Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 • VOL. 13, NO. 25 • FREE
Voice of a
School generation
system hires 12-year-old spreading
auditor to her message of peace
help restore
by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchamp.com
Mary-Pat Hector sees herself
credibility
involved in politics 10 years from
now—after earning her degree
from UCLA.
The eighth-grader is on a
path that could see those dreams
come to fruition. She founded the
youth-led activist group Youth in
Bowen: ‘Having him Action about a year ago. Since
then, through promotion on Face-
sooner could have helped’ book, YIA has grown to 12 chap-
ters across Georgia.
Hector is in the process of
organizing a national conference
by Jonathan Cribbs businesses practices to make Babst said the school system that will bring together youth
jonathan@dekalbchamp.com sure fraud and misspending is and board – to which he reports groups from across the county in
Photo by Jonathan Cribbs as unlikely as possible. He also directly – is focused on repairing the early part of 2011. Hector said
T
announced the creation of a new that image. she has been inspired and influ-
he DeKalb County fraud hotline, which he said has “It puts everybody in a enced by several women in her
Board of Education been proven to be one of the best negative light, but every day I’m life, including her mother Kathie
wanted an auditing di- ways to prevent fraud. more impressed with the quality Nesbitt, and Dr. Leslie Ashlock,
rector sooner. Two years “We need a sense of urgen- of people here,” he said about the founder of Stone Mountain’s
ago to be more specific. But tight cy,” he told the board. “We need the recent indictments. “What’s Solid Foundation school.
budgeting and salary freezes kept a strong tone at the top, and we really important is that we audit “The more I open my eyes and
the district from hiring one. need the board (and administra- the high-risk activities.” see the things all these women are
Now, there’s Gary Babst. tors) to lead by their actions. … That’s something the school doing, it motivates me,” Hector
The school board recently We need to build an internal con- system hasn’t truly had before, said. “My mom owns several day
hired the former General Motors trol structure, and that’s going to Babst and board Chair Thomas care centers and Dr. Ashlock owns
auditor as the new director of au- take some time.” Bowen said. Babst said before our school. The women I’m sur-
dit. It’s a key job hire approved Intentionally or not, the ad- his arrival there was an “au- rounded with are independent and
in the aftermath of numerous dress went to the heart of the dit function” buried inside the strong.”
school system scandals, includ- school system’s problems, par- school system’s accounting pro- The 12-year-old has emerged
ing the May indictments of for- ticularly county residents’ per- cess, but it was mostly focused over the past year as a nationally
mer Superintendent Crawford ception of the district and their on school-level expenditures. recognized advocate for youth.
Lewis, Chief Operating Officer assumption of corruption at the That left the district’s larger
Pat Reid and two others. Lewis system’s highest levels. In addi- spending, including pricey con- Consider her portfolio:
and Reid have been charged with tion to the indictments of Lewis struction contracts exploited by
illegally profiting from school and Reid, several administrators Lewis and Reid, to little over- •Participating earlier this year in
district construction contracts were recently demoted or fired sight. the “Reclaim the Dream” march
and face several racketeering after an internal investigation Board members told system in Washington, D.C., led by Rev.
charges. revealed they had sold nearly administrators two years ago Al Sharpton, where more than
Babst said he took the job af- $100,000 worth of books they they wanted to hire a director 100,000 people participated.
ter considering his 30-year career authored to system schools. of audit, but the position was
with General Motors, the only School board Vice Chair Ze- never filled due to hiring freezes •Appearing on Sharpton’s radio
job he’s had since he graduated pora Roberts also found herself and budgetary cutbacks, Bowen show.
college in 1978. answering questions about the said. Having someone like Babst
“Sometimes you work in employment of two daughters sooner may have prevented some •Blogging on Russell Simmons’
that environment, and you think, in the school system, and the of the issues the school system hip hop Web site, www.global-
‘Can I be doing more?’” he said board publicly chastised her after must recover from now. grind.com.
sitting inside a school district she threatened to assault a lo- “I do think that having this
conference room recently. cal TV news reporter who asked position there sooner could have •Participating in a forum on a
Babst got the job and ap- her questions about it. Board helped with some of the issues,” CNN segment called “Fixing Our
peared before the school board member Jay Cunningham was he said. “We can’t say having Schools.”
earlier this month, telling mem- also criticized after local media him here would have done it,
bers the district must commit discovered his restaurants had but in terms of sending the right •Speaking engagements, including
itself to rigorous review of big- sold more than $20,000 worth of message, that’s something that the National Black Power Con-
money spending, such as con- food to the district since he was
struction projects, and review elected. See Auditor on Page 13A See Hector on Page 13A
A Section • Page 2A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010
Guest Opinions
Let’s strengthen our safety net
One in seven Americans–a record high of 43.6 million people–was poor last year
by Karen Dolan that would not otherwise exist. the very rich. net originally designed to buffer
Meanwhile, an increasing Most crucially, let’s get a ro- extreme hardship in hard economic
Most of us have friends, neigh- number of lawmakers are insisting bust public jobs program because times such as these. But millions
bors or family members who have on retaining tax cuts for America’s small and private businesses are of Americans are falling through
lost jobs, income and even their wealthiest families, those living being too slow to hire. Public jobs it. We can afford to reverse this
homes in this Great Recession. Or comfortably on more than a quar- can be created quickly and directly poverty tidal wave. Allowing the
we have our own personal stories ter of a million dollars a year. employ the unemployed and un- Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest
of increased hardship since the This is reckless. Their riches deremployed. The Jobs for Amer- Americans to simply expire as
economic meltdown began in 2008. won’t trickle down to the rest of ica Now Act in Congress provides they are slated to do would save
The census just released data us. Economists have repeatedly funds for states and localities. $43 billion per year. We can easily
that illustrates the extent of the found that the wealthy save their We also need to extend the place a very small financial trans-
devastation. Poverty spiked in tax cut money instead of pump- emergency subsidized jobs pro- actions tax–one penny on every
2009. One in seven Americans–a ing it back into the economy. Polls gram for low-income workers. The $4 traded in speculative financial
record high of 43.6 million peo- show that most Americans oppose Temporary Assistance to Needy transactions–and raise almost $150
ple–was poor last year. Children, extending the costly Bush tax Families Emergency Fund has put billion. We can end overseas tax
single mothers, Blacks and Latinos cuts to the wealthiest Americans. 250,000 people to work. If Con- havens and save another $100 bil-
are being hit the hardest. But enough politicians on Capitol gress doesn’t extend this effective lion per year. And we can slash our
The number of Americans Hill are hell-bent on it to stall our temporary jobs program by the end bloated military spending.
lacking health insurance also chances at recovery. of September, these jobs and their Realigning our budget priori-
reached a record high last year of Yes, most of the obstruction- income disappear. ties would restore our nation to the
51 million, yet Congress has cut ists in Congress are Republicans, Reinstating and bolstering kind of country we all want to live
government subsidies to health but Senate Democrats haven’t emergency stimulus funds for food in, with a decent standard of living
coverage (COBRA) for the 14 used their majority and leadership stamps and COBRA, retaining for all. We all deserve well-paying
million of us who have lost our status to keep effective, critical and extending the unemployment jobs, affordable health care and a
jobs. Lawmakers slashed almost safety-net supports from dying benefits that kept 3.3 million more safety net in times of high unem-
$12 billion from the food stamp on the Senate floor or in commit- people from sinking below the ployment and economic hardship.
program that helped feed the more tee. These aren’t partisan issues, poverty line in 2009 are also key,
than one in five of our children and we can reverse this trend. Our along with foreclosure relief that Karen Dolan, a fellow at the
who go to bed hungry in America. nation can embrace the values of enables distressed homeowners to Institute for Policy Studies, was a
The House and Senate also failed equality and decency. rent their homes rather than lose co-author of the IPS report Bat-
to extend state job subsidies, Here’s how: We can demand them, thereby averting the down- tered by the Storm: How the Safety
which have put 250,000 low- policies that create an economy ward spiral into poverty. Net Is Failing Americans and How
income Americans to work in jobs that works for all us, not just for We have remnants of a safety to Fix It. www.ips-dc.org
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www.ChampionNewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 •PAGE 5A
Guest Opinions
100% post-consumer
proved. And the wheels just keep spinning and spinning
and spinning with nothing gained.
recycled paper –Get The True Facts posted this on 9/15/10 at 01:39
p.m.
www.ChampionNewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 A Section • Page 7A
County to
receive more
than $5M for
foreclosure
purchases,
renovations
by Jonathan Cribbs
jonathan@dekalbchamp.com
Doraville considers
massage parlor ordinace
by Matt Amato safe haven. said. “They’ve [massage
The new ordinance tight- parlors] fought tooth and nail
Massage parlors in ens pre-existing restrictions against us and are trying to
Doraville may be on the way and includes foot massage play the race card.”
out if an ordinance tighten- businesses, not typically a Some in the business
ing their regulation is passed front for illegal prostitution. community have questioned
next month by the city coun- One massage parlor em- cracking down on any busi-
cil. ployee not wishing to be nesses at a time when up to
If passed, anyone per- named said the ordinance is 40 percent of Buford High-
forming massage services racist and unfairly targets the way retail space is vacant.
must be licensed by the state Asian community – a point However, the ordinance
or face the possibility of shared by others and one has received strong backing
fines or business closure. that Howe admitted hearing from resident associations,
The council did not vote before. which believe massage par-
on the issue at its Sept. 13 In a blog earlier in this lors have damaged the city’s
meeting but is expected to do year, Councilman Bob image.
so next month. Roche warned that targeting “We would like to see the
The ordinance is designed massage parlors could create development of more desir-
to crack down on exist- “a mess.” able businesses that people
ing massage parlors while “I support limiting the can use and the containment
discouraging more opening number of such establish- of undesirable businesses,”
from in the future. ments in town, but we have said Susan Frasse, a 25-year
“All you have to do is to be extremely careful about Doraville resident. “We want
pick up a copy of Creative trying to shut down existing to clean up the city.”
Loafing, look at the ads in businesses,” he wrote. “Foot Frasse said she believes
the back and see how many massage establishments are Doraville’s current LCI
[massage parlors] are in in a gray area. I’ve traveled study, exploring ways to re-
Doraville,” said Luke Howe, in Shanghai and foot mas- generate the shuttered Gen-
Doraville’s assistant to the sage is part of the Asian eral Motors plant, has helped
mayor. “People have just culture. The vast majority raise awareness of local is-
had enough. Doraville has a of establishments are on the sues. Massage parlors in Doraville, like this one on Buford Highway,
bad name because of these up and up, and we should be “Residents want to see could be facing tighter regulation. Photo by Matt Amato
places.” closely monitoring them for more positive develop-
There are currently eight any illegal activity.” ments,” she said. “There
massage parlors within the Howe vehemently denied have always been concerns
city limits and more nearby the ordinance targeted the about the decline of desirable
in unincorporated DeKalb Asian community. businesses in the city.
County. Doraville’s previ- “We want to showcase “If people doubt these
ous ordinance also required the best of Asian culture, and places have problems, go
licensing but was rarely we’re proud of our Asian online and see how they ad-
enforced by the city, said community. The city has a vertise.”
Howe, thereby creating a very inclusive culture,” he
PHYSICIAN
SEMINAR
beyond
PUSHING
DeKalb County Board of Health
offers seasonal flu vaccine
The DeKalb County including disorders of the those on chronic steroids); • Standard flu vaccination
Board of Health’s 2010-2011 brain, spinal cord, periph- • People younger than 19 for Vaccines for Children-
seasonal flu vaccination pro- eral nerve and muscle, such years of age who are re- eligible children: $14.81.
gram is under way. The ear- as cerebral palsy, epilepsy ceiving long-term aspirin • FluMist for Vaccines for
ly vaccination effort is part (seizure disorders), stroke, therapy; Children-eligible children:
of the national goal to reach intellectual disability (men- • People with chronic ob- $14.81.
people now about the impor- tal retardation), moderate structive pulmonary dis- • Fluzone High Dose: $40 Fit Feet
tance of protecting oneself to severe developmental ease; (covered by Medicare).
against the flu. delay, muscular dystrophy • People who are morbidly Thursday,
Last year, many Geor- and spinal cord injury; obese (having a body mass Checks (on Georgia September 30, 2010
gians received both a sea- • Chronic lung disease, such index of 40 or greater). banks), cash, credit cards,
sonal flu shot and the shot for as chronic obstructive pul- Medicaid, Medicare (part B) 6:30 -7:30 p.m.
H1N1 flu, which was then monary disease and cystic In addition to the stan- and PeachCare for Kids are
an emerging strain. This fibrosis; dard flu vaccine, two other accepted; cards must be pre- DeKalb Medical
year’s vaccination combines • Heart disease, such as vaccines are available: Flu- sented. Theatre,
H1N1 with two other circu- congenital heart disease, zone High-Dose, which The Vaccines for Chil-
lating viruses. People who congestive heart failure and creates a stronger immune dren program provides N. Decatur Campus
received the 2009 H1N1 in- coronary artery disease; response in people 65 years low-cost flu vaccines for
fluenza vaccine or had H1N1 • Blood disorders, such as and older than the standard uninsured and under-insured DeKalb Medical podiatrist
flu should still get the new sickle cell disease; vaccine; and FluMist nasal children under age 19. To James L. Bouchard, D.P.M.,
2010-2011 seasonal flu vac- • Endocrine disorders, such spray vaccine for healthy see if a child is eligible, call will discuss the medicine
cine, according to the board as diabetes mellitus; children. a nearby Board of Health and surgery of the foot,
of health. • Kidney disorders; The DeKalb County center. ankle and leg, including the
“Our goal is to encourage • Liver disorders; Board of Health’s fees for flu Individuals with health most common problems
everyone from the age of 6 • Metabolic disorders; vaccines are: insurance coverage through
months and older to get vac- • Weakened immune system • Standard flu vaccination: either United Health Care or experienced by people. Tips
cinated,” said S. Elizabeth due to disease or medica- $25 (covered by Medicaid, Cigna can bring their cards to on injury prevention and
Ford, M.D., M.B.A., district tion (such as people with Medicare and PeachCare receive flu vaccination at any special information for people
health director of the DeKalb HIV, AIDS or cancer and for Kids). Board of Health location. planning to participate in the
County Board of Health. Susan B. Komen 3-Day Walk
Ford added that there are NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING and for people who walk for
specific groups at high risk of
being hospitalized or dying For October 14, 2010 exercise will also be presented.
from flu complications. The
high-risk groups In accordance with Section 206, Chapter 94 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Chamblee, FREE SEMINAR
are: Georgia, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Chamblee, Georgia will hold a public hearing Appointments are required.
Children 6 months and older regarding an amendment to Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Chamblee, the Call 404.501.WELL to reserve
adults 65 years of age and Chamblee Zoning Ordinance, so as to substantially revise Article VII regarding Nonconforming your space in this FREE lecture.
older, pregnant women and Situations” to amend Section 301 (Definitions) so as to provide certain new and revised
people who have medical definitions; to substantially revise Section 504 regarding application of Articles IX, XI, and XII to
conditions including: redevelopment; to amend Sections 502, 506, 1202.E., 1205.H., 907.A.1, 617, 905.A., 803 and
• Asthma (even if it’s con- 904.A.3.
trolled or mild) The hearing will be held on October 14, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. to receive citizen input on the proposed
• Neurological and neuro- variance. The public hearing will be held at the Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad Street,
www.dekalbmedical.org
developmental conditions, Chamblee, GA 30341
AROUND DEKALB
The bake sale begins at 8:30 a.m.
ATLANTA
Proceeds from the sale will help the children and
are $10. There also will be homemade ice cream for families served by the Children’s Home, which offers
sale. Great Faith Ministries is located at 1600 Agape residential, community-based and family preservation
Big band event comes to Northlake Mall Way, Decatur. For more information, call (770) 771- services to more than 1,500 children and families an-
3299. nually. The event will be held at the United Method-
Northlake Mall is hosting its monthly big band ist Children’s Home located at 500 South Columbia
event. Visitors can listen to the sounds of Atlanta- Child Safety Day set Drive, Decatur. For more information, call (404)327-
New York Connection on Sept. 28 in Northlake Mall’s 5820.
Food Garden. The event is held the last Tuesday Area residents can learn how to keep children
night of every month, 6-8 p.m. The event is free and safe in and around cars on Child Safety Day on Sat-
DUNWOODY
open to the public; participants are urged to come urday, Sept. 25, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The
early and have dinner before dancing. The address is event will be at the Nalley Automotive Super Center,
4800 Briarcliff Road, N.E., Atlanta. 1555 Church Street, Decatur, at the corner of Church
Street and North Decatur Road. Shopping event to benefit charity
Emory hosts Korean song and dance The fair will feature free car seat checks. In ad-
dition, demonstrations and displays will cover child Shoppers can save 15-20 percent on merchan-
The Chae Hyan Soon Dance Company brings passenger safety and preventing driveway accidents dise Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 at Bloomingdale’s in Perim-
its visually striking “Dyamic Korea: Dance & Song” and heat-related illness and death. eter Mall by purchasing tickets from Odyssey Family
to Emory University. Handed down from generation By Georgia law, all children under age 6 must be Counseling Center for $10, with 100 percent of the
to generation, the arresting movements of “Dynamic in approved, properly installed safety seats. After a tickets sales going to benefit Odyssey. The center,
Korea” reflect the essential rhythms of traditional child reaches the weight or height limit of his car seat which provides mental health services without regard
Korean dance with 12 Korean music and dance at about age 4, he should be in a booster seat until to clients’ ability to pay, serves clients in DeKalb Ful-
numbers performed by 12 artists. he is 4-foot, 9-inches tall and about age 8. Children ton and Henry counties. The tickets also may be used
“Dynamic Korea: Dance & Song” will be performed under age 13 are safest in the back seat, away from at the Lenox Square Bloomingdale’s. To purchase
at Emory’s Performing Arts Studio, 1804 N. Decatur the airbag, dashboard and windshield. tickets, call Sheila Kennedy at (404)768-1156, ext.
Road, Atlanta, on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 4 p.m. This The sponsors of Child Safety Day are Safe Kids 103 or visit www.odysseycounseling.org.
performance is free and open to the public, but of DeKalb, the Nalley Automotive Group, the DeKalb
registration is required. For more information or to County Board of Health and the Trial Lawyers Sec- Operation Pill Drop set for Sept. 25
register for tickets, call (404) 727-6427, or visit www. tion of the DeKalb Bar Association.
realc.emory.edu/korean. For more information, contact Janet Weisman, The Dunwoody Police Department, along with the
injury prevention coordinator, DeKalb County Board Drug Enforcement Agency and Safe Kids Georgia will
of Health, at (404) 294-3719 or jeweisman@dhr. conduct Operation Pill Drop on Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to
CLARKSTON
state.ga.us. 2 p.m. Residents are invited to bring their unwanted
medication to the front lobby of the police depart-
Volunteers needed for bicycle safety training ment at 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 100. This is
English Country Dance Weekend upcoming a prescription drug take-back event where residents
Decatur Active Living is teaming with City Schools can dispose of expired, unwanted or unused prescrip-
The folk band A Joyful Noise with Seth Tepfer of Decatur and Safe Routes to School again this year tion or over-the-counter drugs to keep them out of
will perform at the Fandango English Country Dance to provide bicycle safety training for fourth graders at the wrong hands. Not accepted are needles, ther-
Weekend Sept. 24 at the Clarkston Community Glennwood Academy. Volunteers are needed to as- mometers, IV bags, personal care products, empty
Center. Admission is $9. The dance is sponsored sist with this training, which will be held at the school. containers, inhalers, medical equipment or hydrogen
by the Chattahoochee Country Dancers. Call the Dates for the training are Sept. 27 - 29. The morn- peroxide. For more information, call (678) 382-6907.
community center at (404) 508-1050 for more ing shift is from 8-10:45 a.m., and afternoon 11 a.m.
LITHONIA
information. until 2:15 p.m.
Date and times for volunteers are below:
STONE MOUNTAIN
mbmlife.com/swdcommunitytailgate or call Gabriel Flea market, bake sale to benefit children’s home
Maupin at (404) 408-7297.
The United Methodist Children’s Home is holding
Dinner to honor marrow donors a flea market and bake sale, Oct. 8 and 9, 9-4 p.m. Citywide yard sale scheduled
The Sandwich Shop will sell breakfast and lunch.
Jovita Moore, news anchor and reporter at WSBTV, There will be a variety of baked desserts for sale. The city of Stone Mountain will hold its annual
will host the Be The Match Foundation® 2010 Tribute The bake sale begins at 8:30 a.m. citywide yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 8:30
to Partnership Dinner on the Agnes Scott College Proceeds from the sale will help the children and a.m. until 3 p.m. on the First Baptist Church lawn in
campus on Saturday, Sept. 25. The event, at which a families served by the Children’s Home, which offers the center of town. Set up begins at 7:30 a.m. on the
Georgia transplant recipient will meet her marrow do- residential, community-based and family preservation day of the sale—tables will not be provided. A limited
nor for the first time, will be in Letitia Pate Evans Hall, services to more than 1,500 children and families an- number of 10-foot-by-10-foot spaces under the pa-
Agnes Scott College, 141 East College Ave., Decatur. nually. The event will be held at the United Method- vilion are available at $20 each on a first come, first
The reception will be at 6 p.m. and the program will ist Children’s Home located at 500 South Columbia served basis or 10-foot-by-10-foot lawn spaces can
be 7 -9 p.m. Individual tickets are $100. For more in- Drive, Decatur. For more information, call (404)327- be rented for $10 each. For a fee of $5 for city resi-
formation, contact Be The Match Foundation - Geor- 5820. dents or $10 for local areas in close proximity to the
gia Office, 315 West Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite city limits, individuals or groups may have yard sales
344, Decatur at (404) 377-4430. Flea market, bake sale to benefit children’s home scheduled for the same period and be listed on the
“Yard Sale Trail” map. A list of “Trail” participants will
Church to hold fish fry The United Methodist Children’s Home is holding be provided to shoppers who visit the pavilion and
a flea market and bake sale, Oct. 8 and 9, 9-4 p.m. church lawn on the day of the sale. For more infor-
Great Faith Ministries is holding a Community The Sandwich Shop will sell breakfast and lunch. mation, contact Susan Coletti at (404) 444-5607 or
Fish Fry on Saturday, Sept. 25, noon - 4 p.m. Whit- There will be a variety of baked desserts for sale. Stone Mountain City Hall at (770) 498-8984.
ing and tilapia plates with two sides, a roll and a drink
www.ChampionNewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 A Section • PAGE 13A
Auditor
Continued From Page 1A
Postal clerk Gerry French said that she always greets customers with a smile. Decatur resident Tobias Grat is assisted with an international shipment by lobby director
Photos by John Hewitt Kimberly Wise.
Decatur Post Bennett was an issue. Recently, Decatur resi- sales associate of clerks, October 4 - First Monday Lunch – Join
th
Office as well Our organiza- dent and native of Germany said she met with each clerk us as we welcome Dr. Bernie Mullin, PhD
– Principal, The Aspire Group, LLC. as our
as the postal centers at North tion is changing due to the Tobias Grat got help from one-on-one prior to imple- keynote for the October First Monday
DeKalb Mall, the Gallery economy and we have to Wise with a shipment of menting the changes and told Lunch. To attend, place your reservation
online at visit www.dekalbchamber.org or
at South DeKalb Mall, the change our business model books he was sending back them ‘This is what we have contact the Chamber at 404-378-8000.
carrier center on Memorial in order to improve service home to his native country. to do. Ask the questions and
Drive and the Wesley Cha- and grow our business,” she Grat said he didn’t want to say thank you.’” October 6th - Network DeKalb Leads
Group – Fourth Quarter . Take part in a
pel Road location, has made said. complicate the process and Apparently, the new ap- pure Networking Program. Lunch Served.
changes that put more em- Bennett and a crew of said he was happy to receive proach to service is a huge Location: Courtyard by Marriott. To
register, visit www.dekalbchamber.org.
phasis on customer service. seven supervisors set about the assistance while waiting hit. Walker said that she has COST: $10.00- Members (advance) /
From her desk Bennett training a total of 41 postal to pay the shipping cost for seen a definite reduction in $15.00 (door) /$20.00 Non-members.
can view a monitor that pro- clerks on how to better serve his packages. customer complaints.
vides a live feed of the clerk their customers. While helping Grat secure “Everybody loves it. It
counter and lobby area. She “Even though our organi- his packages, Wise explained works,” she said.
said she used to look up at zation is changing, our mis- what customs forms he French also said that
the monitor and see long sion remains the same and needed to complete and re- customers are much happier
that is to provide affordable
For more information on DeKalb Chamber related
lines of customers who did minded him of the additional now. “They notice the differ- events or to receive email updates, call 404-378-
not appear to be very happy and efficient service to our products and services offered ence and we even have cus- 8000 or visit www.dekalbchamber.org
A Section • Page 16A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010
Bernie Mullin
9. Creating new marketing
materials without reviewing
existing materials.
10. Re-branding or re-positioning Dr. Bernie Mullin is the cultural change producing University of Kansas. He
the company without involving first non-American to hold significant attendance and also earned a B.A. Business
key staff and customers. the position of President of revenue growth plus substan- Studies from Coventry Uni-
a US Major League profes- tive reduction of expenses versity in England, where he
sional team, and he ran two and thereby turning operating played football (soccer) semi-
Customer service facts of them at the same time, the losses into profits while in- professionally for Oxford City
• Typically 25% of current NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and the creasing asset value. FC. His best-selling textbook,
customers are dissatisfied. NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers plus Currently, Mullin is a prin- “Sport Marketing” is now in
• 75% of dissatisfied customers managed world-class Philips cipal of the Aspire Group, its 3rd Edition, published in
stop purchasing products Arena, the 4th most profitable a global management and 10 languages with almost
or using services without arena in North America. marketing consulting busi- 50,000 copies sold.
expressing their dissatisfaction. British-born, Mullin has ness that partners with its To attend the October First
over 30 years of experience clients in implementing “Next- Monday Lunch, register online
With the 2011 year fast in sports, entertainment and Practices” to produce winning at www.dekalbchamber.org or
approaching, there is no better higher education in senior brands and strong sales and contact the DeKalb Chamber
time than right now to develop executive roles producing service cultures, while maxi- directly at 404-378-8000. The
customer service plans and The DeKalb Chamber of outstanding results. In his mizing revenue enhancement event will be held at the Atlan-
incentives designed to show your Commerce welcomes Bernie career, Mullin has specialized and return on investment. ta Marriott Century Center –
clients how much they are valued. Mullin as its keynote speaker in start-ups and turnaround Dr. Mullin holds a Ph.D 2000 Century Boulevard, NE,
Get your staff’s input and keep for its October 4th First Mon- environments, where his – Business; an MBA; and a Atlanta, GA 30345 - Phone:
them involved in the process. day Lunch. management teams have led M.S. – Marketing from the 404-325-0000.
Save these important dates for Sept. and Oct.: Brought to you in partnership with
Sept. 23 – Business After-Hours – Holiday Inn Oct. 14 – Flu Shot Clinic
Select~Decatur Oct. 19 – Constant Contact Workshop
Oct. 4 – First Monday Lunch – Bernie Mullin Oct. 25 – 6th Annual Golf Tournament –
Oct. 6 – Network DeKalb Leads Group Smokerise
Oct. 14 – Transportation, Highway Safety and
Consumer Programs – Honorable Save the Date
David Strickland Nov. 1 – First Monday Lunch – Clifford Oxford
Classifieds
www.ChampionNewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 A Section • Page 17A
TheChampion
For Prices, Deadlines and Information
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Character driven
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010 • PAGE 18A
The Champion chooses a male MALE ATHLETE OF THE FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE
and female high school Athlete of WEEK WEEK
the Week each week throughout Diego Gayton, Cross Keys Devon Dabney, St. Pius (cross
the school year. The choices (football): The quarterback country): Dabney finished second
are based on performance and accounted for 412 yards of overall with a time of 21:08.57
nominations by coaches. Please offense in the Indians’ 54-18 win to help her team win the Altitude
e-mail nominations to robert@ over North Cobb Christian. He Running Invitational at St. Pius.
dekalbchamp.com by Monday at rushed for two touchdowns and She was the top finisher from a
noon. threw three touchdown passes. DeKalb school.
A Section • Page 20A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2010
Express Yourself!
We need to hear your voice to work toward a
healthier DeKalb County.