the DeKalb FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • VOL. 24, NO.

52 • 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

Hank Johnson talking to media at his

resource fair.

Hank Johnson’s
resource fair helps
ex-offenders
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com

Hank Johnson, the

U.S. Rep. for Georgia’s 4th
Congressional District, worked
with local businesses to host
his first Restoration Resource
Fair at Georgia Piedmont Stand Inc.’s booth at Hank Johnson’s resource fair. Photos by Jay Phillips.
Technical College in Clarkston
Feb. 20 with a focus on ex-
offenders and those previously
incarcerated. transportation vouchers and people the opportunity to step available under one roof
According to Johnson and mental guidance. up and step out, and to come makes it easier for them.
those he worked with to bring “This is all about see what’s available to assist A lot of people don’t have
the event to Clarkston, the improving the lives of our you while you take another transportation. That’s one
goal was to help previously citizens,” Georgia Piedmont step forward. That’s what this of the things we’re offering
incarcerated people get back on Technical College President is all about.” people—free MARTA cards—
track. To do that, Johnson and Tavarez Holston said. Vendors at the event so they can get around and
his team brought businesses This is Johnson’s fourth included John Marshall follow up on the information
that will hire ex-offenders, resource fair but is the first School of Law, Georgia that they learned today.”
healthcare companies, housing focused on ex-offenders and Piedmont Technical College, Offender Alumni
agencies, faith-based ministries the previously incarcerated, Oakhurst Medical Center, Association had a booth
and clothing and food options according to Johnson’s staff. Atlanta Food Bank, Helping set up to raise awareness
to Georgia Piedmont Technical “I know that there Hands, Springfield Baptist of its services and offer
College for a restoration are thousands of citizens Church and Rainbow Park memberships to ex-offenders.
resource fair. returning to our community Baptist. “[Offender Alumni
The event also included every year,” Johnson said. “When people take the Association] is a support
wellness screenings, “I know how difficult it is effort to come, it means that group for individuals coming
criminal review and record for people to get back up on they are searching for a better out of incarceration, or
expungement, housing and their feet after getting out of way,” Johnson said. “To individuals with mental health
the system. We want to offer have all of these resources challenges or substance abuse
SEE FAIR ON PAGE 6

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

LOCAL
STONECREST
Stonecrest dismisses lawsuit
against councilwoman
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Stonecrest officials
filed a notice of dismissal
without prejudice on Feb.
18 in the civil action case
against Councilwoman
Jazzmin Cobble. The
dismissal follows Feb.
10’s special called meeting
where Stonecrest officials
questioned her seat on
the council before filing a
declaratory action and asking
for a declaratory judgment
regarding her seat and then
attempting to file a temporary
restraining order against
Cobble while waiting for
clarification from a judge.
“I am glad we can now
focus on the work of the
people and avoid further
litigation on these issues,”
Cobble stated in a release.
“We need to be about doing
the important work of the
City and not fighting among
ourselves.”
According to Cobble,
the dismissal means there is
no remaining challenge to
her eligibility.
In Cobble’s press
release, her attorney Bryan
Tyson said that there is no
danger that the city’s actions
are called into question.
“Georgia law makes
clear that an officeholder
does not forfeit his or
her office without the
intervention of a court and
that all acts while holding
that office ‘are valid as the
acts of an officer de facto,’”
Tyson said. “Georgia law
ensures that all actions of
the city remain valid unless
there is a court order to the
contrary.”
Cobble’s seat was
originally called into question
due to Cobble missing two
meetings in a three-month
period, which added up to
her missing one-third of the
council’s meetings in a three-
month period.
According to a press
release from the city of
Stonecrest, the city charter
states that a council member
missing one-third of council
Jazzmin Cobble
meetings in a three-month
period is grounds for the
council member to be forced
to vacate his or her seat.
The press release
stated that city officials
filed a declaratory action
in DeKalb Superior Court
to seek clarification on
whether Cobble could keep
her seat after two absences
from city council meetings,
and that Stonecrest sought
a declaratory judgment to
interpret the provision of the
city’s charter, which states a
councilmember forfeits his or
her seat by failing to attend
one-third of the meetings in
three months.
Mayor Jason Lary said
in a press release that he
was seeking clarity from the
courts after residents brought
the absences to his and city
management’s attention.
“I did not seek to
remove her from her seat. We
sought to find out the answer
to the charter regarding her
missing days, which is still
unanswered,” Lary stated in
a press release. “As mayor
and the leader of the city of
Stonecrest, I have to handle
pleasant and unpleasant
situations.”
In a memo from Tyson
regarding the litigation,
Tyson states, “On September
23, 2019 and October 14,
2019, you were required
to travel for your job and
were unable to attend those
two regular City Council
meetings. Before missing the
two meetings in September
and October, you notified the
City Clerk and, in at least one
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 2
8SHE]’W
7TIGMEP
case, the Mayor, and no one
objected to your absence. The More than a bank.
attendance records show that
you have been present for
Your good partner.
every meeting in 2019 except SBA Loan
for those two meetings.”
Steve Bae 678.385.0815
Tyson brought portions Commercial Loan
of the city charter into
Jeannie Yoo 470.514.1022
Home Loan (NMLS#236883)
question due to its ambiguity Jin Myung Lee 470.514.1712
in a memo that was released
with Cobble’s statement. HQ / Loan Center Home Loan New York LPO* Dallas (TX) LPO * Colorado LPO* Duluth Branch
The memo questions the
(678) 385-0826 (470) 514-1712 (646) 912-9456 (972) 247-1788 (720) 925-5978 (678) 385-0800
definition of “failing to attend
Doraville Branch
(678) 385-0840
Johns Creek Branch Sugarloaf Branch Chamblee Branch
(678) 892-7000 (678) 892-7020 (678) 892-7030
McGinnis Branch
(678) 892-7040
Houston (TX)
(713) 821-3570
[meetings],” the definition
*Loan Production Office
of a three-month period and
requirements for an excused
absence.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
DeKalb County 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan for HUD Programs
to include the 2020 Annual Action Plan
GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS FOR
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) 2020 FUNDS
On March 4th the DeKalb County Community Development Department
will begin accepting applications from faith-based organizations, commu-
nity organizations, municipalities, non-profit agencies and other entities
interested in applying for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG),
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and HOME funds for the Year 2020.
All applications or requests are subject to future HUD funding for
these programs. CDBG and ESG applications and general information
may be obtained beginning March 2nd at the DeKalb County website;
www.dekalbcountyga.gov. For more information, please join us at the
meetings or call (404) 371-2727.
Application/Information/Technical Assistance Workshop
Date/Time Location
Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Wesley Chapel Library
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM 2861 Wesley Chapel Road
Decatur, Georgia 30034
Public Hearings
The DeKalb County Community Development Department
will conduct two Public Hearings.
Date/Time Date/Time
Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 6:00 PM TBA
Community Needs Proposed Budget/Annual
Maloof Auditorium Action Plan
1300 Commerce Drive Maloof Auditorium
Decatur, GA 1300 Commerce Drive,
The purpose of this public hearing Decatur, GA
is to solicit input from the public We will present the proposed
regarding community needs and 2019-2023 Consolidated Plan
priorities. We will discuss general including the 2020 Annual
information concerning the 2019- Action Plan, proposed budget
2023 Consolidated Plan including and solicit public questions and/
the 2020 Annual Action Plan, or comments.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 3

Downtown Tucker eyed for DECATUR

community development Salary hikes, new positions focus of City
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Schools of Decatur budget proposal
Tucker’s city council
recently heard a presentation
about what city officials
are calling a multi-layered
community improvement
plan with a focus on the
downtown district.
The proposed project is
a joint effort between Tucker-
Northlake Community
Improvement District,
TSW architectural design
and the city of Tucker. The
project started after a study
by the Atlanta Regional
Commission’s Livable
Centers Initiative highlighted
downtown Tucker as an area
ready for more development,
according to John McHenry,
community and economic
development director for the
city of Tucker.
The result of the Livable
Centers Initiative study was
due to the amount of interest
and infrastructure already
in place. City officials said
Tucker’s growing population
and quality of life were also
considered in the study.
Tucker’s cityscape
makes it a prime target for
downtown development, said
McHenry.
McHenry said
downtown Tucker’s
alleyways and small streets
allow pedestrians to easily
walk downtown Tucker and
give the city the added bonus
of being able to direct traffic
having access to Tucker’s
stores and restaurants.
“But the fact that you
can still have access to BY ASIA ASHLEY
businesses, on multiple Asia@dekalbchamp.com
sides of the property,
through an alley—and
Salary increases and
that becomes your front
new positions account for
door—it just makes sense
most of the increases in City
to the commercial property
Schools of Decatur (CSD)’s
owners,” Lee said.
proposed fiscal year 2021
City officials want to
budget.
monitor the development
The $80.2 million
to make sure new potential
proposal anticipates an extra
businesses help sustain
$1.2 million for 14 new
downtown Tucker.
positions to accommodate
“There needs to be a
an anticipated growth of 320
strong plan for downtown
students.
Tucker as growth continues
Additional staff is also
to come out,” Lee said. employees. custodial staff may receive
proposed for the special
“We just want to make sure Decatur food and an average of $3,631 salary
education department at an
that what comes with it is nutrition staff, custodial increase, according to the
estimated cost of $390,000.
appropriate for the long staffs and bus drivers are proposal.
This includes a special
term.” also proposed to receive a “All of these changes
education coordinator, two
The downtown boost in salary in addition to would bring every one of
additional lead teachers and
development plan also calls the COLA. our steps on those scales
increasing workdays from
for trails that will connect Food and nutrition to among the first and
190 to 210, according to
downtown Tucker and staff, approximately 34 third among metro Atlanta
Superintendent David Dude.
surrounding areas while employees, may receive districts,” said Dude. “This
The budget also
creating new public spaces. an average increase of brings consistency to our
includes staff and materials
McHenry said the $3,415 per position after pay scale and it makes us
for reading intervention
city grid and attention the step increment increases, more competitive.”
and support at an estimated
area has already received according to the budget Dude said he plans to
$544,000, with a focus on
from restaurants and retail proposal. Starting pay for bring future proposals to the
providing aid to students
shops such as Bell Street those employees is currently board to amend the budget
with dyslexia.
Burritos and Village Burger, listed at $9.33 per hour. for a pay increase for bus
As proposed in Georgia
give Tucker a head start on Bus drivers, whose monitors, para educators and
Gov. Brian Kemp’s state
developing its downtown starting pay is currently childcare workers.
budget, teachers across the
district. listed at $13.23 per hour, The budget year begins
state are to receive a $2,000
“For some newer may receive a larger pay July 1. The Decatur Board
salary increase. This is in
communities, there is no increase—an average of Education will vote on
addition to a two percent
center, and they have to increase of $4,874 per the budget in the coming
cost-of-living adjustment
create their own,” McHenry position after step increases. months.
(COLA) increase for CSD
said. “Tucker [was] always After step increases,
thought of as a city, because
it already had that center in

Pet of the Week

toward different, and in
future cases newer, sections
of downtown.  the Atlanta Regional
“[Early city planners]
had the forethought to lay
out things like alleys—
which were really for coal
delivery at the time—but
now it’s a strong economic
development tool,” said
Matthew Lee, executive
director of Tucker-Northlake
Community Improvement
District.
Lee contrasted
Tucker’s downtown district
to Decatur’s. He said
Decatur has an improved
downtown district, but it
still forces pedestrians to
walk on sidewalks next to
cars. Tucker’s alleys give
pedestrians a way to get away
from vehicle traffic while
place.”
Tucker officials credited
Commission for the
Livable Centers Initiative
as motivation to begin the
downtown project. Lee said
the commission has helped
Tucker secure funding for
new sidewalks and other
amenities, and that Tucker’s
downtown development
wouldn’t be possible without
the commission and DeKalb
County’s help.
“This isn’t just
about Tucker, this is
about DeKalb,” Lee said.
“Specifically, DeKalb’s
planning and zoning, which
allowed Tucker to become
what it was for the last
century, and the city of
Tucker has been able to build
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little feet; ask to meet Lucy and have a loving friend
forever. All adoptions include your new pet’s spay or
neuter, vaccinations, microchip and more! For more
information about Lucy please call (404) 294-2165 or
email adoption@dekalbanimalservices.com. All potential
adopters will be screened to ensure Lucy goes to a good
home. Hours: Mon-Fri; 11am-7pm / Sat-Sun; 11am-6pm
OPINION
Birthdays are worth celebrating
When I was a child, birthdays
were always very special to me. Not
just mine, but even those around me.
My parents always made sure
that my twin brother and I—and
later my sister—received something
special and felt special on the day
marking a new year of life. My
parents also made sure to celebrate
each other’s birthdays whether
through a gift or quality time
together. For other family members,
it was important to always call them
and wish them “happy birthday” if
we would not be seeing them that
day to make sure they knew we were
thinking of them on their day.
I recall how a simple “happy
birthday” phone call would make me
feel special and thought of on a day
that’s supposed to be all about me.
Now an adult, I’ve viewed how
outlooks on birthdays have changed
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The CHAMPION
ASIA ASHLEY
Asia@dekalbchamp.com
as we age. Even my parents now
view birthdays as “just another day”
or “I’m just getting older.” As adults,
we often are overcome by focusing
on the children, family, jobs or
things that keep us from enjoying
ourselves.
When I look back on one of
the most challenging years of my
life, year 30, I am reminded of the
trauma and challenges I faced that
kept me from celebrating my “dirty
30,” which for many is an important
milestone.
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 4
A few months ago, celebrating
my 31st birthday wasn’t going to
be a reality for me as I was still
dwelling on the overwhelming
year of 30. More recently, I was
encouraged by a church member to
begin to think of all the challenges
I overcame, the victories I won and
lessons that will carry over with
me into future years. That, to me, is
worth celebrating.
As I prepare for my 31st
birthday this month and again carry
the excitement as I did as a child, I
often try to encourage other adults to
be excited about their birthdays no
matter what new roles, challenges
or unforeseen circumstances life has
thrown at them.
According to July 2015 poll
conducted by global market research
and a consulting firm, Ipsos Reid,
nearly 80 percent of the more than
1,000 Americans surveyed “agree”
(34 percent “strongly” and 44
percent “somewhat”) that “with
life getting more complicated, it’s
even more important to celebrate
life’s simple moments, like a
birthday.” Approximately 20 percent
“disagree” (6 percent “strongly” and
15 percent “somewhat”).
To that, each birthday should
be celebrated, whether it includes
pampering oneself, having a party
or spending time alone to reflect on
the growth, knowledge, victory and
strength that may have been gained
in the previous year. Any small
achievement is an achievement.
Each year is a new lesson, a
new opportunity for growth and
preparation for new challenges.
Whether a good year or bad year, a
new year of life is worth celebrating.
OPINION
Weeding out the bad guys
“I’m proud to have GAXtracts
here in Oconee County, assisting our
efforts to weed out the bad guys and
seize illegal vaping products, which
we can now prove are filled with
illegal and high THC content.” said
Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry.
 During recent testimony before
the Georgia General Assembly,
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
(GBI) Director Vic Reynolds said
the agency maintains a database
of nearly 70,000 gang members
from across the state. Criminal
gang activity has been on a steady
rise in rural, suburban and urban
communities alike for the past
several years, making reducing gang
crime a priority for the GBI as well
as Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp.
 Illegal and illicit activities by
gangs range from violent to drug
crimes and are part of the fast spread
of illegal vaping products, also sold
in otherwise apparently legal tobacco
and head shops. The massive surge
in e-cigarettes and vaping products
has also created a spike in the
manufacture and sale of black market
THC-laced marijuana and other
cannabis products, often unsafe and
frequently containing toxic chemicals
as well as known carcinogens.
 GAXtracts, LLC, a Georgia-
based agri-business and technology
enterprise, is becoming a leading
voice favoring the responsible,
pure, proven and tested manufacture
of CBD health supplements and
products. The company is seeking to
become Georgia’s first state-licensed
industrial hemp processor, and is
in a research partnership now with
the University of Georgia College
of Agriculture and Bio-Science to
develop and distribute resilient hemp
seeds and seedlings for planting and
distribution to Georgia farmers later
this spring. GAXtracts and UGA
hope to later genetically engineer
a hemp plant strain that contains
virtually no THC.
 But in the meantime, illicit
FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
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DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 5
3 percent.  and unsafe products that potentially
‘One Man’s “Assisting and supporting endanger the health of children and
Sheriff Berry and his team was a no- adults alike wooed either by ending
Opinion’ brainer. We look forward to working a bad smoking habit with vaping
with other local and state police products, or seeking a path to a new
Bill Crane and sheriff offices to help serve and illicit high. 
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
and protect our communities. We Some legislators are concerned
hope to help pure, proven and tested about securing evidence and the
industrial hemp products become as chain of custody outside of the direct
hemp flowers and marijuana buds, associated with Georgia as peaches, control of law enforcement agencies
as well as impure vaping solutions peanuts and poultry,” said Don and personnel. However, rape kits
are flooding the market and streets, Barden, CEO and co-founder of have long been gathered and stored
as well as showing up on the shelves GAXtracts. by nonprofit and private sector health
of some vaping and head shops, Budget and staffing cuts have care providers, before being tested at
packaged and marketed as legal been proposed for the GBI Crime the GBI crime labs. As demand for
products. The Centers for Disease Lab in the current budget cycle, vaping products is unlikely to abate
Control and Prevention (CDC) has though the Georgia House budget any time soon, it’s good to know
issued multiple health warnings proposal for the remainder of the that the private sector is investing in
against the use of flavored vaping fiscal year restores several lab technology to separate the weed from
products by adolescents and young positions. Reynolds has indicated chaff.
adults. Bad health results from that a potential solution for handling Bill Crane also serves as a political
consuming these illegal products increasing demand on crime lab analyst and commentator for Channel 2’s
include serious hospitalizations, pre- testing facilities may be testing Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750
cancerous tumors, cancerous growths contracts with private vendors. and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist
and death.  It may seem ironic to some, for The Champion, DeKalb Free Press
During the 2019 session of but it appears that the fast-growing and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
the Georgia General Assembly, the and legal industrial hemp industry native and business owner, living in
legislature and governor legalized may become an ally in identifying Scottdale. You can reach him or comment
the farming, production, processing and weeding out the sale of illegal on a column at bill.csicrane@gmail.com. 
and sale of industrial hemp products,
containing the chemical compound
Cannabidiol (CBD) to be used for
processing and manufacture into a
variety of health and cosmetic CBD
products.
 Previously, GBI crime labs
across Georgia have not had
sufficient capacity to process or test
the THC concentration or levels in
products seized during arrests by
local law enforcement. Pure, proven
and tested CBD and low THC levels
(below 3 percent) are standard
for all GAXtracts processing,
manufacturing and later any products
for sale. The company also has the
sophisticated lab equipment, trained
technicians and researchers onsite at
their labs in Watkinsville to monitor
and test for THC concentration and
levels as well as determine whether
any plant or sample is “hot” with a
THC content above the legal limit of
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
STATEMENT FROM THE
John Hewitt Asia Ashley PUBLISHER
Jay Phillips We sincerely appreciate the
Chief Financial Officer: discussion surrounding this and any
issue of interest to DeKalb County.
Dr. Earl D. Glenn Social Media Manager: The Champion was founded in
SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR, Donna Seay 1991 expressly to provide a forum
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The DeKalb Free Press, residents on all sides of an issue. We
P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Kemesha Wadley have no desire to make the news
only to report news and opinions to
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 6

FAIR Continued From Page 1

it allowed him to get help with friendly would be good. A lot of companies
disorders,” Offender Alumni Association
the expungement process after a state law say they hire felons, but they actually don’t,
Lead Facilitator Ladji Ruffin said. “We also
changed the nature of his offense. because it depends on the type of felony.”
offer a support base, and our biggest thing is
Mary Griffin, another person in Johnson told those at the fair to stay in
the peer support. We walk with individuals;
attendance, said that the fair was great and touch with him and his office—something
we want to help them get connected to jobs,
helpful, but that the job-hunting portion was that Griffin said she was planning to do— if
housing and healthcare. It’s easy to get the
difficult due to the shortage of companies that they couldn’t find work and needed more
job, but we want somebody there to walk
are willing to hire ex-offenders and felons. assistance.
with individuals to help make sure they can
“This was a great event, but there was a “I hope we’re helping a lot of people
TUCKER
get there on time.”
little bit of confusion on some things,” Griffin with the needs that they have to better
One person in attendance said that
said. “A lot of people have felonies. Getting themselves,” Johnson said. “In return, what
the resource fair was beneficial because
some companies out here that are felon that does, is better our community.”

DeKalb County’s legislative delegation hosted a town hall at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in Decatur Feb. 18 to discuss the proposed cities of Greenhaven and
Vista Grove. Photo by Asia Ashley

Legislators express resistance to new DeKalb cities at town hall

BY ASIA ASHLEY
Asia@dekalbchamp.com
The proposed creation of two
new cities in DeKalb County is
still up for debate as some Georgia
legislators expressed their lack of
support during a town hall meeting
Feb. 18. A study conducted by the
University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson
Institute (CVI) of Government was
presented at the meeting showing
possible significant revenue loss to
DeKalb County should the cities
incorporate.
The town hall meeting was
hosted by DeKalb County’s
legislative delegation at the Porter
Sanford III Performing Arts &
Community Center in Decatur where
several supporters of the Greenhaven
and Vista Grove cityhoods appeared
frustrated that their efforts to
incorporate have not been successful.
DeKalb County resident
Kathryn Rice, a proponent of
the proposed city of Greenhaven,
questioned legislators on why the
proposal has yet to be put to residents
for a vote. Efforts on the proposed
city of Greenhaven began more than
five years ago, according to reports.
“Your job is to just determine
whether or not we should get the
right to vote and then we decide if
we should have a city. What are your
reasons for denying the vote?” Rice
asked.
Rep. Viola Davis, D–Stone
Mountain, referenced a meeting
she attended where the proposed
city of Greenhaven was mentioned
by a resident, but others were not
aware of the proposal. Davis plans
to introduce a bill during the current
Georgia legislative session that
she said she hopes will allow more
residents to become aware of the
cityhood proposals before they vote
to incorporate.
“My proposal is to have a non-
binding referendum: ‘Do you want to
incorporate yes or no?’” said Davis.
“This not only gives everyone the
opportunity to vote, but it also gives
those 300,000 who don’t have a clue
about what’s going on an opportunity
to learn. Not in one month, not in
six months, but hopefully in a year
to two and it moves the issue. No
one should be afraid to just ask the
question.”
DeKalb County—the fourth
most populous county in the state—
has 13 incorporated cities which
includes parts of Atlanta.
Ted Baggett, associate director
for CVI, presented the institute’s
report, which shows that DeKalb
County could see a net loss of more
than $20 million in revenues if the
two proposed cities incorporate,
resulting in the loss of positions for
hundreds of county employees and
some county services.
Much of the loss—
approximately $17 million— would
come through Vista Grove’s
incorporation, according to the report,
as proponents of the city will take
those revenues through the proposed
creation of its own police force and
planning and zoning department.
The city is proposed to be located
between Brookhaven, Chamblee
and Doraville along the north, and
Clarkston and Tucker along the south.
Should Greenhaven become
a city, the county would see a net
loss of $2.9 million, according to
the study. The proposed city would
encompass much of what’s left
of unincorporated south DeKalb,
containing more than 300,000 of
DeKalb County’s estimated 750,000
residents. Proponents of the city plan
to continue using county services for
policing but would fund parks and
recreation and planning and zoning
departments.
Rep. Bee Nguyen, D—Atlanta,
said she’s received “pushback” on the
proposal from a majority of residents
within her district and has observed
her colleagues’ hesitance on moving
forward.
“Overwhelmingly, what
[my constituents] are telling me
from every part of District 89,
including unincorporated DeKalb
County, is that there has not been a
demonstration that this is the move
they want to see,” said Nguyen.
“And there are other members of the
delegation who have the ability to
move those bills forward and haven’t
as well and I believe there’s a reason
why all of us are looking at studies
like this and are examining issues like
annexations as well.”
Rep. Becky Evans, D—Atlanta,
added that she also has not seen much
support of the new cities.
“The residents within my house
district have not been vocal on this
issue and I feel like if you do take
a vote it can be very divisive,” said
Evans. “Right now, I’m not prepared
to move forward with a vote. I’m not
persuaded right now on this issue.”
Several residents waited in a line
to question legislators and Baggett,
many appearing to discredit the study
and legislators.
“I’m not sure that the numbers
are correct, to be honest,” said
Greenhaven supporter Annette
Davis-Jackson. “The information
that you have aggregated, did you get
all of that information from DeKalb
County or did you investigate
yourself if the numbers were correct?
Did you have a forensic and financial
audit?”
Baggett said the study was
based on data provided by DeKalb
County and annual county audits and
financial statements.
“We conducted our own
independent analysis… with multiple
researchers and I have confidence in
the people who supplied the data and
our analysis of it,” Baggett said.
The full study can be found on
the DeKalb County website at https://
www.dekalbcountyga.gov/chief-
executive-officer/cvi-study-local-
government-dekalb.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 7

CHAMBLEE

Animal safety ordinance passes in Chamblee

BY ASIA ASHLEY
Asia@dekalbchamp.com
Chamblee officials
approved an ordinance Feb.
18 that enforces stricter laws
regarding animals in vehicles,
following similar laws that
went into effect in Georgia in
July.
The Georgia law
authorizes law enforcement
officers to use reasonable
force to break a side window
of a standing or parked
vehicle to remove an animal if
its safety or health is believed
to be at risk. Officers are
granted immunity for any
damage caused from rescuing
people or pets.
Chamblee council
member Darron Kusman,
who spearheaded efforts
for the city’s animal safety
ordinance, said the city began
considering a new ordinance
last summer, ahead of the new
Georgia law going into effect.
“Several officers were
saying they [had seen]
animals in vehicles in
distress, but there was no
action they could take [other
than] waiting on the owner
to return,” recalled. “It was
troubling for me and the
officers at the time.”
The city ordinance
reiterates the Georgia law
and also requires animals
in an open air vehicle to
be confined by a vented
container or cage, cross-tied
by rope or other mechanism
to prevent the animal from
falling or jumping from a
vehicle or from strangling on
a single leash.
File photo

COUNTYWIDE ANUNCIO IMPORTANTE

Condado de DeKalb 2019-2023 Plan Consolidado para HUD
Programas para incluir en Plan de Acción Anual 2020
PROCESO DE SOLICITUD DE SUBVENCION PARA
El Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano
de los Estados Unidos (HUD) 2020 FUNDS

El 4 de marzo de 2020, el Departamento de Desarrollo Humano y

Comunitario del Condado de DeKalb comenzará a aceptar solicitudes
Pre-K lottery registration ends March de organizaciones religiosas, organizaciones comunitarias, municipios,
12 for DeKalb County School District agencias sin fines de lucro u otras entidades interesadas en aplicar para
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergencia Solutos
Parents and guardians interested in enrolling children in Grant (ESG), y los fondos de HOME para el año 2020. Todas las
a DeKalb County School District Pre-Kindergarten program solicitudes o peticiones seran objeto de financiamiento HUD en el futuro,
can apply online through March 12. para estos programas.
DCSD offers 114 pre-K classes in 75 sites throughout Las aplicaciones CDBG y ESG y la información general se pueden
the district, according to the district’s website. The pre-K obtener a partir 2 de marzo en el sitio web del Condado de DeKalb, www.
program is funded by the Georgia State Lottery and dekalbcountyga.gov. Para obtener más información, por favor, únase a
governed by Bright from the Start. The DCSD website states nuestras reuniones o llame al (404)371-2727.
that the program prepares students socially, emotionally,
physically and cognitively for a successful transition to AAplicación/Información/Taller de Asistencia Técnica
kindergarten and beyond.
The following documents are required to be uploaded Fecha/Hora Localidad
during the application process and presented during the May Miércoles, 4 de marzo de 2020 Wesley Chapel Library
5 to 19 enrollment period: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM 2861 Wesley Chapel Road
- Child’s proof of birth (Child must be 4 years old on or Decatur, Georgia 30034
before Sept. 1, 2020)
- Proof of legal guardianship Audiencias Públicas
- Parent/guardian proof of identification El Departamento de Desarrollo Comunitario del Condado de DeKalb
- Proof of parent/guardian residency está llevando a cabo dos audiencias públicas.
- Child’s original Social Security Card or a waiver. (If a
waiver is needed, it will be provided during the enrollment Fecha/Hora Fecha/Hora
session Jueves, 5 de marzo de 2020 TBA
- Child’s PeachCare card, Medicaid card, health insurance a las 6:00 PM
card, EBT card and/or TANF (if applicable) Community Needs Proposed Budget/Annual
- Immunization certificate (Form 3231) Maloof Auditorium Action Plan
- Vision, Hearing, Nutrition and Dental Screening Certificate 1300 Commerce Drive Maloof Auditorium
(Form 3300) Decatur, GA 1300 Commerce Drive,
El propósito de esta audiencia Decatur, GA
pública es obtener la opinión del Vamos a presentar el proyecto
público sobre las necesidades de Plan Consolidado 2019-
y prioridades de la comunidad.
PLEASE RECYCLE Vamos a discutir la información
general sobre el Plan Consolidado
2023 incluyendo la 2020 Anual
Plan de acción, presupuesto
y solicitaremos preguntas y
THIS PAPER 2019-2020 incluido el Plan de
Acción Anual 2020, el proceso de
presentación de solicitudes, y las
comentarios del público.

actualizaciones del programa.

LOCAL
RedSpeed cameras and signs that could soon be headed to DeKalb
County school zones. Photos provided by RedSpeed.
Speed monitoring cameras
could come to DeKalb
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Schools in Dunwoody,
Brookhaven and Chamblee
could soon have speed-
monitoring cameras
installed by RedSpeed in
dangerous school zones
following rulings from
Dunwoody’s city council
and the Georgia Department
of Transportation (GDOT).
A state law passed in
2018 allows for cameras
to be installed and the
monitoring of the speed of
drivers in school zones. The
cameras will only monitor
drivers’ speeds during the
school day and one hour
before and after school is
in session. The law doesn’t
allow for speed monitoring
at other times or in other
areas.
According to
Greg Parks, a local
representative for
RedSpeed, the cameras
will record vehicles going
11 miles per hour over the
speed limit—or faster—
with video evidence and a
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 8
OUR SOUTH DEKALB MALL
LOCATION ONLY
CLOSING!
40 70
PRICES REDUCED
C D STOREWIDE!
T NOW TAKE
K
%
TO
%
license plate reader.
The evidence captured
by cameras is sent to
RedSpeed for review,
RedSpeed then sends OFF OUR LOWEST TICKETED PRICES!
the evidence to a police SELECTED COSMETICS, FRAGRANCES AND BRANDS EXCLUDED
department in the city
ALL FINE JEWELRY FIXTURES FOR SALE!
30
where the infraction occurs.
60 20 %
The police department
will decide whether to
issue a ticket, according to
RedSpeed.
FIRST
TAKE
%
OFF!
THEN
TAKE AN
EXTRA
%
OFF!
NOW
NOW
OFF
“I think it’s important
for readers to know that OFF ORIGINAL TICKETED PRICES!
the [local] police get full
discretion when it comes to ALL AREA RUGS PRICED TO SELL!
issuing tickets,” Parks said.
If a police department
approves the evidence,
EVERYTHING MUST GO!
they notify RedSpeed and FIXTURES FOR SALE! SEE STORE FOR DETAILS!
RedSpeed sends a city
approved ticket to the
address associated with the ONLY AT OUR DECATUR LOCATION!
license tag.
Because there is no
officer present for the
SOUTH DEKALB MALL
ticketing, no points go 2731 CANDLER RD (404) 243-2611
on the drivers’ records, MON, TUE & WED 10AM-8PM, THU 10-9PM, FRI & SAT 10AM-10PM, SUN 12-7PM
according to RedSpeed, and
drivers may request a court ALL SALES FINAL.
date to challenge the ticket.
Parks said court EXCLUDES PRIOR SALES. “ORIGINAL” & “REGULAR” PRICES ARE OFFERING PRICES THAT MAY NOT HAVE RESULTED IN SALES, AND INTERMEDIATE MARKDOWNS
MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN. ACTUAL SAVINGS MAY EXCEED STATED PERCENTAGE OFF. OFFERS VALID AT THIS LOCATION ONLY. AS OF 1/13/2020 ALL SALES
appearances rarely happen
ARE FINAL, NO RETURNS, NO ADJUSTMENTS. FOR MERCHANDISE SOLD PRIOR TO 1/13/2020, RETURNS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITH PROOF OF PURCHASE
with these tickets, because THROUGH 2/12/2020. DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS SALE, WE CAN NO LONGER HONOR COUPONS, MALL CERTIFICATES OR ADVERTISED PRICES OFFERED
AT OTHER MACY’S STORES OR MACYS.COM. THE RUG DEPARTMENT IS A LEASED DEPARTMENT AND DISCOUNTS MAY VARY FROM STOREWIDE DISCOUNTS.
SELECTED VENDORS, COSMETICS AND FRAGRANCES ARE EXCLUDED FROM SALE PRICES.
SEE CAMERAS ON PAGE 12
 DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 9

WEEK in PICTURES... As seen on DCTV

DCTV has the highlights from the DeKalb County School District Student Film Festival. The festival spotlights
and awards students for their production of short films.

DCTV has partnered with DeKalb County Fire Rescue to produce a new
series called Safe DeKalb, which is designed to educate residents of
DeKalb on safety tips.

DCTV is producing a public service announcement to highlight

the importance of the 2020 Census. DeKalb County CEO Michael
Congressman Hank Johnson hosted a Restoration Resource Fair at Georgia Piedmont Technical College DeKalb Thurmond wants to make sure everyone is counted and will be featured
Campus to help ex-offenders, previously incarcerated, returning citizens or those caught up in the system. in the PSA. 
Several community partners joined him for the event; some were interviewed by DCTV staff.

23
DCTV CHANNEL 23
Get your front row seat to all
@DCTVCHANNEL23 things DeKalb County through your
DEKALB COUNTY GOV EMMY Award-winning station.
U USTREAM.TV/CHANNEL/DCTV-CHANNEL-23
WWW.DCTVCHANNEL23.TV
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 10
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 11

TUCKER

Tucker approves solar panels, funds to resurface roads

BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Tucker’s mayor and city council
voted to authorize an agreement for
the installation of 133 solar panels
on the roof of Tucker Recreation
Center and approved a $4.4 million
contract to resurface 79 roads in the
city.
According to a press release, the
solar panels are expected to generate
86 percent of the energy needed to
power the rec center. Resurfacing
will be funded by a special-purpose
local-option sales tax (SPLOST).
“We are glad to bring this kind
of innovation to the city of Tucker,”
Tucker Mayor Frank Auman stated
in a press release. “When we saw the
cost savings of this project, as well
as the impact to the environment, it
just made sense.”
Tucker is spending $165,021 on
the solar panel project—which does
not include a $50,000 grant secured
from the Georgia Environmental
Finance Authority—but the project
is expected to pay for itself in
approximately 10 years, according to
city officials.
The solar panels project is
being done in conjunction with
German-based solar power battery
manufacturer Sonnen, which has its
North American headquarters and
manufacturing facility in Tucker.
“Parks and recreation is a
balance of trying to provide the
best possible programing, while
also watching our costs,” Tucker
Parks and Recreation Director
Rip Robertson said. “With these
innovations, we will take our $3,100
per month utility bill and slash it
to $2,433 per month. That is an
additional $667 a month we can
spend on recreation improvements
for our citizens.”
The solar panels are Tucker’s
first solar energy project since
incorporating in 2016. The solar
panels are projected to save
taxpayers an estimated $323,314
over the next 30 years and will give
Tucker an emergency operations
center in case of power outages.
Tucker will serve as a case
study for the use of solar and
intelligent battery arrays for
municipal operations, as companies
such as Sonnen look to expand the
use of renewable energy platforms
into larger operations such as
wastewater treatment, public safety
and operations.
According to city officials,
Gwinnett County-based E.R. Snell
Contractor Inc. will perform the
resurfacing work in Tucker, which
will cover 19.2 miles of roadway.
“E.R. Snell came in with a
strong track record of quality work
and a competitive bid,” Tucker
City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt
stated in a press release. “Initially,
we had only expected to resurface
64 streets in 2020, but thanks to the
competitive pricing and favorable
market forces, we were able to add
15 streets to that list. This is the
most ambitious resurfacing program
to date for the city of Tucker.”
Resurfacing is being funded
primarily through Tucker’s share of
the DeKalb County SPLOST. The
SPLOST passed a referendum in
2017 and will be in effect until 2024.
In the first two years of its SPLOST-
funded road resurfacing program,
Tucker has repaved roughly 50
streets, according to a press release.

9.2-million-gallon sewer spill reported in DeKalb

BY ASIA ASHLEY
Asia@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County
representatives reported a
9.2-million-gallon sewer
spill—a spill large enough
to fill 13.6 Olympic size
pools—near Snapfinger
Wastewater Treatment Plant
that occurred Feb. 18.
A preliminary
engineering analysis by
DeKalb County Department
of Watershed staff indicates
that the Meadow Creek Path
sewer spill was caused by
the abundance of rainfall
received in the county
this year—approximately
18.45 inches as of Feb.
25—when the plant reached
its treatment and storage
capacity, which has been
temporarily reduced by
the ongoing construction
of a new plant, DeKalb
spokespersons said in a
press release.
“The plant was
operating at full capacity
and the storage was maxed
out,” said CEO Michael
Thurmond during the Feb.
25 DeKalb County Board
of Commissioners meeting.
“Our new plant is expected
to hold 18,000 gallons more
per day than the current
plants, but it’s three years
behind schedule.”
DeKalb County is in
the third year of its 10-year
plan to fix its wastewater
system following a consent
decree issued in 2011 by
the EPA and EPD for the
county’s aged sewage
system. According to the
county staff, the county
has spent more than $301
million since 2017 in capital
improvements that include
wastewater treatment
plant upgrades, sewer pipe
rehabilitation and upsizing,
manhole repairs and
replacement, and lift station
renovations.
Some of these capital
improvements are designed
to reduce stormwater
intrusion and other decades-
old infrastructure defects.
During two days of
heavy rain in the second
week of February, more
than 20 sewer spills were
reported and showed an
estimated 1 million gallons neighborhoods often have a of repairing older pipes.
of spills. loss of water pressure due to “’Wait for the break’ is
Clarkston resident the county’s sewage issues. DeKalb County’s motto,”
Steven Benny commented He blamed the county’s Benny joked during the Feb.
on DeKalb’s ongoing sewer issue on its focus on 25 BOC meeting.
issues, noting that several building newer pipes instead

VISIT US ONLINE @THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM

EDUCATION
LITHONIA
Lithonia High School
library one step
closer to renewal
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Jennifer Jones, a
teacher-librarian at Lithonia
High School, has had big
plans for revamping the high
school’s library since she
started at the post in January
2019. She said she hopes
to transform the library’s
collection and aesthetics
with updated books, new
technology and a new look,
complete with new furniture.
“I have a plan—sort of
a personal goal—I’m calling
it a library renewal because
that’s a nice [pun]-library
thing, right? I’m constantly
looking for new funds to
improve the space,” Jones
said.
Jones has already
updated the collection with
graphic novels and new
releases, rearranged existing
furniture and placed student
art around the media center.
As of Feb. 18, Jones
and Lithonia High School’s
media center took a big step
toward renewal when they
received more than 5,000
square feet of carpet tiles as
a donation from Mohawk
Flooring.
“All somebody can say
is no if you ask them for
help,” Jones said. “Even
though I applied for this, I
didn’t just call up and ask.”
In addition to Mohawk
Flooring’s donation, Jones
has received a Lowe’s
Toolbox for Education grant
which she used to purchase
furniture that she is waiting
to have delivered. However,
Jones said she ordered
comfortable seats with
ottomans.
“A more visually
appealing space, with
new stuff, will appeal to a
segment of the students who
haven’t been to the media
center [since it was updated]
just because they’re
curious,” Jones said. “Like,
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 12
‘oh, I heard she got new
chairs.’ So that’s my hope.
We’ll have to see if that
actually happens.”
Not all of Jones’
renewal efforts have been
dedicated to books and
reading. She said that it’s
important for the library to
look inviting, because that’s
what entices students to
enter.
Students from Lithonia High School thanking Mohawk Flooring for donating carpet to the media center.
“I had a colleague say
it’s not about the looks,
it’s about the services and and devices related to the making those students
resources you offer,” Jones curriculum to the media comfortable and having
said, “which is true, but center, and one of those a collection of books and
what about students who devices is a green screen. technology that meets
don’t want to come in “I want to purchase students’ needs, Jones said
because it doesn’t look very green screen technology so she also wants the media
inviting? I’m trying to pull students can create more center to be something
those students in too.” multimedia projects,” Jones Lithonia High School’s
According to Jones, said. “Wouldn’t it be cool students are proud to call
amenities such as new if history students could their own.
carpet, comfortable seating, broadcast live from some “I want students to
indoor plants and student historical event [for an have a space that makes
artwork make the library assignment] using green them think ‘yeah, that’s
more aesthetically pleasing, screen technology for their my school,’ with a [media The carpet that Mohawk Flooring
and also make people want background?” center] they can be proud donated. Photos provided by
to come to the media center On top of getting of,” Jones said. Lithonia High School Media
because of the new resources students into the library, Center.
it’s getting.
“I was not charged by
the administration to do this.
Part of the issues was, when
I started here, no one was CAMERAS Continued From Page 8
really coming by [the media
center]. Not even to hang
video evidence is posted to a website where drivers.
out,” Jones said. “So, I’ve
those who receive tickets can watch the Other school zones tested by RedSpeed
kind of made it my personal
video. include Dunwoody High School, Chamblee
goal to flip this place. One
Before partnering with local cities to High School, St. Pius Catholic High
gift at a time.”
plan camera installations, RedSpeed ran School, Atlanta Area School for the Deaf,
Many of Jones’ renewal
tests in prospective locations to see how Montgomery Elementary School and St.
efforts have been focused
many drivers speed and which zones posed Martin’s Episcopal School, but none of
on making the library more
the biggest safety concerns. them recorded more than 700 speeding
comfortable and improving
According to Parks, cameras at Austin infractions in one day.
its looks, but she has
Elementary School recorded 1,582 drivers “The program can’t be implemented
also updated the library’s
going speeds of 11 miles per hour or faster unless GDOT finds a safety concern that
collection to make it a better
during one single school day; Dresden needs to be addressed,” Parks said.
fit for the students.
Elementary School recorded 1,489 speeding RedSpeed’s tests will demonstrate
Jones has tried to get
drivers; Chestnut Elementary School safety concerns and highlight the areas
more graphic novels and
and Peachtree Middle School recorded a deemed to be threats he said. GDOT must
new releases and places
combined 1,067 speeding drivers and Cross approve the threats on their own.
them near the entrance. She
Keys High School recorded 2,230 speeding
said that allows two of the
collection’s most popular
categories to be easily
accessed with a quick trip to Visit The Champion Newspaper online
the library.
Jones said she hopes @ TheChampionNewspaper.com
to add new technology
BUSINESS
DECATUR
Auto repair business started during recession
going strong a decade later
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
More than 11 years
ago, a severe dip in the
nation’s economy inspired
two friends to go into the
automobile repair business
together. The recent opening
of a second location and
the move of their flagship
location to a larger facility is
evidence the decision was a
sound one, the partners say.
Chad Almond and
Huston Hatch, friends
since second grade, in
2008 decided to combine
Almond’s business acumen
and Hatch’s expertise in
car repair to open a shop
specializing in repair of
Lexus and Toyota models.
Starting with a shop in
Tucker, they moved their
business, LexTechs, in 2010
to a facility across the street
from Almond’s alma mater,
Decatur High School.
“Decatur has been a
great place for us,” Almond
commented. “The city
has treated us well, and
we’ve established a large
customer base here.” In
January, soon after Almond
and Hatch opened a second
shop in Johns Creek, when
what Hatch called his
dream location on DeKalb
Industrial Way became
available.
“Things were moving
a little fast for us, but we
couldn’t pass this up,”
explained Hatch, who said
he had once visited the
Mercedes shop previously in
that spot. “I loved it. I told
the owner if he ever wanted
to sell, call me first. The call
came soon after we opened
the Johns Creek location.
The timing wasn’t ideal, but
we made it work. The place
never went on the market.
We snapped it right up.”
The new facility,
approximately two miles
from the original Decatur
shop, is half again the size
of the one they moved from
in mid-January. “The place
on South McDonough was
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 13
about 5,000 square feet. This
place is approximately 7,500
square feet. We have more
work area, more office space
and a larger parking area
now,” Almond said, adding
that the move “hasn’t cost us
a single customer.” People
still bring their cars from
across the metro Atlanta
area and from as far away as
Macon and Augusta, he said.
“LexTechs also is now
licensed as a dealership,”
Almond added. “You might Huston Hatch, left, and Chad Almond say winning The new Decatur location on DeKalb Industrial Way is half
describe us a concierge customers’ trust has been key to their success. again the size of the old one.
dealership. People looking
for specific models with
specific features authorize
us to look for what they
want at car auctions and
any dealership in the nation.
Also, people who want to
sell their Lexuses or Toyotas
can do it through us.”
Almond and Hatch say
that establishing an excellent
reputation has been a key
component in their success.
“We know that we have to
win people’s trust. They may
have dealt in the past with
an automobile repair shop
that charged for services
they didn’t need or didn’t
give them a fair price. We
are completely transparent.
We’re always happy to show Almond and Hatch say they only hire “the cream of the crop.” Photos by Kathy Mitchell
the customer exactly what
we need to do to the car. has now served more than in business. “We have for approximately 80 percent
People are trusting you with 10,000 customers, many a customer with a 1997 of its life. He is well able to
what is probably the second of whom have been repeat Lexus with more than half afford another vehicle, but
biggest purchase of their customers over the 12 a million miles on it and we he likes for us to keep that
lives. We want to earn that years LexTechs has been have taken care of that car one running.”
trust,” Hatch said.
“Also,” he added, “all
CITY OF DORAVILLE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
of our mechanics have many
years’ experience with Lexus Right of Way Maintenance and
and Toyota models. We Park Maintenance Services
hire people who previously RFP 20-002 (Corrected)
worked at Lexus and Toyota The City of Doraville seeks qualified bidders to respond to RFP 20-002,
dealerships. These are not
Right of Way Maintenance and Park Maintenance Services. To see the
general mechanics. They full bid, please visit www.doravillega.us and Doraville City Hall (3725 Park
have years of brand specific Avenue, Doraville, GA 30340). The bid documents can also be found on
experience. The community the Georgia Procurement Registry.
of automobile mechanics is
a small one and we know The City must receive proposal packages no later than 2:00 PM EST,
many people by reputation. March 21 23, 2020. Proposal packages must be sent in a sealed package,
We only hire the cream of clearly marked “Doraville City Clerk – CONFIDENTIAL RFP 20-002,” to
the crop.” City of Doraville, Office of the City Clerk, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, GA
LexTechs now has 30340.
many loyal customers,
according to Almond, who The City of Doraville reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids
added that the business or any part thereof, to waive any technicalities, and to re-advertise.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 14

AROUNDDEKALB
STONE MOUNTAIN

AVONDALE DECATUR
volunteers gain experience and take public library March 3. The pins
pride in knowing they have helped created will be styled after an Eastern

ESTATES improve the life of a child, according

City to host chili cook-off
The inaugural Avondale Chili
Cook-off will be held Feb. 29 from 2
to 6 p.m. at The Stratford Pub, 17 N
Avondale Road.
There will be live music and an
Atlanta United watch party to follow.
The first-place winner in the cook-off
will receive two tickets to an Atlanta
United match of their choice, and
second- and third-place winners will
receive prize packs.
To sign up to compete in the
cook-off, email info@stratfordpub.
com or visit The Stratford Pub
location.
COUNTYWIDE
Volunteers needed for child
advocacy group
DeKalb County Juvenile Court
Judicial Citizen Panel Review is
seeking volunteers to advocate
for children of the community.
Participation in the panel program
benefits children and families, and
to DeKalb County Juvenile Court
representatives.
Those interested in becoming
volunteers should contact Olivia
Rudder-Wilson at (404) 294-2738
or oawilson@dekalbcountyga.gov or
contact Panya Dixon at (404) 294-
2251 or pmdixon@dekalbcountyga.
gov.
Potential volunteers are required
to complete an application and
undergo background and reference
checks prior to attending the training.
Training and orientation for
new volunteers will be held March
19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at
DeKalb County Juvenile Court,
4309 Memorial Drive in Decatur.
Attendance is required both days.
DeKalb libraries holding senior
talent shows
Seniors who sing, dance,
recite poetry or have another
talent that they wish to showcase
can submit an application to any
DeKalb County public library to
participate in the “Seniors Got
Talent” show. Applications are being
accepted now through April 15. For
more information, visit a library
or https://events.dekalblibrary.
org/event/4080960#branch.
5K run to benefit domestic violence
prevention
The fifth annual “Love Run
5K,” hosted by DeKalb County
District Attorney Sherry Boston,
will be held Feb. 29 at the Decatur
Square, 509 N. McDonough St.,
starting at 8:30 a.m. All proceeds will
benefit the advocacy and prevention
programs of the Women’s Resource
Center to End Domestic Violence
Registration cost is $35. To
register visit https://runsignup.com/
Race/GA/Decatur/LoveRun5K.
Tea event to celebrate African-
American ancestry
I am a Black Woman (IAABW)
will hosts its third annual “Afrosocial
Unity Tea” Feb. 29 at 1 p.m. The
event will commemorate and
celebrate African-American ancestry.
It will be held at North DeKalb Mall,
2050 Lawrenceville Highway.
DUNWOODY
Library to hold pin-making event
Visitors are invited to create
handmade pins at the Dunwoody
European symbol of spring and good
luck. Dunwoody library suggests
presenting it as a Women’s Day gift
on March 8. For more information,
visit: https://events.dekalblibrary.org/
event/4062264.
STONECREST
Hike to feature monadnock
mysteries at Arabia Mountain
Ranger Ryan is leading
hikers on a guided tour through
Arabia Mountain Feb. 29, 9:30 -
11:30 a.m. The hike will include
exploring rock outcrops, discussing
the natural and human history of
the area and learning about the
ecosystems of the mountain. The
Arabia Alliance asks hikers to
wear closed-toe shoes and bring
a refillable water bottle. Register
by emailing (subject:Monadnock)
ArabiaRanger@gmail.com.

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DESIGN ENGINEERS (Decatur,
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SPORTS
WRESTLING
Amantee Mills’ gold medal victory tops
DeKalb County state meet results
BY MARK BROCK
Stone Mountain High
School freshman Amantee
Mills’ gold medal winning
performance led the way as
12 DeKalb County wrestlers
placed in the GHSA
Traditional State Wrestling
Tournament in Macon.
Mills joined his brother
Antonio Mills (2019) as
a gold medal winner for
Stone Mountain while
leading the Pirates to their
second consecutive Top 10
finish at state.
Mills opened with
a bye in the tournament
then went on to win three
consecutive matches. He
pinned Brayden Adams
(Islands, 62-9) at the 5:18
mark of his match to move
on to the semifinals. He
followed that victory with
a 9-2 decision over North
Hall’s Dawson Thompson
(85-14) to earn a trip to the
championship match.
Mills clinched the
state gold with a pin
of Jefferson’s Chaz
McDonald at the 3:41 mark
of the match.
Stone Mountain
senior Derek Price picked
up a silver medal in the
152-pound class by winning
his first two matches after a
bye to reach the finals. Price
defeated Franklin County’s
Charlie Henkel via fall
at the 2:36 mark of his
quarterfinal match.
Price won an 8-4
decision over Fannin
County’s McCay Turner
(78-21) in the semifinals
to move on to the
championship match. Price
dropped a very tight match
via a 6-5 decision to North
Hall’s Dalton Battle (63-
10) to finish with the silver.
Joshua Jones and
David Allen aided the
Pirates’ climb to ninth
overall in the Class 3A
standings.
Stone Mountain
also had a pair of girls’
finish fourth in the girls’
championship. Daisy
Stone Mountain’s Derek Price in a match in Macon. Photo by Mark
Brock.
Gilleylan—a silver
medalist in the inaugural
girls’ state tournament last
year—finished fourth in
the 132 class and Kieara
Parsons took fourth at 225.
In addition to
Stone Mountain’s big
performance, three other
DeKalb teams finished in
the Top 30 of the Class
6A team standings, led by
Stephenson’s 19th place
finish with 30 points in the
tournament.
Stephenson’s Micah
Godwin (25-4) led the
way for the Jaguars as he
beat Dunwoody’s Charles
McCown for the second
time in the tournament
on an 8-2 decision for
the silver medal in the
220-pound weight class.
McCown’s fourth place
helped put Dunwoody
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 15
at No. 21 in the team
standings. Alec Sanders
added a sixth-place finish
for the Jaguars in the
138-pound weight class.
Tucker’s Justin Carter
picked up a sixth-place
finish to help Tucker finish
at No. 29.
Clarkston’s Ekoue
Kangi led the Class 5A
entries from DeKalb County
with a sixth-place finish in
the 138-pound weight class.
Clarkston finished at No. 22
overall with 12 points and
Southwest DeKalb came in
behind them at No. 25.
Lakeside’s Micah
Carrier (21-7) fell 8-3 in
the bronze medal match
to West Forsyth’s Daba
Fofana to lead the Vikings
to a No. 28 finish in Class
7A.
BASKETBALL
Raylon Barrion sets up Tucker’s offense. Photo by Jay Phillips
DeKalb County sends
8 teams to Elite 8
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County had 22
teams—from both private
and public schools—in
the first round of the high
school basketball state
playoffs. Twelve of those
teams advanced to the Sweet
16, and eight of those 12
teams will be playing in
the Georgia High School
Association’s Elite 8.
Of the eight DeKalb
County teams playing in the
Elite 8, six are boys’ teams
and two are girls’ teams.
DeKalb County won 12 of
the 16 games played in the
Sweet 16, with the boys’
teams winning six of eight
games and the girls’ teams
winning two of four.
The DeKalb County
teams that advanced to the
Elite 8 are:
Arabia Mountain, which
beat Starr’s Mill 57-56 and
will play at Woodland in the
Class 5A girls’ Elite 8.
Greenforest McCalep
Christian Academy, which
beat Lakeview Academy 69-
57 and will play at Hebron
Christian Academy in the
Class A private girls’ Elite 8.
Greenforest McCalep
Christian Academy, which
beat Galloway 59-49 and
will host Pinecrest Academy
in the Class A private boys’
Elite 8.
St. Pius, which beat
West Laurens 66-57 and will
host Americus-Sumter in the
Class 4A boys’ Elite 8.
Columbia, which beat
Bainbridge 59-40 and will
play at Dutchtown in the
Southwest DeKalb alum and
current starting cornerback for
the Indianapolis Colts—Rock
Ya-Sin—at Southwest DeKalb’s
Sweet 16 win with Assistant
Principal Marco Jackson. Photo by
Gregory White.
Class 5A boys’ Elite 8.
Southwest DeKalb,
which beat Griffin 67-46 and
will host Clarke Central in
the Class 5A boys’ Elite 8.
Lithonia, which beat
Veterans 78-68 and will play
at Cedar Shoals in the Class
5A boys’ Elite 8.
Tucker, which beat
Allatoona 57-43 and will
host Tri-Cities in a rematch
of last season’s state
championship in the Class
6A boys’ Elite 8.
DeKalb County
teams eliminated from the
playoffs in the Sweet 16
were Stephenson boys who
lost 60-58 at Lanier; Cedar
Grove boys who lost to
Johnson-Savannah 71-57;
St. Pius girls who lost 56-46
to Woodward; and Cedar
Grove girls who lost 50-43
to Beach.
Elite 8 games were
played Feb. 26, but results
were unknown at press time.
SPORTS
BASKETBALL
Tucker team members celebrate their Elite 8 berth. Photos by Jay Phillips
Tucker beats Allatoona, sets up rematch with Tri-Cities
BY JAY PHILLIPS
Jay@dekalbchamp.com
Tucker’s boys’ basketball team
beat Allatoona 57-43 at Tucker High
School in the Georgia 6A Sweet 16.
Terrence Edwards led the way
for both teams with 28 points for
Tucker, while Jermontae Hill added
15.
The Tucker Tigers (25-3, 16-0)
started the game without missing a
beat and jumped out to a 20-10 lead
at the end of the first quarter. Tucker
kept growing its lead over the
Allatoona Buccaneers (18-10, 10-6)
THIS WEEK IN SPORTS
Eight of the 12 basketball
teams that DeKalb County schools
sent to the Georgia High School
Association’s Sweet 16 will be
playing in the Elite 8 Feb. 26.
Decatur High School’s baseball
team went 2-0 Feb. 22 in Decatur,
picking up an 8-2 win against
VISIT US ONLINE @THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM
through the second quarter before
running away with the game in the
second half.
Tucker capped off its win
with Hill throwing down a one-
handed dunk in transition. Edwards
almost one-upped Hill’s dunk by
connecting with Hill on an alley-
oop, but the two couldn’t finish
the play. However, Tucker won
and advanced to the Georgia High
School Basketball 6A Elite 8 where
it will face the Tri-Cities Bulldogs
(25-5, 12-4).
Tri-Cities’ game against Tucker
will be a rematch of last season’s
Tucker and a 5-2 win against
Providence Christian Academy.
Redan High School’s baseball
team went 0-2 Feb. 22 at the
Richmond Hill Invitational, picking
up losses to Benedictine and
Richmond Hill.
Chamblee High School’s
DEKALB FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 • PAGE 16
Jermontae Hill throws down a dunk in transition.
state championship, which Tucker
lost 46-43. Tri-Cities won last year’s
state championship on a last second
three pointer from Da’Marcus
Johnson.
Johnson has since graduated,
and this matchup will be in the Elite
8 instead of the state championship,
but it still projects to be one of the
most intriguing games in the 6A
bracket due to the success the teams
have had this season and the result
of last year’s state championship.
Tri-Cities is fresh off a 79-
67 win over Houston County. In
addition to the win over Houston
baseball team went 2-0 Feb. 22
in Chamblee, picking up wins
against Cedar Grove and MLK by a
combined score of 24-4.
Southwest DeKalb High School
lost to Mount Pisgah Christian Feb.
22 12-2.
Lakeside High School’s
County, Tri-Cities’ resume also
boasts a 15-point win over Westlake.
Tucker will host Tri-Cities at
Tucker High School and the Tigers
will enter the game on a seven-game
winning streak, while Tri-Cities
will enter on a five-game winning
streak. Tucker hasn’t lost a game
since a road game loss to Lafayette
High School (Alabama) Jan. 20. Tri-
Cities last loss came on the road at
Douglas County High School Jan.
28.
Tucker and Allatoona are
scheduled to play Feb. 26, but a
tipoff time has not been set.
baseball team went 2-0 Feb. 22 at
the Rockdale High School Diamond
Day, picking up wins against
Rockdale County and Duluth by a
combined score of 22-1.