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WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM • FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011 • VOL. 13, NO. 52 • FREE

• A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS •

Music to her ears:

by Robert Naddra
Celebration of son’s life helps
mother’s healing process
robert@dekalbchamp.com

Theresa Montgomery has agonized through

the ups and downs expected for someone grieving
over the loss of a son.
But the candlelight vigil March 16 organized
by the Redan High School community to honor her
son was a sort of emotional cleansing.
“Words cannot begin to express what I feel,”
she said as more than 200 students, family and
community members participated in a night of
music and dance. The vigil was in remembrance
of 17-year-old Marquez Montgomery, Theresa’s
only son, who died in a car crash exactly a year
before the vigil.
Marquez, whose nickname was Thirst, was a
popular student who was a member of the percus-
sion section of the Redan High School marching
band.

“It’s been very hard, it’s a day to day process,”
Verna Montgomery, Marquez’ grandmother, said.
“I’m better now than I was. My daughter, she’s
better, but she still has a ways to go.”
The support of family and the community have
helped Theresa work through the grief of losing
her only son.
“He touched the young and old,” said Theresa
Montgomery. “More than 500 people attended his
funeral. That’s speaks to his life. The candlelight
vigil was not a family decision. The school wanted
to do it to honor a good, young man.”
Redan High School percussion instructor Joseph Howard stands with a picture of teenage crash victim Marquez
Montgomery during a candlelight vigil a year after his death. An unattended drum in background holds the place
where Montgomery would have stood on the drum line. More than 200 people attended the commemoration. Photos
by Andrew Cauthen
Marquez was killed last year from injuries sustained in the time of the accident.
a car crash. He was driving to school when a man driving “Thirst had an impact on everybody alike,” said Redan
a Hyundai ran a stop sign and T-boned Marquez’ Mazda percussion instructor Joseph Howard. “He was a loyal
Protégé, according to police. After the impact, the Protégé friend and he was involved. If I couldn’t count on anybody
veered off the road and hit a tree. Neither of the other two [else], I could count on Thirst.”
students in the car with Marquez were killed. His grandmother, told about how Marquez often would
Charges were not filed against the driver, Montgomery help middle school band students with arrangements and
said, because police determined Marquez was speeding at how he stopped a fight between two girls at school.
See Thirst on Page 15A

Brothers lead county’s police, fire departments

by Andrew Cauthen
Andrew@dekalbchamp.com

For the two brothers at

the helm of DeKalb Coun-
ty’s police and fire depart-
ments, public service could
be a genetic trait.
Bill O’Brien was named
chief of the DeKalb County
Police Department last
year and his brother Eddie
O’Brien is interim chief of
the county fire rescue depart-
ment.
“How we ended up with
this calling is beyond me,”
Bill said.
Their great-grandfather
was a police chief in Massa-
chusetts. They have a brother
Kevin, who is a deputy
Eddie O’Brien, left, is the interim chief of the county’s fire and rescue department, while his brother, Bill, serves as chief of the po-
See Brothers on Page 15A lice department. Photo by Andrew Cauth en
NEWS
Census shows slow
growth in DeKalb
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
The numbers are in:
DeKalb is no longer the
second largest county in the
state.
According to 2010 U.S.
Census results released on
March 17, DeKalb’s popu-
lation is 691,893, up from
665,865 in 2000. That puts
DeKalb in third place, be-
hind Fulton and Gwinnett.
With an increase of 3.9
percent, DeKalb grew slow-
er than any other county in
metropolitan Atlanta.
Fulton’s population grew
12.8 percent to 920,581.
Gwinnett, with 805,321
residents, had a population
growth of 36.9 percent.
Cobb County came in fourth
by increasing its population
13.2 percent to 688,078.
With a 54 percent share
of the population—the same
as 10 years ago—Blacks
remain the predominant race
in DeKalb. The county’s
White population was 33.26
percent after a decline of
8,365 residents. In the
2000 census, Whites made
up nearly 36 percent of
DeKalb. The county’s His-
panic population grew by
more than 15,000 during the
past decade to 67,824.
DeKalb County Com-
missioner Larry Johnson
said there could be many
factors that contributed to
the county’s slower growth
and the decline in its White
population.
Many people have moved
from the county to be near
their jobs in other counties,
Johnson said. In addition,
views on crimes and schools
have contributed to the mi-
gration.
DeKalb leaders need to
do a better job of tackling
crime and attracting busi-
nesses to sustain the county,
Johnson said.
The international com-
munity in DeKalb is a sig-
nificant and relatively un-
tapped asset for the county
because of the contacts these
immigrants have with their
native countries.
“There are so many op-
portunities we’ve got to
maximize,” Johnson said.
A shared vision between
government, business, reli-
gious and community lead-
ers is needed for the county,
which is in a planning pro-
cess that “is going to bode
well for the county for the
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011 • PAGE 2A
Gov. Nathan Deal appeared at Fernbank Science Center for the
state’s annual Red Ribbon Awards Ceremony on March 17, to
recognize students from across the state who submitted artwork
supporting a drug-free lifestyle. The event was hosted by the
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities and
is partly in recognition of National Red Ribbon Week, which began
in October. National Red Ribbon Week began as an effort to honor
Federal Drug Enforcement agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was
killed in the line of duty. Photos by Daniel Beauregard
next decade,” Johnson
said.
With 46,267 residents,
Dunwoody made the list of
20 largest cities in Georgia,
coming in at No. 16. Dur-
ing the 2000 Census, Dun-
woody, which incorporated
in 2008, was listed as a
“census designated place,”
not a city. Decatur is the
county’s second-largest
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www.championnewspaper.com
Small businesses target
DeKalb’s sewer projects
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
When DeKalb County
implements its billion-dol-
lar watershed improvement
project, it will need hun-
dreds of contractors on the
job every day.
The construction of a
treatment facility will re-
quire a wide variety of con-
tractors and skilled laborers,
including electricians, pip-
efitters, concrete finishers,
welders, carpenters and
construction safety inspec-
tors.
And county officials
want to keep the money in
the county.
“This in essence is
DeKalb County stimulus
money,” Commissioner
Stan Watson said. “This
money needs to circulate
at least 10 times in DeKalb
County.”
Watson hosted a small
business forum on March
17 to inform small business
owners about the opportuni-
ties and jobs created as a
result of the county’s wa-
tershed management capital
improvements projects that
will take place over the next
five years.
Watson said the forum
was the result of a cam-
paign promise to make sure
DeKalb County takes care
of its small businesses and
international community.
“I’m not so naïve that
I don’t know that people
from Anchorage, Alaska;
Pinellas, Fla.; and New
Zealand won’t be coming
here very shortly…to knock
on the doors of all the com-
missioners and ask for a
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011
chance to make some of this
money,” Watson said.
Speaking at the forum,
Mike Thurmond, Geor-
gia’s former labor commis-
sioner, said local govern-
ments like DeKalb County
need to look at public proj-
ects and how many jobs are
being created for residents
in the community.
“Despite what some
ideologues say, government,
right now, is the best oppor-
tunity we have to stimulate
private sector employment
opportunities,” Thurmond
said. Economic “relief will
come from local leaders
focusing on local needs and
taking advantage on local
opportunities.”
Commissioner Lee May,
who chairs the board’s fi-
nance committee, said the
county has to be “intention-
al about the direction of the
dollars and the work and the
jobs that are created here.”
The rehabilitation and
upgrade of the watershed
infrastructure is critical
to the public health, said
Ted Rhinehart, deputy
chief operating officer for
the county’s infrastructure
group.
“It’s also critical for our
economic development if
we, as a county, are going to
prosper,” Rhinehart said.
The county has “the op-
portunity, not only to have
safe drinking water, good
environmental quality, good
opportunity for sustainabil-
ity and economic develop-
ment, but also this chance,
if we do it right, to also cre-
ate this economic stimulus
in the community,” Rhine-
hart said.
In December, the
county’s Board of Commis-
sioners approved $1.345
billion in improvements to
DeKalb’s water and sewer
system, which will be fi-
nanced by an 11-percent
rate hike each year for three
years beginning in 2012.
Of the 83 projects in the
capital improvement plan,
the $375 million Snapfinger
Wastewater Treatment fa-
cility project is the largest.
The county will rebuild, up-
grade and expand the treat-
ment plant.
Other projects include:
• $38 million to upgrade the
Scott Candler Water Treat-
ment Plant.
• $179 million to improve
parts of the water distribu-
tion system.
• $600 million to update
the wastewater collection
system.
• $82 million to start water
reuse and to return treated
wastewater to the Chat-
tahoochee River, per state
water planning require-
ments.
• $36 million for vehicles
and equipment for the im-
provement project.
The county is in the pro-
cess of applying for permits
for the Snapfinger project
and expects the Board of
Commissioners to vote to
issue bonds in May, accord-
ing to Francis K’ungu, the
county’s outgoing director
of watershed management.
Bids on the project should
begin in June with construc-
tion starting in this fall.
Page 3A
DA gets OK for video
conferencing testimony
by Nigel Roberts judgment of the witness’
credibility.
DeKalb District At- Beyond concerns about
torney Robert James an- video quality, the public
nounced March 16 that his defender raised the issue
office won a motion to use of the defendant’s Sixth
two-way live video confer- Amendment right to con-
encing in a case involving front prosecution witnesses
an elderly fraud victim. and to participate meaning-
James said the court’s deci- fully in the cross-examina-
sion makes his office the tion of those witnesses.
first in Georgia to utilize The constitutionality of
the technology. “This is a two-way video conferenc-
big win for our office and ing is unsettled because
groundbreaking for the the United States Supreme
state of Georgia,” he said. Court has not ruled on
As a part of the pre- this specific matter. In a
trial deposition process, landmark case, Maryland
a county prosecutor and v. Craig (1990), the high
public defender will be court ruled that the one-
with the 90-year-old victim way closed circuit televi-
while she testifies. Ac- sion testimony of child
cording to James, two-way abuse victims does not
video conferencing allows violate the Confrontation
prosecutors to preserve the Clause.
testimony of ill and elderly Courts have since per-
victims, which a jury could mitted the remote testi-
review at trial if the victim mony of children, allowing
is unable to testify in per- them to avoid the ordeal of
son. testifying in front of the ac-
In a release, James cused predator. Viewing the
stated that his Elder Exploi- monitor, jurors could see
tation Unit “did a phenom- the child’s live testimony,
enal job” in demonstrating and the accused could par-
to the court how its use of ticipate in his defense from
Gmail Chat would preserve the courtroom by commu-
the victim’s emotions and nicating with his attorney,
nonverbal reactions to who is present in the room
questions. “After a con- with the child witness.
vincing motion and demon- DePlonty said the el-
stration, the judge granted derly victim and the ac-
our motion, which is a cused in this case know
huge, progressive-thinking each other. And his client
step in a bold new direc- should have the right to be
tion,” he stated. in the same room with the
But DeKalb’s Public accuser and to participate
Defender office holds a dif- fully during the deposition.
ferent view. “Our position DePlonty pointed to
is that two-way video con- U.S. v. Yates (2006), a case
ferencing tramples on the decided by the Atlanta-
defendant’s constitutional based 11th U.S. Circuit
rights,” said Scott De- Court of Appeals, in which
Plonty, an attorney in the a three-judge panel re-
defender’s office. “Even jected the use of two-way
worse, in this particular live video conferencing.
case, they’re using an infe- In Yates, the government
rior technology.” charged the defendants
DePlonty said the state with mail fraud, conspira-
is seeking to convict some- cy, money laundering and
one using poor video qual- various prescription drug-
ity instead of more hi-tech related offenses. The trial
conferencing technology. court permitted the video
“Gmail Chat and Skype conferencing testimony of
are OK for social network- two witnesses located in
ing but not for convicting Australia, but the appeals
someone of a crime,” he court reversed and ordered
stated. He added that if the a new trial.
video is used at trial, the “As a defense attorney,”
poor quality would detract DePlonty said, “I have a
from the jurors’ ability to hard time thinking of a sce-
judge the witness’ demean- nario in which video con-
or, which could affect their ferencing is acceptable.”
OPINION THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011 • PAGE 4A

Everyone loves to identify with a
winner and this writer is no exception.
So, it is a pleasure to know Angelica
Hairston, a stellar young lady who is a
classical harpist, writer, vocalist, violin-
ist and a winner of this year’s Jack Kent
Cooke Young Artist Award.
Each year the Jack Kent Cooke
Foundation awards $10,000 to 25 of the
best and brightest of America’s young
musical talent. Winners are drawn from
a wide pool and the competition is stiff.
Said Angelica, “I am so over-
whelmed. This has been a whirlwind. I
was just looking for feedback and then
to be selected for the scholarship. It has
been a Godsend. Everything that I’ve
done I have stepped out on faith. Every
single competition I’ve learned some-
thing from. I remember going to Mont-
The Newslady
Angel on a harp
gomery for a concert competition and
being told we didn’t even place, after all
that preparation and expense. But a few
weeks later I was invited to come back
and play not just for other music profes-
sionals, but for a thousand sixth graders,
some who had never been exposed to
the classics or a minority playing a harp.
God always has a plan.”
Angelica plans to use the $10,000
prize money to study in Milan, Italy,
and Vancouver, British Columbia, this
summer. She just returned from Kansas
City, Mo., where she took first place
in her division at the American String
Teachers Association (ASTA). Her suc-
cesses will be shared with millions on
NPR’s From the Top special that show-
cases young musical talent from around
the country.
Angelica will be featured Saturday,
March 26, at 5 p.m. on WABE-FM
90.1 and on 88.1FM WJSP on Thurs-
day, March 24, at 11 p.m. and Sunday,
March 27, at 1 p.m.
Allow me a point of personal pride.
As a 10-year-old at Greenforest Baptist
Church Angelica was assigned to an-
other fifth grade Sunday school class.
She, however, in her laser-focused de-
termination decided she wanted to be in
my class. She convinced her parents and
so she was. What a delightfully bright
and thoughtful young person she was
and continues to be. She is a shining ex-
ample of a God-centered young woman
who had an obedient spirit and parents
who lovingly guided, encouraged and
supported her many talents.
Over the years others of us have
purchased tickets, books and CDs,
promoted and cast votes for her many
ventures. At age 11, she left the audi-
ence spellbound at my Senate inaugura-
tion ceremony—singing and playing at
that time the violin, which she started
at the age of 4. Angelica began playing
the harp at 12. To witness her perform
is to envision an angel of incredible
serenity and poise replete with wings
and a halo seated not on a stage but
amid the clouds. Wonder if Rawn and
Sheila Hairston knew they would raise
a musical prodigy when they named
their younger daughter Angelica? Dad,
Rawn, gives credit to God, not himself
or his wife.
So what’s next in the galaxy for
our young star? Right now Angelica is
waiting on the time-honored college ac-
ceptance letters. Always wise beyond
her 18 years, Angelica says four years
is a long time and one really needs to be
matched with a teacher who can help
one grow.
Her first choice for that teacher is
Anne Hobson Pilot at the New Eng-
land Conservatory of Music in Boston.
She was the first female harpist and
first African American to play with the
Boston Symphony. Angelica currently
studies under the expert tutelage of
Elizabeth Remy Johnson. Angelica
is a senior at Chamblee Charter High
School and plays in the Chamblee
Quartet and Phoenix Quartet. She is
also a member of the Atlanta Symphony
Youth Orchestra and the Greenforest
Church Orchestra and Choir. In her free
time she likes to volunteer with children
and share her music with others.
No doubt she will have plenty of
opportunity because her personal phi-
losophy is: “Never stop growing. Never
stop reaching. Never place limits on
yourself.” Beantown here she comes!
Steen Miles, The Newslady, is a
retired journalist and former Georgia
state senator. Contact Steen Milies at
Steen@dekalbchamp.com.

Don’t cut Head Start

by Judge Greg Mathis

After being urged by President Obama

to invest in our nation’s students, you
would think our federal lawmakers would
do anything they could to preserve a pro-
gram that sets the foundation for a lifetime
of achievement, right? Wrong.
Once again, Republicans are
moving to cut a program that
helps average Americans and,
in this case, specifically the
poor.
The Head Start Program is
yet another social program the
Republican Party has targeted
for major cuts. Head Start pro-
vides educational and health Mathis
services to low-income children
and their families. Head Start has been one
of the most studied early education pro-
grams since it began more than 40 years
ago. The program has proven itself to be
one of the United States most successful
social experiments and an efficient use of
taxpayer dollars. Research shows students
who complete Head Start do better both
socially and academically and are less
likely to drop out of high school.
Yet, Republicans want to cut the pro-
gram by more than 22 percent. They say
Head Start isn’t as effective as supporters
claim. To be fair, some studies show that
achievement levels of some Head Start at-
tendees start to drop off after first grade.
However, this could speak to the quality of
the school they enroll in after the program.
Additionally, the program’s opponents say
too much money is spent maintaining the
program and not enough on enrolling new
students.
It’s not clear if the Republican Party
is against poor people, working mothers,
low-income children or all three. All of
the cuts its leaders have moved to make
have been to programs that support and
empower the poor. If they are successful in
taking away that building blocks
that many have used to create a
foundation for future success,
America’s middle class will con-
tinue to shrink and the number of
families living below the poverty
line will increase.
If the Republicans were seri-
ous about balancing the budget
they’d take a look at programs
with inflated and misappropriated
budgets, starting with the military.
Sure, it’s critical that the United States has
a strong military in place but studies have
shown that program is rife with waste-
ful spending. It’s not the only area where
money is either being wasted or being
misused. A good, honest budget scrub will
show the Republicans – and Democrats –
just which programs can handle significant
cuts. If you believe in the power of Head
Start and can testify to how it helped a
child – past or present – in your life, call
your elected officials. Let them know that
they absolutely cannot cut Head Start. Our
children’s – and our nation’s – success de-
pends on it.
Judge Greg Mathis currently provides
legal advice to more than three million lis-
teners on the Steve Harvey Morning Show
and also on his website, www.askjudgema-
this.com.
FREEPRESS
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www.championnewspaper.com
William C. Crane, 1974-1992
Regardless of your personal po-
litical leanings, documented history
clearly suggests that our nation’s
founders intended a very limited
and prescribed role for the federal
government, primarily focused on
national defense and leaving most
other responsibilities to the states.
Education, as an example, was then
viewed as a clearly local concern.
At present, the responsibility
for public education lies consti-
tutionally with our states, and via
those state constitutions and com-
monwealths, with the cities, coun-
ties and townships where those
students reside. In classrooms and
school boards across the country,
particularly here in Georgia, there
is considerable debate under way
regarding the benefits of ‘integrated
mathematics,’ or as it is more com-
monly known, “new math.”
Let us focus instead on a “new
math” for the way our federal and
state governments set and deliver
education budget priorities. In
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011
One Man’s Opinion C. William “Bill” Crane, 2009 - ?
New math that works!
the vast majority of our 50 states,
budgets are topped by education
and public health spending. Here
in Georgia, pre-K through college
spending consumes two out of ev-
ery three state government dollars.
And despite the billions dedicated
to public education, declining rev-
enues are causing record deficits,
employee furloughs, and in many
states cuts to education spending.
At the federal level, education
spending is part of the discretionary
budget, which Congress is currently
focused on re-constructing. The
United States Department of Educa-
tion is one of our youngest as well
as the smallest cabinet level depart-
ments, created by President Jimmy
Carter in 1979, and currently
staffed by just fewer than 5,000 fed-
eral government employees. The
agency’s largest budget expansion
came under President George W.
Bush, whose “No Child Left Be-
hind Act” (NCLB) has expanded the
annual federal budget for education
by nearly $25 billion.
The FY 2011 fiscal Education
Department budget contains a mere
$69.9 billion, divided into three
primary buckets. Pell Grants are
low-interest college loans for lower-
income students and their families
($23 billion). The NCLB Act, which
provides funding for a wide range
of programs from special needs to
gifted children, has grown to more
than $24 billion in the last avail-
able federal budget. The remaining
nearly $23 billion pays the salaries
and operating expenses of the agen-
cy, and a wide variety of smaller
programs and initiatives such as the
recent “Race to the Top” program
($4.35 billion).
So, for purposes of discussion
and new math, let’s cut the Educa-
tion Department budget by $23
billion—a full third—and distribute
the Pell loans as block grants to the
states, based on census data, allow-
ing the departments of education in
each state to allocate those college
scholarship dollars and loans ($23
billion). We then similarly distrib-
ute the NCLB funds either via a
population formula and census data,
or more simply allocate roughly
half-a-billion dollars to each of the
lower 48 states ($24 billion).
Georgia spent roughly $12 bil-
lion of its $17.8-billion budget last
year on education. The General
Assembly, Gov. Perdue and now
Nathan Deal have reduced state
government spending by $1.5 bil-
lion-$2 billion over the past couple
of years, depending on how/where
you count the temporary influx of
federal stimulus dollars. A half-
billion-dollar check without strings
from the feds would have closed
the current funding gap for HOPE,
A Section • Page 5A
or entirely funded the pre-K pro-
gram. A half-billion toward K-12
would prevent a large share of local
property tax hikes, or likely plug
the smaller budget holes now filled
by furlough days for educators and
school system employees.
A half-billion dollars in Pell
Grant funds and loans with lower
administrative costs would also
supplant the need of many HOPE
scholarships in thousands of Geor-
gia households.
All this is achievable while
reducing the overall budget of the
smallest cabinet-level federal agen-
cy by 33 percent.
Red and blue states alike are
currently swimming in a sea of red
ink, some contemplating the un-
heard of and filing bankruptcy. A
f ederal government “bail-out” of
states is not the answer, but perhaps
some restructuring and new math
on the appropriate roles for the
federal government is a dialogue
worth having. Just look at what re-
directing a fraction of the budget of
the smallest federal cabinet agency
can do.
Bill Crane is a DeKalb County
native and business owner, living in
Scottdale, Georgia. He also serves
as chief political analyst and com-
mentator for 11Alive News and WSB
Radio, News/Talk 750. Contact Bill
Crane at Bill@dekalbchamp.com.
Page 6A
Let's stay out of Libya
Why is it that going to war is the only issue
politicians can agree on?
Yet again, our leaders
think they’ve got a calling
to save a country in the
Middle East.
You would think with
the bang-up job we’ve
done saving Iraq and Af-
ghanistan (not to mention
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia)
we could call it a day,
wouldn’t you? But no.
Now there’s a biparti-
san effort to save Libya
from Moammar Gad-
hafi, the creep who runs
it. Why is it that going to
war is the only issue poli-
ticians can agree on?
Senator after senator–
John Kerry, John Mc-
Cain, Joe Lieberman–as
well as former President
Bill Clinton have come
before the microphones to
suggest it might be time
to stop the carnage be-
ing visited on the Libyan
people by their leader.
“We have to try and
help those who are offer-
ing an alternative future to
Libya,” Lieberman said.
“We cannot allow them
to be stifled or stopped
by brutal actions of the
Libyan government.”
He doesn’t want us
to invade Libya, thereby
completing the hat trick
of three simultaneous
Middle East wars. None
of them do. Doing some-
thing simple like enforc-
ing a no-fly zone–would
suffice.
It would be easy, they
say, and cheap. We’d
hardly even notice we
were doing it, and we’d
be heroes.
And by the time you
read this, we very well
might have declared just
such a zone. Or perhaps
Gadhafi has put down the
rebellion. Or the rebellion
Printed on 100%
post-consumer
recycled paper
by Donald Kaul
Columnist
has put down Gadhafi.
Whatever.
Do I have a vote? I’m
against it.
It’s about time we
figured out that “Middle
East War” is not our best
Jeopardy category.
Remember the Iraq
War? Saddam Hussein
with all those weapons of
mass destruction–that Iraq
War?
That was going to be
easy too, wasn’t it? A
slam dunk. And cheap.
No, not cheap–free. Iraq’s
oil would pay the whole
tab.
That was eight years
and 36,000 dead and
wounded U.S. troops ago.
We never did find those
weapons since they didn’t
exist. It has cost us $750
billion so far, with the
meter still running.
We did succeed in
removing the primary
countervailing force to
Iran in the region, thereby
strengthening our greatest
enemy in the Middle East
at no cost to them–but at
great cost in blood and
treasure to us.
But surely, one could
have no quarrel with the
war in Afghanistan. We
had suffered the 9/11
terrorist attacks and the
Taliban was harboring the
very people who planned
those attacks–Osama
bin Laden chief among
them. Afghanistan was a
war to avenge 9/11 and
exterminate bin Laden. It
was going to be easy. We
had an enemy who lived
in caves and tents, in a
nation with no air force
or navy.
That was 10 years and
12,000 dead and wound-
ed ago. The war has cost
$250 billion, with no end
in sight. And bin Laden is
still on the loose.
Gen. David Petraeus,
our top commander in
Afghanistan, recently
declared that the war was
going well and we’ve
got the Taliban on the
run. His statement came
only a week after it was
announced we were con-
ducting a strategic retreat
from a valley that we
once insisted was vital to
our success–because we
couldn’t control it any-
more.
So now we want to
save Libya? What if we
beat the odds and actu-
ally did? There’s hardly
a country in that area not
in turmoil right now, with
people in the streets fight-
ing against their tyranni-
cal leaders.
Who elected us the
world’s savior?
I think we should get
out of the wars we’re in
before we start getting
into new ones.
Does that make me
a peacenik? Not neces-
sarily. I think war has its
place. World War II was
worth fighting, as were
the Revolutionary War,
the War of 1812 and the
Civil War.
I don’t think you
should ever have to apol-
ogize for being against a
war. Ever.
OtherWords columnist
Donald Kaul lives in Ann
Arbor, Michigan. www.
otherwords.org
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011
Newt fakes it
Gingrich has been posing as a
possible candidate for a decade now,
using the attention he gets to promote
his books, speeches, lobbying
business and other hustles.
by Jim Hightower
Columnist
At last, Newt Gingrich
has come bucking out of the
presidential chute, shouting
“Yippie-ty-yi-yo, here I go!”
On March 3, that grizzled old
cowpoke working the far-
right-wing corral of Ameri-
can politics declared that he’s
raring to go for the Republi-
can presidential nomination.
Maybe. But probably not.
You see, Newt didn’t actu-
ally declare his candidacy,
or even declare that he had
formed a committee to ex-
plore the possibility of run-
ning. Instead, he convened a
national press conference to
announce the exciting news
that he was forming a cam-
paign website. Yes, a web-
site. Its purpose, he informs
us, is to explore the possibil-
ity of exploring a possible
candidacy. Now there’s a de-
cisive leader for you.
Actually, Gingrich has
been posing as a possible
candidate for a decade now,
using the attention he gets to
promote his books, speeches,
lobbying business and other
hustles. His newly launched
website, “NewtExplore2012.
com,” looks like just another
of his non-stop money mak-
ing schemes. Since it’s not a
real campaign committee, he
can raise cash without report-
ing who’s giving it to him
and spend it all on himself.
A measure of The Newt’s
genuineness can be seen on
the website. It features Newt
and his lovely third wife Cal-
lista smiling at the camera
while a large crowd of very
happy, flag-waving Ameri-
cans stand in the background,
beaming at the couple. The
crowd is a picture-perfect
mix of White, Black, Latino
and Asian-American citi-
zens–as though they’re right
out of central casting.
They are. It’s a stock
photo dubbed “Large Crowd
of People Holding Stars and
Stripes Flags.” Newt simply
bought the right to use this
shot of “supporters,” as have
several other politicians,
groups, and businesses.
That’s Newt for you–a fake
picture in support of a fake
campaign by a fake candi-
date.
Jim Hightower is a radio
commentator, writer, and
public speaker. He’s also edi-
tor of the populist newsletter,
The Hightower Lowdown.
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011 Page 7A

NEWS BRIEFS Noah White

Champion of the Week

Assistance for heating bills available as a volunteer at the

DeKalb County residents can apply for a one-time assistance payment of either $310 Mike Glenn Hearing
or $350 to help with the rising cost of winter heating bills. The assistance is available Impaired Basketball
through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Residents Camp. At the camp,
who heat with gas or have a totally electric household, meet the income guidelines White assists coaches
of 60 percent of the median household income for Georgia, and who can provide the with basketball
following information may apply: proof of income for the past 30 days for all household drills, brings water
members age 18 and older; most recent home heating bill; and verification of Social or Gatorade to the
Security cards for household members or some other legal proof of Social Security players—“whatever is
numbers. For more information, call (404) 645-9569. needed,” he said.
The magnet
student stays busy at
O’Brien named DeKalb fire chief school, where he’s an
honor student taking
Edward O’Brien, a 25-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, has been named advanced placement
Not many 10th courses. Last summer
the department’s new chief. O’Brien had been serving as interim chief. O’Brien holds graders have a motto.
an associate degree in fire science and a bachelor’s degree in occupational health and he was inducted into
Noah White does, the National Society of
safety with a concentration in fire administration from Columbia Southern University however. It’s “look to
in Orange Beach, Ala. He is responsible for approximately 900 staff members and the High School Scholars.
help somebody and White also plays
daily operation of 26 Fire Rescue Stations that operate 68 emergency response units. make a difference.” trumpet in Southwest
“I just like helping DeKalb’s famed
other people, doing
Ex-police officer pleads guilty in sodomy case things for them that will
marching band and is
a member of its step
help them to succeed,” team, which was No. 1
Former DeKalb County Police Officer Javier Garces pleaded guilty to two counts White said. “I was
of sodomy and one count of violation of oath of office in Judge Clarence Seeliger’s in the state in 2010. He
brought up to believe said that most
courtroom on March 14. Garces was an officer and on duty at the time of the incidents. that it’s just the right
Garces forced two different women to perform oral sex on him during January- members of Southwest
thing to do.” DeKalb’s step team
February of 2009 in lieu of arrests, according to court docunments. Judge Seeliger Despite a full
sentenced Garces to three years in jail with 30 days to serve. Garces must also register have a grade-point
schedule of activities average of 3.0 or
as a sex offender. at Southwest DeKalb higher.
High School and The son of Gregory
visiting colleges that he
County finance office earns award may one day attend,
White, interim director
of City of Decatur
White volunteers Active Living, the
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada regularly at Hillcrest
(GFOA) recently awarded the DeKalb County finance department with the Certificate young man said, “The
Church of Christ, step team is a great
of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The finance department, led where he leads prayer,
by Chief Financial Officer Joel Gottlieb, received the award for its comprehensive activity for the males to
reads scripture and stay active. Stepping
annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of assists in the children’s
recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. is a great way to fight
nursery. He was on the obesity challenge
the Hillcrest team that in the state of Georgia
won the Black History and fits with Michelle
Academic Bowl. Obama’s Let’s Move
Also at church he Campaign.”
assists in the food Even at school, he’s
pantry and delivers focused on helping
food to families in others. A school-based
need. He volunteers group that White
each year to help with belongs to, BOLD
the church’s vacation (Brothers of Leadership
Bible school and its and Distinction), held a
annual fall festival. breakfast for homeless
He joins other church people, he recalled.
youth to work with the “I enjoyed seeing the
annual MLK service smiles on their faces
project in Decatur. after they had eaten
White also spends a good meal,” White
part of each summer said.

If you would like to nominate someone to

be considered as a future Champion of the
Week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at
kathy@DeKalbchamp.com or at
404-373-7779, ext. 104.
 Page 8A

This statement is published in accordance with Section 19 (b) of the DeKalb County Organizational Act of 1981, p. 4304.

DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION BY FUND
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2010
(In thousands of dollars / unaudited)

city of Chamblee.
Drug Abuse Law Enforcement Speed Emergency

by Andrew Cauthen
PEG Victim Juvenile Treatment Confiscated Street Hump Telephone Grant- Grants Grants Grants Grants Grants
General Development Support County Jail Assistance Recreation Services & Education Monies Lights Maintenance System In-Aid 2002 LLEBG #7 2003 LLEBG #8 2004 LLEBG #9 2005 JAG #10 2009 ARRA
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund

since 2007, beat out a

100 201 203 204 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 215 250 254 255 256 257 260

been in his present job

to-day operation of the
Assets:

Niles Ford, who has

plicants for the position

coln, Neb., has been se-
Cash and investments

The fire chief of Lin-

(5,397) (1,013) 1,844 466 (7) (317) 299 97 7,964 1,549 1,624 8,392 (4,386) 8 107 (8) 480 1,149
Receivable 10,489 1,181 - - - - - - (2) - - - - - - - - - andrew@dekalbchamp.com

lected to manage the day-

Inventories and prepaid items 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

pool of more than 100 ap-

Total Assets 5,093 168 1,844 466 (7) (317) 299 97 7,962 1,549 1,624 8,392 (4,386) 8 107 (8) 480 1,149

Liabilities:
Accounts payable 2,257 - - - - (1) - - 53 - - 21 150 - - - 1 13
Deferred revenue 4,972 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 438 1,777
Payroll liabilities - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Advance payments and deposits 554 29 - - - - - - (5) - - - - - - - - -
Due to others 12,985 - - - - - - - 1,158 - - - - - - - - -
ber.
Total Liabilities 20,768 29 - - - (1) - - 1,206 - - 21 150 - - - 439 1,790

Fund Balance (15,675) 139 1,844 466 (7) (316) 299 97 6,756 1,549 1,624 8,371 (4,536) 8 107 (8) 41 (641)

Total Liabilities And Fund Balance 5,093 168 1,844 466 (7) (317) 299 97 7,962 1,549 1,624 8,392 (4,386) 8 107 (8) 480 1,149
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Special Tax Special Tax Hotel / Rental Motor Capital Public Building Urban ARRA
Designated District Motel Vehicle Excise 1987 G O 1998 1993 2001 G O 2006 G O Host Capital Improvement COPS Safety Authority Redevelopement Capital
Fire Services Unincorporated Hospital Tax Tax Bonds - Parks Bonds - Jail Bonds - Health Bonds - Parks Bonds - P,T,L Projects Projects Projects Judicial Facilities Juvenile Court Agemcu Projects
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund
270 271 272 273 275 280 311 312 313 314 315 330 350 351 354 355 356 360
Assets:
Cash and investments 139 (7,299) 2,108 (2,281) 341 673 62 221 126 39,469 88,945 (2,089) 24,868 1,722 2,445 428 7,882 317
Receivable 2,012 1,987 3,990 903 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Inventories and prepaid items - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
portunity,” said

from Chamblee
as of March 16.
“I’m looking

Total Assets 2,151 (5,312) 6,098 (1,378) 341 673 62 221 126 39,469 88,945 (2,089) 24,868 1,722 2,445 428 7,882 317
received an offer
city manager Jim

Liabilities:
forward to the op-
vacated by former

Ford, who had not

Accounts payable 122 412 9 - 61 - - - - 55 127 13 286 - 108 1 - 28

Deferred revenue - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Gleason in Novem-

Payroll liabilities - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Advance payments and deposits - - 2,065 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Due to others - - (257) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chamblee Mayor Eric
Total Liabilities 122 412 1,817 - 61 - - - - 55 127 13 286 - 108 1 - 28
Clarkson said city offi-
Fund Balance 2,029 (5,724) 4,281 (1,378) 280 673 62 221 126 39,414 88,818 (2,102) 24,582 1,722 2,337 427 7,882 289
Ford

Total Liabilities And Fund Balance 2,151 (5,312) 6,098 (1,378) 341 673 62 221 126 39,469 88,945 (2,089) 24,868 1,722 2,445 428 7,882 317
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
GO Bonds GO Bonds Building Public Safety Water & Water & Water & Water &
Debt STD Authority Bonds Judicial Facilities Sewer Sewer Bonds Sewer Sewer Sanitation Sanitation Airport Airport Stormwater Stormwater Vehicle Vehicle Risk Workers
Service Debt Service Debt Service Debt Service Operating Construction R&E Sinking Operating Construction Operating Construction Utility Construction Maintenance Replacement Management Compensation
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund
410 411 412 413 511 512 513 514 541 542 551 552 581 582 611 621 631 632
Assets:
Cash and investments 629 11,289 106 36 21,290 60,042 44,738 9,890 5,901 24,845 7,237 7,936 10,682 (8,754) (530) 21,635 3,950 8,024
Receivable - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Inventories and prepaid items - - - - 2,354 - - - - - - - - - 2,149 - 1,174 -
Total Assets 629 11,289 106 36 23,644 60,042 44,738 9,890 5,901 24,845 7,237 7,936 10,682 (8,754) 1,619 21,635 5,124 8,024

Liabilities:
Accounts payable - - - - 1,148 183 376 - 187 - 4 10 31 - 714 177 614 3
Deferred revenue - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Payroll liabilities - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Advance payments and deposits - - - - 231 - 912 - - - 35 - - - - - - -
Due to others - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Total Liabilities - - - - 1,379 183 1,288 - 187 - 39 10 31 - 714 177 614 3

Fund Balance 629 11,289 106 36 22,265 59,859 43,450 9,890 5,714 24,845 7,198 7,926 10,651 (8,754) 905 21,458 4,510 8,021

Total Liabilities And Fund Balance 629 11,289 106 36 23,644 60,042 44,738 9,890 5,901 24,845 7,237 7,936 10,682 (8,754) 1,619 21,635 5,124 8,024
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
a contract.

General Fund 100 Grant-In-Aid Fund 250 1987 G O Bonds - Parks Fund 311 Water & Sewer Operating Fund 511
2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010
see before he leaves.

Revenues: Budget Actual Revenues: Budget Actual Revenues: Budget Actual Revenues: Budget Actual
Property Taxes 154,402 138,618 Contributions from private sources 29 158 Investment income 3 - Investment income 146 12
Ford said he

Sales Taxes 52,800 53,504 Intergovernmental 70,582 38,135 Fund Balance Carried Forward 62 62 Charges for Services 175,912 182,259
Other Taxes 6,648 6,473 Miscellaneous (5,737) 898 Total Revenues 65 62 - Miscellaneous 4 637
Expenditures:
making the move

Licenses and permits 155 156 Transfers From Other Funds 2,087 3,888 Fund Balance Carried Forward 12,052 12,052
in Lincoln before

Intergovernmental 4,392 5,725 Fund Balance Carried Forward (5,708) (5,708) Capital Projects 129 - Total Revenues 188,114 194,960
Expenditures:
in his current posi-

Charges for Services 31,738 25,569 Total Revenues 61,253 37,371 Unappropriated (64) - -
tion that he wants to over-
cess of formulating

are several projects

to tie up loose ends
cials are in the pro-

to Chamblee. There

Fines and Forfeitures 12,311 11,082 Expenditures: Total Expenditures 65 - Finance 5,377 4,738
would need a month

Investment income 384 (8) General Government: Water and Sewer 104,053 94,515
Miscellaneous 3,695 (9,015) Finance - - Fund Expenditures - (2)
Transfers From Other Funds 16,953 15,416 Workforce Development 13,980 4,930 1998 G O Bonds - Jail Fund 312 Interfund transfers 78,684 73,444
Fund Balance Carried Forward 3,168 3,168 Civil and Criminal Court System: 2010 2010 Total Expenditures 188,114 172,695
Total Revenues 286,646 250,688 Sheriff 937 300 Revenues: Budget Actual
Expenditures: Juvenile Court 215 106 Investment income 58 - Water & Sewer Bonds Construction Fund 512
General Government: Superior Court 1,145 434 Fund Balance Carried Forward 318 318 2010 2010
Chief Executive Officer 1,857 1,827 State Court 1 - Total Revenues 376 318 - Revenues: Budget Actual
Board of Commissioners 2,812 2,590 Solicitor 207 145 Expenditures: Investment Income - 1
Law Department 4,613 4,463 District Attorney 1,136 1,184 Capital Projects 224 97 Proceeds from sale of bonds (1,488) 28,400 -
Ethics 1 1 Public Defender - 3 Unappropriated 152 - Fund Balance Carried Forward 55,263 55,263
Geographic Information 2,106 1,704 Magistrate Court 1,375 154 Total Expenditures 376 97 Total Revenues 53,775 83,664
Facilities Management 15,670 15,166 Police Services 5,090 2,199 Expenditures:
son said.

Purchasing 3,558 3,347 Fire & Rescue 4,721 2,987 - Capital Projects 53,775 23,805
Human Resources & Merit System 3,637 2,783 Public Works - - 1993 G O Bonds - Health Fund 313
Information Systems 15,875 14,478 - Community Development 36,007 23,083 2010 2010 Water & Sewer R & E Fund 513
Finance 5,814 5,572 Parks 1,072 669 Revenues: Budget Actual 2010 2010
Property Appraisal 4,199 3,870 Extension Service - - Investment income 3 - Revenues: Budget Actual
Tax Commissioner 6,770 6,837 Family & Children Services 3,556 1,770 Fund Balance Carried Forward 126 126 Investment income 15,794 61
Registrar and Elections 3,199 2,991 Sanitation 13 - Total Revenues 129 126 - Miscellaneous (46) - -
Clarkson said.

Civil and Criminal Court System: Community Relations 260 - Expenditures: Transfers From Other Funds 19,900 37,844
Sheriff 74,396 73,793 Fleet Maint. - - Capital Projects 120 - Fund Balance Carried Forward 14,715 14,715
Juvenile Court 9,970 9,098 Animal Control - - Unappropriated 9 - Total Revenues 50,363 52,620
Superior Court 8,522 8,093 Bd of Health 1 - Total Expenditures 129 - Expenditures:
Clerk Superior Court 5,314 5,200 Sr Citizen Services 6,213 2,587 Capital Projects 50,363 9,170
State Court 12,215 11,988 Human Services 337 1,271 2001 G O Bonds - Parks Fund 314
Solicitor State Court 5,002 4,890 Keep Dekalb Beautiful 16 - 2010 2010 Water & Sewer Sinking Fund 514
District Attorney 11,613 11,566 Arts, Culture, and Entertainment - - Revenues: Budget Actual 2010 2010
Child Advocate 1,713 1,565 Registrar/Elections - - Investment income 2,152 87 Revenues: Budget Actual
candidate for the job,”

Water & Sewer

chief in Fulton County

Probate Court 1,582 1,606 248 - Intergovernmental (277) - Investment income 9 -

Medical Examiner 2,334 2,181 Non-Departmental 36 - Contributions from private sources (183) Misc 28,404 - -
credentials for the posi-
“He was just the best

Miscellaneous
didates possess the right

Public Defender 6,690 6,468 - 22 Transfers From Other Funds (34) - Transfers From Other Funds 25,817 35,601
After spending nearly
are beneficial because he

Magistrate Court 2,454 2,408 Unappropriated (15,313) 63 Proceeds from sale of bonds (38) Fund Balance Carried Forward 13,121 13,121
knows the culture, Clark-

five years as a deputy fire

Public Safety: Total Expenditures 61,253 41,907 Miscellaneous (1,525) - Total Revenues 67,351 48,722
Although all of the can-

Animal Control 2,993 2,935 Fund Balance Carried Forward 43,111 43,111 Expenditures:
tion, Ford’s ties to Georgia

Police 258 (1,741) Grants/2002 LLEBG #7 Fund 254 Total Revenues 43,206 43,198 Debt Service 67,351 38,832
Fire & Rescue 15,381 13,822 2010 2010 - Expenditures:
Planning & Development 1,245 981 Revenues: Budget Actual Capital Projects 39,905 3,785
Public Works: Investment income - - Unappropriated 3,301 (1) Sanitation Operating Fund 541
Directors Office 308 394 Deferred Revenue - - Total Expenditures 43,206 3,784 2010 2010
Economic Development 995 925 Fund Balance Carried Forward 20 8 Revenues: Budget Actual
Public Services - Library 12,932 12,467 Total Revenues 20 8 2006 G O Bonds - Parks, Transportation, Libraries Fund 315 Investment income 250 46
Health and Human Services: Expenditures: 2010 2010 - Charges for Services 68,450 65,337
Extension Services 884 749 Police 20 - Revenues: Budget Actual Transfers From Other Funds 147 -
Public Board of Health 4,838 4,837 Investment income (6,909) 207 Miscellaneous 156 93
Community Service Board 2,047 2,047 Intergovernmental Revenue 658 627 Fund Balance Carried Forward 7,293 7,293 -
Family and Children Services 1,644 1,644 Transfers From Other Funds (3,285) - Total Revenues 76,296 72,769
Human and Community Development 2,190 2,227 Grants/2003 LLEBG #8 Fund 255 Contributions from private sources 577 143 Expenditures:
Citizen Help Center - (8) 2010 2010 Proceeds from sale of bonds (3,285) - Finance 246 246
Non-Departmental 20,305 11,997 Revenues: Budget Actual Fund Balance Carried Forward 112,707 112,707 Sanitation 62,403 53,162
Fund Expenditures - 109 Investment income - - Total Revenues 100,463 113,684 Interfund Transfers 13,647 13,647
family like.

Unappropriated - - Deferred Revenue - - Expenditures: Total Expenditures 76,296 67,055

Transfers To Other Funds 8,710 8,493 Fund Balance Carried Forward 107 107 Parks 65,410 9,089
Total Expenditures 286,646 266,363 Total Revenues 107 107 - Library 28,291 10,928
Expenditures: Transportation 15,346 4,850
Police 107 - Unappropriated (8,584) (1)
Total Expenditures 100,463 24,866

Grants/2004 LLEBG #9 Fund 256 Host Capital Projects Fund 330

Development Fund 201 2010 2010 2010 2010 Sanitation Construction Fund 542
2010 2010 Revenues: Budget Actual Revenues: Budget Actual 2010 2010
Budget Actual Investment income (3) - Investment Income 348 (4) Revenues: Budget Actual
Revenues: Intergovernmental Revenue 188 - Intergovernmental (4,865) 4,451 Transfers From Other Funds 22,698 11,646
Licenses and Permits 3,286 3,739 Fund Balance Carried Forward (8) (8) Deferred Revenue - - Fund Balance Carried Forward 25,772 25,772
Investment income (16) (3) Total Revenues 177 (8) Transfers From Other Funds 309 - Total Revenues 48,470 37,418 -
Ford has a doctorate
worked with the Besse-

Miscellaneous (18) (10) Expenditures: - Fund Balance Carried Forward (467) (467) Expenditures:
Nebraska fire chief offered Chamblee city manager position

Charges for Services 26 20 CIP 177 - Total Revenues (4,675) 3,980 - Capital Projects 36,615 12,573
from 2003-07, Ford said

University in Minneapo-
mer, Ala., fire and rescue

Expenditures:
See Manager on Page 9A

Transfers To Other Funds - - Unappropriated - - Unappropriated 11,855 -

the area which he and his
he wants to move back to

Fund Balance Carried Forward (932) (932) Total Expenditures 177 - Capital Projects (4,675) 6,082 Total Expenditures 48,470 12,573
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011

department, where he rose

management from Capella

degree in organization and
from firefighter to captain.

Total Revenues 2,346 2,814 -

From 1992 – 2003, Ford

Grants/2005 JAG #10 Fund 257 Capital Improvement Project Fund 350
Expenditures: 2010 2010 2010 2010 Airport Operating Fund 551
Planning & Development 1,978 2,679 Revenues: Budget Actual Revenues: Budget Actual 2010 2010
Interfund Transfers 368 (4) Investment income 1 1 Intergovernmental 26,572 5,102 Revenues: Budget Actual
2,346 2,675 Intergovernmental Revenue 536 408 Investment Income 434 - Investment income 110 26
Transfers From Other Funds 127 40 Contributions from private sources (84) 60 - Miscellaneous 4,993 4,621
 Development Fund 201 2010 2010 2010 2010 Sanitation Construction Fund 542
2010 2010 Revenues: Budget Actual Revenues: Budget Actual 2010 2010
Budget Actual Investment income (3) - Investment Income 348 (4) Revenues: Budget Actual
Revenues: Intergovernmental Revenue 188 - Intergovernmental (4,865) 4,451 Transfers From Other Funds 22,698 11,646
Licenses and Permits 3,286 3,739 Fund Balance Carried Forward (8) (8) Deferred Revenue - - Fund Balance Carried Forward 25,772 25,772
Investment income (16) (3) Total Revenues 177 (8) Transfers From Other Funds 309 - Total Revenues 48,470 37,418 -
Miscellaneous (18) (10) Expenditures: - Fund Balance Carried Forward (467) (467) Expenditures:
Charges for Services 26 20 CIP 177 - Total Revenues (4,675) 3,980 - Capital Projects 36,615 12,573
Transfers To Other Funds - - Unappropriated - - Expenditures: Unappropriated 11,855 -
Fund Balance Carried Forward (932) (932) Total Expenditures 177 - Capital Projects (4,675) 6,082 Total Expenditures 48,470 12,573
Total Revenues 2,346 2,814 -
Grants/2005 JAG #10 Fund 257 Capital Improvement Project Fund 350
Expenditures: 2010 2010 2010 2010 Airport Operating Fund 551
Planning & Development 1,978 2,679 Revenues: Budget Actual Revenues: Budget Actual 2010 2010
Interfund Transfers 368 (4) Investment income 1 1 Intergovernmental 26,572 5,102 Revenues: Budget Actual
2,346 2,675 Intergovernmental Revenue 536 408 Investment Income 434 - Investment income 110 26
Transfers From Other Funds 127 40 Contributions from private sources (84) 60 - Miscellaneous 4,993 4,621
PEG Support Fund 203 Deferred Revenue - - Miscellaneous (2,371) 202 Fund Balance Carried Forward 6,048 6,048 -
2010 2010 Fund Balance Carried Forward 203 203 Charges for Services 282 484 Total Revenues 11,151 10,695
Revenues: Budget Actual Total Revenues 867 652 Transfers From Other Funds 3,172 5,880 Expenditures:
Investment income 10 4 Expenditures: - Fund Balance Carried Forward 33,973 33,973 DeKalb-Peachtree Airport 10,151 2,497
Miscellaneous 102 457 Police 867 611 Total Revenues 61,978 45,701 Interfund Transfers 1,000 1,000
Fund Balance Carried Forward 1,545 1,545 Total Expenditures 867 611 Expenditures: Total Expenditures 11,151 3,497
Total Revenues 1,657 2,006 Board Commissioners - -
Expenditures: - 2009 ARRA Stimulus Fund 260 GIS 1,740 668
PEG Support 1,657 162 2010 2010 Facilities Management 4,628 752 Airport Construction Fund 552
Manager
Revenues: Budget Actual Fleet Maintenance 4,709 4,274 2010 2010
County Jail Fund 204 PropertyTaxes - - Information System 4,487 3,238 Revenues: Budget Actual
2010 2010 Sales Taxes - - Finance - - Investment income - 1
Revenues: Budget Actual Investment income 6 12 Clerk Superior Court - - Intergovernmental (8,359) 2,681
Intergovernmental 150 210 Intergovernmental Revenue 4,723 8,039 Recorders Court 1,100 - Deferred revenue - -
Fines and forfeitures 1,629 2,035 Transfer from Other Funds 236 - Police 2,168 76 Interfund Transfers 1,663 1,000 -
Fund Balance Carried Forward 251 251 Fund Balance Carried Forward (1,617) (1,317) - Library 34 - Fund Balance Carried Forward 7,547 7,547
Total Revenues 2,030 2,496 - Total Revenues 3,348 6,734 Transportation 18,004 2,606 Total Revenues 851 11,229
Expenditures: Expenditures: Public Works 3,570 1,847 Expenditures:
Transfers To Other Funds 2,030 2,030 Workforce Development 12,108 7,375 Host Capital Outlay 39,143 5,496 Capital Projects 851 3,303
Non-Departmental (8,760) - Road & Drainage 13,093 1,927

University in Athens, Ala.

Victim Assistance Fund 206 Total Expenditures 3,348 7,375 Parks 202 - Stormwater Utility Fund 581
2010 2010 Planning & Development 100 - 2010 2010
Community Development - 65
Revenues: Budget Actual Fire Fund 270 Economic Development 107 - Revenues: Budget Actual
Intergovernmental 300 375 2010 2010 Extension Service 8 - Investment income (100) (5)

recently annexed into the city.

in management from Faulkner

Fines and Forfeitures 950 860 Revenues: Budget Actual Non-Departmental - - Charges for Services 16,500 16,658

will take the helm as Chamblee

lis. He earned a master’s degree

Fund Balance Carried Forward 224 224 Property Taxes 39,100 39,003 Fire 50 170 Miscellaneous -
University in Montgomery, Ala.,

approximately $13.7 million and

Total Revenues 1,474 1,459 - Sales Taxes 13,500 13,376 DFACS - - Fund Balance Carried Forward 6,448 6,448 - administration from Athens State
Expenditures: Investment income (61) (18) Total Expenditures 93,143 21,119 Total Revenues 22,848 23,101

and assimilate residents who were

tion, Ford will oversee a budget of
Victim Assistance 10 23 Intergovernmental Revenue - - Expenditures:
and a bachelor of science in public

COPS Projects Fund 351

If he accepts the Chamblee posi-

Transfers To Other Funds 1,464 1,443 Miscellaneous 8 23 Stormwater Utilities 22,848 12,450
www.championnewspaper.com

seeks to hire a marketing consultant

Total Expenditures 1,474 1,466 Fund Balance Carried Forward 172 172 2010 2010 Interfund Transfers - -
Total Revenues 52,719 52,556 - Revenues: Budget Actual Total Expenditures 22,848 12,450
Expenditures: Investment Income 350 -
Recreation Fund 207 Public Safety-Police - 1 Fund Balance Carried Forward 1,923 1,923 Stormwater Utility Construction Fund 582
2010 2010 Public Safety-Fire 48,444 46,674 Total Revenues 2,273 1,923 - 2010 2010
Revenues: Budget Actual Non-Departmental 3,648 3,225 Expenditures: Revenues: Budget Actual
Investment income - - Interfund Transfers 627 627 Capital Projects 1,432 197 Deferred Revenue - -
Charges for Services 1,229 811 Total Expenditures 52,719 50,527 Unappropriated 841 4 Intergovernmental 2,817 2,886
Miscellaneous - 3 2,273 201 Miscellaneous 187 -
Fund Balance Carried Forward (503) (267) Special Tax - Designated Services Fund 271 Interfund Transfers 515 -
Total Revenues 726 547 - 2010 2010 Public Safety - Judicial Facilities Fund 354 Fund Balance Carried Forward (8,073) (8,073) -
Expenditures: Revenues: Budget Actual 2010 2010 Total Revenues (4,554) (5,187)
Parks and Recreation 726 863 Property Taxes 48,522 46,359 Revenues: Budget Actual Expenditures:
Sales Taxes 1,760 1,783 - Investment Income (1,742) (2) Capital Projects (4,554) 3,567
Licenses and Permits 1,350 994 Deferred Revenue - -
Juvenile Services Fund 208
2010 2010
Investment income
Intergovernmental
(174)
-
(52)
-
Fund Balance Carried Forward
Total Revenues
3,076
1,334
3,076
3,074 Vehicle Maintenance Fund 611
sideration.
Revenues: Budget Actual Charges for Services 3,496 2,450 Expenditures: - 2010 2010
Investment income 1 - Miscellaneous 818 324 Capital projects 3,163 737 Revenues: Budget Actual
Charges for Services 50 39 Transfers From Other Funds 83,943 76,218 Unappropriated (1,829) - Intergovernmental 100 154
Fund Balance Carried Forward 271 271 - Fund Balance Carried Forward 107 107 1,334 737 Charges for Services 28,630 27,873
Total Revenues 322 310 Total Revenues 139,822 128,183 Miscellaneous 35 384
Expenditures: Expenditures: Building Authority - Juvenile Court Fund 355 Fund Balance Carried Forward 448 448 -
Juvenile Court 322 11 Public Safety - Police 98,378 97,391 Budget Budget Total Revenues 29,213 28,859
Public Works - Transportation 3,641 3,209 Revenues: Budget Actual Expenditures:
Public Works - Roads and Drainage 16,387 13,596 Investment income (54) 2 Fund Expenditures - (1)
Parks and Recreation 16,928 15,924 Miscellaneous 1,261 - Fleet Maintenance 29,213 27,955
Drug Abuse Treatment & Education Fund 209 Arts, culture & entertainment - 85 Fund Balance Carried Forward 1,806 1,806 29,213 27,954
2010 2010 Non-Departmental 4,244 3,477 Total Revenues 3,013 1,808
Revenues: Budget Actual Transfers to Other Funds 244 225 Expenditures: Vehicle Replacement Fund 621
Investment income 1 - Total Expenditures 139,822 133,907 Capital projects 1,860 26 - 2010 2010
of a $27 million budget.

Fines and Forfeitures 22 50 Unappropriated 1,153 1,355 Revenues: Budget Actual

Fund Balance Carried Forward 107 107 3,013 1,381 Investment income 200 38
Total Revenues 130 157 Special Tax District - Unincorporated Fund 272 Charges for Services 11,429 11,707 -
Expenditures: - 2010 2010 Urban Redevelopment Agency Fund 356 Miscellaneous 200 4,403
Health and Welfare 130 60 Revenues: Budget Actual - 2010 2010 Interfund Transfers 2,050 -
Charges for Services - 20 Revenues: Budget Actual Fund Balance Carried Forward 17,787 17,787
Sales Taxes 14,960 15,159 Investment income - - Total Revenues 31,666 33,935
Other Taxes 30,100 33,067 Miscellaneous 7,945 7,945 Expenditures:
Licenses and Permits 19,077 16,984 Fund Balance Carried Forward - - Vehicles 20,603 1,414
Investment income 12 2 Total Revenues 7,945 7,945 Interfund transfers 11,063 11,063
the fire department that is larger

cil to conduct the search for city

Colin Baenziger & Associates,

manager candidates, received 107

which was hired by the city coun-
“He’s managed a work force in

to the city council for further con-

Fines and Forfeitures 25,900 22,445 Expenditures: 31,666 12,477

Continued From Page 8A

As fire chief, Ford has oversight

Miscellaneous 948 5 Capital projects 7,945 63 -

applications and recommended nine
than our whole city,” Clarkson said.

Transfers From Other Funds (83,346) (76,218) Unappropriated - -

Law Enforcement Confiscated Monies Fund 210 Fund Balance Forward 159 159 7,945 63 Risk Management Fund 631
2010 2010 Total Revenues 7,810 11,623 2010 2010
Revenues: Budget Actual Expenditures: ARRA Capital Projects Fund 360 Revenues: Budget Actual
Investment Income - 18 General Government: 2010 2010 Charges for Services 4,571 4,205
Intergovernmental 3,308 2,695 Chief Executive Officer 295 393 Revenues: Budget Actual Miscellaneous - - -
Miscellaneous - 44 Finance 812 713 Investment income - - Payroll deductions and matches 84,625 79,515
Fund Balance Carried Forward 5,016 5,016 Police Services-Code Enforcement 1,770 1,862 Intergovernmental - 3,041 Fund Balance Carried Forward 16,307 16,307
Total Revenues 8,324 7,773 - Recorders Court 3,890 3,338 Fund Balance Carried Forward (133) (133) Total Revenues 105,503 100,027
Expenditures: Planning & Development 954 899 Total Revenues (133) 2,908 Expenditures:
Sheriff 2,034 94 Non-Departmental 89 137 Expenditures: Risk Management 98,788 88,802
District Attorney 114 98 Transfers From Other Funds - - Capital projects (133) 2,619 - Interfund Transfers 6,715 6,715
Police Services 6,067 725 Total Expenditures 7,810 7,342 Unappropriated - - Unappropriated - -
Transfers To Other Funds 100 100 (133) 2,619 Total Expenditures 105,503 95,517
Unappropriated 9 - Hospital Fund 273
Total Expenditures 8,324 1,017 2010 2010 GO Bonds Debt Service Fund 410 Workers Compensation Fund 632
Revenues: Budget Actual 2010 2010 2010 2010
Property Taxes 18,105 16,611 Revenues: Budget Actual Revenues: Budget Actual
Sales Taxes 5,280 5,350 Property Taxes 13,533 14,157 Charges for Services 4,959 4,962 -
Intergovernmental - - Investment income (58) (16) Miscellaneous - 576
Street Lights Fund 211 Investment Income (42) (13) Fund Balance Carried Forward 279 279 Fund Balance Carried Forward 7,950 7,950
2010 2010 Transfers From Other Funds - - - Total Revenues 13,754 14,420 - Total Revenues 12,909 13,488
Revenues: Budget Actual Fund Balance Carried Forward 144 144 Expenditures: Expenditures:
Sales Taxes - (1) Total Revenues 23,487 22,092 Debt Service 13,754 13,791 Non-Departmental 12,909 5,467
Investment income - - Expenditures:
Charges for Services 4,533 5,052 Health and Welfare-Hospital 23,487 23,470 GO Bonds STD Debt Service Fund 411
Fund Balance Carried Forward 903 903 - 2010 2010
Total Revenues 5,436 5,954 Revenues: Budget Actual
Expenditures: Hotel / Motel Tax Fund 275 Taxes 23,358 28,871 ALL TAX FUNDS
Public Works-Transportation 5,436 4,405 2010 2010 Investment income 90 27 2010
Revenues: Budget Actual Transfers From Other Funds - - Revenues: Budget
Other Taxes 1,450 1,501 Fund Balance Carried Forward 10,019 10,019 Taxes, Service Charges, Income & Transfers 544,351
Speed Humps Maintenance Fund 212 Fund Balance Carried Forward 136 136 Total Revenues 33,467 38,917 - Fund Balance Carried Forward - -
2010 2010 Total Revenues 1,586 1,637 Expenditures: Fund Balance Carried Forward (for encumbrances) 14,251
Revenues: Budget Actual Expenditures: - Debt Service 33,467 27,628 Total Revenues 558,602
Charges for Services 250 289 Convention Bureau 1,586 1,357 Transfers out - - Expenditures:
Investment income 10 3 Total Expenditures 33,467 27,628 Approved Budget 544,351
Fund Balance Carried Forward 1,538 1,538 - Encumbrances rolled forward from 2009 14,251
Total Revenues 1,798 1,830 Rental Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Fund 280 Building Authority Revenue Bonds Debt Service Fund 412 Total Appropriations 558,602
Expenditures: 2010 2010 2010 2010
Public Works-Roads & Drainage 1,798 206 Revenues: Budget Actual Revenues: Budget Actual
Other Taxes 691 682 Investment income 5 1
Investment income 3 1 Miscellaneous 3,617 3,730
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011

Emergency Telephone System Fund 215 Miscellaneous - 500 Interfund Transfers - 1,355
2010 2010 Fund Balance Carried Forward 203 203 Fund Balance Carried Forward (1,290) (1,290)
Revenues: Budget Actual Total Revenues 897 1,386 - Total Revenues 2,332 3,796 -
Investment income 25 15 Expenditures: Expenditures: Total
Miscellaneous 11,840 12,173 Development Authority 897 713 Debt Service 2,332 3,690
All
Fund Balance Carried Forward 6,151 6,151 -
Total Revenues 18,016 18,339 Funds
Expenditures: Public Safety Judicial Facilites Authority Debt Service Fund 413
Emergency Telephone System 18,016 9,968 2010 2010
Transfers To Other Funds - - Revenues: Budget Actual 399,874
Total Expenditures 18,016 9,968 Investment income 7 - 20,560
Miscellaneous 3,079 3,108 5,678
Fund Balance Carried Forward 24 24 426,112
Total Revenues 3,110 3,132 -
Expenditures:
Debt Service 3,110 3,096
Transfers out - - 7,163
Total Expenditures 3,110 3,096 7,187
-
3,821
13,886
32,057

394,055

426,112
-
Page 9A
Page 10A
Photo by Andrew Cauthen
‘Sovereign citizens’ indicted for property thefts
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
A DeKalb County grand
jury has indicted 12 so-called
“sovereign citizens” for al-
legedly stealing high-priced
houses in DeKalb and Gwin-
nett counties and a Buckhead
strip mall.
Indicted under the Rack-
eteer Influenced and Corrupt
Organizations-Acquiring
Property through a Pattern
of Racketeering (RICO) Act,
the individuals are accused of
illegally acquiring 18 proper-
ties in eight counties, includ-
ing DeKalb, Fayette, Fulton,
Gwinnett, Henry, Newton,
Richmond and Spaulding.
Their pattern of racketeer-
ing activity ran from January
Family sues DeKalb County for wrongful death
by Daniel Beauregard
daniel@dekalbchamp.com
The parents of Audre-
cas Davis filed a lawsuit
against DeKalb County on
March 14, claiming their
son died a wrongful death
due to excessive police
force used during an inci-
dent that occurred last year
at a Budget Inn and Suites
on Chamblee Tucker Road.
The plaintiffs, Jimmy
Davis and Annie Davis,
are suing for wrongful
death, personal injuries, fu-
neral expenses and punitive
damages.
According to the law-
suit, 29-year-old Audrecas
Davis was a registered
guest at the Budget Inn and
Suites on May 9, 2010,
to July 31 of last year.
According to the indict-
ment, the “sovereign citizens”
“broke into vacant homes,
and either signed or notarized
deeds for themselves and
each other, which purported
to convey property to them
and did file these deeds with
the Clerk of Courts.”
Whenever the suspects
were opposed by property
owners, banks or law en-
forcement, they would “le-
gally harass” the person, said
DeKalb Deputy Chief Assis-
tant Attorney John Melvin.
The problem was discov-
ered by county marshals.
Melvin said the “marshals
department had started to run
into the sovereign citizens
who had been squatting.” The
when 911 dispatchers were
called because it appeared
as though he was having a
seizure.
When EMS arrived Da-
vis resisted being restrained
to a backboard and taken
for medical treatment so
the rescue team called the
DeKalb County Police De-
partment for assistance.
Eight officers arrived on
the scene including Deputy
Chief of Police Frank
Kliesrath, Sergeant Ber-
nard Gailes, and Officers
Christopher Poythress
and Keith Cintron.
The lawsuit states that
at one point, after already
being Tased three times Da-
vis “yelled ‘OK. OK,’” but
Poythress Tased him three
more times. Both Poythress
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011
suspects would file quit claim
deeds on properties in fore-
closure creating a “cloud on
the title,” he said.
“People would have to
expend money to clear the
cloud,” Melvin said.
The “sovereign citizens”
were loosely organized. Sev-
eral were living together in
a house at 7301 South God-
dard Road in Lithonia. Others
would use the address of the
house for mail.
In one case, Eliyshuwa
Shaphat Yisrael allegedly
filed a quit claim deed on a
property and another suspect
wrote an eviction notice to
the tenant living in the house.
For the strip mall at 2140
Peachtree Road in Atlanta, a
suspect tried to collect rent
and Cintron were ordered
by Kliesrath and Gailes to
use their Tasers throughout
the incident. Davis was lat-
er taken to DeKalb Medical
Center where he was pro-
nounced dead.
“I keep asking the same
thing, ‘Why did they use a
Taser on him?’ If you look
through the policy manual,
they violated many of the
policies in the manual.
There was never a need to
Taser him,” said Attorney
Robert A. Moss, who is
representing the family.
“They had two different
people Taser him and two
different officers direct oth-
ers to Taser him, and that’s
all a direct violation of the
policy…he did nothing
wrong and he’s Tasered six
from the store owners.
After illegally acquiring
the property at 2735 Sud-
bury Trace in Norcross, the
suspects allegedly wrote the
bank giving it the option to
buy them out.
On June 16, 2010, Joseph
Dion Lawler is accused of
calling the listing agent for
1539 Windsor Parkway and
demanding the security sys-
tem in the house be turned off
and the realty signs be taken
down, according to the indict-
ment.
The next day, Lawler
threatened to file liens against
the agent’s personal property
if she did not comply with
those demands.
Yisrael and Corey Ber-
nard Freeman are in the
times?” Moss said.
A report by the police
department’s Internal Re-
view Board said the officers
were justified to use Tasers
in the case of both Davis
and Sukeba Olawunmi, a
woman who also died un-
der similar circumstances.
The board, which is
made up of investigators,
voted to clear the officers
involved and agreed that no
policies were violated.
“As chief of police, I
stand behind the use of the
Taser as an alternative to
deadly force,” said DeKalb
Police Chief William
O’Brien. “While both of
these incidents were ex-
tremely unfortunate in that
they resulted in death, I
know my officers followed
DeKalb County jail. Gregory
Osbourne Ross, Linda Ross
and Richard Terence Jen-
kins are out on bond.
Arrest warrants have been
issued for Jonas Francois,
Jermaine Eric Gibson, Da-
vis B. Graham, Joseph Dion
Lawler, Wylissa Yvette
Lawrence, Kenith Benaiah
Rey and Arthur Sykes Jr.
According to the web-
site of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation, sovereign
citizens are “anti-government
extremists” who believe
“they don’t have to answer
to any government author-
ity, including courts, taxing
entities, motor vehicle depart-
ments, or law enforcement.”
the proper protocols.”
According to the Medi-
cal Examiner’s Report from
July 2010, Davis suffered
from heart disease and the
Taser was not a direct cause
of his death.
“Concerning the Taser,
discomfort related to the
use of this weapon prob-
ably caused sympathetic
nervous system discharge,
further stressing a heart
with advanced established
disease,” the report stated.
“While the Taser did not
directly cause his death, in
conjunction with his many
other maladies they collec-
tively followed a common
road ending in his demise.”
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011 Page 11A

Clarkston plans on big splash with new pool

by Daniel Beauregard
daniel@dekalbchamp.com
Clarkston residents wor-
ried about having some-
where to relax and soak up
the sun this summer can
rest easy because work on
the new Milam Park pool
complex will begin in the
next few weeks.
Construction is expected
to be completed in July
and, according to Mayor
Emanuel Ransom, no later
than July 4, if everything
goes as planned.
“They’ve almost guar-
anteed me that they would
have it finished by July 4,
and we want to have a big
grand opening,” Ransom
said.
The facilities will in-
clude a new pool and kid-
die pool, both of which are
wheelchair accessible, an
extended poolside patio
area for receptions, bike
racks and a new separate
building to house the pool
a walking track around the
top…my vision is way up
[there],” he said.
The project, which cost
approximately $800,000,
was paid for by The City of
Clarkston and the DeKalb
County Community Devel-
opment Department through
the use of the county’s
Community Development
help. visit the lake.
“When we went to “Right across the street
DeKalb County they were we’re putting in a brand
elated when we said we new fishing dock, cross-
wanted to build a new pool walk and decorative fences
because our pool services down by the lake, so people
more DeKalb County from the pool will have ac-
residents than it does cess to boating,” Ransom
Clarkston residents,” Ran- said.
som said. He said he hopes that
Ransom also hopes to after five years the city will
develop an area directly break even on the invest-
behind the new pool for ment and this in turn will
receptions, in an effort to help spur more develop-
make the park more of a ment projects.
draw for people both in “It will be a wonderful
and outside of the city who thing when we finish it and
can come to swim, have we hope it will be sustain-
a family reunion or even able,” he said.
Act of 2008 and American
Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009.
“When I first became Congressman
Hank Johnson
a councilman in 2002 we
started having problems
with the pool. [That’s when]
we began looking at [build- Georgia’s 4th Congressional District
ing] a new pool, because of
the inspections and replace-
Proudly serving DeKalb, Rockdale, and Gwinnett Counties
ments we underwent,” Ran-

pumps and equipment.
However, Ransom has
much bigger plans for the
community and the pool is
just the beginning.
“I really want an en-
closed pool; that’s what
Block Grant Recovery Pro-
gram (CDBG).
The CDBG program
works with communities
to modernize infrastruc-
ture and improve energy
2011 Congressional
som said.
Ransom explained that
rather than try to continue
to retrofit the pool with
repairs—it had two pumps
replaced at $5,000 each
Arts Competition

I’ve wanted since the be-
ginning because I want to
put some training rooms in
CALLING ALL
efficiency by using funds and officials were told they
allocated by the U.S. De- needed to install a new fil-
partment of Housing and tration unit—they decided

ENTRIES!
Urban Development from to try to build a completely
there, some exercise rooms, the Economic Recovery new pool with the county’s

College scholarships
Community-Wide Yard will be awarded to
Sale the winners!
If You Don’t Use it
...Sell It! For Rules and Guidelines, please visit
http.//www.hankjohnson.house.gov/services/artistic-discovery.shtml

Sat. April 16
9:a.m.-2:p.m.
3122 Panthersville Rd.
Decatur

SELLERS: This is a huge event and everyone can join in. Reserve your
space today. No need to worry about the weather and we do the advertising. $30
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space. Advance set-up available as early as April 1.
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To reserve your space or for additional information call
404-244-7740 or email panthersville@storageworldinc.com Artwork must be delivered to the Lithonia office
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For more information, contact Betty Dixon at
betty.dixon@mail.house.gov or 770-987-2291
Proceeds of sale will benefit
South DeKalb YMCA & The Earl and Carolyn Glenn Foundation 5700 Hillandale Drive, Suite 120, Lithonia, GA 30058
Page 12A
South DeKalb library closure sparks budget debate
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
The planned closing of a library
in South DeKalb sparked a pro-
longed debate of the county’s 2011
budget during the March 15 meeting
of DeKalb’s Board of Commission-
ers.
Alison Weissinger, acting direc-
tor of the DeKalb County Library
Board, told the commissioners that
the Scott Candler Library, located
at 2644 McAfee Road in South
DeKalb, would close April 1 as part
of a plan to save $3 million.
“In the sense of what’s going on
in that community and the impact
that that library will have on that
community, I think it’s a mistake,”
Commissioner Larry Johnson said
of the closing.
The South DeKalb community,
plagued with high unemployment
and foreclosures, recently found out
that the county’s Board of Educa-
tion is planning to close five of its
elementary schools: Atherton, Glen
Haven, Gresham Park, Peachcrest
and Sky Haven.
Staff will be moved from Scott
Candler and other libraries to open
the new Hairston Crossing Library,
the Salem-Panola Library and the
Stonecrest Library, which should be
open by the end of May on a reduced
schedule.
Ground broke on a new Scott
Candler building at 1917 Candler
Road in December. The facility is
part of a mixed-use development that
also will include a senior center and
senior housing. Construction is on
target and is expected to be complet-
ed by the end of the year. The new
building should open early next year
if staffing is available, Weissinger
said.
Weissinger said the Scott Candler
closure should not be a hardship on
the residents of South DeKalb be-
cause there are three other libraries
within a 3.5-mile radius: Decatur,
Gresham, and Flat Shoals libraries.
Johnson objected to the March 8
decision by the library board to close
Scott Candler without getting input
from the community.
“It’s all about those folks in that
community,” Johnson said. “When
you start messing with that, you
touch a nerve with me.”
DeKalb County Chief Operating
Officer Richard Stogner said the
county’s department heads were at-
tempting to maximize the services to
all residents of DeKalb County while
minimizing disruptions.
“We can’t finance the county
government on a wing and a prayer,”
Stogner said. “We’re faced with the
reality of having to deal with the
budget as adopted by the board.”
In addition to closing Scott
Candler, the library board voted to
reduce operating hours throughout
the library system. The board cut all
Sunday hours, except at the main
Decatur Library in downtown De-
catur. Brookhaven, Embry Hills,
Gresham and Lithonia-Davidson li-
braries will no longer be open on Fri-
days and Saturdays. The board also
eliminated Wednesday and Thursday
nights at some libraries.
The opening of a storefront
Northeast Plaza Library on Buford
Highway is being delayed indefi-
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011
nitely and the board is recommend-
ing the selling of Briarcliff Library,
which was closed last year due to
budget constraints, according to
Commissioner Jeff Rader.
“These actions are the unfortunate
consequences of significant budget
cuts,” Rader said. “They sting where
those cuts are being felt.”
Rader said the county’s admin-
istration should work more closely
with the commission to scrutinize
any budget cuts before they occur to
give the commission the opportunity
to re-allocate funds for particular
areas.
In a resolution last year, the board
requested that a tax increase “be
proposed only after restructuring op-
erations and eliminating low-priority
services.” The board also requested
a “no-tax-increase budget” as a start-
ing point, with separate numbers for
proposed expenditures to preserve or
expand services.
Some commissioners do not be-
lieve that budget priority was met by
the county’s administration.
“We should be presented, as a
board, options that we can choose to
take or not to take,” said Commis-
sioner Elaine Boyer. “The resolution
we passed, in my opinion, was not
followed.”
Boyer said the board was told by
the administration that a tax increase
was needed, even though taxpayers
were opposed to a rate increase.
“We were never given the ability
to have options,” Boyer said. “It was
all or nothing.”
Boyer said the administration’s
implementation of the budget is “al-
most like a punishment.”
“It’s almost like, ‘OK, too bad.
You’ve made your across the board
cuts; this is what you have,’” Boyer
said.
“The problem we have as a board
is the elected CEO,” Boyer said.
“We’re in this battle and struggle ev-
ery budget season if we don’t agree
with the administration.”
Commissioner Stan Watson said
the commission and administration
needs improved communications.
“It’s a tough time in DeKalb
County,” Watson said. “We’re play-
ing with people’s lives.”
Rader agreed with the call for
increased communication: “The
administration needs to work more
closely with the commission to vet
the cuts before they actually occur to
give the commission the opportunity
to refund particular areas.”
The budget passed by the com-
missioners was just a starting point
to continue working on the county’s
finances, said Commissioner Lee
May, who heads the board’s finance
committee. The administration
should not take any decisive actions
before at least communicating those
actions to the Board of Commission-
ers.
“We’re not going to run out of
money,” May said. “This govern-
ment is not going to shut down. The
county is not on fire.”
May said DeKalb’s government
needs to be reorganized to work
more efficiently and productively.
“We need to see this county oper-
ate in 2011 and not in 1980,” May
said.
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011 Page 13A

Suspect in courier killing linked to other armored car robberies

by Robert Naddra from behind and forced to automatic handgun to the Oct. 7, 2010—Rob- Howell Mill Road in At-
robert@dekalbchamp.com the ground by an armed as- courier’s head. The suspect bery of a Dunbar Armored lanta. Two Black males
sailant. The second courier left with an undisclosed courier occurred inside a with handguns approached
The armored car fired on the assailant as amount of money and was Latino store at 641 South the courier while he was
company that employed a he was departing the mall seen getting into the back Marietta Parkway, Marietta. servicing an ATM. During
courier killed in a robbery through a side door. seat of a light blue or silver In that robbery, two Black the robbery, the courier was
last week at Toco Hills is Nov. 29, 2010—A cou- vehicle. males, one with long black forced to the ground and his
offering a $100,000 reward rier for Loomis was robbed Nov. 11, 2010—A rob- dreadlocks, waited inside sidearm was taken by the
for information leading at gunpoint while servicing bery of a Dunbar Armored the store for the courier and robbers.
to an arrest, conviction an ATM at the Wells Fargo courier occurred at the Bank confronted him with hand- Anyone with information
and recovery of the stolen Bank at 3520 Centerville of America at 1500 Buford guns. regarding this matter should
money, according to the Highway in Snellville. The Highway in Buford. In that Sept. 14, 2010—A rob- contact the Atlanta FBI at
FBI. Crime Stoppers Atlanta courier was approached robbery, the courier was bery of a Garda security (404) 679-9000.
also is offering a reward of from behind by a single robbed while servicing an courier happened at the
up to $5,000. robber who placed a semi- ATM. Bank of America at 1775
Garda security car
courier Gary Castillo was
robbed and shot three times
on March 15 just after he DeKalb County Wants to Hear From You
made a pickup at Kroger Regarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal
at 2205 Lavista Road. with Comcast Cable Communications
The incident happened at
approximately 12:03 p.m. Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcast’s current performance under
Castillo was taken to Grady the current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests of
Hospital, where he died. your community to cable@co.dekalb.ga.us.
The gunman took an
undisclosed amount of
money and left in a vehicle
The Champion Weather March 24, 2011
driven by another suspect, Seven Day Forecast In-Depth Local Forecast Today's Regional Map Weather History
according to Stephen Today we will see sunny skies with a high March 24, 1989 - Low pressure
Emmett of the FBI. The THURSDAY temperature of 68º, humidity of 39%. off the coast of Virginia brought
getaway car was found a Sunny Northwest wind 10 to 20 mph. The record heavy rain to the mid-Atlantic
Dunwoody
short distance away, and High: 68 Low: 42 high temperature for today is 84º set in Coast states and heavy snow to
66/41 Lilburn
was later determined to have 1935. Expect mostly clear skies tonight Smyrna Doraville 67/42 the northern Appalachians. Cape
FRIDAY
been stolen the day before with an overnight low of 42º. 67/42 67/42 Hatteras, N.C. was soaked with
Sunny Snellville
in Snellville. High: 68 Low: 49 *Last Week’s Almanac Decatur 5.2 inches of rain in 24 hours,
68/42 and snowfall totals in Vermont
Police describe the Date Hi Lo Normals Precip
Atlanta 68/42
gunman as a Black male 68/42 ranged up to 12 inches.
SATURDAY Tuesday 67 47 65/44 1.17" Lithonia
in his late 20s to early 30s, Isolated T-storms Wednesday 58 43 65/44 0.00" College Park 69/42
5-foot-11 with a medium High: 74 Low: 58 Thursday 75 38 65/44 0.00" 69/42 Morrow
March 25, 1948 - For the second
complexion. time in less than a week,
Friday 80 46 66/44 0.00" 69/42
The FBI said it believes Union City airplanes were destroyed by a
SUNDAY Saturday 82 54 66/44 0.00"
tornado at Tinker AFB in
the Toco Hills robbery is Isolated T-storms Sunday 76 58 66/45 0.00" 69/42
Oklahoma City. A March 20th
related to six other armored High: 73 Low: 50 Monday 77 54 66/45 0.00"
Hampton tornado destroyed 50 planes, and
car robberies that have taken Rainfall . . . . . . .1.17" Average temp . .61.1
70/43 the March 25th tornado
place since September 2010. MONDAY Normal rainfall . .1.25" Average normal 54.9
destroyed another 35.
Summaries of the other Scat'd T-storms Departure . . . . .-0.08" Departure . . . . .+6.2
possibly related crimes are: High: 65 Low: 44 *Data as reported from De Kalb-Peachtree Airport
Jan. 21, 2011—Two cou- Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week Tonight's Planets
riers for the Loomis cash TUESDAY Day Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset
Rise Set
handling company were Mostly Cloudy Last Thursday 7:36 a.m. 7:52 p.m. 12:48 a.m. 10:57 a.m. First
Mercury 8:15 a.m. 9:20 p.m.
servicing an ATM at a Wells High: 60 Low: 45 3/26 Friday 7:34 a.m. 7:53 p.m. 1:48 a.m. 11:54 a.m. 4/11
Venus 6:00 a.m. 4:55 p.m.
Fargo bank, 4798 Redan Saturday 7:33 a.m. 7:53 p.m. 2:41 a.m. 12:53 p.m.
Mars 7:14 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
Road in Stone Mountain. WEDNESDAY Sunday 7:31 a.m. 7:54 p.m. 3:27 a.m. 1:52 p.m.
Jupiter 8:07 a.m. 8:34 p.m.
Partly Cloudy Monday 7:30 a.m. 7:55 p.m. 4:06 a.m. 2:51 p.m.
One of the couriers was ap- New Full Saturn 8:33 p.m. 8:23 a.m.
High: 63 Low: 41 Tuesday 7:29 a.m. 7:56 p.m. 4:41 a.m. 3:48 p.m.
proached and shot several 4/3 4/17 Uranus 7:33 a.m. 7:34 p.m.
Wednesday 7:27 a.m. 7:56 p.m. 5:11 a.m. 4:43 p.m.
times without warning. The
gunman fits the same de- Local UV Index National Weather Summary This Week Weather Trivia
scription of the suspect who
?
The Northeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with scattered rain and What was the costliest
shot Castillo. snow today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 67º in Patuxent hailstorm in the United
The gunman took the 0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+ River, Md. The Southeast will see mostly clear skies today and Friday, isolated States?
courier’s bag containing an UV Index
thunderstorms Saturday, with the highest temperature of 86º in Sanford, Fla. The Northwest will
Answer: In July 1990, Denver had
undisclosed amount of mon- 0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, see widespread rain and snow today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 57º in
damages totaling $625 million.
ey and got into a getaway 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High Medford, Ore. The Southwest will see isolated showers today and Friday, mostly clear skies
car driven by a Black male, 11+: Extreme Exposure Saturday, with the highest temperature of 91º in Carlsbad, N.M. www.WhatsOurWeather.com
age 20-30. The wounded
StarWatch By Gary Becker - Cradling Newton's Baby
courier was taken to an area
The Dutch optician, Hans Lippershey, invented the telescope in 1608. Galileo in the fall of 1609 became the first person to turn the refractors that he had constructed sky-
hospital and underwent ward, and then to publish his findings. Early lensed telescopes produced images fringed with unwanted color, a problem attributed to the fact that a single lens acted like
surgery. Wells Fargo an- countless prisms focusing colors at different distances behind the objective. The solution to this impediment lay in using mirrors rather than lenses to collect and bring the
nounced a reward of up to light to a focus. James Gregory had proposed such a design in 1663, but failed in building a working model. Isaac Newton independently succeeded six years later, and his
$10,000. invention of the “Newtonian” reflector was so well received that it secured his membership in London’s prestigious Royal Society in 1671. Newton’s first telescope revealed a disc-shaped
Dec. 7, 2010—Two cou- Jupiter, its four Galilean satellites, and the phases of Venus. Newton not only single-handedly constructed this first telescope, but he formulated, ground, and polished the metal mirror
riers for Dunbar Armored which collected its light, and constructed specialized tools that allowed for the telescope’s fabrication. Whereas refractors were becoming huge, dozens to over a hundred feet in length to
were inside the Mall of eliminate the problems of color, Newton’s telescope was compact, about the size of a breadbox. Today, the Royal Society claims ownership of Newton’s telescope which I saw in 1982
while taking a graduate course in astronomy that took my wife and me to England. Our RS contact revealed a large, stained-glass cake saver storage case which housed the reflector. After
Georgia, Gwinnett County, lifting the lid in a sweeping gesture, he simply walked to an adjoining room, closing the door behind him and leaving us alone with Newton’s baby. For about 15 minutes we were able to
servicing an ATM. One of move, cradle, and photograph the world’s first reflecting telescope, one of my life’s really special moments. www.astronomy.org
the couriers was approached
hEalth
After more than half a century a new drug
to treat lupus comes on the market
by Kathy Mitchell
kathy@dekalbchamp.com
A few weeks ago representatives
of the Lupus Foundation of America,
Georgia Chapter, came to the state
Capitol to call attention to the fact
that no new
drug to treat the
disease lupus
had come on
the market in 56
years.
The wait
is over. This
month the U.S.
Food and Drug
Administration
Lim approved a new
lupus drug, Ben-
lysta, co-spon-
sored by Human Genome Sciences
and GlaxoSmithKline.
Georgia resident Lisa Williams, a
lupus patient for eight years, said of
the introduction of a new lupus drug,
“For us it’s a huge symbol of hope.”
Williams said that because of
the disease, she, at age 41, already
has had joint replacement surgery
for both hips and a shoulder. She is
scheduled for replacement surgery
on the other shoulder later this year.
Williams said she is not a candidate
to use the new drug but that its very
existence “gives us hope that it will
open the door for more new lupus
drugs.”
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011 • PAGE 14A
She added, “There are 14-, 15-
and 16-year girls who have lupus. I
hope that new drugs will mean that
they won’t have to go through what
I’ve gone through. This year will
be the fifth [Lupus Foundation of
America—Georgia Chapter] walk.
It will be April
30 in Piedmont
Park. I hope the
breakthrough
will let people
see what can
happen when
they give and
they will be in-
spired to donate
more this year.”
Dr. Sam
Williams
Lim, head of
the Grady and
Emory Lupus Clinics and chief of
rheumatology at Grady Hospital,
is among those encouraged by the
development. Lim is the principal
investigator for the Georgia Lupus
Registry, a critical lupus research
project endorsed by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. He
also is involved with several local
and national clinical trials that test
new drugs to treat lupus.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune
disease that attacks the body’s cells
and tissues resulting in inflammation,
pain and tissue damage to virtually
any organ in the body, especially the
skin, joints, blood and kidneys. The
word lupus, which means “wolf,” re-
fers to the bright red rash resembling
a wolf bite that often comes with the
disease.
Lim said of the Benlysta, “The
drug targets a specific immune cell,
the B cell. This cell produces anti-
bodies, a tag that directs the immune
cells to attack. And in lupus, antibod-
ies are directed against our own bod-
ies for reasons that are not entirely
clear. Previous treatments suppressed
or modified the immune system in
broader ways. Benlysta is in a new
class of treatments called biologics,
where directed therapies have hope
of effective treatment with fewer side
effects.”
He added, “All drugs, including
biologic drugs like Benlysta, still
carry potential risks. Any immune
modifying medications have the risk
for allergic reactions and increased
risk of infections. The studies did
not show significantly increased risk
beyond standard of care treatments.
Again, clinical trials are special, con-
trolled situations. There will continue
to be monitoring of any increased or
new risks after it goes to market. But
for now, the FDA felt the risks were
acceptable enough for approval.”
Lim said it’s not clear at this point
what percentage of lupus patients are
likely to be helped by this drug. “The
clinical trials were designed to accept
particular types of lupus patients.
This approach is important in the sci-
entific design. But real world use is
different. Specifics of the labeling by
the FDA and restrictions of insurance
coverage will significantly influence
who gets the most access. There will
be on-going evaluation by the com-
pany and the government for efficacy
and safety despite approval,” he said.
Like many new drugs, Benlysta
may initially be costly. Lim said
that The Wall Street Journal quoted
a drug manufacturer representative
as saying the cost would be ap-
proximately $35,000 a year for each
patient. The out-of-pocket costs, he
added, will be determined by the in-
surance companies and other forms
of coverage such as Medicare and
Medicaid.
As to why the drug was so long
in development, Lim said, “Drugs,
especially specialized drugs like
biologics, have their ‘birth’ many
years prior to actual approval. I don’t
know the actual start date, but the
concept of this drug came out of
the Human Genome Project. And
from there, there were many steps. I
would emphasize that these studies
are long, complicated and quite ex-
pensive. This is why we need to sus-
tain this momentum because much
is yet to be discovered. Benlysta is
just the first step toward improved
treatments, better outcomes, and ul-
timately a cure for people who live
with lupus.”
www.championnewspaper.com
Thirst
“He talked them out of fighting and
told them to give each other a hug,” Verna
Montgomery said.
Countless stories like those have been
shared by his friends and family over the
years, and they were revisited at the vigil.
“He would always teach me some-
thing new,” said Khiree Washington,
17, who played in the marching band with
Marquez. “My mom called him her other
son. I really miss him a lot.”
Family members recognized Mar-
quez’ love for music was at an early age.
His grandmother remembered him band-
ing on pots and pans as a 2-year-old. He
played drums in the church band, saxo-
phone in middle school and percussion
in high school. His mother had bought
him a trumpet this past Christmas, his
grandmother said.
“My son had aspirations,” Theresa
Montgomery said. “His goals were to be
No bond for church
assault suspect
by Andrew Cauthen
andrew@dekalbchamp.com
Bond was denied for a man
accused of assaulting a Stone
Mountain church worker last
month.
John Russell Carver, 50,
of 157 Mill Court in Atlanta,
appeared before a magistrate
judge on March 18 to formally
hear the charges against him. He
was charged with rape, armed
robbery and aggravated assault
in connection with the Feb. 26
sexual and physical assault of
a woman at St. Timothy United
Methodist Church, at 5365
Memorial Drive.
The charges against Carver
were made on March 16 after
DNA evidence in the case
was processed by the Georgia
Bureau of Investigation and
detectives were able to identify
Carver as a suspect, according
to a press release.
Carver had been in custody at
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011
Theresa Montgomery speaks to friends and family attending a candlelight vigil for
her son, Marquez.
a music producer and he wanted to teach
music. His playing ability was on a col-
legiate level.”
Marquez had to repeat the ninth
grade but his mother said his grades were
the Fulton County Jail after an
arrest on March 7 for violating
his parole. He was transferred
to the DeKalb County Jail on
March 17.
According to police, the
53-year-old female victim was
working in a church office
around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday,
Feb. 26, when she answered an
exterior office door. After the
door was opened, the suspect
forced his way into the building,
where he sexually assaulted the
woman.
Carver is also accused of
robbing the victim of a cell
phone. Police recovered the
phone, which was sold to a
person near Underground
Atlanta after the assault.
According to a source close
to the victim, she was released
from the hospital approximately
two weeks after the assault.
Carver is scheduled to appear
back in court on April 6 and will
be assigned a public defender.
improving and he was making plans for
college. Just before his junior year he was
diagnosed with a learning disability that
affected his reading comprehension, his
mother said.
Brothers
chief with the Newton County Fire
Service. Kevin, 37, at one time was
a battalion chief with DeKalb’s fire
department. Bill has a son Sean,
22, who is a police officer with the
Doraville Police Department.
“He’s not the chief yet,” Bill said.
Although the brothers are not
working side-by-side daily, Bill said
they are fortunate to have the op-
portunity to communicate regularly
about various aspects of their jobs.
“There are no barriers,” Bill said.
“We pick up the phone and call one
another very frequently on issues.”
Several years ago, the manage-
ment teams of the fire and police
departments had nothing to do with
each other, Eddie said.
“I guess being brothers does help,
because it seems like every day
[there’s] at least one phone call back
and forth,” Eddie said.
The brothers, who were born in
Washington, D.C., lived in Massa-
chusetts for a few years before their
family moved to DeKalb County in
1972. The pair attended Redan High
School.
Eddie, who this month is celebrat-
ing his 25th year serving DeKalb,
spent most of his career working
on specialty teams in the fire rescue
department: dive team, hazardous
materials team and technical rescue
team.
“I was one of those that can’t get
enough of the calls and love running
them and fighting fires,” said Eddie,
who worked with Fire Station 24, the
heavy rescue company, for approxi-
mately 10 years. There, he advanced
through the ranks from driver to lieu-
tenant to captain.
“It’s one of the teams where,
when the cards are down, that’s the
one you want coming to help you,”
Eddie said.
Bill, 48, is a 26-year veteran with
the DeKalb Police Department. In
January 1985, Bill started working
in the uniform division of the south
precinct. After six years as a patrol
A Section • Page 15A
Continued From Page 1A
“Everyone knew him for his dreads
because that was part of his personality,”
Theresa Montgomery said. “The school he
wanted to go to was Southern University
and part of their criteria was you had to be
clean cut. So he started looking for other
schools. Two weeks before the accident he
called and said he wanted to get a haircut.
That was a proud moment for me.”
Theresa Montgomery said she worked
diligently with counselors and administra-
tion at Redan High School to help her son
overcome his obstacles.
“My focus has been speaking on aca-
demics and trying to create awareness and
changes in the system regarding special
education,” she said. “Students whose dis-
ability is not as profound as others should
be categorized differently. They shouldn’t
be penalized because they need help or
because they’re trying tot get help.”
Continued From Page 1A
officer, he moved to the detective
division where he investigated rob-
beries and homicides.
Later, Bill became a bike patrol
officer with the community-oriented
police team. Bill spent the next 10
years working in the internal affairs
division, where he was promoted to
sergeant, lieutenant and then captain.
He has also worked as a precinct
captain, chief of staff and a major in
the interactive community policing
unit.
“Then one fateful Tuesday eve-
ning I got a phone call from the CEO
[Burrell Ellis] and he asked me to
be his acting chief, and two years
later here I sit,” Bill said.
Bill was named interim police
chief in 2009 when then chief Ter-
rell Bolton was fired by Ellis for
insubordination, misuse of county
property and acts unbecoming an of-
ficer.
“Don’t ask me how he came up
with my name,” Bill said. “I was
sitting in a conference room … un-
til about eight one evening going,
‘What in the hell just happened?’”
Eddie credits the O’Briens’ suc-
cess to a strong family background.
“A good, solid, two-parent
household is what … kept us going
through the years,” Eddie said.
Their father, William, worked in
middle management for Delta Air-
lines, and their mother, Mary, man-
aged the Hidden Hills golf course for
many years.
“We weren’t spoiled growing
up,” Eddie said. “We had to work
our way through college.”
Although their parents, who live
in Covington, haven’t really talked
to the brothers about their achieve-
ments, Bill said he is quite sure they
are proud of them.
“They also understand the re-
sponsibility and pressure we’re un-
der,” Bill said. “We’re not chiefs in
a little Mayberry with five officers;
we’re running extremely large orga-
nizations.”
EducatioN
Volunteers and students help paint a wall inside the school black for the eight graders,
who later painted graffiti on it that represented their school spirit. Photos provided
Students of Sequoyah Middle School and volunteers from GE and the community take a break from working to pose for a picture at the Hands On Atlanta Day project.
GE donates $30,000 to Sequoyah Middle
by Daniel Beauregard
daniel@dekalbchamp.com
GE is the gift that keeps on
giving for Sequoyah Middle School.
This past year the company’s GE
Volunteers program spent two
days at the school donating time
and money to create an “eco-
imaginative” outdoor classroom.
The $30,000 worth of new
additions to the school consist of
a greenhouse and compost area,
aquatic habitat, a solar power
station, improvements to the
school’s trout hatchery and some
repairs to the inside of the school.
The partnership between GE
and Sequoyah came through the
company’s commitment to support
Hands On Atlanta.
Principal Brittany Cunningham
said that GE’s vision of enhancing
science education really matched up
with the school’s idea of creating
outdoor science classrooms and
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011 • PAGE 16A
they’ve been wonderful partners.
“We were identified as a school
for Hands On Atlanta Day and we
started the communication with
GE back then…we had over 200
volunteers and people from our
local community,” Cunningham
said.
GE has also been a sponsor
and one of the largest corporate
volunteer groups for Hands On
Atlanta Day since 2000.
The school’s “wish list” was
developed by Cunningham and
the science department to foster
their commitment to all forms of
education and expand the students’
ability to learn by exploring and
developing good observational
skills.
“It gives the students a chance
to experience the evolution of life,
get their hands dirty and see all
the different processes that they’re
reading about,” Cunningham said.
Sequoyah Middle School Pricipal Brittany Cunningham and is presented with a
check from GE Volunteers.
GE volunteers also spent
time brainstorming with school
representatives to come up with
ideas that Services Engineering
team leader Tim Link said was a
collaborative interaction between all
parties, especially when it came to
the greenhouse.
“We thought, ‘Well, if we’re
going to do plants, how could you
grow plants during the winter time?’
and a light bulb went off and we
were like, ‘A greenhouse,’ and
everybody said, ‘Wow, that’s a great
idea,’” Link said.
Deb Barker, who oversees the
GE Volunteers program in Atlanta,
said that it’s very strategic for GE to
volunteer their time and money to
education initiatives.
“Education is one of the most
important aspects to GE…with
the critical shortage of engineers
in America and the fact that we
are more of an engineering and
economic breakthrough kind of
company we’ve realized that our
future is dependent on the education
system,” Barker said.
The company has also made
a commitment to further their
relationship with Sequoyah by
enhancing the music program at the
school.
“We’re going to look to work
with them on the Little Kids Rock
program, to put music back into the
schools. It’s a really fun program
and we’ve seen tremendous success
in a number of schools,” Barker
said.
The Little Kids Rock program
brings free musical instruments and
instruction to schools across the
country without music programs.
“Music is math and there are
strong correlations between math,
science and music programs. So, it’s
yet another way of branching out,
embellishing and adding on to what
we’re doing,” Barker said.
www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011 Page 17A

Cross Keys High renovations nearly complete

by Daniel Beauregard
daniel@dekalbchamp.com
The only work that re-
mains of the renovations at
Cross Keys High is the re-
moval of several trailers and
the building of a new ten-
nis court that is expected to
start within the next several
weeks.
According to Walter
Woods, a spokesman for
DeKalb Schools, the $14.1
million in renovations con-
sisted of significant upgrades
in the school’s heating and
air conditioning systems,
ceilings, lighting, electrical
systems roofing and a new
paint job.
The trailers that remain
were placed on the tennis
courts to house students from
the DeKalb High School of
Technology-North, which
merged with the school last
year.
Cross Keys, Lakeside and
Chamblee high schools all
underwent renovations this
past year or are scheduled to
in the near future. However,
despite the improvements,
some think it still hasn’t been
enough.
“A lot of money was
spent at Cross Keys but
most of it was spent on the
technology [wing],” said
Kim Gocke, chairman and
founder of the Cross Keys
Foundation, an advocacy
organization that works with
members of the school and
community.
Gocke said that although
he is very pleased for the
kids and faculty at Cross
Keys he is still disappointed
in the scope of the work be-
ing done.
Lakeside High School
is also in the process of un-
dergoing a renovation, and
it has been reported that the
total cost is $24 million.
Tara Stamps, co-founder
and president of the Lake-
side Foundation, said that
the recent renovations didn’t
do any work to the outdoor
campus at all so her organi-
zation created the Valhalla
Project to try to raise an ad-
ditional $1.5 million.
“What we’re trying to do
is raise money to put in a turf
athletic field, a track, lights,
bleachers and a concession
stand,” Stamps said.
She expressed gratitude
for the renovations but said
she felt more could have
been done for the school,
especially since Tucker High
School had the same prob-
lems and received money to
build an entirely new school.
“These schools were built
the same year and [Tucker]
got the money to build a
whole new school from the
ground up…it was a little
hard to swallow and from
what we’ve heard, Chamblee
is getting a new school too,”
Stamps said.
The total cost of building
the new school at Chamblee
will be $58.9 million and
construction is slated to be
complete in summer 2013,
Woods said.
“It’s anticipated that the
construction of the build-
ing will be completed first;
the students will move into
the new facility and the old
facility will be demolished,”
Woods said. “Then the fields
will be constructed…the re-
placement facility will also
include an [indoor pool].”
The renovations planned
or under way are being paid
for by DeKalb County’s Spe-
cial Purpose Local Option
Sales Tax (SPLOST) fund
that is set aside for capital
improvements such as build-
ing improvements, new
schools, classroom additions,
technology and transporta-
tion needs.
Cross Keys opened in
1958, Lakeside opened in
1963 and Chamblee was
rebuilt in phases in the ‘60s
after it burned down in the
1940s; all have had no major
renovations until now.

Georgia Perimeter finalist at National Media Convention

by Daniel Beauregard
daniel@dekalbchmp.com
The Georgia Perimeter
College student newspaper,
The Collegian, was a final-
ist for the “best of show”
award at the National Col-
lege Media Convention in
New York.
The Collegian was
awarded third place in the
Apple Awards division for
two-year colleges. More
than 1,100 college journal-
ists and advisers attended
the convention in New York
City on March 13-15. Each
school represented at the
convention was permitted
to enter one full issue of
its newspaper for judging.
The Collegian was repre-
sented by Editor-in-Chief
Sabastian Wee; Newton
campus Managing Editor
Victoria Healy; Alpharetta
campus Managing Editor
Joji Castillo; Senior News
Editor Adam Waldorf;
Video Executive Producer
Phebe Dowels; Opinion
Editor Kyndell Mizell; and
adviser David Simpson.

DeKalb students are top two sellers in state bee

by Daniel Beauregard
daniel@dekalbchamp.com
Two students from
DeKalb County made it
to the final round of the
state spelling bee on March
18. Fifteen-year-old Julia
Dennis from The Marist
School won first place
for the third time, and
12-year-old Simola Nayak
from Henderson Middle
finished as runner up.
According to the Georgia
Association of Educators
(GAE), who hosts the event
each year, it was one of
the longest spelling bees
in recent history; the final
contestants battled back
and forth for nearly 20
rounds. In the end, Nayak
lost to Dennis after spelling
the word “bombardier”
wrong in the 41st round.
Dennis will compete in the
Scripps National Spelling
Bee Championships in
Washington, D.C., June
1-2. Dennis was awarded
a first-place trophy and an
all expenses paid trip to
the championship, $1,000
from the GAE, a 3G Kindle,
$100 Amazon gift card,
a dictionary, an Amazon.
com gift certificate, a one-
year online subscription to
Encyclopaedia Britannica
and a $100 U.S. Savings
Bond. Nayak, as runner
up, won a second place
trophy, $500, a 3G Kindle
and $50 Amazon gift card,
a dictionary and a one-
year online subscription to
Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Printed on 100% post-

consumer recycled paper
Page 18A
AROUND
ATLANTA
Writing workshop announced
Charis Books and More will host
Writing With Intent on Monday,
March 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. This
facilitated group is open to writers
of fiction and creative non-fiction
who want a serious group to pro-
vide constructive criticism, moti-
vational exercises and interper-
sonal accountability to keep their Creativity Conversation
writing on track. Writers are en-
couraged to bring copies of their
work to share for critique. For
more information, contact Eliza-
beth at Elizabeth@Chariscircle.
org. Charis Books and More is
located at 1189 Euclid Ave. NE
Atlanta. For more information,
call (404) 524-0304 or visit www. Hall, 1700 N. Decatur Road, At-
charisbooksandmore.com.
Dine & dance returns
to Northlake Mall
The monthly big band event
returns to Northlake Mall Tues-
day, March 29, 6 -8 p.m. Area
residents are invited to swing,
sway and savor the sounds of
the Atlanta-New York Connection rector of Piano Studies William
in the mall’s Food Garden. This
social affair, held the last Tues-
day night of every month, is free
and open to the public. Visitors
can come early to have dinner
before dancing the night away.
Northlake Mall is located at 4800
Briarcliff Road, N.E., Atlanta. For
more information, call (770) 938-
3564.
Cantata to premiere at Emory
concert
The Glenn Chancel Choir will
present a concert of music for
chorus, soloists, organ and string
orchestra on Sunday, March
27, at 4 p.m. at Glenn Memorial
United Methodist Church on the
Emory University campus. Ad-
mission is free; an offering will be
taken.
The hour-long concert will in-
clude the music of Henry Purcell
(1659-1695), Benjamin Britten
(1913-1976) and Tarik O’Regan
(born 1978). The featured work
will be the Georgia premiere of
Triptych, a cantata for chorus and
string orchestra by British com-
poser O’Regan, which received
its world premiere in London at
the 2006 International Festival of
Middle Eastern Spirituality and
Peace. The string orchestra will
include Emory’s resident Vega
Quartet. The soprano soloist will
be Katie Boice. Steven Darsey,
director of music at Glenn, will
conduct.
For more information and di-
rections, visit www.glennumc.org/
music.
continues
Emory University presents
Creativity Conversation with Sim-
one Dinnerstein and Robert
Spano, Friday, April 1, at noon,
at the Schwartz Center for Per-
forming Arts, Tharp Rehearsal
lanta. At the free event, world-re-
nowned pianist and Candler Con-
cert Series artist Dinnerstein talks
to Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Music Director and Emory Dis-
tinguished Artist in Residence
Spano about the life of a full-time
performer and the creative pro-
cess. Director of Emory Chamber
Music Society of Atlanta and Di-
Ransom moderates. For more
information, call (404) 727-5050,
e-mailboxoffice@emory.edu or
visit www.arts.emory.edu.
DECATUR
Help available to job seekers
At Open Lab for Job Seekers
at the Covington Library com-
puter lab will be set up Monday,
March 28, 2 - 4 p.m., so job
seekers can have expanded
time to conduct job searches, fill
out online job applications, up-
date their resumes and improve
work skills with online tools.
Library staff will be on hand to
answer basic questions about
the library’s resources for job
seekers. Space is limited and
participants are accepted on a
first-come, first-served basis.
Covington Library is located at
3500 Covington Highway, De-
catur. For more information, call
(404) 508-7180.
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011
DEKALB
Town hall meeting to address
underage drinking
Beyond The Bell, Inc. is host-
ing an Underage Drinking Town
Hall Meeting on Thursday, March
31, 6-7:30 p.m., at the Decatur
Housing Authority Resource Cen-
ter, 481 Electric Avenue in down-
town Decatur.
Teens, parents, educators,
law enforcement and alcohol
permit holders are encouraged
to attend. Also scheduled for
the event is a “MADD Power Of
Parents–It’s Your Influence work-
shop.”
Dinner will be served. For ad-
ditional information, call (404)
288-2766.
University to honor local
Sunday school class
Friends of Reinhardt–alumni,
trustees, staff, faculty and stu-
dents—will converge on North-
side United Methodist Church
in Atlanta Thursday, March 24,
for the university’s Talon Awards
Gala. One of the five honorees
will be to the Fellowship Class at
the Haygood United Methodist
Church in Decatur, for their many
years of scholarship support.
“We plan to host an exciting
event to honor alumni and friends
who have made significant contri-
butions of time and resources to
benefit the Reinhardt community,”
said Dr. J. Thomas Isherwood,
Reinhardt president. “We are
looking forward to thanking these
special friends who have helped
make Reinhardt so successful.”
Postcard design deadline
extended
The city of Decatur has ex-
tended the deadline for its Deca-
tur Postcards Projects to March
31.
According to Linda Harris,
assistant director, community
and economic development for
the city, “We want to create a se-
ries of postcards that represent
the many aspects of the City of
Decatur and are asking local art-
ists (self-taught and pro) to send
us an image of Decatur that you
would like to see mailed across
the country and around the world.
The submissions can be a pho-
tograph, a drawing, any kind of
creative media.”
The city will have a jury of lo-
cal artists and community leaders
who will select 10 images for a
set of classic tourist-style post-
cards. Each selected artist will
receive a $150 honorarium and a
credit line on the reverse side of
his/her printed card.
The cards will be launched at
the Decatur Arts Festival Poster
Unveiling on May 5. Moira Buc-
ciarelli is spearheading this ef-
fort on behalf of the Decatur Arts
Alliance, the Decatur Downtown
Development Authority and the
Decatur Tourism Bureau. For
more information, e-mail decatur-
postcards@gmail.com.
Junior League to hold gala
The Junior League of DeKalb
County will host its fourth an-
nual Giving Gala on Friday, April
1, at 7:30 p.m. to raise funds for
its community projects, includ-
ing mini-grants for Excellence in
Education. This year’s event will
be held at the historic downtown
Decatur Old Courthouse on the
Square, 101 East Court Square,
Decatur. The night’s theme is
“Joker’s Wild” and there will be a
casino and silent auction in con-
junction with the event. Individual
tickets are priced at $50 with oth-
er packages available for fami-
lies, corporations and community
groups who would like to help
sponsor the event. For more in-
formation, contact Junior League
of DeKalb County at (404) 378-
4536 or visit www.jldekalb.org
DORAVILE
Library offers language
exercise
The International Café offers
area residents a chance to prac-
tice conversational English or
Spanish skills at the Doraville Li-
brary the fourth Saturday of each
month. The next event is March
26, 10 a.m. – noon. International
Café events are free. Call (404)
370-8450, ext. 2257 to register.
Doraville Library is located at
3748 Central Avenue, Doraville.
buSiNESS
Welcomemat Services:
Here are places to try in your new neighborhood
by Kathy Mitchell
kathy@dekalbchamp.com
New residents are a
unique market segment ― a
group of consumers who are
specifically trying to find
businesses and retail venues
to serve them, according to
Brian Mattingly, founder
and president of Welcome-
mat Services, a company
that specializes in introduc-
ing new residents to local
businesses by sending out a
monthly mailing specifically
targeted to those who have
recently moved.
Welcomemat Services,
which started in 2003 in
Charlotte, N.C., moved its
headquarters in 2010 to
Atlanta, which Mattingly
called “a prime market for
businesses.”
On a recent visit to Salon
Red in downtown Decatur
he talked about the distinc-
tion between his company
and one that distributes
discount coupons. “There
are two types of consumers,
those who choose products
and services based on which
they have coupons for and
consumers who are loyal
to a product or business.
When people move into a
new area they leave behind
hair salons, restaurants,
dentists, dry cleaners and
other service businesses that
they might have been loyal
to for years. They have to
find new places that they
like. We help them do that.
The person who coupon
shops will come in once and
next time go someplace else
where he happens to have
a coupon. Loyal customers
who have a good experience
the first time are likely to
become regulars.”
Decatur, Mattingly said,
is perfect for Welcomemat
Services. “It’s a vibrant
community with colleges,
an excellent school system,
a good deal of community
pride, an affluent population
and new people moving in
all the time.”
He said his company
tracks demographics and
other data for the areas in
which they do business
so they can tell potential
customers what they can
expect.
New mover information
is bar-coded into every in-
vitation certificate, which
allows businesses to track
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011 • PAGE 19A
response to their market-
ing dollars and gives them
insight into the moving
population in their area,
Mattingly said.
Jessica Soler, owner
of Salon Red, said she
has been pleased by the
number of new custom-
ers Welcomemat Services
has brought to her hair
styling business. “The big-
gest thing is just getting
new customers in the door.
Once they’re here we know
they’ll have a good experi-
ence so chances are they’ll
come back.”
Mattingly said Wel-
comemat Services chooses
the businesses that it as-
sociates with carefully, be-
cause they want customers
to be pleased with the busi-
nesses they introduce them
to. He said the certificates
that are sent to potential
customers offer a substan-
tial price break but are not
just coupons; they are invi-
tations to try the service.
“We only choose busi-
nesses we know do a great
job,” he said.
Soler said she is pleased
when a customer comes in
with Welcomemat Services Brian Mattingly, founder and president of Welcomemat Services, right, shows Salon Red owner Jes-
certificate. “Sometimes sica Soler materials in the packets that are being sent to perspective customers in the Decatur area.
people are a little shy about Photo by Kathy Mitchell
presenting a coupon, but we
know that we have a person such as Salon Red, but also not only to people who are in their lives, even if they
who could become a regu- to area attractions. Among moving to a completely are only moving from their
lar customer. We say, ‘Oh its first Atlanta area clients new area, but also to people apartment complex to one
yes, we know what that is. are Fernbank Museum of who are moving within the across the street. They are
Welcome to the neighbor- Natural History, World of metro area. “We find that rethinking their lives—
hood.’” Coca-Cola and Atlanta Bo- when people move they ready to try something
Welcomemat Services tanical Garden. are making major changes new,” he said.
offers introductions not Mattingly said that Wel-
only to service business comemat packets are sent
Decatur Law Office/
Space Sharing
Opportunity
Four experienced lawyers practicing
in downtown Decatur location.
Newly renovated free-standing
building two blocks from DeKalb
County Courthouse and Decatur
Square. One large office
available (appx. 22’ x 13’). Can
be partitioned into 2 separate
offices.
Off-street parking plus other
usual services provided.
Contact Fred Cavalli or his
assistant, Nicole Robben at
(404) 370-1181
Page 20A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011

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SPoRtS THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011 • PAGE 21A

St. Pius senior Shelby Ashe is aiming for her second straight state shot put tile after
winning the weight throw event in the national high school indoor championships in
New York. Photo by Robert Naddra

Olympic hopeful
Ashe maintains perspective amid national attention
by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchamp.com
Shelby Ashe likes to keep
things simple and in the moment.
To keep from getting over-
whelmed by the larger scope of
things, the St. Pius senior breaks her
routine down into a series of small
activities. It’s a perspective that
serves the top female high school
thrower in the country well.
“Airport, meet, home, practice,
repeat,” said Ashe, describing her
routine over the winter during the
indoor track season.
Ashe, the United States girls
high school record holder in the
weight throw, became the first fe-
male to throw 20 meters three times
in the same meet earlier this month
at the 2011 New Balance National
Indoor Championships on March 13
in New York. Ashe’s final throw of
68 feet, 2.5 inches (20.79 meters)
broke her own national record in the
event.
The indoor track and field
season took Ashe to Idaho, New
Mexico, New York and a few places
in between. Since the end of the
indoor season, Ashe works out six
days a week with the Marietta-based
throwing club Throw1Deep. The
team is coached by former Universi-
ty of Georgia thrower Mike Judge.
“[Judge] told me ‘I can make
you a pretty good shot putter, but I
can make you a really good hammer
thrower,’” said Ashe, whose long
list of previous athletic activities
include basketball, cheerleading,
dance, gymnastics, soccer, karate
and softball.
So instead of hopping planes
every weekend as she did during the
winter, Ashe has a more mundane
spring schedule that goes something
like this: “Practice, practice, ice
bath, a little more practice.”
Ashe is competing with her high
school team this spring, coached by
Chad Garrison, while she trains
with Throw1Deep. Taking only
Fridays off, Ashe said she drives
to Marietta right after school and
usually gets home around 7 or 7:30
p.m. every night. She competes
in the shot put and discus in high
school and in the hammer throw and
weight throw with her club team
during the outdoor season.
“When I get home it’s usually
homework, dinner and a shower,”
she said.
The hectic schedule has not
hampered Ashe in the classroom as
she plans on attending Harvard Uni-
versity. During the indoor season,
she said the tried to turn in home-
work early and made up any missed
tests or assignments the Monday
after returning.
“At first I didn’t want to do
sports in college,” Ashe said. “But
this changes everything. I want to
take a year off to train for the Olym-
pics, then go to Harvard.”
It’s been a whirlwind two years
that Ashe would not have imagined
heading into her sophomore year at
St. Pius. Ashe ran track her fresh-
man year and joined the club at the
end of her sophomore year.
“I hadn’t even heard of the ham-
mer throw,” said Ashe, who lives in
Stone Mountain. “I never imagined
this would happen as fast as it did.
To come in and not even know what
I was doing to in a year going to the
Youth Olympics. It’s definitely a
little shocking.”
Ashe credits her parents and her
coaches for keeping her grounded.
And she has maintained the same
small group of friends she has had
since elementary school.
“I don’t get out of chores or
homework,” Ashe said. “And my
coach lets me know what I need to
be doing. I have a small group of
friends–that’s my little getaway.
“I really do just take it one day
at a time,” she said. “I make sure
I stay healthy and continue to get
better and stronger. I try not to take
things too seriously. If I know I
need an ice bath, I take an ice bath.
If I need to do my homework, I do
my homework.”
Ashe has two sets of goals she
is working toward. First, she is the
Class AAA defending girls state
shot put champion and has her
sights set on the state record. Her
throw of 46-5 last year was the best
in all classifications. The state re-
cord in the shot put is 48-5.
She also plans to compete for a
spot on the 2012 Olympic team. Tri-
als are next summer in Oregon, and
Ashe said two or three athletes will
be chosen in the weight throw for
the Olympics.
“In 2008 for me the Olympics
were something to watch, now the
2012 Olympics are something to go
for,” Ashe said.
Page 22A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011

Each week The Champion spotlights former high

Oglethorpe’s women’s basketball coach resigns school players from the county who are succeeding in
athletics on the college level.
Oglethorpe University’s women’s basketball coach Ron Sattele has re-
signed, effective immediately. Sattele took a leave of absence in December to Darrius Morrow, East Carolina
assist with illnesses in his family and decided to continue to be with them. He (basketball): The junior from Columbia
began his tenure at Oglethorpe in 2004. ended the season with four straight
Sattele inherited a program that had never won more than 12 games in a double-doubles. Three came in
season and turned it into a national contender. Sattele took the Stormy Petrels the Conference USA tournament,
to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in his second season, which including 18 points and 12 rebounds
marked the beginning of a four-year tournament run highlighted by trips to the in a 75-60 win over Central Florida;
Final Four (2008) and Sweet 16 (2009). and 22 points and 14 rebounds in a
Sattele was 115-64 during his tenure, which included Oglethorpe’s first 75-70 win over Alabama-Birmingham.
women’s conference championship in any sport in 2009. That team posted the He had also 16 points and 15
most wins (27) and fewest losses (4) in school history and captured the South- rebounds in a loss to Jacksonville in
the CIT Tournament on March 15.
ern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship. A national search for Sat-
tele’s replacement will begin immediately. Conisha Hicks, Clark Atlanta
(basketball): The Miller Grove

Suburban Lanes hosting annual guard was named the Southern

Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
freshman of the year and led the
scholarship bowling tournament SIAC in scoring, averaging 20.2
points per game. She also led the
conference in minutes played, and
The annual Scholarship Bowling Tournament for DeKalb County high school was among the top five in steals,
students is March 26 at Suburban Lanes in Decatur at 10 a.m. 3-point field goal percentage and
The tournament is open to any student (grades nine-12) enrolled in a certified 3-pointers made.
high school program within DeKalb County.
The entry fee is $25 per bowler with $13 going to the scholarship fund. Fees Jay Page, Emory (baseball): The
may be paid with cash, certified check or money order. One scholarship will be sophomore designated hitter from
awarded for every 10 entries. Marist went 4 for 7 with two RBIs
and two runs scored as the Eagles
Participants will bowl three games with scholarships being awarded on total split with Huntingdon last weekend,
pin fall plus handicap. Bowlers without a book average will be granted a handi- winning 15-3 on March 19 and losing
cap of 35 pins. 7-6 on March 20. Page is batting .313
A dress code is in effect. Slacks or jeans without tears must be worn waist with 11 RBIs and 15 hits in 48 at-bats
high with or without a belt. No hats, scarves or headbands may be worn, except this season for the Eagles (14-8).
for medical reasons.
There will be a breakfast buffet available for $4.99 with $1 donated to the
scholarship fund. A bowling ball raffle with all proceeds going to the scholarship
fund will also be part of the festivities.
Suburban Lanes is at 2619 North Decatur Road in the Suburban Shopping
Plaza. For more information contact Tournament Director Tom Walker at (404)
373-2514.

Silver Streaks basketball

season ends in state semis
The 2011 wheelchair basketball season for the DeKalb Silver Streaks var-
sity team ended recently in the state semifinals with a tough 34-23 loss to the
West Georgia Wolverines at Warner Robins.
Druid Hills senior Daniel McLaughlin scored 18 points in his final game
after eight years in the Adapted Sports Program. His effort kept the Silver
Streaks (2-5) within striking distance of the Wolverines (4-3) until the final
period when West Georgia pulled away. Tucker High junior Dontrey Hunt
scored the other five points for DeKalb.
The Champion chooses a male and female high school Athlete of
the Week each week throughout the school year. The choices are
based on performance and nominations by coaches. Please e-mail
nominations to robert@dekalbchamp.com by Monday at noon.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Tony Parker, Miller Grove (basketball): The junior was named
the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Boys Metro Atlanta Player of the
Year. Parker led the Wolverines to their third straight Class
AAAA boys state basketball championship two weeks ago. He
averaged 17.5 points and 15.5 rebounds per game.

Oglethorpe lacrosse holds first home game
The sport of lacrosse debuted on the Oglethorpe University campus March
16 as the Stormy Petrels faced Carthage College on Salamone Field. The game
began the advent of Oglethorpe’s 15th varsity sport on a campus that has not
witnessed a contact sport since football went defunct in the 1930s. Oglethorpe
lost to Carthage 22-3 in a game that began a three-game homestand. The Stormy
Petrels then lost to Hendrix 11-5 on March 18 but got their first home lacrosse
victory 12-7 over Millsaps on March 20.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK (tie)
Shelby Ashe, St. Pius (track and field): Ashe broke her own
national high school record in the weight throw, tossing 68 feet,
2.5 inches (20.79 meters) at the New Balance Indoor Nationals
on March 13. Her old record was 19.93 meters. She is the only
female high school athlete in the country to throw farther than
20 meters.
Jasmine Camp, Chamblee (basketball): The senior was named
the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Girls Metro Atlanta Player of the Year.
Camp, who has signed a scholarship with Stanford, led the
Bulldogs to their first undefeated regular season. She averaged
10.8 points and 3.5 assists per game.
www.championnewspaper.com
DeKalb High School Sports Highlights
BASEBALL
Marist: Brett Dolan and
Mitchell Anderson each hit
home runs in the War Eagles’
11-1 win over Lithonia last
week in five innings. Blake
Stevens and David Bour-
bonnais each added two
hits. Junior David Phelts
pitched a complete game
and allowed four hits. Also,
Anthony Sherlag drove in
four runs in a 10-2 win over
Redan. Brandon Liebrandt
earned the win, scattering
seven hits and striking out
seven for the War Eagles.
Dunwoody: The Wildcats
beat Miller Grove 4-1 and
Douglass 16-1 before los-
ing to Class AAAAA power
Parkview 10-0 last week-
end. Wes Bancroft pitched
a complete-game shutout
against the Wolverines, strik-
ing out eight and allowing
only four hits and one walk
in the Wildcats’ Region
6-AAAA opener. Jerric
Johnson drove in two runs
while James Farnell and
Charlie Madden each had
one RBI. Also, Stelen Stul-
berger and Zach Tonner
had two hits each. Against
Douglass, Blaine Broth had
two hits and an RBI, while
James Cunningham, Chris
Hale and Logan Elliot each
had a hit and an RBI. Farnell
earned the win in the three-
inning game, allowing three
hits, a run and a walk while
striking out four.
Lakeside: Brad Earnest
tossed the Vikings’ second
no-hitter of the season March
16 in a 15-0 win over Tucker
in three innings. Earnest
struck out three and walked
two. Also, Jonathan Wit-
tington had three hits and
five RBIs to lead the Vikings
n a 15-2 win over Druid
Hills. Earnest, Bradley Den-
nis and Will Bracewell each
had two hits. Wittington also
was the winning pitcher,
striking out five in four in-
nings. In a 9-7 loss to Miller
Grove, Dorsey Gibson had
three hits and Wittington had
two.
Southwest DeKalb: George
Kennedy pitched a three-
inning no-hitter and struck
out three as the Panthers
defeated Douglass 19-0 on
March 16.
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011
Marist pitcher Brandon Leibrandt on the mound against Redan.
Photo by Travis Hudgons
Chamblee: Patrick East-
ham had three hits and three
RBIs to lead the Bulldogs
in an 11-8 win over Redan
last week. David Coble,
Stephen Gaulden and Greg
Reis each had two hits and
two RBIs for the Bulldogs.
Miller Grove: Uwem Udo-
fia struck out seven batters
and allowed three hits over
seven innings as the Wol-
verines beat Shiloh 1-0 on
March 19.
BOYS SOCCER
Druid Hills: The Red Devils
tied Wheeler 1-1 and lost to
North Atlanta 2-0 last week.
Joe Boettcher got the goal
against Wheeler.
Chamblee: Devin Pope and
Erik Ramirez each scored
a goal as the Bulldogs beat
Shiloh 2-1 last week. The
Bulldogs also lost to McIn-
tosh 7-0.
TRACK & FIELD
Chamblee: The girls team
placed third in the Roswell
Relays on March 19. Angel-
ica Henderson won the 100
meters, and Alyssa Felton
won both the 300 hurdles
and the long jump. Felton,
Henderson, Nakeyla Hicks
and Lauren Martin com-
bined to win the 4x100 relay.
Decatur: The girls placed
second in the 12-team GAC
Invitational, losing to cham-
pion Blessed Trinity 107-
Page 23A
106. The Bulldogs won five
individual events in addition
to the 4x100 and 4x400 re-
lays. Aliya Parker won the
100 meters, Rosie Parker Redan’s Matthew Oliver throws against Tucker. Photo by Travis
Hudgons
won the 200 and 400, and
Ashley Rasheed won the
300 hurdles and the triple
jump.
Dunwoody: The boys won
the Flowery Branch Invita-
tional on March 19 by one
point over Mill Creek 90-89.
James Dwyer won both the
1600 and 3200 while Kua-
niyal Choi won the 400 and
was second in the 800.
Redan: The girls finished
second and the boys were
third in the Flowery Branch
Invitational last weekend.
For the girls, Charisma
Green won both the 100
and 200 and India Ham-
mond won the triple jump.
The girls also finished first
in the 4x100 and totaled 85.5
points while meet winner
Athens Christian had 108.
The boys scored 86 points,
just four behind winner Mill
Creek. Individual winners
for the boys were Alex Dyer
(discus), Diavonte Smith Tucker first basemen Jared Winston tags out Akil Danfodio. Photo
(long jump) and Kedemah by Travis Hudgons
Howard (300 hurdles, triple
jump). The 4x100 relay team by 59.5 points over Campbell third in the Stephenson Invi-
also placed first. on March 19. The Lions won tational with 76.5 total points.
six individual events plus the Ashandria Henry won both
Cross Keys: Leonel Ayala 4x100 and 4x400 relays. Indi- the shot put and discus for the
finished first in the 1600 and vidual champions were Jada Jaguars.
3200 races to lead the Indians Martin (100 and 200), Fe-
to a fourth-place finish in the licia Brown (400), Aaliyah Miller Grove: The Wolverine
GAC Invitational. Pettway (800), Jalisa Terrell boys team placed fifth in the
(high jump) and Cree’Anna Stephenson Invitational be-
M.L. King: The Lions scored Williams (triple jump). hind first-place finishes in the
149.5 points to win the 14- 100 and 200 by Johnathan
team Stephenson Invitational Stephenson: The girls placed Norris.
Page 24A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, March 25, 2011

Southwest DeKalb
set to defend
county track titles
by Mark Brock

The 2011 DeKalb County track champion-

ships begin March 26 at 8 a.m. at Panthers-
ville Stadium with the field events.
The two-day competition starts with the
field event finals beginning at 8 a.m. and fin-
ishes at 12:30 p.m. with the girls’ triple jump.
Running events begin at 3 p.m. with the
girls’ 4x100 relay; the boys’ 4x400 relay be-
gins at 7:45 p.m.
The 1600 meter run for the boys’ and 3200
meter run for the girls’ will be the only track
event finals on Saturday.
The championship finals for the track
events are set for a 5 p.m. start on March 28
at Panthersville Stadium. The 4x100 relays
are the opening event.
Southwest DeKalb swept the 2010 county
championships, which was the first time since
2002 a school had taken both titles. Southwest
DeKalb also accomplished the feat in 1997.
The girls team has captured the title four con-
secutive years.

Daniel Spingola prepares to connect with a pitch during Marist’s game against Redan. Spingola is the younger
brother of former Marist softball standout Lori Spingola who’s now a UNC. Photo by Travis Hudgons

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