24, NO 13• FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

Boys & Girls Club,

Aaron’s remodel
Samuel L. Jones’
teen center
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com

New flat screen televisions, laptops and

video gaming systems are among the new
items the newly renovated teen center at
Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club received.
The Decatur club, along with Aaron’s,
unveiled the renovated teen center to students
May 9. Boys & Girls Club of America and
Aaron’s partnered in the renovation project.
The teen center received new paint, furniture,

SEE REMODEL ON PAGE 9 The club’s partnership with Aaron’s to renovate the teen center began five years ago with a $3 million grant Aaron’s established to support
communities throughout the United States.

Two students examine the new laptops. The teen center received five flat screen televisions and four laptops. The teen center received new video gaming systems,
including a Nintendo Switch.

One student cried tears of joy over the renovation and new items. Students begin to play with the new Xbox video game system.

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

LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond discusses improvements made to Brannon Hill
at a press conference May 9.
Step in the right
direction for
Brannon Hill
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Azazom Asfasa has lived
at Brannon Hill for more than
two decades. He said a lot has
changed since he first moved
to the area.
On May 9 after crews
demolished 56 dilapidated
units, DeKalb County officials
said they are committed
to changing the look and
perception of Brannon Hill
Condominiums, located just
outside of Clarkston’s city
limits,.
“We have been waiting
for DeKalb County for these
changes and we are thankful,”
Asfasa said. “We need
changes because we have a
lot of old people and students
[who live here]. We prayed for
help and now DeKalb County
is helping us. All of us.”
In 2017, DeKalb County
commissioners approved $3.8
million in funds to enhance
blight-fighting initiatives.
According to county officials,
the privately-owned Brannon
Hill properties demolished
were cited for numerous code
violations including high
grass, unsecured structures,
failure to register vacant
dwellings and damaged
roofing.
“This is a good feeling.
We need to have this fixed.
We need to fix Brannon Hill,”
Asfasa said.
The county has
On May 9 DeKalb County demolished 56 units at Brannon Hill Condominiums, located just outside of Clarkston city limits.
demolished approximately
124 units at Brannon Hill
since 2017, DeKalb County
CEO Michael Thurmond
said.
“Today’s demolition is a
continuation of an effort to
fight blight at Brannon Hill,”
Thurmond said. “Beautifying
DeKalb County and removing
blight has been one of the
governing authority’s major
initiatives.”
DeKalb Community
Development Department
Director Allen Mitchell said
it should take approximately
two weeks to remove debris
left from the demolitions.
Mitchell said the county also
plans to address a sinkhole
at the Brannon Hill property.
The sinkhole is a “public
safety nuisance” and is
approximately 112 feet long
and 12 feet wide.
“Fire trucks will have a
chance to get to the properties
in the back of the complex.
Today they cannot access
those properties because of
the size of our fire trucks and
the size of the sinkhole. We
view this as an urgent need,”
Mitchell said.
DeKalb County
Commissioners Nancy Jester
and Lorraine Cochran-
Johnson said they will
continue to advocate for
removing blighted and
dilapidated properties in the
future.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 16, 2019 • Page 2
  
DeKalb County
Announces Human Services Grant
Application Period
Public Information Meeting to be held May 22, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.
DECATUR, Ga. – The DeKalb County Human Services Department announces
the beginning of its 2019-2020 Human Services Grant Cycle. The purpose of
the Human Services Grant Program is to provide opportunities for community
partnership with local organizations that can successfully address identified
service needs for the citizens of DeKalb County, Georgia.
Eligible non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for the opportunity
to be awarded a grant utilizing County General Fund and Victim Assistance
funds. Agencies that receive Victim Assistance grant funds, must meet the
County’s eligibility criteria and must also be certified to provide victim assistance
programming through the State of Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council.
The Human Services Grant Program is competitive, and the total amount
of awards allotted each year is based on the availability of funds. This grant
program is designed to supplement existing programs and activities for DeKalb
County residents.
Examples of appropriate service areas for the Human Service Grant
Program include, but are not limited to, youth development/early childhood
programs, senior services, services for individuals with disabilities & special
needs, domestic violence & family intervention, substance abuse treatment
& prevention, mental & behavioral health, health & wellness, nutrition &
hunger prevention, legal counseling & advocacy, family economics & money
management, refugee services, homelessness and family transition.
A Public Information Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at 10:00
a.m. will provide the specifics regarding the Human Services Grant application
process. The meeting will be held at the Central DeKalb Senior Center, 1346
McConnell Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30033.
For more information, call Ms. Lisa Thomas, Grants Coordinator at 404-270-
1180 in the DeKalb County Human Services Department. For information on
obtaining Victim Assistance Program Certification, contact the State of Georgia
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council at 404-657-1961.
OPINION
Once again, if you see something, say something
Popular slogans and expressions
often run their course and eventually
we move on to something new and
related to a current trend or issue.
“Just say no,” for example, was a
war on drugs expression popularized
in the 1980s. It was repeated in
marketing campaigns nationwide,
at schools and community events at
which children and young people
were encouraged to utter the three
simple words when tempted to
engage in drug use.
A phrase widely in use today
is “See something say something”
and based on what’s continually
happening locally, regionally
nationally and internationally, it’s
an expression that shouldn’t be
abandoned any time soon.
Sadly, it seems no where’s safe
from malicious actions carried out
Foreclosures
Tax Sales/Ads for Bids
Trade Name Registrations
Public Notices/Public meetings
Sheriff Sales/Local Legislation
Notices of Incorporation
To subscribe, visit DeKalbLegalNotices.com
or call 404-373-7779, X 0
#ItsInTheChampion
Gale Horton Gay
fastgale@hotmail.com
by individuals who don’t respect
others and value life. So many places
that we frequent such as shopping
centers, worship houses, restaurants,
movie theaters, schools and even
roadways are now targets. A day
hardly goes by without a report of a
violent incident resulting in injury
and death.
The University of North Carolina
Charlotte is one of the latest. What
should have been a joyous last day of
class on April 30 turned tragic when
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2019 • Page 3
a former student allegedly opened
fire on classmates, killing two and
injuring four others, according to
news reports.
Closer to home, what could
have been a tragedy wasn’t as
devastating due to the perpetrator’s
choice of weapon. Children playing
on a playground at Wynbrooke
Elementary School in Stone
Mountain were shot by a BB or
pellet gun on April 25, according
to police who have a warrant for
the arrest of a teen suspected in the
shooting. Ten children received non-
life-threatening injuries and were
treated at a hospital and released.
In both of these situations and
in every other shooting, bombing
or other acts of violence, I wonder
if was there something leading up
to the incidents that seemed odd
or suspicious to someone but was
ignored.
We’re living in a time when
unusual actions and behaviors should
be reported to someone—whether
it’s a person of authority or someone
who can also observe and assess.
There have been several potentially
tragic situations that were averted
due to individuals who were quick
to report something they observed,
heard or read that was questionable.
Oftentimes our observances if
reported immediately and accurately
might prevent something from
becoming yet another worst-case
scenario.
Once again, if you see
something, please, please say
something.
OPINION DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 16, 2019 • Page 4

An honor truly Dooley overdue

“When I think of Georgia football, I
immediately think of Coach Dooley...,”
Most people think of him as a coach,
but he was also a great athletic director
who brought life to all the sports at
Georgia. It wasn’t just about football;
he had a great influence on the whole
university. I think everyone involved
with Georgia would be proud to have
the field named after coach Dooley.”
said Kevin Butler, former UGA
Bulldog kicker and member of Super
Bowl winning Chicago Bears in 1985,
now a post-game radio host for the
Georgia Bulldogs.
 
Sanford Stadium in Athens was
named for a great gentleman and
scholar, Dr. Steadman Vincent
Sanford, who arrived at UGA as an
English professor before taking on
leadership roles on the faculty and
athletics committees.  other contributions to the university,
Sanford would become UGA
president and later chancellor of the
entire university system. In 1911, he
moved UGA’s football venue from
the small and cramped—but scenic—
Herty Field in the old north campus,
to a valley and the stadium’s current
location.
 The original stands only sat
30,000, and the field sat atop Tanyard
Creek, now encased in a cement culvert
under the stadium running east to the
Oconee River. A reasonably complex
drainage and irrigation system on that
natural turf field helps to maintain the
grass as well as that historic, football
shaped hedge.  often offering insightful guidance and
Vince Dooley arrived as a young
head football coach in 1963 and
went on to win the NCAA National
Championship in 1980 as well as six
SEC Championships. Dooley is still
Georgia’s most winning football coach
(1963-1989), also serving an over-
lapping tenure as athletic director,
and then continuing in that role
through 2004, with Georgia teams in a
variety of sports winning 23 national
championships and 78 SEC titles
during his time as A.D.
 Vince and his wife Barbara
Dooley have also become generous
donors to UGA academic and
scholarship pursuits. There are
now a Dooley Library Endowment
Fund and a Dooley Professorship in
and later NFL standouts. Georgia green officially becomes
 The Athletic Association Dooley Field, an honor truly and duly
‘One Man’s and University System Board of long over-due. The Dooleys and their
Opinion’ Regents are adding their voices to
that chorus, singing a tune now long
family are expected to be there for the
honor and a special half-time tribute.
overdue. Normally each fall, UGA’s Congratulations coach! Go Dawgs!!
Bill Crane home opener tends to be a light
bill.csicrane@gmail.com schedule game, and sometimes the Bill Crane also serves as a political
92,000 plus seats stands don’t even fill. analyst and commentator for Channel 2’s
 But I expect for this year’s opener, Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750
Horticulture, both made possible by on Saturday, Sept. 7 against Murray and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist
their generosity. And the only subject State, there will be a packed house, for The Champion, DeKalb Free Press
that coach Dooley will talk longer on and a later standing ovation and and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
than football is gardening. applause perhaps not equaled since that native and business owner, living in
 Both Dooleys call Athens their national championship season, when Scottdale. You can reach him or comment
adopted home, raising their son and that 100-yard stretch of privet and on a column at bill.csicrane@gmail.com. 
two daughters there. Their son Derek
is now a college football coach as well,
and the charmed couple have become
walking icons for Bulldog Nation,
both known for their southern charm,
hospitality and enduring love for all
things Georgia football.
 Recognizing these and so many
both in the academic and athletic arenas
as well as becoming true pillars of the
Athens community, UGA President
Jere Morehead and Athletic Director
Greg McGarity (whom Dooley first
hired), recently informed a surprised
Dooley that the field he spent a quarter
century coaching atop would soon be
named in his honor.
 Dooley is now 86 and remains
active on more boards and nonprofits
than most folks half his age. I have
the pleasure of serving on the Board
of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit
in Conyers, Georgia with the former
coach. He attends most every meeting,
advice, and then hops in his Kia and
drives himself back to Athens. Vince
and Barbara introduced me to Bulldog
Kia in Athens, and that’s Barbara’s face
saying “See y’all at Bulldog Kia” to a
few hundred thousand Bulldog fans on
billboards around Athens each fall.
 The Dooleys are both warm,
genuine and class acts devoted to
UGA. And another one like them,
UGA’s current President Jere
Morehead said as much when he
responded to efforts by more than
450 former Bulldog players calling
for naming Sanford Stadium’s field in
honor of Dooley. Current Dawgs coach
Kirby Smart played for Dooley, as
did former Georgia Governor Sonny
Perdue and hundreds of other NCAA

FREEPRESS
the DeKalb Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Taylor Robins 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
writer’s name, address and telephone number for verifi- Deadline for news releases and advertising: by ACE III Communications, Inc., a more educated citizenry that will
cation. All letters will be considered for publication. Thursday, one week prior to publication date. 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
Phone (404) 373-7779. ideas for discussion; however,
EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions www.championnewspaper.com we make every effort to avoid
of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The printing information submitted to
us that is known to be false and/or
Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110 assumptions penned as fact.
LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
Uber drivers strike for better pay
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Rideshare passengers
around the country may have
found it difficult to get rides
to their destinations May 8 as
drivers of the transportation
network companies Uber and
Lyft were on strike for 12
hours.
“It’s enjoyable to meet
people while driving Uber,”
said Austin Gates, an Uber
driver. “It is not enjoyable
when you have a company that
doesn’t support you.”
Gates is one of the
organizers of Rideshare Drivers
United Georgia that formed in
April. Since its inception, the
group has gained 300 drivers.
The group gathered at Uber’s
headquarters in Chamblee,
3111 Clairmont Road, to bring
awareness to a lack of job
security, livable wages and
benefits.
“Regardless of what people
think that this job is designed
to be for, this is the reality.
People are working here to
make a living,” said Gates.
“People need to make sure that
they can put food on the table.
The fact that we have drivers
that can’t even take two hours
off to come out for this event,
even though they support us, is
part of the problem that we’re
talking about.”
“Drivers are at the heart of
our service─we can’t succeed
without them─and thousands
of people come into work at
Uber every day focused on
how to make their experience
better, on and off the road,”
Uber said in an official
statement. “Whether it’s more
consistent earnings, stronger
insurance protections or fully-
funded four-year degrees for
drivers or their families, we’ll
continue working to improve
the experience for and with
drivers.”
Gates, who has driven
Uber part-time for the past two
years, said rideshare companies
describe their drivers’ work
culture as a “side hustle” or
“gig-economy.” Gates said
rideshare companies assume
that drivers work the rideshare
app part-time─10 to 20 hours a
week. Rideshare Drivers United
Georgia’s information suggests
that drivers are working 40
hours or more in one week.
“I have to drive 200 miles
more every day to make what I
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 16, 2019 • Page 5
made two years ago,” said Uber
driver Quincy Decourte.
“I pretty much have to
work every day to have an
average pay,” said Chyconda
Boaz, Uber driver. “If I take a
day off I have to make it up and
work longer another day.”
Boaz, who has been
driving Uber fulltime for a
year-and-a-half, describes
working for the company as
having its “advantages and
disadvantages.”
On average, Boaz drives
60 hours a week and more than
eight hours a day to make her
livable salary.
Boaz also described a
situation when a tire blew out
while she was transporting a
passenger. She said Uber did Quincy Decourte, left, and Chyconda Boaz, right, help to bring awareness to what they say is unfair pay and treatment from Uber
at Uber’s Chamblee headquarters. Photo by Taylor Robins.
not offer any support to her
allegedly
“Uber didn’t do anything,”
Boaz said. “I had to get it fixed
on my own. I thought that was NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE
kind of rude.” 2019-2020 PROPOSED BUDGET
According to Boaz, the
FOR THE CITY OF DECATUR, GEORGIA
company discontinued her
services until she was able to
There will be public hearings on the proposed 2019-2020 budget for the City
provide Uber with proof that of Decatur at 7:30 p.m. on June 3, 2019 and, at 7:30 p.m. on June 17, 2019 in
her car was drivable again.
the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 509 N. McDonough Street,
Other complaints of Decatur. The proposed budget is summarized below and is available in its
Boaz’s include change in pay,
entirety for public inspection at Decatur City Hall and at the Decatur Library on
believing passengers over Sycamore Street. After May 22, the budget will be available on the City’s web-
drivers concerning complaints
site at www.decaturga.com/budget. All citizens are invited to attend the public
and receiving no benefits. hearings, to provide written and oral comments, and ask questions concerning
Rideshare Drivers United
the entire budget.
organized the countrywide
protest after not being able to
successfully talk with Uber
FY 2019-2020
officials about their work PROPOSED GENERAL FUND REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
concerns.
“We want to make sure that REVENUES
we have an opportunity to sit
Taxes 22,518,800
down with Uber,” said Gates. Licenses, Permits & Inspections 828,950
“We’re not expecting change
Penalties, Fines & Forfeitures 1,040,000
to happen overnight, but we’re Interest Income 20,000
going to continue moving
Charges for Current Services 1,899,700
forward with our efforts.” Intergovernmental Revenues 480,140
Lyft also has released a
Miscellaneous Revenue 84,000
statement regarding the May 8 Sale of Fixed Assets 5,000
protests.
Operating Transfers (472,940)
“Lyft drivers’ hourly Appropriation From (To) Fund Balance 2,254,280
earnings have increased over
the last two years, and they
TOTAL REVENUES $28,657,930
have earned more than $10
billion on the Lyft platform.
Over 75 percent drive less than EXPENDITURES
10 hours a week to supplement Governmental Control Department 248,320
their existing jobs. On average, General Government Department 1,365,230
Lyft drivers earn over $20 per Community & Economic Development Department 2,612,760
hour. We know that access to Administrative Services Department 4,949,970
flexible, extra income makes a Police Department 6,321,410
big difference for millions of Fire & Rescue Department 3,844,960
people, and we’re constantly Public Works Department 4,100,670
working to improve how Design, Environment & Construction Division 2,280,360
we can best serve our driver Active Living Division 2,934,250
community,” said Lyft in an
official statement.
TOTAL EXPENDITURES $28,657,930
LOCAL
CLARKSTON
City approves tiny
home neighborhood
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Clarkston will soon have a
community of tiny homes.
The city council
unanimously voted
May 7 to approve a tiny
home development. The
development comes nearly 14
months after the city passed
its tiny home ordinance,
according to city officials.
The tiny house community,
“The Cottages on Vaughan,”
will be developed on a half-
acre lot near downtown
Clarkston, and include eight
tiny homes on permanent
foundations, ranging from 250-
492 square feet, according to
city officials.
The city partnered with
Atlanta-based nonprofit
MicroLife Institute on this
project. The nonprofit works
with cities to create micro-
communities. Clarkston Mayor
Ted Terry said in a statement
that the city is proud to partner
with MicroLife Institute.
“We recognize that the
past 50 years of urban sprawl
LITHONIA
Teacher, students surprised
with SeaWorld tickets
Third-grade students react to getting free SeaWorld tickets after learning how plastic
can be harmful to the environment at Panola Way Elementary School. Photo by Taylor
Robins.
has segregated communities,
contributed to global warming,
and exacerbated housing
inequality,” Terry said. “By
experimenting and innovating
with new development
ordinances, we are able to
allow a greater range of
housing options.”
Clarkston officials said
the city has a high percentage
of rental properties, with
mostly 1970s era apartment
complexes accounting for
more than 80 percent of the
city’s existing housing stock.
City councilman Jamie
Carroll said in a statement
that the approval of this
project represents a move
toward achieving one of the
top prioritizes in the city’s
2040 comprehensive plan,
which is to increase stability
in Clarkston’s housing market
by providing more home
ownership opportunities.
“I hope that other
cities will look at our tiny
home ordinance and this
development and see that it is
possible to create a housing
landscape that allows for
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 16, 2019 • Page 6
A tiny house community, “The Cottages on Vaughan,” will be developed on a half-acre lot near downtown Clarkston and include
eight tiny homes.
home ownership to come in all
shapes and sizes,” Carroll said.
Board Chair Tiffany Callaway Ferrell &
MicroLife Institute co- President & CEO Leona Barr-Davenport
founder Kim Bucciero said.
“There is a lot of interest
Luncheon Co-chair Luncheon Co-chair
and movement towards tiny Steve Ewing Mack Wilbourn
homes and cottage homes,
but many developers are
st
Cordially Invite You
hesitant to enter the market,” to the
Bucciero said in a statement.
“Our hope is that this Annual CEO
project will encourage other
municipalities and private
Appreciation
Luncheon
developers to experiment with
new, innovative development
paradigms and learn from this Tuesday | May 21, 2019 | 11:30 AM
great case study.” Networking Begins at 11:00 AM | Luncheon Begins at 11:30 AM
Atlanta Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Ave, NE, Atlanta, GA
41st Annual CEO Awards Luncheon Honorees
Herman J. Russell Entrepreneur of Visions of
CEO of the Year Award the Year Award Excellence Award
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
William Pate Jan Prisby Bryson John Ahmann
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Trail Blazer Award League Leadership Award
Sharon Thomas, a third-
grade teacher at Panola Way
Elementary School and her
students were surprised and
given tickets to SeaWorld
after the group learned about
and spread the word of how
plastic can be harmful to the
environment.
“I didn’t know what Dr. Paul Judge Milton H. Jones, Jr.
to think,” said Thomas. “It
SPONSORS
was totally wonderful. I was
just doing what I do in the
course of a day─teaching
science. Teaching children to
be thinkers and learners and
I had no idea that all of this
For more details, visit our site at www.AtlantaBusinessLeague.org
SEE TEACHER ON PAGE 12
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 16, 2019 • Page 7

WEEK in PICTURES

Dunwoody Police Officer Noel presents at Chesnut Elementary career day May 4. Photo provided by Dunwoody Police Twitter.

Tucker sophomore Gina Frazier won a silver medal in the floor exercise at the state
gymnastics championships May 3.

During the May 6 Dunwoody city council meeting, Mayor Denis Shortal proclaimed May 2019 as Bike Month in Dunwoody. Photo
FODAC raised a record $40,000 at its 19th annual Run Walk ‘n’ Roll at Stone provided by Dunwoody Twitter.
Mountain Park. Photo provided by FODAC

Have you created programming you’d like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.

@DEKALBCHAMPNEWS
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.
(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 16, 2019 • Page 8

DECATUR EDUCATION BRIEFS

by Taylor Robins • Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Selmi and Williams awarded study abroad scholarships

Tiger A.H. Selmi of Decatur, a sophomore studying

computer information systems in the Robinson College of
Business, and Faizon Williams of Decatur, a junior studying
computer science in the College of Arts & Sciences, are two
of more than 800 U.S. undergraduate students from hundreds
of colleges and universities selected to receive the prestigious
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship sponsored by the
U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs.
Selmi was awarded $3,500 to study through a Georgia State
exchange program at Rotterdam School of Management in the
Netherlands for spring 2019.
Williams has been awarded $2,500 to study through
a Georgia State exchange program at Hong Kong Baptist
University in Hong Kong during spring 2019.

Leocadia Zak gives her inauguration speech as the ninth president of Agnes Scott College April 26. Photo by Taylor Robins. Harris among UA engineering students building interactive
cube

A new president for A University of Alabama student team is continuing a three-

year tradition of local outreach projects.
The University of Alabama Astrobotics team and a group
of engineering senior design students partnered with the RISE

Agnes Scott College

Center, a school for infants and preschoolers with and without
special needs on UA’s campus, to provide the children with a
sensory cube to assist with in-class therapy. Among the students
participating is Kristin Harris of Stone Mountain.
The sensory cube, called the Stimulation Station, is a 4-foot-
tall, 2-foot-wide machine that was designed around the idea
BY TAYLOR ROBINS Zak was also presented our wives, our classmates, of an electronic fidget cube. This device helps with physical
taylor@dekalbchamp.com with the college medallion and our friends.” therapy, occupational therapy and music therapy in a way that is
prior to giving her inaugural Zak said she wants to engaging for the children.
speech. Zak listed three make sure that students
Agnes Scott College standards that she wants to “have the tools they need to
formally welcomed its ninth lead with honoring the past reach their full potential,”
president, Leocadia “Lee” by honoring alumnae and setting students up for post-
Zak, during an inauguration preserving and renovating graduation success.
ceremony on its campus the campus, being present In 2018, Agnes Scott
April 26. for current students and was named the most
“There is magic here. I investing in the future of innovative liberal arts
see it every day. I’ve seen Agnes Scott. college in the United States
it from the very beginning. Former Agnes Scott by U.S. News and World
From the moment I first presidents Mary Brown Report. Zak referenced the
saw this campus, it felt like Bullock (1995-2006) and college’s recognition and
home,” said Zak during her Elizabeth Kiss (2006- encouraged the college to
inauguration speech. “From 2018) were in attendance strive and accomplish more
the moment I first met at the event. Kiss also gave despite being “number one.”
you all—faculty and staff, a speech titled “To My “But just because we’re
students and alumnae—I Successor.” number one doesn’t mean
felt a connection. From the According to Zak, some we’re done,” said Zak. “The
first day I started to serve as alumnae from the college world is always changing.
your president, I knew that have gone on to be CEOs of So we have to change,
everyone was right—this major corporations, award- too. We have to keep
place is special.” winning artists, doctors, innovating.”
According to the college, public officials and lawyers. “I know that we all have
more than 100 delegates and Zak said she wants to honor to work together if we’re
more than 1,200 guests were the “rich past and wonderful going to build a future
in attendance, including the traditions.” worthy of our students,
college’s presidents emerita. Zak also plans to worthy of our legacy,”
Prior to the inauguration, renovate the campus’ Main said Zak. “With your help,
Zac had already served Hall. I’ll honor that legacy.
299 days as the college’s “We want it to be a I’ll carry on our beloved
president. place where people can truly traditions. I’ll nurture our
During the ceremony, reflect on where we’ve been, students—I’ll do everything
students, staff and former how much we’ve grown, and I can to help them become
colleagues of Zak celebrated where we’re going,” said the leaders and the global
the inauguration with poetry, Zak. “It is a testament to citizens they are meant to
speeches and choreographed those who have come before be. And I’ll ring the bell
dances. us: our sisters, our mothers, every single chance I get.”
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019 • Page 9

REMODEL
Continued From Page 1A
electronics, games, a piano and a ballet bar.
Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club Executive
Director John Strong said the partnership
with Aaron’s to renovate the teen center began
five years ago with a $3 million grant Aaron’s
established to support communities throughout the
United States.
“I was working in the teen center at Warren
Boys & Girls Club [in Atlanta] at the start of
this partnership,” Strong said. “I met with a
couple of their top officials, and they drilled me
with questions for about three hours about why
should they give money to Boys & Girls Club,
why should they partner with us, and different
questions about what we will do with the funding
and things of that nature.”
Since then, Aaron’s has helped remodel Boys
& Girls clubs across the country.
“So, this is actually the last one that they’ll
do as part of the partnership,” Strong said. “Now,
I’m the executive director here at the Jones Boys
& Girls and they told me it would be an honor to
be able to do my club, and I said it would be an
honor to have them do our club.
“I sat in this area for two days and wrote
down what I wanted to do to make this happen for
teens,” Strong said. “It was a great experience and
to see it come together this perfectly really blows
my mind.”
When the renovated center was unveiled, teen
members of the Samuel L. Jones walked in with
shocked, surprised and happy faces. Some even
cried tears of joy. Jemiah Fields, an 18-year-old
senior at DeKalb School of the Arts said it feels
great and empowering to see the renovated teen
center.
“I’m moving on, but I know that the teens here
are going to take good care of it,” said Fields, who
is graduating this month. “I know that the younger
kids are going to come in and enjoy this space.
They feel at home, so they have a home away
from home.”
Strong said it’s exciting to see the reactions of
the teens.
“It’s just going to bring a whole different level
of self-esteem, a sense of belonging, [as well as]
recruitment—having more teens come to the club
because I believe it’s going to create a buzz in
the community,” he said. “We’re really looking
forward to this being part of a big movement in
the community for teens.”
Strong said he hopes more renovations and
repairs are done to the building
“I’m hoping that this will ignite the rest of the
club getting repainted, new floors and different
things of that nature because this building is
kind of old,” he said. “So, we do need a couple
of upgrades and I’m hoping that this will be the
beginning in fueling the rest of the upgrades for
the rest of the club.”

FOR SALE
CLASSIFIEDSection
Estate/Moving Sale: Friday May
17th & Sat May 18th 9am – 6pm,
Sunday May 19th 12pm – 4pm
3126 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur,
GA. 40+ yrs of accumulated
items including: collectables,
antique furniture, pictures, lamps,
clothing, toys, household goods,
sofa, side tables, albums, books,
kitchenware, grand upright piano,
used music equipment (stage 8
channel board, amp, speakers)
much more.
EDUCATION /Career Training
AIRLINE Career. AVIATION
Grads work with Delta, United,
Boeing, and others. Get hands
on training for FAA certification.
Financial aid if qualified. Call
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
(866) 564-9634 www.FixJets.com
MISCELLANEOUS
Accurate, convenient preventive
health screenings from LifeLine
Screening. Understand you risk
for heart disease, stroke, and more
before symptoms. Special 5 vital
screenings only $149. 888-848-
6024.
Cash For Cars! We buy all cars!
Junk, high-end, totaled—It doesn’t
matter! Get free towing and same
day cash! NEWER MODELS too!
833-882-3437.
DISH TV - Over 190 Channels
Now ONLY $59.99/mo! 2yr price
guarantee, FREE Installation!
Save HUNDREDS over Cable and
DIRECTV. Add Internet as low as
$14.95/mo! 1-877-740-8994
KILL ROACHES –
GUARANTEED! Buy Harris
Roach Tablets, Sprays, Traps,
Concentrate. MOST EFFECTIVE!
Available: Hardware Stores, The
Home Depot, homedepot.com
Energy Saving NEW WINDOWS!
Beautify your home! Save on
monthly energy bills with New
Windows from 1800Remodel!
Up to 18 months no interest.
Restrictions apply 844-214-5488.
Do You Owe more than $5000 in
tax debt? Call Wells & Associates
INC. We solve ALL tax Problems!
Personal, Business, IRS, State and
Local. “Decades of experience”!
Our clients have saved over $150
Million Dollars! Call NOW for a
free consultation. 1-855-746-6762.

The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales final.
RATES: $30 for up to 40 words, each Ads due by Friday at noon for next publication DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate,
or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor do we knowingly accept
additional word $0.60. All ads are prepaid. All date. For more information visit www. employment advertisements that are not bona-fide job offers. All real estate
advertisements are subject to the fair housing act and we do not accept
major credit cards accepted. championclassifieds.com advertising that is in violation of the law. The law prohibits discrimination
based on color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap or familial status.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 16, 2019 • Page 10

BUSINESS

Experts advise on creating a financial legacy

BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
With a series of direct
questions those attending
the recent presentation
Building Your Economic
Legacy at the Scott Candler
Library were invited to
examine their personal
finances and consider how
they can put themselves
on the road to financial
freedom. Questions
included: Is your money
being spent on what matters
to you? Have you ever
regretted a major purchase?
What would your life look
like without debt? If you die
today, will those who are
dependent on you be OK?
Are your spending habits
setting a good example for
your children?
Ahli Moore, CEO
of X-Factor Solutions
who posed the questions
to the south DeKalb
audience, observed, “In
our community, a person
is more likely when they
die to leave debt than to
leave an inheritance for his
family. It’s time to break
that pattern.” Moore was
one of three presenters at
the session, which was the
first in a series designed to
help community members
improve their personal
financial situations.
Moore said his interest
in finding a path to financial
freedom and directing others
to such a path came from
his personal journey. “My
mother worked hard. She
worked two jobs, yet we
were always short of money.
In my early 30s I saw
myself repeating the same
cycle. I had a good job, but
there was never enough
money to go around. About
Presenters, from left, Ahli Moore, Douglas Shaw and Shardea M. Ages encourage community members to adjust their personal
financial habits so they can become debt free and leave an inheritance for their children.
15 years ago, I got real with
myself and started to get
reliable advice on financial
management,” he said.
Financial goals should
be organized in terms of
short-term, medium-term
and long-term, Moore
recommended. Common
short-term goals—those that
can be completed in one to
three years—include paying
down debt, establishing
an emergency fund, taking
a vacation or making a
major purchase. Medium-
term goals—those to be
completed in three to five
years—might include saving
for the down payment on a
home, paying for additional
education or creating an
investment portfolio. Items
to be addressed in long-
terms goals—those to be
accomplished in five to
10 years—might include
educating children or
grandchildren, starting a
business, acquiring rental
property and retirement.
Another presenter,
Shardea M. Ages of
Greenwood Wealth
Management, said she, too,
came from a neighborhood
where people typically
lived paycheck to paycheck
and often cashed those
paychecks at the liquor store
rather than at a bank. “No
matter how you grew up,
you can learn to handle your
money properly. You can
break the generational curse
of bad financial habits,” she
said.
Ages, a certified
financial planner,
recommended as first steps
that people stop living
beyond their means, pay
attention to where their
money is going and avoid
financial predators. “Payday
loans, rent to own, check
cashing services, tax refund
loans, ‘buy here, pay here’
car lots and credit repair
services are all designed to
take your money. They will
not solve your problems;
they will create problems
for you. If you owe the IRS,
you will have to pay the
IRS. Anyone who tells you
they can make that debt go
away is just out to take your
money,” she said.
“Everyone’s situation
is different and specific
financial advice will not
apply to every situation.
Make sure that anyone you
hire to help you with your
finances is a credentialed
professional. Anyone can
call himself a financial
planner, but a certified
financial planner must have
the expertise to advise you
and must put your best
interest ahead of the money
he or she might make
selling you specific financial
products,” Ages continued.
Douglas Shaw, a
certified public accountant
and the third presenter, said
a good many people had
a big surprise when they
filed their 2018 tax return.
“With the passage of the Tax
Cuts & Jobs Act significant
changes were made to the
federal tax code. Many
people got slightly larger
paychecks throughout the
year because less was taken
out for federal taxes, but if
they weren’t paying enough
all year, they ended up
owing money on tax day.”
Shaw added, “Your
goal should be to come out
even—or at least within
$500 of what you owe one
way or the other. If you owe
a large amount at tax time,
that means you can end up
paying even more in interest
and penalties. If you get a
large refund, that means you
gave the government a tax-
free loan.”
Paying the right amount
in taxes is tax avoidance,
not tax evasion, Shaw said.
He recommended gathering
tax-related documents
in a single folder, then
examining the results from
prior years, looking at what
went right—anticipated
results—and what went
wrong—surprises.
“You often hear people
say, ‘pay yourself first.’ It’s
good to save something
from each paycheck, but
when you have debts and
obligations you have to pay
those first or your credit
will suffer, and you are
likely to end up paying a lot
of interest unnecessarily,”
Shaw said.

CITY OF CHAMBLEE PUBLIC NOTICE

THE CITY OF DUNWOODY, GEORGIA
This could be NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATION
The City of Chamblee hereby gives notice that
the City Council will be considering the adoption
your ad! On May 10, 2019 the Community Development
of Small Wireless Facilities Fees in as provided in
O.C.G.A. 33-66(c). A copy of the proposed fees will
be available for review at City Hall, 5468 Peachtree
Call Today Director approved an Administrative Permit to permit
an increase in the maximum retaining wall height and
a reduction of the minimum retaining wall setback,
Road, beginning on Monday, May 13, 2019. The
Resolution of Fees will also include the 2.5 percent
404.373.7779 pursuant to Zoning Ordinance Section 27-436, at 5025
Oakhurst Walk, Dunwoody, GA 30338. Any person
annual increase beginning January 1, 2021. The
meeting will be held on May 16, 2019 at 6:00 pm and
Ext. 110 aggrieved by the decision may appeal within 30 days
of the decision.
on May 21, 2019 at 7:30 pm in the Chamblee Civic
Center, 3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 16, 2019 • Page 11

TENNIS TRACK

Dunwoody girls, St. Pius boys win

state track titles, break records
Chamblee won their second boys’ tennis state title in program history. Photo by
Mark Brock

Marist girls won their 22nd tennis state title in program history. Photo from Marist
Athletics
Dunwoody girls won their third track and field state title in program history after winning the Class AAAAAA title. Photo provided
by DeKalb County School District Athletics Department
Chamblee boys, Marist girls BY CARLA PARKER the discus throw (144-02). consecutive state title in the
take home state tennis titles Carla@dekalbchamp.com
St. Pius X won the
state title with 81 points,
beating runner-up Chapel
800-meter run (2:15.86)
and finished second in the
1,600-meter run (5:08.12).
DeKalb County had Hill by nine points. Senior Freshman Rasunek Tyler-
BY CARLA PARKER more success at the state Matthew Harris defended Thompson finished second
Carla@dekalbchamp.com track and field meet May his 2018 title in the long in the 100-meter hurdles and
9-11. jump (23-06.50); he also fourth in the long jump, and
Two more DeKalb County tennis teams were crowned Dunwoody girls won the 300-meter hurdles the 4x100-meter relay team
champions May 7. won their third state (37.39) and finished second finished second.
Chamblee boys’ tennis team won the Class AAAAA title in program history in the 110-meter hurdles Marist girls finished
state title and Marist girls won the Class AAAA state title. after winning the Class (14.31). Senior Tanner fourth with 42 points in
Chamblee defeated Grady 3-0 at Piedmont Park, and Marist AAAAAA title in Duffin defended his 2018 Class AAAA, and Cedar
beat North Oconee 3-2 on its home tennis courts. Carrollton, and St. Pius state title in the discus throw Grove girls fourth with
Freshman Andrew Pietkiewicz gave the Chamblee X boys won their second with a throw of 187-01, and 55 points in Class AAA.
Bulldogs their first game point of the match after beating consecutive title and fifth he broke the state record in Marist was led by Kathleen
Grady senior Josh Wolfe 2-0 (6-2, 6-1) in No. 1 singles. overall after winning the the shot put (66-10.50). Maley, who finished third
Sophomore Hap Howell gave Chamblee its second point Class AAAA state title in Junior Jared Williams in the 1,600-meter run and
of the match with a 2-0 (6-2, 6-3) win over Grady’s Jack Albany. finished second in the 3,200-meter run.
Stegelman in No. 3 singles. Dunwoody Lady 200-meter dash (21.54) and St. Pius’ Maggie
Senior Carter DiFonzo and freshman Bryce Starks Wildcats edged out third in the 400-meter dash Yankovich won gold in
clinched the state title for Chamblee with a 2-0 (6-2, 6-1) Cambridge 50 points to (48.78). St. Pius 4x100- the Class AAAA girls’
victory in No. 1 doubles. The win gave Chamblee a sweep 47.50 points to claim the meter relay team finished 1,600-meter run (5:02.89).
in the Class AAAAA state championships as Chamblee title. They were led by second (42.27). Cedar Grove’s Aubrey
girls won the state title on May 4. senior Jahvene Waldner, Senior Rowan Wiley Guyden led the team with
The state title was the second for Chamblee boys in who medaled in three and junior Jack Voss added a first-place finish in the
program history. Their first championship came in 1998. events. She finished second to St. Pius’ point total 100-meter dash (12.05)
Marist’s state title win was its 22nd in program history in the 300-meter hurdles after finishing sixth and and second-place finish in
and first since 2014. Marist was tied 1-1 with North Oconee and third in the 100-meter seventh respectively in the the 200-meter dash. Senior
before the match was rained out on May 4. hurdles (14.68) and high 1,600-meter run, and senior Antania Swain finished
Marist went up 1-0 after a victory in No. 2 doubles by jump (5-04.00). Nicolas Fontova finished second in the discus throw.
senior Dylan Elledge and junior Katie Gerrick. North Junior Ariel Lawrence fifth in the 3,200-meter run. In the boys Class
Oconee tied the match before play was suspended. The two finished second in the triple Miller Grove girls AAAAA meet, Arabia
teams were tied 2-2 during the conclusion of the match jump (39.03.00) and third in finished second in the Class Mountain junior Jordan
before freshman Anya Nelson clinched the state title for the long jump (19-01.00), AAAAA state meet with Barrow won gold in the
Marist after a victory in No. 1 singles. and sophomore Janae 43 points, falling to Buford boys’ 200-meter dash
Paideia boys fell 3-0 to Stratford Academy in the Class Profit won gold in the shot (72 points). Senior Emoni (21.49).
A-Private championship. put (43-09.25) and bronze in Coleman won her third
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MAY 16, 2019 • Page 12

TEACHER Continued From Page 6

would come of it. But I’m
excited and elated about it.
It’s a wonderful opportunity
for my students.”
Thomas’ students gave
presentations May 7 on
what they had learned about
preventing plastic from
getting into oceans and other
bodies of water. Thomas
decided to teach her class
about the importance of not
using single-use plastic items
after Thomas took a family
trip to SeaWorld Orlando and
was told the park had stopped
providing straws and lids to
park patrons.
After learning that the
give the students discounted “I’m really excited,” said
tickets for their commitment Kayla Byron-Cox, a third-
to their research. However, grade student who hasn’t
after the students finished been to SeaWorld Orlando
their presentations, SeaWorld but has been to the Georgia
Orlando’s Animal Rescue Aquarium.
Specialist Nicholas Ricci “I’m excited to see all
surprised Thomas and her the animals and sea creatures
students with free tickets at SeaWorld,” said Vincent
to SeaWorld Orlando and Ricks, third-grade student.
the Georgia Aquarium via a The donation was made
Skype call. on Teacher Appreciation Day.
Teacher, left, and her third-grade class were recently given to SeaWorld Orlando and
the Georgia Aquarium May 7. Photo by Taylor Robins.

Grow your business

elimination of single-use
plastic items was to decrease
pollution and save animals,
Thomas decided to include the
subject in her teachings.

with our lowest

The class conducted
research on how plastic can
harm oceans and the fish,
mammals, turtles and other
sea creatures that live in

advertising rate!*
oceans. The class also studied
alternatives to single-use
plastic items─reusable water
bottles and recycling.
In 2050, there will be
more trash in the water than
fish and other inhabitants
in the water, according to
third grade student Jakayla
Crutchfield. During the
students’ presentation,
Crutchfield told her audience
that fish eating plastic can in
turn hurt humans who eat fish.
For the group, the
experience of their research
has become a life-changing
one. Thomas said that her
family now uses a water filter
instead of buying cases of
bottled water on a regular
basis. Delano Martin,
Thomas’ student, taught his
fellow church members about
plastic use as well. Martin’s
church now plans to clean
litter around its property.
Also, during the class’
research, the students
asked to visit a landfill and
offered to clean the roads
around them, the city of
Lithonia recognized their
efforts awarding the school
an “Adopt-A-Road” sign,
according to the school.
“I want to encourage
[them] to keep listening,
keeping changing and keep
learning,” said Corey Stegall,
Panola Way Elementary
School principal. “If [they]
make [themselves] a lifelong
Call 404.373.7779 X 110
learner there is nothing [they] or email
won’t accomplish. I am proud Johnh@DekalbChamp.com
of [them].”
Thomas originally for details
requested that SeaWorld