Champion FreePress 1-15-16

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C HA MP IO NN EW SPA PE R C HA MP IO NN EW S CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER CHAMPIONNEWS

thechampionnewspaper.com F REE P RESS FRIDaY, JaNUaRY 15, 2016 • Vol. 18, No. 41 • FREE

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

CHAMPION The

See Lawsuit on Page 15A

See DA on Page 15A

DA seeks murdercharges against officerby Andrew [email protected]

A DeKalb County police officer who fatally shot anunarmed, naked man in March 2015 will face a criminalgrand jury later this month.

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James an-nounced Jan. 7 that he would seek an indictment againstDeKalb County Police Officer Robert Olsen on two

counts of felony murder, aggravated assault, two countsof violation of oath of office by a public officer, and onecount of making a false statement.

Lawsuit filed after teen’sdeath in detention center

Denise Butler posted this photo of her son, Jimariya Davidson, on Facebook on Nov. 7,

2015. Davidson committed suicide while in solitary confinement on April 5, 2015.

by Carla [email protected]

A teenage boy, who committedsuicide while in custody at the MetroRegional Youth Detention Centerwas “grossly mistreated” and held in“deplorable conditions” before hisdeath, according to a lawsuit.

A federal lawsuit was filed Dec.7, 2015 by attorneys Matthew Har-man and Eric Fredrickson on behalfof the estate of 14-year-old JimariyaDavidson and his parents JimmyDavidson and Denise Butler. Ac-cording to the lawsuit, Davidson was

placed in solitary confinement onApril 3, 2015; staff was ordered to re-lease him from solitary confinementthe next day but did not.

“In violation of law, policy andbasic human rights, J.D. was kept insolitary confinement for days withno exercise, showers or even a func-tioning toilet,” the lawsuit stated.

Davidson committed suicideApril 5 by hanging himself from theceiling. Before his death, Davidsontold the officer on duty—AdrianCooper—that he was going to com-mit suicide, his fifth attempt in “amatter of weeks,” according to the

LOCAL, 2A LOCAL, 8A LOCAL, 11A

Business .................................17A

Education.........................18-19A

Sports ............................... 21-23A

Opinion ......................................5A Classified ..............................20A

QUICK FINDERLOCAL BUSINESSWOMAN

ADVANCES REFUGEESUPPORT

DEKALB COUNTY JAILSERVES COMMUNITYIN UNFAMILIAR WAYS

NEW MAYORHOPES TO MAKEBROOKHAVEN BETTER

DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James announced Jan. 7 that he will seek an indictment against a countypolice officer who fatally shot an unarmed man. Photo by Andrew Cauthen

ill Olsen


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The Champion FREEPRESS, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 LOCAL Page 2A

NEW CARD!

Information regarding company, school, or university issued cards will be provided at a later date by your company or school.

Questions? Visit www.itsmarta.com or 404-848-5000.

Effective January 9, 2016 MARTA converts to a more secure Breeze Card and the Breeze Ticket returns.

The cost of new silver Breeze Card will be $2 and will be valid for 3 years.

SILVER CARDS will be available for FREE with card registration at theRideStores January 2016!* (Mon. the 11th – Fri. the 29th, weekdays only)

Breeze Card Changes for Regular Fare Customers

*BLUE CARDS will no longer be usable after July 9th, 2017

*Breeze Tickets Return! The cost of the Breeze Ticket will be $1


When Brookhaven Mayorohn Ernst was on the campaignrail, he pledged to improve vari-

ous aspects of the city.

Those aspects included im-proving zoning decisions, cuttingproperty taxes, restoring the trustof residents. Ernst said he under-tands that none of those can be

fixed overnight.“That is something that you

have to build up as time goes on,”he said. “We have to start doingthings to help build the trust ofthe community. Our citizens aregreat and understanding, but we

do need to concentrate on the ba-sics and then from that we can doother things.”

Ernst was sworn in asBrookhaven’s mayor Jan. 4. He said

his new job has been hectic likeany other new job.

“I’ve realized that I have to say‘no’ to some meetings, but like anyother job you have to learn howto figure it out,” he said. “It’s beengreat.”

When Brookhaven officiallyincorporated, the city took overseveral services from DeKalb

John Ernst: Hopes to leave city in ‘a better spot than I found it’

John Ernst hopes to establish trust in the city throughtransparency. Photo by Travis HudgonsSee Ernst on Page 7A


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ATLANTA

Fernbank offers forest bird walks

Join an Atlanta Audubon Societyvolunteer and discover more abouthe feathered inhabitants of Fernbank

Forest, both permanent residents andvisitors. This program is excellent forbeginning birders or those desiringgentle terrain.

The event will take place on Jan.23 from 8-10:30 a.m.

All ages are welcome. Programs held rain or shine, but may be can-

celled in cases of severe weather. Its recommended participants bring

binoculars, field guides and water withhem. Once the walk begins, partici-

pants must remain with the group forhe duration of the program

The program will take place atFernbank, 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta.The excursion will be included withmuseum admission and free for Fern-bank members and Atlanta AudubonSociety members.

AVONDALEESTATES

Parent group to host schoolesource fair

The Avondale Estates Parents’ Co-Op (AEPC) will host the AE SchoolResource fair at the Avondale EstatesFirst Baptist Church on Jan. 24, from3 to 5 p.m. Attendees can expect a

brief presentation from local schoolsas well as a parental testimonial abouthe school followed by a Q and A.

The church is located at 47 CovingtonRoad in Avondale Estates. For morenformation, visit www. avondalepar-

entscoop.wordpress.com.

BROOKHAVEN

Park visitors advised to stay offbridge at Murphey Candler

For their safety, residents areadvised to stay off of the nature trailpedestrian bridge at Murphey CandlerPark until the structure is replaced.

The city is currently working on

retrieving expedited bids for emer-gency replacement quotes, and is con-sidering installing a temporary bridge.Access to the bridge has been closed bythe city and signs are posted advising visitors to keep off.

The bridge was damaged after atree fell on it. “The city is working toget this resolved as quickly and ef-ficiently as possible,” said District 1Councilwoman Linley Jones. “I amconcerned about our residents’ safety,and urge pedestrians to stay off thebridge until it is replaced.”

As part of the city’s master planprocess for individual parks, a designfor a replacement bridge has beencompleted.

The public will be notified as soonas possible of plans to install a tem-porary bridge and of the status of thebridge replacement.

Councilwoman to host event

Brookhaven Councilwoman Lin-ley Jones will host “Coffee With aCouncilmember” Jan. 22 at city hallin the incubator room from 8:30 to10 a.m. This event is an opportunityfor residents of District 1 to meet withJones and share their thoughts, con-cerns and ideas for the city and their

district. Brookhaven City Hall is locat-ed at 4362 Peachtree Road. For moreinformation, visit www.brookhavenga.gov.

Monastery presents weekly publictalks

On Jan. 12 Drepung LoselingMonastery will hold its weekly publictalk on “The Nature of Human Emo-tions” by Geshe Ngawang Phende.

The public talk class is an oppor-tunity to get started and learn the fun-damentals of Buddhism. Each sessionbegins with a talk by a resident teacher

on the inner science of the mind. Thepoint of the practice is to bring themind under control through workingwith the mind itself. The class aims todemonstrate how Buddhist psychologyoffers practical methods for overcom-ing suffering and achieving peace andhappiness.

The class will take place at the1781 Dresden Drive NE, Brookhaven,from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

DECATURHistory Center January lunch andlearn session scheduled

DeKalb History Center’s Januarylunch and learn session will be pre-sented by staff archivist Fred Mobley who will chronicle the various plansfor historic restoration that were developed and considered for the historicSwanton House. The Swanton House,believed to be one of the oldest struc-tures in Decatur, is estimated to havebeen built about 1825.

The event will be held TuesdayJan. 19, noon until 1 p.m. at DeKalbHistory Center located in the HistoricDeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. CourtSquare in downtown Decatur.

The discussion will include thehistory of the Swanton House, includ-ing the relocation to East Trinity Placein the History Center’s historic com-plex.

The event is free. Attendees areencouraged to bring lunch.

TUCKER

County recreation department tohost Briarlake meeting

DeKalb County Recreation, Parksand Cultural Affairs will host a masterplan meeting for the new BriarlakeForest Park at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday,Jan. 19, at Tucker Recreation Center,4894 LaVista Road, Tucker.

The purpose of the meeting is todetermine potential uses for the parkspace. District 2 park bond funds wereused by DeKalb County Commission-er Jeff Rader to acquire the land and

the community has the opportunity togive input regarding desired park de-signs and facilities.

For more information, contactRevonda Cosby , greenspace environ-mental manager, (404) 759-7740.

STONEMOUNTAINCity to host MLK Day communityproject

Stone Mountain officials and

volunteers will clean up Leila MasonPark Jan. 18, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.for the MLK Day Community Proj-ect. City officials will work on severalprojects in the park, and volunteers are

asked to wear gloves and work clothes.For more information, visit www.stonemountaincity.org.

COUNTYWIDECommunity choir forming

“Decatur, Lithonia, Stone Moun-tain, Tucker, Conyers, etc.: Do you loveto sing? Are you interested in becom-ing a part of a newly formed commu-nity choir? We would like to extendan invitation for you to represent your

community,” states an announcementby Word of Life Community Center, acommunity center scheduled to openin late February or early March inDeKalb County.

The choir is open to all ages.Those with a passion for singing areencouraged to come out and meet oth-er people in the community that “havea heart for God and just want to sing toHis glory,” states the announcement.

For more information, contact(770) 991-5556.

County ‘jobs bus’ to make stops

DeKalb’s Mobile Career Center,known as the “jobs bus,” will be sta-tioned at various locations duringJanuary.

The mobile unit provides residentswith various services, including jobsearch assistance, adult workshops andtraining, resume writing pointers andinterviewing tips. Businesses are alsoable to use the mobile unit for recruit-ing, pre-employment screenings, interviewing and training. More than 3,000DeKalb residents have used the mobilecareer center’s services since its launchin February 2012. The mobile center isfunded through the Workforce Invest-ment Act grant and all services offered

are free.The upcoming schedule is as fol-lows:

• Thursday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,Scott Candler Library, 1917 CandlerRoad, Decatur;

• Tuesday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,Wesley Chapel William C. BrownLibrary, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road,Decatur;

• Wednesday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,Department of Family and ChildrenServices, 178 Sams Street, Decatur;and

• Thursday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,Villages of Eastlake, 460 EastlakeBlvd., Atlanta.

AROUNDDEKALB


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letter to

the editor

The Champion FREEPRESS, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 oPINIoN Page 4A

@AndrewChampNews

Andrew Cauthen

[email protected]

Managing Editor

Ringing in the new year with kindness“Carry out a random act

of kindness, with no expecta-ion of reward, safe in the

knowledge that one day some-one might do the same for

you.”—Princess DianaOn New Year’s Day, I

ook my 14-year-old daugh-er Adrianna to see the Star

Wars movie. While walk-ng across the parking lot at

Stonecrest Mall, I spotteda leather wallet betweenwo cars. I picked it up andooked in it to try to deter-

mine the owner. It had theusual items you find in aman’s wallet: some creditards, an employee iden-ification card, insuranceards—and $85 in cash.

I wanted to call theowner, but I could not find a

phone number in the wallet.I thought about taking it tosome mall representatives,but the mall is huge, and Ifigured that would decreasethe chances of the owner get-

ting his wallet back withoutmoney being taken or his

credit cards being used.So I decided that after

the movie I would take thewallet to the owner’s house,which was on my way home.

Adrianna and I went intothe theater to meet up withthree of her young friends,two of whom I had boughttickets for. When we didn’tsee the friends whose tick-ets I had, Adrianna phonedthem to see when they wouldbe arriving, but discoveredthere was a mix-up in thedays. hey would not makeit, so I had two extra ticketsthat I didn’t need.

So I went to the ticketline and gave away the extraticket. It was nice to perform

a random act of kindnesseven though people were

looking at me like I wascrazy.

After the movie, wedrove to the home of the wal-let’s owner. he man, who

had begun cancelling hiscredit cards, was very appre-ciative and I was glad to helpout with a second randomact of kindness for the daybecause I know what it’s liketo lose a wallet.

he next day I went toSandy Springs to help mymother-in-law. A few daysbefore, I noticed a soggy,moldy spot on her ceiling.here was a leak in bath-room somewhere that wasdripping to the ceiling be-low on the first floor of her

condo.So I loaded up my tools,

some spare sheetrock andwent to work in her condo. Idetermined that the problemwas simply a bad shower-head. I picked up a new $25

showerhead from a nearbyHome Depot, replaced it andthe bad sheetrock. My moth-er-in-law was grateful. Shewas afraid the repair wouldcost $2,000 or $3,000 andsaid she may have to take outa loan to fix the problem.

hat’s how I broughtin the New Year—with actsof kindness, random andplanned. And that’s how weshould spend 2016—seekingways to be kind to our fellowman, because at some pointduring this year we probably

will need someone to be ex-tra kind to us.

Women neededon ethics board

Te six individuals recently appointedo the newly organized DeKalb County

Board of Ethics have one thing in com-mon: Unfortunately, they are all men! Itwould seem that the six organizations thathave the authority to name a member tohe board, could not find one woman toerve, in spite of the dozens of outstand-ng women business and civic leaders

who are more than qualified to ensurehat DeKalb offi cials are accountable to

DeKalb residents.Te initial panel represents an inauspi-

ious beginning for what DeKalb votersapproved last November. More than half

of DeKalb voters are women and DeKalbs one of the most diverse counties in thetate. Among the six recent appointees,

at least two should have been women tobetter reflect the citizenry they serve ando avoid the appearance of bowing to the

good ol’ boy network that has prevailed inGeorgia for decades.

Tere is still a chance to make mean-ngful change. NewPower, a nonprofit,

non-partisan organization formed toncourage greater participation by womenn the civic life of Georgia and our localommunities, calls on the members of the

DeKalb delegation to the Georgia GeneralAssembly to name a woman to its slot onhe Ethics Board. o do otherwise would

be a slap in the face to all Georgia womenwho care about good government.

an SelmanPresident, NewPower PAC


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Let Us Know What You Think!

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encour-ages opinions from its readers. Pleasewrite to us and express your views. Lettersshould be brief, t ypewritten and containthe writer’s name, address and telephonenumber for verification. All letters will beconsidered for publication.

Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P.O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send email

to [email protected] • FAX To: (404)370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779 . Deadline for newsreleases and advertising: Thursday, one week priorto publication date.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions written by colum-nists and contributing editors do not necessarilyreect the opinions of the editor or publishers. ThePublisher reserves the right to reject or cancel anyadvertisement at any time. The Publisher is notresponsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

Publisher: John Hewitt Chief Financial Offi cer:Dr. Earl D. GlennManaging Editor:Andrew CauthenProduction Manager:Kemesha Hunt Photographer:Travis HudgonsStaff Reporters:Carla Parker, Ashley Oglesby

The Champion Free Press is publishedeach Friday by ACE III Communications,Inc., • 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur,

GA. 30030 • Phone (404) 373-7779.

www.championnewspaper.com

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F REE P RESS

STATEMENT FROM THE

PUBLISHERWe sincerely appreciate thediscussion surrounding this and anyissue of interest to DeKalb County.The Champion was founded in 1991expressly to provide a forum fordiscourse for all community residentson all sides of an issue. We have nodesire to make the news only toreport news and opinions to effect

a more educated citizenry that willultimately move our communityforward. We are happy to presentideas for discussion; however,we make every effort to avoidprinting information submitted tous that is known to be false and/orassumptions penned as fact.

Not affordable, not accessible, no surprise

Bill Crane

[email protected]

Columnist

ONE MAN’S OPINION

“If you like your doctor...you can keep your doctor,”President Barack Obamaduring the 2010 debates con-erning his landmark legisla-ion, the Affordable Care Act

of 2010.It will likely not surprise

many readers of this column,but I am neither a believernor supporter of the notionhat America’s health care

needs and quality is besterved by moving to a single-

payer government system.For a preview of that,

please just take a nice longook at the U.S Veteran’s Ad-ministration, and though it isnow improving, the dearth of

quality, spate of deaths andong waits for even the mostbasic screening tests and pro-edures.

We have a quality V.A.Hospital in Decatur, and I’mold an excellent new V.A.linic off DeKalb Industrial

Boulevard, but service qual-ty varies greatly across theountry, and our veterans

pay the price for that.I am also not a believer

hat access to health care isa constitutionally or guaran-eed “right.” I actually pe-iodically reread that docu-

ment, and I don’t construeour rights to “life, liberty andhe pursuit of happiness” to

guarantee fairness or anypecific outcome.

Health care is important,

should be affordable andeasily accessible. he bestplace for that to occur is inthe competitive marketplace,

where innovation, lowerprice points and other play-ers, if allowed, will bringdown prices and increase ac-cessibility.

If you don’t buy into mylogic, then just give somethought to a not-so-smallhandful of service areas notcovered by most insurers,Medicare, Medicaid or thebig government health caremachine.

What has happenedto options, choices andprice points for weightloss? Health and fitnessprograms? Cosmetic den-tistry? Chiropractic and al-ternative care (when payingcash)? Even Lasik and othermodern in-patient surgicalprocedures, which started

out at $10,000 per eye, onlydropped in price when insur-ers and Medicare/Medicaidno longer covered them.

Mandated coveragedrives up costs, mandateduse of certain drugs drivesup their prices. Some BigPharma companies haveeven stooped to spendingmillions, in a few cases bil-lions, to buy their genericmanufacturing competition,to maintain higher pricepoints. A truly open mar-ketplace would smack thosecompanies down.

In 2008, I formed myown enterprise and left alarge and longtime employer

of nearly a decade. When myCOBRA coverage expired Ibecame a part of the world ofthe uninsured. For the vastmajority of time since, allof my health care expenseshave been paid in cash or viacredit card, at the time of de-livery. wo interesting thingshappened immediately, Igave much more thought anddeliberation to making anyappointment, doubling up oreven tripling up the servicerequests during each visit—refill prescriptions, multiplediagnostic procedures (whencalled for), even a dental visitmight include both a crown,and a full cleaning—to re-duce “visit transaction fees”as well as time spent. Andthe second thing, perhaps

more amazing, when I paidcash and at the time servicewas rendered, the cost wassignificantly lower than forthe same services when previously submitted for pay-ment/reimbursement viainsurance.

As required, since 2013, Ihave purchased coverage viathe Health Care Exchange. Ipay thousands in premiumsand technically, I am countedas insured while in reality,my health care was betterand more affordable beforethe law and before I wasforced to purchase coveragewith deductibles so high thatI now pay encounter fees and

co-pays (no co-pays withoutcoverage), and for most allof my care, before hittingthe several thousand dol-lar deductible when actualinsurance coverage begins tokick in.

I have tried never to usethe phrase, “Obamacare,”as I don’t want to give toomuch credit, nor too muchblame for this abomination.I am a nonsmoking, gener-ally healthy male, with awell-managed pre-existingmedical condition. he re-sponsibility of taking care ofme falls upon me. hat is asit should be but this systemrequires me to help fund asystem where runaway costsare the norm, and only thepoorest of the poor and the

richest of the rich can actu-ally afford complete coverageand that helps an almost ev-er-shrinking number on bothends, unless our economyagain catches a cold. Bundleup and stay healthy.

Bill Crane also servesas a political analyst andcommentator for Channel2’s Action News, WSB-AM

News/Talk 750 and now 95.5FM, as well as a columnistfor The Champion, Cham-

pion Free Press and GeorgiaTrend . Crane is a DeKalbnative and business owner,living in Scottdale. You canreach him or comment on

a column at [email protected].

The Champion FREEPRESS, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 oPINIoN Page 5A


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Three Clarkston leaders take officeby Andrew [email protected]

Clarkston’s three newest council

members took their oaths of officean. 5 before a crowd of residents andupporters.

Recently elected councilmembersBeverly Burks, Awet “Howard” Aya-u and Mario Williams were swornn during the first council meeting

of the year, followed by a celebratorynaugural program.

The program featured poetryeadings, musical selections, refresh-

ments prepared by the ClarkstonHigh School culinary arts program,and speeches by the new council-members.

“Service, diversity and commu-nity,” said Burks, executive director

of the National Pan-Hellenic Councilnc. “When I decided to run for city

council, it was to continue a lifelongcommitment to my community ando continue to provide service. And

part of it...is to continue the diversityas the only woman on the council.”

Burks said, “I want to thank ev-eryone, whether you put a sign infront of your house, whether youopened your heart, whether you in-troduced me to someone, you made a

difference.”As a city councilwoman, Burks

said she looks forward to continu-ing the work of the existing councilmembers.

She said she wants to focus oncreating partnerships with local uni-

versities, corporations and nonprofitgroups to provide “resources to thecitizens of Clarkston.

“I want to make sure that each

person has the respect and the dig-nity that they deserve,” Burks said.“As councilwoman, it would be myresponsibility to work along with myfellow council members to ensurethat we hear your voice, that we areyour voice.”

Ayasu said he started attendingcity council meetings two years ago.

“And I really came to love andappreciate our local democraticprocess,” Ayasu said. “I believe thatI have to get involved to make anychange; and I decided to get formallyinvolved. What better way to getinvolved than by being in the citycouncil.”

Ayasu said the city council can-not do much by itself.

“We have to get engaged. Weneed vibrant public engagement inClarkston,” Ayasu said. “Over the

See Clarkston on Page 9A

MLK:The dream lives on

rom left, Clarkston Municipal Judge Stephen Nichols swore in Awet “Howard” Ayasu, Beverly Burks and Mario Williams as newly elected Clarkston city councilmembers. Photos by AndrewCauthen

From left, Ayasu, Burks, Nichols and Williams take photos after the swearing-in ceremony.


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Doraville police fleet to be upgradedby Ashley Oglesby [email protected]

Doraville’s cost for patrolvehicles increased after theproduction of 2015 patrolcars was suspended by themanufacturer.

City Manager ShawnGillen said, “We approvedhe budget and we based our

budget estimates on the 2015model year.”

He added, “Betweencurving the budget and or-dering those cars, which wasabout a 30- to 45-day period,he cars were all bought outrom police departments all

over the country. The onlyones available are [the] nextmodels, which are 2016.”

He added, “The prices onhose are higher.”According to the 2016

iscal year budget proposal,$135,000 was allocated toDoraville’s police departmentvehicles.

With the increased de-mand of 2016 Dodge Char-gers that number is expectedo rise.

Doraville Police Chiefohn King said, “We try toeplace our cars when they

get to about 100,000 miles.”According to the depart-

ment’s maintenance report,here are 17 vehicles in theleet with more than 100,000.

King said, “It’s one of

those situations where we ei-ther replace the cars becausemechanically they’ve starteddeteriorating, or start havingto use our budget to replaceparts, engines and things thatbreak down. These patrolcars are on our streets everyday so they take a beating.”

Currently the depart-ment owns 25 Dodge Char-gers, one Dodge Magnumand five Chevrolet Tahoes.

King said, “We’ve boughtDodge products for quite

some time but we startednoticing problems with theengines of the Dodge Char-gers and the suspension. Wehave a track history with ourmaintenance departmentof the number of parts thatwe’re using to repair thesecars. We’re concerned thatcontinuing to buy DodgeChargers might not be thebest strategy.”

Through a slideshowpresentation King offeredfour alternative vehicles for

the Doraville Police Depart-ment fleet.

The first option Kingpresented was the Ford Util-ity Interceptor.

King highlighted thatthe vehicles have the neededroom for a prisoner and of-ficer, higher visibility andbetter sight lines than someof the cars currently in thedepartment’s fleet and arepriced at $29,251.

The second option wasa Chevrolet Tahoe priced at

$34,682.King said, “Yes, the up-

front cost is higher but themaintenance and the use ofthe car per year is the cheap-est one.”

The third option present-ed was a Chevrolet Capricepriced at $29,242.

King said there is noknown record on the main-tenance and track record ofthe use of the Caprice as [apatrol vehicle].

He said a departmentofficial tested each vehicleexcept the Caprice becausethere were no vehicles avail-able for testing.

King also presenteda Ford Interceptor Sedanpriced at $24,368 but report-

ed issues with entry and exitof the vehicle, particularlyfor left-handed officers.There are six left handed of-ficers driving the Doravillefleet.

King compared each ofthe vehicles to the city’s cur-rent fleet of Dodge Chargers,which are priced at $24,990.

The city council amend-ed the budget and approvedthe request for three FordUtility Interceptor vehiclesfor of $29,251 each with a 10percent contingency in casemarket rates change.

The vehicles were or-dered on Jan. 5.

County, such as parks and recreation, public safetyand zoning. Ernst said he has been pleased withpolice service in the city.

“Our police is extremely fabulous and prob-ably our most valuable asset,” he said. “The in-creased presence of [the] police force is immenseand worth the price of admission, per se. There

has been—in general—a better upkeep of theparks than previously, the grass has been mowedmore regularly, and trash pickup has been better.n the future, we’re going to see more capital proj-

ects being quickly implemented through our abili-

ties to unify as a city.”Although the city government has been under

scrutiny due to multiple improper meetings be-hind closed doors, Ernst said he still believes thereare good people running the city.

“There have been missteps, but I truly believethat no matter—whether it’s a county or city—in

the end it’s the quality of the people you have run-ning the city,” he said. “I think a lot of our misstepswere missteps of good people trying to do rightbut just not knowing what to do.

“We’re only as strong as the people who are

elected into each position. It’s really incumbent onthe voters to understand who they’re electing,” headded.

Ernst said his success as mayor will be deter-mined if the city is in a better place than when heinherited it.

“I don’t worry about what people think and

legacies—that’s not for me to decide anyway,” hesaid. “I just try to do a good job and let the chipsfall where they may.”

ERNST Continued From Page 2A

Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle Ford Utility Interceptor police vehicle Dodge Charger police vehicle

Doraville’s eet of police vehicles are mostly Dodge Chargers with one Dodge Magnum and ve ChevroletTahoes.


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Local businesswoman advances refugee supportby Ashley Oglesby [email protected]

Thirty-two years of business hashelped make Finders Keepers Con-ignments become a ubiquitous en-erprise in the Atlanta resale market.

Since it’s humble beginningsas a single store-front in Avondale

Estates’ Tudor Village that soldchildren’s clothing and home decortems, Finder Keepers has grown itsnventory to include women’s cloth-ng, accessories, men’s clothing and

furniture.Now, owner Bonnie Kallenberg

s in the market to expand the rolehe company plays throughout the

community.A scholarship program through

New American Pathways has beenestablished in Kallenberg’s name thatwill allow continued education forrefugees who are overqualified forminimum wage jobs.

According to New AmericanPathways Marketing and Communi-cations Director Amy Crownover,he funds will support the average

cost of one new American to gohrough vocational counseling and

provide them with tools and a men-or who will guide them through get-ing a career in their field.

“Some of the immigrants thatcome into New American Pathways,we don’t call them refugees becausehey’re actually on a different VISA

called the Special Immigrant Visa,”Crownover said.

According to the U.S. Depart-ment of State, the visas are given to

people who worked with the UnitedStates Armed Forces or under Chiefof Mission authority as a translatoror interpreter in Iraq and Afghani-tan.

The program aids up to 50 peo-ple a year.

The scholarship setup in Kal-lenberg’s name will assist these im-migrants.

Kallenberg got involved with theorganization after meeting a case-worker from Refugee Resettlementand Immigration Services of Atlanta(RRISA). The case worker explainedwho he was and asked if he could putmoney in an account so that clientscan come pick out what they needed.

“I didn’t know anything aboutthe organization. I didn’t know thatright in our backyard there was thisrefugee resettlement organization, in

fact I didn’t even know that there wassuch a need for refugees. It was allnew to me,” Kallenberg said.

She said after speaking with therepresentative she wanted to get

more informationand ultimately getmore involved.

Through Finders Keepers Kallen-berg helped raised money for RRISAwith bag sale events which raisedup to $2,500 to support refugee pro-grams.

According to Kallenberg theunrestricted funds made it “a loteasier for them to get the things theyneeded as opposed to grants andother federal money which comewith terms.”

Later Kallenberg joined RRISA’sboard and has continued to supportthe organization for about 10 years

via sales, donations, providing em-ployment opportunities and place-ment, volunteering and fundraising.

She stepped down from theboard after six years during the

merge of RRISA and Refugee FamilyServices which formed New Ameri-can Pathways.

In 2006 Kallenberg joined Lead-ership DeKalb, a development pro-gram in DeKalb County in whichmembers learn about history, diver-sity, government, justice, arts andculture, education, health and eco-

nomic development in the county.Kallenberg said through Leader-

ship DeKalb and RRISA, she real-ized the challenge of “all thebureaucratic hoops that must be jumped for money or anythingthat is needed” for refugees.

“You can’t just get in andhelp. It’s all the layers of bu-reaucracy. It’s not a matter ofmanpower. It’s a matter of thingsbeing done in a certain way toguarantee that you get what youneed. You’re responsible for set-ting up policy and making surethat everything within the orga-nization is being run to the letterof the law,” Kallenberg said.One of the initiatives Kallenberg

assisted on the board of RRISA wasarranging an apartment for a refugeefamily.

“We used what we had from ourgroup , people were willing to buyand donate things and we used itemsfrom the furniture store to set up theapartment… It was very hands-onand gratifying to actually do some-thing like that,” Kallenberg said.

She said of working with refu-gees, “It’s where my heart is. It’ssomething that resonates with me—what they have lived through and to

be in a new place and expected tosucceed or survive—to help someonethrough and help them manage it alittle easier, it’s just something thatspeaks to my soul.”

Two youngsters help in sett ing up an apartment for a refugee family. Volunteers organize donations of clothing, shoes and other supplies for New AmericanPathways.

New American Pathway volunteers unload a truck of furniture for refu-gees’ apartments.

Kallenberg


9/24


IRVIN J. JOHNSONTax Commissioner

DeKalb County, GA

4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 100, Decatur, Georgia 30032 (404-298-4000)

ATTENTION ALL DEKALB COUNTY

HOMEOWNERS

The 2016 Property Tax Exemption Deadline is FastApproaching!

If you owned and resided in a home in DeKalb County on January 1st, you may

apply for a Basic Homestead Exemption and Property Assessment Freeze with

the County by April 1st of this year. The home must be your primary domicile

and legal residence for all purposes, including the registration of your vehicles

and the filing of your Federal and State income taxes. Applications received

after April 1st will be processed for 2017.

In addition to the basic homestead exemption available to all homeowners, there

are special exemptions available for residents 62 and older, disabled veterans or

their un-remarried spouses, and other disabled residents. Eligibility for special

exemptions is based upon age or disability, and total household income. They

must be applied for in person. When applying, please bring your State and

Federal income tax forms, Social Security 1099, and any other forms of income

you may receive, to one of our three offices across the County.

North Office Main Office South Office1358 Dresden Dr., NE 4380 Memorial Dr. 2801 Candler Rd. #66

Atlanta, GA 30319 Suite 100 South DeKalb Mall

Decatur, GA 30032 Decatur, GA 30034

Remember, the deadline for applying for all homesteads is

April 1st!

Apply for the Basic Homestead Exemption, the Property Assessment Freeze, or

renew your tag registration online at:

www.dekalbcountyga.gov/taxcommissioner

Questions? Call (404) 298-4000 or email us [email protected]

next four years, using pub-ic engagement I believe

we can fix failures. We canmake Clarkston safer. We

an make it cleaner. We canmake it greener than it al-eady is.

“Thank you so much,Clarkston voters, for puttingrust on me and for puttingonfidence on me,” Ayasuaid. “I want to…ask you for

more support. We need sup-port. Please come to the cityouncil meetings, ask any

questions. Give us your com-ments. [Tell] us how we canmake Clarkston a better cityand a more welcoming city.”

In his speech, Williamsaid, “I want to say ‘thank

you’ to everybody that actu-ally listened to me.”

Williams calledClarkston’s leadership “a fan-astic team.”

“We have an excellentteam and I think that’s thebrightest star for Clarkston,”he said. “They are always

open to listen. They alwayshave Clarkston’s best interestin mind. And that’s some-thing I think that spells abrighter future for this com-munity because workingtogether we will accomplisha lot.

“There’s a lot of work tobe done,” he said.

The city has variousplanned programs and ordi-nances “that we believe notonly will improve the capitaldevelopment of Clarkstonas far as infrastructure, butwill make Clarkston a better

place socially to live. That’simproving the quality of lifefor everybody. That’s theaim,” Williams said.

CLARKSTON Continued From Page 6A


Leading up the March 1Special Election, The Cham-pion will publish a Q&A withach candidate of the city of

Tucker elections. The firstQ&A segment will feature theandidates for mayor: Frank

Auman, Lorne Cheek andBruce Jackson.

)Why did you decide to runor mayor?

Auman: “I didn’t plano run for mayor until after

we passed the referendumon Nov. 3, and many of usrom Tucker 2015 began toalk about the next steps. Af-

er working on cityhood fornearly three years, it was clearo all of us that not only did

we have our personal desireso stay involved, but that it

would send a wrong mes-age to the community for uso just leave it all behind asomeone else’s responsibility.”

Cheek: “I originally hadno intent to run for mayor.

didn’t realize that electionswould be so soon. I thoughthere would be a transitional

period. I told all of my co-workers that I could be mayorof the new city. We jokedabout it at work and I jokedabout it on Facebook. Peoplekept pulling me aside andelling me I would make an

excellent mayor. It was ratheruniversal. After about a weekI looked up the elections.Then I thought about it veryseriously. I decided to run be-cause so many people becameexcited about the possibil-ity! I also love Tucker! I careabout its future. I ended upresearching a lot and then be-came passionate about whatcan be accomplished.”

Jackson: “My family andI just recently moved into theTucker area in December of2014 and are looking forwardto becoming very involved inthe community as well as theformation of the new city ofTucker.”

2) What are your top threepriorities you will focus onif you’re elected mayor?

Auman: “Of course, thenew city will be providingthree services: parks andrecreation, zoning and plan-ning, and code enforcement.But before we can even getto those, we have to negoti-ate all the agreements withthe county for those threeservices, and also for all theother services the county willcontinue to provide. We alsoneed meeting facilities, anda range of other things justto start functioning, and weneed to hire for certain keypositions, including a citymanager and city clerk. My

very top priority, which willrun through all of those, isto set the tone and characterof Tucker’s city governmentto reflect the nature of thecommunity itself: one that iswelcoming, respectful of ev-eryone, and encourages per-sonal involvement in all thatgoes on here. That’s some-thing I heard time and againduring the fight for cityhood,that people here wanted topreserve what is great aboutTucker; not only its borders,but its character.”

Cheek: “My top prioritiesin the first year term will beto secure a city manager andset the budget for the newcity. I would like to court new

business to Tucker. The resultwill be that property taxes willremain low. More businesskeeps the millage rate low. It

offsets the property tax andincreases revenue as well.”

Jackson: “Some of the keyissues from my perspectivewill be creating a commu-nity that is safe, secure, self-sustained and very businessfriendly.”

3)What qualities do youhave that will help you be agood mayor for Tucker?

Auman: “I am a business-man, serving as CEO of twoof my own companies, andon the boards of others, in-cluding nonprofits and publicagencies. I understand leader-ship, have experience helpingdiverse groups reach consen-

sus, and will focus on encour-aging each member to fullycontribute their unique tal-ents. I also understand hard

work and making hard deci-sions, which will be essentialto controlling spending whileachieving our objectives.”

Cheek: “I have a well-developed sense of humor.I’m organized, fiscally respon-sible; I work with the publicevery day. I’m level headed,caring, diligent and very self-controlled. I listen to people.”

Jackson: “I have not helda public office in the past;however, I have extensiveexperience in leading anddeveloping people and teams,as well as managing multi-million-dollar budgets.”

4)What do you believe some

of the challenges will be forTucker?

Auman: “Everyone has

Tucker mayoral candidates

See Tucker on Page 10A


10/24


New ethics board begins work by Andrew [email protected]

The new, reconstitutedDeKalb ethics board met forhe first time Jan. 6—minus

one member yet to be ap-pointed.

The new ethics boardmembers are: attorney ScottBonder, appointed by theDeKalb Bar Association;Brian Deutsch, an attorney

appointed by DeKalb Pro-bate Court Judge Jeryl Rosh; attorney Daniel DeWoskin,appointed by LeadershipDeKalb; Greg Russell, senior vice president for PrivateBank of Decatur, appointedby the DeKalb Chamber of

Commerce; and OglethorpeUniversity President Law-rence Schall, appointed bylocal universities and col-leges.

The board chose Schallas its chairman, while Russellis the vice chairman and Ta-tum is the secretary.

The seventh and finalmember of the board isexpected be appointed byDeKalb’s delegation to the

Georgia General Assemblywhen it meets on Jan. 14,according to Rep. Howard Mosby , the delegation’schairman.

At its first meeting theethics board decided thatseveral pending ethics casesmust be resubmitted to bein line with new state ethicsrules. Complainants in pend-ing cases don’t have to resub-mit the entire case. They just

have to sign a new complaintform on which they stateunder penalty of perjury thatthe information presented intheir cases is true to the best

of their knowledge.Among the cases that

will have to be resubmittedto move forward are com-plaints against suspendedDeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis,CommissionerStan Watson,former county purchasing

director Kelvin Walton, andRobert Lundsten, formeraide to former commissionerElaine Boyer.

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Notice of Public HearingsNotice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid

Transit Authority will hold public hearings for the purpose of considering the

Revised Fare Policy and Proposed Bus ServiceModifications for April 16, 2016

Proposed routing and/or adjustments and new service for the following bus routes: Route 9: Toney Valley/Peachcrest Road; Route 24: East Lake/Hosea Williams Drive;Route 34: Gresham Road/Clifton Springs; Route 73: Fulton Industrial; Route 86: Fairington Road/McAfee Road; Route 99: Boulevard/Monroe Drive; Route 140: North Point/Mansell Park & Ride; Route 143: Windward Park & Ride; Route 172:

Sylvan Road/Virginia Avenue; Route 185: Alpharetta/Holcomb Bridge Road.

Revised Fare Policy: In accordance with the Federal Transit Administration, MARTAadopted a revised fare policy that governs fare changes. The 2013 policy is being updatedand requires public input.

All route information, a video presentation & comment forms are available at itsmarta.com

Tues, Jan. 19 Tues, Jan. 19 Thurs, Jan. 21Clayton State

University StudentActivity Center

Ball Room A,2000 Clayton State Blvd.,

Morrow, GA 30260

Community Exchange:6-7 P .M .

HEARING: 7 P.M.Riding MARTA: Route 193/shuttlewill be provided from bus stop to

Student Activity Center.

DecaturRecreation

Center

231 Sycamore Street,Decatur 30030


HEARING: 7 P.M.Riding MARTA: Use theDecatur Rail Station.

Fulton CountyGovernment Center

Assembly Hall

141 Pryor StreetAtlanta, GA 30303


HEARING: 7 P.M.Riding MARTA:

Routes 32, 49, 55, 74 & 186.

Copies of the proposed Bus Service Modifications will also be available for public viewing at MARTA’s HeadquartersOffice of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact,(404) 848-4037. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling theTelephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 404 848-5665.

In addition, a sign l anguage interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and wantto provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs,2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com;

(4) or fax your comments no later than Jan. 27, 2016 to (404) 848-4179.

All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affectedby the subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified and invited to appear at said times and placesand present such evidence, comment or objection as their interests require.

Keith T. Parker, AICP, General Manager/CEO

Schall Tatum Deutch Russell Dewoskin Bonder

heir own ideas about what a city is, can be,and should be. Agreeing on priorities, stayingwithin the bounds of our mission, and focus-ng on what’s important will be a constant

challenge. We can’t do everything at once, and

doing it all within budget will take vigilanceand principled commitment to the taxpayers.”

Cheek: “Tucker is actually well set up forts cityhood. As I am speaking with other cit-es, I am pleasantly surprised. For instance,

Dunwoody’s initial budget and income wasaround $2 million less than Tucker’s. The ma-or challenge will be beautification. I wouldike to achieve this through various grants viatate and federal programs as well as privatenterest groups. I don’t think zoning will be

an issue. I’m investigating how other citiescontract storm drainage, parks, etc. That willbe challenging but not impossible. I also thinka challenge will be helping the homeless, hav-

ng women’s shelters and other humanitarianervices. It will be interesting to see how webalance business and domestic areas while re-aining an overall aesthetic.”

Jackson: Did not answer question

5) If you are elected, what kind of city willTucker be at the end of your term?

Auman: “If we can establish all the ser-vices, hire and stabilize a good staff, solidifya budget process, and get the council operat-ng in a cooperative manner with each other

and the community, I think Tucker will bewell-positioned for the future. By then, we’llhave taken the first steps toward planning our

mart-growth patterns, we’ll be on the radar ofevery business looking for a great communitywhere its people can live, work, pray and play,

and the citizens of Tucker will be looking backon the decision for cityhood as being exactlythe right decision at the right time.”

Cheek: “In my first term, which is one

year, I expect to have a framework for thecity. If elected for a four-year term, I foreseehaving improved traffic lights in three loca-tions that are problematic. I imagine the cityhaving businesses of all sorts popping up. Ienvision people wanting to move into Tucker.I foresee through various organizations, thatwe will have a better school system. Not thatwe will take over the schools, but for instance,Rotary clubs and private funding could supplyequipment and resources for teachers whichin turn can improve the educational system. Iimagine Tucker will be a green city. Residentsare interested in recycling and green energy. Ican imagine down the road that we will buildtowards a combination of solar, wind energy,

etc. People are already very proud of the com-munity. I see Tucker in five years as being athriving community with an eclectic beautythat will appeal to a lot of people who willwant to live here, work here, and do businesshere. I think everyone will be pleasantly sur-prised. What is very attractive about Tucker isthat property is expansive and affordable. Wecan build up without changing the footprint. Isee us capitalizing on this while retaining ourunique vibe. The possibilities are limitless re-ally.”

Jackson: “I view running for this officeas an honor as I see so much potential in thenewly formed city of Tucker and feel it is all ofour responsibility to make our city a tremen-

dous place to live, work, play and conduct ourbusinesses.”

TUCKER Continued From Page 9A


11/24


Holiday Group PassGet a

Want to spend more time with family and friends? MARTA is offering a one-day

discounted group pass for just $7 a person. Take them to Downtown,Midtown, Decatur or Sandy Springs all for 7 bucks each.

Reconnect – with the city and each other.

The product will only apply to the day designated (commencing 12am and ending 11:59pm) • Product will cost$6.00 plus $1.00 for the Breeze Ticket (at BVMs and Ridestores) • customer can purchase 2-5 individual tickets whichwill range from $14.00 to $35.00 only • Group Pass can only be purchased on a Breeze Ticket (not available for Breeze Card)

Group Day Passes good for

Monday, January 18, MLK day. Available at all Breeze vending machines January 15.

Part I of a two-part series on men-al health care at the DeKalb County

Jail

by John [email protected]

Many may think of the countyail only as a place to house those

charged with crimes until their casesgo through the judicial process; buthis perception is actually far fromhe truth.

The DeKalb County Jail has acomplete in-house medical staff andfacility, dental facility and is the larg-est mental health provider of any jailn the state.

Recently I had the opportunityo sit in on a series of inmate mental

health workshops conducted by staffof the mental health division of theail. The workshops dealt specifically

with anger management issues. Toay this was an emotional, eye-open-ng experience is an understatement.t made me realize just how severehe state of mental health care has

become.Prior to attending the workshops,

was shown the entire process ofbeing booked into the jail and sub-equent cellblock assignment. Inhe intake area, there are rooms of

varying sizes where inmates are helduntil they receive their cellblock as-signments. Inmates who appeared topose no threat to either themselvesor others were kept in rooms withother recent intakes. Those who weresuspected of, or had demonstrated, violence were detained in individu-al holding rooms for the protectionof all involved.

Many new arrivals are deemedmentally unstable and assigned tothe mental health division for ad-ditional assessment and treatmentif the inmates so choose. Someinmates are referred to as frequentflyers. These individuals, due tomental issues, are unable to func-tion independently in society andunable to receive the mental healthassistance they require. They maycommit petty crimes such as steal-ing a loaf of bread just so they can

be incarcerated and receive the helpthey know they need. It is often thebest option they have for survival.

A 1975 United States SupremeCourt decision in O’Connor v. Don-aldson ruled that a state cannot“confine a non-dangerous individualwho is capable of surviving safely infreedom by themselves or with thehelp of willing and responsible fam-ily members or friends.”

When federal and state funding

of mental health facilities was cut toreduce expenditures, many who werepreviously housed in state-managedfacilities were forced out with lim-ited, or no, options to receive care.County jails became the go-to placefor these members of our society and

the jails had to react accordingly. In2014, the DeKalb jail saw more than11,000 inmates who were deemed inneed of mental health services. Thatis an average of more than 30 individuals each day.

The anger management work-shops are one of several workshops

designed to improve the chances ofsurvival in the real world by some ofthe most vulnerable in our society—those who often cannot survive ontheir own.

Topics covered in other work-shops include: life after release,

self-esteem, medication education,social skills and substance abuse. Itappeared that some of the partici-pants understood of what they needto change about themselves to makeit more likely for them to experiencethe freedom that many us take forgranted each day.

DeKalb County Jail serves community in unfamiliar ways


12/24


Author speaks on Vietnam War and those who opposed it

Georgia Power is proud to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day – a nationwide

celebration of service to mankind and community – by encouraging its

employees and customers to use their time off to serve others.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us all come together to spend a “day on“ by

extending a helping hand to help those who need it most.

georgiapower.com/community

Connect With Us

CELEBRATING A DAY ON

AND NOT A DAY OFFGeorgia Power employees

© 2 0 1 6 G

e o r g i a P o w e r

by Kathy Mitchell

Not all the blood shed as aesult of the Vietnam War washed on the battlefield. Protests

against the war in the UnitedStates at times became violent.Perhaps the most dramaticexample was the May 4, 1970,tudent demonstration on the

campus of Kent State Univer-ity in Ohio in which National

Guardsmen fired on unarmedtudents leaving four dead and

nine wounded.What did the protests

accomplish? What are its im-plications for other activists’movements? How do thosewho participated in protestseel about their involvement

approximately 40 years later?These are among the questions

Karín Aguilar-San Juan andFrank Joyce sought to exploren their book The People Makehe Peace, a collection of writ-ng by peace activists who had

gone to Vietnam during thewar and returned as a group in2013.

Aguilar-San Juan, in theAtlanta area for a meetingof the National History As-ociation, presented the bookan. 8 at a Charis Circle From

Margin to Center literary eventat Charis Books and More onEuclid Avenue.

An associate professor ofAmerican studies at Macales-er College in St. Paul, Minn.,

Aguilar-San Juan said antiwarprotestors in the United States,with cooperation from theirVietnamese counterparts,played a significant role inending the war. “It’s clear to mehat the war would not have

ended as soon without theantiwar movement, but inter-estingly, few had examined itsmpact until now.”

Aguilar-San Juan ex-plained that when the war wasgoing on many Americans

questioned whether officialgovernment reports werecomplete and truthful. Sheaid more than 200 U.S. citi-

zens, aided by organizations inVietnam, traveled to the Asiannation at their own expense toearn what they could about

conditions there.“It was not an easy trip.

t involved approximately 10days of travel through threecountries. Groups in Vietnamhelped them organize theirravel in the country to keephem as safe as possible and

get them to meaningful loca-ions, but the travelers paid allheir own expenses,” Aguilar-

San Juan explained. She saidhe government discourageduch trips, at times denying

passports and visas to preventthem.

Aguilar-San Juan and oth-ers tried to reconstruct thelist of those who had traveledas “citizen ambassadors” toorganize a return trip. “Some

had died and others were stillliving but physically unable tomake such a trip. Also, the tripagain would be at the travelers’expense and not everyone wasin a position to afford to go toVietnam,” she said, adding thatothers, such as actress JaneFonda, were strong enoughand affluent enough to make

the trip but chose not to. “Thatperiod in history carries somepainful memories for her andothers. Not everyone wantsto take a trip down memorylane,” Aguilar-San Juan ob-served.

A group of nine thatincluded Aguilar-San Juan’sco-editor Frank Joyce—callingthemselves “the Hanoi nine”—made the return trip in 2013.Each wrote about the experi-ence from his or her perspec-tive.

“Not everyone saw it thesame way, of course,” Aguilar-

San Juan said. “Each writerbrought a unique backgroundand point of view to the pro-cess. Women and people ofcolor particularly brought theirfeelings about their own libera-tion movements into how they

looked at the war.” She said herfamily members from the Phil-ippines saw comparisons be-tween American involvementin Vietnam and American in-

volvement in the Philippines.The People Make the Peace

writers, she said, challengemyths that still linger aboutthe war and the era in which it

took place. Aguilar-San Juanread an excerpt in which awriter expressed the opinionthat the movie Forrest Gump trivialized the war and thosewho opposed it, portrayingantiwar activists as “wasteful,

annoying airheads.”The People Make the Peace,

Aguilar-San Juan noted, is notan effort to draw final conclu-sions about what the VietnamWar meant, but to allow someof those involved to presenttheir reflections on their expe-riences, and to keep a conver-sation going about it.


13/24


See Year on Page 13A

Photo by Andrew Cauthen

23

DCTV Channel 23

@DCTVChannel23

DeKalb County Gov

Ustream.tv/channle/DCTV-Channel-23

VISIT US AT WWW.DCTVChannel23.tv E-mail us at [email protected]

Get your front row seat to all things DeKalb County

through your EMMY Award-winning station

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PHOTOS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DCTV

There were 24 colleges and representatives from local businesses at a recent Elizabeth Andrews High School college fair. Students received information on college and career readinessnformation. Photos provided


14/24


County announces MLK Jr. Day

residential sanitation collection schedule

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For this special limited time offer, visitTheChampionNewspaper.Com and cl ickon the subscription special button or call404.373.7779 X 0. Offer expires Jan. 31.Print edition only.

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The DeKalb County Sani-ation Division announcedts Martin Luther King Jr. Dayanitation collection schedule

for residential customers. Dueo the observance of Martin

Luther King Jr. Day on Mon-day, Jan. 18, sanitation collec-ion service will run one dayate as follows:

Monday, Jan. 18: MartinLuther King Jr. Day ob-served; no sanitation collec-tion service.Tuesday, Jan. 19: Residen-tial customers whose regu-larly scheduled collectionday is Monday, Jan. 18, willbe serviced on Tuesday, Jan.19.Wednesday, Jan. 20: Resi-

dential customers whoseregularly scheduled col-lection day is Tuesday,Jan. 19, will be serviced onWednesday, Jan. 20.

• Thursday, Jan. 21: Residen-

tial customers whose regu-larly scheduled collectionday is Wednesday, Jan. 20,will be serviced on Thurs-day, Jan. 21.

• Friday, Jan. 22: Residentialcustomers whose regularlyscheduled collection day isThursday, Jan. 21, will beserviced on Friday, Jan. 22.


15/24

DA Continued From Page 1A LAWSUIT Continued From Page 1A

The Champion FREEPRESS, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 local Page 15A

Anthony Hill, 27, was shot by Olsen,who responded to The Heights at Chambleeapartment complex around 1 p.m. March9, 2015, on a call about a man acting “de-ranged,” knocking on apartment doors andcrawling on the ground, Cedric Alexander,deputy chief operating officer for public

safety, said at a news conference after theincident.

When asked if the shooting was justified,James said, “A crime was committed. That isour position.”

In October 2015, a civil grand jury statedthat it was “unable to reach a consensus onrecommending indictment because therewere contradictions and inconsistencies inthe testimonies presented.”

The grand jury recommended that “fur-ther investigation be conducted to aid in thedecision to pursue this case by” James.

October 2015 the DA’s office presentedthe case to a civil grand jury.

“Our office has worked tirelessly review-

ing evidence and interviewing witnesses toreach a decision in this case,” James said.“The facts and circumstances surround-

ing the shooting death of Anthony Hill war-rant a charge for felony murder,” James said.“Ultimately it’s going to be up to a grand juryas to whether or not Officer Olsen is chargedwith felony murder.

“We will be presenting this case to acriminal grand jury and seeking an indict-ment on Jan. 21,” he said. The grand jury willmake a decision immediately.

Hill’s girlfriend, Bridget Anderson, saidshe and his family “are very elated with thedecision of [seeking] the indictment.”

“Officer Olsen killed my best friend,my boyfriend,” Anderson said. “He was anamazing person. We’re coming up on 10months since his death and I didn’t thinkthis was going to happen just because of allof the other cases.

“Anthony Hill was a veteran,” Andersonsaid. “He was completely naked. He wasmost definitely unarmed and I’m glad theDA came to the decision of this. I’m glad wehave an officer off the streets who murderspeople because he’s hiding behind a badge.”

Anderson said she would continue pro-testing against unjustified, officer-involvedshootings.

“We’re going to keep his story alive,” she

said. “We have to keep his spirit alive andlet everybody know what kind of person hewas and let people know he’s not just someunarmed, naked man. He does have a name.His name is Anthony Hill.”

awsuit.“In the first four [attempts], the staff intervened to

ave J.D.,” the lawsuit stated. “This time, the officer simplywalked away.”

The lawsuit stated that when the officer was informedhat Davidson had hanged himself, the officer “did not

bother to attempt to rescue” him.

“Instead he waited 20 minutes before even going to J.D.’sell,” the lawsuit stated.

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice conductedan investigation of the incident, which was completed inMay, and found that “the failure to prevent, intervene inand respond to J.D.’s suicide was the result of widespread,ystemic failings throughout the department.”

According to the investigation findings, there were8 staff members working the shift when Davidson died,

which is less than the state required minimum of 29 staffmembers.

As a result of the investigation, Cooper, along withKawana Wires, a nurse whom the report states did not fol-ow proper policies in administrating CPR, were fired. Two

other workers were demoted and six were reprimanded.Cooper and Wires are two of 17 people listed as de-

endants in the lawsuit. The list also includes Avery Niles,he commissioner of the Georgia Department of Juvenileustice. The lawsuit states that the family is seeking punitive

damages.“The lawsuit is in the very early stages,” Harman said.

Jimariya’s family looks forward to holding the juvenile sys-em accountable for this tragedy.”

Second suspect charged in SWAT standoffA second suspect has

been charged in a Jan. 5 in-cident that led to a SWATstandoff.

On Jan. 5, just after 2a.m. DeKalb County Policeresponded to a domes-tic assault at the Rite ForUs Hotel located at 4300Snapfinger Woods Drivein Decatur, according to apolice release.

At the scene, officersfound a man in the roomwith a woman and 11

hildren, ages 3 months to 17 years. Armed with aknife, the man refused to come out and would notet anyone leave the room, according to police.

“SWAT responded to the scene and attemptedo negotiate with the male for a peaceful resolu-ion to the incident,” according to a police state-

ment. “After five hours of negotiation attemptsSWAT made entry into the room. As SWATntered they discovered the male suspect hadtabbed himself in the neck.”

The man, Korrie Thomas, 36, is facing charg-s of false imprisonment and obstruction.

According to a police investigation, the 911all was placed by 21-year-old Diamond Wil-iams, claiming to be Shanta King, alleging the

domestic assault.

A warrant has been issued charging Williamswith false report of a crime. Detectives believeWilliams, who has two children by Thomas,placed the 911 call following a argument withThomas.

Detectives seek help locating missing teen

The DeKalb CountyPolice Special VictimsUnit seeks the public’s as-sistance locating Symone Atkins.

According to police,Atkins is an 18-year-oldfemale with the mentalityof a 12-year-old.

Atkins was last seenon Dec. 29, 2015, at ap-proximately 5:30 p.m.when she left her grouphome on Martins Cross-

ing Road in Stone Mountain. She is described as aBlack female, about 5-foot-7 and 135 pounds.

Anyone who has seen or has information onher whereabouts is asked to contact the DeKalbCounty Police Special Victims Unit at (770) 724-7710.

Suspect arrested in homicide of teen

The DeKalb CountyPolice Department’s homi-cide unit obtained a war-rant for 29-year-old BruceDratez Howard charginghim with the murder of Jaylon Maddox , 15.

According to police,the killing occurred Jan. 6,at approximately 9:30 p.m.at 3000 Ember Drive inDecatur.

DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office Fugitive Squad locatedand arrested Howard on Jan. 8 along JonesboroRoad in Atlanta without incident.

The investigation is ongoing as detectives areworking to identify a second suspect in the case.Robbery is believed to be the motive in the homi-cide, according to police.

Brookhaven required to change speed limiton two roads

The speed limits on Johnson Ferry and Ash-ford Dunwoody roads have been changed from 35mph to 40 mph.

According to news release from Brookhaven’sgovernment, the change was necessary to complywith Georgia Department of Public Safety andGeorgia Department of Transportation require-ments for the Brookhaven Police Department tobe able to use speed detection devices.

Brookhaven Police Chief Gary Yandura was

notified by the two state departments thatBrookhaven’s “permits to use speed detectiondevices would be pulled for the entire city if thesigns were not in compliance,” according to a newsrelease.

NEWS BRIEFS


16/24


CITY OF CHAMBLEE, DEKALB, GAADVERTISEMENT FOR INVITATION TO BID

Sealed bids for the PEACHTREE STREETSCAPE PROJECT NUMBER: P.I. 0009024will be received by the City of Chamblee at Chamblee City Hall, 5468 Peachtree Road,Chamblee, GA, until 3:00 pm on Friday, February 5, 2016 , and then at said officepublicly opened and read aloud. Bids received after the designated time will not beaccepted.

The project generally includes furnishing all labor, materials and equipment for theconstruction and related improvements for the PEACHTREE STREETSCAPE. Thisproject will provide two travel lanes 11 feet wide and 5ft to 6ft wide sidewalks on the eastside, with two foot grass strip. Coordination with utilities will be required.

The project is located between Pierce Drive and 700 ft North-East of ChambleeDunwoody Road along Peachtree Road in the City of Chamblee, DeKalb County.

The Georgia Department of Transportation Standard Specifications, 2013 Edition,applicable Supplemental Specifications and Special Provisions apply to this project.

Bid documents may be obtained from the State of Georgia/DOAS website at

https://ssl.doas.state.ga.us/PRSapp/ and the Procurement Page on the City’s website at

www.chambleega.gov .

If you have any questions regarding this project please contact Marc Johnson,

Chamblee City Manager, at 770 - 986 - 5026.

Chamblee reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids and to waivetechnicalities.

by Andrew [email protected]

An appointee to thecounty’s new audit oversightcommittee is questioning itsndependence after a senatoremoved her.

“Independence is in-dependence,” said HarmelCodi, an educational con-ultant/entrepreneur and

a former county employeewho repeatedly called forhe resignation of interim

DeKalb CEO Lee May . “Thefact that I was removed…diminishes the credibility ofhe committee because basi-

cally we’re just going to usepeople we can come to andell them when to do things,

how to do things. That’s not

ndependent.”The DeKalb CountyAudit Oversight Committee,which was authorized afterHouse Bill 599 was signednto law in May 2015, has theesponsibility of hiring an in-ernal auditor to conduct fi-

nancial and performance au-dits of county departments.The committee’s job also iso oversee the auditor’s work

and ensure independencefrom the CEO and Board ofCommissioners.

Codi was appointedo the committee by the

county’s Senate delegation.n a Dec. 28, 2015, letter

addressed to the DeKalbCounty governing authority,Sen. Gloria Butler rescindedher appointment of Codi. In

the same letter, Butler ap-pointed accountant Natasha

Smith of Stone Mountain tothe committee.Butler, who is chairwom-

an of the county’s Senatedelegation and secretary forthe Senate ethics committee,said she rescinded Codi’s ap-pointment when “someonesurfaced with credentialsthat match exactly what’s inthe legislation.”

“Her credentials don’tmatch,” Butler said aboutCodi.

With two candidates ini-tially from which to choose,Butler said she initially choseCodi to meet the Dec. 31deadline, but later rescindedthe selection.

“My understanding ofwhen this committee wassupposed to start was Jan.

1, not before then. So I haduntil Dec. 31 to…rescind a

person,” Butler said.Butler said the commit-tee, which met at least twicebefore Jan. 1, wasn’t sup-posed to be meeting.

“I don’t know what theywere meeting about,” shesaid. “Who gave them anagenda? Who gave themmarching orders and what totalk about?”

Because the law doesnot spell out the authority torescind, “everybody is sayingit’s not legal, that I did nothave the right to…change mymind,” Butler said.

Codi, a former senior fi-nancial officer in the county’scommunity development de-partment, said she has askedthe state attorney general’s

office for a legal opinionabout the rescission.

The bill creating theaudit oversight committee“doesn’t provide a…rescis-sion provision. What wasdone was a rescission of theappointment rather than aremoval,” Codi said.

“There’s no provisionfor [rescission for] politicalreasons,” she said. “There’sno reason highlighted in [thebill that states] someone canbe removed…for highlight-ing conflicts of interest orappearances of impropriety,which are some of the thingsthat I’ve done while I was sit-ting on that committee.”

Some committee mem-bers “wanted to make thosemeetings private and I raised

the issue that they couldn’tmake them private,” Codisaid. “I highlighted the factthat we couldn’t have thepeople from Lee May’s officebeing our recording secretaryand we couldn’t have com-missioners having their bestfriend appointed to the com-mittee.

“Those are things thatare legitimate…questionsthat I was raising,” she said.“I wasn’t trying to be trouble.I thought we had an inde-pendent committee.

“I didn’t know we couldbe easily manipulated by pol-iticians,” said Codi, who in2015 ran unsuccessfully forthe Board of CommissionersDistrict 5 seat.

Codi, who served on thecommittee for two meetings,said she learned about therescission from a third party.She has not received any offi-cial notice about her removalfrom the committee.

CommissionerNancyJester is calling for Codi tobe restored to the committee“for the sake of transparencyand honest government.”

“The action of state Sen.Gloria Butler to attempt torescind the appointment ofHarmel Codi to the DeKalbCounty Audit OversightCommittee is unfortunate,ill-advised, and sends a nega-tive message which furthersthe image of a local govern-ment which is ‘rotten-to-the-core,’” Jester said in a state-

ment.Codi’s removal “com-pletely defeats the purposeof this being an independentbody if the individuals mak-ing the appointments canchange their minds at will.It’s not acceptable. If they’reconstantly in fear of beingreplaced, they’re not inde-pendent,” Jester stated.

Jester said Butler’s ac-tions “undermine the infra-structure and processes the voters approved to providesome measure of oversightfor a county government thathas been plagued with scan-dals and malfeasance.”

The audit oversight com-mittee’s next meeting is Jan.15.

Senator removes county oversight committee member

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Harmel Codi wants answers after being removed from the county’s auditoversight committee. Photo by Andrew Cauthen


17/24

The Champion FREEPRESS, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 BUSINESS Page 17A

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce • Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite, Decatur, GA 30030 • 404.378.8000 • www.dekalbchamber.org

CONNECTEDNESS

Thirsty Mona Lisa quenches art cravingsby Kathy Mitchell

Jennifer Galloway ’s experiencen the real estate industry has taught

her to recognize properties that havedevelopment potential. She was sompressed with what she found in

Stone Mountain Village that shenot only opened a real estate officehere but started another business—

Thirsty Mona Lisa, a sip and painttudio—in the same Main Street

building.Describing it as “a city undergo-

ng resurgence,” Galloway said Stone

Mountain Village has exciting possi-bilities. “I wanted a location that waspart of a community, not a strip mall.Stone Mountain Village provided ev-rything I needed.”

What she found is “reasonablypriced property that is poised to ap-preciate in the near future. Gettingn on the ground floor allows me to

help shape the landscape of the city’suture,” said Galloway, who is now a

member of Stone Mountain’s Down-own Development Authority. “Theense of community that exists heres attracting newcomers from theuburbs and nearby hot-spot cities

ike Decatur.”With its identity as an artists’ommunity, Stone Mountain Village,he said, is ideal for a sip and painttudio. “We have several artist’s gal-eries as well as ART Station and theity sponsored art strolls. It is a per-ect fit.

“I’m not an artist,” said Galloway,who opened Thirsty Mona Lisa inate October 2015. “I’ve always en-oyed art and I think sip and paint is

a great concept.”At sip and paint studios patrons

with no formal training or previousexperience can take art lessons in aninformal setting as they sip a favoritebeverage—usually wine. A take-awayart piece is completed during the ap-proximately two-hour session.

“I attended a sip and paint classa few years ago. At first I was a littleintimidated, but after a while I washaving tons of fun. There were no

studios within a reasonable distanceof here, so someone in the StoneMountain area would have a choiceof going to Atlanta, Dunwoody orJohn’s Creek. I knew I’d like to openone here,” she said.

“I considered a franchise, butthat’s really not my style,” Gallowaynoted. She advertised for artist in-structors and found two who fit herneeds. “I wanted them to have morethan artistic talent. I wanted themto be fun people with sparking per-sonalities—the type of people whowould make sure everyone had a re-

ally good time.”Galloway said she is not sur-

prised that the studio got off to aslow start. “People have to find outwe’re here. This building had been vacant for years. Still, we have busynights. Our biggest class so far hasbeen 17 people; that’s within therange I’d like to stay in—15 to 20people. I want to stay small. If a classgets to large, it becomes impersonal,but we need at least 10 people tomake it economically feasible.”

Thirsty Mona Lisa clients cango online, find the schedule, look atthe art that will be created during a

particular session and register for theclass. “We do accept walk-ins, butwe much prefer that people registerso we can be set up and ready to gowith they get here. The night we had17 people, only three had registered,so we had to really scramble gettingready,” Galloway recalled. Some cli-ents, she said, have returned as manyas four times in the two monthsThirsty Mona Lisa has been open.

“We try to be flexible. Althoughwe announce the art we’ll be do-ing that night, if the people who

come—especially if they come as agroup—want to do something else,we’re open to that,” said Galloway,who added that in addition to paint-ings, the artists sometimes create inother media such as small sculpturesor jewelry pieces.

At present, clients bring theirown snacks and beverages, but Gal-loway said the possibilities she’s look-ing at for the future include gettinga beer and wine license. “Sometimespeople like to be served,” she said,adding that she also is consideringarranging for musical performances

at the studio.“It took a lot to bring this shop

from the bare industrial space it hadbeen to the cozy lounge-like area it isnow. Although I don’t have any train-ing as an artist, I think there’s a littleinterior decorator in me,” she said.“I want people to see what I’ve donewith this space. There are no curtainsso people walking along the streetcan look in. People love it. It’s beenrented out for photo shoots and oth-er uses. I’m asked all the time aboutrenting it for parties.”

Galloway, who grew up in NewJersey and moved to the South in

search of better weather, said she wasdelighted to find a helpful and sup-portive business community in StoneMountain and joined the DowntownDevelopment Authority to help otherentrepreneurs get their businessesstarted. “Because I’ve done it myself,”she said, “I can tell people firsthandwhat it takes to get a business startedin Stone Mountain Village.”

ennifer Galloway says it took a lot to bring the shop in Stone Mountain’s Main Street from abare industrial space to a cozy lounge-like area.

Clients create a complete art piece as they sip a favorite beverage during a two-hour ses-sion.


18/24

The Champion FREEPRESS, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 EDUCATION Page 18A

Georgia State receives final approval for merger

School district implements central office reorganization

The Board of Regents granted fi-nal approval on Jan. 6 to the creationof the new Georgia State Universityrom the consolidation of Georgia

State University and Georgia Perim-eter College.

Dr. Mark Becker, president ofGeorgia State, will serve as presidentof the newly consolidated GeorgiaState University.

“We are keenly focused on accessand college completion,” UniversitySystem of Georgia (USG) Chancel-or Hank Huckaby said. “The new

Georgia State University will con-tinue to expand upon its successes inthese areas for students beyond thedowntown campus, throughout met-ropolitan Atlanta.”

The board’s action follows re-quired approval of the consolida-tion plans in December 2015 by theSouthern Association of Colleges andSchools Commission on Colleges.

With the board action, GeorgiaState begins operating as the newinstitution with an expanded missionand new college focused on associate

degree programs according to.“The University System has now

consolidated 12 institutions into sixas we continue to focus on the suc-cess of students,” USG Vice Chancel-lor for Fiscal Affairs and PlanningShelley Nickel said. “With consoli-dation, we are amplifying the best ofboth institutions to better serve stu-dents, the community and the state.”

Huckaby announced in January2015 his recommendation for theGeorgia State consolidation, whichthe Board of Regents approved.

“This is not only a historic dayfor Georgia State University andGeorgia Perimeter College, it is alsoan important day for the studentsof Georgia,” Becker said. “We lookforward to helping thousands morestudents graduate with the support ofour nationally recognized programsaimed at ensuring student success.”

With the completion of the Geor-gia State University consolidation,the University System of Georgia isnow composed of 29 institutions.

by Ashley Oglesby [email protected]

DeKalb County schools boardofficials approved the second phase

of Superintendent Stephen Green’strategic plan to reorganize the dis-rict’s central office by reclassifying

existing positions, creating new posi-ions, realigning existing positions

and appointing two senior level posi-ions.

“The central office reorganiza-ion enables the school district to

achieve the strategic plan’s goals andupports the realignment of the core

business of improving the teach-ng and learning experience for in-

creased student achievement,” Greenaid.

Green first introduced the reor-

ganization plan at the board’s Dec. 7work session meeting.In August 2015, Green assigned

a task force of two regional super-ntendents, professionals inside the

district and external consultants “todo a curricular audit and assess ouralignment to state standards and na-ional standards.”

Regional superintendents Dr.Triscilla Weaver and Trenton Ar-nold are co-chairs for the task force.The task force is also supported byGeorgia Department of EducationAssessment Specialist Kelli Wright,

DeKalb County Board of EducationChairman Melvin Johnson and oth-ers.

Green said he proposed his planfollowing “personal observations, re-

search, evaluations and explorations.“It flattens the layers of bureau-

cracy through decentralization, plac-ing critical human capital and otherservices in the field. It supports thetriangulation of services between thesuperintendent, regional superinten-dent and auxiliary support,” Greenadded.

According to the fiscal impactanalysis for the county school dis-trict’s organizational; restructuring,the impact will be an increase of ap-proximately $260,000.

The increase will be recognizedbefore the end of the fiscal year on

June 30.The fiscal year 2017 financialimpact will be a savings of

Documents

Champion FreePress 1-15-16