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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2011 • VOL. 13, NO. 45 • FREE
Tyson: Education
of students not
compromised by
CRCT scandal
by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchamp.com
R
amona Tyson, in-
terim superintendent
for DeKalb County
Schools, said last week
that a widespread cheating scan-
dal involving 24 teachers and
administrators will not affect the
quality of education the county’s
students receive.
Volunteers conduct
homeless census
by Andrew Cauthen Melvia Richards, the hous-
andrew@dekalbchamp.com ing manager of the county’s
community development
Last week, hundreds of department.
volunteers, on a cold, rainy Local service providers
night, canvassed the streets receiving federal funding
of DeKalb and Fulton coun- for homeless programs are
ties and the city of Atlanta required by the U.S. Depart-
in an effort to count the ment of Housing and Urban
homeless population of the Development (HUD) to
area. conduct the census.
The homeless census, The grants will be used
which is conducted every to provide permanent and
two years, is sponsored transitional housing to
by Metro Atlanta Tri-Ju- homeless persons as well
risdictional Collaborative as job training, health care, Paulette Porter plays with children at Our House, a Decatur organization that provides free day care
on Homelessness (Tri-J), a mental health counseling, for homeless parents while they look for housing and employment. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
partnership of government substance abuse treatment
representatives and service and child care.
providers in Atlanta, Fulton On Jan. 21, Congressman
County and DeKalb County. Hank Johnson announced
In DeKalb, 50 to 75 vol- that HUD was giving more
unteers, along with police than $2.2 million in grants
escorts, covered the county, to programs in Georgia’s
which had been divided Fourth Congressional Dis-
up into census block grant trict.
groups. In some cases, the Groups receiving grant
volunteers were joined funds include Action Min-
by paid workers who had istries, Georgia Coalition
once been homeless. These Against Domestic Violence,
workers helped the teams Rainbow Village Inc., Our
recognize homeless persons House Inc., Initiative for Af-
who might not be so easily fordable Housing, Jerusalem
noticed by an inexperienced House, Progressive Rede-
volunteer, said Chris Mor- velopment, Zion Keepers
ris, the county’s community and Salvation Army.
development director. “The recession has taken
In addition to the street a huge toll,” Johnson said
count, officials have con- in a press release. “As our
ducted surveys of area economy recovers, we must
hospitals, jails, shelters and ensure everyone – no matter
transitional housing to com- their circumstances – ben-
plete the count. efits from our efforts. These
The census gives officials programs help people reach
a snapshot of local home- their personal goals and es-
lessness and is used by the tablish independence.”
federal government to al- Tyese Lawyer, execu-
locate funding for programs tive director of Our House
that address the homeless Inc. in Decatur, which pro-
problem, said DeKalb vides child care for fami-
County commissioner Lee lies that are homeless or in
May. transitional housing, said
May said he has seen an the grant award will go a
increase over the years in long way. Our House will
the number of visible home- get $47,000 from the HUD
less—the ones seen asking grant.
for money at intersections or “Children are often for-
sleeping under overpasses. gotten in the homelessness
“It used to be an Atlanta crisis,” Lawyer said. “These
problem. It’s grown to be funds allow us to provide a
a metro Atlanta problem,” loving, safe early learning
May said. environment, where parents
The lagging economy has can confidently leave their
exacerbated the problems of child while Our House helps
people already on the fringe parents seek employment
of homelessness, May said. and permanent housing.”
When the results of the Our House, a non-profit
census are released in Feb- organization established in
ruary or March, officials 1987, provides early child-
expect an increase in the care for 79 children. With
number of homeless, said an operating budget of $1.3
The Newslady
DeKalb County’s firsts
County. So, for this entire month, serene countenance. Her son had to fight crime and fraud includ-
I’d like to introduce to some and worked his way out of very hum- ing tougher laws against sexual
remind others of the stalwarts ble beginnings in North Carolina predators who use the Internet
we are fortunate to have in our to the University of North Caro- to target children and news laws
midst. Take for instance, former lina Chapel Hill where he was a against financial identity theft and
State Attorney General Thurbert member of the fencing team and mortgage fraud. He was respected
Baker. The recent candidate for won the 1975 Atlantic Coast Con- among his peers and served as
governor is a long-time DeKalb ference (ACC) Sabre Champion- president of the National Associa-
County resident and the first ship. He graduated from Emory tion of Attorneys General from
African American in Georgia’s University Law School and went 2006 to 2007.
It’s Black History month. For history to hold the lofty position on to represent DeKalb County in Thurbert Baker is forever in
28 days we celebrate the accom- of state attorney general. Baker the Georgia legislature for nearly the annuls of history as the first
plishments of African American served in the state-wide elected 10 years. African-American attorney gen-
history makers. This month-long position with distinction and Baker distinguished himself eral of the great state of Georgia.
celebration started out as a one- without the slightest hint of im- in the legislature, serving as then- He has done us proud. But a few
week observance called Negro propriety. Gov. Zell Miller’s floor leader, years ago, in his own words he
History Week, initiated by Carter When Baker took the oath of another first. He shepherded said to look at his mother’s face
G. Woodson. It was later expand- office as the attorney general for through significant pieces of leg- and see the great pride she had,
ed to a month. Georgia 1997, I was proud to be islation like the bill that created made everything worthwhile.
If I had my druthers, we one of the invitees. But the pride the Hope Scholarship and the The former A-G lives in Stone
would do away with African of many of us DeKalb residents “two strikes you’re out” measure Mountain with his wife Cathe-
American History Month alto- and other Georgians was trumped that put our most violent and rine, an educator. They have two
gether and incorporate into the by Thurbert’s mother, Mrs. Mary chronic offenders behind bars for daughters. If you see him about,
history books for 365 days a year Baker Hyde. If one looked close- life. tell him thank you!
the notable contributions of Afri- ly, one could see the slightest hint In 1997, there Baker stood in
can Americans in science, athlet- of tears glisten in the corners of the House Chambers taking the Steen Miles, The Newslady,
ics, music, literature and the arts. her eyes, set in a face that had no oath of office as Georgia’s first is a retired journalist and former
Many of us take for granted or doubt seen and experienced many African-American attorney gener- Georgia state senator. Contact
do not know the history makers racial indignities but was not al. Again, he served with distinc- Steen Milies at Steen@dekalb-
among us right here in DeKalb evidenced in her dignified and tion. Baker focused on initiatives champ.com.
William C. Crane, 1974-1992 One Man’s Opinion C. William “Bill” Crane, 2009 - ?
Broken promises, broken credibility
dents have worked harder to improve unrelated state budget cuts will likely tions only a small fraction of Geor-
their academic performance to earn cause substantial tuition hikes next gia’s. VLT’s look like slot machines,
the right to receive HOPE, as well year. but function, from a technology
as to place less financial burden on As students we buckled down, standpoint, very similar to instant lot-
their families in receiving their higher studied hard through four years of tery scratch games run on an ATM
education. high school, and have now made network.
We can also clearly see and feel academics our top priority in college. A pair of proven and successful
the pain many are suffering in this And the many benefits of HOPE Atlanta developers want to invest
embattled economy, and we under- caused us to not seriously consider $500 million in private funds to
stand and appreciate the state’s efforts leaving our home state to obtain our build a VLT hotel/casino complex
“A lottery is a salutary instrument to trim its sails and budget, including degree. in Underground Atlanta. I may only
and a tax...laid on the willing only... the University System of Georgia. We have fully honored our end be a college student, but I can easily
on those who can risk the price of a That said, the HOPE scholarship is of this commitment and academic ob- understand the benefits of that for
ticket without sensible injury, for the not a simple budget line item. It is a ligations to Georgia, and the thanks economic development, tourism and
possibility of a higher prize,” promise. If you perform well, main- we now get is to have our HOPE the general vitality of downtown At-
–Thomas Jefferson. tain your grades and scholarship and scholarships cut, or standards raised lanta. Having studied Georgia his-
achieve academic excellence, the so high that we are no longer eligible tory, I can envision how VLT casino
While a student at the Univer- state of Georgia will pay your tuition. to receive HOPE, at the same time riverboats might become a future
sity of Georgia in the early 1980s, Tuition is far from our only ex- the state is hiking our tuition? tourism attraction on many Georgia
I penned my first opinion columns pense as students. Text books can Is this the example of honoring rivers and lakes.
in The Red and Black. Though the easily run several hundred per semes- commitments and “your word is your Before you take away our hard
HOPE scholarship arrived long after ter. Our HOPE book allowance is bond” that you want to give us, as we earned scholarship, or change the
my departure from Athens, I’m re- being halved and we understand that face perhaps the most challenging rules of the game with the game al-
turning this week to the college cam- it will be eliminated later this year. job market of the past 50 years? We ready underway...please think first
pus, at least in this column, to share Next we hear that our student activ- again realize that times are tough, and about thinking outside the box...
with you the anger and distrust being ity fees, also hundreds each semester, sacrifices need to be made...but we’d honoring your word, and keeping
felt there and at other college cam- may be unbundled from tuition and also like to suggest that instead of fo- your promises. We often hear public
puses across Georgia. on the chopping block. cusing on ‘cuts’...the brain trust that officials lamenting the mistrust and
Since 1993, Georgia has boasted We also hear rumblings of runs the Georgia Lottery and HOPE contempt felt towards them by many
one of the most successful college raising eligibility requirements for should instead be considering new voters. More broken promises cer-
scholarship programs in the nation. HOPE, either with a higher GPA, or sources of revenue. tainly won’t help.
The HOPE Scholarship Program previously un-established manda- Seven other states allow Video
has assisted more than 1.2 million tory minimum scores on standard- Lottery Terminals (VLT’s) which Bill Crane is a DeKalb County
students and provided more than $5 ized tests. Equally disturbing is the generate hundreds of millions each native and business owner, living in
billion and counting in tuition grants possibility of capping benefits to year in gaming revenues. Much Scottdale, Georgia. He also serves as
and scholarships. not even cover tuition costs, setting smaller states like Rhode Island, chief political analyst and commenta-
Since the creation of the HOPE an annual or per semester grant, not Delaware and West Virginia each tor for 11Alive News and WSB Radio,
Scholarship, hundreds of thousands directly aligned with the actual costs generated hundreds of millions from News/Talk 750. Contact Bill Crane at
of high school and college stu- of tuition. We also gather that other VLT gaming in 2008, with popula- Bill@dekalbchamp.com.
Page 6A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2011
Stephanie Rockmore
Champion of the Week
On bitter cold
evenings when most
people are staying
inside their warm
homes, Rockmore
is working to help
those who have no
refuge from the harsh
weather. On one of
the coldest nights of
last winter, Rockmore
and her BOW
volunteers distributed
approximately 50
blankets to homeless
Stephanie people. “People
Rockmore said were so grateful. It
U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson, at his office in Washington, represents the 4th District. Photo by was so encouraging
Gale Horton Gay she was inspired in
that we just wanted
The Hairston Crossing library, part of the DeKalb County library system, is tentatively set to open later this month. Photo by Robert Naddra
Census
Continued From Page 2A
Timothy and LaMonica Johnson, whose 7-year-old son was murdered in 2007, said justice is taking too
long. Photo by Andrew Cauthen
EVENTS
50/33 crowds went on a snowball-
MONDAY Normal rainfall . .1.19" Average normal 43.4
Departure . . . . .-0.60" Departure . . . . .+1.2 throwing rampage.
Mostly Cloudy
High: 55 Low: 31 *Data as reported from De Kalb-Peachtree Airport
February 7th – First Monday Lunch – Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week Tonight's Planets
Keynote Speaker – Attorney General TUESDAY Day Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset
Rise Set
Sam Olens. Time: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Partly Cloudy First Thursday 7:32 a.m. 6:10 p.m. 7:36 a.m. 6:59 p.m. Last
Location: Atlanta Marriott Century Mercury 6:50 a.m. 4:54 p.m.
High: 56 Low: 34 2/11 Friday 7:31 a.m. 6:11 p.m. 8:06 a.m. 7:54 p.m. 2/24
Center – 2000 Century Boulevard, NE, Venus 4:36 a.m. 2:44 p.m.
Saturday 7:31 a.m. 6:12 p.m. 8:33 a.m. 8:49 p.m.
Atlanta, GA 30345. To place your Mars 7:39 a.m. 6:08 p.m.
WEDNESDAY Sunday 7:30 a.m. 6:13 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 9:43 p.m.
reservation, visit the DeKalb Chamber Jupiter 9:51 a.m. 9:54 p.m.
website at www.dekalbchamber.org. Partly Cloudy Full Monday 7:29 a.m. 6:14 p.m. 9:27 a.m. 10:38 p.m. New Saturn 10:57 p.m.10:42 a.m.
High: 55 Low: 32 2/18 Tuesday 7:28 a.m. 6:15 p.m. 9:56 a.m. 11:33 p.m. 3/4 Uranus 9:39 a.m. 9:35 p.m.
February 10th – Business Builder Series Wednesday 7:27 a.m. 6:16 p.m. 10:28 a.m. Next Day
– Guest Presenter ~ LaVon Lewis of
Pencilworx Design Group. Topic: Local UV Index National Weather Summary This Week Weather Trivia
?
What’s Your Brand Saying Behind Your The Northeast will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated snow today and
Back?” Location: DeKalb Convention & What is the temperature
Friday, scattered snow Saturday, with the highest temperature of 45º in Metropolis, Ill.
Visitor’s Bureau – 1957 Lakeside of lightning?
0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+ The Southeast will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with a few showers today, scattered
Parkway, Suite 510, Tucker, GA 30084.
Cost to attend: Chamber members - showers and thunderstorms Friday and Saturday, with the highest temperature of 80º in Hollywood, Fla.
UV Index Answer: It is estimated at 50,000
$5.00 / General Admission - $10.00. 0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, The Northwest will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with a few showers today through Saturday,
degrees Fahrenheit.
6-7: High, 8-10: Very High with the highest temperature of 62º in Brookings, Ore. The Southwest will see mostly clear skies today
February 16th – Network DeKalb Leads 11+: Extreme Exposure through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 70º in Los Angeles, Calif. © 2010. Accessweather.com, Inc.
Group. Take part in a pure Networking
Program. Lunch Served. Time: 11:30 StarWatch By Gary Becker - I Knew Someone Who Knew...
am – 1:00 pm. COST: $10.00- Members When Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, a western correspondent and filmmaker, Julien Bryan made his way to Warsaw to record the German blitzkrieg. Arriving
(advance) / $15.00 (door) /$20.00 Non- in early September and given open access to the city by Warsaw’s mayor, Bryan filmed nonstop for two weeks, documenting the devastation on the Polish people as
members. Location: Cornerstone Bank – Germany’s war machine advanced. Bryan’s historic 10-minute film, Siege, depicting the German attack was the first non-Nazi film seen in American theaters about the
125 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, GA Polish invasion. During WWII and until his death in 1974, Bryan continued to make documentaries about the people and customs of the countries that he visited. He and
30030. Register online. at
my father were friends. My dad, Earl A. Becker, ran the Curriculum Materials Center for the Allentown (PA) School District and was responsible for buying media for the ASD. He pur-
www.dekalbchamber.org.
chased many Bryan films and also brought him home for lunch one summer’s day. As a teenager of 14, I was enthralled by his travel stories and this one in particular. It was the early ‘50’s
and Bryan had returned to his Princeton home from filming in Eastern Europe. Bryan, seeking comments and advice, invited a friend to view the raw footage. Several days later, his friend
called back asking permission to invite an acquaintance. Bryan emphatically said, “No,” but his friend just would not give up. Again he asked, and Bryan responded again with the same
For more information on DeKalb Chamber related answer of “No.” Finally sensing that his friend’s companion was going to be there whether Bryan wanted him or not, Julien acquiesced, but indicated his annoyance, stressing again the
events or to receive email updates, call 404-378- unedited aspects of his film. When the “big” night finally arrived and Bryan heard his friend knocking, he walked over to the door with some trepidation. Grasping the brass doorknob
8000 or visit www.dekalbchamber.org firmly, he opened his entryway and looked up. There was his friend with Albert Einstein. www.astronomy.org
HEaLtH THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, FEB. 3 - 9, 2011 • PAGE 12A
Eric Walker, founder and owner of Atlanta By Air, said the Cessna 172 is ideal for air tours because it offers passengers “excellent visibility in a comfortable and safe envi-
ronment.” Photos by Kathy Mitchell
AROUND DEKALB
source Center, offering experts who give a presentation at the Decatur or $10 at the door. Non-member at-
ATLANTA will discuss pertinent subjects such
as financial aid, career development,
Library Monday, Feb. 7. Human rights
activist Prendergast and Oscar-
tendance is $10 with registration, or
$15 at the door. Attendance is limited
and college study habits. Also, there nominated actor Don Cheadle have and registration is advised. For infor-
Emory celebrates Super Bowl with will be guest speakers presenting co-authored what the library calls mation, call (678) 244-9700, or visit
Bach concert their expertise on: “College Tours - “a powerful and empowering new www.dunwoodycommerce.org.
See For Yourself,” “College Admis- book,” The Enough Moment: Fighting
Emory University Organist Recital sions – What to Expect Before You to End Africa’s Worst Human Rights
Series will present “The Bach Bowl
on Super Bowl Sunday,” Sunday,
Apply,” “Financial Aid – The Value
of Knowing the Cost” and “How to
Leave High School.”
Crimes Their book shows the steps
now being taken by engaged citizens,
the famous and the little-known, to
LITHONIA
Feb. 6, at 4 p.m., in the Schwartz
Center for Performing Arts, Emerson This event is free and open to combat genocide, rape and child Youth Summit scheduled
Concert Hall, 1700 N. Decatur the public. Chamblee Charter High abuse across the African continent.
Road, Atlanta. Timothy Albrecht School is located at 3688 Chamblee- The book not only outlines the scope The 100 Black Men of DeKalb in
invites Emory Music colleagues Dunwoody Road, Chamblee. For of the problems but includes infor- collaboration with seminar promotions
Tamara Albrecht, William Ransom more information, contact CCHSCol- mation about what others may do to and professional speaking company
and Keiko Ransom to join in a legeFair@comcast.net. help. Featured are interviews with CS Inspires Inc. will host the sixth
showcase of different sides of J.S. many celebrities, among them Martin annual Youth Summit on Saturday,
Bach’s musical genius. Featured is Daddy-Daughter Dance set Sheen, Ben Affleck, Sheryl Crow, Feb. 12. It will take place at Miller
the “Concerto for Three Keyboards Ryan Gosling, Angelina Jolie and Grove High School in Lithonia from
in D Minor,” performed on two The annual Daddy-Daughter members of Congress. The event is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s theme
harpsichords, piano and organ. The Dance will be Feb. 12, from 6-9 p.m. at 7:15 p.m. at the Decatur Library is Overcoming Real Challenges
event is free. For more information, Admission is $30 per couple, plus Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St. to Achieve True Greatness. The
call (404) 727-5050, boxoffice@ $5 for any additional girls. The fee summit will include a theatrical
emory.edu, www.arts.emory.edu. includes dinner, dancing and a pho- Free spaying and neutering offered production called CHOICES put on
tograph. There will be a swing dance by the students who will speak to
Dinner to feature House Speaker contest and prizes. Reservations are During February, DeKalb County the senseless turmoil and struggles
Ralston required. For more information call Animal Services is offering DeKalb created by cyber bullying.
(770) 986-5016. County residents free spaying and Recognizing that urban youth
Georgia Speaker of the House neutering services for dogs and cats. are required to navigate a myriad
David Ralston will be the featured Vouchers for the service are available of challenges not faced by their
speaker at the annual Lincoln Day
Dinner set for Friday, Feb. 11, at the
DECATUR at the shelter Mon.–Fri. from 10
a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturdays
peers, the Youth Summit will focus
on helping them create success
Druid Hills Golf Club beginning at 6 Soil and water conservation from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The shelter strategies, according to the
p.m. meeting scheduled is located at 845 Camp Road in announcement from 100 Black Men
Sixth District U.S. Representative Decatur. This program is for owned of DeKalb. E. Lamont Houston,
Tom Price will be a special guest. The DeKalb County Soil and animals only and is not available the president of the 100 Black Men
The annual event is sponsored by Water Conservation District monthly to rescue groups. For additional of DeKalb County, said, “This year’s
the Senator Jim Tysinger Breakfast meeting will be held on Friday, Feb. information call (404) 294-2996. summit truly gets at the heart of the
Forum. The forum is in its 35th 11, at 10 a.m. at the Clark Harrison challenges facing our youth and will
year, is non-partisan and open to Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Library to hold Black history event provide them with real strategies
the public for discussion of current in Decatur. For additional information for dealing with them. If you have
events. call (770) 761-3020. Editor Colleen Aycock and other children being confronted by these
Tickets are $50 per person and contributors to this collection of issues this is an event they cannot
available at the DeKalb Republican Community resource fair set biographical essays will be on hand afford to miss.”
Party offices in Embry Village to talk about some of the first African- The 100 Black Men of DeKalb
shopping center at I-285 and American and Black champions and provides an after-school leadership
Laurus Technical Institute Decatur and developmental program called
Chamblee-Tucker Road, Tuesdays campus will be hosting a Community challengers in the prize ring. Mike
and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Glenn, former NBA basketball player The Leadership Academy for
Resource Fair for those in need of students enrolled in the sixth through
or by phone at (770) 451-4174, or assistance with housing, utility, rental and local sports historian; Mike
(770) 934-1635 and by mail from the Schmidt, Canada’s “Boxing Lawyer” 12th grades of the DeKalb County
or mortgage, medical, food, cloth- Schools.
DeKalb GOP at P.O. Box 941038, ing, dental, counseling, vision, child and owner of Cloverlay Boxing
Atlanta, GA 31141. Order forms care and free health screenings. The Management; and Al Bernstein, hall
are also on the Web site: www. purpose is to address such matters of fame announcer, will participate.
dekalbgop.org as health issues, education, social The event will be Wednesday, Feb.
Reservations are required no later
than Monday, Feb. 7.
connections and social conditions
and to provide community outreach
9, 7—8 p.m. at the Decatur Library,
215 Sycamore St., Decatur. For more
information, call (404) 370-3070.
STONE
MOUNTAIN
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Swimming:
Dunwoody
girls break
Lakeside’s
hold on
county title
by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchamp.com
to save here.