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VOLUME 20 NUMBER 45 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM FEBRUARY 7, 2015 FREE SERVING DEKALB, FULTON, GWINNETT, HENRY AND ROCKDALE COUNTIES n WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OCGNEWS Storytime held to celebrate Black History Month Page 6 Special Feature Valentines couples hike in Stockbridge. Page 4 GPTC named one of Georgias top tech colleges Page 8 Community Coming Up By Valerie J. Morgan DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May is now asking the Board of Commissioners (BOC) to pick someone to temporarily fill the District 5 seat after Gov. Nathan Deal’s response this week that he, as governor, has no authority to appoint someone. May said he is asking the board to reject his first nominee for the seat, George Turner, as well as his second nominee, Kathryn Rice, so the board can move forward. The seat has been open 18 months, leaving the 140,000 District 5 residents without representation on the seven- member board. Lee was elected to the seat, but left the position after the governor temporarily appointed him as interim CEO to replace suspended CEO Burrell Ellis, who is awaiting a new trial on corruption charges. May said in a prepared statement “I am asking the BOC to deny my nomination of George Turner. Per the Organizational Act, Section 13-A, this paves the way for my second and final nomination, which the BOC should immediately deny. At that point, the BOC can appoint their choice for District 5 autonomously. “With the full authority to appoint a southeast DeKalb representative within the BOC, a temporary commissioner can be installed as early as February 24.” May said he had reached out to the governor because District 5 residents are being impacted by not having their own voting commissioner on the BOC. He said that County Attorney O.V. Brantley recently issued an opinion the BOC’s Dec. 16 approval of a resort on Covington Highway in Decatur is invalid because there was no vote from District 5 or Stan Watson, the Super District Commissioner. Watson abstained because due to a potential conflict of interest. “When you have a commissioner for an area to vet the project, he or she can put in certain conditions to ensure that project is what the community expects and wants,” May said. Several residents have criticized the proposed project on the speculation it would be a casino because plans include up to 425 coin-operated amusement machines. But Jeff Dickerson, a consultant for APD Solutions, said his client is not trying to “back-door” a casino into DeKalb. “There is no back door. There is no front door. There is no door. Casinos are not permitted in Georgia. Period. You can’t do it,” Dickerson said. “The investors in this project know that casinos are not allowed. What they planned to do is have amusement machines that have military and virtual reality-type games, the things that you would find at a Dave & Buster’s. The winnings involved would not be cash, but redeemable for restaurant certificates and hotel stays, that sort of thing.” Dickerson said he also wanted to clarify that Commissioner Watson is a consultant for APD on projects outside of Georgia. He said Watson is not working with the Panola Slope development. By Valerie J. Morgan State lawmakers are considering legislation that would reduce the number of early voting days from 21 to 12, but would require Georgia counties to permit one Sunday voting day during the early voting period. The measure, HB 194, sponsored by State Rep. Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming), is one that some DeKalb County leaders say is like putting one foot forward, but taking two steps backward. Hamilton could not be reached by On Common Ground News’ deadline, despite a message left with his office. “Reducing the number of early voting days is just another attempt by Republicans to depress voting, to make it harder for blacks to participate in the voting process. In addition to the Sunday voting, we need to have as many early voting days as possible to give people the opportunity to vote—not reduce the opportunities,” said DeKalb NAACP President John Evans. DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May concurs. “I’m happy that they didn’t prevent Sunday voting, but I’m disappointed that they would reduce the number of early voting days,” May said. “I would hope that state lawmakers would allow local jurisdictions to make those types of decisions.” Evans said he wants DeKalb legislators to be more proactive when it comes to voting rights. States like Georgia that are under Republican control, he said, continue to face new electoral restrictions on registering and voting. “These are the kinds of issues that our DeKalb legislators should be calling a Town Hall meeting to discuss with the community,” Evans said. Last year, DeKalb was among 11 counties that approved Sunday voting, prompting State Rep. Fran Millar, a Republican legislator from Dunwoody, to vow he would do everything in his power to end Sunday voting. At the time, Millar said he considered DeKalb’s approval to have Sunday voting on Oct. 26, the same day as Fulton County, as a bi-partisan move to encourage DeKalb’s African American mega churches to get out the vote for Democrats. Millar made national headlines when he acknowledged he didn’t want more blacks voting, saying that he would rather have “more educated voters than a greater increase in the number of voters.” In neighboring Rockdale County, the Board of Elections &Voter Registration opposed the Sunday voting measure and controversy erupted there as well. Chairman William F. Todd, Jr. expressed concern that pastors who supported Sunday voting would use their church vans to transport people to the polls that day. More than 12,600 votes were cast statewide in Georgia’s Sunday voting effort. By Joshua Smith Hundreds of people jumped to their feet applauding when 6’4, 270-pound Jonathan Ledbetter walked into the Tucker High School’s signing day on Feb. 4 in Tucker. The 18-year-old senior, who is already enrolled as a student at his school of choice, UGA after graduating early from high school, says he was ecstatic to see so many people show him support. “This is a once in a lifetime thing. You don’t always get to sign a scholarship to a Division 1 school, so I’m just really grateful,” said Ledbetter, who was joined by his mother, Teresa Ledbetter, at the National Signing Day. “Having good grades and the importance of education was instilled in me by mother at a very young age. The transition to UGA has been fun and full of hard work. There is no down time. I’m already practicing twice a day in Athens.” Ledbetter plays defensive tackle, defensive end and tight end on offense. In 10 games played this past season, Ledbetter recorded 34 solo tackles, averaging 4.3 per game. The Tigers finished last year’s season 10-3 overall and 5-0 in the region. The team ranked 13th in the state. The gentle giant enrolled at UGA in January. He plans to major chemistry or neuroscience. His mother says that the highly-recruited athlete grew up focusing on chemicals around the house, not sports. “He always tried to mix up the baking soda or bleach with other chemicals. You had to watch him around the house. He was always into chemicals. His two older brothers were always the athletes. But when Jon got the size on him, he really came into his own and I’m glad he can follow his passion of chemistry at UGA,” said Ledbetter. His mother said the program was an emotional day for the both of them. “I raised Jon as a single mother. His father, Joseph, died of a sudden heart attack while playing basketball.” Ledbetter, a four-star recruit, received visits from famed Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban and University of Mississippi Head Coach Hugh Freeze. Ledbetter also went on visits across the country to Auburn, UCLA, the University of Southern California and the University of California, Berkeley, before deciding to go with the University of Georgia. Ledbetter was joined by seven of his fellow teammates in signing their names on the dotted lines of their respected colleges. Those students were: John Brooks Jr., who will attend Mississippi Valley State; Anton Coleman, Georgia Military College; Courtland Rogers- Iowa Western; Yaquis “Duke” Shelley NATIONAL SIGNING DAY Southwest DeKalb High School football players take a moment to review their commitments before they sign on the dotted line. HB 194 would shorten early voting period, make Sunday voting uniform Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News L-R: Jonathan Ledbetter and his mother, Teresa Ledbetter, and Timerik Cook and his mother, Vickie Hayes, show their excitement at National Signing Day on Feb. 4 in DeKalb County. See Signing, page 8 State Rep. Mark Hamilton Gov. Deal won’t fill DeKalb’s District 5 seat, proposed resort in limbo
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Page 1: Ocg 02 06 15 final

VOLUME 20 NUMBER 45  WWW.OCGNEWS.COM  FEBRUARY 7, 2015  FREE

SERVING DEKALB, FULTON, GWINNETT, HENRY AND ROCKDALE COUNTIES n WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OCGNEWS

Storytime held to celebrateBlack History Month

Page 6

Special Feature

Valentines coupleshike in Stockbridge.

Page 4

GPTC named one of Georgias top tech colleges

Page 8

CommunityComing Up

By Valerie J. Morgan

DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May is now asking the Board of Commissioners (BOC) to pick someone to temporarily fill the District 5 seat after Gov. Nathan Deal’s response this week that he, as governor, has no authority to appoint someone.

May said he is asking the board to reject his first nominee for the seat, George Turner, as well as his second nominee, Kathryn Rice, so the board can move forward.

The seat has been open 18 months, leaving the 140,000 District 5 residents without representation on the seven-member board. Lee was elected to the seat, but left the position after the governor temporarily appointed him as interim CEO to replace suspended CEO Burrell Ellis, who is awaiting a new trial on corruption charges.

May said in a prepared statement “I am asking the BOC to deny my nomination of George Turner. Per the Organizational

Act, Section 13-A, this paves the way for my second and final nomination, which the BOC should immediately deny. At that point, the BOC can appoint their choice for District 5 autonomously.

“With the full authority to appoint a southeast DeKalb representative within the BOC, a temporary commissioner can be installed as early as February 24.”

May said he had reached out to the governor because District 5 residents are being impacted by not having their own voting commissioner on the BOC. He said that County Attorney O.V. Brantley recently issued an opinion the BOC’s Dec. 16 approval of a resort on Covington Highway in Decatur is invalid because there was no vote from District 5 or Stan Watson, the Super District Commissioner. Watson abstained because due to a potential conflict of interest.

“When you have a commissioner for an area to vet the project, he or she can put in certain conditions to ensure that project is what the community expects and wants,” May said.

Several residents have criticized the proposed project on the speculation it would be a casino because plans include up to 425 coin-operated amusement machines.

But Jeff Dickerson, a consultant for APD Solutions, said his client is not trying to “back-door” a casino into DeKalb.

“There is no back door. There is no front door. There is no door. Casinos are not permitted in Georgia. Period. You can’t do it,” Dickerson said. “The investors in this project know that casinos are not allowed. What they planned to do is have amusement machines that have military and virtual reality-type games, the things that you would find at a Dave & Buster’s. The winnings involved would not be cash, but redeemable for restaurant certificates and hotel stays, that sort of thing.”

Dickerson said he also wanted to clarify that Commissioner Watson is a consultant for APD on projects outside of Georgia. He said Watson is not working with the Panola Slope development.

By Valerie J. Morgan

State lawmakers are considering legislation that would reduce the number of early voting days from 21 to 12, but would require Georgia counties to permit one Sunday voting day during the early voting period.

The measure, HB 194, sponsored by State Rep. Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming), is one that some DeKalb County leaders say is like putting one foot forward, but taking two steps backward.

Hamilton could not be reached by On Common Ground News’ deadline, despite a message left with his office.

“Reducing the number of early voting days is just another attempt by Republicans to depress voting, to make it harder for

blacks to participate in the voting process. In addition to the Sunday voting, we need to have as many early voting days as possible to give people the opportunity to vote—not reduce the opportunities,” said DeKalb NAACP President John Evans.

DeKalb Interim CEO Lee May concurs. “I’m happy that they didn’t prevent Sunday voting, but

I’m disappointed that they would reduce the number of early voting days,” May said. “I would hope that state lawmakers would allow local jurisdictions to make those types of decisions.”

Evans said he wants DeKalb legislators to be more proactive when it comes to voting rights. States like Georgia that are under Republican control, he said, continue to face new electoral restrictions on registering and voting.

“These are the kinds of issues that our DeKalb legislators should be calling a Town Hall meeting to discuss with the community,” Evans said.

Last year, DeKalb was among 11 counties that approved

Sunday voting, prompting State Rep. Fran Millar, a Republican legislator from Dunwoody, to vow he would do everything in his power to end Sunday voting. At the time, Millar said he considered DeKalb’s approval to have Sunday voting on Oct. 26, the same day as Fulton County, as a bi-partisan move to encourage DeKalb’s African American mega churches to get out the vote for Democrats. Millar made national headlines when he acknowledged he didn’t want more blacks voting, saying that he would rather have “more educated voters than a greater increase in the number of voters.”

In neighboring Rockdale County, the Board of Elections &Voter Registration opposed the Sunday voting measure and controversy erupted there as well. Chairman William F. Todd, Jr. expressed concern that pastors who supported Sunday voting would use their church vans to transport people to the polls that day. More than 12,600 votes were cast statewide in Georgia’s Sunday voting effort.

By Joshua Smith

Hundreds of people jumped to their feet applauding when 6’4, 270-pound Jonathan Ledbetter walked into the Tucker High School’s signing day on Feb. 4 in Tucker.

The 18-year-old senior, who is already enrolled as a student at his school of choice, UGA after graduating early from high school, says he was ecstatic to see so many people show him support.

“This is a once in a lifetime thing. You don’t always get to sign a scholarship to a Division 1 school, so I’m just really grateful,” said Ledbetter, who was joined by his mother, Teresa Ledbetter, at the National Signing Day.

“Having good grades and the importance of education was instilled in me by mother at a very young age. The transition to UGA has been fun and full of hard work. There is no down time. I’m already practicing twice a day in Athens.”

Ledbetter plays defensive tackle, defensive end and tight end on offense. In 10 games played this past season, Ledbetter recorded 34 solo tackles, averaging 4.3 per game. The Tigers finished last year’s season 10-3 overall and 5-0 in the region. The team ranked 13th in the state.

The gentle giant enrolled at UGA in January. He plans to major chemistry or neuroscience. His mother says that the

highly-recruited athlete grew up focusing on chemicals around the house, not sports.

“He always tried to mix up the baking soda or bleach with other chemicals. You had to watch him around the house. He was always into chemicals. His two older brothers were always the athletes. But when Jon got the size on him, he really came into his own and I’m glad he can follow his passion of chemistry at UGA,” said Ledbetter.

His mother said the program was an emotional day for the both of them. “I raised Jon as a single mother. His father, Joseph, died of a sudden heart attack while playing basketball.”

Ledbetter, a four-star recruit, received

visits from famed Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban and University of Mississippi Head Coach Hugh Freeze. Ledbetter also went on visits across the country to Auburn, UCLA, the University of Southern California and the University of California, Berkeley, before deciding to go with the University of Georgia.

Ledbetter was joined by seven of his fellow teammates in signing their names on the dotted lines of their respected colleges. Those students were: John Brooks Jr., who will attend Mississippi Valley State; Anton Coleman, Georgia Military College; Courtland Rogers- Iowa Western; Yaquis “Duke” Shelley

NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

Southwest DeKalb High School football players take a moment to review their commitments before they sign on the dotted line.

HB 194 would shorten early voting period, make Sunday voting uniform

Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG NewsL-R: Jonathan Ledbetter and his mother, Teresa Ledbetter, and Timerik Cook and his mother, Vickie Hayes, show their excitement at National Signing Day on Feb. 4 in DeKalb County.

See Signing, page 8

State Rep. Mark Hamilton

Gov. Deal won’t fill DeKalb’s District 5 seat, proposed resort in limbo

Page 2: Ocg 02 06 15 final

PAGE 2    FEBRUARY 7, 2015

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FEBRUARY 7, 2015   PAGE 3

 EDITOR/PUBLISHERValerie J. Morgan 

[email protected]

GENERAL MANAGERGlenn L. Morgan 

[email protected]

STAFF WRITER Joshua Smith 

[email protected]

ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill 

[email protected]

  ABOUT US   On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of  the publisher or the newspaper’s advertisers. 

No portion of  this newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of  the publisher. 

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Community News

The fundraising campaign to help raise money for the design and installation of a K-9 memorial statue has reached its halfway mark. The project is estimated to cost $10,000 and $5,510.00 has been donated so far.

The monument, titled “Hero, Partner, Friend,” will be located at DeKalb County Police Headquarters, 1960 West Exchange Place, Decatur. It will sit on the hill where the current police headquarters signage is, overlooking the projected police and firefighter monuments. It is purposefully located behind the other monuments as dogs always have officers’ backs.

“It really touched my heart how many people have supported this important project,” said Xan Rawls, DeKalb County’s Director of Animal Services and fundraising coordinator. “These dogs go to work every day and put their lives on the line alongside their human partners. They deserve to be honored at the end of their watch, like any officer.”

Contributions, small and large, have come in from public and private donors. The DeKalb Police Alliance has donated $2,700.and a check will be presented to Rawls and members of the DeKalb SWAT K-9 Unit on Monday, March 2.

The DeKalb County Police Alliance is accepting all donations through their organization’s 501-C-3 account. Donations can also be made through the K-9 memorial Go Fund Me Account at http://www.gofundme.com/j04jvk

Plans for the memorial began after a discussion between DeKalb K-9 officer Mark Taylor and Rawls after the passing of the officer’s K-9 companion. The statue and memorial are to be dedicated May 15, 2015 as part of the observance of the 100th year of DeKalb County Police Services.

Rockdale Sheriff ’s deputies add body cameras to uniforms

By Joshua Smith

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office will be the first Sheriff’s Office in Georgia equipped with body cameras, officials have announced. Deputies will get training on the new technology over the next three to four months.

Sheriff Eric Levett made the announcement in unveiling the latest technology during the Rockdale NAACP meeting, which was held Feb. 2 at Macedonia Baptist Church in Conyers.

“We will be the first sheriff’s office in the state to use body cameras. This is something we have been researching since before the incidents like what happened in Ferguson,” said Levett.

The body cameras were purchased from New York-based company, L-3 Mobile-Vision. The Sheriff’s Office purchased 40 body cameras, 38 cameras for patrol cars and 29 upgraded in-car cameras with federal funds seized from drug busts and drug dealers. The department will receive 67 body cameras free of charge as part of the contract. The total cost of the purchases was about $333,000, Levett said.

Rockdale Chief Deputy Scott Freeman said the Sheriff’s Office plans to equip the jail’s deputies once more funding is identified to buy more cameras.

“It should take about three to four months to deploy the cameras to the field officers and train the officers on how to use them properly,” said Freeman, who gave a demonstration on how the cameras work.

Residents at the meeting expressed concern that the cameras can be switched on and off.

“How do we know a cop won’t just turn the camera off and turn it back on after everything happens when somebody get pulled over?” asked Terrence Kendrick, an 18-year-old Rockdale County High School graduate who is considering studying criminal justice

at Georgia Perimeter College. “Body-worn cameras can increase accountability, but police agencies must mandate their officers to use them fully and they must also find a way to preserve the informal and unique relationships between police officers and community members.”

Another problem with the cameras, they aren’t able to be on everywhere, according to Georgia law. Georgia law prohibits video recording in private places, which is defined as “a place where one is entitled reasonably to expect to be safe from casual or hostile intrusion or surveillance.”

Freeman said the Sheriff’s Office is conducting research to develop a policy addressing the use of body cameras.

Newly-elected Rockdale NAACP

President Gary King says Rockdale’s use of body cameras is a step in the right direction. Tensions across the country have been heightened since several unarmed blacks have been killed by police officers, and in many instances police officers were not wearing a body camera.

“We have seen law enforcement agencies across the country better equip officers with these cameras, following the direction of President Barack Obama and I think today’s presentation represents progress,” said King. “I don’t think we need to lose sight of the fact that there is still much more progress to be made. We always want to hear about these kinds of advancements for fair policing for all and we will continue to serve as a meeting place for exchanging ideas on these kinds of subjects.”

DeKalb’s K-9 memorial

fund at halfway mark

Citizens attending the Rockdale NAACP meeting watch closely as Chief Deputy Scott Freeman (left) demonstrates one of the new body cameras.

Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett says that every deputy in his office will be required to wear a body camera.

In recognition of Black History Month, Congressmen Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Doug Collins (GA-09) have introduced a bipartisan resolution calling on Congress to award the Freedom Riders the Congressional Gold Medal.

More than 135 members of Congress from both sides of the aisle joined Johnson and Collins to cosponsor the bill, H.R. 671.

The Freedom Rides, which lasted from May to November 1961, included more than 400 black and white Americans who risked their lives to challenge Jim Crow laws – particularly public transportation – in the South. Despite enduring attacks and imprisonment for simply traveling together on buses and trains through the South, the Freedom Riders challenged racism and mob violence with nonviolent activism.

“The Freedom Riders were heroes who rode buses and trains in the South to break the back of segregation,” said Johnson. “The riders – including my constituent Hank Thomas and my friend and colleague John Lewis – endured insults and beatings and risked their

lives more than 50 years ago because they believed in a different future for their children and their grandchildren. I’m pleased to be working with Congressman Collins on this important recognition.”

Rep. Collins said he is honored to lead the effort to honor the Freedom Riders.

“The Freedom Riders were Americans of different backgrounds who stood up to injustice together. They broke down barriers and continue to provide our country hope that we can overcome any difficulties with a common purpose,” Johnson said.

Ambassador Andrew Young, a lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement, praised Johnson and Thomas for spearheading the effort.

“I want to commend Rep. Johnson and Hank Thomas for their efforts to gain recognition for these fearless American patriots – the Freedom Riders,” said Young. “Black and white together, they sought to hold America to the true meaning of the Constitution. As much as anyone, they risked their lives to defend the promise of America.”

If approved by Congress, the Freedom Riders would receive the medal as a group and it would be displayed at the Smithsonian Museum. There are three surviving original Freedom Riders.

Congressmen seek to honor Freedom Riders

CongressmanDoug Collins

Congressman Hank Johnson

Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News

Page 4: Ocg 02 06 15 final

PAGE 4    FEBRUARY 7, 2015

Valentine’s Day Couples Hike

Looking for something new to do with your valentine? Bring them to Panola Mountain State Park for a moderately strenuous mountain hike. Have even more fun by competing with your partner in a series of team building games to see who knows their companion best. Are you the King and Queen of Love? There’s only one way to find out!

Space is limited. Call to reserve spots. The event is $10, plus $5 parking. The park is located at 2600 Highway 155 S.W., Stockbridge. 770-389-7801.

ATLANTAFood pantry open for needy families

A Muslim group based out of Atlanta, Atlanta Masjid of Ali Islam, is providing food to needy Atlanta residents every Monday and Wednesday, 2 – 4 p.m. at 560 Fayetville Road, Atlanta.

The food is available to families who have low to moderate incomes. Participants must bring a picture ID, proof of income and proof of residency. Participants may be required to fill out additional paper work to show if they are 65 or older.

“Our mission is to eliminate food insecurities among our neighbors in need around the East Atlanta area by supplying quality, healthy foods with compassion, while offering dignity to our clients,” said Nazeeh Rasheed.

For more information, call 404-405-8975 or 404-381-5594.

Learn to protect your identity A group of concerned citizens from the Georgia Hill Neighborhood Center will host

“Fraud Watch” on Monday, Feb. 9, noon, at 250 Georgia Ave., Atlanta. This program will provide you with access to watch dog alerts, information about active

scams, and resources about what to do to spot and avoid scams. Watchdog alerts will include three types of fraud and scams: identity theft, investment fraud and online and offline scams. Additional links with experts, law enforcement and people like you who are on the lookout for scams will also be provided. 404-730-5427.

DEKALB

DeKalb Lawyers Association to mark 30-year anniversary The DeKalb Lawyers Association will celebrate its 30-year anniversary with a dinner

that will feature Attorney Patrice Perkins-Hooker, the first African American to serve as president of the State Bar of Georgia.

The celebration is set for Feb. 19, at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. A cocktail reception will be held at 6 p.m. and dinner and program will follow at 7 p.m.

The celebration is open to the public. Tickets for this historic event are $30 per person. A table for eight is $210. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dekalblawyersassociation.org DLA was created in 1985 as a local bar association organized to address the concerns of African American attorneys living and practicing in DeKalb County. At the time of DLA’s inception, DeKalb County had only one full-time African American judge. DLA has been instrumental in helping increase the diversity of the judiciary in DeKalb County.

“DLA was born 30 years ago and has remained relevant by conducting legal workshops, presenting in schools, evaluating judicial candidates and providing thousands of dollars in scholarship monies to deserving law school students. To have our State Bar President with us to mark this 30-year milestone is truly an honor,” said Attorney Mawuli Mel Davis, president of DeKalb Lawyers Association.

For more information, e-mail [email protected].

SDBA sets scholarship breakfastThe South DeKalb Business Association (SDBA) will host its Business Forum and

Scholarship Breakfast on Friday, Feb. 20, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., at St. Philip A.M.E. Church, 240 Candler Road, S.E., Atlanta.

This year, scholarships will be awarded to seniors from Redan High School and Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

Cassius Butts, Regional Administrator for the Small Business Administration, will be the keynote speaker. Congressman Hank Johnson, Willie A. Watkins, president and CEO of Willie A. Watkins Funeral Homes and Mitch Martin of Martin, Harps, Syphoe & Co. will serve as special guest speakers.

“Each of our speakers will share tips and the best practices to jumpstart new businesses as well as established businesses,” said SDBA President Milton Kirby. “We are so delighted to have this event and is one of our most rewarding programs of the year.”

The breakfast is $45 per person. For more information or to register, visit www.sdba-inc.org.

Zetas offer scholarship to deserving youths The Sigma Mu Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is accepting applications

from high school students for scholarship opportunities. Every year, the group offers financial assistance to graduation high school seniors who

are pursuing a higher education. This year, the sorority will award four DeKalb County students $1,000 scholarships.

Applications must be postmarked by March 27. To apply for the scholarship, visit www.sigmamuzeta.org or call 404-358-3522.

GWINNETT American Red Cross to host blood drive

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive on Friday, Feb. 13, 1 – 6 p.m., at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged. Donors will need to bring a photo ID and a list of medications, if any, they are taking.

Blood donors receive a mini physical, including checks of your pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and hemoglobin levels. Refreshments are provided.

For more information or to register, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

Human Services Center offers job readiness workshopLift Up Atlanta, Inc. will host a one-day job readiness workshop on Friday, Feb. 14, 9

a.m. – noon, at the Norcross Human Services Center, 5030 Georgia Belle Court, Norcross.The workshop will cover resume writing and interview skills. The goal is to provide

the skills necessary to find sustained employment at living wages that will ensure financial security for you and your household.

The workshop is free to attend. For more information, call 678-225-5400.

ROCKDALE

State Rep. Tonya Anderson to host ACA enrollment eventThe community is invited to join State Rep. Tonya Anderson for an Affordable Care

Act enrollment event on Feb. 9, 6 to 8 p.m., at Macedonia Baptist Church, 1052 Barton St., Conyers.

Navigators will be available to assist with enrollment. Here is a checklist of what will be needed from those who want to enroll: § Social Security Number or government identification number§ 2013 tax income forms§ Policy numbers for any current health insurance§ Forms from healthcare.gov.For more information, contact Emily Oh at 770-362-0123.

Public input sought in Conyers strategic plan survey The city of Conyers is seeking the public’s opinion in an online survey that is part of the

city’s strategic planning process.The city of Conyers is contracting with the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute

of Government to develop a strategic plan. Conyers officials appointed a 12-member committee in the late fall of 2014 to cultivate ideas and direction for the city as well as generate interest among local civic groups and organizations, businesses and individuals in providing feedback on the future of the city of Conyers.

“This survey encourages citizens to be candid and quite honest in their opinions of what they like about Conyers, what they’d like to see here in the future, how we compare to other communities and towns people like to visit. If you are invested in Conyers, please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us,” said Mayor Randy Mills. “Every voice counts when it comes to hearing what we’re doing well and where we can improve.”

Officials with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government will be conducting individual and focus group interviews in Conyers throughout the month of February to ask more detailed questions about quality of life issues and concerns in the community. Town hall meetings will also be held in the coming months.

The survey link is available at: www.conyersga.com The survey will be available through March 16.

For more information on the city’s strategic planning process, contact Jennifer Edwards at 770-929-4299 or [email protected].

County encourages citizens to complete transportation survey The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) is conducting a

survey to evaluate the Xpress bus service in Rockdale County. The Direct Xpress analysis was designed to help maximize the productivity of GRTA’s

Xpress Regional commuter coach service.With information from this study, GRTA is making proposed recommendations for

operational improvements including routes, schedules and administration that could impact services in Rockdale County.

As part of the Direct Xpress study, feedback from local residents is being requested through a brief survey. Current Xpress bus riders non-riders as well as community stakeholders are all strongly encouraged to complete the survey.

The survey closes Feb. 16. For more information about Direct Xpress or to complete the survey, visit

http://directxpress.xpressga.com.

Think Tank resumes meetings The Rockdale County Think Tank will begin hosting meetings every fourth Saturday at

Ruby Tuesday restaurant, 1714 Georgia 138, Conyers, noon – 2 p.m. Josie Dean organized the community group to bring speakers and issues to the forefront

in Rockdale County. The meeting is open to anyone who would like to attend. For more information, contact Josie Dean at [email protected] or

770-369-1507.

Coming Up

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FEBRUARY 7, 2015   PAGE 5

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Wingate Companies and Columbia Residential have broken ground on City Lights, an affordable senior housing development in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward community.

Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall, whose district includes the historic neighborhood, said the project would add a diverse and mature group of residents who will bring a lifetime of experiences and vibrancy to the Old Fourth Ward.

“This new development embodies the kinds of improvements that we have encouraged since our master planning process for the Old Fourth Ward in 2008 and, more recently, as part of our Year of Boulevard initiative, which we began in 2012,” Hall said. “We hope other developers see City Lights as a catalyst for their investment in new affordable housing, mixed income and market rate housing along Boulevard.”

The new senior community is the first step of a multiphase redevelopment of the Village of Bedford Pine. Wingate and Columbia are developing 80, one-bedroom apartment homes available to qualifying

seniors, ages 62 or older, at 430 Boulevard. Financial partners in the project include Community Affordable Housing Equity Corp. and Sugar Creek Capital as well as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and Atlanta’s Office of Housing. Construction financing is from Prudential Huntoon Paige.

Mark Schuster, principal of Wingate Companies, thanked those who paved the way for the construction of the new community.

“It would not have been possible to create this new senior housing community in the heart of the Old Fourth Ward without the hard work and creativity of our partners,” Schuster said. “We especially thank Neighborhood Planning Unit M and the Fourth Ward West Neighborhood Association for working with us to achieve this vision.”

City Lights will offer seniors a state-of-the-art fitness center, a TV and movie room, community kitchen, sun deck, covered garage, WiFi access and a business center. The project is expected to be completed by summer of 2016.

Decatur Y completes renovationsThe Decatur Family YMCA, which completed a

major renovation in January, is inviting residents to stop in for a tour to experience the new Y.

A new and expanded wellness center was added to the facility, located at 1100 Clairemont Ave. in the city of Decatur. In addition, there is a new group exercise studio, family dressing areas, free play center for children while parents work out, an updated aquatic center with a new whirlpool, adult dressing areas, teen center, and a new elevator.

The wellness center has strength training and cardio equipment and a free weight area. All the equipment is new and contains Cardio Theater personal viewing screens and FitLinxx, technology that tracks workouts.

“The investment in the Y is an investment in the residents in this area” says Bill McKoy, executive director. “The added space allows for more individuals and families to become involved in Y programs, activities and services. One program I recommend to all is The Coach Approach, a six-month exercise support process that helps people of any ability to start and stick with exercise. Best of all, it is free for all Y members.”

Additional off-street parking, green space, and sidewalks were included in the renovation to enhance the neighborhood.

For a guest pass to try the Y or for more information, visit http://www.ymcaatlanta.org/guestpass. 404-377-9622

Y members get a workout on the center’s new fitness equipment.

Conyers Police offer Citizens Police Academy The Conyers Police Department (CPD) is

accepting applications for its Citizens Police Academy.

The 12-week academy will be held on Tuesdays, beginning March 10, at 6:30 p.m. Each three-hour session will run 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and most sessions will take place in the Conyers Police Department training room at 1194 Scott Street.

“The Citizens Police Academy is one of our most popular community outreach programs,” said Police Chief Gene Wilson. “This behind-the-scenes glimpse

into law enforcement is a favorite with citizens because it is so hands-on and interactive.”

Academy participants will learn about the various divisions of the Police Department, solve a mock crime scene, obtain identity fraud and cybercrime tips, spend time on a firing range, and run laser devices on heavily trafficked roadways. Graduates of the academy will have the opportunity to join Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) to assist the Department in a variety of ways including attending special events, participating in crime prevention activities, and

engaging in other community outreach programs.There is no charge to participate in the academy,

which is open to those over age 18. The class is limited to 20.

Applications are available online at www.conyerspolice.com or in the lobby of the Police Department. The deadline to apply is March 6.

For more information, call Sergeant Peggy Franklin at 678-374-5603.

L-R: Atlanta City Councilmember Kwanza Hall, (Atlanta District 2), Invest Atlanta CEO Craig J. Richard and Wingate Companies Principal Mark Schuster stand in front of the site for City Lights, a new affordable senior housing community that Wingate is developing in partnership with Columbia Residential in the Village of Bedford Pine in the Old Fourth Ward community of Atlanta.

Wingate breaks ground on senior housing in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward

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PAGE 6    FEBRUARY 7, 2015

DeKalb libraries celebrate trailblazers with Cinema Festival

Celebrating Black History Month in Metro Atlanta

The DeKalb County Library System will kick off Black History Month with a Cinema Festival at the Gresham Library branch, 2418 Gresham Road, S.E., Atlanta.

The Gresham Library will present “42” on Monday, Feb. 10, 5:30 p.m. The 2013 film written and directed by Brian Helgeland is about the racial integration of American professional baseball by Jackie Robinson, who wore the jersey No. 42 throughout his Major League career. The film stars Chadwick Boseman as Robinson and Harrison Ford as baseball executive Branch Rickey.

Adults are invited to attend the screening of “Get On Up,” the biographical drama about the life of singer James Brown, on Feb. 14, 2 p.m., at the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg branch, 952 Leon St., Stone Mountain. The movie also will be shown at the Stonecrest library branch, Feb. 20, 2 to 4:15 p.m. and Feb. 21, 2 to 4:15 p.m., 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia.

The 2014 film stars Chadwick Boseman as “James Brown;” Nelsan Ellis as

“Bobby Byrd;” Dan Aykroyd as “Ben Bart;” Viola Davis as “Susie Brown;” Keith Robinson as “Baby Roy;” and Octavia Spencer as “Aunt Honey.”

The library system’s Scott Candler Library branch, 1917 Candler Road, Decatur, will host an inspirational documentary for adults, “Freedom Riders,” on Feb. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The 2010 documentary is based in part on the book, “Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice.”

The film chronicles the story behind hundreds of civil rights activists called the “Freedom Riders,” who challenged racial segregation throughout America, traveling together in small interracial groups, demanding equal access on buses, trains and terminal restaurants and waiting rooms, and to bring racial segregation national attention.

For more information and a schedule of the library system’s other Black History Month events, visit www.dekalblibrary.org.

Little Shop of Stories to host special storytime

The Little Shop of Stories, 133 East Court Square, Suite A, Decatur, will hold Black History Storytime on Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m.

The community is invited to listen to stories about prominent figures throughout American History, including Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Josephine Baker. Author Hester Bass will serve as the guest speaker. Bass will discuss her new book, “Seeds of Freedom: The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama.”

In an engaging celebration of a lesser-known chapter in American and African-American history, author Hester Bass shows children and how racial discrimination, bullying, and unfairness can be faced successfully with perseverance and ingenuity. 404-373-6300.

Black History Month parade at Underground Atlanta

Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St., S.W., Atlanta, will host a black history parade on Monday, Feb. 23, noon.

Billed as the largest celebration of Black History Month in America, the parade features marching bands, entertainers and dignitaries.

The parade will begin in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District near the King Memorial site and continue to the Underground Atlanta plaza, where the festivities will continue with live entertainment. For more information, call 404-523-2311.

Scavenger hunt at Hairston Crossing Library

The Hairston Crossing Library branch will host a black history scavenger hunt on Monday, Feb. 23, 10 a.m. at 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain.

Families are invited to search for famous historical figures in black

history in and around the Hairston Crossing Library. After finding the pictures of the African American leaders, participants will match them to their list of accomplishments to win prizes. 404-508-7170.

Discover your roots in Lawrenceville

You may be related to African-American pioneers or even kings and queens. The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau and local authors from the community will host “Learning Genealogy” on Monday, Feb. 23, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., at the Gwinnett Library’s Collins Hill branch, 455 Camp Perrin Road, Lawrenceville.

The class will teach families’ how to honor their African-American

ancestors by tracing, documenting and publishing their family history.

Computer programs such as Heritage Quest and Ancestry Library offer tips and techniques for conducting African American genealogical research. Learn to navigate through the U.S. Census, slaveholder records, family histories and other resources to piece together your family’s history. 770-978-5154.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2015   PAGE 7

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McIntosh County Shouters to perform black tradition

Central United Methodist Church and Hillside International Truth Center, 2450 Cascade Road, S.W., Atlanta are hosting “Remembering the Shout” on Saturday, Feb. 28, 6 p.m.

The “McIntosh County Shouters,” a 10-member Gullah-Geechee group, will perform the “ring shout,” a fusion of counterclockwise dance-like movements and call and response singing. The performance is accompanied by other members of the group who use handclaps and play their version of percussion, using sticks to beat the rhythm of the songs on a wooden floor.

African in its origins, the ring shout represents oneness with a people and the Holy Spirit. The performance also represents paying represent to ancestors and stresses the importance of community cohesiveness.

Organizers say the performance is the opportunity to recall, reclaim and celebrate a rich heritage. The free, educational event is open to all ages. 404-758-6811.

The McIntosh County Shouters thrill and entertain. The Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, 233 Peachtree St., N.E., Suite 1400, Atlanta, will host a free film series, “Black in Film,” on Feb. 9 and Feb. 23, 12 – 3 p.m.

Presented by the African American Cinema Gallery and the Peachtree Village International Film Festival, this series takes attendees on a moving journey along a path of success stories and triumphs of African American cinema artists.

On Monday, Feb. 9, families can enjoy “Fat Albert & The Cosby Kids.” The animated movie premiered in 1972 and ran until 1985. The show is centered on “Albert” (known for his catchphrase “Hey hey hey!”), and his friends.

On Monday, Feb. 23, the series concludes with “Driving Miss Daisy.” The 1989 American comedy-drama film was directed by Bruce Beresford, with Morgan Freeman reprising his role as “Hoke Colburn” and Jessica Tandy playing “Miss Daisy.”

The story defines “Daisy” and her point of view through a network of relationships and emotions by focusing on her home life, synagogue, friends, family, fears, and concerns over a 25-year period. At the 62nd Academy Awards in in 1990, Driving Miss Daisy received nine nominations, winning four for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Makeup and Best Adapted Screenplay. 404-521-6600.

ACVB to host “Black in Film”

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PAGE 8    FEBRUARY 7, 2015

GPTC named one of Georgia’s Top Technical CollegeGeorgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) has

been named one of Georgia’s Top 10 Technical Colleges. The listing of the institutions was determined according to enrollment of the respective colleges. In addition, Georgia Piedmont Technical College has been named among Georgia’s Top 25 Largest Colleges and Universities.

The recently released rankings were published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2015 Book of Lists.

“We are glad we are growing, as this list indicates,” said GPTC President Jabari Simama. “This visibility will allow us to reach and serve more students in our communities.”

Established in 1961, Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) is one of the top technical colleges in Georgia. As a student-centered institution, GPTC prepares individuals with the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing, global economy. The college has nine learning centers in DeKalb, Newton, Rockdale and Morgan counties. Academic and technical programs of study at Georgia Piedmont Technical College cover more than 140 degrees, diplomas and certificates. For additional information, please visit www.gptc.edu.

New Central DeKalb Senior Center draws crowd for grand opening

DeKalb County officials celebrated the grand opening of the Central DeKalb Senior Center on Feb. 2 in Decatur. DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May was joined by District 2 Commissioner Jeff Rader, Sheriff Jeff Mann, former CEO Liane Levetan, and other dignitaries in welcoming seniors to the new 15,000-square-foot facility.

After the ribbon cutting at the $5.16 million building,

seniors enjoyed a reception and toured the center, which includes an 80-seat dining room, café, and classrooms for a variety of activities. Located near Mason Mill Park, the two-story facility offers views of the children’s playground and tennis courts.

The new center is equipped with some of the latest technology, including flat screen televisions and projectors,

and Wi-Fi. The center will utilize the “My Senior Center” computer-based program to track attendance and activities that seniors sign up for and it will remind seniors of those activities when they sign in for the day.

The center is signing up members who are 62 and older. Membership is $60 a year. Some classes and activities require additional fees. For more information, call 770-492-5464.

Signing continued from page 1

- Kansas State; Elijah Sullivan – Auburn; Delvin Weems – Marshall; and Maurice Williams, who is also attending Georgia Military College.

Tucker head Coach Bryan Lamar told students and families in attendance that Signing Day was just the beginning.

“To get here, these guys had to do well on the field and excel in the classroom, but we tell our kids to finish the drill and now they must continue that way of thinking at the next level,” said Coach Lamar. “I’m very proud of this class. They met the requirements and put in all the hard work. As a coach, I’m just proud to be able to coach these guys.”

National Signing Day excitement continued at Southwest DeKalb High School when 6’0, 205-pound Timerik Cook signed on the dotted line with the University of Miami. Cook, who plays Defensive Safety, maintained a 3.2 GPA at the Decatur high school. The 18-year-old senior is receiving both, academic and athletic scholarships, from the University of Miami.

“This is one more step in me accomplishing my dream to be successful in whatever path I choose. I will continue to work out four to five times a day and make my family, school and this community proud,” said Cook, who plans to study psychology. “I live by this Benjamin Mays quote: ‘The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.’ ”

Southwest DeKalb finished last year’s season 6- 4 overall and 4- 2 in the region, ranking 88 in the state.

Other Southwest DeKalb athletes who signed off on their futures included: Zechariah Bradford, who will be attending Saint Augustine University; Montavius Coleman, Virginia Union College; Gabriel Richardson, Hutchinson Community College; Jocoby Riley, Grambling State; Brandon Wiggs, Grambling State; and Abdurrahman “Rock” Ya-Sin, Presbyterian College.

About 100 players in DeKalb County

have committed to their college of choice. Fourteen of the 19 DeKalb’s high school football programs had at least one signee on Feb. 4. However, coaches in the county say there is still more work to do.

Southwest Head Coach Michael Tanks said he still has a number of students to help get signed.

“My coaching staff, the band staff, academic staff, we all come together when it comes to supporting these guys and finding more collegic opportunities for them,” said Tanks. “We will continue to work hard to get the rest of our student athletes signed.”

In Rockdale County, Rockdale High School congratulated seven players as they signed on the dotted line for their future. The most celebrated player, T.J. Warren, signed an athletic scholarship with the University of Missouri. Missouri recruited the 6’0, 190-pound cornerback in January. Warren also had offers from Indiana University, Georgia Tech and Marshall University.

Six other Rockdale Bulldogs inked deals with colleges: Safety Malik Dawkins and lineman Blake Davis signed with the Air Force Academy; linebacker Keijne Thomas signed with Delta State University; defensive back Sean Mer signed with Bethel University; defensive end/linebacker Mike Murray inked a deal with Hutchinson Community College and running back Devon Williams signed with Notre Dame College.

The City of Atlanta Public Schools (APS) had a special reason to celebrate its athletes who signed on the dotted line.

This is the first year in APS history that the school system has had four National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football early enrollees. Early enrollees include three from Benjamin E. Mays High School Raiders, who played in the GHSA Class AAAAA state championship. Those student athletes are: Natrez Patrick, who signed with the University of Georgia; Dallas Warmack, University of Alabama; and Khalil Brooks, Middle Tennessee State University. The fourth early signee was Aaron Williams from The New Schools at Carver, who signed with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Mays High School had a big day. In all, the school had 15 signees: Asahnia Aderhold, Reedley Community College; Keenan Anderson, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University; Rowmartis Bell, Savannah State University; Khalil Brooks Middle Tennessee State University; Tyshawn Brown, Georgia Military College; De’Paris Carter Fort Scott Jr. College; Malik Mackey, Hampton University; Samuel Lee, Central International University; Natrez Patrick, University of Georgia; Charlie

Patrick, Georgia State University; Shiheem Rutherford, Catawba College; Mason Sims, Southern University; Kessely Tyler Delaware State University; Dallas Warmack, University of Alabama; Michael B. Worthan Jr., Clark Atlanta University.

Other signees included Grady High School senior Amyr Smith, who will attend Morehouse College, where he will receive a scholarship to play football and baseball; B.E.S.T. Academy High School’s Deshawn

Waller, Hutchinson Community College; Tyler Gibson, Benedict College; The New Schools at Carver’s Artis Grier, Huntingdon College; Tenquarius Mender, Georgia Prep Sports Academy; and Bryce Wilson, who will be attending Western Carolina University.

Frederick Douglass had two signees: Saddarius Jenkins and Tyquan Rucker, who both will be attending Lane College.

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APS Sign Day 4: The New Schools at Carver’s Artis Grier signed with Huntingdon College’s football program during Atlanta Public Schools’National Signing Day Ceremony on Feb. 4.

Photo by Scott C. King, APS

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FEBRUARY 7, 2015   PAGE 9

Letter to the Editor

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Rockdale addresses

wastewater plant odor

Rockdale County Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new self-service kiosk on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m., at 969 Pine Street in Conyers.

The kiosk expands the ways residents in Rockdale and other select counties can renew vehicle registrations.

By Dwight S. WicksDirector of Rockdale Water Resources

The Rockdale County Quigg Wastewater Treatment Plant, which EST Operations staffs under contractual agreement, serves an important role for the public by providing proper treatment and disposal of domestic and industrial wastewater and the associated bio-solids. Bio-solids are biological and inert wastes that remain after removal from wastewater.

Unfortunately, during the treatment of these wastewater streams, odor generation is an undesired outcome. All wastewater treatment facilities produce a certain amount of odor, which is normally not offensive. The Quigg plant management’s goal is to operate the plant so that odors are not offensive and kept to a minimum. To do this, the unit operations that provide treatment, as well as offensive odors, may be covered or housed to capture, treat and eliminate them.

Recently, residents living near the Quigg facility began to complain of an offensive odor coming from the plant. Initially, plant management and staff were unable to determine the odor’s origin and therefore, implemented numerous searches and operational changes within the treatment process to determine the source and modify the offending unit, but none of the initiatives taken were successful. Yet, with the help of several local residents, the odor’s source thankfully was identified and staff’s attention was shifted to odor containment and treatment.

Odor containment and treatment requires developing a plan to cover the offending unit. The structure will have an air removal system that will be connected to an on-site scrubbing unit designed to remove industrial strength odors. ESG Operations and engineering staff will perform a majority of the work.

The time associated with the County procurement process and actual project construction will require around 3- 4 months for project completion with an estimated cost of up to $40,000.

Rockdale Water Resources will continue to keep the public apprised of the progress we make on this important project.

Sidewalk vendors to return to Turner Field

The Atlanta City Council has approved an ordinance that will re-open the sidewalks to vending nearTurner Field. City Councilmember Michael Julian Bond sponsored the measure.

The council voted unanimously to allow up to15

vending carts to return to the area near Turner Field this spring, but there will be a lottery to see who gets the coveted spots.

The carts will be set up on city-owned property at the intersection of Georgia Avenue

and Pollard Boulevard near the stadium.

“We are excited to see the vendors back at Turner Field,” said Councilmember Bond. “These women and gentlemen are the unofficial ambassadors for visitors in that community.

We are excited that we have been able to have them return. They are an important piece of the community feel and landscape of the area and we are most glad to see them restored.”

Over the past two baseball seasons, vendors had to relocate to leased spaces near the stadium. The vendors were forced to move after Mayor Kasim Reed banned street vending citywide, saying the flea market image hurt downtown development. Reed shut down the vendors before baseball’s opening day in March 2013.

Larry Miller, who led the fight to return to Turner Field, says he is happy vendors will be allowed to return even though the Atlanta Braves have only a couple of seasons left before they move to their new home in Cobb County. Miller, whose small business has operated outside of Turner Field for more than 20 years, organized the Atlanta Vendors Association, a grassroots organization comprised of local vendors.

Vendors protest Mayor Kasim Reed’s ban on sidewalk vending.

Get the latest news updates ANYTIME.

www.ocgnews.com

Atlanta-Fulton Library System restores Friday operating hours Library patrons will be able to use the

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library branches on Fridays again. The Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to restore the library system’s budget to levels that will allow hours that had been cut back to be restored. The changes will take effect April 1.

Fulton County Commissioners unanimously passed the Fulton County’s 2015 budget, which included allocation for the restoration of Friday operating hours at library branches. The new

budget also includes an increase to the library system’s materials budget to $1.9 million.

“This is a great day for our libraries and the communities we serve throughout Fulton County,” said Interim Library Director Anne Haimes. “We are meeting critical needs by restoring hours and public confidence in our libraries.”

In 2014, budget reductions meant significant cuts to library hours including the elimination of Friday hours at many branches.

As a result of the action taken by the Board of Commissioners, hours will be restored to their 2013 levels.

The Library System’s Building Program is also making progress. The new Wolf Creek and Palmetto Libraries are among the libraries that will open this year. Meanwhile, the Auburn Avenue Research Library and the South Fulton Branch are both currently closed for renovation and expansion projects that are part of the system’s building program.

Rockdale Coalition of Homeowners & Civic Associations sets meetingThe Rockdale County Board of Commissioners invites citizens to attend the upcoming meeting of the Rockdale Coalition of Homeowners and Civic Associations on Thursday, Feb. 12, 6 – 7 p.m., at the J.P. Carr Services Community Room, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. The meeting will bring together the leaders of local homeowner associations and civic groups, as well as interested citizens, from across Rockdale to share news and information and learn about County projects and initiatives. Agenda items for this meeting include a presentation about special use permits, department announcements, ways to give your feedback about transportation-related issues and how to sign up for CodeRED, the county’s emergency notification service.There also will be several information tables for residents to pick up information and distribute through their association networks.

For more information, email [email protected] or call the Rockdale County Department of Community Affairs & Innovative Programs: 770-278-7050.

Rockdale Tax Commissioner’s office offers new self-service kiosk

Photo via Atlanta Vendors Association

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PAGE 10    FEBRUARY 7, 2015

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People Movers & Shakers in the Community

GPTC announces 2015 GOAL and Rick Perkins Award winnersGeorgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) is

honoring Stephanie Jackson, a Paralegal Studies student, and Sharon “Sherry” Lowery, an Early Childhood Care and Education instructor. Both will proceed to regional judging competitions as recipients of the college’s GOAL Award and Rick Perkins Award respectively. The regional competition for the state’s 23 technical schools is set March 3 and the state winners will be announced April 23.

Finalists for the awards are interviewed by a panel of judges representing business, civic, industry and higher education in Georgia.

“We are very pleased to have Stephanie Jackson and Sharon Lowery as our award recipients,” stated GPTC President Jabari Simama. “We wish them the best; and we know these two outstanding individuals will represent us well in our regional and state competitions.”

Jackson was chosen as the college’s 2015 GOAL award winner because of her excellence in academics and leadership. She is a member of the college’s Paralegal Studies Advisory Committee and the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia. She will be inducted this semester into the GPTC’s Chapter of Lambda Epsilon Chi, which is the Paralegal Honor Society of the American Association for Paralegal Education.

Jackson, a self-employed writer, has authored numerous articles for several print and online publications. Enjoying giving back to her Gwinnett County community, she has served as a Team Mom on the Academic Team at Trickum Middle School, chair of the Business Partners Committee at Arcado Elementary School and an event coordinator for several United Cerebral Palsy.

Lowery was named GPTC’s “2015 Instructor of the Year.” She has begun her 11th year at GPTC, where she is an Early Childhood Care and Education instructor. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she also holds a State-Approved Child Care Trainer certificate, as well as

the designation of Professional Development Specialist with the National Council for Professional Recognition. Within the college, she serves in many capacities, such as: Faculty Liaison on the Achieving the Dream Team and as a member of the Academic Affairs Advisory Committee.

In the community, Lowery is a member of Rockdale Career Academy’s Board of Directors; the Board of Directors for Peachtree Academy Private Schools; chair of the Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Board

for Newton County Schools; Sherry Lowery earned her B.S. in Education from Ohio’s Bowling Green State University, and her Masters in Early Childhood Education from University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Lowery serves in several leadership positions within her church; co-captain for a Relay-for-Life team; and has been a wish granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia for the past 16 years.

L-R: Sharon “Sherry” Lowery, GPTC’s 2015 Rick Perkins Award recipient, GPTC President Jabari Simama, and Stephanie Jackson, GPTC’s 2015 GOAL Award recipient

Rose McKeever, LPN, receives award from Earl V. Rogers, president of Georgia Hospital Heroes.

DeKalb Medical nurse named Georgia Hospital Hero

DeKalb Medical’s Rose McKeever, LPN, has been awarded the Georgia Hospital Heroes Award (GHA). McKeever was especially recognized for her work with breast cancer patients.

A nurse at DeKalb Medical since 1978, McKeever currently serves as a breast nurse navigator for the cancer support team on DeKalb Medical’s North Decatur campus. Over the years, she has given countless hours to cancer support groups and is the facilitator of the breast cancer support group that has met every week since 1990.

McKeever’s support also extends to the children and grandchildren of cancer patients. In 1993, she established the Tree House Gang, a support group that helps children comprehend what their loved ones are going through and provides them with an outlet to express their feelings and deal with their grief.

“Cancer patients and their children would not have the support they do without Rose McKeever,” said GHA President Earl V. Rogers. “She is continually providing help and support where she can and is an inspiration to all of us. She is a most-deserving recipient of this award.”

DEKALB COUNTY GOVERNMENTAdvertisement for Thursday, February 5, 2015

Sealed bids will be received in the Department of Purchasing and Contracting, The Maloof Center, 1300 Commerce Drive, 2nd Floor, Decatur, Georgia 30030, for the following until 3:00 P.M. on date(s) designated below:

REQUEST FOR ITEM CLOSING DATESOLICITATION NO.3003376 RollCarts-AnnualContractwith2AnnualOptionstoRenew March9,201515-500334 3yr-FinancialAdvisoryService March2,201515-100447 AdjustmentofManholeRingsandCoversandValveBoxes– March5,2015 AnnualContractwith2AnnualOptionstoRenew15-10045 CompletionoftheConstructionofNorthDeKalb March18,2015 Senior/CommunityCenter15-100448 SouthForkPeachtreeCreekTrailConstruction March25,20153003445 PurchaseofAutomobiles,VansandTruckswithTurnkey March13,2015 PackagesandAccessories-AnnualContractwith2Annual OptionstoRenew3003447 2yr-ProfessionalInspectionServicesforPublicWorksProjectsFebruary26,20153003449 SewerSystemCleaning-AnnualContractwith2 February26,2015 AnnualOptionstoRenew15-500339 FacilitiesAssessmentandMasterPlanningServices February27,20153003419 ITDataCenterRelocationto1950W.Exchange March9,2015 Place:Electrical&HVAC15-500335 Multi-Year(Upto5)AgreementforParking March6,2015 Management-CampRoadAreaandDowntown DecaturArea

Specifications and other details will be available in the Purchasing and Contracting Department, The Maloof Center, 2nd Floor, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30030. For additional information, please view the DeKalb County Website at: http://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/purchasing/index.html

DeKalb County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids or any part thereof, to waive any technicalities, and to re-advertise.

By: Scott M. Callan, CPSM, Chief Procurement OfficerDeKalb County Department of Purchasing and Contracting

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FEBRUARY 7, 2015   PAGE 11

CLASSIFIEDS

EXPIRES: 2-28-2015

ADVERTISE in the Marketplace. call On Common Ground News

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SERVICEMr. Handy. Small and large jobs. A/C services, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, lawn service, gutters. Call for free estimates at 404-281-6503.

MISC.Master Mechanics is hosting a Raffle in support of Childhood Cancer Research. Winner will receive a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee $35 per entry Call HYPERLINK “tel:678-933-7246” 678-933-7246.

FOR SALE Melwood Cemetery and Mausoleums 5170 E.Ponce de Leon Ave., Stone Mountain. Year End Sale: Buy 1 plot, Get 2nd one half off. Buy 1 package, get the 2nd space free. $500 off single crypt. $1,000 off companion crypt. Package includes space, vault and marker. Offer expires 1/31/15. Code. Ad/CW 404-299-3966.

FOR RENT Mini Mall 7173 Covington Hwy, Lithonia, GA 30058. Event facility for Church Meetings. Parties. $20-125 per hour. Call 678-755-5955

NOW HIRING The Weave Stop in Decatur hiring braiders and stylists. Come prepared to do a demo. Call 404-284-8833.

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PAGE 12    FEBRUARY 7, 2015

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