the DeKalb FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019 • VOL.

24, NO 5 • 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

SPECIAL EMPLOYEE’S ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED

After Chris Campbell, center, is presented with a trophy from McDonald’s for his anniversary, his supporters cheer him on. Photos by Taylor Robins.

BY TAYLOR ROBINS has been a support system.

Taylor@dekalbchamp.com “The employees are
great,” Ortega said. “They

A
McDonald’s located
on Buford Highway
celebrated the 27th
work anniversary of crew
member Chris Campbell,
who has Down syndrome,
with the Down Syndrome
Association of Atlanta
(DSA) March 15.
“I love it here,” Campbell
said about working at
the Buford Highway
McDonald’s. “There’s no
place like here.”
Members of DSA,
McDonald’s employees
and Campbell’s family and
friends gathered to celebrate
his accomplishment. In the
center of the celebration
were pictures on a poster
board documenting
Campbell’s time with
the restaurant─one being
Campbell’s first paycheck.
Campbell said he saved his
first earnings.
From being a lobby
cleaner to making Happy
Meal boxes, Campbell
Chris Campbell was celebrated by McDonald’s for his 27th anniversary with the restaurant March 15.
has performed many jobs.
Campbell’s work history
with the chain restaurant
began when his mother,
Barbara Ortega, visited a
pawn shop not far from the
resturant and encountered an
employee who encouraged
her to bring Campbell
in─which she did. However,
she credits Campbell’s
accomplishment not to
herself, but to Campbell.
“Chris earned the
job,” Ortega said. “I can’t
walk through that door
and sit with him. It all
came from Chris and his
determination.”
According to Ortega,
Campbell has learned
motivation, respect and
independence as a result
of having his job. Since
are always good to each
other. I believe that they
help Chris and Chris helps
them to be better people.”
“He’s a very nice person
and he’s good with the
employees,” said Maria
Clemente, McDonald’s
general manager.
“Everybody loves him here;
he’s special.”
Clemente has worked
with Campbell for 18 years.
Kellie Vander Veur,
owner of the Buford
Highway McDonald’s, has
similar sentiments about
Campbell. Vander Veur
has owned the location
his employment, Campbell
for seven months with her
has joined Boy Scouts, and
husband Andy Vander
is active in his church and
Veur. Upon first meeting
food bank.
Campbell─whom she
“If more people would
describes as “the sweetest
give people with Down
guy”─Vander Veur wanted
syndrome opportunities like
to know if Campbell’s
Chris [received] then there
longstanding employment
would be more opportunities
had been celebrated. It had
for them to progress like
Chris has,” Ortega said.
For Ortega, the restaurant SEE CELEBRATED ON PAGE 6

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

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 2

STONECREST

Stonecrest to create moratorium on cell towers After Stonecrest incorporated, it adopted

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Stonecrest’s city attorney will draft a 60-day
moratorium on future cell towers.
The city council voted at its March 11 meeting
to have a moratorium in place after many residents
spoke in opposition to a newly erected cell
tower on Evans Mill Road. After the moratorium
document is written, the council is expected to
vote on it at its next meeting.
“We’re going to give our city attorney the
correct amount of time to find out exactly where Residents are fighting to remove a cell phone tower installed near two
we sit and stand with regards to the current Stonecrest subdivisions. File photo
tower,” Mayor Jason Lary said.
Residents discovered the cell tower being commercial.
built behind their neighborhood in January. The “The property was conditionally zoned as
commercial cell phone tower was approved for commercial for a daycare center,” Kelly
installation on property adjacent to First Lithonia According to a document from DeKalb
Seventh Day Adventist Church, the church’s Raggedy Ann and Andy Child Care Centers Inc.
school, playground and two subdivisions. submitted an application in 1976 to conditionally
Stonecrest resident Phillip Kelly said he rezone the property from R-100 (residential)
and his wife discovered the company received C-2 (commercial) for a summer day camp.
building permits from the city and FCC to allow document states that the daycare center would
installation of the tower near residential-zoned use the property for a day care camp only during
areas because the property is conditionally zoned summer months. T:10”
DeKalb County’s zoning laws. Residents argue
that the tower was illegally approved because the
property was conditionally zoned as commercial
for the summer months only, and that technically,
the property is still zoned residential outside the
summer months.
Kelly filed a zoning code violation complaint
Feb. 18 with Stonecrest Code Enforcement
department to have the tower removed. Residents
are also raising funds to retain legal counsel from
Weissman Law Firm.
Stonecrest officials previously said because
the property is zoned commercial, the tower was
approved by right-of-use and the city can legally
approve a permit for a commercial property
without a public hearing.
said. Lary said he has heard the residents’
County, complaints on the issue.
“My wife and I have been out here for 33
years, so we are very sensitive to everything that
to is happening here,” he said. “We are listening to
The you as council and as mayor, but you do have to
understand that there are some legal ramifications
also that come across the board. So, we have to be
fair about that.”

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LOCAL
‘Voting machine’ bill closer to becoming law
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
A vote from the state
House of Representatives
and a signature from
Governor Brian Kemp
are the last steps in the
legislative process before
House Bill 316 becomes
law.
HB 316, known as
the voting machines bill,
would replace Georgia’s
paperless voting system
with touchscreen machines
that print a copy of the
voter’s ballot. The ballot
would then be electronically
scanned for final tabulation.
The cost of the new system
is estimated at $150 million
The Georgia Senate
passed the bill 35-21 March
13.
Advocates of the bill said
the ballot-marking devices
will create a verifiable paper
trail that can be audited and
creates an accurate and clear
voting system.
Some DeKalb County
residents spoke in
opposition of the bill
during a March 12 Board
of Commissioners meeting.
Many stated the new system
will not be able to protect
against a potential cyber-
attack or election system
hack.
“House Bill 316 wants
to mandate that all voters
voting in person vote on
touch screen, ballot marking
devices. We don’t need a
touch screen to mark our
ballots,” DeKalb resident
Joy Watson said. “Cyber
security experts agree, we
need a pen.”
Liz Throop, who
volunteered as a poll worker
in last year’s election in
Tucker, said the machines
will create longer lines and
WE
ARE
SOCIAL
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 3
caused inaccurate counts.
Immediately after the
election, Abrams announced
the creation of Fair Fight
Action, an organization
targeting Georgia’s election
system. The organization
is run by Abrams’ former
campaign manager Lauren
Groh-Wargo.
After the election, the
organization filed a federal
lawsuit against the Georgia
State Election Board.
“This bill pretends to be
an improvement over our
Senators voted 35-21 to pass House Bill 316, which would change Georgia’s current voting system. current system, but those
pushing it cannot guarantee
more confusion among would not have had those machines. We’re going to the security of machines,
voters. lines. Everyone would have repeat that mistake.” and they ignore extra costs
“I saw the struggle at been able to vote on a table In last year’s race passed on to the counties,”
Tucker Library,” Throop with a little cheap privacy for governor, Democrat Groh-Wargo said in a
said. “If they had hand- screen, but instead they Stacey Abrams said statement.
marked paper ballots...they were stuck with expensive Georgia’s voting machines
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 11, 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:
•PZ2019-438: Applicant: Erin Daniels, Ed Castro Landscape, INC and Owner: Bevin Caporusso request approval
of a stream buffer variance from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordinance,
Sec. 310-19 to allow a new fire pit area to encroach into the 75-foot no impervious surface. The property is located at
3023 Park Ln, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18 271 11 008, and zoned Neighborhood Residential 1.
•PZ2019-439: Applicant: Courtney Morrison, Wakefield Beasley and Assoc., and Owner: DelAmerican and Down-
town Development Authority, request approval of a major modification to a Development of Community Impact for a
mixed-use development, and associated variance from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified
Development Ordinance, Sec. 240-13(h)(1)(f) to not provide adequate shade cover for a minimum of 40 percent of the
upper surface of the roof level of multi-story parking structure open to the sky. The property is located at 5211 Peachtree
Blvd, being DeKalb County tax parcel 18 299 13 005, and zoned Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
•PZ2019-441: Applicant: Christopher Eisenzimmer, Blue Ridge Atlantic Development, LLC and Owner: Brad H.
Hamner request approval of a Development of Community Impact for the development of a multi-family housing develop-
ment, and associated variances from the City of Chamblee Code of Ordinances, Appendix A, Unified Development Ordi-
nance, Sec. 230-1(b)(1)(b) to reduce the zoning buffer; Sec. 240-13(b)(3)(c) to allow residential and parking uses on the
ground floor within 100 feet of a public or private street; Sec. 230-27(a)(6) to allow less than the required fenestration for
apartments; Sec. 230-28 to not use non-combustible materials for a building three stories or more; Sec. 230-27(a)(11)(c)
to not provide units at the street level that have front-facing entrances with a pedestrian walkway a minimum of five feet
wide directly connected to the public sidewalk; Sec. 240-13(b)(3)(a) to provide less than 60% of units with a balcony of
sufficient size to be occupied. The property is located at 2140 Chamblee Tucker Rd, 3296, 3302, 3306, and 3312 Hood
Ave being DeKalb County tax parcel 18 299 05 006, 007, 008, 009 and 010 and zoned Village Commercial (VC).
•PZ2019-450: The City of Chamblee proposes the following amendments to the official zoning map:
Rezone 3570, 3600 American Dr, 2100, 2138, 2124, 2157, 2115, 2140, 2135 American Industrial Way, 3520, 3518, 3550,
3525, 3540, 3588, 3509, 3519, 3510, 3514, 3534, 3524 Broad St, 3527, 3567, 3491, 3543, 3553, 3493, 3493, 3535
Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, 3514 Igersoll Rand Dr, 2161 and 2155 Irvinale Dr, 5489, 5425, 5465, 5493, 5509, 5399, 5513,
5485, 5475 Peachtree Blvd, 5546, 5505, , 5434, 5431, 5433, 5449, 5434, 5434, 5434, 5434, 5434, 5442, 5434, 5434,
5434, 5434, 5520, 5434, 5472, 5434, 5515, 5434, 5434, 5486, 5493, 5434, 5434, 5459, 5502, 5468, 5553, 5434, 5480,
5554, 5437, 5441, 5485, 5435, 5434, 5434 Peachtree Rd being DeKalb County Tax Parcels 18 299 16 024, 025, 026,
027, 028, 029, 030, 031, 032, 033, 034, 035, 036, 037, 038, 039, 040, 041, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 047, 049, 050, 051,
18 308 04 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 009, 010, 011, 016, 017, 018, 019, 18 308 15 013, 014, 016, 017, 018, 019, 020, 021,
022, 023, 024, 029, 18 308 16 001, 002, 003, 004, 18 309 03 006, 010, 011, 012, 014, 18 309 08 001, 002, 18 309 09
002, 003, 004, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 18 309 11 003, 005, 006, 068, 069, 070, 071, 075, 076, 077, 078 from Village
Commercial to PUD;
Rezone 3545, 3599, 3589, 3555, 3571, 3603 Broad St, 3515 Ingersoll Rand Dr, 2214, 2197, 2180, 2217 Irvindale Dr,
2080, 2065, 2070 Peachtree Industrial Court being DeKalb County Tax Parcels 18 308 12 015, 016, 018, 18 309 02 002,
066, 073, 076, 077, 078, 080, 081, 18 309 10 074, 075, 080 from Light Industrial to PUD;
Rezone 5547, 5567, 5575, 5525, 5577, 5585, 5559 Peachtree Blvd, 2050, 2064, 2060 Peachtree Industrial Ct being
DeKalb County Tax Parcels 18 308 12 014, 017, 18 309 02 082, 083, 084, 085, 086, 087, 091, 093 from Corridor Com-
mercial to PUD.
•TA2019-001: The City of Chamblee Georgia proposes to amend the Official City Code of Ordinances, Appendix
A, Unified Development Ordinance, Title 2 Land Use and Zoning, Chapter 280 to address the Architectural Review Board
policies and procedures.
OPINION
Many of us living in north
Georgia may have breathed a sigh of
relief after we dodged a bullet when
devastating weather struck the state
March 3.
Tornadoes ripped through
parts of Alabama and Georgia
destroying homes, communities
and lives. More than 20 people
died and property damage has been
extensive. Multiple tornadoes tore
across east and central Alabama and
into Georgia with at least one of
the EF-3 twister barreling through
with 170 mile per hour winds. Our
neighbors to the south suffered
shock and grief and are now rallying
to support one another and assessing
how to move forward.
Yes, those of us residing in
areas not affected by the tornadoes
Foreclosures
Tax Sales/Ads for Bids
Trade Name Registrations
Public Notices/Public meetings
Sheriff Sales/Local Legislation
Notices of Incorporation
To subscribe, visit DeKalbLegalNotices.com
or call 404-373-7779, X 0
#ItsInTheChampion
Tornado season is here
Gale Horton Gay
fastgale@hotmail.com
should be thankful that we only
had to endure storms that brought
an abundance of rain and wind and
some fallen trees.
But let’s not be smug. What
our southern neighbors have
experienced could be something that
we, too, face in the not-too-distant
future.
March is the beginning of
tornado season in Georgia, with
tornadoes most likely to occur
March through May—peaking in
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 4
April.
Now is the time to familiarize
ourselves with what to do in case
Mother Nature’s worst comes in our
direction.
Georgia Emergency Management
Agency and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency offer the
following tips regarding tornadoes
and being prepared:
• Understand the terminology about
tornadoes. A tornado watch means
a tornado is possible and a tornado
warning means a tornado has been
spotted in the area and individuals
should take shelter immediately.
• Decide ahead of time where you
will take shelter in case of a tornado
warning.
• Remember that the lowest level
of a structure is the safest place
during these severe weather oc-
currences as well as hallways and
interior rooms. Stay away from
windows, doors and outside walls.
• Prepare a ready kit with emergen-
cy supplies including a first-aid kit,
NOAA weather radio and a three-
day supply of food and water.
• Vehicles, trailers and mobile
homes do not provide good protec-
tion.
• If outdoors, lie flat in a ditch
or other low-lying area. Do not
seek shelter under an overpass or
bridge.
While there’s no way of
guaranteeing that we won’t fall
victim to the devastation of a
tornado or other severe weather, we
can be proactive and take steps to
keep ourselves as safe as possible.
OPINION
“I’m not telling you that it is
going to be easy.  I am telling you
that it is going to be worth it,” said
Art Williams, father of a child with
Down syndrome.
 
Thursday, March 21, is World
Down Syndrome Day. WDSD is
a global celebration and day of
recognition and awareness for the
children and adults, as well as their
families and friends living in the
world of Down syndrome. Activities
and social media awareness
efforts will continue worldwide
throughout the week. To
learn more, visit https://www.
worlddownsyndromeday2.org/   shift. Olivia instinctively stroked her
English physician Dr. John
Langdon Down first identified
what he is perceived as a distinct
mental health diagnosis in 1862. It
was not until early 1959 that French
pediatrician and early geneticist
Dr. Jerome Lejeune along with
colleague Martha Gautier
discovered that Down syndrome
patients carry an additional
chromosome on their 21st pair of
23 chromosomes. This gave us the
name Trisomy 21, and the genetic
marker for Down syndrome, which
remains the world’s most common
genetic abnormality at birth,
typically eight out of every 1,000
live births in the United States.
 Among the most unfortunate
aspects that readily comes to mind
about the world of Down syndrome,
and spending time with infants,
children and adults with this genetic
abnormality, is that the name of the
discovering physician was not Up.  years in the grocery business during
 My youngest daughter is a
pre-teen with Down syndrome.
Whenever I pick her up at the end of
a long school day, she still runs and
practically jumps into my arms. This
welcome is followed by a long
hug and inquiry about how my day
has been. As we walk to the car,
typically hand-in-hand; she shares
the measure of her day, its brief
high and sometimes low points, and
we plan the rest of our afternoon
or evening. Though casting no
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 5
World Down Syndrome Day
advocate on their behalf, is pretty which you most likely receive as
‘One Man’s simple. They want acceptance,
inclusion, friendship, independence
instant payment, or perhaps a simple
hug that greatly improves your day. 
Opinion’ and a life largely being treated just I can’t promise that every interaction
like everyone else. They may work will bring joy or perfection, but I can
Bill Crane years to perfect simple tasks that guarantee that over time you will
bill.csicrane@gmail.com their own brains can trip them up on. be the better for those interactions. 
But more than the joy of mastering Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
aspersions, this simply would not that skill, they bask in the glow of
happen with a typical pre-teen, boy friendship, consideration and love Bill Crane also serves as a
or girl. from others. political analyst and commentator
 Her general kindness and  If you have occasion to interact for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
treatment of others routinely brings with someone of special needs this AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
joy. On a recent grocery trip, she week, perhaps realize for a moment FM, as well as a columnist for The
noted the customer ahead of us, how much they prefer that you treat Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
a nurse, had apparently had a them normally, that you speak to, Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
particularly challenging and long include and embrace their presence native and business owner, living
in your community, classroom, in Scottdale. You can reach him
lower back, told her things would workplace or place of worship. And or comment on a column at bill.
get better, and then began to unload if you make that choice, let me know csicrane@gmail.com.
her buggy, quickly moving to the how you feel, as well as the smile
end of the same line to bag her order
and place it in her cart.
 Olivia is 11, she has never
been trained nor worked in a
grocery store, though she regularly
visits with her mother, stepfather
or myself. The nurse was over-
whelmed with gratitude, and
though she had just previously paid
forward a portion of the order of the
customer preceding her, she reached
back into her purse and handed
Olivia two crisp dollar bills and said,
“Pick out something fun, just for
you.”
 It was $2, generously given, and
Olivia’s face lit up like a Christmas
tree. We didn’t make it home before
the reward had been purposed and
two trinkets made the ride home
with us. I worked for nearly nine
high school and college and can’t
remember how many thousands
of customers I helped bag or carry
groceries out to their car; but I can’t
remember a single exchange that felt
quite like this one.
 Our children are not seeking
special treatment, a parade or the
level of financial support we rightly
raise to fight cancer, diabetes
or many other chronic health
conditions. What they seek, and we
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
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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
Chris Campbell and his mother Barbara Ortega, left, in front of a poster board of memories Campbell has made during his
McDonald’s employment. Photo by Taylor Robins.
Youth mentoring program
plans to expand to DeKalb
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
For years, Dr. Marvin Brown Jr., ED.
D, has seen how at-risk children have fallen
through the cracks of society due to lack of
resources and opportunities.
Brown is trying to help those children
through his youth and family mentorship
program, Youth Centers for Change. Brown,
an educator, started the youth development and
mentoring program in October 2016. For nearly
11 years, he has worked with at-risk children
through the mental health field.
“It all started when I worked at a group
home and mental health hospital. I understood
that growing up now kids have the same
advantages, [but] a lot of them get thrown by
the wayside or mismanaged,” Brown said. “A
lot of them get the bad stereotypes and labels,
but when I started to work with them, they were
some of the best kids that I’ve ever worked
with. So, I took [that to] heart and I understand
this field and I want to help these kids out.”
Not only does Brown want to help at-risk
youth, he wants to help their families.
“As I help the youth, I also think it’s best
to help the family as well,” he said. “So, the
major thing I’ve done with this [organization]
is general mentoring, but under that paradigm
I’ve development four additional programs—
academic enrichment, health and wellness,
career awareness and inspiration, and mental
health wellness.”
Under the career awareness and inspiration
program, Brown started two community
Dr. Marvin Brown, Jr. created Youth Centers for Change to mentor at-risk youth and their families. Photo by Carla Parker
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 6
CELEBRATED Continued From Page 1
not.
“I didn’t own the restaurant when it was his 25th
anniversary and I didn’t want to wait three more years for
the 30-year anniversary,” Vander Veur said.
“I think celebrating Chris shows how positive it is to
employ someone who is disabled,” Vander Veur said.
“They bring so much joy. Customers love them. I think
another positive about it is it teaches people to have
empathy. It educates people that might have been cruel or
judgmental to get to know these wonderful people and it
changes attitudes.”
During the celebration, Campbell asked Vander Veur if
she would let him retire, to which she jokingly responded,
“no.”
A percentage from the Buford Highway McDonald’s
March 15 sales went to DSA.
gardening programs in Fulton County. Brown
said gardening is a good way for residents to be
active in their community and teach them the
skill of growing their own food.
“This also gives [children] something
to do,” Brown said. “For most of the kids
that I have mentored, their issue is they need
something to do to get them more active and
engaged and I think this is one of those projects
that will actually help them out. It also helps
their families. Kids can take [the food] home
and try to get [their families] more acclimated
to understanding what gardening is.”
The youth and community gardens are the
first major projects Brown has started. With
the help of his employer, he has also done
workshops with families and food drives, which
led him to start the community garden.
“A lot of parents said that they like to have
fresh produce,” he said. “They want their kids
to eat healthier fruits and vegetables.”
Brown said he plans to expand his program
to DeKalb County and other counties in metro
Atlanta and begin community projects. This
summer, Brown plans to partner with another
organization to begin a health and wellness
initiative. He currently works with 10 students
but hopes to mentor at least 50 by the end of the
year.
“I want to become a major organization
serving education systems, the department
of juvenile justice, department of health and
human services,” he said. “I want it to be a
program for kids and for families who may
want their kids to understand and grow in
different ways.”
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 7

COUNTYWIDE

K-9 Indi received three awards at a ceremony at the DeKalb County Police
Department headquarters.

Man, best friend

DeKalb County Police chief James Conroy speaks during Indi’s award ceremony.
return to work
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
According to DeKalb County Police Officer Norman
Larsen, one of K-9 officer Indi’s most impressive skills
is his tracking ability. That skill was put to the test last
December when Indi was shot in the head after tracking
down a suspect believed to have shot and killed DeKalb
police officer Edgar Flores.
Indi found the suspect, Brandon Taylor, hiding behind
a pile of tires. Indi engaged Taylor, Taylor then shot Indi.
Officers returned fire and fatally wounded Taylor. The
dog’s actions saved the lives of several DeKalb officers,
police officials said.
Larsen, who is Indi’s handler, said, “What he did that
day was special. Without the dog there [the suspect] would
have walked up on us. I wouldn’t be here without Indi.
DCPD officer Norman Larsen and K-9 officer Indi. I think the suspect knew we were coming, but he wasn’t
expecting the dog.”
On March 13 at the DeKalb County public safety
headquarters, DeKalb officials announced that both Larsen
and Indi have been cleared to return to work.
“We’ve had support from the top down and we’re
grateful for that. The support has been overwhelming,”
Larsen said. “We have had so much public support. You can
only train for so many situations. I think all the prayers and
support helped [Indi’s] recovery.”
As a result of the gunshot wound Indi suffered in
December, he lost his left eye and was required to undergo
a recertification process before being cleared to return to
work for DKPD. Larsen said Indi and tested well.
“I could tell once they took the stitches out that he didn’t
lose any of his drive. We tested him on his current abilities
and the facets of his job. Indi made it easy on us,” Larsen
said.
Indi and Larsen have both received several awards
of recognition, including the Exceptional Merit Award,
Meritorious Service Award and the Medal of Honor for
DKPD.
Police chief James Conroy said “K-9 Indi’s action that
night saved lives,” Conroy said. “He sacrificed himself for
the good of the other officers.”
Indi also received a Georgia Police K9 Foundation
DeKalb County Police officer Norman Larsen and K-9 officer Indi were cleared to return to work after Indi was shot during an Purple Heart and was named as a top 10 finalist for K-9 of
incident Dec. 13. Photos by Horace Holloman the Year award by the K9s of Valor Foundation.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 8

COUNTYWIDE

Mod Pizza in Decatur honored slain Decatur teen Kennedy Segars with a pizza named after her.

Pizza shop honors teen in unique way

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Kennedy Segars’
Decatur High School
graduation picture is
prominently displayed
on a wall at Mod Pizza
in Decatur, her former
place of employment. Her
coworkers said she was an
inspiration to others.
Segars was a freshman
at Alabama State
University when she was
killed by an alleged drunk
It speaks volumes to me
about the impression she
left on the people she
worked with.”
Mod has two DeKalb
locations, including a
location in Chamblee.
The Kennedy will be sold
at Mod’s Georgia and
Alabama establishments.
Terrell Tnn said she
thought of Segars as a
sister during their time
working together at Mod.
“She was always a
heartwarming person. I
was always smiling, always
happy and always on top
of things,” Thompson said.
“She was a very determined
person. It broke my heart
to hear about the news.
When I heard she passed it
was crazy because a month
[prior to her death] she was
in the store, laughing.”
The Kennedy pizza
will be sold until April 22.
Sales of the pizza raised
almost $2,000 in two days
after its debut, according
to the company’s website.
The pizza is topped with
red sauce, spicy chicken
sausage, green bell peppers,
roasted red peppers,
shredded mozzarella and
basil.
“We want to make sure
no other family has to go
through what I experienced,
and I hope this donation
and contribution will
continue to be a resource
and support system for all
families that have been
impacted by drunken
driving,” Moreland said.

driver in Lithonia. Segars
was visiting DeKalb for her
mother’s birthday.
MOD Pizza announced
the launch of the “Kennedy
$4.4 M illion
always enjoyed working
with her. It devastated me
to hear the news. I loved
her like a sister and it really
affected me,” Tnn said.
Tnn said he often looks

pizza” on March 5 in her
honor. For every Kennedy
pizza sold, Mod’s will
donate $1 to Mothers
Against Drunk Driving.
Segars’ mother, Quvada
Moreland, said Mod Pizza
was her daughter’s first
job. Moreland said she was
honored when she found
out the organization would
name a pizza after her.
“I think it’s wonderful.
When they approached me
about what they wanted to
do...it just lifted my spirit
and my heart,” Moreland
said. “Her peers were
the ones that approached
[Mod management] about
doing a pizza in her honor.
Donated
at Segars’ picture hanging
on Mod’s wall.
“It still hurts now just
talking about it but it’s
awesome seeing that [Mod
Pizza] named a pizza after
her and seeing all the other
stores honor her and put
her picture on the wall,”
Tnn said. “Seeing her
A big thank you to customers and associates for
picture makes me sad, but generously supporting Food For All in 2018.
also really happy.”
Taylor Thompson,
a manager at Mods in
Decatur, said she’s thankful
Mod Pizza decided to
honor Segars. Thompson
said Segars was a spirited
coworker.
“She was fantastic. She
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

Kingsley Elementary School’s leadership team sent thank you notes to Dunwoody Mayor Denis Shortal and other city officials after DeKalb County K-9 Officer Indi placed a paw print on his commendation
their February visit to City Hall. Photo provided by City of Dunwoody Twitter page. certificate on March 11.

The Vision to Learn program went to Toney Elementary School to deliver The Clarkston Police Department received a donation of 50 Naloxone kits from Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, a grassroots
prescription glasses to students with vision needs March 12. Photo provided by advocacy organization, March 18. Photo from Clarkston Police Department’s Facebook page
Toney Elementary School Twitter page.

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 • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 10

STONE MOUNTAIN

Former resident wins engineering award,

speaks of industry’s importance
BY TAYLOR ROBINS thankful and I feel like it in which he examined the
taylor@dekalbchamp.com came right on time.” pollution of a stream in
Williams’ initial career Augusta and restored its
plan was to become a natural state.
Henry Williams III is doctor. However, after an Williams said his
a former resident of Stone advanced environmental motivation comes from
Mountain and 2013 graduate science class that taught the wanting to help people.
of Stephenson High School role the environment plays Engineering is a way to help
who was recognized as in overall health, he decided people on a larger scale,
the 2019 Engineering to study the environment according to Williams.
Technology Student of as a proactive way to fight According to Williams,
the Year award during diseases. it is difficult to go a day
the Georgia Engineering “I figured I should be without interaction with
Awards Feb. 23. an environmental engineer some form of engineering.
In addition to the award to kind of help cure people “There are millions
from the American Council before diseases actually of ways engineering is
of Engineering Companies occur,” Williams said. implanted in our lives and
(ACEC), Williams also He attended Savannah I didn’t realize that until
was named one of the New State University where I actually got to college,”
Faces of Civil Engineering he majored in civil Williams said.
by the American Society of engineering-technology. Williams said since
Williams currently works as engineering is important to Henry Williams III was recently presented with an award by the American Council of
Civil Engineering (ASCE). Engineering Companies. Photo provided by Catherine Williams.
According to Williams, an engineering technician everyday life, high schools
the ASCE international for Terracon, an engineering should do more to expose
accolade is given to 10 consulting firm in Savannah. students to the career field.
A study that helped “I knew they did a lot once thought of engineers as of becoming a licensed
people annually. “mechanics building roller engineer and owning an
“It’s surreal,” Williams Williams win his recent of math but I didn’t know
awards was an ongoing the impact they had on coasters.” environmental consulting
said. “I’m grateful and Williams has goals firm.
college senior design project everyday lives,” he said he

DECATUR

Students participate in class while a teacher uses techniques learned through REAP. Photos provided by A metro Atlanta teacher uses techniques provided by REAP to help students with reading. Photo provided
Jennifer Rhett. by Jennifer Rhett.

Group raises money to support literacy instruction

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Reading is Essential for All
People (REAP) raised more than
$20,000 at its March 9 fundraiser, to
support REAP’s Summer Reading
Camp and Structured Literacy
training for public school teachers.
“We like to take an opportunity
to celebrate with all the donors and
supporters that have really given
so much to make all this happen,”
Jennifer Rhett, REAP co-founder
said. “We really celebrate how far
we’ve come and try to thank all the
people that have helped.”
REAP, a nonprofit organization,
provides public school teachers
with tools to assist with literacy
instructions along with its summer
program. The organization was
founded in 2013 by Rhett and her
husband Jeremy Rhett and has
provided multisensory literacy
training for more than 800 Atlanta
area teachers. REAP has provided
funds to 140 DeKalb County
teachers as well.
“The purpose and mission is to
better serve public school leaders,”
Jennifer Rhett said. “I have three
kids, who are dyslexic and were
struggling readers when they were
young and so I’ve learned a lot
SEE LITERACY ON PAGE 11
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 11

LITERACY Continued From Page 10A

about the process of reading instruction … We
realized through this whole experience that the
best way to reach struggling students is through
their teachers.”
The Rhetts are DeKalb residents and own
CertaPro Painters of Atlanta/Decatur. Their
children attend schools in the City Schools of
Decatur system.
As their children were going through the
school system, they realized that public school
teachers do not have access to some tools and
techniques needed for struggling readers, they
said. The Rhetts took their children outside
the school system to receive additional help
but realized not every family has the financial
resources they have.
As charitable givers to other organizations,
the Rhetts decided to refocus donations through
their company and use them toward a cause that
could make a significant difference─helping
students read.
Jennifer Rhett then partnered with friend
Carla Stanford to create REAP.
“We originally decided that this would be a
small project and we would raise the money and
send the teachers to training,” Jennifer Rhett
said. “We thought we’d train a few here and
there. We had no idea of the demand and the
need that would be there once we got this kicked
off. So it’s very exciting and we’re very humbled
by the passion and dedication of all the teachers
that we work with. They really want to meet the
needs of their students.”
REAP also provides teachers with funding to
learn new teaching techniques since most school
systems do not have teacher training in their
budget, according to Jennifer Rhett.
Benefits of the program have not been
documented because of the different testing
styles of school systems in the metro area;
however, the newly trained teachers have said
their students are moving forward, according to
Jennifer Rhett.
“When we go to schools to observe you
can see the student engagement versus the
engagement prior to the teacher using this type
of instructional practice,” Jennifer Rhett said.
“We’ve had many teachers tell us that this is life
changing in their career.”

EDUCATION BRIEFS
Dennis named to Roane
State Dean’s List
Destiny Dennis of
Stone Mountain made the
Dean’s List at Roane State
Community College for the
fall 2018 semester.
To be eligible, a student
must attain a 3.5 grade-point
average while attempting 12
or more semester hours of
college-level courses
Eastern students named to
fall 2018 Dean’s List
higher.
Decatur native named
to Dean’s List at Ithaca
College
Katherine Langford, a
Decatur resident majoring
in writing at Ithaca College,
was named to the Dean’s
List for the fall 2018
semester.
Stafford receives degree
at Miami University fall
commencement
2019 semester studying
abroad in Rome, Italy.
Eden is from
Brookhaven.
Students accepted
to University of the
Cumberlands’ class of
2023
University of the
Cumberlands recognized
students admitted for the fall
class of 2019.
Key Wade of Decatur is
among the students.

Eastern Connecticut Miami University

State University recently
released its fall 2018 Dean’s
List for full-time and part-
time students.
Among the students
are Miriam Espino
Cambron of Doraville,
Yamileth Jarquin Yescas
of Doraville, Karelin
Marroquin of Scottdale.
In order to be eligible
for Dean’s List, students
must have a GPA of 3.50 or
awarded degrees to students
during fall commencement
exercises Dec. 14.
Sofia Stafford of
Brookhaven was among the
graduating students.
Eden to spend spring 2019
in Rome
MacKenzie Eden, a
member of the class of
2020, is spending the Spring
FREE BREAKFAST AND
LUNCH EVERY SUNDAY!
Sunday School 9:15-10:15 a.m.
Sunday Service
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Wed. Bible Study: 7-8 p.m.
Looking for new ushers, choir
members and praise team.
New Jerusalem
Outreach Ministries
(770) 981-7408
Sr. Pastor,
Dr. Julius Edmondson, Sr.

PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF LITHONIA, GEORGIA
Notice of Intent to Take Action to Increase the Compensation of the Mayor and
Councilmembers of the City of Lithonia, Georgia.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Mayor and Council, at their April 15, 2019
Regular Meeting, intend to consider and to vote upon an ordinance that will
provide for an increase in compensation for the Mayor and members of the
City Council, and will provide that said compensation for the Mayor be fixed at
a monthly salary of $900.00; and that said compensation for Councilmembers
be fixed at a monthly salary of $450.00 and if so approved on April 15, 2019,
will become effective January 1, 2020. Copies of the proposed ordinance
are available for examination and inspection with the Lithonia City Clerk. All
concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing, which will be located at the
Lithonia City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia, Georgia on April 15, 2019 at 6:30
p.m.
LaThaydra Sands
City Administrator
 AROUNDDeKalb
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 12

DUNWOODY STONECREST 981-3800.

Online safety awareness program offered at Arabia Mountain to be site of hike STONE MOUNTAIN
library
Hikers will be taught about Arabia’s natural and Masonic Lodge to host breakfast
Dunwoody police officers will hold a “Kids, Cell cultural resources during an Interpretive Hike March
Phones, and the Internet: A Tangled Web” program 29 from 8 to 11 a.m. Hikers will be told about The Stone Mountain Masonic Lodge will host its
at the Dunwoody library March 23, 2-3:30 p.m. the local history, industry and the ecology of the monthly breakfast April 6 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. The
Officers will discuss the risks that come with Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. Hikes all-you-can-eat breakfast is $7. The lodge is located
online access for children such as inappropriate are moderate and last one to two hours. Hikers are at 840 VFW Drive. For more information, visit www.
content, cyberbullying and online predators. A asked to dress for the weather and bring a refillable stonemountaincity.org.
former FBI agent will discuss child identification water bottle and snacks. Arabia Mountain is located
kits that allow parents to get and retain fingerprints at 3787 Klondike Road. To register, call (770) 484- TUCKER
and DNA samples and the FBI Child ID App. 3060.
Community invited to hike Smoke Rise trails
Library to host party for toys Church to host health fair
The Smoke Rise community will host a “Trail Mix
Dunwoody library is encouraging children ages Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church will host Hike” April 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hike will take
3 to 8 to bring their stuffed animals, dolls or toys a community health fair March 30 from 9 a.m. to place at the trails of Smoke Rise I. Along the paths
to the library for a toy sleepover March 20. Toys are 1 p.m. The event will include fitness tips, health will be treats to create trail mix. Tucker’s Parks and
to be picked up March 21 along with a photo of all screenings, education, speakers, vendors and door Recreation staff will be available throughout the
toys that participated in the event (770) 482 3828. prizes. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. There will day to walk with hikers and answer questions. For
be continental breakfast. Workout attire is preferred more information, call (470) 481-0205.
but not required. The church is located at 3800 Big
Miller Grove Way. For more information, call (770)

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BUSINESS DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 13

COUNTYWIDE

Award-winning loan specialist

calls helping people her passion
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Mattie Ford, home
loan specialist at Delta
Community Credit Union,
said she has “a passion
for helping people.”
That passion, along with
extensive training and
experience in business, led
to her recently being named
among the recipients of this
year’s Mortgage Bankers
Association of Georgia
(MBAG) Platinum Award.
Accepting the award for the
second consecutive year,
Ford is Delta Community’s
only two-time winner of the
award.
A DeKalb County
resident, who works in Delta
Community’s downtown
Decatur office, Ford in 2018
generated more than $34
million in mortgage loans.
The MBAG’s excellence in
banking awards, however,
are not based on production
.alone. The organization
also looks at continuing
education, professional
ethics and involvement in the
organization in choosing its
award recipients.
winner. MBAG is a trade
association for mortgage
lenders, brokers and others
in real estate finance in
Georgia.
“For nearly 20 years,
Mattie and Rhonda have
established themselves as
trustworthy advisors who
help prospective home
buyers navigate what can be
a stressful process,” Delta
Community CEO Hank
Halter said in a released
statement. “Their significant
productivity reflects the
confidence our members
place in them to provide
sound, personalized service.”
Ford, who has an
undergraduate degree in
business and a master’s
degree in human resources,
said she finds working for
a credit union rather than
for another type of financial
institution particularly
gratifying. “I had some
banking experience in my
home state of Mississippi,
but I really enjoy this
because we’re a not-for-
profit cooperative. The focus
is on helping people rather
than making as large a profit
as possible.”
loans and lot loans. “I want
to make this as relaxed and
easy for people as possible.
There are a lot of details and
people appreciate having
someone who can walk them
through the process step
by step. Even older buyers
whose children are grown
who are looking to sell their
home and buy a smaller one
are a little nervous because
it’s been a while since they
have gone through this,” she
noted.
Ford said she is
particularly proud that Delta
Community emphasizes
homebuyer education.” We
hold seminars to help people
know what to expect in the
homebuying process. I also
spend of lot of my time
counseling people. One of
my biggest challenges is
helping people who may
not be financially ready for
homeownership. I advise
them on getting their
personal finances in order so
they can come back to me
and say, ‘OK, I’ve done this,
this and this like you told
me; now I’m ready to apply
for a home loan.’”
Although she handles
only home loans, Ford said
those who have worked with
her sometimes come to her
when they need other types
of loans. “When people ask
me about auto loans and
other types of loans, I’m
happy to direct them to the
right person, but it’s really
nice to know they have that
level of confidence in me
that they come to me first,”
she said.
Ford said she also gets
many referrals from those
who have worked with her
and she often gets a “shout
out” on social media from
satisfied customers. “I had
one customer who works in
radio. She wanted to buy a
house but knew absolutely
nothing about the process.
She was so delighted with
how I helped her she would
occasionally go on the air
and say, ‘Mattie helped me
get my house; you need to let
her help you, too.’”
Member-based Delta
Community, which was
founded in 1940 by Delta
Airlines employees,
describes itself as Georgia’s
largest credit union with
$5.8 billion in assets. “That’s
almost double the size of
the next largest Georgia
credit union,” said Sharon
Renaud, spokesperson for
Delta Community. “It’s not
hard to be the largest credit
union in Georgia when
your membership base is
the largest employer in
Georgia.” She explained that
the credit union for most of
its history served only Delta
employees. “Then 9-11 hit
and caused problems for all
airlines and their affiliate
organizations. Right after
that, we expanded our
charter to make membership
available to residents of the
14-county metro Atlanta area
as well as relatives of current
members.”
Ford said she recently
received a phone call from
a man in California who
said he had heard such
good things about Delta
Community that he wanted
to join. “He has a relative
who’s already a member, so
he’s eligible,” she noted.

PET WEEK
Approximately 14 years Buying a home, even
ago, Ford became one of if it’s not for the first time,
the credit union’s first two can be extremely stressful,
home loan specialists. The noted Ford, who estimates
other is Peachtree City-based that each month she closes
Rhonda Dearing, the other 15 to 20 loans, including
Delta Community 2018 not only home purchases,
MBAG Platinum Award but refinances, home equity Veta (ID# 39321483) about Veta please call (404)
is a sweet, senior girl, 294-2165 or email foster@
around 7, just waiting for dekalbanimalservices.com.
her perfect home! She is All potential adopters will
low maintenance, calm, and be screened to ensure Veta
PUBLIC NOTICE sweet as can be. She is goes to a good home. Hours:
Notice of Intent to Take Action to Change the Meeting perfectly content sitting by her Mon-Fri; 11am-7pm / Sat-Sun;
Time of the Governing body of the City of Lithonia, person's side for belly rubs 11am-6pm
and pets. Our volunteers love
Georgia. to walk Veta because she is Not ready to adopt or
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Mayor and Council, at great on the leash, so easy already have enough pets?
their April 1, 2019 Regular Meeting, intend to consider and going and loves to snuggle Then please consider
to vote upon an ordinance that will provide for a time change after her walk. Veta knows fostering a pet. We are in
for the official meeting from 7:00 p.m. on the first and third how to sit and would be urgent need of foster homes
great for anyone looking for for two weeks or more, since
Monday of each month to 6:30 p.m. and if so approved on a chilled-out dog who doesn’t our shelter is completely full
April 1, 2019, will become effective April 15, 2019. Copies of
the proposed ordinance are available for examination and
jump on people and who has
lots of love to give. Meet Veta and we are out of room. We
will provide everything you
inspection with the Lithonia Interim City Clerk. All concerned Veta today! need, and you just supply the
citizens are invited to the public meeting, which will be love. Interested in helping?
If you would like to expand All adoptions include your Please contact foster@
located at the Lithonia City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia, your family by 4 furry little new pet's spay or neuter, dekalbanimalservices.com.
Georgia on April 1, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. feet; ask to meet Veta and vaccinations, microchip and
LaThaydra Sands, City Administrator have a loving friend forever. more! For more information
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 14

WEEKLY BASEBALL SCORES

NEXT LEVEL

Tucker alum leads Auburn to first

basketball conference title since 1985
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com

Chamblee’s Travis Hammond reaches home plate before Miller Grove’s Jathan Smith tags him. Photo by Mark Brock When Tucker High School alum Bryce Brown signed his
letter of intent to Auburn in 2014, he said he had one goal.
March 11 Southwest DeKalb 20, Clarkston 0 “I just want to try to help them win games,” he said.
Chamblee 19, Miller Grove 0 Stephenson 9, Mt. Zion 0 Brown achieved that goal and more March 17 after leading
Decatur 16, Lithia Springs 2 Tucker 16, Drew 5 the Auburn men’s basketball program to its first Southeastern
M.L. King 10, Lovejoy 6 Centennial 14, Dunwoody 5 Conference tournament championship since 1985 after the
Drew 15, Stephenson 12 Eastside 9, Druid Hills 1 84-64 win over Tennessee in Nashville. Brown led the team in
Norcross 5, Dunwoody 4 Flowery Branch 1, Marist 0 scoring with 19 points.
Brown was named tournament MVP after setting the record
Pace Academy 22, Stone Mountain 0
for most 3-pointers (18) in an SEC tournament. He knocked
March 12 Westminster 13, Cedar Grove 1 down five 3-pointers in the championship game. The senior
Arabia Mountain 14, Columbia scored in double figures in all four of Auburn’s games in the
Druid Hills 21, Cross Keys 0 March 14 tournament and averaged 16.5 points per game.
Lithonia 14, Stone Mountain 4 Clarkston 7, Towers 5 In his senior year at Tucker, Brown averaged 13.0 points and
McNair 13, B.E.S.T Academy 10 Decatur 14, North Springs 1 2.5 assist per game. Auburn’s victory earned the team its second
Paideia 12, Trinity Christian 10 Paideia 13, The Weber School 3 consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament and a No. 5 seed in
Southwest DeKalb 19, Clarkston 0 South Atlanta 13, McNair 5 the Midwest Region. They will travel to Salt Lake City to face
Tucker 12, Forest Park 6 New Mexico State in the first round March 21.
Sandy Creek 13, Redan 12 March 15
Dunwoody 3, Pope 2 OTHER STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
March 13 Westminster 11, Cedar Grove 0
Arabia Mountain 13, Columbia 3
Chamblee 17, Miller Grove 2 March 16
Harrison Moore,
Decatur 15, Lithia Springs 0 Chamblee 10, Columbia 0 Augusta State (baseball):
Lakeside 11, Berkmar 0 Southwest DeKalb 13, Miller Grove 2 The senior outfielder
M.L. King 12, Mundy’s Mill 1 North Cobb 2, Dunwoody 0 from Stephenson had
Redan 17, Towers 2 two hits, two RBIs and
Redan 22, Towers 2
three runs in the 19-10
win over Paine College
March 13.

Mattie Ryan, Emory

(softball): The freshman
first baseman from
Marist had one RBI from
one at-bat in the 2-1
win over Emory & Henry
March 13.
SPORTS
TRACK & FIELD
Tucker won its second consecutive boys’ DeKalb County middle school track title and fourth in six seasons. Photos by Carla Parker
Chamblee won its third consecutive girls’ DeKalb County middle school track title and sixth overall.
Chamblee, Tucker defend middle school track titles
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
There were no new team
champions at this year's DeKalb
County middle school track
championships as Chamblee girls
and Tucker boys defended their
titles.
Chamblee won its third
consecutive girls' county title and
sixth overall and Tucker won its
second consecutive boys' title and
fourth in six seasons March 18
at Godfrey Stadium. Chamblee
claimed the girls' title with 77.50
points, outscoring runners-up
Chapel Hill (66) and Henderson
(63).
Chamblee won silver medals
in the 4x100-meter relay (51.34),
4x400-meter relay (4:26.91)
and 1,600-meter sprint medley
(4:34.48). Jordyn Parker won
silver in the long jump (17-04.50),
Lilly Nicaruagua won bronze in
the 1,600-meter run (5:55.49) and
Solai Washington won bronze in
the 100-meter dash (12.95).
Chapel Hill girls were led by
Amya Hughes, who won gold in
the 400-meter dash (1:00.70). The
team also won gold in the 4x100-
meter relay (50.63) and 4x400-
meter relay (4:23.56). Henderson’s
Hailey Davis won gold in the
1,600-meter run (5:45.55) and
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 15
Henderson also picked up a gold
medal in the 1,600-meter sprint
medley (4:34.37).
Other gold medalists in the
girls’ track meet were Peachtree's
Trinity Williams (100-meter
dash, 200-meter dash and long
jump), Peachtree’s Claire Shelton
(800-meter run), Tucker's Alan
Freeman (shot put) and Freedom’s
800-sprint medley "A" team.
In the boys’ meet, Tucker
claimed the county title with 102
points, Bethune finished second
with 72 points and Henderson
finished third with 38 points.
Tucker sprinters Jayquan
Billingsley and Eathan Sanders-
Brown finished first (11.51) and
tied for second (11.77) respectively
in the 100-meter dash. Xavier
Taylor won the 400-meter dash
(55.08) and Tucker also won gold
in the 4x400-meter relay (3:46.65),
800-meter sprint medley (1:42.87)
and 1,600-meter sprint medley, as
well as silver in the 1,600.
Bethune’s Demarious Marshall
won gold in the shot put (44-00.00)
and the 4x100-meter relay "A" team
finished first with a time of 45.38.
Other gold medalists were
Salem’s Ashton Moore (200-meter
dash), Renfroe’s William Carlton
(800 and 1,600-meter runs) and
Cedar Grove’s Barry Jackson
(long jump).
LOCAL
DUNWOODY
$1.35 million to be spent on road
improvements near new school
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Dunwoody will be making
improvements to Roberts
Drive prior to the new Austin
Elementary School opening.
“Pedestrian safety, especially
in school zones, is a major
emphasis of the city council,”
said Dunwoody Public Works
Director Michael Smith. “In
addition to the traffic-related
improvements, this project will
add new and wider sidewalks
to improve the experience of
families walking to school.”
The improvements will
cost $1,350,000, according to
city officials, and will include
turn lanes in and out of the
main entrance to the school, a
new sidewalk on the west side
of Roberts Drive, a widened
sidewalk on the east side of
Roberts and a new traffic signal
and pedestrian crossing at the
entrance. Georgia Department
of Transportation is providing
a $300,000 grant for the school
safety improvements.
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We’d love to hear from you.
HORACE HOLLOMAN
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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.
“We appreciate the Georgia
DOT’s support for pedestrian
safety,” added Smith.
Funding for the project was
approved by Dunwoody’s city
council in February.
Austin Elementary School’s
new 900-seat building will be
located at the former Dunwoody
Park, 5321 Roberts Drive in
Dunwoody.
The building, which was
scheduled to be completed in
June 2019 with an August 2019
opening, is now scheduled to be
complete in November 2019 with
a January 2020 opening due to
weather.
Dunwoody has spent $94,387
improving sidewalks on the
southbound access road along
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
from Winters Chapel Road
to Homeland Drive, where
Dunwoody meets Doraville. The
city also spent $428,572 on a
pedestrian bridge that connects
Georgetown Community to
Perimeter Center. Both projects
began in February.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • MARCH 22, 2019 • Page 16
TUCKER
Henderson Park’s tennis courts will get lights installed after Tucker city council voted to allocate
$97,000 for the installation project. Photo by Carla Parker
City to install lights at tennis courts
“Our tennis courts get as much
BY CARLA PARKER
use as just about any amenity in
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
our parks system and one of the
constant things we’ve heard since
Lights will be installed on tennis
assuming responsibility for the
courts at Henderson Park after
parks is that folks want to be able to
the Tucker City Council voted to
play tennis after dusk,” Robertson
allocate funds for the project.
said. “These lights will help us
The council voted unanimously
schedule league and tournament
March 11 to allocate $97,000 for the
play, as well as providing more
installation of lights at Henderson
flexibility to our local schools
Parks’ tennis courts. City officials
as part of our reciprocal use
said the project will be funded
agreement with the DeKalb Board
through the city’s special-purpose
of Education.”
local-option sales tax (SPLOST)
City officials said the new lights
allocation. Under the terms of
are expected to be installed in time
the SPLOST, up to 15 percent
for the summer tennis season. The
of revenue from the tax can go
new projects come nearly two
toward improvements in parks and
years after the completion of the
recreation.
renovation project at the tennis
In a released statement, Tucker
court. The tennis courts were
Parks and Recreation Director Rip
renovated thorugh a DeKalb County
Robertson said the tennis courts at
park bond.
Henderson Park are popular with
residents and visitors.
TheCHAMPION