the DeKalb FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • VOL.

23, NO 46 • FREE

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

The Paradowski decided to cancel Christmas in the Grove after the death of Tony Paradowski, center, in June.

Community honors ‘Christmas

Lights Guy’ this holiday season
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The holiday season is a lot less
bright for the Paradowski family
and for those who enjoyed visiting
“Christmas in the Grove” the past
eight years.
The famous holiday lights
attraction at 1428 Oak Grove
Drive in Decatur has been
canceled following the death
of Tony Paradowski, who put
on the light show since 2010.
Paradowski, known to many as “The
Christmas Lights Guy,” passed away
unexpectedly June 15. Paradowski’s
adopted daughter, Taylor Goolsby,
said her father did not have any
known health issues prior to his
death.
“It was suddenly and
unexpectantly,” Goolsby said. “We’re
still in shock over everything, very
blindsided by the situation.”
Last December, Paradowski
spoke to The Champion about the
large Christmas light displays he
and his wife Katie began in 2010.
The Paradowskis turned their
home into a holiday attraction
for five weeks with an animated
light show choreographed to
popular Christmas songs. From
Thanksgiving night to New Year’s
Day, thousands of people visited the
home each year to see the display.
The Paradowski display gained
national attention after being
featured on “The Great Christmas
Light Fight” on ABC in 2013. The
Paradowskis won the $50,000 prize,
beating out three other contestants.
They have collected donations every
year from visitors to Christmas in
the Grove and have given the money
to their favorite charity, The ALS
Association of Georgia.
Paradowski’s family posted Nov.
19 on the Christmas in the Grove’s
Facebook page that the light display
has been canceled. Goolsby said her
mother recently moved out of the
home as well.
“It was a hard decision because
we had the option of finding
somebody else,” Goolsby said. “Tony
[was big in] the community of the
SEE CHRISTMAS ON PAGE 6

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

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 2

COUNTYWIDE

DeKalb County exceeds demolition expectations

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County crews completed
the last demolition of 2018 on Dec. 12
on the 500 block of Warren Avenue in
Scottdale. Allen Mitchell, community
development director for DeKalb
County, said the county continues to
make progress in reducing blight.
In 2016, DeKalb demolished 36
blighted properties. The following year,
DeKalb completed 105 demolitions
and 48 abatements. This year, DeKalb
officials reported demolishing 31
single-family homes and 108 abated
properties.
“It’s obvious that the county is really
serious about making DeKalb a better
place in regard to blight,” Mitchell said.
“This indicates our efforts over the
years have increased seven-fold with
the investment provided by [DeKalb
CEO Michael Thurmond] to help our
departments.”
According to county officials, in
2017 DeKalb board of commissioners
approved $3.8 million in funds to
enhance blight-fighting initiatives
and address dilapidated properties in
DeKalb. Mitchell said the additional
Allen Mitchell, community development director for DeKalb County, speaks during a press conference
regarding blight in DeKalb County.
funding has helped the county
accomplish demolition goals for the
year.
Mitchell said the length of time
it takes to get a property ready for
demolition can be a challenging,
long process. According to Mitchell,
Code Enforcement must first
identify properties not meeting
code enforcement regulations then
prepare documents for review by the
county’s law department to make sure
documentation is accurate. DeKalb
officials must then present the findings
to a judge. Once a judge is appointed
to the case, the judge can award a
final court order for the property to
be demolished. Before the county can
demolish a property, the property
owner must be given an opportunity to
demolish or abate the property.  
“The challenges we had years
before we don’t have today. We have a
team dedicated to help us through the
judicial system,” Mitchell said.  
DeKalb officials also announced
in 2017 the start of a new initiative
through DeKalb’s Magistrate Court
to target abandoned, dilapidated and
burned-out properties presenting a
danger to the residents of DeKalb.
Under the initiative, judges of
the Magistrate’s Court Ordinance
Division hear cases once a month
in which properties have been cited
for multiple citations by DeKalb
County Code Enforcement without
corrective measures being taken by
property owners.  Under final orders
from judges, property owners will be
required to repair or demolish the
property.
SEE DEMOLITION ON PAGE 7

DeKalb County School District
Projects Constructed with E‐SPLOST III Sales Tax Proceeds
Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017 ‐ June 30, 2018)
Expenditures 3
Excess 
FY 2007            FY 2018            Prior Years (June  Current Fiscal  Proceeds 
Original Estimated  Current Estimated  30, 2017 or  Year (July 1, 2017 ‐ Not  Estimated Completion 
2007 Sales Tax ‐ Authorized Projects Cost1 Cost2 earlier) June 30, 2018) Total Expended Date
1. Lease‐hold improvements for Rock Chapel ES, Princeton ES, and 
$66,000,000.00 $73,991,524.02 $73,991,524.02 $0.00 $73,991,524.02 $0.00 Completed
Dunwoody ES (COPS 05/07)
2. Renovations/expansion at SWD HS, Towers HS, Columbia HS, McNair 
$25,000,000.00 $22,888,015.35 $22,888,015.35 $0.00 $22,888,015.35 $0.00 Completed
HS, and emergency HVAC
3. Cross Keys HS Renovation and Career Tech $16,927,348.00 $17,909,849.64 $17,909,849.64 $0.00 $17,909,849.64 $0.00 Completed
4. Tucker HS replacement $66,330,016.00 $60,359,593.17 $60,359,593.17 $0.00 $60,359,593.17 $0.00 Completed
5. Roofing Portfolio #1 $9,677,168.00 $12,238,001.23 $12,238,001.23 $0.00 $12,238,001.23 $0.00 Completed
6. HVAC Portfolio #1 $17,168,224.00 $12,000,530.99 $12,000,530.99 $0.00 $12,000,530.99 $0.00 Completed
7. ADA Code Requirements Portfolio #1 $4,730,336.00 $3,558,405.70 $3,558,405.70 $0.00 $3,558,405.70 $0.00 Completed
8. Local School Priority Requests (LSPR) $5,156,419.00 $7,421,713.65 $7,421,713.65 $0.00 $7,421,713.65 $0.00 Completed
9. Site improvements $13,417,986.00 $8,894,328.89 $7,736,622.20 $463,456.04 $8,200,078.24 $0.00 Completed
10. Druid Hills HS improvements $9,739,800.00 $17,997,254.00 $17,915,398.55 $0.00 $17,915,398.55 $0.00 Completed
11. Renovation and expansion of relocated DeKalb School of the Arts $10,000,000.00 $5,404,226.51 $5,404,226.51 $0.00 $5,404,226.51 $0.00 Completed
12. Renovation and expansion of Mountain Industrial Center $29,836,296.00 $31,587,438.27 $31,587,438.27 $0.00 $31,587,438.27 $0.00 Completed
13. Purchase of land $3,000,000.00 $5,578,032.99 $11,350.00 $0.00 $11,350.00 $0.00 Dec 2020
14. Additions to Chamblee HS, Clarkston HS, Druid Hills HS, Dunwoody 
$63,292,805.00 $51,406,596.56 $51,403,396.56 $3,200.00 $51,406,596.56 $0.00 Completed
HS, Lakeside HS, and Redan HS
15. Technology‐‐Refresh cycle $19,418,581.00 $26,169,945.25 $26,169,945.25 $0.00 $26,169,945.25 $0.00 Completed
16. Lithonia HS addition and improvements $11,447,624.00 $25,488.00 $25,488.00 $0.00 $25,488.00 $0.00 Deemed Unnecessary
17. MLK Jr HS addition and improvements $10,178,779.00 $15,508,844.52 $15,508,844.52 $0.00 $15,508,844.52 $0.00 Completed
18. Miller Grove HS addition and improvements $5,874,487.00 $5,142,911.18 $5,142,911.18 $0.00 $5,142,911.18 $0.00 Completed
19. Dunwoody HS addition and improvements $4,819,395.00 $19,774,546.64 $19,774,546.64 $0.00 $19,774,546.64 $0.00 Completed
20. Clarkston HS improvements $4,000,000.00 $11,759,987.13 $11,759,987.13 $0.00 $11,759,987.13 $0.00 Completed
21. HVAC Portfolio #2 $10,716,737.00 $8,547,212.33 $8,547,212.33 $0.00 $8,547,212.33 $0.00 Completed
22. Roofing Portfolio #2 $10,681,471.00 $4,124,513.16 $4,124,513.16 $0.00 $4,124,513.16 $0.00 Completed
23. ADA Code Requirements Portfolio #2 $2,052,729.00 $2,599,010.84 $2,599,010.84 $0.00 $2,599,010.84 $0.00 Completed
24. School buses $12,000,000.00 $11,999,761.12 $11,999,761.12 $0.00 $11,999,761.12 $0.00 Completed
25. Technology‐Media Center upgrades $10,000,000.00 $9,977,929.17 $9,977,929.17 $0.00 $9,977,929.17 $0.00 Completed
26. HVAC Portfolio #3 $17,408,662.00 $8,664,478.40 $8,662,137.90 $2,340.50 $8,664,478.40 $0.00 Completed
27. Roofing Portfolio #3 $7,125,137.00 $2,926,166.09 $2,926,166.09 $0.00 $2,926,166.09 $0.00 Completed
4
28. Other improvements and supporting services $0.00
5
$66,558,349.50 $46,101,308.30 $41,042.37 $46,142,350.67 $0.00 Dec 2023
         All Projects $466,000,000.00 $525,014,654.30 $497,745,827.47 $510,038.91 $498,255,866.38 $0.00

In compliance with O.C.G.A. 48‐8‐122 and O.C.G.A. 48‐8‐141
1 ‐ $466 million is the projects approved by the Board of Education on November 17, 2006 (please see https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Attachment.aspx?S=4054&AID=83684&MID=4751).

2 ‐ Current estimated revenues increase from $466.0 million to $525.0 million by: (1) re‐estimation of E‐SPLOST III revenues to $488.1 million, (2) the addition of $23.3 million from the Georgia DOE 
reimbursements expected for E‐SPLOST III projects, and (3) an addition of $13.6 million for local‐funded projects (which are included).  
3 ‐ Total expenditures as presented in this E‐SPLOST report will differ from the annual financial audit report due to timing differences not included in this E‐SPLOST expenditures report, relative to contracts 
payable, retainage payable, and accounts payable.
4 ‐ The current project estimate for "other improvements and supporting services" includes $20,050,000 for principal payments for the $300 million bond, approximately $13.6 million for local‐funded capital 
projects, and other projects added during the mid‐term assessment.
5 ‐The original budget for this was allocated to each individual project and contained therein for projects #1 ‐ #27.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 3

COUNTYWIDE

Donor matching helps animal shelters during holidays

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
For the seventh time in as
many years, Lifeline Animal
Shelter, which manages animal
shelter facilities in Chamblee
and Avondale Estates, will
receive added help throughout
December.
Anisa Telwar Kaicker,
along with Anisa International,
has pledged to support Lifeline
Animal Shelter by matching
every dollar donated to the
organization until December
31, up to $50,000.
“Giving back is at the core
of Anisa International because
I believe we’re only as great as
the impact we have on those
around us,” said Kaicker,
CEO and founder of Anisa
International, in a statement.
“That is why I have supported
Lifeline Animal’s mission to
help end the euthanasia of
healthy, treatable animals in
Atlanta for more than 15 years.
With this year’s holiday match,
you have the opportunity to
save twice the lives of Atlanta’s
most vulnerable.”
Lifeline officials said every
dollar makes a difference.
Karen Hirsch, spokesperson
for Lifeline Animal Project,
said the financial support from
Kaicker is a surprise for the
organization every year.
“We don’t know whether
she’s going to do it or not,
but every year she does. It’s
her way of giving back to
the community. She’s a huge
animal lover,” Hirsch said.
Along with heading Anisa
International, Kaicker is also
the board chair of Lifeline
Animal Shelter.
“She’s promoting the cause
to end euthanasia in Atlanta
and this isn’t the only time of
year she gives,” Hirsch said.
“She takes out so much of her
time, which is really limited,
and gives her time. She’s a real
jewel to Atlanta, and we’re Anisa Telwar Kaicker, CEO and founder of Anisa International, pledged to match Lifeline Animal Project donations in the month of
really lucky and grateful for her December up to $50,000.
support.”
According to Hirsch, $25 for an animal and $375 lifesaving mission a reality and and commitment to Atlanta’s
helps feed animals during helps pay for special medical caring for the 40 to 60 animals animals.”
their stay at the shelter, $60 procedures. entering our shelters daily,” Lifeline officials will also
buys beds for the animals, $85 “Anisa International’s said Rebecca Guinn, CEO of provide free adoptions in
sponsors an adoption fee, $100 generous matching grant Lifeline Animal Project. “We December to anyone wearing
provides heartworm treatment is vital toward making our are grateful for Anisa’s passion an “ugly Christmas sweater.”

BROOKHAVEN

City officials help break ground in Brookhaven for the Peachtree Creek Greenway project Dec. 12. Photo by Taylor Robins

Ground breaks for Peachtree Creek Greenway phase I

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Brookhaven is getting
greener now that the city’s
portion of the Peachtree
Creek Greenway is under
construction following the
project’s groundbreaking Dec.
12.
The groundbreaking marks
the beginning of the phase
I of three phases of the $36
million PCG initiative. Phase I
will be 1.27 miles from North
Druid Hills Road to Briarwood
Road and will include a series
of paved multi-purpose and
promenade trails. When all
three phases are completed,
Brookhaven’s portion of the
PCG project will be 2.9 miles
in length.
“PCG has, over the course
of the many years that have
brought us to this point
today, come to have a dual
meaning to me. PCG is also
synonymous with people
collaborating to achieve goals.
On the grassroots level, people
worked with people to develop
a vision, they engaged their
local government who in turn
engaged other governments
and agencies through a
collaborative process,” said
Brookhaven mayor John Ernst.
According to a Brookhaven
press release, “The vision for
the PCG dates back nearly two
decades to its first reference
in a PATH Foundation
study. Shortly after the city
of Brookhaven was created
in 2012, community activist
Betsy Eggers and others
proposed the idea for a bicycle
path and a linear park along
Peachtree Creek to the new
city’s leaders. This proposal
was followed by months of
discussion, master planning,
creation of the Peachtree Creek
Greenway, Inc., and taking the
necessary steps to move the
idea along the legislative and
funding process at all levels.”
SEE GROUNDBREAKING ON PAGE 7
OPINION
The hypocrisy of immigration debates
As has been the case for decades,
immigration concerns are hot topics
of debate for many politicians and for
the general public. Depending on one’s
political party affiliation, presidential
administrations are either heralded
or vilified for their efforts to enforce
the existing immigration laws of our
nation—and often without those
debating having accurate information
on which to base their opinions.
According to the Migration
Policy Institute, of the last four U.S.
presidents, the highest number of total
deportations of illegal immigrants was
under the Bill Clinton administration,
followed by approximately 20 percent
fewer under the George W. Bush
administration and less than half that
number under the Barack Obama
administration.
The Migration Policy Institute
also reports in a recently completed
survey that arrests by the Trump
administration’s Immigration and
Customs Enforcement in 2017 were
about 50 percent of what they were
during Obama’s peak years of 2010 and
Foreclosures
Tax Sales/Ads for Bids
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Public Notices/Public meetings
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Notices of Incorporation
To subscribe, visit DeKalbLegalNotices.com
or call 404-373-7779, X 0
#ItsInTheChampion
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
2011.
Obama, who was often referred
to by opponents as the “Deporter in
Chief,” actually had about half of the
total apprehensions and deportations of
presidents Clinton and Bush; but had
the highest number of removals—the
compulsory movement of a noncitizen
based on a formal order of removal—at
more than 3 million.
During the Obama administra-
tion—2009-2017—tear gas and pepper
spray were used regularly to curtail ille-
gal entry into the country, but this fact
is often ignored, or to use a currently
popular term—suppressed—by both
the media and the public.
The Department of Homeland
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 4
Security reported 27 incidents of use of
tear gas in 2013 with 15 such incidents
reported in 2014. Pepper spray was
used 151 times in 2013 and 109 times
in 2014. Tear gas was used 18 times
in 2017 and 29 times thus far in 2018
with pepper spray being used 56 times
in 2017 and 43 times thus far in 2018
under the Trump administration.
Each administration has dealt
with ongoing immigration issues
in much the same way as previous
administrations have. At times, force
has been used, families have been
separated, pepper spray and tear gas
have been used, and children have been
detained.
Each time force is used, or there is
major influx of immigrants attempting
to enter the country illegally, many
supporters of the opposing political
party criticize the actions as if these
same actions have never been taken in
the past.
It appears our nation has gotten to a
point that no matter the topic, someone
somewhere will express outrage and
disgust; but all too often the actions
being criticized also have been
committed by those for whom the same
people express support and approval of.
As long as the United States is a
global leader with a robust economy,
our nation will continue to appeal to
those in other countries who seek to
enjoy the advantages of living here.
Many will immigrate legally and
assimilate into our society with all the
freedoms and benefits afforded U.S.
citizens. Unfortunately, just as many,
if not more, will attempt to enter our
country illegally and must face the
consequences of knowingly breaking
existing immigration laws.
Before we express our moral outrage
on immigration concerns, or any other
topics, we should look at the entire
picture from an historic perspective
and realize that living in what is
considered by many to be the most
admired country in the world comes
with inherent problems that must be
addressed.
OPINION
It has probably taken me longer
than it should have to realize that
the greatest gifts of my life are often
the more intangible as well as the
longest lasting.    girls grow, loving life and others...
Barclay, my first child, followed
her mother into teaching. The two
are both on the faculty of the same
Gwinnett County elementary school,
and as with her sister, Barclay shares
many of her mother’s mannerisms
and characteristics, as well as the
obvious physical resemblance.  Barclay favors both of her
Many of the lessons I learned
through my first child, good
and bad, have hopefully better
prepared me for raising my
second, Olivia. Though born with
the genetic disability of Down
syndrome, Olivia teaches me life
lessons almost weekly. Her joy
is contagious and her ability to
make new friends is constant and
instantaneous. Despite a decade and
a half between my girls, the two
half-sisters are quite close. Barclay’s
guidance and advice as an educator
also has been invaluable as we step
delicately through the minefield that
special education in a public school
setting can be.  exactly can genes do this?
Between them, the girls currently
have 12 living grandparents, I won’t
bore you with the math, but it can
make making everyone happy
during the holidays a challenge.
As I watch them both live and
grow, I marvel and find great joy
in noting expressions, gestures,
and mannerisms shared with their
ancestors, many whom they’ve
never met and know of only through
related stories and old photographs.
 My paternal grandmother, Mary
L. Crane, was a businesswoman
and civic leader. She had few great
joys in life and spent most of her
time shepherding, some might say
micro-managing, different aspects of
the family newspaper enterprise. She
wasn’t one to smile often, or give
herself time to relax, but when she
did either, it was real and genuine.
My youngest has her smile, and
the sometimes matching shoulder-
shrug which together signaled true
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 5
The greatest gift
So much of the holiday season did; and when they smile back at
‘One Man’s is filled with time or memories you, try and remember whose smile
of family, but now the “greatest they are now also wearing. 
Opinion’ gift” for me is just watching my Merry Christmas, best wishes of
the season and New Year to you and
Bill Crane while carrying along inside of each yours.
bill.csicrane@gmail.com of them a little piece of the rest
of us. Just as a smile itself can be Bill Crane also serves as a political
contentment. We lost Mary the week shared, while also bringing back analyst and commentator for Channel
prior to Barclay’s birth in 1992, and some wonderful memories of that 2’s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk
yet I still can feel her presence in same smile from another face 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a
Olivia’s smile.  decades before.  columnist for The Champion, DeKalb
Keep your family close and Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane
grandmothers, Lynn Crane and tell your children how much you is a DeKalb native and business owner,
Mary Lowery. Her maternal love and cherish them, if not every living in Scottdale. You can reach
grandmother’s love for laughter, as day, at least during this season of him or comment on a column at bill.
well as self-deprecating humor, are thanks and gracious plenty and csicrane@gmail.com.
both frequently in evidence. And celebration. You will be glad you
Barclay also shares these traits
with her own mother, as well as
a gesture ending with hands on
each hip, coupled with a head
tilt. It is hard to explain how
much I enjoy rediscovering these
mirrored microtraits, movements
and physical gestures mimicked
between generations, especially
when the younger never actually
saw or experienced the trait being
demonstrated by the elder. How
 
Olivia and her mother, Tiffany,
often sit near or next to each other,
and in a matter of moments both will
have the same leg cross, with the
same foot bobbing slightly. Whether
it’s nervous energy or more gene
mimicry I’m still not quite sure;
but when each is buried in a book
or laptop or movie on television,
and the two are half a room apart
with the same leg bob going—I’m
convinced again it is more magic
gene pool footwork at play.
 These little memory “gifts” of
random DNA help the beloved no
longer with us live on. I don’t need a
21 & Me kit to frequently note who
is related/connected to whom. And
as we age and grow to become our
parents, I note with each visit how
often my sisters mirror our own
mother, Lynn Crane, or how much
my vocal timber and head tilt have
become identical to my own father,
Jerry.
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
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Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 6

Renovators at work on Vaughters’ Barn. Construction took place The barn received new wood doors and windows that will age to
Interior of barn following renovation. Visitors will be able to view the match older building materials.
inside of the barn on a guided basis. throughout November.

Historic barn stabilized

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The historic Vaughters’
Barn and meadow loop trail
on Arabia Mountain PATH
has reopened following
completion of the barn’s
stabilization project.
Arabia Mountain
Heritage Area Alliance
announced Dec. 12 that the
stabilization of the “iconic”
white-painted barn located
adjacent to Klondike Road
is complete. Last month,
renovations began on the
barn to repair the structure,
which had water damage,
structural issues and general Arabia Alliance. Workers family home, to the Georgia and human history of
wear and tear, according to repaired the interior, Department of Natural this former farm,” Arabia
the Alliance. replaced windows, braced Resources. The land is Alliance Executive Director
Arabia Mountain the roof and made other managed as part of Panola Mera Cardenas said in a
repairs. Mountain State Park. statement.
Heritage Area Alliance
Vaughters’ Barn is The barn is considered a The renovations will also
Communications Manager
Zack Loehle said the surrounded by more than central feature of the Arabia allow for guided tours of the
140 acres of former dairy Mountain Heritage Area barn to be conducted, which
cost of the stabilization
pasture that now serves as a Alliance and a popular spot could not be done before.
project was approximately
wildlife habitat. According for photographs. Alliance Loehle said Arabia Alliance
$200,000. Half of the funds
to Arabia Alliance, DeKalb officials said the barn will be is still figuring out some of
came from the alliance and
County was at one point the used as an interpretive tool the details of the tour.
the half from the Georgia
biggest dairy producer in for people to learn about the “But they will be
Department of Natural
Georgia. history of DeKalb County. educational tours to enhance
Resources.
The barn was owned by “Vaughters’ Barn is a key the interpretive capabilities
The walls and roof of the
S. B. Vaughters and held feature of Arabia Mountain of the barn and give people
barn were bowing outward
cows and horses. In 2002, NHA, and we are looking a better idea about the
and parts of the building
Vaughters sold his farm, forward to further educating agricultural history of this
had sustained significant
including the barn and visitors about the natural land,” Loehle said.
water damage, according to

CHRISTMAS Continued From Page 1

[Christmas] lights world. Just seeing
their response and the support that
they provided to our family had
been phenomenal. So, of course
we had those people that we could
reach out to, but in our opinion, the
light show would not be the same
without Tony.”
Goolsby said her dad ordered
items for this year’s lights display
before his death.
“I think we’re still getting
packages of stuff that he’d ordered
for this year’s light show,” she said.
“Every intention was there for the
light show.”
Goolsby said the last six months
have been hard for her mother and
the entire family and continues to be
difficult as they experience the first
holiday season without Paradowski.
She said the community, and those
worldwide who knew him and
enjoyed his lights display, have been
very supportive.
“We cannot express our gratitude
enough,” Goolsby said. “We never
realized how many lives dad had
touched with his display.”
On the night of Paradowski’s
funeral, neighbors honored him
by decorating the outsides of their
homes with Christmas lights and
turning them on. Brittany Mackey
organized the lights memorial and
recently organized a toy drive in
honor of Paradowski.
Mackey said she and her family
had visited the lights display since it
first began. They visited it so often
that Paradowski reserved a bench
for her and her family. Mackey said
“Christmas in the Grove” was more
than just lights and decorations.
“What I loved about it is that for
one hour, every night, we would
stop what we were doing and go and
sit at the lights,” Mackey said. “A
lot of it was sitting and talking with
Tony, but a lot of it was sitting and
reconnecting with neighbors that I
didn’t see or talk to often. For me,
it was so much of a connection of
people, friends and family and such
a beautiful display of lights.”
Mackey said she initiated the toy
drive so that neighborhood children
could do something in honor of
Paradowski.
“I thought what better way to
help kids give back in memory
of somebody who gave so much
to them then to do a toy drive,”
Mackey said. “I thought it was a way
that they could honor him and, in a
way, thank him.”
The toy drive lasted for two
weeks and hundreds of toys were
donated from the community and
from across the world.
“I was blown away by the broader
generosity. We had gifts that came
from all over the country,” she said.
“We shared the toy drive with the
Christmas lights community that
Tony was really big in, and people
sent gifts. That just speaks to his
broader impact.”
Goolsby said her father was a
man who “busted his butt” to put
the lights up and give back to those
in need.
“He was a man who would drop
anything for anybody if you needed
him,” she said. “You could always
talk to him about anything. He truly
was the most kind-hearted and
loving person that you could meet.
He never met a stranger.”
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 7

DUNWOODY
DEMOLITION GROUNDBREAKING
Continued From Page 2A Continued From Page 3A
The new initiative allows the
county to tear down properties at The project will serve the purpose of giving residents
county expense if the owner does “close-to-home and close-to-work” access to bicycle and
not repair or demolish the property pedestrian trails, while promoting quality of life and
as required. The county can then sustainable economic growth, according to the city.
collect the cost of demolition from the When the PCG is complete, the project will stretch 12.3
property owner.   miles from Doraville to the Atlanta BeltLine.
Mitchell said it costs $24,000 Lewallen Construction Company is contracted to
to demolish the property on perform the construction, while The PATH Foundation
Warren Avenue which is located is contracted for engineering and design. The PATH
Residents of Dunwoody celebrate the city’s 10 year anniversary with a approximately 600 feet from Scottdale Foundation has been building trails in the Atlanta area for
cake cutting Dec. 10. Photo by Taylor Robins Early Learning.   more than 25 years.
Mitchell said the county plans The project, which is meant to provide a place “where

Shortal reflects on to address other properties located

along Warren Avenue as well as
demolishing buildings at Brannon Hill
people come together with a sense of belonging and
inclusion,” is expected to be “one of the most high-profile
projects in the metro areas,” according to the city.

Dunwoody anniversary
Condominiums in 2019.
“We have a healthy backlog to
take on next year. There’s also been
69 properties that have been granted
BY TAYLOR ROBINS final orders and are pending for
taylor@dekalbchamp.com demolition,” Mitchell said, adding that
2019 will be a fairly robust year with
With Dunwoody wrapping up its 10th year since its regard to removing blight.”
incorporation into DeKalb County Dec. 1, 2018, Mayor Mitchell said the county also plans
Denis Shortal reflects on the city’s milestones. to conduct a study of blighted areas
“We are happy that we went through the process of throughout DeKalb and identify 139
becoming a city to create a better quality of life across the parcels of land to determine whether
the areas should be added to code
enforcement efforts for blight removal.
SEE DUNWOODY ON PAGE 11
The Dec. 12 event was attended by city and state
officials including state senators Fran Miller and Elena
Parent, Doraville mayor Donna Pittman, Rep.-elect
Lucy McBath, and presiding officer of DeKalb County
Commission Jeff Rader.
“What you have done here,” Rader said, “is part of a
larger movement that has been spreading throughout
DeKalb County from Arabia Mountain to the Atlanta
Beltline. These trails are not only healthy for individuals
and our wellbeing but also for the wildlife and natural
resources found along the trails that create a natural
environment that we can all enjoy.”

DeKalb County School District
Projects Constructed with E‐SPLOST IV Sales Tax Proceeds
Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017 ‐ June 30, 2018)
Expenditures3 Excess 
FY 2013           FY 2018             Current Fiscal Year  Proceeds  Estimated 
Original Estimated  Current Estimated  Prior Years (June  (July 1, 2017 ‐ June  Not  Completion 
2012 Sales Tax ‐ Authorized Projects Cost1 Cost2 30, 2017 or earlier) 30, 2018) Total Expended Date

1.       Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvements $2,342,500.00 $2,570,274.85 $1,224,120.27 $1,115,534.37 $2,339,654.64 $0.00 Sep 2019

2.       Stadiums $9,557,400.00 $10,440,592.86 $8,084,182.63 $2,448,816.02 $10,532,998.65 $0.00 Completed
3.       Capital Renewal Program $84,892,200.00 $113,920,419.42 $45,702,620.32 $36,110,983.33 $81,813,603.65 $0.00 Aug 2019
4.       Code Requirements $2,342,500.00 $2,818,505.48 $1,137,810.13 $750,267.08 $1,888,077.21 $0.00 Sep 2019
5.       Coralwood Diagnostic Center Addition $9,932,200.00 $8,004,210.00 $0.00 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $0.00 Apr 2020
6.       Early Learning Center $2,717,300.00 $2,682,284.00 $0.00 $55,332.19 $55,332.19 $0.00 Jun 2019
7.       Arts School at former Avondale MS $4,029,100.00 $11,127,167.00 $173,507.91 $137,388.50 $310,896.41 $0.00 Dec 2020
8.       Renovation of Southwest DeKalb HS4 and Stone 
Mountain HS $11,056,600.00 $35,525,148.58 $25,961,263.92 $4,663,285.56 $30,624,549.48 $0.00 Dec 2019
9.       Replacement of Austin ES, Fernbank ES, Gresham Park 
ES, Pleasantdale ES, Peachcrest ES, Rockbridge ES, Smoke 
Rise ES $135,021,700.00 $168,835,120.97 $80,437,737.15 $14,183,770.46 $94,621,507.61 $0.00 Jun 2021
10.   Henderson MS Renovation/Addition $14,992,000.00 $19,316,934.91 $17,117,076.09 $2,085,270.25 $19,202,346.34 $0.00 Completed
11.   Redan HS Renovation/Addition $20,988,800.00 $20,373,330.00 $19,890,256.26 $185,016.90 $20,075,273.16 $0.00 Completed
12.   Chamblee HS Replacement $55,001,900.00 $54,992,632.00 $22,327,873.99 $6,960,751.47 $29,288,625.46 $0.00 Dec 2021
13.   McNair MS Replacement $35,043,800.00 $42,592,213.00 $376,740.91 $7,494,914.28 $7,871,655.19 $0.00 Jun 2019
14.   Local School Priority Requests $5,153,500.00 $3,202,479.00 $2,902,294.25 $0.00 $2,902,294.25 $0.00 Completed
15.   Demolition $2,342,500.00 $4,412,309.00 $3,072,727.06 $975,153.90 $4,047,880.96 $0.00 Completed
16.   Safety/Security Systems Upgrade $2,342,500.00 $2,312,313.00 $2,292,719.24 $0.00 $2,292,719.24 $0.00 Completed
17.   Technology Equipment and Infrastructure Refresh $36,261,900.00 $34,252,207.00 $32,821,546.89 $0.00 $32,821,546.89 $0.00 Dec 2019
18.   School Buses $9,463,700.00 $12,800,319.00 $12,800,247.61 $0.00 $12,800,247.61 $0.00 Completed
19.   Service Vehicles $1,592,900.00 $2,255,311.00 $2,252,530.33 $0.00 $2,252,530.33 $0.00 Completed
20.   Other capital improvements and supporting services
$29,925,000.00 $84,466,228.93 $43,752,579.23 $32,121,963.68 $75,874,542.91 $0.00 Dec 2021
         All Projects $475,000,000.00 $636,900,000.00 $322,327,834.19 $109,298,447.99 $431,626,282.18 $0.00
In compliance with O.C.G.A. 48‐8‐122 and O.C.G.A. 48‐8‐141
1 ‐ $475 million is each of the first 19 projects minus the 6.3% taken off and the sum of the 6.3% dollars provided to Project #20, as described in the literature provided to the public prior to 
the November 2011 E‐SPLOST vote at http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/splost‐iv/referendum.
2 ‐ Current estimated revenues increase from $475 million to $636.9 million by the increase of $123.9 million from the Georgia DOE reimbursements expected plus the $38 million in bond 
revenues for partial program financing.
3 ‐ Total expenditures as presented in this E‐SPLOST report will differ from the annual financial audit report due to timing differences not included in this E‐SPLOST expenditures report, 
relative to contracts payable, retainage payable, and accounts payable.
4 ‐ The Board of Education moved the Southwest DeKalb HS project from E‐SPLOST III to E‐SPLOST IV, increasing its total project budget by $22.3 million, in accordance with the E‐SPLOST 
Corrective Action Plan approved on April 27, 2012. This Board action can be found at  https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/ViewMeetingOrder.aspx?S=4054&MID=25181. 
LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
Proposed county budget to include public safety investments, pay raises
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County
commissioners will have a few
months before making their
final decision on the county’s
fiscal year 2019 budget.
In the meantime, DeKalb
officials are reviewing
proposals of what next year’s
budget may contain.
In the last board of
commissioners meeting of
the year, DeKalb County
CEO Michael Thurmond
presented highlights of the
fiscal year 2019 budget which
includes pay raises for county
employees, renovations to the
Manuel Maloof Building and a
child well-being improvement
program to help prevent
violence against youth in
DeKalb County.   budget will continue to provide
Thurmond said violence
DeKalb County commissioners will review a proposed budget for fiscal year 2019. The
budget includes investments in public safety
in the county is at a “crisis”
level. Thurmond said the 2019
resources for public safety
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 8
officials as well as fund youth
violence prevention programs.
“The toll of the [deaths]
are at such a level, that in the
media, we no longer count
the dead,” Thurmond said.
“Week in and week out we
continue to see senseless
violence, primarily related to
gun violence. Over the last two
years we have invested in our
police and in our public safety
system.”
In 2018, commissioners
approved a 4-percent raise for
public safety officials, costing
approximately $7.1 million.
The county also spent $8
million to purchase public
safety vehicles and emergency
equipment. The funding for the
vehicles and equipment was
generated from the one-cent
Special Purpose Local Sales
Tax (SPLOST) approved by
voters in November 2017.
Thurmond said the county
is committed to increasing
police presence on the streets
by hiring additional officers
but said, “you can’t arrest your
way out of this crisis.”
Thurmond also said the
proposed budget for 2019
will include a 3-percent raise
for all county employees who
did not receive a raise in Oct.
2018 and a minimum wage
adjustment to $15 for all
county employees.
“As it relates to the raise,
we have some of the most
hard-working, outstanding
dedicated and committed men
and women who come to work
every day for DeKalb County,”
Thurmond said.
The 2019 fiscal year budget
also includes funding for
$575,000 of renovations of
the Maloof building lobby to
improve security, comfort and
customer experience, DeKalb
officials said.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

School officials and The Atlanta Hawks representitives pose for a picture after Hawks players Kent
Bazemore, Vince Carter and Tyler Dorsey present eyeglasses to more than 60 kids in a special event at
Toney Elementary School in partnership with Vision To Learn Dec. 10. (DeKalb County School District Twitter
page)

A small child and a Chamblee police officer smile while participating in Chamblee’s second annual Shop
With A Cop event at a local Walmart Dec. 10.(City of Chamblee Twitter Page)

DeKalb County Fire and Rescue firefighters learn techniques on how to handle a high-rise building fire. Professional boxer Eric Moon, left, gets named the winner in the Buckhead Fight Club “The Underground
Showdown” main event bout against opponent Victor Derocha Dec. 8 in Brookhaven. Photo by Taylor Robins

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

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.

(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com

 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 10

AROUNDDEKALB
CHAMBLEE
Food drive to help
families in need
December 20 is the last
day to join Chamblee
Ace Hardware and
the Chamblee Police
department in collecting
non-perishable food to
be distributed to local
families in need. Food
items may be dropped off
at 5446 Peachtree Blvd.
CLARKSTON
Library to host African
jewelry making class
Clarkston Library
will host an African
jewelry making class
Jan. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Participants will create
Egyptian from an artistic
design that dates back
hundreds of years. The
class is open to the first
eight participants who
register. To register for the
class, visit the library—
located at 951 North
Indian Creek Drive—or
register online at www.
events.dekalblibrary.org/
event/1433263.
DECATUR
be discussed Jan. 2 at
Tucker-Reid H. Cofer
Library from 7 to 8 p.m.
Copies of the book will be
available at the circulation
desk on a first-come,
first-served basis. The
library is located at 5234
LaVista Road. For more
information, call (770)
270-8234.
STONE MOUNTAIN
Masonic Lodge to host
breakfast
The Stone Mountain
Masonic Lodge will host
its monthly breakfast Jan.
5 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. The
all one can eat breakfast
is $7. The lodge is located
at 840 VFW Drive. For
more information, www.
stonemountaincity.org.
TUCKER
Library to host book
discussion
The Witch of Portobello
by Paulo Coelho will be
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hearing on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at the
Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA 30341 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public comments regarding the following
matters:
discussed Jan. 2 at Tucker-
Reid H. Cofer Library from
7 to 8 p.m. Copies of the
book are available at the
circulation desk on a first-
come, first-served basis.
The library is located at
5234 LaVista Road. For
more information, call
(770) 270-8234.
COUNTYWIDE
Recreation Centers
hosting coat drive
DeKalb County
Department of
Recreation, Parks
& Cultural Affairs is
accepting new or gently
used coats for its first coat
drive until Dec. 21.
As the temperature
starts to drop, the
Department of Recreation
Parks & Cultural Affairs is
working to provide some
comfort to those in need.
Citizens are encouraged
to drop off coat donations
at one of DeKalb County's
recreational facilities
during normal operating
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
hours.
Locations to drop off
coats include Fire Rescue
Headquarters, Browns
Mill Recreation Center,
Exchange Recreation
Center, Gresham
Recreation Center,
Hamilton Recreation
Center, Lucious Sanders
Recreation Center, Mason
Mill Recreation Center,
Midway Recreation
Center, N.H. Scott
Recreation Center, Porter
Sanford III Performing Arts
& Community Center and
Tobie Grant Recreation
Center.
For more information,
contact LaShanda Davis
at (404) 371-3643.
DeKalb winter break
mini camp starts Dec. 24
DeKalb County
Recreation, Parks and
Cultural Affairs will offer
a Winter Break Day
Camp, Dec. 24 –31 and
Jan. 2-4, from 7 a.m. to 6
p.m. Camp will be closed
Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 in
observance of Christmas
and New Year’s Day. The
cost of the camp is $10
per day for children ages
5-12.
Each participant must
provide his or her own
breakfast, lunch and
snack. To register, visit
www.dekalbcountyga.
gov/parks and click the
“Register Online” button.
Residents can also register
in person at any of the
locations listed below:
For more information,
contact Terrance
Ramsey, at (404) 371-
6273 or tkramsey@
dekalbcountyga.gov.
Public Notice
City of Brookhaven
Pursuant to
O.C.G.A. § 28-1-14,
the City of
Brookhaven hereby
publishes notice that
it intends to seek local
legislation to amend
the Charter of the City
of Brookhaven during
the 2019 convening of
the Georgia General
Assembly.

Movie screening at the
library
Join Toco Hill-Avis G.
Williams Library on Dec.
21 for a screening of
the movie Crazy Rich
Asians at 1:30 p.m. Doors
open 15 minutes before
movie starts. Funding is
provided by the Friends
of the Toco Hill - Avis G.
Williams Library, located
at 1282 McConnell Drive.
Library to host book
discussion
The Witch of Portobello
by Paulo Coelho will
•PZ2018-369: Applicant: Vinh Nguyen, The V Development Company, Inc; Owner: Kimball E. Miller, Jr. requests approval
of a Development of Community Impact and associated variances from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A,
Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 250-2 for a reduction in the minimum number of parking spaces for a horizontally mixed-use
development. The property is located at 4970, 4974, 4976, and 4978 Buford Hwy, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18 297 02 015,
027, 022, 019, and zoned Corridor Commercial.
•PZ2018-390: Applicant: Samuel Haileselassie; Owner: Soang Lieu requests approval of a variance from the City of
Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 240-13(b)(23) to allow for a restaurant pro-
viding hookah to have less than 2,500 square feet of customer seating area. The property is located at 4186 Buford Hwy, being
DeKalb County tax parcel 18 244 05 007, and zoned Corridor Commercial (CC).
•PZ2018-391: Applicant and Owner: Sammy Jaraysi requests approval of a variance from the City of Chamblee Code of
Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 250-2(a)(4) to reduce the number of required parking spaces. The
property is located at 3711 Clairmont Rd, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18 244 03 013, and zoned Neighborhood Commercial 2
(NC-2).
•PZ2018-393: Applicant: John Mansour; Owner: Dresden Capital Partners LLC request approval of a Development of
Community Impact and associated variances from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development
Ordinance, Sec. 230-9 from sustainable certification requirements; Sec. 230-26(a)-(g) to vary the streetscape requirements; Sec.
230-27(a)(1) to use cementitious fiberboard lap siding on a building over three stories; Sec. 230-27(a)(2) to not provide the re-
quired fenestration; Sec. 230-27(e) to not provide a heat reflective roof; Sec. 230-27(g) to not provide direct sidewalk access from
the ground floor units; Section 230-28(a) to use non-combustible materials for construction; Sec. 240-13(b)(5)(b)(1) to not provide
two entrance/exit ways to the group floor that are separate from entrances/exits used by occupants or nonresidential portions of
the building; Sec. 240-13(b)(5)(b)(2) to not provide a primary entrance for the residential portion of the building to be clearly visible
from the street and face the street; Sec. 250-2 to provide parking spaces in excess of 110% of the required number of parking
spaces; Sec. 230-6(c)(1)(a) to allow a front yard fence to be taller than four feet in height; Sec. 230-6(c)(1)(b) to allow a fence in
the front yard to be less than 50% transparent. The property is located at 300, 3074, 3076, 3078, 3080, 3082, 3084, 3086, 3088,
3090, 3092, 3094, 3096, 3098, 3100, 3106, 3108, 3110, 3112, 3114, 3116, 3118, 3120, 3122,and 3124 Quantum Ln, being DeKalb
County tax parcel 18 282 19 062, 019, 020, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 026, 027, 028, 029, 030, 049, 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 055,
056, 057, 058, 059, 060 and zoned Village Residential (VR).
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 11

DUNWOODY Continued From Page 7

spectrum for everyone [who]
lives here, works here, plays
here and does anything else
here,” Shortal said.
During an interview with
The Champion Newspaper,
Shortal─who has been the
city’s mayor since 2016─
discussed the city’s biggest
accomplishments. As the top
accomplishment, Shortal lists
Dunwoody becoming a city.
The process of Dunwoody’s
to be proud of for the city,
according to Shortal. The city
has budgeted $20 million for
city road repaving. In 10 years,
the city has paved 50 percent
of Dunwoody’s roads with a
20-year paving cycle.
“As soon as we get all the
roads repaved were going
to just start repaving again,”
Shortal said.
The city has spent $4
million on 10 miles of
all about here.” are getting a piece of the spectrum, I think we’re doing a
Shortal said the only debt pie. Everybody should feel darn good job.”
the city has is the city hall that they belong here and The city’s original
building mortgage. Dunwoody that they’re important here,” anniversary celebration
also has a four-month Shortal said. “Everybody date in early December was
operating reserve in case of an needs something and if we rescheduled for spring 2019.
emergency. can provide a little bit of that However, the city held a cake
“We want to ensure that to everybody and enhance cutting ceremony to celebrate
everybody feels that they the quality of life across the the city’s milestone Dec. 10
CITY OF DECATUR BOARD OF EDUCATION

incorporation took three years. sidewalks in the city to provide SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES OF
SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROCEEDS
“When you fail a couple of safe routes to school with FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2018

times, it’s nice to win,” Shortal sidewalks at least on one side

said about becoming a city. of major thoroughfares.
2012 Issue

On July 16, 2008, “I think our

AMOUNT AMOUNT TOTAL
ORIGINAL CURRENT EXPENDED EXPENDED AMOUNT

Dunwoody received an 82 accomplishments can be PROJECT

ESTIMATED
COST
ESTIMATED
COSTS
IN CURRENT
YEAR
IN PRIOR
YEARS
EXPENDED
TO DATE
PROJECT
STATUS

percent cityhood vote from unlimited,” Shortal said. To demolish existing structures or portions thereof at
Renfroe Middle School and to design, acquire, construct,
$ 960,000 $ 1,114,451 $ $ 1,114,451 $ 1,114,451 Closed

its residents, making that day
Dunwoody’s Independence
Day. According to Shortal, the
city had the largest July 4th
“What we want to do is
maintain the fact that we
are a city and we’re getting
bigger─48,000 citizens
renovate, modify, add to, repair, replace, improve, and equip
Renfroe Middle School and the surrounding green space,
including the conversion of the area formerly used as a
gymnasium for use as classrooms.
Acquisition of facilities leased by the City Schools of Decatur, 4,415,000 5,119,891 5,119,891 5,119,891 Closed
including the College Heights Early Learning Center and the 4-5

parade in the state that year. now. We want to still have a

Academy at Fifth Avenue, as not existing and as hereafter
improved.

“It feels great [to make close small town feel where To acquire, design, construct, renovate, modify, add to,

it to 10 years],” the mayor everybody kind of knows repair, replace, demolish all or a portion of, improve and equip
existing school buildings and other buildings and facilities,

said. “Looking at the big people and your elected including green space, useful or desirable in connection
there within, including:
picture, I think the citizens are official lives right around the 4-5 Academy at Fifth Avenue
Oakhurst Elementary School
2,355,000
2,990,116
3,475,680
2,954,114
3,475,680
2,954,114
3,475,680
2,954,114
Closed
Closed
proud that we became a city corner.” Westchester Elementary School
Glennwood Elementary School
1,300,000
30,000
951,683
20,575
-2,062 951,683
20,575
949,621
20,575
Closed
Closed
and that’s the key thing─the Other accomplishments Decatur High School 671,355 671,355 671,355 Closed

citizens are the key to our in Dunwoody’s 10 years

Various School Improvements 217,997 217,997 217,997 Closed

city.” of cityhood include having

To acquire, including but not limited to, through lease-purchase, 43,000 43,000 43,000 Closed
construct and equip new school buildings and other buildings or

Automated external a tax millage rate of 1.74 facilities useful or desirable in connection therewith, including
acquiring real estate for new school buildings.

defibrillator and NARCAN mills─the lowest tax rate in the To acquire computers or similar technology for the use of 200,000 192,090 192,090 192,090 Closed

nasal sprays that are now metropolitan area, according students and staff in and outside of the classroom.

installed in police cars to Shortal. Creating a bond To acquire school buses, school-related vehicles and other
transportation equipment.
59,109 59,109 59,109 Closed

also made Shortal’s list of with surrounding cities and School improvement and maintenance projects throughout 2,000,000 1,595,126 1,595,126 1,595,126 Closed
Dunwoody accomplishments. spending $17 million on park the City Schools of Decatur, including but not limited to,

Dunwoody police were trained enhancements and three new

HVAC renovations, repairs and replacements; roofing repairs
and replacements; electrical repairs, renovations and

this year on how to use the parks were also on Shortal’s upgrades, including but not limited to cost-saving energy
efficiency capital projects; boiler renovations, repairs and

nasal spray. According to the list. upgrades; and other similar capital improvements.

mayor, the AEDs have saved “I think one of the biggest To acquire, including, but not limited to, through lease-purchase,
design, construct and equip a new Central Office for the City
3,015,000 1,110,270 1,110,270 1,110,270 Closed

seven lives and NARCAN things we’ve accomplished Schools of Decatur, including parking.

nasal sprays have saved 14 here is enhancing the quality Debt Service on intergovernmental payable to the City of Decatur
for general obligation sales tax notes
850,000 5,802,032 1,863,250 3,943,632 5,806,882 Closed

lives since being put in use. of life of our citizens. And that
Road repaving and sounds like a big term,” said
sidewalks are accomplishments the mayor. “That’s what we’re
$ 18,115,116 $ 23,327,373 $ 1,963,297 $ 21,366,864 $ 23,330,161

2017 Issue

AMOUNT AMOUNT TOTAL

ORIGINAL CURRENT EXPENDED EXPENDED AMOUNT
ESTIMATED ESTIMATED IN CURRENT IN PRIOR EXPENDED PROJECT
PROJECT COST COSTS YEAR YEARS TO DATE STATUS

STONE MOUNTAIN Acquisition of facilities leased by the City Schools of Decatur,

including the College Heights Early Learning Center, the 4-5
Academy at Fifth Avenue, Clairemont Elementary School,
$ 9,655,813 $ 9,655,813 $ 1,945,568 $ $ 1,945,568 6/30/2022

Glennwood Elementary School, and Oakhurst Elementary

School as now existing and as hereafter improved.

Body of woman found on

To acquire, design, construct, renovate, modify, add to, 2,750,000 2,750,000 36,517 36,517 6/30/2022
repair, replace, demolish all or a portion of, improve and equip
existing and new school buildings and sites and other existing
and new buildings and facilities, including greenspace, useful or
desirable in connection including therewith, including, but not
limited to, Clairemont Elementary School, College Heights Early

walking trail identified

Childhood Learning Center, Decatur High School, the 4-5 Academy
at Fifth Avenue, Glennwood Elementary School, Oakhurst
Elementary School, Renfroe Middle School, Westchester
Elementary School, Winnona Park Elementary School and a
Central Office.

DeKalb County Police have identified a woman who was
To acquire, including but not limited to, through lease-purchase, 1,250,000 1,250,000 6/30/2022
construct and equip new school buildings, early learning center
buildings and other buildings or facilities useful or desirable in
connection therewith, including acquiring real estate for new
school buildings.

found dead on a walking trail near downtown Stone Mountain. To acquire and install system-wide technology and information 1,550,000 1,550,000 117,026 117,026.00 6/30/2022

The victim was 24-year-old Shantrelle Monroe. DeKalb systems, hardware, and infrastructure at all schools and other
school system facilities.

police spokesperson Sgt. J. D. Spencer said officers received To acquire computers or similar technology for the use of 3,200,000 3,200,000 411,917 411,917 6/30/2022

a call Dec. 12 around 3:45 p.m. reporting a deceased woman students and staff in and outside of the classroom.

laying on a walking trail. To acquire school buses, school-related vehicles and other
transportation equipment.
562,500 562,500 87,400 87,400 6/30/2022

Spencer said three people were walking on the trail in the School improvement and maintenance projects throughout 2,500,000 2,500,000 6/30/2022
rear of the Mainstreet Park subdivision’s playground when they the City Schools of Decatur, including but not limited to,
HVAC renovations, repairs and replacements; roofing repairs
saw the body. and replacements; electrical repairs, renovations and

“Through an investigation it was determined that [Monroe]

upgrades, including but not limited to cost-saving energy
efficiency capital projects; boiler renovations, repairs and

was shot on the trail,” Spencer said. upgrades; and other similar capital improvements.

Investigators are still working to identity a suspect or suspects To acquire, including, but not limited to, through lease-purchase,
design, construct and equip a new Central Office for the City
1,996,550 1,996,550 400,400 400,400 6/30/2022

and to determine a motive, according to Spencer. Schools of Decatur, including parking.

$ 23,464,863 $ 23,464,863 $ 2,998,828 $ 0 $ 2,998,828

EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 12

Education Briefs
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com

Three DCSD students earn $1,000 scholarships

Three DeKalb County School District (DCSD)

City Schools of Decatur elementary schools make Niche’s top 100 list, including WInnona Park Elementary School, pictured.
CSD elementary schools among top in state
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Niche, a school ranking site,
recently released its pick for the
top 100 elementary schools for
2019 in Georgia and familiar
local schools made the list.
All six City Schools of
Decatur school district
elementary schools made the
list.
According to Niche’s
website, “the 2019 Best Public
Elementary Schools ranking
is based on rigorous analysis
of key statistics and millions
of reviews from students and
parents using data from the
U.S. Department of Education.
Ranking factors include state
test scores, student-teacher
ratio, student diversity, teacher
quality, grade school ratings,
and the overall quality of the
school district.”
4/5 Academy at Fifth
Avenue ranked 18th, New
Glennwood ranked 20th,
Clairemont ranked 26th,
Winnona Park ranked 33rd,
Westchester ranked 45th and
Oakhurst ranked 56th on the
online list.
“I am proud of the hard
work that we put in and the
hard work that the teachers
put in every day,” said Ruth
Scott, Winnona Park interim
principal. “I’m glad to be a part
of an amazing school system.”
According to Scott, the
relationships among students,
teachers and staff of Winnona
Park is what make the school
great.
“Students know that they are
loved and cared and know that
they are coming to a safe space
[where they] are really able
to grow and learn,” Scott said
about relationships. Scott has
been with the school for eight
years, taking on the principal
role in 2017.
Kristy Beam, principal
of Glennwood Elementary, is
currently in her first year of
serving as principal.
Beam sites City Schools of
Decatur’s “small and intimate
setting” as a reason she chose
CSD over a larger district.
“It makes such a difference
to have that environment
where we can get them excited
about learning and build those
relationships,” Beam said.
“I’m very excited,” said Beam
about Glennwood making the
list. “It’s very well deserved.”
To Beam, being placed on
the list provides an opportunity
to give the Glennwood teachers
more recognition.
“It’s such a community feel
[at Glennwood],” Beam said.
“The teachers are so willing
to do whatever it takes to go
above and beyond for their
student’s success. The parents
are so supportive. It’s very much
a family environment and a
respectful and nurturing place
for the children. It’s really a
great place to be.”
Beam is confident that
Glennwood will remain on
the list because the staff there
is focused on “continual
improvement.”
“We always talk about how
we can do more and how our
students achieve more,” Beam
said. “WE want to make sure
that each student is getting a
rich classroom environment
plus the support that they need.
We are always focused on that.”
The list of Georgia’s top
elementary schools can be
found at https://www.niche.
com/k12/search/best-public-
elementary-schools/s/georgia/.
students have each earned $1,000 in scholarships
thanks to a metro Atlanta nonprofit.
Stephenson High senior Whitney McNair, Arabia
Mountain High senior Timothy Washington and
Southwest DeKalb High senior Ablavi Woeledji
each earned $1,000 as part of Live Healthy & Thrive
Youth Foundation’s annual Pinnacle Youth Scholarship
program.
The three DCSD students were honored at Live
Healthy & Thrive’s annual Pinnacle Awards &
Scholarship Gala at Georgia Piedmont Technical
College Dec. 1.
DeKalb schools recognized for performance and
academic gains
Eight schools in the DeKalb County School
District have earned platinum, gold, silver or bronze
distinction by the Governor Office’s Single Statewide
Accountability System (SSAS) Awards Program.
The awards, developed by the Governor’s Office of
Student Achievement and approved by the State Board
of Education are part of Georgia’s Single Statewide
Accountability System. Highest Performing schools
must earn a three-year average College and Career
Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) Achievement
Score that ranks in at least the 93rd percentile.
DeKalb Early College Academy and Kittredge
Magnet School both received gold awards and Laurel
Ridge Elementary School received the bronze Great
Gains Award.
Austin Elementary School and Kittredge Magnet
School received platinum awards, Vanderlyn
Elementary School and DeKalb Early College
Academy received gold awards, Ashford Park
Elementary School, DeKalb School of the Arts and
Dunwoody Elementary School received the silver
awards.

DeKalb County School District
Projects Constructed with E‐SPLOST V Sales Tax Proceeds
Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017 ‐ June 30, 2018)
Expenditures1 Excess 
FY 2018           FY 2018             Current Fiscal Year  Proceeds  Estimated 
Original Estimated  Current Estimated  Prior Years (June  (July 1, 2017 ‐ June  Not  Completion 
2017 Sales Tax ‐ Authorized Projects Cost Cost 30, 2017 or earlier) 30, 2018) Total Expended Date
1.       Safety and Security Improvements $12,872,000.00 $12,872,000.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Sep 2024
2.       New Facilities and Additions $298,180,000.00 $298,180,000.00 $15,681,611.16 $8,110,123.79 $23,791,734.95 $0.00 May 2023
3.       Facility Condition Improvements $96,948,000.00 $96,948,000.00 $0.00 $1,045,287.66 $1,045,287.66 $0.00 May 2024
4.       Technology Improvements $65,000,000.00 $65,000,000.00 $6,372,238.18 $22,957,013.75 $29,329,251.93 $0.00 Jan 2023
5.       Buses, Vehicles, and Other Capital Equipment $40,000,000.00 $40,075,000.00 $1,921,627.65 $12,433,526.30 $14,355,153.95 $0.00 Aug 2022
6.       Management Support and Program Contingency2 $48,000,000.00 $187,925,000.00 $303,138.74 $7,477,160.92 $7,780,299.66 $0.00 Sep 2024
         All Projects $561,000,000.00 $701,000,000.00 $24,278,615.73 $52,023,112.42 $76,301,728.15 $0.00
In compliance with O.C.G.A. 48‐8‐122 and O.C.G.A. 48‐8‐141
1 ‐ Total expenditures as presented in this E‐SPLOST report will differ from the annual financial audit report due to timing differences not included in this E‐SPLOST expenditures report, 
relative to contracts payable, retainage payable, and accounts payable.
2 ‐ Current estimated revenues increase from $561 million to $701 million by the increase of $140 million in bond revenues for partial program financing.
BUSINESS
DECATUR
Whole Food’s 365 concept comes to Decatur
BY KATHY MITCHELL
Freelance Reporter
When the Decatur
Whole Foods Market 365
opened Dec. 12 it quickly
filled with shoppers as it—
along with the Buckhead
store that opened the same
day—became the 11th and
12th stores nationwide to
open under the grocer’s 365
concept. The Decatur store
is one of the anchors for the
new North Decatur Square
shopping plaza at North
Decatur Road and Church
Street.
In a news release, Whole
Foods describes the Whole
Foods Market 365 concept
as offering “exceptional
value and unique products
in a fun and convenient new
format that makes healthy
living easy and affordable,
all while maintaining Whole
Foods Market’s rigorous
quality standards including
no artificial flavors, colors,
sweeteners or preservatives,
as well as no hydrogenated
fats and no high-fructose
corn syrup. the very best
quality food at low prices.”
Whole Foods, founded
in 1980, has always focused
on serving health-conscious
shoppers; the 365 stores
provide such food at popular
prices, according to Jeff
Garrison, a partner along
with developer S.T. Collins
in the new 35,000-square-
foot store.
A news release describes
the 365 brand as offering
“products that range from
kitchen staples to seasonal
favorites and the latest
culinary trends at affordable
prices without sacrificing
quality.”
Every Whole Foods is
unique, and the Decatur
store has features shopper
won’t find at any other place,
Garrison said, pointing
out the 5,000-square-foot
mezzanine that offers a
bird’s eye view of the store
and houses Pour on Ponce,
a dining area that offers
quick serve foods and
beverages, including locally
and nationally sourced beer,
Visit us online @
TheChampionNewspaper.com
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 13
wine and cider, a free arcade
and access to an outside
park area.
“We’re licensed to allow
patrons to take their beer
and wine purchases outside
to the park area,” Garrison
said. He called the wi-fi
equipped mezzanine area a
great place to get away from
a home office, have a meal
or a snack and continue
working. “It’s defiantly more
than a grocery store. We
sometimes use the term
‘grocerteria’ to define it.” In
addition to the mezzanine
food area, there is a cafeteria
on the main level along with
hot pizza and other ready-
to-eat foods. “If someone
wants to get a pizza
downstairs and bring it up
here and have a beer with it,
that’s fine,” he noted.
Garrison said the health-
conscious Decatur area is
an ideal location for the Jeff Garrison visits the new Whole Foods Market 365’s mezzanine, from which visitors can get a bird’s eye view of the store.
new Whole Foods Market
365. “There’s easy access for
people who live in Tucker,
Stone Mountain and, of
course, Decatur. It’s a great
amenity for the people who
live in the apartment and
condo complexes that have
recently gone up in this
area. I have a friend who
works at DeKalb Medical
Center and eats paleo. Here
she can find a wide variety
of foods that fit her diet.
There also are many choices
for people who are on a
vegan or gluten-free diet
or who prefer to limit their
carbohydrate intake.
Along with traditional
grocery items, the new
store offers a wide variety of
“grab and go” items—both
ready-to-eat and dishes
that only require warming.
“This place is ideal for busy
families that also want to eat The new Whole Foods Market 365 is an anchor store of the new North Decatur Square shopping center at Church Street and North
well,” Garrison said. Decatur Road.
North Decatur Square,
he pointed out, has several and dragon fruit bowls,
restaurants and businesses nut-based yogurt, plant-
focused on supporting CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
based salads, as well as PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
healthful lifestyles. cleanses made with organic
Whole Foods is and local ingredients and
scheduled to soon open The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice that a
Loteria Grill, a Mexican Public Hearing will be held to receive public comment
two stores within the store: cuisine-focused restaurant on a Text Amendment application to Appendix A,
Atlanta-based dtox juice with vegetarian, vegan and Zoning, Article V. District Regulations, Sec. 5-8. – Office
with a menu of juices, gluten-free options. Professional Institutional District of the City of Stone
smoothies, acai, matcha Mountain Code of Ordinances for the property located
at 6804 James B Rivers Memorial Dr, Stone Mountain,
Parcel #18-126-07-012.
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hearing
on this matter on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at City Hall
located at 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA at 6:30
P.M. Anyone wishing to attend the public hearing may do
so and be heard relative thereto.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 14

FOOTBALL

Sprinter Brian Herron signed with the University of Southern California. Photos provided

SAINTS CAME MARCHING IN!

Last second touchdown clinches
second state title for Cedar Grove
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The Cedar Grove Saints won the
Class AAA football state championship
game in memorable fashion.
With 10 seconds left in the game, the
Saints were down 13-7 to Peach County
and facing a third-and-goal at the 22
yard line. Senior quarterback Kendall
Boney found senior wide receiver Jadon
Haselwood in the middle of the field
sprinting toward the end-zone and
connected with him for a touchdown to
tie the game at 13-13 with four seconds
remaining.
The extra point by Luis Dominguez
gave the Saints a 14-13 lead. On the
following kickoff, Dominguez kicked
a line drive 58 yards and was picked
up by Peach County’s TiJah Woolfolk.
Woolfolk tried to make something
miraculous happen, but the Saints forced
him out of bounds and clinched their
second state title in three seasons.
Before the winning touchdown,
Cedar Grove found itself in a bind.
Running back Robert Jones set up first-
and-goal at the seven yard line after a
19-yard run with 1:30 remaining. On the
next play, the Saints were flagged for a
false start, which pushed them back five
yards.
On the next play, Boney’s pass
attempt to Haselwood in the back corner
of the end-zone was batted down. Boney
then tried to run for yardage on the
following play but was tackled at the line
of scrimmage.
The situation got worst for the Saints
after the offensive line was penalized on
back-to-back plays for jumping early.
Cedar Grove coach Jermaine Smith said
he told his players, before the winning
touchdown, to keep fighting.
“I said, ‘This is nothing for us.’ I
said, ‘This is not pressure. This is an
opportunity to show what we’re made
of.’ There is no such thing as pressure; it’s
just an opportunity,” Smith said. “So, our
guys understood that.”
The pressure didn’t get to the
Saints on that last play as the offensive
line blocked the team’s opponent long
enough for Boney to find Haselwood in
the end zone.
Boney said he told his teammates in
the huddle to stay calm.
“It was loud, and they couldn’t hear,
but I just told them that I got their backs,
just trust me,” Boney said. “And we won.”
Haselwood said he told Boney before
the play to throw him the ball.
“I only touched the ball twice the
whole game, and that was the second
time I touched it,” Haselwood said. “I’m
not a selfish player—all I want to do is
win—but at that moment I knew I could
[help us win]. God made it happen.”
All season, Cedar Grove dominated
games offensively, averaging 44.1 points
and 385.6 yards a game. However, the
Saints struggled to get anything going
offensively. Peach County out-gained
Cedar Grove in offensive yards 195 to
241.
Smith said the struggles started at
the line of scrimmage for them.
“Up front, we didn’t play our best
game,” Smith said. “[Peach County] did
a great job up front. Their coach had
a great scheme, but I knew if we kept
fighting then we’ll be Ok. The defense

SEE TITLE ON PAGE 15

SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 15

TRACK & FIELD

TITLE
Continued From Page 14

played well, and they kept fighting. The only

thing that surprised me were the penalties.
Cedar Grove was penalized 12 times for
84 yards.
After a scoreless first quarter, Peach
County took a 3-0 lead before half time with a
48-yard field goal by Rene Galan.
Midway through the third quarter, it took
two plays for the Saints to get in the end-
zone. A 41-yard pass from Boney to Montre
Monfort set up a 12-yard touchdown run by
Boney. Dominguez’s extra point kick gave the
Saints a 7-3 lead.
Peach County responded with a 12-play,
53-yard drive that led to a 2-yard run by
Noah Whittington, giving the Trojans a 10-7
lead late in the third quarter. The Trojans
went up 13-7 with four minutes remaining
in the game after a 30-yard field goal by
Galan, before the Saints scored the winning
touchdown.
Cedar Grove captains held a banner
honoring fallen former teammate Trevon
Richardson as they accepted the state title
trophy. Richardson was gunned down four
days after graduating from Cedar Grove
last May. He was a member of the 2016
state championship team. Haselwood wore
Richardson’s no. 11 jersey instead of his no. 2
Sprinter Brian Herron signed with the University of Southern California. Photos provided jersey in honor of his fallen teammate.
Smith said he knew his team would have a

Brian Herron signs with USC
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Lakeside High School track
and field standout Brian Herron is
headed to the University of Southern
California.
Herron signed his letter of
intent to USC Dec. 11 at a signing
day ceremony at Lakeside. Herron
originally announced his decision
Nov. 17 on social media.
Herron is considered the no.
1-ranked nationally recruit in the
2019 class. According to MileSplit
USA, the senior holds the indoor
personal record in the 200-meter
(20.95), a national record in the
300-meter (32.64) and 400-meter
(46.31).
Herron won a silver medal
his freshman year at the Class
AAAAAAA state meet in the
400-meter dash and finished second
during his sophomore season in the
400 as well as in the 200-meter.
In 2017, Herron was a part of
the US men's 4×400-meter relay
team that broke the world U20
great season after the way they responded to
Richardson’s tragic death.
“They took that situation and didn’t
dwell on it and keep their head down,” he
said. “They used it as an opportunity [to] do
record at the Pan-American U20
this for him and compete for him and his
Championships in Trujillo, Peru. He
mom. His mom came to us and told us that
was named the Most Outstanding
everything was going to be all right and keep
Male Track Athlete in metro Atlanta
doing what we do. That was the big difference
by the Atlanta Track Club in 2017.
for us.”
Herron decided to not run for
Lakeside his junior season but
ran unattached for his track club,
Flight400, under coach Andre
Oliver. His only race last season
was the USATF Junior Outdoor
Championships in June where
he placed ninth in the 400-meter
(47.10).

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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018 • Page 16