LOCAL: Local teen invited to state of the union address| Page 2 LOCAL: Clean Cargo to keep students fresh

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the DeKalb FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • VOL. 24, NO 2 • 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

Tucker
butterfly
garden
readies
for spring
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com

F
or 11 years, Tucker Butterfly Garden has
been a habitat for the complete life cycle of
southeastern butterflies.
Located in front of Tucker Recreation Center,
the butterfly garden was established in April 2008 as a
project by Georgia Master Gardeners in DeKalb County to
educate visitors on butterflies and the plants that support
them.
“Butterflies are around us all of the time during the
season,” said garden co-leader Daniel Niccum. “So, it’s
just a place where we can attract them. We put plants in
there that will attract butterflies.”
Plants in the garden include pipevines, which attract
swallowtail butterflies, and milkweed, a plant that attracts
monarch butterflies.
“All of these butterflies migrate to the garden to feed
off of the plants to get the nectar from the plants,” master
gardener Libby Houze said.
The plants within the garden are labeled with their
botanical and common name. The garden also features
educational signage to provide information on butterfly life
cycles to help make the garden educational for visitors.
“[Visitors] can learn about butterflies [in the garden],”
Niccum said. “During the summer, people can come
out and just sit in the garden. We have sitting [areas]
where butterflies are always around you. We see people
a lot of times out there reading when it’s a nice day. It’s
an educational garden. This is a place where we can do
demonstrations; we’ll be there to answer questions.”
Houze said she became a butterfly enthusiast because
insects are important.
“We do need insects as pollinators because they
pollinate not only flowers, but also vegetables,” she said.
“It’s a pollinated garden so it also attracts bees, but we just
named it the Tucker Butterfly garden because it was mainly

SEE GARDEN ON PAGE 6

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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 2

DECATUR

Local teen invited to State of the Union Address

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN “Keystone got me started in
horace@dekalbchamp.com leadership roles, competing in
sports and community service
such as feeding the homeless
Decatur native and DeKalb and making care packages,”
School of the Arts graduate Seals said.
Cory Seals, 18, said it was Seals was also honored
an honor to be chosen as a with the 2018 Youth of the
special guest of Senator David Year runner up award for
Perdue to attend the State of metro Atlanta. Seals said the
the Union Address Feb. 5. club gave him a confidence
Seals, an advocate for adult boost to pursue a career in the
literacy, said he remembers arts.
watching the State of the “Attending the Keystone
Union Address as a child with Conference for all of the Girls
his parents. and Boys Club leaders like
This year, Seals had an myself is a part of what made
opportunity to meet with me consider being [Perdue’s]
From left, U.S. Senator David Perdue, Decatur native Cory Seals, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and U.S. Senator Johnny guest,” Seals said. “We will be
lawmakers and had a front-row Isakson.
seat as Perdue’s only guest for the next leaders and we have
the address. Senate Office Building before “It’s definitely important government officials.” to know and understand what’s
“I think it’s such an honor the address. He also met to get involved when you look Seals said he developed going on in our community.”
to have been chosen,” Seals Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance at the political state of our his knack for leadership at the Seals currently attends
said. “It’s definitely amazing to Bottoms and Senator Johnny country,” Seals said. “Once Samuel L. Jones Boys and the University of the Arts
me that I stuck out enough for Isakson. you get informed, the next Girls Club in Decatur. Seals in Philadelphia and studies
Perdue to consider me.” Seals said it’s never too step is action. There is a lot of joined the club in the fourth directing, playwright and
Seals was introduced to early for teens to become strength in local government grade and become involved in production with a minor in
Perdue’s staff at the Russell involved in local politics. and contacting your local the program’s Keystone Club. musical theater.
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 3

BROOKHAVEN

Smash Mouth to headline Cherry Blossom Festival

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Smash Mouth fans at this year’s Cherry
Blossom Festival will be in for a treat, as
Brookhaven recently announced that the
popular band will headline the March 30-31
festival.
Smash Mouth will perform at the event
March 30 with the Spin Doctors and Grammy-
award winning band The Wallflowers will
appear March 31. The Romantics will also
perform during weekend festivities. Admission
to the festival is free.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with our
partnership with Live Nation in booking these
premier bands,” said Brookhaven Mayor John
Ernst. “I know I’m excited about this line-up,
and I encourage the community to come out
and enjoy two great days of live music.”
The festival will be located at 3493 Ashford
Dunwoody Road in Brookhaven and starts at
10 a.m. each day.
Smash Mouth is known for the group’s
single “All Star” and “I’m a Believer,” which
was featured on the Shrek movie soundtrack.
The Wallflowers are known for singles “One
Headlight” and “6th Avenue Heartache.”
“This stellar lineup is proof that the city’s
marquee event just gets bigger and better
every year,” said Brookhaven District 1
Councilwoman Linley Jones. “I can’t wait for
more great announcements regarding the music
lineup in the days to come.”
Art, food and drink will be available for
purchase during the festival.
Prior to the festival, Brookhaven will host a
Cherry Blossom Festival 5K March 23, starting
at 7:30 a.m.
The run is a fundraiser for Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta and also serves as a 2019
Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Visit active.com Smash Mouth will be headlining Brookhaven’s Cherry Blossom Festival. (Photo
to register for the event. provided by the city of Brookhaven)

BROOKHAVEN TUCKER

City allocates funds for

road resurfacing projects
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Several roads in Tucker will be resurfaced this spring.
Tucker City Council voted Feb. 11 during its regular
meeting to allocate $2.3 million to resurface additional
roads. The project is a continuation of the city’s SPLOST-
funded resurfacing efforts which started last year with 21
streets being resurfaced, according to the city.
According to city officials, city engineer Ken
Hildebrandt told the city council about a plan for a
Brookhaven has purchased a former QuickTrip building and property to house emergency medical equipment and personnel. spring resurfacing push that will cover 24 streets.
According to Hildebrandt, $1.2 million of the $2.3
million is a combination of money left over from the 2018

City hopes to improve emergency response resurfacings and “higher-than-expected revenues.”

In addition to the $1.2 million, the city was able to
transfer $1.1 million from the insurance premium tax in

time with renovated QuikTrip building

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Brookhaven city council
voted unanimously to spend
$179,262 toward renovations
to a former QuikTrip to
improve emergency response
times Feb. 12.
The building, located at
3292 Buford Highway in
Brookhaven, will be renovated
to house three ambulances
and 3,300 square feet of
space that will be used by
American Medical Response
personnel for parking and
office use, according to the
intergovernmental agreement
that the city entered into with
DeKalb County.
Under an agreement made
Nov. 13, the county will lease
the building from Brookhaven
because the city does not
have its own emergency
medical service. Brookhaven
previously did not have
ambulances stationed within
city limits.
The purchase of the land
and placement of ambulances
within the city is an effort to
improve response times for
residents, according to city
officials.
The site of the former gas
station and convenience store
was purchased by Brookhaven
for $1.7 million Oct. 23,
according to city officials.
The renovation costs will
be covered through DeKalb
County leasing the property
from Brookhaven, with the
city paying the cost upfront.
The lease will begin Nov.
1, 2019 and end Oct. 31, 2023.
The county will pay the city a
maximum of 60 payments in
the amount of $3,000 for each
month of use, according to the
agreement.
the city manager’s budget to the resurfacing program,
which would help reduce the annual recommendation of
$4 million from the fiscal year 2020 budget request to
$2.2 million, according to city officials.
The roads on the resurfacing project list are:
- N. Park Drive from Chamblee-Tucker Road to Pine
Lake Road;
- Brockett Oaks starting at Brockett Road;
- Applegate Way starting at Fellowship Road;
- Hylaea Road starting at Lavista Road;
- Silver Hill Court starting at Silver Hill Road;
- Livsey Drive from Briarglade Way to Livsey Walk;
- Brookside Manor Drive from Idlewood Road to
Brookside Manor Court;
- Cardinal Drive starting at Henderson Road;
- Cardinal Way from Cardinal Drive to Wood Creek
Court;
- Cardinal Court starting at Cardinal Way; and
- Wood Creek Court starting at Midvale Road.
OPINION
Plenty to crow about surrounding lackluster Super Bowl
I am among those who believe that
Super Bowl LIII was spectacularly less
than super. The lowest scoring game
in Super Bowl history was a snoozer
that did little for those of us who were
hyped for a true gridiron slugfest.
Despite disappointment in the
contest, there’s still plenty to cheer
about, including Atlanta rising to
the occasion and hosting a flawless
event that drew an estimated one
million visitors. There were no major
security issues thanks to the multi-
agency collaboration and coordination
of law enforcement and homeland
security. Atlanta leaders understood
the importance of handling this event
in the best ways possible and making
it a priority so nothing would be
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#ItsInTheChampion
Gale Horton Gay
fastgale@hotmail.com
overlooked.
Sports fans were treated to a heavy
dose of Southern hospitality and a
plethora of entertainment options
ranging from ticketed events such
as the NFL Experience at Georgia
World Congress Center and night after
night of free musical performances at
Centennial Olympic Park.
It shouldn’t be overlooked
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 4
that Georgia schools produced an
exceptional number of athletes who
were part of the teams that faced off
at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Nine players attended high school or
college in Georgia including rookie
running back Sony Michel, who scored
the only Super Bowl touchdown for the
Patriots, and Rams tight end Gerald
Everett, who graduated from Columbia
High School in Decatur. These players
attended Georgia Military College,
University of Georgia, Georgia Tech
and Georgia State. The achievement of
these individuals should remind us of
the importance of supporting our youth.
One never knows where potential can
take children if they are given support
during the formative years.
Thousands of locals—10,000—
served as volunteers for the big
game and readily gave up their time
for interviews months in advance,
training weeks ahead of time and took
on assignments as greeters, escorts,
guides, crowd managers and so much
more. Volunteers rarely get the credit
they deserve in helping to make events
as monumental as the Super Bowl
a success but their involvement and
enthusiasm are pivotal.
I’m proud of how Atlanta shined
before, during and after Super
Bowl LIII. Our people made it an
experience that those who attended and
participated in won’t soon forget.
OPINION
The summertime highlights of
my childhood were often spent
on the beaches of Jekyll Island. In
addition to hundreds of sand castles,
thousands of miles of beach walks
and bike rides, my family has very
strong and singular memories of
assisting sea turtles. During evening
beach walks we would often note
sea turtle mamas depositing their
eggs near the sea wall or struggling
to make their way back out to sea.
Nearing five decades later, I am
thrilled to know that a corps of
volunteers now mark and protect
those baby turtle eggs and nests,
and the work of Jekyll Island’s
Georgia Sea Turtle Center is known
nationwide.  population growth. Traditional
There are state and federal laws
protecting these endangered turtles
and their offspring, including
regulating beachfront lighting by
kilowatt and brightness, as well as
the hours that artificial light can
shine toward the beach, potentially
blinding or causing misdirection of
a mother sea turtle during nesting
season.  natural death than we are bringing
Georgia and other states also
have strong statutes against leaving
animals in a closed vehicle, as
well as protections against other
potential kinds of animal abuse.
Our General Assembly just passed a
statute giving limited protection to
individuals breaking into vehicles
they do not own to free or give air/
relief to an enclosed dog or pet.  Democratic Party that would have
 And yet, at the same time many
states give limited, or almost no,
protection to the rights of our own
unborn children. In many respects,
endangered sea turtles are being
given greater priority than the
survival of our own species.
I do not consider myself to be
pro-life. I support safe and legal
access to abortion under limited
circumstances. I would oppose
overturning both Roe vs. Wade
(despite its flawed legal reasoning),
and Casey vs. Planned Parenthood,
the now more relevant Supreme
Court decision on reproductive
rights regulation by the states made
FREEPRESS
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 5
Sea turtles, see babies
few moments of stunned silence.  with numerous medical challenges.
I’m not suggesting abortion  If you have ever met or seen one
‘One Man’s should be banned. In addition to of those miracle babies, you would
Opinion’ allowances for rape, incest or threats
to the health and life of the mother,
likely better appreciate extending
to them at least some of the same
Bill Crane there are other circumstances, protections we give to baby sea
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
including more severe birth defects turtles, placing at least as much
and real household safety threats, value on every human life. And that
which may well warrant that safe isn’t just baby talk to me.
in 1992.  and legal choice. But I think that
Abortion is an intensely personal most Americans, and virtually Bill Crane also serves as a
issue and a decision that I believe is every mother I have ever spoken political analyst and commentator
best left in the hands of a pregnant to who has successfully birthed a for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
woman–in consultation with her child believe that procedure should AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
physician, her partner, her family be limited, also giving protection FM, as well as a columnist for The
and her God.  and rights to the unborn at beyond Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
 The United States is approaching the mid-term in a pregnancy. Our Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
a zero-birth rate in terms of hospital neo-natal intensive care native and business owner, living
units routinely give care and save in Scottdale. You can reach him
families are fewer, as are the average the lives of fetuses born many or comment on a column at bill.
number of children. Millennial and months premature, underweight and csicrane@gmail.com.
Gen-X adults are waiting longer to
start families, and if you subtract out
birthright citizenship–which is still
responsible for a disproportionate
share of our new population–we are
likely already losing more American
lives each year to illness, suicide and
into this world domestically. 
And yet, instead of encouraging
adoption, birth control and foster
care, we have the New York state
legislature passing a statute allowing
for ending the life of a newborn after
it leaves the womb. 
In Virginia, the governor
embraced legislation from his own
also legalized infanticide if the now
born fetus was determined to not
be viable. Republicans in that state
were able to block passage of that
bill. 
In many states, from either
end of the spectrum, there will
be prospective laws that push
the envelope to either extreme. I
have often found myself in these
discussions and debates, which can
quickly devolve into heated and
emotional arguments. I have found it
easiest to end such discussions with
a simple question. “How many of
these children are you planning to
adopt?" At the very least there are a
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 6

GARDEN
Continued From Page 1A

attracting butterflies.”
“We wouldn’t have a lot
of food if we didn’t have
pollinators,” Niccum said.
The garden also features
a scarecrow named Ms.
Fritillary, which was added
to the garden to keep
birds away so caterpillars
wouldn’t be eaten.
Swallowtail butterflies, such as a Tiger Swallowtail, is often seen in the “She was also a focal
garden. Tiger Swallowtail. Photo from Tucker Butterfly Garden’s Facebook point so that people would
page. see her and stop,” Niccum
said.
However, someone stole
the scarecrow last month;
gardeners are raising money
to replace it. The group is
also raising funds for an
expansion project. Backyard
Nature Station in Tucker
held a silent auction Feb.
6-14 to benefit the garden.
Gardeners hope to
raise $5,000 to build a
100-foot extension of the
walkway path, purchase soil
amendments, hardscapes and
plants. They plan to add 33
plants.
“Some of those may
A Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly pollinating in the garden. Photo from Tucker Butterfly Garden was established in April 2008 as a project by Georgia Master change. We may substitute in
Tucker Butterfly Garden’s Facebook page Gardeners in DeKalb County. Photo from Tucker Butterfly Garden’s Facebook page some other plants,” Niccum
said. “Our hope is that when
people are walking along
the sidewalk, they’ll walk
through the garden.”
Niccum said they plan to
start construction this spring.
“[What will be done will
depend] on how much we
raise; hopefully we will raise
enough to get it started,” he
said. “First, we’ll have to
hire someone to dig up the
path for us. Once we get [the
path in] then we’ll do some
planting. We want to wait
until the fall to do a lot of
the planting because it gets
hot in the summer.”

We
Recycle

Tucker Butterfly Garden gardeners hope to raise $5,000 for an expansion project. Photo by Carla Parker
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 7

STONECREST

Stonecrest receives grant for road improvements

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Stonecrest has received
grant funds to help cover costs
of road repairs.
The city announced that
Georgia Department of
Transportation (GDOT) on
Feb. 12 delivered a check
for $536,511 to the city as a
part of a Local Maintenance
Improvement Grant (LMIG).
City officials said the grant
will be used to repave the
city’s damaged roads.
The LMIG program allows
local governments “greater
flexibility and quicker project
delivery” while allowing
GDOT to administer the
program with a reduced
workforce and new funding
match requirements, according
to GDOT. Stonecrest must
match the funds by adding at
least 30 percent, which would
increase the total available
funds to nearly $700,000,
according to city officials. The
mayor and council voted to
A Georgia Department of Transportation representative delivered a check for $536,511 to Mayor Jason Lary, right, as a part of a
Local Maintenance Improvement Grant. Photo from Stonecrest
add more funds bringing the
total to more than $1.3 million.
“As I promised in my last
Straight Talk meeting, we
are going to make our roads
safe. We have the money.
Now we will begin serving
our citizens and keeping my
promise,” Mayor Jason Lary
said in a released statement.
“Initially, we are looking to
pave 18 neighborhood streets,
including Turner Hill Road.”
A DeKalb County road
analysis singled out 18 streets
as the worst in the city. The
city is planning to update the
road analysis using a digital
system that will provide more
detailed information.
At its Jan. 28 regular
meeting, the city council
voted to execute a digital
road analysis to assess road
conditions in the city and
provide an estimated cost for
repairs. The council voted to
have Stantec Consulting Firm
conduct a digital road analysis
to cost no more than $70,000.
The city will use information
from the analysis, as well as
from an analysis previously
done by DeKalb County, to
determine which repairs are
needed on roads in the city.
“We have an opportunity
to have a digital road analysis,
and a road analysis from
the county that we can have
evaluated, for $70,000,” Lary
said at the meeting. “We’re
in the cold season right now.
That means we have an
opportunity to evaluate these
roads from two stand points.”
Lary said the city also will
work with DeKalb County to
have the remaining city streets
repaired.
City officials said the
county continues to do repair
and patchwork on city streets.
The mayor said he is aware
of pothole problems in the
city but is confident that these
combined efforts can make
a positive impact toward
solving the problems.

GOT A NEWS TIP?

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HORACE HOLLOMAN
Horace@DeKalbChamp.com
Local news editor: covers county government
crime • courts • Decatur • Avondale Estates

CARLA PARKER
Carla@DeKalbChamp.com
Sports editor: covers sports plus Stonecrest
Clarkston • Lithonia • Stone Mountain • Tucker

TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@DeKalbChamp.com
Education editor: covers all things education-related
Brookhaven • Doraville • Chamblee • Dunwoody • Pine Lake.
LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
Entrance to a game room at BT Solutions that includes a basketball net and arcade
games.
Organization bridges gap
between disabled, employers
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Shatrece Jenkins said she
comes to work every day with
a smile on her face because
she knows she’s making a
difference in the DeKalb
community.
Jenkins is the executive
director for BT Solutions in
Tucker. The organization helps
individuals with disabilities
prepare for the workplace by
engaging with community
members and potential
employers.
Before an individual is
placed in a job, he or she
receives training on how to
perform the work duties.
Jenkins said the partnership
with the local community
has been a key factor to
individuals’ success.
The organization began
approximately five years ago
and has grown since, Jenkins
said.
“The feeling I get from this
job is amazing. That feeling is
why I can probably get three
hours of sleep and still come
in with a smile on my face,”
Jenkins said, laughing. “They
say you know what you’re
supposed to do [in life] if
you’re willing to do it for free,
and this is it. This is what I’m
supposed to do.”
Jenkins said the
organization provides speech,
behavioral, pet and music
therapy in addition to helping
individuals develop social
skills.
“Our driver is employment
and getting them jobs; but
we’ve taken it a step further
and we want to help them with
their social and emotional
skills. If that area is not intact,
they won’t be successful,”
Jenkins said. “We teach them
that it’s OK to have emotions,
but [what is important is]
the way you deal with your
emotions.”
Jenkins said she’s proud
of the company’s 70 percent
employment rate
“We have a partnership
with DeKalb County Schools
and some of the local
restaurants in the area like
Papa Johns and Longhorn
Steakhouse,” Jenkins said.
“DeKalb County has been
very supportive and open
to what we’re doing in the
community.”
George Davis, 60, said
BT Solutions changed his life.
Davis said he’s been out of the
workforce for years and the
organization is helping him
build confidence.
“The emphasis is on
learning, but it’s having
fun while you learn. It’s an
atmosphere of love,” Davis
said. “I’ve never been a part of
anything like that. Once you
come in, no matter how knew
you are, you’re embraced by
everyone in the class.”
Davis said he enjoys
participating in job role-
playing scenarios.
“We do a lot of role
playing and interviewing. We
[participate] in scenarios of
what you would do on the job.
We have grocery stores and
we alternate between being
the customer and being the
manager...we do different
types of scenarios,” Davis
said.
Derrick Mason, operations
manager at BT Solutions,
who has worked with the
organization since its inception
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 8
BT Solutions clients participate in a mock grocery shopping experience to prepare for the workplace.
Students learn the importance of computer skills.
five years ago, said the
company has made an impact
on the community.
“There’s opportunity for
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people and she is good
with everyone, including
other dogs. Also, Tyga Girl
would put Ms. Manners to
shame, because she has
the best manners and will
walk nicely on a leash with
BT Solutions offers music programs for its clients.
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how you look at it. This work
is fulfilling. It’s like having
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

Tucker Parks and Recreation Department hosted its first Valentine’s Day Social for Seniors on Valentine’s Day. Photo
from city of Tucker

Clarkston police officer Sgt. D. Bulcher, left, and City Manager Robin Gomez participate
in “Selfie with a Cop.” Photo City of Clarkston’s Facebook page

Nearly 600 Georgia seniors were at the state Capitol Feb. 6 and 7 to talk to lawmakers about expanding programs to help
Lakeside mock trial team in its regional competition in early February took home awards elderly residents stay at home and avoid costly nursing home care. Pictured from left
in the categories for “Best Witness,”and “Best Attorney.” (Damian Bounds Twitter) are state Sen. Sally Harrell (D-Atlanta), North DeKalb ambassador for Senior Week John Armwood and Christy Taylor, a guide
for the event. Photo courtesy of the Georgia Council on Aging

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

EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 10

COUNTYWIDE

Clean Cargo to keep

students fresh
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Johari Dozier wants to
help elementary students who
may have limited access to
hygiene products with the
Clean Cargo Project.
The project fills a wheeled
trash can with hygiene
products such as toothpaste,
toothbrushes, deodorant,
shampoo and soap. When
the trash can is filled, it is
transported to an elementary
school that serves low-income
families.
“My whole goal for this
is to make things easier for
the parents, students and the
school,” Dozier said.
Dozier said he wants
parents to not worry about
buying hygiene products, and
for the school to have students
attending class who are ready
to learn, smelling fresh and
feeling no different than their
peers.
“I understand people’s
circumstances,” Dozier said.
“I want to see people grow in
their life and community. I just
really like helping people.”
According to Dozier,
who is a Lithonia resident,
hygiene problems can also
lead to classroom distractions
and bullying. The project
seeks to improve student’s
character, self-esteem and
create healthier educational
environments.
Clean Cargo project was
created in 2018 after Dozier’s
conversation about student
hygiene with a family member
who is an Atlanta Public
Schools employee.
“I wanted to step in and
see if I could assist with that,”
Dozier said.
The project will offer
hygiene products to five
DeKalb County School District
elementary schools, helping 40
students per school, totaling
200 students per semester.
Elementary schools that
will benefit from the project
include Browns Mill, Allgood,
Brockett and Murphy Candler.
According to a press release,
the project helps schools where
at least 40 percent of students
are from low-income homes.
Dozier plans to rotate
the trash cans each semester
between DCSD and Atlanta
Public Schools, helping the
same number of students in
the Fulton County area. Dozier
expects to help 400 students in
the two school systems in each
year.
According to the project’s
press release, it costs $496 to
fill a trash can with hygiene
products. Community
members and businesses can
donate products or money to
the project. Dozier also created
“clean hour,” through which
donors can give the equivalent
of one hour of their paycheck
to the project. Volunteers can
also give their time.
Johari Dozier created a system to help with student hygiene. (Photo courtesy of Johari Dozier)

COUNTYWIDE

Flawed salary rollout, $19 million compensation is ‘on me,’ Green says
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
After employees of DeKalb
County School District
(DCSD) received incorrect
pay raises in January, the
district held a meeting Feb.
13 to approve revised pay
scales for certified staff,
including teachers, counselors,
lead teachers and assistant
principals.
The error left 1,600 DCSD
employees with incorrect
pay raises. Employees were
supposed to receive a 2.5
percent raise; however, some
employees received only a
two-cent raise while others
received thousands of dollars
more in pay, according to the
Atlanta Journal Constitution.
“It’s on me,” said
DCSD Superintendent R.
Stephen Green at the Feb.
13 meeting. “It’s on me
as the superintendent. I
am responsible. I take full
responsibility for what did
not go right previously. What
I commit to you is to double
down and do what’s necessary.
The finger needs to be pointed
at me. I commit to you to
make sure this doesn’t happen
again.”
Salary corrections will be
retroactive to the first working
day of January 2019 and will
be implemented by March 29.
A review process will be set in
place for certified employees
who believe their pay scale
placement is incorrect,
according to the district.
Implementing the new
plan will cost the district $19
million.
“How do you make a $19
million mistake?” asked Joyce
Morley, DCSD board member.
“And here we go rushing
again.”
According to the board
member, the district took two
weeks to come up with a plan
to fix the incorrect pay raises.
DCSD superintendent apologizes and
provides a revision plan for the flawed
SEE SALARY ON PAGE 11 salary rollout.
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 11

EDUCATION BRIEFS SALARY Continued From Page 2

by Taylor Robins
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Ohio Christian University
College names students to
fall and spring Dean’s List
Ohio Christian University
College of Adult and
Graduate Studies recently
named its fall and spring
2018 semester Dean’s List.
Students on the fall 2018
list include Alison Breech
of Stone Mountain, Cherie
Brown of Stone Mountain,
Neburetta Marshall of
Lithonia and Torri Perry of
Lithonia.
Local students on the
spring 2018 list are Kelli
Baker of Stone Mountain
and Laura Merritt of
Lithonia.
To be eligible for the
Dean’s List, a student must
achieve a semester GPA
of 3.5 or better and be
enrolled in at least 12 graded
semester hours.
Dulm named to Dean’s
List at Cumberlands
Local students make
Emerson College Dean’s
List
Melanie Curry of Lithonia,
Carter White of Decatur
and Emma Nigut of
Decatur have been named
to Emerson College’s
Dean’s List for the fall 2018
semester.
The requirement to make
the Dean’s List is a grade
point average of 3.7 or
higher that semester.
Stargell named to Trevecca
fall 2018 Dean’s List
Trevecca Nazarene
University has announced
the fall 2018 Dean’s List.
Timothy Stargell of
Stone Mountain and a
graduate of Miller Grove
High School was named to
the list.
To be named to the
Dean’s List, undergraduates
must attain a semester
grade point average of
3.50 or higher on a 4.00
grading scale. Traditional
undergraduates must be
Rachael Meyer of The original pay raise rollout took three months to construct.
Brookhaven and Isabel “I’m also concerned that you have counselors, social workers
Schueppel of Brookhaven. and psychologist who are specialists and they’re being paid less
The Dean’s List honors than anybody with master’s [degrees in other work places],”
Morley said.
students who posted an
According to a DCSD press release that was sent to The
academic average of 3.5 or Champion Newspaper after the meeting, teachers, counselors,
better on a 4.0 scale while lead teachers and assistant principals will receive pay levels
carrying a class load of at commensurate with their professional experience and education.
least 12 hours during the In addition, counselors, lead teachers and assistant principals will
semester. be placed on their own pay scale; these pay scales will take into
account employees’ years of actual service.
Report shows Georgia
charter school law is most
improved in nation
National Alliance for
Public Charter Schools
released its annual state-
by-state ranking of public
charter school laws Jan. 22,
Measuring Up to the Model:
A Ranking of State Public
Charter School Laws, Tenth
Edition. Georgia, which has
more than 70,000 students
attending charter schools
across the state, made the
biggest jump in this year’s
rankings, moving up 11
spots from No. 27 to No.
16. The leap is credited
to legislation enacted last
year that improves the
state’s policies for special

In recognition of
academic performance,
the office of the vice
president for academic
affairs at University of the
Cumberlands has announced
the students named to the
Dean’s List for the fall 2018
semester.
Student Nnamdi Van
Dulm of Doraville was
named to the list.
To be eligible for the
Dean’s List, students
must maintain a minimum
cumulative grade point
average of 3.50 and be in
good academic standing.
Local students named to
Piedmont College Dean’s
List
More than 500 students
were named to the Piedmont
College Dean’s List for the
fall 2018 semester.
Included on the list
are Sarah Weber of
Decatur, Zoe Hunter
of Stone Mountain and
Shelly Spurgeon of Stone
Mountain.
Students named to the
Dean’s List finished the
semester with a GPA of 3.55
or above.
enrolled fulltime, while non-
traditional undergraduates
must have completed 12 or
education, funding, and full-
time virtual charter schools.
“Georgia’s public charter
ga lottery
more hours between July 1 schools provide teachers
and Dec. 31, 2018. with the freedom and
flexibility to meet the unique
Local students named to needs of their students,”
Berry College Dean’s List said Jan Jones, speaker
pro-tempore of the Georgia
DeKalb County House of Representatives.
students named to the fall “As a state lawmaker, I
2018 Dean’s List at Berry recognize that one size
College. does not fit all in education.
The students are The innovative practices
Amoriah Shaw of Avondale and successes of charter
Estates, Matthew Tatum schools in our state have
of Avondale Estates, helped strengthen the entire
Jack Boyette of Decatur, public-school system and are
Miranda Vega of Decatur, ensuring that more Georgia
David Driskell of Decatur, students enroll and persist in Katy loves animals. And they love her back. And because you
Stahr Stembel of Tucker, college.” play the Georgia Lottery, her chances of growing up to achieve
Leslie Gomez of Tucker, her dream of being a veterinarian have an excellent prognosis.
For the past 25 years, the Georgia Lottery and you have been
helping our students reach their true potential. According to
Katy, it’s kind of like a “booster shot.”
CITY OF STONE MOUNTAIN
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The City of Stone Mountain hereby gives notice that
a Public Hearing will be held to receive public comment
on a Variance Application for 5356 Charity Way, Stone
Mountain, GA 30083, Parcel #18 074 02 038. Variance
is requested for deviation from the Single Family
Residential (R1) district development GLO_GEN_M9_2340_R2.indd
regulations. Saved at 1-17-2019 2:22 PM Printed At None
The Mayor and City Council will hold a Public Hearing Art Director Copywriter Acct. Manager Studio Artist Proofreader Traffic Production
DEPARTMENT:
on this matter on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at City Hall
located at 875 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA at 6:30
APPROVAL:
P.M. Anyone wishing to attend the public hearing may do
so and be heard relative thereto. Addl. Notes: None
LOCAL

AROUNDDeKalb
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 12

BROOKHAVEN Magistrate Court, a court tour, and

a mock-trial exercise held in the
members and staff before the work
session. To celebrate Black History Friends of Tucker Parks to host
City to host town hall courtroom to provide a realistic Month, special guest of honor will benefit concert
experience for attendees. The event be Dr. Heval Kelli, a cardiologist at
Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst is free to the community, but due to Emory University School of Medicine, Friends of Tucker Parks will host a
will host his first town hall of the year limited space registration is required and Johnny Waits, Jr., founder benefit concert for Peters Park Feb. 23
Feb. 21, from 6-7 p.m. at Brookhaven for each participant on a first come, and president of Flat Rock Archives. at Little Miller Grove Baptist Church in
City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road. The first served basis. Registration is For more information, visit www. Tucker from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will
town hall will include an open forum open until Feb. 22 or until space clarkstonga.gov. feature Negro Spirituals performed by
question-and-answer session with is filled. To register, visit www. Lucille Golden-Blakey, a classically
Ernst and other Brookhaven officials. ticketleap.com and enter “Magistrate TUCKER
trained lyric soprano who has appeared
Court 101” in the event search in concerts throughout the United States
box. For more information, contact and Europe. Tickets are $20 and available
COUNTYWIDE dekalbmagcourt101@gmail.com or Civic association to host community www.bit.ly/2V1MlJI. Proceeds will go
(404) 371-2821. meeting toward improvements to Peters Park.
Magistrate Court to host Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and a post-
community event Tucker Civic Association will host performance reception will include light
CLARKSTON its winter community meeting Feb. 28 refreshments and is included in the cost
DeKalb County Magistrate Court at Wesley Center at Tucker First United of the ticket. The church is located at
will host its annual Magistrate Court City to host pre-work session mixer Methodist Church from 6:30 to 8 p.m. 1970 Peters Road.
101: Community Education Day March Dinner is free for up to date members
2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DeKalb Clarkston will host its city council and $5 for nonmembers. Dinner
County Courthouse, located at 556 N. pre-work session mixer Feb. 26 from will be served at 6:30 with a special
McDonough St. in Decatur. 6 to 7 p.m. at Clarkston City Hall, presentation following at 7 p.m. The
Activities will include interactive located at 3921 Church St. Residents church is located at 2397 Fourth St.
sessions on the Georgia court system and stakeholders can mix and mingle For more information, visit www.
with a focus on the DeKalb County with Clarkston’s mayor, city council tuckercivic.org.

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BUSINESS
STONECREST
Business owners advised
to avoid ‘flying solo’
BY KATHY MITCHELL
Those operating or
considering starting small
businesses in the Lithonia-
Stonecrest area can find help
on the second Tuesday of
each month at the Stonecrest
Library. The monthly lunch-
and-learn sessions, scheduled
for noon until 1 p.m., offer
information on a variety of
small-business-related topics
as well as an opportunity
to network with other area
entrepreneurs.
The theme of the February
session, hosted by Erica
Whiteside, representing
the Lithonia Chamber of
Commerce, was Never Fly
Solo. Whiteside showed a
video featuring Rob “Waldo”
Waldman, author of the
business book Never Fly Solo,
and former NFL quarterback
turned business consultant
Fran Tarkenton.
A decorated former combat
F-16 fighter pilot, Waldman
translates what he learned in
air combat into lessons for
the business world. A central
theme is that everyone needs
wingmen—trusted partners
who can help them overcome
obstacles, adapt to change,
and prepare for success.
“When you’re piloting a
plane, you can’t see what’s
behind you, but your wingman
can,” Waldman says in the
video. “You have to have
someone you trust looking
out for you. The same thing
is true in business. You can’t
reach your highest potential
alone. You need someone who
can see what you can’t see.”
As in aerial combat,
Waldman said, in today’s
high-stakes business world
situations change quickly.
“Teamwork and trust are
critical for thwarting the
missiles of fear, change
and risk that too often send
even the most seasoned
professional into a downward
spiral,” he said.
Tarkenton said he learned
similar lessons on the football
field, adding, “Of course in
football the worst that was
likely to happen was that
you would lose the game. In
combat, the stakes are a lot
higher.”
Waldman recommends
transforming relationships
with colleagues into
interdependent partnerships
for success. “You have to
be careful who you hang
out with,” he advised. “You
don’t just need a partner;
you need the right partner.
You need someone willing
to share your commitment to
core values such as integrity,
accountability, service and
excellence.
“You need someone who
won’t just tell you what you
want to know but will tell you
what you need to know. To
grow in the business world,
you have to be approachable
and coachable. Get your ego
out of the way and solicit
feedback. You can always get
better, faster and stronger,
but you can’t get there by
yourself,” Waldman said.
“Success today doesn’t
mean success forever. Your
comfort zone is your danger
zone,” he continued. “Never
feel you have all the answers
or let it bruise your ego for
someone to suggest you’re
wrong. There will always be
someone who’s better than
you are in some way.”
Waldman told stories of
times he was fearful, even
panic stricken. “Everybody is
fearful at some time, but you
must step through your fear
because that’s where growth
is. You have to ask who can
put you on the right path.
There are books, seminars,
and others in business
who can help you make a
correction if your business
is not moving in the right
direction. Excellence is tested
when the fun stops,” he said.
During the discussion
portion of the library session
a woman who said she is a
small business owner asked
where she could find people
who can help her take her
business to another level. “I’m
not at a point where I can pay
a consultant, but I do want to
learn new ways to grow my
business,” she said.
Whiteside advised
attending the numerous
seminars and business
association meetings in the
area and getting to know other
business owners. “Networking
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 13
is key,” she said. “Business
owners are often generous
with their time and advice.
We encourage those who
attend these sessions to spend
time getting to know each
other and looking for ways
to help one another. One of
the things I love about this
area is that there is a high
level of entrepreneurship.
Small businesses are the life
blood of this area. You are
surrounded by people who can
and will help you.”
Networking is key, advises Erica Whiteside at a session designed to help small-
business owners.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hear-
ing on Thursday, March 14, 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:
•PZ2019-421: Applicant: Robert Thompson, Home Systems Solutions, LLC
and Owner: Home Systems Solutions, LLC request approval of a stream buffer vari-
ance from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Develop-
ment Ordinance, Sec. 310-19 to allow a single-family residential structure to encroach
into the 75-foot no impervious surface and 50-foot stream buffer for a new single-
family residential structure. The property is located at 3599 Vanet Rd, being DeKalb
County tax parcel 18 307 03 026, and zoned Neighborhood Residential 1.
•PZ2019-423: Applicant: Seth Watson, Distillery of Modern Art and Owner:
Roger Dollar request approval of a Development of Community Impact for the devel-
opment of a distillery, and associated variances from the City of Chamblee Code of
Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance, Sec. 230-26 to not provide
the supplemental zone; Sec. 230-26(e)(1) to allow the street lights and street trees to
be located behind the sidewalk; Sec. 250-2 to reduce the number of required parking
spaces; Sec. 250-7 to allow parking to be located between the building and the street;
Sec. 230-27(a)(1) to allow the building materials to be metal; Sec. 230-27(a)(6)(a) to
vary the measurement requirement for fenestration; Sec. 230-31(c)(7) to allow the use
of LED light strips; Sec. 230-31(e)(3)(e) to vary the requirements of the dark sky ordi-
nance; Sec. 230-9(f) to not meet sustainability measure requirements. The property
is located at 2197 Irvindale Dr, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18 309 10 075, and
zoned Light Industrial.
•PZ2019-426: Applicant and Owner: BJS Plaza Fiesta, LLC requests approval
of a Development of Community Impact for an interior finish for a new tenant space.
The property is located at 4166 Buford Hwy, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18 244
05 001, and zoned Corridor Commercial (CC).
•PZ2019-428: Applicant and Owner: RRF Perimeter, LLC AKA “Minerva
Homes” requests approval of a Development of Community Impact and associated
variances for the development of 16 townhomes and a 9,000-square-foot commercial
building, from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Develop-
ment Ordinance, Sec. 230-1(b) to reduce the width of the zoning buffer; Sec. 250-2 to
reduce the number of required parking spaces. The property is located at 4251 North
Peachtree Rd, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18 334 05 001, and zoned Village
Commercial (VC).
•PZ2019-429: The City of Chamblee proposes the following amendments to
the official zoning map:
Rezone 4280, 4282, 4284, 4286, 4288, 4290, 4292, 4294, 4296, 4298, 4300, 4302,
4304, 4306, 4308, 4310, 4312, 4314, 4316, 4318, 4320, 4321, 4319, 4317, 4315,
4313, 4311, 4309, 4307, 4305, 4303, 4301, and 4297 Kingston Gate Cove, being
DeKalb County tax parcels 18 332 16 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009,
010, 011, 012, 013, 014, 015, 016, 017, 018, 019, 020, 021, 022, 023, 024, 025, 026,
027, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, and 033 from Corridor Commercial to Village Residen-
tial;
Rezone 4166 North Peachtree Rd, 0, 4193, 4195, 4197 A, 4197 B, 4197 C, 4199 A,
4199 B, 4201, 4203, 4211 North Shallowford Rd, being DeKalb County tax parcels 18
333 02 002, 010, 013, 018, 019, 022, 024, 025, 026, 027, 028, and 029 from Village
Residential to Village Commercial.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 14

GYMNASTICS

Gymnastics program hires Olympic

gold medalist as new coach
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
Ukrainian Olympic gold
medalist Liliya Podkopayeva
has joined the coaching staff
at Marcus Jewish Community
Center of Atlanta’s (MJCCA)
Perimeter Gymnastics.
MJCCA announced Feb. 13
the hiring of Podkopayeva as
the coach of the gymnastics
program’s competitive teams.
Podkopayeva is a 1995 world
all-around champion and 1996
Olympic all-around and floor
exercise champion.
MJCCA Perimeter
Gymnastics Director Stacey
Harris said in a released
statement, “We are thrilled
to introduce Liliya as a new
coach in our gymnastics
program. Liliya was an
exceptional gymnast. Her
routines were artistically
beautiful and powerful. She
brings years of both competing
in gymnastics and coaching
experience to our program.
We are pleased to welcome
a coach with her level of
experience and expertise to our
MJCCA family.”
Harris told The Champion
that she and Podkopayeva met
last year at a gymnastics meet
and Podkopayeva contacted
her about coaching at MJCCA.
“It was a good fit for her and
for us,” Harris said.
Harris said everyone in the
program is thrilled to have
Podkopayeva at Perimeter
Gymnastics.
“One of our coaches was just
star struck by her,” Harris said.
“But, [Podkopayeva] is a very
humble, very gracious and
very lovely person.”
Podkopayeva competed
at the 1993, 1994 and 1995
World Championships as well
as the 1994 Goodwill Games.
She won the all-around at
both the 1994 Goodwill
Games and the 1995 World
Championships. At the 1996
Olympics in Atlanta, she won
the all-around final with a
score of 39.255. She also won
the floor exercise gold medal
as well as a silver medal on the
balance beam.
Podkopayeva was named
to the Ukrainian team for the
1997 World Championships,
but injuries forced her to
sit out of the competition
and she later retired. She
was inducted into the
International Gymnastics Hall
of Fame in 2008. Harris said
Podkopayeva’s gymnastics
experience will benefit the
athletes.
“[She will] help us raise the
bar, help us raise the standard
and provide some more polish Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist Liliya Podkopayeva will coach the competitive teams
for our athletes,” Harris said. at Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s (MJCCA) Perimeter Gymnastics.

WRESTLING

Stone Mountain senior Antonio Stephenson’s Kiomy Morris, center, finished second in the McNair senior John Webb won gold Stone Mountain’s Daisy Gilleylen, third left, finished second in the girls’
Mills, Jr. won the Class girls’ 146-weight class championship match. in the Class AA 126-weight class 136-weight class championship.
AAA 138-weight class state championship match.
championship.

Three DeKalb wrestlers win gold at state meet

BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
Three DeKalb County wrestlers
are state champion after winning
gold at the Georgia High School
Association Traditional Wrestling State
Championships Feb. 16 in Macon.
Stone Mountain High School
had two individual state champions
in seniors Dennis McNeal, Jr. and
Antonio Mills, Jr. McNeal became
a two-time champion after winning
the Class AAA 120-weight class
championship. McNeal defeated
Sonoraville’s Eli Knight 4-2 in the
championship match.
Mills won gold in the Class AAA
138-weight class championship 3-1
sudden victory over Sonoraville’s
Allen Stone.
In Class AA, McNair senior John
Webb won gold in the 126-weight
class championship match after a 9-8
victory over Elbert County’s Martrez
Huff.
History was made in the first-ever
girls’ championship matches. DeKalb
had two girl wrestlers who finished
as runners-up. Stone Mountain’s
Daisy Gilleylen finished second in
the 136-weight class championship
and Stephenson’s Kiomy Morris
finished second in the 146-weight class
championship match.
Marist senior Dean Colton won a
bronze medal after winning the Class
AAAA 285-weight class third-round
match.
SPORTS
BASKETBALL
FIFTEEN IN SWEET 16
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
Fifteen DeKalb County
basketball teams advanced to
the second round of the state
playoffs.
In Class AAAAAA,
Stephenson Lady Jaguars and
Tucker Tigers advanced to the
Sweet 16. Stephenson defeated
Northside-Warner Robins
48-37 in the first round and
traveled to Glynn Academy
in the second round Feb. 20.
Score was not available by
press time.
Tucker defeated Valdosta
65-46 in the first round and
will host Evans Feb. 21 in
the second round. Tipoff is
scheduled for 7 p.m.
In Class AAAAA, five
DeKalb teams remain in the
championship hunt. On the
girls’ side, Southwest DeKalb
Lady Panthers took down
Cedar Shoals 56-31 in the first
round and hosted Rome in the
second round Feb. 20. Score
was not available by press
time.
Columbia Lady Eagles
defeated Loganville 53-38 in
the first round and hosted Cass
in the second round Feb. 20.
The score from the second
round was not available by
press time. Arabia Mountain
Lady Rams defeated Clarke
Central 47-39 on the first
round and played at Villa
Rica for their second-round
matchup Feb. 20. The score
was not available by press
time.
Southwest DeKalb boys
defeated Clarke Central 65-31
in the first round and hosted
Carrollton Feb. 20 in the
second round for which the
score was not available by
press time. Lithonia Bulldogs
defeated Loganville 68-46
and will host Rome Feb. 21
in the second round. Tipoff is
scheduled for 6 p.m.
In Class AAAA, both boys
and girls’ team from Marist
and St. Pius X advanced to
the Sweet 16. Marist boys
defeated LaFayette 488- 43 in
the first round and play rival
St. Pius X—which defeated
Cedartown 81-40 in the first
round—Feb. 21 at St. Pius in
the second round.
Marist girls defeated
Gilmer County 51-41 in the
first round and will travel
to Madison County Feb. 21
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 15
NEXT
LEVEL
Each week The Champion spotlights
former high school players from the
county who are succeeding in athletics
on the college level.
Gamaun Boykin,
Central Washington
(basketball): The
junior guard from
Miller Grove scored
14 points and had
five assists in the 84-
65 win over Alaska
Fairbanks Feb. 14.
Justin Ravenel,
Florida A&M
(basketball): The
senior guard from
Greenforest led all
scorers with 24 points
in the 78-74 win over
Savannah State Feb.
16.
Dominique Oden,
Purdue (basketball):
The junior guard
from Marist scored
10 points and had
seven rebounds in
the 61-58 win over
Northwestern Feb.
Tucker freshman Raylon Barrian scored 16 points in Tucker’s 65-46 win over Valdosta
in the first round of the Class AAAAAA playoffs. Photo by Mark Brock 17.
in the second round. Tipoff had a bye week in the first
is scheduled for 6 p.m. St. round and will face Hebron
Pius’ girls defeated Central Christian in the second
Carrollton 42-35 in the first round. Date and time were
round and traveled to Flowery not available by press time.
Branch Feb. 20 for the second Greenforest girls defeated
round, for which the score was Landmark Christian in the first
not available by press time. round (score was not reported)
Cedar Grove Saints and will face Holy Innocents’
advanced to the Sweet 16 of in the second round. The date
the Class AAA playoffs after a and time were not available by
67-56 win over Monroe Area. press time.
The Saints hosted Calhoun Paideia girls defeated
Feb. 20 in the second round, Walker 42-33 in the first round
for which the score was not and will travel to Eagle’s
available by press time. Landing Christian Academy
Three DeKalb teams in the second round, for which
remain in the Class A-Private the date and time were not
playoffs. Greenforest Eagles available by press time.
LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
Three judges recuse themselves from police shooting trial
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
The trial of former DeKalb County
police officer Robert Olsen, who
fatally shot Anthony Hill in 2015, may
be further delayed after three judges
stepped down from the case just two
weeks prior to the scheduled trial date.
DeKalb County Superior Court
Judge J.P. Boulee was the first to
announce he would recuse himself
from the Hill trial, which drew national
media attention approximately four
years ago.
According to a statement from
DeKalb County District Attorney
Sherry Boston, Boulee offered no
explanation for his recusal.
“We have spoken with the
victim’s family notifying them of this
development. They are understandably
devastated. And while we, too, are
dismayed by this action, we are not
deterred. We plan to file a motion
seeking a hearing detailing the
specific reasoning for this recusal and
clarification as to whether such recusal
extends to all cases assigned to this
judge,” Boston said.
In March 2015 Hill, who served in
Afghanistan and was discharged when
he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder,
was shot and killed at the Heights at
Chamblee Apartment Complex. Hill,
who was naked, ran toward Olsen in a
threatening manner, making the officer
fear for his life, according to Olsen’s
testimony.
Courtney Johnson and Asha
Jackson also recused themselves to
“avoid any appearance of impropriety,”
according to their recusal orders. The
orders did not specify the reason for
recusal.
“The state stands ready to proceed
in the interest of justice for this family
who has waited four long years for
their day in court,” Boston said.
Boston declined to comment further
on the incident.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 • Page 16
Veterans activist Amos King said
the timing of the recusals is frustrating.
“That’s serious business. [The Hill
family] is very upset. This has been
going on for four years. It’s frustrating.
This is one of the biggest cases going
on in DeKalb County,” King said.
King said the recusal is insensitive
to veterans in DeKalb County.
“It’s a big slap in the face,” King
said. “Anthony Hill wasn’t murdered
on foreign soil. He was murdered in
the United States. Anthony Hill needed
our help. Just look at how we treat our Protesters stand outside during an immunity trial
veterans.” for Robert Olsen in May 2018.
Judge LaTisha Dear-Jackson
was named as the new judge who will
have some level of “secrecy” and the
preside over the case. Dear-Jackson prosecution allowed too many people
took office in January after defeating
in the courtroom who did not pertain
Tunde Akinyele in a runoff election. to the case, creating an unfair trial for
In 2016, Olsen’s attorney Don
Olsen. In 2018 Samuels again asked
Samuels requested his client’s case be that his client’s charges be dismissed
dismissed and accused Boulee and the
during an immunity hearing. Boulee
prosecution of creating a circus-like ruled the case should move forward.
atmosphere for the grand jury trial.
A new date for Olsen’s trial has not
Samuels said a grand jury case should been set.