Free Press 1-25-13

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker
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the state board to convene a hearing at any time if it feels the DeKalb board isnt making progress, as long as it provides two-week notice. AdvancED conducted an investigation of DCSD after parents, stakeholders, school staff members and others raised concerns about the districts operations. As a result of the investigation, the
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State gives DeKalb school board 30 days to improve

by Daniel Beauregard Daniel@dekalbchamp.com The DeKalb County school board has 30 days to make significant improvement on the districts issues or face suspension by Gov. Nathan Deal. Board members attended a Jan. 14 hearing in front of the state Board of Education (BOE) to explain why the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) was placed on accreditation probation Dec. 17, 2012, by accrediting agency AdvancED. State Board of Education members voted unanimously on a consent decree to allow the DeKalb board until Feb. 21 to make significant progress on issues identified in the AdvancED report. Additionally, the decree allows accrediting agency placed the district on probation and presented DCSD with a list of action items including better financial oversight, improving technology in schools, improving communications at all levels within the district and additional board training. Mark Elgart, president of AdSee BOE on Page 13A
Goat could eat its way to Super Bowl ad

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com
oose could soon be the most famous goat in America. Ben Callner, a 28-year-old freelance director from Decatur, got the idea to enter the Doritos Super Bowl ad contest approximately two weeks before its deadline. My buddy said, My goat eating chips is really funny, Callner said. It was kind of a random comment. If he hadnt said it, I wouldnt have entered it. That random comment by Steve Colby of Decatur, who owns Moose and another goat named Kudzu, led to a 30-second entry into this years Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest. The pair Googled goats eating chips and discovered the idea was too funny to not try to do something, Callner said. Callner said he brainstormed for the contest and came up with some really bad ideas. Then he talked to his friend Colby. With the creative process, sometimes you just need to talk to somebody, Callner said. And after literally an all-nighter, the idea for the commercial was formed. Selected out of thousands of entrants, Callner is one of five finalists now competing for the chance to have their ads air during the Super Bowl XLVII broadcast on Feb. 3. Two ads will be chosen to airone selected by voters and one by the Doritos brand team. The finalist whose ad scores highest on the USA TODAY Ad Meter rankings will win $1 million and an opportunity to work with film director Michael Bay on the next Transformers movie.
until Jan. 29. Callners 30-second spot, called Goat 4 Sale, is about a Doritosloving man who sees a Doritoseating goat for sale. The man discovers that the goat has an insatiable appetite for the snack and its constant chip crunching drives the owner crazy. After it eats 42 bags of Doritos in a row, the owner decides to hide the chips. When the goat discovers that his seemingly endless stash of chips is missing, he screams and begins wrecking the place. Its that scream that made the commercial, Callner said. His team tried to manipulate the actual goat sounds, but that didnt work. It didnt even make me smile, Callner said. They tried unsuccessfully to get the right scream in a studio. Finally, Callner remembered that Ben Callner feeds Moose the goat. Callner is a finalist in a Super Bowl ad contest his best friend from middle school for a commercial about a goat with an insatiable appetite for Doritos. Photo by Anhad the perfect scream for the goat. drew Cauthen. Screenshot below provided They recorded the screammade by Keith Bahum of Savannah over the phone. The commercial was shot with an all-Atlanta crew in Colbys home. Filming day was planned to last 12 hours, but we actually finished an hour early, Callner said. Ive never experienced anything like it especially with an animal. Since Crash the Super Bowl began in 2007, consumer-created Doritos ads have consistently ranked within the top five spots of the USA TODAY Ad Meter, and three of the last four years they have scored the No. 1 ranking. Because she gets her news updates online from the The Champ Every year, were simply This is the seventh yearsheagets her news updates online from the The Champion. commercial on the Doritos Crash overwhelmed with the quality, creBecause in Because she gets the Super Bowl-branded app on row consumers have created Super her news updates online from the The Champion. talent behind our fans ativity and Bowl ads for Doritos. the Doritos Facebook Page (http:// ads, said Ram Krishnan, vice Doritos customers can vote www.facebook.com/DoritosUSA) www.facebook.com/championnewspaper each day for their favorite Doritos and/or on the Facebook mobile app See Goat on Page 13A
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Local News
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The so-called vehicle birthday tax will no longer be used on new car titles and title transfers beginning March 1. Instead, vehicle owners will pay a one-time tax at the time of all title transactions. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
New vehicle tax begins March 1

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com Attention car owners: A new Georgia vehicle tax starts March 1. Called the Title Ad Valorum Tax (TAVT), it replaces the sales and annual ad valorem tax, nicknamed the birthday tax, on newly purchased vehicles. Its for all vehicles that are titled, said Brent Bennett, director of the motor vehicle division for the DeKalb County Tax Commissioners Office. The basic premise is the elimination of the ad valorum tax. Beginning March 1, every time a vehicle is purchased or there is a title transfer of any type, the TAVT must be paid by the new titleholder. In 2013, the one-time tax is 6.5 percent of the vehicles state valuation which is based on a combination of the retail and wholesale values. The tax rate goes up to 6.75 percent in 2014 and 7 percent in 2015. After 2015, the Georgia General Assembly has the option of increasing the tax up to 9 percent. The states valuation, may be different from what the purchaser paid for the vehicle, Bennett said. You may have a bill of sale that says $2,500, but the state may say its worth $5,000, Bennett said. Vehicle owners can opt in to the TAVT under two circumstances. For vehicles purchased between Jan. 1, 2012, and March 1, 2013, the new owners have the option of paying the annual ad valorum tax or the TAVT. However, the vehicle must have been purchased in Georgia. Another way to opt in to will be rolled into the purchase price, but for casual purchasesthose from an ownerthe tax must be paid in a lump sum to get
Wait time is going to increase substantial y. Theres no doubt about it. Brent Bennett
the TAVT is by a title transfer to a family member. For example, if a father gives a son a vehicle, currently it is on the ad valorum system. After March 1, the owner son has the option of paying a 0.5 percent fee to remain on the ad valorum system or just paying the 6.5 percent TAVT, Bennett said. To opt into the TAVT, the transferor and transferee must complete an affidavit affirming that they are immediate family members. The benefit of the TAVT is that you wont pay any more ad valorum taxes, Bennett said. Instead, vehicle owners will only be required to get an emissions test and pay the annual tag fee. For car purchases through dealers, the TAVT
the title, Bennett said. Some people will like that, but it could be an eco-
nomic hardship for some people, Bennett said. At 6.5 percent, the TAVT on a vehicle with a state valuation of $5,000 is $325. Over five years, a vehicle owner choosing not to opt in to the TAVT would pay approximately $546, according to the TAVT calculator on the website of the Georgia Department of Revenue. New residents moving into the state will be required to pay the TAVT but will have the option of paying 50 percent of the fee up front and the rest within a year, Bennett said. Under the ad valorum tax system, counties received 99.75 percent of the tax proceeds while 0.25 percent went to state government, Bennett said. At the county level, the funds were divided between the county government and the school district.
In 2013, the state will get 57 percent of the TAVT, while the county receives 43 percent. Next year, the breakdown will be 55 percent for the state and 45 percent the county. In 2021, the state will receive 30 percent and the county will get 70 percent. Bennett said the county tax commissioners office is expecting a significant increase in transaction time for customers when the new tax begins. Wait time is going to increase substantially, Bennett said. Theres no doubt about it. More information about the tax and an online calculator to estimate the tax for a particular vehicle can be found on the Georgia Department of Revenue website at http://onlinemvd.dor.ga.gov/ Tap/welcome.aspx.
CITYOFCHAMBLEE,GA. PUBLICNOTICE TheCityofChambleeisscheduledtomeetonFebruary14,2013at6:00PMto,amongother purposes,discuss(increasing)salariesforMayorandCityCouncilMembersforthetermsof officebeginningJanuary2014. CITYOFCHAMBLEE,GA. PUBLICNOTICE PursuantofO.C.G.A.212131(a)(1),qualifyingfeesweresetbytheCityofChambleeMayor andCouncilintheregularlyscheduledCouncilMeetingheldonJanuary15,2013fortheCityof ChambleeGeneralElectiontobeheldonNovember4,2013asfollows:FortheofficeofMayor $324.00;fortheofficeofCouncilmemberDistrictOneandCouncilmemberAtLarge$216.00. EmmieNiethammer CityClerk/ElectionSuperintendent
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Judge halts Druid Hills subdivision

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com Druid Hills resident Rusty Ward said he just happened to hear the chainsaws. Rusty Ward, who lives on Clifton Road near the site of a much-litigated proposed subdivision, joined a few other residents Jan. 18 who protested as they watched tree after tree being sawed down. Its certainly too late for these beautiful old growth oak and poplar trees that are being clear-cut in this lot, but it may not be too late for the lots themselves, Ward said about their protest. Bruce MacGregor, president of the Druid Hills Civic Association which represents 4,000 households, said he was in court on the
udruid hills
afternoon of Jan. 18 when a judge issued a temporary restraining order stopping work on the subdivision for 30 days. Weve got 30 days to straighten this thing out, MacGregor said. For a decade, residents have been fighting plans by Robert H. Buckler and Anthony McCullar to subdivide three lots on Clifton Road directly adjacent to Burbanck Park into seven lots, ranging from two-thirds to four-tenths of an acre. The development would require a cul-de-sac in a historic neighborhood with none. The property is located in the historic Druid Hills neighborhood, which was designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who also deSee Trees Day on Page 13A
Workers cut trees Jan. 18 before a judge issued a temporary restraining order halting work at the North Druid Hills subdivision. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
udunwoody
Property crime up in Dunwoody

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com The city of Dunwoody saw an increase in property crimes in 2012. According to crime statistics from the Dunwoody Police Department, property crimewhich includes burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theftwas up 14.6 percent from 2011 to 2012. All three categories had increases in 2012. A total of 1,935 property crimes were reported 2012 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. total Murder 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Rape 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 4 in 2012, compared with 1,688 in 2011. The number of property crimes has been up and down over the past four years. There were 1,286 crimes in 2009. They went up 31.4 percent in 2010 with 1,690 property crimes, but there was a slight decrease of -0.1 percent in 2011. Sgt. Michael Carlson, Dunwoody Police Departments public information officer, said the department is doing several things to prevent these crimes. We have been conductRob. 3 2 1 2 4 3 1 1 4 2 2 3 28 Agg. 0 0 1 3 1 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 12 Bur. 27 26 18 28 15 22 13 29 34 17 18 25 272 ing directed patrols, high visibility, public education and more, he said. Carlson also said citizens can prevent property crimes by removing items from their parked cars, participating in neighborhood watches, or calling the police when they see something suspicious. Dunwoody did have a decrease in violent crimes in 2012. Violent crimes, which include homicide, rape, armed robbery and aggravated assault, were down 66.7 percent. Lar. 138 129 118 162 137 141 123 115 108 109 130 142 1552 M.V.T. 15 8 9 8 14 10 6 10 15 5 7 4 111 Total 184 165 147 203 171 178 143 156 163 136 159 175 1980
With this many seniors going to college, a high-five just wouldnt cut it.
Thanks to you, over 1.4 million Georgia high school seniors have had something more to celebrate on graduation daythe chance to go to college. Every time you play the Georgia Lottery, you help fund the HOPE Scholarship Program that provides Georgia students with financial assistance at any of Georgias colleges, universities or technical colleges. Thats awesome! And on top of that, youve helped send over 1.2 million 4-year-olds to a Lottery-funded Pre-K Program and raised more than $14 billion for education. Thats an A+ in our book.
galottery.com
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Beyoncs not-so-super move

Our president and first lady ought to reconsider their relationship with the popular singer now that she's becoming the face of PepsiCo
by Jill Richardson On Super Bowl Sunday, 50 lucky fans will be on the field with R&B superstar Beyonc during the halftime show, thanks to a Pepsi sweepstakes. Slightly less lucky winners will have their photos seen by millions during the halftime show, even though they wont be at the Super Bowl themselves. To win this opportunity of a lifetime, these Beyonc fans entered photos of themselves in certain poses (like foot-tapping or confetti-throwing) and then they provided Pepsi with personal information such as their email addresses and phone numbers to use for marketing purposes. Its a small exchange, isnt it? You give Pepsi some personal details in exchange for spammy emails and a miniscule chance to win a trip to one of the years most sensational musical performances. Most of us dont even think twice about this. Im an adult, you think. Im not foolish enough to buy a product just because they are sponsoring a halftime show or because they send me an email. Its not as if this contest is making you drink more or less soda, is it? But PepsiCo Inc. isnt sponsoring a sweepstakes just to be nice. The worlds second-largest softdrink maker wouldnt do this if it werent getting something out of it, and that something is the increased sales that come with this kind of publicity boost. Perhaps the connection isnt direct. Most folks entering the contest wont think Gee, I havent had a Pepsi in years, but Im really craving one now! But big-bucks advertising isnt about charity. Pepsi knows what its doing. I do too. A decade ago, I was a young marketing student, studying how to compel consumers to buy more of whatever I would be selling in my future career. One concept taught to marketing students is called the mere exposure effect. Its the simple idea that the more you are exposed to something say, Pepsi the more you like it. When you enter the partywith-Beyonc-at-the-Super-Bowl sweepstakes, you give PepsiCo permission to send you marketing materials and are invited to tweet or post on Facebook about Pepsi with a single click, thus marketing to your friends. With all of this exposure to Pepsi branding, somewhere in your psyche, advertising experts are betting you now feel friendlier toward Pepsi. When you finish entering the sweepstakes, you reach a screen promising you 100 Pepsi points for entering. Oh, you havent signed up yet to accrue and redeem Pepsi points? Here, please do so now and give Pepsi more of your information. The more Pepsi you buy, the more points you get. As one of the most successful musicians in history by any measure, Beyonc hasnt only rented her image to Pepsi for it to slap on millions of cans. Shes sang the National Anthem during President Barack Obamas inauguration ceremony and serves as a spokeswoman for Michelle Obamas Lets Move campaign, urging Americans to exercise and improve their diets. Want to know one great way to improve your diet? Dont drink Pepsi. One can has your entire daily allotment of sugar about three tablespoons of it. As a marketing student, I decided that much of what I was taught was immoral. After graduation, I never worked in marketing. Modern marketing hijacks psychology to influence us to buy things we dont need or even things that are bad for us. This Pepsi contest is an excellent example of that but only one example out of many. Our president and first lady ought to reconsider their relationship with Beyonc. Celebrities who promote soft drinks undermine public health. OtherWords columnist Jill Richardson is the author of Recipe for America: Why Our Food System Is Broken and What We Can Do to Fix It.
Guest Editorial
Opinion
The Champion Free Press, Friday, Jan. 25 , 2013
Opinion One Mans Opinion
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Bring back the Golden Fleece!

conference weekends in Las Vegas that might make even Vegas blush, it appears that spending our tax dollars wastefully and without care knows virtually no end in Washington. The amount will be spit in the ocean against our multitrilliondollar deficit, but the arrogance and mindset involved in this next asinine boondoggle is mind-boggling. U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, who was appointed by President George W. Bush during his second term, was an avowed fiscal conservative, former mayor of Boise, Idaho, and later an Idaho governor and U.S. senator. In December 2007, following a long-term investigation, resulting in the resignation of Deputy Assistant Interior Secretary Julie MacDonald, the then inspector general found abrupt and abrasive, if not abusive management at the Interior Department during Kempthornes tenure. The U.S. Department of the Interior is responsible for the management and conservation of federal lands and natural resources, the administration and oversight of all programs related to Native Americans and the management and protection of all federal parks. The Interior secretary is a member of the presidents cabinet. During 2009, CNN Washington Bureau correspondent Campbell Brown reported that Secretary Kempthorne had approved and authorized the expense of $235,000 for the renovations of his private office bathroom in his Washington, D.C. office. The old bathroom apparently had a few leaks, so that 10-by-10 foot space was gutted to be replaced by a 100-square-foot private space which might rival the palace at Versailles. Offered as defense of the project at the time, Donald Swain, chief of the Interior Departments National Business Center, stated that the final project came in $10,000 under budget, at just under $225,000, and the project was approved by the GSA (the Vegas boys). Swain also disputed the existences of reported DK monogrammed towels. Subsequent reporting in 2012 by the Cox Newspapers Washington Bureau, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, details the following, the plush head sports $26,000 of custom hardwood cabinetry, a refrigerator ($3,500), matching hardwood panels (each costing more than $1,500), a luxurious and plated sink faucet ($689), custom granite sink basin and a $65 vintage toilet tissue holder. This will come in handy when Warren Buffet drops by to explain how the wealthy should donate some of their massive land holdings, as well as pay higher income taxes. David Williams, president of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, said the Interior Department, then under the direction of Kempthorne,
The Golden Fleece Award is as much a part of the Senate as quorum calls and filibusters. U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia), paying tribute to U.S. Sen. William Proxmire (D-Wisconsin) for his monthly selection of Golden Fleece Awards recognizing wasteful or ludicrous expense of U.S. taxpayer funds. Maverick U.S. senator William Proxmire took to the well of the Senate 168 times from 1975 to 1988 to call attention to and in effect embarrass the monthly recipients of his Golden Fleece Awards. Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-partisan federal budget watchdog organization revived the practice in 2000, while Proxmire served the organization as Honorary Chairman. Mr. Proxmire passed away in 2005. Bring back the Fleece! We may all loosely remember the $300 hammers and $600 toilet seats from some inflated Reaganera defense contracts, but as witnessed more recently by General Services Administration (GSA)
should have settled for a more humble office bathroom. First and foremost the country is broke.... We cant afford, as taxpayers, the remodeling of bathrooms or any rooms that dont need to be remodeled. Spending almost as much to renovate a private executive bath as the average price of an American home in 2007$247,900and now down to $221,800 (according to U.S. Census data) is insensitive if not bordering on insane by most any measure. It is also troubling that an investigation begun in 2009 by a news media organization is only finally being closed, with complete results made public in 2012. The U.S. Interior Department is also charged with managing the nations wild Buffalo herds. Perhaps Mr. Kempthorne should be sentenced to picking up all those Buffalo chips for a few years, to be converted into fertilizer for the improvement of other federal lands in the future. He should by now certainly have the nose for the work.
Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2s Action News, WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist for The Champion, Champion Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native and business owner, living in Scottdale. You can reach him or comment on a column at billcrane@ earthlink.net.
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Let Us Know What You Think!
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS encourages opinions from its readers. Please write to us and express your views. Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the writers name, address and telephone number for verication. All letters will be considered for publication.
Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send E-Mail to Kathy@dekalbchamp.com FAX To: (404) 370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779 Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior to publication date. EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reect the opinions of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.
Publisher: Dr. Earl D. Glenn Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell News Editor: Andrew Cauthen Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt Graphic Designer: Travis Hudgons The Champion Free Press is published each Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc., 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 Phone (404) 373-7779.
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We sincerely appreciate the discussion surrounding this and any issue of interest to DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in 1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse for all community residents on all sides of an issue. We have no desire to make the news only to report news and opinions to effect a more educated citizenry that will ultimately move our community forward. We are happy to present ideas for discussion; however, we make every effort to avoid printing information submitted to us that is known to be false and/ or assumptions penned as fact.
Community
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Championofthe Week
Janet Goldin
unteer for DeKalb County CASA since 2011. Since then, she has advocated on three cases. Out of the approximately 150 volunteers in the program, Thomas said, Goldin stands out because of her approach to each child. Previously, Goldin worked in the Special Education Department of the DeKalb County School District for 35 years. Thomas said that Goldin focuses on getting each child the best care possible and also making sure theyre on track academically. Her expertise has allowed her to ask the right questions and get the appropriate services for the children shes represented, Thomas said. One of the cases Goldin worked on involved two boys from Somalia who came into the courts because they were frequently left alone. Their mother was also being evicted from her apartment. Adjusting to new surroundings and situations would be difficult for anyone but victims with a language barrier are especially challenged, Thomas said. At first, Thomas said the mother of the two boys didnt believe that Goldin had her childrens best interest at heart. However, over the 10 months Goldin worked on the case, Thomas said Goldins consistency with contacting and visiting regularly with the mother and the children allowed her to build a rapport with them. The boys were subsequently relocated to Alabama with their mother and have progressed both academically and personally, Thomas said. Thomas said Goldin has proved to be an asset to the DeKalb County CASA program because of her ability to advocate for the children it represents but also by spreading the message about the work it does. Recently, Goldin was diagnosed with leukemia and will soon begin treatment for it but Thomas said that hasnt slowed her down and she continues to work harder than ever.
The Stone Mountain Village dedicated the Interurban Streetcars 1913-19-48 artwork on Jan. 12 at the site of the new piece at 875 Main Street. Photo provided
ustone mountain
Stone Mountain Village dedicates new public art

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Stone Mountain Village has a new piece of artwork. The Village dedicated the Interurban Streetcars 1913-19 48 artwork on Jan. 12 at the site of the new piece, 875 Main Street between the visitors center caboose and the city municipal building. The artwork, by artist Stone Mountain resident John Thigpen, is a doublesided pictorial tribute to the historic electric trolley, Interurban Street Car that ran between Atlanta and Stone Mountain 1913-1948. Susan Ryles, executive director of Stone Mountain Main Street and Downtown Development Authority, said its an art piece regarding the city of Stone Mountains history. The piece itself depicts
some of the trains and some of the people and the conductors, Ryles said. The piece is constructed from perforated and printed aluminum panels. It is approximately 15 feet wide and 6 feet high. Granite from Stone Mountain forms the base. Part of it came from how I wanted to present the images, Thigpen said. Sort of like the ghost of perforated images as well as large reproduction of images in gray tone. The photographic references on the work are of the old Trolley Barn in Stone Mountain Village, a renovated historic building currently in use as ART Station, a nonprofit community arts center and theater. The work is on property donated by the Stone Mountain Memorial Association.
Vickie Thomas, advocacy coordinator for DeKalb Countys Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, describes volunteer Janet Goldin as a trooper who goes above and beyond in her work. DeKalb County CASA advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the juvenile court. In 2012, Goldin was named DeKalb County CASA Volunteer of the Year and was recently nominated by Thomas and her staff for the Georgia CASA Karen N. Sibley Volunteer of the Year award. Goldin has been a vol-
If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the Week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at kathy@dekalbchamp.com or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 104.
Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper
Community
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ATLANTA
AROUNDDEKALB
Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement, written with Donna Sue Groves. She will sign copies of the book after the discussion. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Embry Hills Library. Embry Hills Library is located at 3733 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Chamblee. For more information, call (770) 270-8230.
Emory brings Universal Pictures series to Atlanta Emorys Department of Film and Media Studies continues Cinematheque, a presentation of free 35 mm film screenings on Wednesday evenings from Jan. 30 - April 24, 7:30 p.m. in White Hall 205 on the Emory campus. For spring 2013, the Emory Cinematheque hosts the series Universal Pictures: Celebrating 100 Years, presented by American Express in association with UCLA Film and Television Archive. Emory is the only venue in the Southeast to show the touring series. Carl Laemmle founded Universal Pictures in 1912; in the late 1950s, super-agent Lew Wasserman created an entertainment conglomerate that still thrives today as the oldest continuously operating film producer and distributor in the United States. The program represents a vast range of genres and iconic titles such as Dracula (1931), Alfred Hitchcocks The Birds (1963) and Back to the Future (1985). Program: Jan. 30: Pillow Talk (1959, Michael Gordon, with Doris Day and Rock Hudson) Feb. 13: Dracula (1931, Tod Browning, with Bela Lugosi) and Frankenstein (1931, James Whale, with Boris Karloff). March 6: Imitation of Life (1934, John M. Stahl) March 20: Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941, Edward Kline, with W.C. Fields) and Cobra Woman (1944, Robert Siodmak) March 27: Winchester 73 (1950, Anthony Mann, with James Stewart and Shelley Winters) April 3: The Birds (1963, Alfred Hitchcock, with Rod Taylor and Tippi Hedren) April 10: Back to the Future (1985, Robert Zemeckis) April 17: Apollo 13 (1995, Ron Howard) April 24: The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005, Judd Apatow) Other screenings this spring include the experimental documentary General Orders No. 9 (2011, Robert Persons) on Jan. 23; a Paul Simon documentary Under African Skies (2012, Joe Berlinger) on Feb. 6; and special events with Salman Rushdie, to be announced soon. Visit http://www. filmstudies.emory.edu for details.
Funding for the program is provided by University of Georgias Cooperative Extension Services. The SalemPanola Library is located at 5137 Salem Road, Lithonia. For more information, call (770) 987-6900. Stonecrest Library unveils AKA exhibit The Stone Mountain/Lithonia Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. celebrated its 20th anniversary on Jan. 23, with the opening of the Tau Pi Omega Chapters exhibitCelebrating our Sisterhood: Honoring our Past. Embracing our Present. Soaring Towards the Futureat Stonecrest Library. The exhibit will remain displayed through February, Black History Month, and March, Womens History Month.
DECATUR
Presentation to focus on healthy entertaining Les Dames dEscoffier International members Kristy Cook and Nancy Lutz will be at the Decatur Library Saturday, Jan. 26, 10-11 a.m. to present Cook your Way into the New Year and Celebrate with Healthy Food. These senior consultants with Affairs to Remember Caterers will teach participants how to host a party with bright colorful healthy foods they can feel great about. You can expand your range of healthy food choices and learn how to plan ahead to create tasty, healthy celebrations in 2013, states the announcement from the library. This program is part of the series Living the Green Life, designed to promote and educate the community about a green, sustainable lifestyle. The event is sponsored by the Wylde Center, the City of Decatur and DeKalb County Public Library. The Decatur Library is located at 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. For more information, call (404) 370-3070. Fitness support group to meet at church The Weight Loss Challenge Support Group will meet at Rainbow Park Baptist Church once a week for 12 weeks, beginning Thursday, Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. There is a onetime registration fee of $30. Rainbow Park Baptist Church is located at 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur. For more information, call Phyllis at (404)692-3454. Soil and water meeting announced The DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District monthly meeting will be held on Friday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. at the Clark Harrison Building, 330 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue in downtown Decatur. For additional information, call (770) 761-3020. Storytelling Festival to offer concerts, workshops Tickets are now on sale for Southern Order of Storytellers annual Storytelling Festival on Jan. 25 and 26 in downtown Decatur. The festival features Eliabeth Ellis, described in Decatur Business Associations announcement as a hilarious & fascinating, award-winning teller. A cast of 30 storytellers from the Southeast will join Ellis. The local tellers include Barry Stewart Mann, Sarah Beth Nelson, Anthony Vinson and Eugenia Williams. There are 14 concerts and workshops planned for students, families, educators and professionals. Individual concert and workshop tickets or festival passes can be purchased online. For tickets or more information, visit, www.southernorderofstorytellers.org.
STONE MOUNTAIN
Caribbean brunch announced Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition will hold its second annual Caribbean brunch Sunday, Jan. 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at JVC Event Hall. The event will include the installation of officers and feature authentic cuisine from the Caribbean Islands. JVC Event Hall is located at 1580 East Park Place Blvd., Stone Mountain. Donations are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. For tickets or more information, call Carol at (678) 327-3077, Elaine at (404) 694-4760, Jennifer at (770) 262-3242, John at (770)374-4274, Denise at (404) 376-4214, Copeland at (404) 512-0625 or Sandra at (678) 361-2021.
TUCKER
Church collecting funds for displaced store employees Lawrenceville Road United Methodist in Tucker has established an account to receive donations for the 35 Handy Ace Hardware employees who are without jobs since the fire that totally destroyed the business. Many of our congregation are craftsman, hobbyists or do-it-yourselfers and depended on Handy Ace for just the right part, tool or other items at just the right timealmost on demand, said Jack Sartain, United Methodist Men president at the church. Not only that, said Jim Nall, another church member and regular Ace customer, the fact that the employees are well versed in the stock and are helpful in finding the items we all look for saves time and costly mistakes. Anyone who has visited the Handy Ace Hardware knows about the many valued employees who are much like good neighbors in their friendly greeting of the customers and their helpfulness in finding the items. Our wanting to reach out to the employees in some way as a Methodist congregation in an expression of our affection for them and appreciation of their present plight has led us to establish this special account at the urging of our United Methodist Men, said Rev. Kathy McFarland, pastor. Donations can be mailed to the church at 3142 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084. Checks in any amount can be made out to LRUMC and marked ACE on the memo line Donation are tax deductible and will be distributed equally to the employees with none kept by the church. Donations will be received for an unspecified time but they are needed now. For further information call the church at (770) 9393717, or, if after hours, Jack Sartain at (770) 856-1377. Email inquiries may be sent to jbs59512@aol.com or LRUMC@bellsouth.net.
BROOKHAVEN
Writers forum to be held at library Writers are invited to share original creative writings in a safe, community-friendly environment in a Writers Forum at the Brookhaven Library Wednesday, Jan, 30, 2-3:30 p.m. Readings will be followed by audience feedback and discussion led by writing coach Wayne Smith. Writers of every skill level are encouraged to attend. Works must be limited to 500 words or five minutes of reading time. All readings must be appropriate for family audiences. No registration is required. The Brookhaven Library is located at 1242 N. Druid Hills Road, NE, Atlanta. For more information, call (404) 8487140.
LITHONIA
Class to offer information on healthy eating Winning Ways with Fast Food will be the topic at the Thursday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.-noon, nutrition class at the Salem-Panola Library. Conducted by the University of Georgias Cooperative Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, the class is one in a series designed to offer information on healthy eating to families with children. Those attending the Jan. 31 class will be taught to make tasty fast foods for the family.
CHAMBLEE
Author to discuss book on quilts Author Suzi Parron will be at the Embry Hills Library Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. to discuss her book Barn
Local News
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DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis has hired four attorneys, including former DeKalb DA J. Tom Morgan, to represent him after his home and offices were searched by investigators from the DeKalb District Attorneys Office. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
Ellis retains attorneys after home, office searched

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com After his home and county offices were searched by investigators from the county District Attorneys office, DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis has retained a defense team. Ellis will be represented by former DeKalb District Attorney J. Tom Morgan and Craig Gillen, a defense attorney who specializes in trials involving racketeering and financial crimes. Gillens partner, Anthony Lake, and former assistant DeKalb DA John Peachtree, round out Ellis legal team. I want to say emphatically that I have done nothing wrong and we are proud of the work weve done for the citizens of DeKalb County, said Ellis, who was joined by his wife Philippa. Since this investigation began about a year ago, I have cooperated 100 percent in good faith with the DAs Office, Ellis said. A special grand jury convened by DeKalb DA Robert James is investigating the countys water and sewer department contracts. Ellis said he had twice appeared before the grand jury and answered every question the grand jury has asked. Recent events, however, have caused me to question whether I am being dealt with in good faith, Ellis said. Those concerns led him to retain legal counsel, he said. This is about fairness of process, said Gillen, who has 30 years of legal experiresentatives of the DAs office. Morgan said he was concerned about the DAs office lying to a witness who voluntarily appears before the grand jury. Another concern of Ellis legal team is the circumstances surrounding the search warrant for the Ellis home. If asked, Ellis would have produced any document that the DA or grand jury wanted to see, Gillen said. All they had to do was to ask, but they didnt. They chose to go the route of a search warrant. Gillen said, While Mr. Ellis was in the grand jury [proceeding] in good faith answering questions, members of the media were setting up outside of his house even before the investigators showed up. Who told them to be there? How did they know to be there? Why were they there? Its not a spectator sport, Gillen said. We think thats wrong. We think thats improper. There was nothing obtained in those search warrants that the DAs Office could not have gotten with a simple subpoena or just going online, said Morgan, who has been in private practice after working for more than 20 years with the DeKalb County DAs office, including 12 years as DA. Apparently this was all a show for the media and that is not the way we conduct criminal investigations in DeKalb County, Morgan said. The legal team is also concerned about what is going on in the grand jury and whether or not the U.S. Constitution is being violated by the representatives of the DAs Office in the grand jury, and possible misstatements in the printed media about this matter, Gillen said. In addition to Ellis home and office, searches were conducted Jan. 7 at the office of former Ellis campaign manager Kevin Ross, who is also the countys information technology, purchasing and contracting, finance and elections offices. According to the search warrants issued in DeKalb and Fulton counties, investigators were looking for information that would prove various crimes, including racketeering, theft by taking, influencing of officer or employee of state or political subdivision by another officer or employee, conspiracy to defraud a state or political subdivision, conspiracy in restraint of free and open competition, wire fraud, theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, bid rigging and fraud relating to currency. At Ross Atlanta offices, investigators had permission to seize handwriting samples, personal and business financial records, including bank accounts and tax returns. The records they were looking for pertained to county vendor contracts for probation services, lobbyists, watershed management, the watershed capital improve-
Ellis
ence and will serve as Ellis lead counsel. Gillen has worked as an assistant U. S. attorney in the Northern District of Georgia, the deputy independent counsel for Iran/ Contra, and as a criminal defense attorney. We can tell when an investigation is being done correctly and we know when its not being done correctly and when its being done wrong, Gillen said. Gillen said the legal team has four areas of concern, including misrepresentations made by DA representatives to Ellis. When Ellis was asked to appear before the grand jury earlier this month, he was told that the purpose of his appearance was for him to explain the implementation and future plans for the capital improvement plan, Gillen said. That wasnt the reason he was called back, Gillen said, but thats what he was told. We expect all public officials to be honest and direct with the citizens of DeKalb County. That includes the CEO and that includes rep-
ment project, ambulance services and all documents associated with Sentinel Probation Services, Montgomery Watson, Rural Metro Ambulance, Massey-Bowers and the Ferguson Group. Investigators also wanted email messages from Ellis and several county employees. At the purchasing and contracting office, investigators looked for records pertaining to the countys capital improvement program project management proposals, state and federal lobbying contracts and the ambulance or emergency services contract proposal. All vendor lists created for the purpose of distribution to Ellis were also a subject of the search, as well as American Express credit card records for Ellis and campaign finance disclosure records, according to the warrants. There is absolutely nothing wrong, nothing improper, nothing unethical, nothing immoral, nothing illegal for a candidate to receive support from a vendor doing business with DeKalb County, Morgan said, apparently talking about the investigation. Burrell has never promised anyone anything who supported him other than that he would do the best that he could possibly do serving the citizens of DeKalb County. Erik Burton, a spokesman for the DAs office, said the DA would reserve comment until the investigation is concluded.
Local News
ubrookhaven
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Brookhaven hires first city clerk

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com The city of Brookhaven has hired as its first city clerk a person with experience in the position. Brookhaven mayor J. Max Davis appointed Susan D. Hiott as clerk. She spent the past 10 years as the city clerk of Smyrna in Cobb County. Prior to working in Smyrna, she worked as city clerk for Roswell and Acworth. She has more than 25 years of experience in governmental and educational administration. Hiott holds a MBA from Kennesaw State University with a concentration in information systems management, along with a bachelors of science in business administration with a minor in English from North Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, N.C. She also holds international and state level designations of masters of municipal clerk association and certified municipal clerk for achieving the highest educational, experience and service requirements. Hiott is designated as the official record keeper for the city, and her responsibilities will include recording and maintaining the city councils official actions in minutes, coordinating and distributing agendas, maintaining and managing contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and agreements and coordinating the records management and retention program for the city. She will oversee the adoption and publishing of the code of ordinances, coordinate the election process, and will help ensure all open records requests and meetings are in accordance to the states Open Records and Open Meetings Act.
Workers from the company Road Works filled in a pothole on Mannville Drive on Jan. 18 in Brookhaven as the city mayor, J. Max Davis, looks on. Photos by Carla Parker
CALL FOR AND NOTICE OF ELECTION CITY OF DECATUR CITY COMMISSION OFFICE MARCH 19, 2013 SPECIAL ELECTION TO THE QUALIFIED GEORGIA:
ubrookhaven
VOTERS OF THE CITY OF
DECATUR,
WITHIN
DEKALB
COUNTY,
Brookhaven repairs first pothole

what is good about this. We have true local control and accountability and thats what this city is all about. The city has also begun approving business permits and licenses. Brookhaven hosted its first open house on Jan. 16 where they had more than 125 attendees from the building, development and contracting sectors. Staff from the community development and finance departments answered questions from the audience on what will happen when the city takes these functions over from DeKalb County on Jan. 18. From what Ive seen everything is working as its supposed to be working, Davis said. Were going to have hiccups and mistakes along the way, but weve been lucky so far. Part of it is luck and part of it is all of us working hard and very diligently to make sure things do go right.
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that on the 19th day of March 2013, a special election will be held to fill the unexpired term of District 1 City Commissioner William F. Floyd who resigned from office. Each candidate will file notice of his or her candidacy and the appropriate affidavit in the office of City Clerk at City Hall, 509 North McDonough Street, Decatur, Georgia. The opening dates for qualifying will start Wednesday, February 13, 2013 continuing until Friday, February 15, 2013 between 9:00 AM and 4:30 P.M each day. The qualifying fee for City Commissioner is $144.00. The last day to register to be eligible to vote in this special election is February 19, 2013. The Special Election will be held at the following polling locations within the City of Decatur: District 1 Polling Places: Clairemont East: First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave, Decatur, GA Ponce de Leon: First Christian Church of Decatur, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA Glenwood: Holy Trinity Parish, 515 East Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA Clairemont West: The Church at Decatur Heights, 735 Sycamore Drive, Decatur, GA The polls will open at 7:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM. Those residents qualified to vote at said election shall be determined in all respects in accordance with the election laws of the State of Georgia. In person Absentee Voting will begin on Monday, March 11, 2013 between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM at the DeKalb County Voter Registration & Elections office, 4380 Memorial Drive and will end on Friday, March 15. There will be no voting on Saturday, March 16 or Monday, March 18. This 22nd day of January 2013
by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Brookhaven took another step in gaining local control after the citys public works department repaired its first pothole. Workers from the company Road Works, which was hired by the city, filled in a pothole on Mannville Drive on Jan. 18. Brookhaven mayor J. Max Davis said the filling of the pothole is the first action that the city has taken for true local control. Its significant because we have accountability here, he said. Davis added that if the patch over the pothole gets damaged, a resident can let city workers know and they will have someone right back out and repair it. If we have too much of that then we have to find another company that can do it, he said. And thats
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Sanitation workers march to unionize

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com Its time for a change, said Emanuel Kilpatrick, a senior refuse collector for the DeKalb County sanitation department. We want respect. We want dignity. We want our voices to be heard. Kilpatrick, who has worked for the county for three years, joined scores of DeKalb County sanitation workers who participated in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day march to the state Capitol. DeKalb County sanitation workers say they want to be represented by Teamsters union Local 728, which has 7,500 members and represents UPS workers; Georgia State, Kennesaw State and Emory University bus drivers; and OReilly Auto Parts and Lithonia Lighting truck drivers. The union also represents Republic Services, a private waste management company. DeKalb sanitation workers, who have asked the countys Board of Commissioners to recognize the Teamsters, said their move to unionize is driven by their need for pay raises. Since Ive been there, the only raise Ive gotten I wouldnt really call it a raiseis a promotion, Kilpatrick said. The guys have been telling me they havent had a raise in seven years. They have to feed their families, Kilpatrick said. When they look at their checks, its gone as soon as they pay their bills and they dont have anything left over. Kilpatrick and other sanitation workers said they dont even know how much they earn per hour because that information is not on their paystubs. It just has the monthly pay, said Kilpatrick, who earns about $2,100 each month. We dont know what we make, said Jerry Fallin, of Forest Park, a DeKalb sanitation worker for 5.5 years. If you ask anybody else around here theyll tell you they dont know what they make. We dont know. Im being honest, Fallin said. We dont know. All we know is that we get a monthly printout that [says] I make $2,003 and some change. For the past three years, Fallin has been a front-end loader operator. We scoop the garbage, put it in the tractor trailer and send it to the
From left, Alvin Turner and Baxter Leach, former Memphis, Tenn., sanitation workers who received support from Martin Luther King Jr., joined scores of DeKalb County sanitation workers during a Jan. 21 march in Atlanta. The DeKalb workers are urging county officials to recognize the Teamsters union. Photos by Andrew Cauthen
landfill, he said. Fallin said its hard to get ahead in the sanitation department. They dont give you raises, he said, and if they dont like you they have a tendency to blackball to you so you cant move up. Fallins message to the county: Be fair. The DeKalb sanitation workers were joined by Baxter Leach and Alvin Turner, two of the Memphis, Tenn., sanitation workers who received support from Martin Luther King Jr. during a strike in 1968. This hurts me, Turner said. It really hurts my feelings to know that the things we fought for in 1968, weve got to fight for the same things today. Chuck Stiles, assistant director of the Teamsters solid waste division, said DeKalb sanitation employeers are working for poverty wages. Though its years later45 years since the assassination of Dr. King and the industry he was fighting for was on strikethings have gone full circle, Stiles said. What was once a good, middle-income job has now deteriorated.
Local News
county to negotiate with Lifeline to run the animal shelter and take over the enforcement of the countys animal control regulations. Lifeline is a nonprofit, no-kill shelter that has performed more than 50,000 low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries. The organization operates Catlanta, the only organized feral and stray cat assistance program in the area, which has provided more than 15,000 belowcost sterilizations and vaccinations for Atlantas feral and stray cat population, according to its website. We are a safety net for animals that a lot of other clinics wont take, said Rebecca Guinn, Lifelines executive director. The organization already has a contract with DeKalb County to provide veterinary technician services. Weve been involved with the DeKalb County shelter since 2002,
Page 11A
County to negotiate animal services contract

by Andrew Cauthen andrew@dekalbchamp.com The only bidder to run the countys animal shelter may be getting the fiveyear contract. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 22 to negotiate an outsourcing contract for the countys animal services division with Lifeline Animal Project Inc. of Avondale Estates. The contract amount is up to $12.12 million for five years. Although county administration officials wanted commissioners to defer a vote on the proposal, commissioners refused. We are ready to move forward with this now, said Commissioner Lee May. The boards vote will allow the Guinn said. Guinn said that although Lifeline has never before run a county shelter we provide services to more animals that the county does. County residents and animal lovers have complained for years about the animal shelter. Advocates have said the building is dilapidated and the shelter euthanizes too many animals. We felt someone needed to step up and we are that someone, Guinn said. For the past 10 years we have been focused on community solutions. We try to keep animals out of the shelter in the first place. Were ready to partner with the county for a better future for the animals, Guinn said. We think we are the right organization for the job. Its a big job and we fully appreciate that.
Trees
Continued From Page 3A
StarWatch By Gary Becker - Read by Moonlight

I used to hate when the full moon dominated the night sky. Its light hid the stars, nebulae, and clustersall of the beautiful objects that I wanted to observe with a new telescope that I had spent about two years constructing. I was 18 at the time. Moonlight was also the ban of meteor observing, the avenue through which I became involved in astronomy. A bright moon, even against a very transparent sky, decreases shooting star rates by about 75 percent. Fortunately, age has tempered my stance against moonlight, and thats good thing. Lets face it; half of our lives are spent under the influence of a bright moon, so why not simply submit, enjoy, as well as make use of its light. Several images taken under the influence of Luna are posted with the online version of this article at www.astronomy.org. When my grandfather, Ewald Marcus, was a soldier in WW1 fighting for the Germans on the Russian front, he often read the newspaper at the end of the day by the light of a bright moon. Yes, he always mentioned that there was a snowpack on the ground, but that is not a prerequisite for a successful read. What most people fail to realize is that it takes time for the eye to dark adapt to the moons subdued lighting, five to 10 minutes depending upon your age, with older people taking longer. The other consideration is to find a location which is away from direct or indirect exterior lighting, except for the moon. Youll have plenty of time to conduct this experiment, because as the week unfolds, the moon continues to brighten as it grows through its gibbous phase, where both sides appear to be bulbous in shape. A very bright star will appear to trail the moon on Sunday. Thats Jupiter! On Monday (1/21), the moon approaches Jupiter to within a degree, a beautiful sight with or without binoculars. The moon reaches its full phase late on the evening of the 26th. www.astronomy.org
Answer: West to east.
signed Central Park in New York and the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. The community is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The developers plans are very inconsistent with [Olmsteads] original layout of the land and [they are] contravening the historic preservation guidelines that have been established in the county since the 1950s, Ward said. The gentleman who is attempting to develop this lot is doing it illegally and outside of the historic preservation guidelines of Druid Hills, Ward said of Buckler. It will forever damage the ability of historic Druid Hills to maintain its historic nature. Druid Hills resident Virginia Dupree held a sign that read, Illegal Permit. Call to stop. 404-371-2881. The number is for the office of DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis. Buckler has gotten an illegal permit, and I am here to work with the neighborhood association to try to get that permit revoked, Dupree said. The owner of this property did not go through the same COA process that I had to go through in order to do an addition on my home, Dupree said. He circumvented the community processthe process that allows us as the neighbors of the property to have input on whats happening. An hearing is set for 1 p.m. Feb. 13 before the Zoning Board of Appeals to appeal the decision to issue a land disturbance permit. We contend that it was done improperly, Macgregor said. [The county] should not have issued a permit while the subdivision was being litigated.
DeKalb County Wants to Hear From You Regarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal with Comcast Cable Communications
Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcasts current performance under the current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests of your community to www.dekalbcountyga.gov.
The Champion Weather

Seven Day Forecast
Mostly Sunny High: 56 Low: 43 Showers Likely High: 55 Low: 33 Sunny High: 43 Low: 28 Mostly Sunny High: 49 Low: 36 Mostly Cloudy High: 56 Low: 41 Mostly Cloudy High: 53 Low: 39
Jan. 24, 2013

Todays Regional Map
Dunwoody 54/42 Smyrna 55/43 Doraville 55/43 Atlanta 56/43 College Park 57/43 Union City 57/43
Detailed Local Forecast

Today we will see mostly sunny skies with a slight chance of showers, high temperature of 56, humidity of 42%. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. The record high temperature for today is 76 set in 1937. Expect mostly cloudy skies tonight with a slight chance of showers. Date Hi Lo Normals Precip Tuesday 64 48 51/33 0.45" Wednesday 64 53 52/33 0.48" Thursday 54 37 52/33 0.68" Friday 55 31 52/33 0.00" Saturday 55 28 52/33 0.00" Sunday 61 30 52/33 0.00" Monday 56 30 52/33 0.00" Rainfall. . . . . . . . 1.61" Average temp . . 47.6 Normal rainfall. . 1.19" Average normal 42.4 Departure . . . . . +0.42" Departure . . . . . +5.2 Day Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Sunrise 7:38 a.m. 7:38 a.m. 7:37 a.m. 7:37 a.m. 7:36 a.m. 7:35 a.m. 7:35 a.m.
Weather History
Jan. 24, 1916 - The temperature at Browning, Mont. plunged 100 degrees in just 24 hours, from 44 degrees above zero to 56 degrees below zero. It was a record 24-hour temperature drop for the United States. Jan. 25, 1837 - At 7 p.m., a display of the northern lights danced above Burlington, Vt. Its light was equal to the full moon. Snow and other objects reflecting the light were deeply tinged with a blood red hue. Blue, yellow and white streamers were also noted.
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Lilburn 55/43
Last Week's Local Almanac
Decatur Snellville 56/43 56/43 Lithonia 57/43 Morrow 57/43
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Hampton 58/44
Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

Sunset 6:01 p.m. 6:02 p.m. 6:03 p.m. 6:04 p.m. 6:05 p.m. 6:06 p.m. 6:07 p.m. Moonrise 4:03 p.m. 4:58 p.m. 5:54 p.m. 6:52 p.m. 7:50 p.m. 8:49 p.m. 9:49 p.m.
TUESDAY
Full 1/26 Last 2/3
WEDNESDAY
Partly Cloudy High: 54 Low: 35
Moonset 5:34 a.m. 6:17 a.m. 6:57 a.m. 7:34 a.m. 8:09 a.m. 8:43 a.m. 9:16 a.m.
Tonights Planets
New 2/10 First 2/17 Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Rise Set 8:02 a.m. 6:17 p.m. 6:45 a.m. 4:45 p.m. 8:43 a.m. 7:27 p.m. 1:37 p.m. 3:42 a.m. 1:32 a.m. 12:26 p.m. 10:35 a.m. 10:46 p.m.
Local UV Index
0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+
National Weather Summary This Week

The Northeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with a few snow showers today, widespread snow Friday, mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with a few snow showers Saturday, with the highest temperature of 35 in Germantown, Md. The Southeast will experience partly cloudy skies today, with the highest temperature of 77 in Marathon Key, Fla. In the Northwest, there will be mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with isolated rain and snow today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 51 in Medford, Ore. The Southwest will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies today and Friday, isolated showers Saturday, with the highest temperature of 80 in Yuma, Ariz.
Weather Trivia
Which way does a zonal wind flow?
UV Index 0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High, 11+: Extreme Exposure
Local News
Page 12A
The Doraville General Motors property, which has been vacant since 2008, and an adjacent Seaboard Oil facility have been approved for the states Opportunity Zone designation. The designation allows businesses relocating to the area to be eligible to receive a $3,500 state tax credit per new job. File Photos
Former GM plant an Opportunity Zone

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com The Georgia Department of Community Affairs recently announced that the vacant Doraville General Motors property and an adjacent Seaboard Oil facility have been approved for the states Opportunity Zone designation. The 165-acre GM Assembly Plant was closed by the company in 2008 as a cost-cutting measure and has remained vacant. After closing, several to uses of the property were proposed: everything from building a new stadium to a multiuse cityscape facility much like Atlantic Station. However, each time proposals for the $60 million property still owned by GM have fallen through. According to Doraville spokesman Luke Howe, the Opportunity Zone program affords the most powerful state jobs tax credit under Georgia law. Businesses located within the Opportunity Zone are eligible to receive a $3,500 state tax credit per new job, provided that a minimum of two jobs are created. It will remain valid through 2022. Although the area is DeKalb Countys first Opportunity Zone, Howe said, the program has been extremely successful throughout the state in redeveloping urban areas. Howe said to qualify as an opportunity zone an area has to be part of an urban redevelopment plan and within or adjacent to a census tract with a 15 percent or greater poverty level. Unfortunately, because of deindustrialization that threshold exists for most of the town, Howe said. Doravilles designated Opportunity Zone consists of an area that is 29.5 percent below poverty level, according to a map released by city officials. Howe said the main reason city officials wanted to qualify for the Opportunity Zone designation is to spur job creation. I had originally proposed all of the commercial areas but that was not very well received because it was a difficult pill to swallow, but maybe if we break that pill up it might be a little bit easier, Howe said. Mayor Donna Pittman said the Opportunity Zone designation will serve as a powerful incentive for redevelopment in the area. It will prove instrumental in maximizing the sites massive job growth potential, Pittman said. Howe said the city is working on additional applications to qualify for the Opportunity Zone designation because most of the commercial areas throughout the city are eligible. Additionally, Howe said there are developers interested in the GM plant but nothing substantial he could speak about at the moment. There has never been a lack of interest, especially in GM, but theres nothing that I can talk about right now, Howe said.
udoraville
Coyote problem leads to community meeting

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Residents in the Decatur and Druid Hills communities are in disarray on how to deal with the coyote problem in the metro Atlanta area. Coyotes convened on the city around 1980 and have terrorized neighborhoods, mostly attacking cats and small dogs. Residents have tried different solutions to take care of the problem, including trapping the coyotes. Thats where the some of the controversy comes in, according to Druid Hills Civic Association board member Robert Ballou. When coyotes are trapped theyre not released anywhere else. Theyre killed, Ballou said. The trapper traps them, and then he takes them to his farm and shoots them. Ballou said trappers have pulled approximately 150 coyotes a year out of the metro Atlanta area. There are animal rights groups that are against the method of trapping and feel coyotes should be left alone. However, residents fear that if coyotes are left unmolested then they will do more than attack pets. We will end up with a situation that they have out west, especially in California, and that is attacks small children in backyards, Ballou said. Druid Hills, Decatur and all these communities in town are heavily wooded. There is a fear that if we dont do anything we will end up with attacks on humans. The Druid Hills Civic Association will host a meeting on Jan. 29 to discuss the coyote issue. The meeting will feature three speakers, including Chip Elliott, a coyote trapper who has been working in the metro Atlanta area for more than 20 years. He was hired in November by private citizens to trap coyotes in two locations in Druid Hills. Eight coyotes were trapped from November to December and the trapping is now over. Chris Mowry, an associate professor and head of the biology department at Berry College and former resident of Druid Hills, will also speak. Mowry has studied coyotes in the southeast and Yellowstone National Park, and is currently talking with local and state officials about a proposal to study coyotes in Atlanta. Mary A. Paglieri, a consultant with Little Blue Society in the San Francisco area, is the final speaker. The society specializes in humananimal conflict resolution; Paglieri is the director of program design and implementation. The meeting will also include a Q&A session. Ballou said the coyote population is increasing and the community is either going to do nothing or do something. And that something includes trapping, he said. Other people believe doing something means keeping your pets up or your dog food out of your back yard. Ballou added that the state of Georgia, DeKalb County and the cities of Decatur and Atlanta are staying out of the issue. Currently, there are no laws prohibiting trapping. Its extremely controversial and contentious, he said. If the city or county spent money on doing anything it would annoy the other side. So, if the city of Decatur hired a trapper that would really irritate the live-and-let-live crowd. On the other side, the people who feel trapping is the only solution are annoyed and irritated at the city and county for not doing anything. There are very strong feelings on both sides, Ballou said. Ballou believes the city or county wont do anything to stop this issue until a child is attacked. Right now they dont see any harm being done, he said. No one is suffering. The 7:30 p.m. meeting will be held at The Church of the Epiphany, located at 2089 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta. For more information email Robert Ballou at rcballou@ bellsouth.net.
udecatur udruid hills
BOE Continued From Page 1A

vancED, said if the district does not make significant improvement on the action items listed that loss of accreditation is imminent. Georgia Department of Education attorney Jennifer Hackmeyer told state board members that the DCSD board has failed to establish policies to ensure effective administration of the district and its schools. Additionally, Hackmeyer said the DCSD board has failed to operate responsibly and ensure that all areas of the district have the autonomy to meet goals for achievement and instruction. Board Chairman Eugene Walker, a retired DCSD associate superintendent who has served on the board since 2008, assured state board members that the DCSD board fully realizes the seriousness of the situation. The members of the DeKalb Board of Education come before you to urge your support, Walker said. We are wholeheartedly committed to taking the appropriate steps necessary to address each of these actionsbefore this committee reconvenes. All members of the (DCSD) board were present at the hearing and said they are committed to making progress on the action items requested by AdvancED. DCSD officials said Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson was unable to attend due to a family emergency. Several board members including Walker, Pamela Speaks and Jay Cunningham, said that although they supports the requested action items, they dont agree with AdvancEDs interpretation of the issues mentioned in its report. State board members repeatedly asked DCSD board members how; if they had been through training; could they allow the district to reach such a critical juncture. I think training is the key here and the fix. Everyone is saying they had the training and if they had, it didnt work, because were here, state BOE member Brian Burdette said. Burdette chided DCSD board members for disagreeing with AdvancEDs findings or interpretations. AdvancED is an independent reporting agency, so you cant say that you disagree with them, Burdette said. The problem is, they were there watching, and you didnt follow the rules as board members. As a board member youre supposed to know what you can and cannot do. DeKalb County resident Betsy Parks said she was frustrated with the answers DeKalb board members gave to the state board. Parks said board members presented the best case they had but it still
Local News
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The DeKalb County school board appeared before the Georgia Board of Education for a hearing Jan. 17. DeKalb board members were asked to explain why the DeKalb County School District was recently placed on accreditation probation and what the board was doing to ensure it wont lose its accreditation.
wasnt good enough. Not knowing that something is wrong is not an excuse, Parks said. Parks, who started an online petition calling for Deals removal of the DeKalb board, said if the state board does recommend the DCSD boards suspension, it would send a message. It sends a message to the community that we havent done our due diligence. It gets them to rethink how we elect our officials and communicate with the schools, Parks said. Resident Caroline Lord said the DeKalb board wasnt well-prepared for the hearing. Lord said that giving the board only 30 days to address the issues was aggressive but it showed that the state board had the best interest of DeKalb Countys children at heart. They respected the need not to prolong the situation for our children, Lord said. Rep. Scott Holcomb attended the hearing, which lasted more than four hours. Holcomb said he thought the state board was clearly prepared and definitely did their homework. I wasnt completely satisfied with the presentation from the DeKalb school board, Holcomb said. The DCSD board is responsible for managing a
DCSD School Board member Nancy Jester testifies before state board officials about the problems the district has faced in the past, and the those it faces in the future.
nearly $1 billion budget. In recent years, the district has faced significant budget shortfalls, most recently a nearly $80 million shortfall in 2012. If youre on a board, thats one of the key things that you do, look over financial statements and approve budgets, Holcomb said. Im concerned whether the individuals that cause this crisis have the ability to correct it.
Goat Continued From Page 1A

president of marketing, Frito-Lay North America. This year is no different. Each of these five finalists brought their A-game to the contest, and we cant wait to see what happens when we get to the Super Bowl. Each of the five finalists wins $25,000 and a trip to New Orleans to attend Super Bowl XLVII in a private luxury suite at the game, where they will learn for the first time which of their Doritos ads will compete for the top spot in the USA TODAY Ad Meter. The No. 2 spot will be awarded $600,000 and $400,000 will go to the No. 3 spot. This would be the opportunity of a lifetime if it airs, Callner said. This is really unbelievable. I feel like Im getting choked up every day.
Moose the goat eats Doritos in this commercial that may be seen by millions during the upcoming Super Bowl. Photo provided.
Local News
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As in this 2008 production of Once Upon a Mattress, Jerrys Habima Theatre, which is in its 20th season, features actors with developmental disabilities. Photo by Steve Dinberg
uarts & entertainment
Unique Dunwoody theater reaches a milestone

by Nigel Roberts At a time when theater companies come and go, Jerrys Habima Theatre in Dunwoody is celebrating a milestone. The theater kicks off its 20th season this year. What makes this theater group unique is not only its longevity. It is the only metro area theater that prominently features actors with developmental disabilities. Habima has received critical praise for its productions during its two decades. It earned notable mention in American Theatre magazine as a theater success story and won the 2007 Spirit of Suzi Bass Award for its contributions to professional theater in Atlanta. Unless you have been a part of this remarkable theater over the past 20 years, it is hard to understand the magnitude of emotions that are felt by the actors, their families, and the audiences, said Saba Silverman, Habimas founding chairperson who has been an integral part of the theater from its inception. Habima means the stage in Hebrew, and has roots in Eastern European Jewish theater in the early 20th century. Today, Habima Theatre is the national theater company of Israel and has become a model for theater companies throughout the Jewish Diaspora. Jerrys Habima Theatre, named for its benefactor Jerry Blonder, is a program of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, located in Dunwoody. Each season it produces Broadway musicals using a handful of professional actors but primarily local actors with an array of developmental disabilities. Reflecting on his involvement with the theater group since its beginnings, Mark Benator said, It has meant so much to me, and to the other actors with disabilities, since theres not another theater like this in town. Jerrys Habima Theatre director Dina Shadwell explained that her actors have a range actors before coming to Habima. She said these actors are no different from nondisabled actors in that all performers are vulnerable and need someone to see and pull out their potential. Its fulfilling to see them get through opening night performance and see the audience moved, Shadwell stated. Its sacred work. Theres no better high. Acting can be therapeutic for the developmentally disabled, according to the National Association for Drama Therapy. Research shows, the organization says, that acting benefits individuals diagnosed with autism in a number of ways, such as promoting social interaction, enhancing the understanding of nonverbal cues and increasing emotional awareness. It gives me such joy to see how far this theater has come in 20 years, and to witness all of the lives that have been deeply touched by it, stated Lois Blonder, wife of the late Jerry Blonder, who succumbed in 2006 to a two-year battle against leukemia. Jerry Blonder, 74 years old when he died, spent a lifetime constructing and managing numerous apartment buildings and multi-family housing in the metro Atlanta area. He established an endowment for the Habima Theatre when he observed the positive impact the theater had on his granddaughters developmental disability. Lois Blonder expressed great pride that the theater provides a safe place for self-expression, allowing people to be themselves and come alive on stage, without the fear of not being accepted. Reflecting on this milestone, Silverman recalled that 20 years ago she had to plead with her friends to buy tickets and support the theater. Today it is nationally acclaimed and a must see for metro Atlanta theatergoers, she said. It has gone beyond my wildest dreams, and I am so amazed and awed each time I see a performance. I leave every show with a huge smile on my face, Silverman said.
Director Dina Shadwell works with Karen Murphy before a performance of Mame. Photo provided by Jerrys Habima Theatre
of developmental disabilities, such as autism, Down syndrome and others that I dont know about and dont really care to know that they have. In fact, no one in the theater group dwells on disabilities. Shadwell, herself an actress, had no prior experience directing developmentally disabled
Education
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Ivy Prep collecting applications for lottery Ivy Preparatory Academy is currently accepting applications for its 2013-14 enrollment lottery, which takes place March 30. Residents of DeKalb County are eligible to submit application a for the Ivy Preparatory Academy for GirlsKirkwood Campus and the Ivy Preparatory Young Mens Leadership Academy-Kirkwood Campus. Both Kirkwood campuses will be enrolling students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The application will be available via the Ivy Prep website at www.ivyprepacademy.org and will be also available at the campus main offices from Jan. 22-Feb. 14. For more information, contact (404) 622-2727. Clarkston High Special Olympics basketball team qualifies for state competition Clarkston High Schools Special Olympics basketball team won first place at the State Area Basketball Tournament held at the Suwanee Sports Academy Jan. 9. The team will now compete at the state competition Jan. 25-27 in Marietta. Chamblee Middle students qualify for honor band Chamblee Middle School has the highest number of middle school students (22 total) attending the Georgia Music Educator Association District 4 Honor Band this year. Four students from Chamblee Middle were also chosen for the All State Band: Joseph Chang, Carline Johnston, Emma Kickinson and Corey Williams. Williams has been selected as first chair trumpet. DeKalb School of the Arts wins choir competition Choir groups HighLeit and ProArte represented DeKalb School of the Arts first Southeast Show Choir Invitational at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. HighLeit won first place overall and best musicianship. DeKalb School Council of PTAs to host fair for special needs students DCSD and the DeKalb Council of PTAs will host an education, resources and college fair for students with special needs Feb. 16 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the DeKalb County Administrative and Industrial Complex in Stone Mountain. The fair will feature information about employment, staffing services, career exploration, college and vocational programs, family support and more. For more information, contact Ron Brown, chair of family engagement and special needs at rbrown011914@ gmail.com.
Education Briefs
Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal announced the creation of a new state program Jan. 7, that will use state and federal funds to identify at-risk children and provide counseling to expectant mothers and new families. Photo by Daniel Beauregard
First lady Deal announces program for expecting parents

by Daniel Beauregard daniel@dekalbchamp.com Georgias first lady, Sandra Deal, announced the launch of Great Start Georgia Jan. 7, a program developed to help meet the needs of expectant parents and those with young children. We want every mother to find out how to help her child grow up and develop properly. We want them to notice the milestones and be able to know when their child needs extra help, said Deal. The program, administered by the Governors Office for Children and Families and the Department of Public Health, is designed to create a community of support for all families before and after the birth of a child. The effort will use approximately $6 million in state and federal funds to identify at-risk children and provide counseling to the families. The program will make available natural supports for all expectant families, children birth to 5, and their families, and link families with more intensive services when needed, said Katie Jo Ballard, executive director of Great Start Georgia. The program aims to connect expectant mothers, children and their families to a range of services including evidence-based home visiting, maternal and child health, child safety, school readiness, community and family safety, and family economic self-sufficiency. Although the program is still in its infancy, state officials said the goal is to expand the program statewide and create a coordinated system for reaching out to new and expecting families. Currently, seven counties have received federal funding from the Governors Office for Children and Families to embed evidencebased home visiting in their local Great Start Georgia systems. The seven counties are Clarke, Crisp, DeKalb, Glynn, Houston, Muscogee and Whitfield. For more information about the program, visit www.greatstartgeorgia.org or call 1 (855) 707-8277.
CITY OF BROOKHAVEN FY 2013 PROPOSED BUDGET Notice is hereby given that, beginning January 25, 2013, the proposed FY 2013 Budget for the City of Brookhaven is available for inspection online (www.brookhavenga.gov) and at Brookhaven City Hall, 200 Ashford Center North, Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30338, weekdays between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. The City of Brookhaven will hold a Public Hearing at 7pm on February 26, 2013 during the scheduled Council meeting that evening at which time any persons wishing to be heard on the budget may appear.
Business
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Commissioner May:
County should be more proactive to attracting quality businesses

by Kathy Mitchell Kathy@dekalbchamp.com Commissioner Lee May said the key to DeKalb Countys economic future is to stop waiting for opportunities to come to the county and go actively in search of opportunities. That was his message to the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce at its Jan. 16 luncheon meeting. May, who represents the recently reconfigured 5th district and who was recently elected presiding officer of the commission, told the group that some areas of the district have rundown and empty commercial buildings, but we shouldnt see those as desolate areas, we should see them as areas of opportunity. If we arent attracting some of the businesses we would like to see in our community, its possibly because they dont know us. Its up to us to tell our story. We have the income levels and the demographics theyre looking for, but how will they know if we dont tell them? We need advocates such as the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce, he said. We dont see businesses coming to DeKalb the way they used to. We have work to do, May continued. Anytime you see a community thats thriving, its because its being proactive. Weve been reactive. We know that DeKalb County is a cool place to be. Its up to us to make sure others know it, too. We have to build a narrative for the county. May said that many dont understand how DeKalb collects property taxes. They look at our millage rate and see that its higher than in some other counties, but to compare fairly you have to look at the fact that DeKalb is one of only two counties in Georgia that has a HOST (Homestead Option Sales Tax) system that offsets the taxes paid by homeowners. My goal is to make the county more proactive. We dont have a strategy right now, May said, adding that that is changing. He said that the November hiring of Luz Borrero
Hotel Equities wins Marriott community service award

Marriott named DeKalb County-based Hotel Equities the winner of the Marriott Spirit to Serve Award for Community Service at the Marriott Owners Conference recently. The award recognizes company values as expressed through employee volunteerism as well as in-kind and cash donations that support the companys and Marriotts community service initiatives. Hotel Equities President and CEO Fred Cerrone accepted the award from Arne Sorenson, Marriott International president and CEO. Hotel Equities philosophy on community service is closely aligned with that of Marriott International, said Liam Brown, president, U.S. & Canada, Select Service & Extended Stay Lodging and Owner and Franchise Services, Marriott International. We appreciate their commitment and value them as a franchise partner with Marriott. Marriott International promotes the S-E-RV-E initiatives of Shelter and food, Environment, Readiness for hotel careers, Vitality of children and Embracing diversity and inclusion, according to Cerrone. The award marks a company milestone, Cerrone said. We are proud to earn recognition for our proven commitment to support and give back to the communities where our hotels are located. We will continue to foster and spread a culture that is focused on making a distinct difference in peoples lives. The award nomination listed 99 nonprofit organizations or programs and more than 150 different examples of goods, volunteer services and/or monetary contribution made by the 17 Marriott branded hotels in the Hotel Equities portfolio.
Business Briefs
May
as deputy chief operating officer of development is a step in the right direction. Borreros responsibilities are to be focused on planning and sustainability, economic development, community development and workforce development, according to an announcement by the county following the appointment. May said he also expects Borrero to be valuable in addressing another issue that has plagued the county for many years. We have a reputation for having a permitting process thats much too complex and cumbersome. Its one of the worst in the region, May said. The city of Atlanta had that same reputation and Luz Borrero helped fix the problem when she was in senior management there. Now she will do the same for us. Saying that fixing the permitting process is a No. 1 priority, May added, Every day a business trying to become established in DeKalb is delayed, they lose business and we lose tax revenue. May said that despite recent reports that the Mall at Stonecrest is struggling right now, he sees a bright future for the mall and the area around it. Remember that five years after Stonecrest opened (in 2003), the bottom fell out of the economy. Still, Stonecrest had continued to thrive. He said plans are in place for a Stonecrest Community Improvement District (CID). People ask us why certain areas have more sidewalks, grass cut along the roadways, more police in the community, the answer is CIDs, a self-taxing
system that allows communities to decide what they want and pay for it through a special tax, May said. May explained why he was among those who opposed the 1-percent transportation tax that was on the ballot last year and ultimately was defeated. Its not because I dont feel the county has serious transportation issues that need to be dealt with. I felt that the list of projects in that referendum did not deal equitably with all parts of the county. I didnt feel we should make a 10-year commitment to those projects. We need to go back to the DeKalb voters and create our own list. He acknowledged that with MARTA and HOST already in place, the county has reached its tax cap and would have to go to the state legislature for permission to levy another tax. May spoke of the fact that the DeKalb County School Districts accreditation is under examination. That does have an effect on business, he said. The quality of the school system is one of the things businesses look at when deciding whether to move into a community. I have no opinion as to how the state should proceed in this matter, but at the end of the day, its not the governors school system, its not [the accrediting agencys] school system. Its our school system. We have every reason to want it to be a quality system. I have a 5-year-old in the system and a 3-year-old who soon will be. Its going to take involvement from all of us to ensure the quality of our schools.
Marlows Tavern at Emory opens

In celebration of its grand opening, Marlows Tavern at Emory Point is offering nightly specials during its first week. The neighborhood tavern has planned seven days of exclusive offers and specials through Sunday, Jan. 27 for Emory area guests. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
Rep. Kendrick to host Business Owners Day at the Capitol

State Rep. Darshun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host her second annual Business Owners Day at the Capitol on Thursday, Jan. 31, 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Floyd Room (20th floor) of the West Twin Towers Building. This event will offer business owners from across the state an opportunity to network with other business owners, learn about what state and federal agencies are doing to support small businesses, and let state representatives and senators know what they can do on the state level to make it easier to do business in Georgia. To learn more about the event or to RSVP, visit http://2ndbodac.eventbrite.com. Space is limited.
The Voice of Business in DeKalb County

Two Decatur Town Center, 125 Clairemont Ave., Suite 235, Decatur, GA 30030
DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

404-378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org
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Sports
Page 18A
uPHOTO
HIGHLIGHTS: Cedar GrOve v ST. PIuS
Cedar Grove, down by 14, came back to beat St. Pius X 48-45 on Jan. 18. Photos by David DiCristina
Hamer hits for 30 to lead Wolverines to win over No. 8 Tucker

Kyre Hamer scored 30 points to lead the No. 1 ranked Miller Grove Wolverines to an 80-69 victory over No. 8 ranked Tucker at Miller Grove High School on Jan. 18. Hamer had given the Wolverines a 19-16 lead heading into the second quarter with a pair of free throws; then hit three consecutive shots from the three-point arc to open a 28-19 advantage with 5:55 left in the half. James Walker and Keith Pinckney took over for Hamer the rest of the first half with Walker hitting for six points and Pinckney adding five to propel Miller Grove (17-3) to a 43-25 halftime advantage. Devonta Fitzgerald fueled a late Tucker rally, scoring 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and the Tigers (11-6) pulled ahead with nine points with 29 seconds to play after trailing by as much as 21 in the fourth quarter. Hamer hit for three more on a basket and one of two from the free throw line in the final 29 seconds to put the game away for the Wolverines. James Walker scored 13 points and Alterique Gilbert had 14 in the second half to join Hamer in double figures for the Wolverines. Jon Dunmyer added 15 points to join Fitzgerald, a Texas A&M signee, with his 27 for the game. (Girls) Tucker 48, Miller Grove 39 The No. 2 ranked Tucker Lady Tigers used a 9-0 run to end the third quarter and to start the fourth quarter to pull away from the No. 3 ranked Miller Grove Lady Wolverines for a 48-39 victory in girls high school basketball at Miller Grove. The victory avenged a 37-32 loss to Miller Grove on Jan. 4 in the Peach State Classic. The two teams were in a constant back-and-forth battle through most of three quarters staying within one point of each other most of the first 22 minutes of the game. Miller Grove was up 31-30 when Tucker freshman Najila Shamsid-Deen hit a layup to give Tucker the lead for at 32-30 with 1:03 left in the third quarter. Shamsid-Deen followed with another layup on a pass from Nuba Jackson to send Tucker into the fourth quarter up 34-31. Jackson hit a three-pointer to open the fourth quarter and Shamsid-Deen followed with two layups on assists from Tori Robinson as the lead grew to 41-34 with 5:34 to play in the game. Leading by six (45-39), Tucker got a pair of free throws from Erykah Davenport and one from Jackson win. Jackson hit for 14 points and Shamsid-Deen added 12 to lead the lady Tigers (17-3) in the win. Katie Hunt had 11 points to lead Miller Grove (16-4). Other Basketball Scores Jan. 18 Boys Cedar Grove 48, St. Pius X 45 Chamblee 48, South Atlanta 69 Decatur 44, Woodward Academy 53 Marist 67, Banneker 43 Mays 52, Dunwoody 42 M.L. King 59, Clarkston 52 McNair 61, Blessed Trinity 62 North Atlanta 65, Arabia Mountain 62 Southwest DeKalb 81, LakesideDeKalb 45 Girls Chamblee 54, South Atlanta 46 Decatur 41, Woodward Academy 27 Marist 62, Banneker 28 McNair 31, Blessed Trinity 62 Southwest DeKalb 60, LakesideDeKalb 11 St. Pius X 56, Cedar Grove 20 Jan. 19 Boys Marist 52, Washington 44 Girls Cedar Grove 54, Brainerd (Tenn.) 49 Marist 65, Washington 25 Mt. Vernon 33, Lakeside-DeKalb 23 Stephenson 72, Campbell 55
ubasketball

ubasketball
Sports
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Redan girls taking it one game at a time to get back to championship level
by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com ast season was filled with growing pains for the Redan High School girls basketball team. They were a young team with five freshmen, five sophomores, one junior and one senior. But, the team still finished with a good record (19-10) and made it to the Class AAAA state playoffs, albeit losing in the first round. The team is now a year older and has all five starters Jamese Abney, Jada Byrd, Brea Elmore, Destini McClary, and FaTia Sams back this season. Their growth over the summer has helped them get off to a fast start this season. The Redan Lady Raiders are 13-1 after 14 games and their head coach, Jerry Jackson, credited the teams early success to the growth that they went through during the offseason. Everything is coming into place, he said. Theyre playing well together, they practice hard, and they are doing all the things that they need to do to get to this point. The Lady Raiders have been one of the top programs in the county and state for more than a decade. They won the Class AAAAA state title in 2009 and went undefeated that year. They are 27-18 in state tournament games, third in the county behind Southwest DeKalb and Stephenson. Redan has qualified for the state tournament 13 seasons in a row and has lost in the first round three times during that stretchin 2000, 2011 and 2012. Losing to Osborn High School 64-54 in the first round of the state playoffs last season has the team more focused this year
to do what they need to do to win. They are taking it one game at a time, Jackson said. They are understanding now that you can win, but you still have to stay humble and do what youre supposed to do because everybody is going to be ready to play once the playoffs start.
could happen. Playing as one unit has been the strength of the team this season. They are averaging more than 65 points per game and they have four players among the top 25 scorers in DeKalb County. They play together and they execute, Jackson said. They
The Champion chooses a male and female high school Athlete of the Week each week throughout the school year. The choices are based on performance and nominations by coaches. Please e-mail nominations to carla@dekalbchamp.com by Monday at noon.
...you still have to stay humble and do what youre supposed to do because everybody is going to be ready to play once the playoffs start.
Jerry Jackson
Jerry Jackson
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Rayjon Sims, Stone Mountain (basketball): The junior forward grabbed 10 rebounds and scored eight points in the 48-39 win over Carver on Jan. 18. He is averaging 6.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Klarissa Weaver, Miller Grove (basketball): The senior center scored 26 points and had 10 rebounds and six steals in the 82-32 win over Dunwoody on Jan. 15. She is averaging 10.9 points and 8.1 points per game.
Even with a young team last season, they played fairly well in a tough region that included Chamblee, Marist, Southwest DeKalb, Tucker, and defending state champions Miller Grove. Although Miller Grove, Southwest DeKalb and Tucker moved up to Class AAAAA, the Lady Raider still face stiff competition this year in region 6A-AAAA with Chamblee, Marist and defending state champions Columbia who handed Redan its only loss of the season so far. With so many good teams in one region, Jackson knows that every game will be a battle for his team. This year its been OK for us and the level of competition is a little different for us, he said. But you still have to prepare every night for whoever you are playing. You never know what
are doing that a lot more this year than in the past. One thing Jackson wants his team to improve at is rebounding. Were a little undersized and we just have to focus on boxing out and doing the small things, he said. I think if we can get the rebounding together well be OK. Of course the goal for all teams is to win a state title. It has been four years since Redans last state title and this years team is on a mission to win another one for the school. But, Jackson knows it wont be an easy mission to accomplish. Were going to take it one game at a time, he said. That [2009 team] was a different group and this is a different group. I just have to take it one game at a time with this group.
Each week The Champion spotlights former high school players from the county who are succeeding in athletics on the college level.
William Shaq Goodwin, Memphis (basketball) - The freshman forward from Southwest DeKalb scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the 60-50 win over Harvard on Jan. 19. Goodwin is averaging 9.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Donte Williams, Georgia (basketball) - The junior forward from Miller Grove scored 15 points and grabbed five rebounds in the 67-58 win over Louisiana State on Jan. 19. Williams is averaging 6.0 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Saadia Doyle, Howard (basketball) - The senior guard from Columbia scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the 48-34 win over North Carolina A&T on Jan. 19. Doyle is averaging 22.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
GPC Lady Jaguars roll by East Georgia 72-49

Led by Ronita Garretts 10th consecutive double-double, Georgia Perimeter College defeated conference opponent East Georgia State College 72-49 on Jan. 19 at Jaguar Arena in Decatur. Garrett, who leads the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association in scoring, totaled 28 points for the second consecutive outing and collected 12 rebounds. Head coach James Waldon applauded her efforts and praised two reserves and new starter Brittany McKinney. Brittany really made us go, he said. And Jessica Anderson and Samantha McCombs entered the game and gave us a boost we needed. Georgia Perimeter, 10-8 overall, will take a 6-5 GCAA record into Jan. 23 match-up with Middle Georgia College, one of the teams the Jaguars need to catch to win a fourth seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the conference tournament in February. The Jaguars tight defense, reinforced by McKinney and McComb, held East Georgia scoreless for the first seven minutes while the offense ran off 14 points. Andersons timely 3-point shooting helped GPC to a 35-17 halftime lead. Larissa Stafford scored 11 points and dished off six assists for the Jaguars. Anderson had nine points with three treys on six attempts. Ashley Bacchus contributed six rebounds. Theyre starting to understand how to get it done, Waldon said. Now theyre more patient with the system and they see how it will work. I like what I saw today. The Warriors of Middle Georgia College visit Jaguar Arena Jan. 23 for a league showdown. The audio webcast begins at 5:25 p.m. with a link at www.gpc.edu/athletic under Game Webcasts.
uwomens colleGe basketball

ubrookhaven
Local News
Page 20A
Brookhaven passes sexually oriented business ordinance

by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com result of DeKalb Countys ordinance. Davis said there are weakThe Brookhaven City nesses in the countys ordiCouncil unanimously apnance constitutionally and he proved a new ordinance that and the council were advised will regulate adult or sexually of those weaknesses. oriented businesses. If we had adopted the All four council members same ordinance that DeKalb voted in favor of the ordidid and amended it to make it nance at a Jan. 14 special stronger we would leave ourcalled meeting, even though selves open to legal challengthe council already voted to es and wouldnt be protecting adopt all of DeKalb Countys the citizens of Brookhaven ordinances, including the from expansion of these types countys adult or sexually ori- of businesses in the future, ented business ordinance that he said. As part of our due allowed the Pink Pony Strip diligence when we adopted Club to operate. The Pink the DeKalb County ordinance Pony is located on Buford we knew what to do. Well go Highway inside Brookhavback and make sure theyre ens city limits. all effective ordinances and Brookhaven Mayor J. were in the process of doing Max Davis said the city that. council adopted the countys According to the ordiordinances as a place holder. nance, the city council found DeKalb County was evidence that supports the sued on their [adult or sexunotion that sexually oriented ally oriented business] ordibusinesses are associated nance several years ago, he with a variety of adverse said. And the adult clubs secondary effects including in DeKalb County are under prostitution, crime, potential a settlement agreement as a spread of disease, illegal drug
Adult-oriented businesses in Brookhaven, such as the Pink Pony, will be regulated by a new city ordinance. File photos
use and trafficking, sexual assault and exploitation and more. With the new ordinance, adult or sexually oriented businesses must have a business license to operate and licenses for employees will be required. Applicants for a sexually oriented business license or employee license must file in person at the city
managers office. Davis said the citys ordinance and the countys ordinance do have similarities such as banning alcohol and nudity at the same time in one establishment. Our ordinance is written a little more tightly to ensure the constitutionality and the forcibility of that ordinance, he said. That is why we
adopted the modified ordinance.

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Opinion One Mans Opinion

Bring back the Golden Fleece!

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Stone Mountain Village dedicates new public art

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Ellis retains attorneys after home, office searched

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Brookhaven hires first city clerk

Brookhaven repairs first pothole

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Sanitation workers march to unionize

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County to negotiate animal services contract

Continued From Page 3A

StarWatch By Gary Becker - Read by Moonlight

Answer: West to east.

The Champion Weather

Jan. 24, 2013

Detailed Local Forecast

Last Week's Local Almanac

Decatur Snellville 56/43 56/43 Lithonia 57/43 Morrow 57/43

Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

Full 1/26 Last 2/3

National Weather Summary This Week

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Former GM plant an Opportunity Zone

Coyote problem leads to community meeting

udecatur udruid hills

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BOE Continued From Page 1A

Goat Continued From Page 1A

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uarts & entertainment

Unique Dunwoody theater reaches a milestone

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First lady Deal announces program for expecting parents

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County should be more proactive to attracting quality businesses

Hotel Equities wins Marriott community service award

Marlows Tavern at Emory opens

Rep. Kendrick to host Business Owners Day at the Capitol

The Voice of Business in DeKalb County

DeKalb Chamber of Commerce

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