the DeKalb
33• FREE
Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
Not in My DeKalb
initiative kicks off
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Before the start
of Domestic Violence
Awareness Month, officials
with DeKalb County
launched a “Not in My
DeKalb” initiative to help
prevent domestic violence
in the community.  well as tactics for conflict
On Sept. 27, officials
with the DeKalb County
Solicitor-General’s Office,
DeKalb County Police
Department’s South
Precinct, Women’s Resource
Center to End Domestic
Violence and International
Women’s House partnered
for the Not in My DeKalb
kickoff event at The Gallery
at South DeKalb Mall in
Decatur.  Coleman-Stribling said.
“My goal here is to
ensure that people know
the resources we have here
in DeKalb County and to
address and bring attention
to domestic violence,” said
DeKalb County Solicitor
General Donna Coleman-
Stribling.  Precinct Major Danny
Coleman-Stribling
said the Not in My
DeKalb initiative includes
a domestic violence
prevention and mentorship
campaign, community
programs and provides
second-response personnel
to DeKalb County Police
Department’s South
Precinct. The victim
advocate will act as second-
response personnel for
misdemeanor domestic
violence cases. The victim
advocate will also speak
with victims after the arrest
of the abuser. They will
assist with information,
resources and allow for
early intervention in
Visit www.TheChampionNewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • VOL. 24, NO.
misdemeanor domestic
violence incidents. 
Not in My DeKalb
initiative will feature two
programs—Because We Are
Family and Sunday Night
Lights. Because We Are
Family will use workshops
focusing on improving DeKalb County Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling DeKalb County Police Major Danny Jordan addresses the crowd
families’ communication, as speaks at Not in My DeKalb initiative kick off event. during the Not in My DeKalb event.
resolution to help prevent
domestic violence. Sunday
Night Lights is a family-
style program to be held
on select Sundays and
features discussions focused
on conflict resolution led
by certified facilitators.
Participants will also share a
freshly prepared meal.
“We have a number
of events coming up,” DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s office kicked off Not in My DeKalb at The Gallery at South DeKalb Mall.
“We want to sit down and
talk about some of the
issues with our families and
some of the issues in our
schools and learn how to
build better relationships
with each other.”
DeKalb County South
Jordan said he hopes the
initiatives have a positive
impact on the community. 
“Domestic Violence is
one of the number one calls
we have in our community.
It’s unsafe for our officers
and obviously it’s unsafe for Several community organizations partnered with the DeKalb County Solicitor General’s office for the Not in My DeKalb event.
our victims,” Jordan said.
“Having the opportunity to
partner with the solicitor
general’s office and having
a victims advocate right
in our office is a win-win
for our officers and the
community.”
As of Sept. 30, there
have been nine domestic
violence murders in DeKalb
County this year, according
to DeKalb County Police
DeKalb County Police officers partnered with DeKalb County Solicitor General’s office to help prevent domestic violence in
See INITIATIVE on page 6 DeKalb County. Photos by Horace Holloman
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 2

DUNWOODY

Dunwoody No referrals
required

completes
year’s paving
with time to
spare Will, 68
backyard titles
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

Dunwoody has finished We know you’re more than just a number. That’s why
its 2019 road paving ahead
of schedule. Cigna Medicare Advantage treats you like a whole
“We finished our paving
ahead of schedule and under person — body & mind — so you can keep doing what
budget,” said Dunwoody
Mayor Denis Shortal. you love. Choose Cigna today to get one affordable
“We even had excess funds
available to pave additional plan for your medical, dental, vision and prescriptions.
streets. Taking care of the You’ll also enjoy:
city’s infrastructure is a top
priority.”
The city announced • $0 monthly premium
September 18 that it
completed 54 roads and • $0 primary care physician visits
more than 20 lane miles of
asphalt on August 28 with • $0 copay for many prescription drugs
work beginning earlier
this year. Minor cleanup • No referrals required
and utility adjustments
continued through • Fitness program
September. Since becoming
a city in 2009, Dunwoody • Dental allowance and go to the dentist
has paved a total of 178 lane
miles. of your choice
Earlier this year,
Dunwoody officials • Hearing and vision services
unanimously approved
a contract extension for
the work with Blount Get your free Medicare Advantage Guide.
Construction Company There’s no obligation. Visit GetCignaMedicare.com
for $3.2 million, which
included $427,000 in or call 1-855-308-2406 (TTY 711).
Georgia Department of
Transportation funds. The
contract extension was part
of a multi-year project from
2018 that was designed
to minimize the impact of
paving cost inflation.
“The most critical aspect
of this project was having All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna
a quality company doing Corporation. The Cigna name, logos, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc.
the paving,” Shortal said. Cigna complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
“Their workmanship was national origin, age, disability or sex. Cigna cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y
excellent.” no dicrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. English: ATTENTION: If
Most of the funding you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-888-284-0268
came from DeKalb (TTY 711). Spanish: ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia
County’s Special Purpose lingüística. Llame al 1-888-284-0268 (TTY 711). Chinese: 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲
Local Option Sales Tax 得語言援助服務。請致電 1-888-284-0268 (TTY 711). You must reside in the plan service area. Cigna is
(SPLOST). contracted with Medicare for PDP plans, HMO and PPO plans in select states, and with select State Medicaid
programs. Enrollment in Cigna depends on contract renewal. Free guide without the obligation to enroll. ©
2019 Cigna 935870 Y0036_20_78172_M
LOCAL
BROOKHAVEN
Groundbreaking held for public safety building
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Brookhaven city staff
and police officers will soon
have more room to breathe
now that construction of a
new public safety building
has begun after the city held
a groundbreaking Sept. 13.
“This is a significant
achievement for the city
of Brookhaven,” said
Brookhaven Mayor John
Ernst. “This will be the first
municipal court building that
Brookhaven constructed.
We’ve done parks, we’ve
done paving, we’ve done
sidewalks, but this is the first
full-scale building that we’ve
done.”
According to a July press
release, city staff currently
works in a rented building at
2665 Buford Highway that
has 54 parking spaces for an
85-person police department
and a municipal court.
“This new facility
marks a major milestone
in the city’s growth
and development,” said
Brookhaven Chief Judge
Laura Stevenson. “We’ve
come a long way in six
years… we just can’t wait to
get into our new building.”
“We’re just look forward
to getting this building
built,” said Brookhaven
Police Chief Gary Yandura.
“We’re running out of space.
Our officers are working out
of the best building that we
could find at the time, which
was a great asset at the time.
But we’re really looking
forward to this one.”
The current building
is 16,300 square feet;
the new building will be
33,000 square feet with 168
parking spaces, according
to Brookhaven City Council
member Joe Gebbia. The
building will feature a
geothermal heating and
cooling system, and high
efficiency glass windows.
“This is truly a state-
of-the-art environment that
we’re building,” said Gebbia.
“We’re so proud of this.”
Brookhaven owns the
property where the new
building will be located. The
property was acquired with
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 3
funds from a community
investment agreement with
Children’s Healthcare of
Atlanta, announced in
December 2017.
Brookhaven choose
Braselton-based firm BM&K
Construction & Engineering
to build the facility located
at 1793 Briarwood Road in
Brookhaven. Construction
is due to be completed by
summer 2021.
The construction contract
for the $15 million facility
is funded with SPLOST Brookhaven officials break ground for the city’s new public safety building. Photo by Taylor Robins.
proceeds, approved by
voters in November 2017. expenses related to moving Gebbia. construction process.
An additional $3 million is into the new facility. Brookhaven also Brookhaven city council
estimated for furnishings, After SPLOST I is approved a $400,000 approved the construction
fixtures, equipment, project complete, the building will contract with Lowe contract June 25.
management and other be paid off, according to Engineers to manage the
CITY OF BROOKHAVEN - CALL OF SPECIAL ELECTION
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
AND DISABLED PERSONS
PER HB 647 – ACT #167
HEREBY TAKE NOTICE OF THE CALL OF A SPECIAL ELECTION: THE CITY OF BROOKHAVEN
has requested the DeKalb Board of Elections to call a Special Election to be held at the time of the general
election of the City on November 5, 2019, for the purpose of placing before the qualified electors residing
within the limits of the City of Brookhaven, a referendum increasing the existing homestead exemption
for senior citizens and disabled persons to $160,000.00 through five annual increases. This Call for a
Special Election is made pursuant to the Georgia Constitution, Art. 7, Sec. 2, Paragraph II; Ga. L. 2012,
p.5527 as amended by House Bill 647, passed by the Georgia House of Representatives on March 26,
2019 and the Georgia Senate on April, 2, 2019; and Brookhaven Resolution 2019-05-02. House Bill 647
amended the Act incorporating the City of Brookhaven by revising subsection (b) of Section 5.09 of Ga. L.
2012, p. 5527 to read as follows:
“(b)(1) Each resident of the City of Brookhaven who is disabled or is a senior citizen is granted an exemp-
tion on that person’s homestead from City of Brookhaven ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the
following amounts for the following tax years:
(A) For tax year 2020 – $43,200.00 of the assessed value of that homestead;
(B) For tax year 2021 – $72,400.00 of the assessed value of that homestead;
(C) For tax year 2022 – $101,600.00 of the assessed value of that homestead;
(D) For tax year 2023 – $130,800.00 of the assessed value of that homestead; and
(E) For tax year 2024 and all subsequent tax years – $160,000.00 of the assessed value of that
homestead.
(b)(2) The exemption granted by this subsection shall only be granted if that person’s income, together
with the income of the spouse who also occupies and resides at such homestead, does not exceed
$15,000.00 for the immediately preceding year. The value of that property in excess of such exempt
amount shall remain subject to taxation.”
This amendment is conditioned on the approval of the majority of qualified electors residing within the
limits of the City of Brookhaven by referendum presented as part of the Special Election to be held on No-
vember 5, 2019. Georgia Constitution, Art. 7, Sec. 2, Paragraph II(a)(1). The ballot for the Special Elec-
tion on November 5, 2019 shall have written or printed thereon the words:
“Shall the Act to incorporate the City of Brookhaven be amended so as to increase the current
homestead exemption for senior citizens and disabled persons from $14,000.00 to $160,000.00
through five equal annual increases?”
“( ) YES
( ) NO”
All persons desiring to vote for approval of the amendment to the Act shall vote “Yes,” and all persons
desiring to vote for rejection of the amendment shall vote “No.” If more than one-half of the votes cast on
the referendum are for approval, the amendment shall become of full force and effect on January 1, 2020.
If the Act is not so approved or if the election is not conducted as provided in this section, the amendment
shall not become effective, and the amendment shall be automatically repealed on the first day of January,
2020.
The last day a person may register and be eligible to vote in the Municipal Election is Monday October 7,
2019 (Georgia Election Code 21-2-224(a)). The polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5,
2019 from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
OPINION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 4

Keep stinky bare feet to yourself

I recently returned home from
a relaxing week-long vacation in
Hawaii.
Despite the surprisingly hot and
humid weather, I had a great time
eating, drinking and enjoying the
sights, sounds and attractions Oahu
had to offer. However, this opinion
piece isn’t about my awesome vaca-
tion.
This is about a disgusting en-
counter I had on my flight to Hawaii.
No, I didn’t go into the plane’s rest-
room and see anything abhorrent, nor
did anyone vomit during the flight.
What happened was worse. While
on my connecting flight from Los
Angeles to Honolulu, I was enjoying
a comedy movie when an unpleasant
odor entered my nostrils.
I looked to my right where the
smell was coming from, (I was in a
middle seat), and saw that not only
had the lady sitting next to me taken
her shoes off, she also crossed her
leg and placed her bare foot on the
seat in front of her, inches away from
my knee.
kids could walk around an amuse-
ment park barefoot.
Did the child or the parent not
know that millions of people visit
that amusement park every year and
CARLA PARKER spread all types of nasty germs while
walking in the park? Were they not
carla@dekalbchamp.com
disgusted by the visible dirt that was
being collected on the bottom of
I was immediately appalled and their feet?
disgusted. It baffled me then and it baffles
Over the years, I have come to me now. I don’t understand how
accept a lot of things in life, such as people could walk in a public gym,
broccoli and brussels sprouts tast- bathrooms, showers or any other
ing good if cooked with the right public facility barefoot. I don’t con-
seasoning. I’ve also accepted that sider myself a germaphobe, but I am
the Atlanta Falcons may never win a conscious of the millions of germs
Super Bowl. and bacteria that float around public
But one thing I will never accept places. And, since I get sick easily,
or understand is how anyone—child I make sure to take simple steps to
or adult, but especially adults—can not expose myself to germs—such
walk in public places barefoot. as keeping my feet covered in public
Walking barefoot in public places and in my home.
is nasty and unsanitary. When I was According to medical profession-
younger and used to go to Six Flags als, walking barefoot exposes one’s
Over Georgia during the summer feet to bacteria and fungi. I don’t
breaks, I would question how other know if the lady sitting next to me on
the plane walks around public places
barefoot. However, as I mentioned
earlier, she placed her foot on the
seat in front of her.
Anyone who flies knows that
planes are a cesspool of germs.
Before I get comfortable in my seat,
I clean it with a Clorox wipe, as well
as the back of the seat in front of me.
The lady next to me didn’t take any
measures to sanitize her seating area,
so whatever bacteria living on that
seat transferred to her foot.
Her bacteria-covered foot
could’ve easily slipped off that chair
during a bout of turbulence and
landed on my knee. Thankfully, that
didn’t happen.
My advice is to keep stinky,
nasty, unsanitary feet to yourself in
public places. You may not care what
lives on the bottom of your feet or
how it smells, but that doesn’t mean
other people have to see, smell or be
near it.

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#ItsInTheChampion
OPINION
You would hardly know it, as
we are all engulfed in the swirl
of Impeachment Palooza out of
Washington, D.C., but we are just
over a month away from hundreds
of municipal elections occurring all
across Georgia.  bill.csicrane@gmail.com
Georgia’s more than 500 cities
elect mayors, council members,
school board members and other
local offices in odd numbered years,
with terms staggered so not all
offices are up in the same election
cycle.  Similarly, Bottoms is calling for
As school children, we
brought home mid-term progress
reports each quarter; the reports
graded progress and school
work as Satisfactory (S), Needs
Improvement (N) or Unsatisfactory
(U).  A “U” at our house made for a
very long night.  stripe is a tall order, and paired
I now use a similar grading
process to track and follow the
performance of our local elected
officials. DeKalb County contains
13 municipalities, including part
of the capital city of Atlanta, and
hundreds of elected officials; so this
sometimes requires a spread sheet.   and regular communication and
Atlanta’s mayor has domain
over a reasonably compact 134
square miles (metro Atlanta is
more than 2,150 square miles) and
a population of just over 500,000;
but Atlanta’s mayor is often viewed
as the face, and in some respects
"voice", of our region to the outside
world and nation. Today’s column is
a mid-term progress report card for
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
 When elected in November
of 2017, Bottoms initially focused
extensively on southwest Atlanta,
pushing MARTA to implement
new SPLOST-funded bus rapid
transit service to Cascade Road
southwest of downtown, and
making her largest number of
public appearances and speeches
in communities such as West
End, Collier Heights and Cascade
FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 5
Mid-term report cards
 The daughter of a famous building personal relationships with
‘One Man’s father, singer and songwriter, Major
Lance, the mayor also understands
state of Georgia leaders, just across
a downtown Atlanta block.
Opinion’ the outsize and symbolic roles Bottoms appears to understand
that a strong leader can play. Most that to be successful, in addition to
Bill Crane Baby Boomers likely recall John F. a very pleasant and approachable
Kennedy’s aspirational call to put demeanor, she may need to make
a man on the moon. Yet few may some big bets and approach
remember that actually occurred Atlanta’s more intractable
Heights, among Atlanta’s most
during the first administration challenges by daring greatly. So for
historic and prestigious African-
of President Richard Nixon, this mid-term report card, two years
American communities. Bottoms
Kennedy’s campaign rival from into a four-year term, I give the
election and campaign were also
back in 1960.   mayor a solid “S”...for satisfactory,
tied, correctly or incorrectly, to the
not super, and as trends also do
endorsement and strong support of
$1 billion in new affordable housing matter, I’d say at this point it’s
former mayor Kasim Reed (also a
units (during her first term), as well Bottoms up.
resident of southwest Atlanta). 
as tripling the number and miles
Atlanta’s minority-dominated
of “complete streets,” in Atlanta’s Bill Crane also serves as a
and largely Democratic political
urban core.  political analyst and commentator
machine, in place since the first
Direct funding of a billion for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
Maynard Jackson mayoral race in
dollars in new housing of any AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
1973, no longer exists. To receive a
FM, as well as a columnist for The
strong reelection and second term,
with an even more extensive Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
Bottoms will need support and need
rebuild of city streetscapes in a Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
to be judged as effective in Atlanta’s
municipality not known for speed native and business owner, living
north, east and south sides. West
or efficiency on either front would in Scottdale. You can reach him
Atlanta is currently undergoing a
seem next to impossible. Bottoms or comment on a column at bill.
renaissance of its own, and political
is also following the lead of her csicrane@gmail.com. 
support there has become much
predecessor in maintaining strong
more difficult to gauge as a result. 
Bottoms quickly made clear her
desire to reduce what she views as
systemic inequalities on a number
of fronts. She raced to erase the
practice of cash bail and bonding—
which she felt disproportionately
jailed poor Black citizens for the
most minor of offenses. 
The Atlanta City Jail itself is in
the process of closing, with Bottoms
again taking point, and the facility
will later be turned into some other
type of public use. Bottoms halted
the incarceration of immigration
detainees in the city jail, and ending
cooperation by the city with the
U.S. Marshall Service and the
Immigration and Naturalization
Service on these fronts. This
mayor also gave the Atlanta Police
Department officers and leadership
their first significant compensation
adjustment in well over a decade.
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
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Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
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DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110 assumptions penned as fact.
 LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
Informational posters for drivers and pedestrians were displayed throughout the
county for the Live Safe DeKalb initiative.
Pedestrian safety priority for local agencies
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
As the death toll for
pedestrian-related accidents
continues to rise, DeKalb
County officials held a
roundtable meeting to
discuss what can be done
locally to help prevent
further deaths.  From 2014-2018 there
On Sept. 26, DeKalb
County Police Department,
Georgia Pedestrians
Educating Drivers on
Safety (PEDS), DeKalb
County Board of Health
and community members
met at The Bridge at Austin
Community Center in
Decatur for a “Live Safe
DeKalb Pedestrian Safety”
roundtable meeting.  County were labeled as
Event organizers said it
is important to educate both
drivers and pedestrians on
how to be safe and share the
roadway.  Drive, Covington Highway,
“This is the first step of
many to ensure pedestrian
safety,” said Rosalind
Hill, health promotion and
prevention coordinator at
INITIATIVE Continued From Page 1
Department officials. According to the
solicitor general’s office, more than
4,000 misdemeanor cases prosecuted
by DeKalb County’s solicitor general’s
office have involved domestic
violence. Statewide, an average of 149
residents are killed each year due to
domestic violence.  will enhance the opportunity for
This initiative, especially the
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 6
LITHONIA
David Wilborn
Police officer
DeKalb County Police Department, Georgia Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety
(PEDS), DeKalb County Board of Health and community members met at The Bridge arrested on
at Austin Community Center in Decatur for a “Live Safe DeKalb Pedestrian Safety”
roundtable meeting. rape charges
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County Board of The Governor’s Office Officials with PEDS
Health. “The last couple of Highway Safety awarded said south DeKalb is more A Lithonia police officer
of years we have seen $30,000 to DeKalb’s Board affected by pedestrian is behind bars after being
an increase in pedestrian of Health to improve injuries and fatalities charged with rape and
deaths within DeKalb pedestrian safety and because funding for aggravated assault.
County and [we’re trying] motorist behavior. DeKalb pedestrian projects is DeKalb County Police
to find out what is going County Board of Health not distributed evenly spokesman Sgt. J.D.
on in DeKalb and look at officials said the Live throughout the county.  Spencer said on Sept. 26,
the areas that are being Safe DeKalb initiative Hayley Hamilton, Lithonia Police Department
affected.” focuses on education community engagement requested the assistance
efforts in communities manager for Georgia PEDS, of DeKalb County Police
were 2,467 pedestrian- with a high number of said she walks on a daily to investigate an alleged
related injuries and 125 pedestrian injuries and basis and has been hit by a assault involving Lithonia
pedestrian fatalities in fatalities by displaying car. Hamilton said educating police officer David
DeKalb County. Currently, driver and pedestrian pedestrians and drivers as Wilborn.
DeKalb County is ranked safety informational well as advocating for more “DeKalb Police Special
second in the state for posters around the county. pedestrian crossings could Victims Unit responded and
pedestrian injuries, Officials also advertised save lives. collected evidence along
according to the Georgia safety measures on the “Safe crossing areas with victim and witness
Governor’s Office of back of MARTA buses and are absolutely essential,” statements,” Spencer said.
Highway Safety.  created a 15-second safety Hamilton said. “It’s really According to the
Six areas in DeKalb commercial South DeKalb helpful to not blame the police report, the incident
movie theater. victim and to just try to occurred at Lithonia Park
the “most dangerous” Georgia’s PEDS understand the environment and Wilborn, 42, had no
based on the number of organization officials they are in. We’ve seen in prior relationship with the
pedestrian deaths and said they will launch a the past couple of years the 27-year-old woman.
injuries. They are Memorial pedestrian safety action pedestrian crossings that Wilborn was
plan in Brookhaven and blink and require drivers interviewed by detectives
Moreland Avenue, Buford Doraville as well as focus to stop have helped reduce and later arrested and
Highway, north Hairston on the Buford Highway, the number of pedestrian charged with rape,
Road/south Hairston Road Memorial Drive, Covington fatalities and injuries.” aggravated assault and
and Flat Shoals Parkway/ Highway and Wesley violation of oath of office.
Candler Road.  Chapel corridors.  Wilborn was booked
into DeKalb County Jail
Sept. 27 at 6:28 a.m. The
Champion contacted the
Lithonia Police Department
for comment but did not
receive a response.
additional personnel, will aid the team resources needed to find a way out of No additional
at South Precinct tremendously,” this deadly cycle. In many instances, information is available at
said Joseph Lumpkin, DeKalb domestic violence is an incubator this time.
County’s public safety director and of violent crimes. If we can directly
interim police chief. “Having a trained help and serve repeat victims, we will
professional assist in identifying positively impact our entire county.”
problematic behaviors and patterns Individuals wishing to learn more
about the Not in My DeKalb initiative
domestic violence victims to receive can visit www.notinmydekalb.com.
LOCAL
BROOKHAVEN
Retired basketball player Lisa Leslie gives children
basketball pointers. Photos by Taylor Robins.
Basketball stars attend court unveiling
WNBA and NBA basketball players, Atlanta Hawks officials and Brookhaven officials
cut the ribbon Lynwood Park’s new basketball courts.
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Brookhaven unveiled
improvements to Lynwood
Park’s basketball courts
and recreation center Sept.
26 with help from WNBA
champion Lisa Leslie and
Atlanta Hawks forward
De’Andre Hunter.
“The Atlanta Hawks
have already proven to be
an invaluable community
partner in the short
time since they located
their practice facility
in Brookhaven,” said
Brookhaven Mayor John
Ernst. “This investment in
our youth underscores the
continuing commitment of
the Hawks and State Farm to
enhance healthy recreational
opportunities in the city and
beyond.”
Ernst, Brookhaven City
Council member Linley
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 7
A child shoots a basketball at Lynwood Park Sept. 26. Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter signs young fans’ shirts.
Jones, Atlanta Hawks coach
Lloyd Pierce and Leslie
spoke during a ceremony.
“We are doing all of this
to preserve the legacy of the
Lynwood School and the
Lynwood recreation center,”
said Jones.
Lynwood Park’s
recreation center was a
segregated Lynwood School
50 years ago. Some former
students of the school were
present at the ceremony.
“To be a student athlete
is an amazing opportunity,”
said Leslie. “If you allow
your kids to play they are
more likely not to do drugs.
They are more likely to
graduate from college.
[Young female] athletes are
less likely to get pregnant.
They are more likely not
to smoke… I’m not saying
basketball is the answer but
to be able to play a sport
opened up some many
SEE BASKETBALL ON PAGE 10
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 8

COUNTYWIDE
Male chorus to
celebrate 50 years participated in special events
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER at nursing homes, schools,
churches, ground-breaking
When The United Male ceremonies, gospel festivals
Chorus of Ellenwood started and scholarship fundraisers.
50 years ago, the group was The United Male Chorus of
affiliated exclusively with Ellenwood has been a fixture
Poplar Springs Baptist Church for many years at the annual
but over the years grew to County Line Community
be a community group that Parade, not only performing,
includes members from nine but helping with planning and
churches representing several organization. The chorus has
denominations, according also done live recordings in
to Thomas White, a charter music studios.
member of the group. “Young men like to get
The United Male Chorus together and sing,” White
of Ellenwood will celebrate said, explaining why the
its 50th anniversary by group first formed. “But
returning to its original venue, that was 50 years ago so of

Dancing with DeKalb

Poplar Springs Baptist, on course we’re not young men
Oct. 6 with a concert the anymore.” He said over the
group describes as a reflection half century, members have
of its “journey of music come and gone and only
ministry.” three are original members.

Stars enters third year

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
Horace@dekalbchamp.com
On Oct. 26 at the Porter Sanford III
Performing Arts and Community Center,
a new crop of contestants will compete
in the third annual Dancing with the
DeKalb Stars hosted by DeKalb County’s
Solicitor-General’s Office.  funds to support two DeKalb-based non-
This year’s competition will
feature nine teams and include a dance
professional and a member of DeKalb
County’s legal, public safety, business and
civic communities.
Competitors for this year’s event
include Lions Lighthouse Board Member
Charlene Fang; Squash Blossom
Boutique owner Lisa Bobb; DeKalb
County Sheriff’s Office Major Jefferey
Leslie; DeKalb County Police Department
Assistant Chief Sonya Porter; DeKalb
County School Board member Diijon
DaCosta; DeKalb County Commissioner
Lorraine Cochran-Johnson; Clarkston
Mayor Ted Terry; DeKalb County Board
of Health Director Dr. Sandra Ford; and
founder of CD Moody Construction C.
David Moody.  beginning at 6 p.m. Mable’s Barbeque
“This year’s lineup is exciting,”
said DeKalb County Solicitor General
Donna Coleman-Stribling. “We’ve had
wonderful people in the past and we’re
always excited for this event. We’re happy
to partner with so many great people.”
Judges of this year’s dance
competition are 2018 champion and
executive director of Porter Sanford III
Performing Arts Center, David Manuel;
executive director of Leadership DeKalb,
Maria Balais; and Kaiser Permanente
of Georgia’s director of specialty care
operations and strategy, Paul Jacxsens.  south DeKalb County, but
Since its inception, Dancing with
the DeKalb Stars has been used as a
domestic violence awareness fundraiser
and resource expo. The event raises
profits—Women’s Resource Center to
End Domestic Violence and International
Women’s House. Since 2016, more than
$30,000 has been raised for Women’s
Resource Center to End Domestic
Violence and International Women’s
House.
“This year we’re certainly tying in
the message, which is ‘Ending domestic
violence in DeKalb County,’” Coleman-
Stribling said. “Every time I hear
someone mention the domestic violence
organizations who work in DeKalb, we
know the message is getting out there...
that’s where we start..understanding that
we have the resources here.”
Doors open for the resource expo
at 5 p.m., with the dance competition
and Smoked Meats will provide light
refreshments during the resource expo and
intermission of the dance competition.  are community leaders,
The star who raises the most money
will receive the Dancing with the
DeKalb Stars’ People’s Choice award.
Community members can donate to
DeKalb stars through their pledge page
at https://connect.clickandpledge.com/
organization/21065.
White, who continues
to be active with the group
although he no longer sings,
said The United Male Chorus been members for 28 years.
of Ellenwood has had an
impact on the community that
goes beyond staging concerts
and musicals not only in
throughout Georgia.
“We have really
transformed the community.
We have worked with local
politicians to get such things
as the new Ellenwood library the group, White said has not
branch, MARTA service
extended into the area, a
traffic light on River Road
and more than $1.5 million in my time with the chorus,” he
improvements to County Line explained.
Park,” White said.
“You hear so many
negative things said about
Black men,” he commented.
“You don’t see much in the
news about people like us
who are working hard to
improve their communities,
but we’re here. We don’t
sit around twiddling our
thumbs.”
Five members have
become ministers, and some
have pastored churches,
White said. “These men
mentors for their peers, and
lights that shine. They are
a group of talented men
working together to make a
difference.”
White said over
the years the group has
Another three, he said, have
been with the chorus more
than 30 years and two have
White said many
of his family members,
including brothers, cousins
and nephews, have been
part of the group over the
years, adding that his sister,
Alice Bussey, has worked
with the group on many
community projects. While
he is a founding member of
been with them the entire 50
years. “I lived in Los Angeles
for a while, so there’s a gap in
“Our oldest member
is 85,” White continued.
“We’re all older than 50,
but you wouldn’t know it.
We’re the busiest, most active
senior men you’ve ever met.
Nobody in the group is really
retired.”
He said the 50-year
celebration will likely peak
the group’s history. “We’ll
probably start cutting back
some after this, but we’re
not going away. This is not
just a celebration of what
we’ve achieved, but of what’s
ahead,” White said.
The 50th year celebration
will be Oct. 6 at 3 p.m.
at Poplar Springs Baptist
Church, 3796 River Road,
Ellenwood.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office officials gave Decatur Police Department’s

Junior Police Academy a tour of the DeKalb County Jail.

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary celebrated the opening of Education Elevation Children’s Academy on Sept. 21. Photo from Stonecrest
City’s Facebook page

Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary, center, attended a ribbon cutting of Education Elevation Children’s Academy on Sept. 21. Photo from
Stonecrest City’s Facebook page

Confiscated items from the DeKalb County Jail.

Chamblee Charter High School AP environmental science

Junior Police Academy students with the Decatur Police Department view class shares an message about their thoughts on the Dresden Elementary School students decorate classroom doors as a
confiscated items during a tour of the DeKalb County Jail. environment’s health. Photo provided by Shaheen Begum way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo provided by Jose M.
Twitter page. Osorio Twitter page.

Have you created programming you’d like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.

(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com

EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 10

COUNTYWIDE

Hines honored as Teacher of the Year

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Johnathon Hines of
DeKalb County School
District’s (DCSD) Barack
H Obama Magnet School
of Technology was recently
named 2019-2020 Georgia
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher of
the Year.
“I’m speechless,” said
Hines. “To be a male in
a pre-K program speaks
volumes, and I hope that this
platform allows me to show
other males how important
it is to give back to the
community, to show that a
male can be more than just
an athlete or entertainer. We
need that, as a community,
all across the state. Not as
a high school teacher, or
as a coach, but as someone
who can make an immediate
impact. A Pre-K teacher has
an important job.”
Hines was given
the honor by Georgia
Department of Education’s
Bright from the Start
Department of Early Care
and Learning (DECAL).
Along with the title, he
received a $3,000 personal
stipend, $2,500 for a
Johnathon Hines wins Georgia Teacher of the Year. Photo provided by DeKalb County School District Twitter.
classroom makeover and
$2,000 for his school.
DECAL selects one private
and one public school
teacher for the honor each
year.
“These awards are a
small way for us to say
thank you and to recognize
their efforts,” said DECAL
Commissioner Amy Jacobs.
“We congratulate Johnathon
and look forward to working
with [him] throughout this
school year.”
“I want to thank my
admins at the county and
state office. Without you
guys, I wouldn’t be standing
here today,” said Hines.
“You’ve pushed me in ways
I never thought I would
be pushed, and helped me
reach my highest potential
as Georgia Pre-K Teacher of
the Year,”
Hines will travel
across Georgia making
presentations, attending
meetings and conferences
and modeling effective
classroom practices
as Teacher of the Year
ambassador, according to
DECAL.
“We appreciate this
opportunity to recognize
the commitment of our
pre-K teachers who work
every day all over the state
to ensure that Georgia’s
children have a great pre-K
experience,” said DECAL
Deputy Commissioner
Susan Adams. “The
quality of the teacher in the
classroom determines the
quality of the classroom
instruction.”
DCSD officials
announced that Hines was
one of six finalists for the
honor in May, wining $500
for school supplies.
“Thank you, [Hines], for
going the extra mile and for
creating a standard to teach
and lead with excellence,”
said DCSD Superintendent
R. Stephen Green. “As you
know, education is not a
one-size-fits-all arena. Every
year brings a different group
of young students with
varying needs. And every
school needs a teacher like
Mr. Hines─one who inspires
students to love being at
school. This is what we want
for all of DeKalb County
School District students,
and what all teachers should
aspire to.”

DECATUR

Volunteer coach charged with 13-year-old’s molestation

BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
A volunteer assistant coach for
DeKalb County School District
(DCSD) was arrested Sept. 24 after
accusations of an inappropriate
relationship with a 13-year-old
student.
“The relationship allegedly
occurred last [school] year,” DCSD
officials said.
According to DCSD, Cedar
Grove Middle School staff was made
aware of a student who engaged in
an inappropriate relationship with
a volunteer assistant coach and
DCSD police investigated. From
the investigation, an individual was
arrested and charged with felony child
molestation and enticing a child for
indecent purposes.
“We cannot confirm any sort of
identity at this time,” DCSD officials
said.
Alexandra Makupson of Lithonia
was arrested Sept. 24 on the same
charges, with the offense dates for the
charges listed as March 1, 2019. Alexandra Makupson has been charged
The investigation is ongoing. with child molestation. Photo provided
by DeKalb County Jail.

BASKETBALL Continued From Page 7

opportunities for me… I look forward to hanging
out with some of these kids after the program
because I can still block shots.”
After the ribbon to the new courts was cut,
Leslie and Hunter took time to play and give
basketball pointers to younger children.
Atlanta Hawks Foundation is a nonprofit that
benefits children with an interest in basketball.
One way the foundation helps children is through
the renovation and construction of basketball
courts and recreation facilities. The park now
has two reconstructed basketball courts and
technology was added to the recreation center.
State Farm Insurance and UPS were also
sponsors for the improvements and ceremony.
During the July 23 Brookhaven city council
meeting, officials approved a site improvement
donation from the foundation valued at $165,000.
Improvements include renovations to
Lynwood Park’s existing basketball courts,
park’s building and upgraded furnishings and
technology.
The park is located at 3360 Osborne Road in
Brookhaven.
EDUCATION
Green considers preventive
methods after gun incidents
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
After several DeKalb
County School District
(DCSD) students brought
guns to school, DCSD
Superintendent R. Stephen
Green said he’d “circle
back” on proposing
preventive technology.
“That is a concern,”
said Green. “It’s a pattern
of things we’ve seen across
the district and across this
[metro Atlanta] school
region [and] is a great
concern.”
During the Sept. 12 On
the Scene with Dr. Green
event, a Redan High School
parent asked what the
district is doing to prevent
such incidents.
“In six weeks we’ve had
three lockdowns at three
different high schools in
DeKalb County,” the parent
said. “I’m afraid to send my
kids to school.”
Green said the district
now has additional
counselors.
“That’s part of our
investment, but I think more
needs to be done,” Green
said. “I’ve flirted with the
idea of metal detectors; it
didn’t go over well. I’m
about to circle back with
some kind of system.”
Green said that
technology of metal
detectors and other methods
of screening students
have improved since he
initially proposed the idea.
Green has said that he is
considering adopting a
clear backpack rule. While
adding that even with the
incidents, “We’ve been
lucky.”
Since the district event,
three more incidents in
THIS
COULD BE
YOUR
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Call 404.373.7779 Ext 110
for more information.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 11
EDUCATION BRIEFS by Taylor Robins • Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Belmont University draws
record students for fall
Haley-Robbins, an art major, spent
the summer working at BroadFutures in
Washington D.C. One of Haley-Robbins’
projects entailed finding the most suitable phone
Belmont University kicked off its fall 2019 applications for the nonprofit organization to
semester with a record-breaking enrollment utilize for its programs.
number as the university welcomed 8,481
students to campus, tripling the 2,796 students
enrolled in 2000 and marking a 57 percent Wilson makes summer
increase in the last decade alone. president’s list
Hannah Majchrzak of Tucker is among
the students included in the record-breaking Jarome Wilson of Stone Mountain was
enrollment. named to the summer 2019 president’s list at
Georgia Southwestern State University and was
among 400 students recognized for scholastic
University of Kentucky’s achievement.
freshman class fall 2019 To be eligible for the president’s list, a
Superintendent R. Stephen Green student must earn a semester GPA of 4.0 and
The University of Kentucky welcomed the take a minimum of 12 credit hours.
which DCSD students were largest incoming class in its history with 5,396
found with guns on school
property have occurred.
incoming freshmen who began their college Large number of freshmen
career in the fall 2019 semester.
DCSD officials Chassidy Brown of Stone Mountain and begin classes at Georgia
announced Sept. 27 that the Olivia Stephenson of Decatur are incoming Southwestern
district will conduct random freshmen in UK’s college of arts and sciences.
searches throughout the An estimated 400 incoming freshmen
school year on high school Haley-Robbins awarded began classes at Georgia Southwestern State
University (GSW) in GSW’s class of 2023,
campuses. The searches summer intern fellowship including Kyle Dillard and Anasha Taylor
are intended to serve as
of Lithonia; Jennifer Page and Jordan
a deterrent to those who Zuri Haley-Robbins of Decatur, a senior Whitening of Stone Mountain; and Dhruti
bring to scool weapons, at McDaniel College, was awarded a Summer Patel, Cameron Robinson and Juanecia
illegal substances, and other Intern Fellowship from McDaniel’s Center for Thompson of Decatur.
contraband as identified in Experience and Opportunity (CEO).
the student code of conduct.
CITY OF BROOKHAVEN CALL OF SPECIAL ELECTION
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION – PER HB 645 – ACT #165
HEREBY TAKE NOTICE OF THE CALL OF A SPECIAL ELECTION: THE CITY OF BROOKHAVEN has
requested the DeKalb Board of Elections to call a Special Election to be held at the time of the general
election of the City on November 5, 2019, for the purpose of placing before the qualified electors residing
within the limits of the City of Brookhaven, a referendum increasing the existing general homestead
exemption to $40,000.00 through five annual increases. This Call for a Special Election is made
pursuant to the Georgia Constitution, Art. 7, Sec. 2, Paragraph II; Ga. L. 2012, p.5527 as amended by
House Bill 645, passed by the Georgia House of Representatives on March 26, 2019 and the Georgia
Senate on April, 2, 2019; and Brookhaven Resolution 2019-05-02. House Bill 645 amended the Act
incorporating the City of Brookhaven by revising subsection (b) of Section 5.10 of Ga. L. 2012, p. 5527 to
read as follows:
“(b)(1) Each resident of the City of Brookhaven is granted an exemption on that person’s
homestead from City of Brookhaven ad valorem taxes for municipal purposes in the
following amounts for the following tax years:
(A) For tax year 2020 – $24,000.00 of the assessed value of that homestead;
(B) For tax year 2021 – $28,000.00 of the assessed value of that homestead;
(C) For tax year 2022 – $32,000.00 of the assessed value of that homestead;
(D) For tax year 2023 – $36,000.00 of the assessed value of that homestead; and
(E) For tax year 2024 and all subsequent tax years – $40,000.00 of the assessed value of that
homestead.
(b)(2) The value of that property in excess of such exempt amount shall remain subject to taxation.”
This amendment is conditioned on the approval of the majority of qualified electors residing within the
limits of the City of Brookhaven by referendum presented as part of the Special Election to be held on
November 5, 2019. Georgia Constitution, Art. 7, Sec. 2, Paragraph II(a)(1). The ballot for the Special
Election on November 5, 2019 shall have written or printed thereon the words:
“Shall the Act to incorporate the City of Brookhaven be amended so as to increase the current
general homestead exemption from $20,000.00 to $40,000.00 through five equal annual
increases?”
“( ) YES
( ) NO”
All persons desiring to vote for approval of the amendment to the Act shall vote “Yes,” and all persons
desiring to vote for rejection of the amendment shall vote “No.” If more than one-half of the votes cast on
the referendum are for approval, the amendment shall become of full force and effect on January 1, 2020.
If the Act is not so approved or if the election is not conducted as provided in this section, the amendment
shall not become effective, and the amendment shall be automatically repealed on the first day of January,
2020.
The last day a person may register and be eligible to vote in the Municipal Election is Monday October 7,
2019 (Georgia Election Code 21-2-224(a)). The polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5,
2019 from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
 AROUND DeKalb
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 12

COUNTYWIDE Oct. 5-6. The two-day festival

Run for breast cancer
DeKalb County officials, Susan handmade wares in a marketplace
G. Komen of Atlanta and Northlake
Mall will be holding the 2019
DeKalb Breast Cancer Awareness 5K from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. each
run/walk Oct. 19, 9-11 a.m.
The event will take place at
Northlake Mall─4800 Briarcliff
Road NE in Tucker.
To register visit www.
komenatlanta.org/dekalb5k.
PINE LAKE
City to host LakeFest
Pine Lake will hold LakeFest
will celebrate art, crafts and music
of all varieties. The festival will
bring together 50 artists, including
30 from DeKalb, to display their
on the shores of Pine Lake.
The event is free and will last
day and will be located at the Pine
Lake Beach and Park on Lakeshore
Drive.
STONE MOUNTAIN
City to host music event
E.G. Kight will perform Oct. 11
at Stone Mountain’s Tunes by
the Tracks event in the municipal
parking lot. Attendees can bring
their lawn chairs. The free two-hour
concert begins at 7 p.m. Beer, wine
and soft drinks will be available for
purchase. For more information,
visit www.stonemountaincity.org.
TUCKER
Civic association to host clean
up
Tucker Civic Association will
host its 11th annual clean up
event Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. until
noon. The event will be held at
two locations along South Fork
Peachtree Creek. Participants
must be 10 years old or older. For
more information, visit www.
tuckercivic.org.
City to host food festival
The 10th annual Taste of
Tucker will be held Oct. 5, from
1 until 6 p.m. on Tucker’s Main
Street. The festival will feature
samples from more than 25 local
restaurants, plus live music from
local bands, a free Kid’s Zone and
a craft/vendor market. Proceeds
from the event will benefit
local non-profit organizations
NETWorks Cooperative Ministry,
Camp Kudzu and Old Town
Tucker Merchants Association.
For more information, visit
www.tasteoftucker.com or www.
facebook.com/tasteoftucker.

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BUSINESS
East African flavors come to Pine Lake
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Like many DeKalb
residents who were born in
other countries, Berhane
Hagos shares the culture of
his homeland through his
business. A native of Eritrea,
a small country on the horn
of Africa, Hagos recently
opened a restaurant/bar in
Pine Lake that features the
foods he grew up with.
“I call it The Red Sea
Café to honor the most
prominent feature of the
country of my birth,”
Hagos explained. The menu
includes several dishes
familiar to Hagos from his
youth. “I’m not a cook. My
mother did the cooking at
home when I was growing
up. Here I have hired cooks
to prepare dishes the way
she did,” he said, adding
that he personally approves
each dish before it is added
to the menu.
The cuisine of Eritrea
is quite similar to that of
its neighbor to the south,
Ethiopia, according to
Hagos. Several of the
African dishes are served on
a plate-size piece of spongy
flat bread that traditionally
is used to scoop the stew-
like dishes; however,
Red Sea Café diners are
provided forks and knives
so that, if they prefer, they
can eat American style.
Among the foods served
this way are varieties of
tibs—diced meats cooked
with spices, onions,
tomatoes and jalapeño
peppers. Beef, chicken,
lamb and fish tibs are
available at Red Sea. Diners
may also sample African-
style lamb and chicken
stews and a dish Hagos
names among his personal
favorites, the veggie platter,
described on the menu as
lentils cooked with berbere,
split pea cooked with curry,
and salad.
Non-African dishes
include spaghetti Bolognese
and Jamaican specialties
such as ox tails, brown stew
chicken, curry chicken and
jerk chicken. Hagos said
he is able to source most of
the food locally, but spices
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 13
for some recipes must be
imported from Africa.
The main dining area
has vibrant red walls and
African artwork. The outer
dining area, which does not
have access to the bar, in
addition to African décor
has displays that allow
guests to see how food
and drink are consumed
in east Africa. “This is
how a family would dine,”
Hagos said, indicating seats
around large lidded baskets
in which food is served.
Another display features
an African coffee service
Berhane Hagos, left, and his wife, Freweini Tseggai, sit at restaurant display set up to
show visitors how family meals are served in Eritrea and Ethiopia.
area who enjoy African popularity will grow beyond
food will learn about his Pine Lake.”
restaurant. “It takes time Hagos, who has lived
for people to learn about in Georgia 36 years, owns
any new restaurant. It’s the other businesses in the
nature of the business,” he area, but said The Red Sea
commented. “I’m confident is special for him. “It’s an
that those who eat here opportunity to share my
will tell others how much original country with my
The Red Sea Café is located on Pine Lake’s busy thoroughfare, Rockbridge Road. they enjoyed it and our new country,” he said.
with pot and cups such as
would be used in Eritrea or
Ethiopia, an area known for CITY OF CLARKSTON
its coffee. NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION AND NEW POLLING SITE
Hagos said he is pleased
to have found a location Notice is hereby given that a General Election for the City of Clarkston will
on Rockbridge Road, Pine
be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 to elect three (3) Council Members to
Lake’s main thoroughfare.
“There is a lot of traffic
the Clarkston City Council. The term of office is four (4) years and the elected
through here,” he said. officials will be sworn in at the January 2020 meeting of the City Council.
“This building had been a
restaurant before so there Effective 7-23-2019, Clarkston will have two (2) Voting Precincts. DeKalb
was already a kitchen County will conduct this election at the following Precincts:
and I didn’t have to do as
much remodeling as would
Election Precinct Polling Place for Election
have been necessary in a CY Clarkston Community Center
place that had never been a
restaurant.” 3701 College Ave
The community from
city officials to residents CK Clarkston First Baptist Church
has been helpful and 4007 Church Street
welcoming, Hagos said,
noting that The Red Sea is Voting will take place in Clarkston, GA from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Any
a family business where his person who is a resident of the City of Clarkston and who is registered at
wife works along side him least thirty (30) days prior to this election with the DeKalb County Board of
as well as the children when Registrations and Elections as an elector within the City of Clarkston shall be
they are not in school. eligible to vote in this election.
Although Red Sea Application for absentee ballots may be made by mail or in person to the
Café has been open less Absentee Ballot Clerk, DeKalb County Elections Division, 4380 Memorial
than three months it’s Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032, 404-298-4020.
already popular with This notice is given pursuant to Chapter 21 of the Official Code of Georgia,
locals, said Hagos, adding as amended, pertaining to municipal elections, this 26th day of September,
that he hopes people all 2019.
over the metro Atlanta Tracy Ashby, City Clerk and Municipal Elections Superintendent.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 14

The Champion’s game of the week:

M.L. King vs Stephenson

by Carla Parker • carla@dekalbchamp.com
For the first time in seven seasons, the M.L. King Lions are 4-0
and seeking their first win against the Stephenson Jaguars since
2012.
The region 4-AAAAAA rivals will face off Oct. 4 at Hallford
Stadium at 7:30 p.m. This is the 14th meeting between the teams—a
series that Stephenson leads 9-4. The Jaguars (3-1) are hoping to
continue their winning streak against an improved Lions team.
Stephenson dominated M.L. King in the last six matchups,
outscoring M.L. King 166-44. The last close game came in 2013
when Stephenson won 10-6. Since then, the Jaguars have dominated
the Lions on both sides of the ball.
However, this year could be different as M.L. King is currently
better statistically than Stephenson. M.L. King is averaging 384.3
yards per game on offense, and the defense is allowing 159.7 yards
per game. Stephenson averages 288.5 yards on offense per game and
allows 171.5 on defense.
The biggest matchup in this game will be Stephenson running
back Deondre Jackson versus M.L. King’s defense. Jackson is
averaging 111.8 yards per game and has eight touchdowns. M.L. Coach Deante Lamar and his M.L. King Lions hopes to end its seven-year losing streak against Stephenson.
King is allowing 115.7 rushing yards per game. If the Lions plan
to end this losing streak, they will have to load the box against
Jackson and force quarterback Joseph Jackson (373 yards, three
touchdowns, five interceptions) to beat them with his arm.
Senior quarterback Jacobi Haynes is leading M.L. King’s
offense in passing and rushing. He has accumulated 1,126 yards
from scrimmage through four games—705 rushing and 421 passing
yards. He has seven passing and six rushing touchdowns on the
season.
Haynes had a single game-high of 194 passing yards and four
touchdowns on Sept. 27 against Mundy’s Mill. He also added
145 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown for a total of five
touchdowns in the game. Stephenson’s defense will have to find a
way to contain Haynes if they want to win this game.
The Jaguars must lean on its rushing defense, which has been
successful this season, allowing only an average of 57.3 yards. The
defense also has six interceptions on the season with Javier Morton
leading the team with two. If Stephenson’s front seven get enough
pressure on Haynes, Morton and the other defensive backs won’t be
afraid to attack the ball in the air.
The Stephenson Jaguars hopes to continue its winning streak against M.L. King. Photos by Carla Parker

CROSS COUNTRY

Chamblee wins first county

JV cross country title
by Mark Brock

The Chamblee Bulldogs surprised defending champions

Dunwoody and Lakeside by winning the 2019 DeKalb
County School District Boys Junior Varsity County
Championship Sept. 26 at Druid Hills Middle School.
Chamblee defeated Dunwoody 52-56 for the title.
Ten-time champion Lakeside finished third with 70 points.
Southwest DeKalb was fourth (102) followed by Druid
Hills (124), Martin Luther King Jr. (152), Clarkston (163),
Stone Mountain (228) and Redan (245).
Two freshmen and one sophomore led the way for
Chamblee with Top 10 finishes. Freshman Micah Neely
The Chamblee Bulldogs won the boys’ county JV cross country title. Photo by Mark Brock
SEE CHAMBLEE ON PAGE 15
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 15

FOOTBALL

Columbia, Lithonia forced to forfeit games

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Two DeKalb County
high school football teams
have been forced to forfeit
games already played this
season.
Georgia High School
Association (GHSA)
confirmed to The Champion
Sept. 25 that Columbia and
Lithonia high schools had to
forfeit games due to playing
players ruled ineligible.
GHSA Director of Media
Relations Steve Figueroa
said Lithonia played one
player who was ineligible
for being a migrant student,
while Columbia had
three players who were
ruled ineligible for undue
influence and migrant
status.
According to GHSA
by-law 1.63, a migrant
student is a student who
transfers into a GHSA
school without a “bona
fide move”—meaning the
student, along with their
parent or guardian—moved
to another school service
area. A migrant student may
practice or compete at the
sub-varsity level but may
not compete at the varsity
level for one calendar
year from the date of their
entry into the new school,
according to the by-law.
“In the event that, after
transfer, a student becomes
or is later determined to be
a migrant student, then the
student shall be ineligible to
compete at the varsity level
for a period of one calendar
year from that date,” the by-
law states. Lithonia (pictured) and Columbia football programs were forced to forfeit games due to playing players ruled ineligible. Photo by
Lithonia coach Marcus Carla Parker
Jelks said the ineligible
player was initially
deemed eligible but was
ruled ineligible due to an County School District’s and its 42-0 win over Redan to 0-4 on the season. The
allegation from the school athletic department, on Aug. 30—dropping its teams, which are in Region
he transferred from. He said Lithonia was forced to record to 1-3. 5-AAAAA, will play each
Lithonia will not appeal forfeit its first two games Columbia had to forfeit other Oct. 5 at Hallford
GHSA’s ruling. of the season—a 51-0 win its 73-0 win over Towers on Stadium.
According to DeKalb over Forest Park on Aug. 22 Aug. 30, bringing its record

CHAMBLEE Continued From Page 14

(13:01.90) placed fifth overall, sophomore
Michael Haag (13:05.30) was seventh and
freshman Alex Reyes (13:07.10) was ninth.
Dunwoody freshmen Jacob Pankey
(12:38.70) and Cameron Tutt (13:03.50) had the
Wildcats in contention by finishing second and
sixth, respectively.
Dunwoody sophomore Ryan Altera
(13:20.50) pulled the Wildcats into a tie with
a 13th place finish, but Chamblee sophomore
Griffin Sims (13:26.90) and eighth grader
Cooper Malone (13:26.90) clinched the match
as they came in behind each other in 15th and
16th just before Dunwoody freshmen Richard
Remigailo (13:28.20, 17th) and Jaxon Jester
(13:33.50, 18th) crossed the line to seal the win.
Clarkston eighth grader Abenezer Woellore
took the individual title with a time of 12:27.30,
winning by 11.4 seconds.
Lakeside had a pair of freshmen finish in the
top five as Jason Arendt (12:48.10) and Drew
McGraw (12:49.40) finished third and fourth,
respectively.
Southwest DeKalb freshman Derrick
Eskridge (13:06.90) finished eight to lead the
Panthers to their fourth-place finish overall.
Druid Hills sophomore Nick Dean (13:07.70)
rounded out the Top 10 in the boys’ race.
The Lakeside Lady Vikings made it a three-
peat in the girls’ JV championship by placing
six runners in the Top 10 to beat Dunwoody
Lady Wildcats 31-57. Chamblee (63 points) was
third followed by Druid Hills (95), Redan (152),
Martin Luther King (172) and Southwest DeKalb
(188).
Sophomore Lilian Hanson (14:44.70) led the
way for Lakeside crossing the line in third place,
with freshman Tristan Linscott (14:49.20)
following in fourth.
Four more Lakeside sophomores finished
in the Top 10 led by seventh-place finisher
Olivia Rotolo (15:16.80). She was followed by
Abriana Watson (15:16.90), Caitlin Chalker
(15:17.70) and Ellie Driskell (15:20.50).
Dunwoody eighth grader Claire Shelton
(13:15.40) won the individual title.
Chamblee had a pair of runners to finish in
the Top 10, including eighth grader Zoe Garcia
who finished second with a time of 13:33.20.
Chamblee eighth grader Elisha Mensah took
fifth overall in 14:52.90.
The final Top 10 finisher was Druid Hills
freshman Maya Neuhause (15:10.80) at sixth
place.

PLEASE RECYCLE
THIS PAPER
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019 • Page 16

CLARKSTON

Career summit helps hundreds of refugees

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
For some refugees, coming
to the United States isn’t the
hardest part of transitioning,
it’s finding stable employment.  workforce and employees
On Sept. 20 DeKalb
County Commissioner
Steve Bradshaw, Friends of
Refugees and Georgia State
University hosted the fourth
annual Refugee Career Summit
at Georgia State University’s
Clarkston campus.  able to find a job and research
The event featured career
workshops, a job fair and
networking opportunities for
lcal refugees.  do a great job of automating
“I am pleased to have
partnered with Friends
of Refugees, Georgia
State University, Africans
Immigrants Communities
Inc., Coalition of Refugee
Service Agencies, DeKalb
County Department of Human
Resources, Worksource
DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, Friends of Refugees and Georgia
State University hosted the fourth annual Refugee Career Summit at Georgia State
University’s Clarkston campus.
DeKalb and the many sponsors
who have mobilized their
services and resources to
bring forth this necessary
event for all DeKalb County
constituents,” said Bradshaw
in a statement.
Lauren Brockett,
Friends of Refugees director
of employment services, said
some refugees do not have
access to tools to help them
gain employment. Brockett
said the event helps bridge
the gap between employers
wanting to diversify their
looking for employment
opportunities.  said. “We’ve also been able to
“Some of these refugees
don’t have access to internet,
a computer or printer and
sometimes that can cause a
really big gap for them to be
other career options,” Brockett
said. “We realized over the
last 10 years that companies
their online process with
online applications and phone
screenings, which is great, but
it creates another barrier.”
Brockett said Friends of
Refugees, which each year
helps approximately 300
refugees find employment, is
thankful for the partnership
with DeKalb County. 
“Steve Bradshaw and
Georgia State Clarkston
campus has made this refugee
summit a bigger event. In
the spring of 2019 we had
30 companies and now we
have 50 companies,” Brockett
expand the job opportunities to
Georgia State students.”
Jadia Haynes, who
helped coordinate the event
with DeKalb County Human
Resources Department, said
the refugee summit took four
to five months to plan. 
“We had several meetings
and site visits just to make
sure this event was going to
be great. I’m excited about
the potential here. We have
great employers and potential
employees who are willing to
work,” Haynes said.