champion free press 12-31

8/8/2019 Champion Free Press 12-31

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2010 VOL. 13, NO. 40 FREE

FREEPRESS A PUBLICATION OF ACE III C OMMUNICATIONS

Clarkston mayor sparked improvements in short time

See Tygrett on Page 15A

by Robert [email protected]

Howard Tygretts contributionsas mayor of Clarkston may have apermanent place in the city.

Tygrett, 40, died on Christmasday while visiting his parents inTexas. He won a runoff in December

2009 to become mayor.I lost someone who, in the

short time Ive known him, was areal good friend, said vice mayorEmanuel Ransom. Hes going tobe missed.

Ransom pointed out three proj-ects that have revitalized the cityunder Tygretts direction. A new

Dollar General store has come to thecity, and Milam Park pool and Twin

Lakes are undergoing major renova-tions. Twin Lakes, on the outskirtsof Milam Park, is being dredged andwill be stocked with sh. A shingdock also will be added to the lake.

It has about 14 feet of silt in itnow, Ransom said. Its going to be

With Marshalls arrival in October, North DeKalb Mall owners are looking for revival of the mall. A new restaurant has signed a lease and negotiations are under way to bringn several more stores, including two anchors. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

Food courts at malls are usually terminals of activity as customers grab a bite to eat,meet up with each other, or take a break from their shopping. During lunch a few daysbefore Christmas, the food court at North DeKalb Mall was nearly empty and hungryhoppers only had three fast food choices: American Deli, Mr. Wok and Wendys.

Mall ofcials are trying to attract stores and service businesses in an attempt to rein-vent itself into a discount-oriented center. Eventually North DeKalb Mall would be liken intown Discover Mills, said Scott Tierman, a leasing agent with OLeary Partners.

Howard Tygrett with his wife Amy and two children.

New stores should jumpstart North DeKalb Mall

See Mall on Page 15A

by Andrew [email protected]

It has 45,500 square feet ofempty space and its food courtis practically non-existent, butNorth DeKalb Mall is looking

to stimulate its own economy.Scott Tierman, an agent with

leasing agent OLeary Partners, said

ofcials are attempting to developNorth DeKalb Mall into a discount-oriented center. It would be like anin-town Discover Mills, Tiermansaid. Mall owners are also seekingto bring in two new anchor stores.In fact, in April 2011, a new anchorstore is expected to open. Tiermancould not release the name of thestore because the lease had not yetbeen signed.

In October, Marshalls opened inthe mall. That really jumpstartedeverything, Tierman said. Current-ly, 93 percent of the 650,000-square-foot mall is occupied.

North DeKalb Mall is posi-tioned in or near North Druid Hills,Decatur, Avondale Estates andBuckhead; close to Emory Univer-

sity and Emory Hospital; and sur-rounded by a high number of upper-income professionals and youngfamilies. The average householdincome in the area is about $80,000and 63 percent of the residents in themarket area are college-educated,according to the malls Web site.

Tierman said mall ofcials arenegotiating with a few tenants for

the food court. And a new, sit-downbuffet restaurant, Home Style Kitch-en, has signed a lease in the mall.

As we increase the trafc, wehave a pretty favorable outlook,Tierman said.

In addition, North DeKalb Mallowners are negotiating with severalnational retail tenants, some serviceuses such as a dentist, and they arelooking to rent some spaces as of-ces.

They would benet from theexposure, Tierman said.

That positive prognosis for themall comes too late for some store

owners such as Reginald Walker,who recently closed the doors of hisbusiness in the mall. When Walkerrst took his Athletes Foot fran-


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THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2010 PAGE 2ANEWS

Dunwoody Policeuses social media

to fight crime

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T I F . : :

See Dunwoody on Page 7A

y Andrew [email protected]

This month when avehicle crash blocked traf-c on I-285 at Ashford-Dunwoody Road, a tweetwent out. When a new of-cer was sworn in during

Dunwoody City Councilmeeting, a tweet went out.And when Dunwoody policebtained an arrest warrantor a suspect who allegedlyorged a drug prescriptionor oxycodone, another

weet went out.When the 20-month-oldDunwoody Police Depart-ment began, most of thefcers were not from the

Atlanta area.Being a brand-new po-

ice department, we didntknow the community, saidpolice chiefBilly Grogan.

We wanted a way to reachout and communicate withthe community. Thats whythe idea to use social mediawas born.

The Dunwoody PoliceDepartment is currentlybeing featured on the Website of the International As-sociation of Chiefs of Police(IACP) for its use of socialmedia, including Twitter,Facebook and Youtube.Earlier this year, Grogan

was part of a focus group inChicago charged with devel-oping ideas for IACPs Webpage on social media.

Grogan, who himselfdoes all the tweeting andposting to Facebook andYoutube, said he tries togive the public various kindsof information through themedia, including trafc

updates, events sponsoredby the department, person-nel changes and, of course,information about suspectssought by the police depart-ment.

For example, a recent

post on Twitter announcedthat the police departmenthas an outstanding warranton Levi Stigall for forging aprescription and includes alink to a wanted poster witha mug shot of the suspect.

A video upload to You-tube shows the theft oftwo cell phones from thedisplay case of the AppleStore in Perimeter Mall. Thestore security video cameracaptured the unidentied


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www.championnewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2010 A Section Page 3A

County could stash cash from trash gas

House delegation leader plans public hearing as lawmakersbegin to stake out their positions for upcoming session

See Landll on Page 13A

by Nigel Roberts

With the 2011 legisla-ive session just weeks

away, Rep.HowardMosby (D Atlanta),who headsthe DeKalbHouse del-egation, saidlegislativediscussionsabout a pro-

posed referendum that couldeduce the countys school

board size is one of the del-egations top agenda items.

We plan

to hold pub-lic hearingsby mid-Jan-uary to getinput fromDeKalb resi-dents on thisand otherissues, hesaid.

Rep. Mary MargaretOliver (D Decatur) pre-led a bill (HB 22) on Nov.5 that asks DeKalb voters

whether they want to reducehe number of school board

members to ve or seven, oremain at its current size of

nine. Oliver said the purposeof her bill is to create a moreeffective school board thatcould maintain the school

systems ac-creditation.

Beforethe bill ap-pears as aballot mea-sure in theNovember2011 gen-eral election,the General

Assembly must pass theproposed legislation, andthe governor must sign it.Ifvoters decide to change to a

ve- or sev-

en-memberschool board,lawmakerswould re-draw schooldistrict linesin time forthe Novem-ber 2012election.

Mosby also expects toengage in serious debatesduring the session overreapportionment of legisla-tive districts and ndingsolutions to the metro areastransportation challenges.He also expects an ideologi-

cal struggle over the statesbudget. With unemploy-ment high and state revenueincome low, the battle linesare already being drawnover budget cuts.

Gov.-elect Nathan Dealhas announced plans toshrink the states govern-ment by further laying-offand furloughing public em-ployees. Tax revenue short-falls make it impossible topay their salaries, he said.

In a sign of how thisdebate will unfold in theweeks to come, Mosby said,We should not try to x theeconomy by putting peopleout of work. Rather than

contributing to the economy,this group of newly unem-ployed workers will have todepend on public services,he added. Instead, we needto look at nding other rev-enue sources.

Deals legislative agendaalso includes additional cutsto public educationthelargest piece of the budget-ary pie. The incoming gov-ernor said education cuts areone of the tough choices thatcannot be avoided.

Rep. Rahn Mayo (D Decatur), a member ofthe House Education Com-

mittee, said Deals plan ismisguided. He stated:For the past several years,public schools have beenthepunching bag for stateRepublicans who have sup-ported severe cuts and un-derfunding of education.

He calls on lawmakersto invest in education rather

than doling out corporatetax breaks. The governor-elect should not promotetax breaks to big businesswhen educators are beingfurloughed and familieswith college students arenancially overburdened,Mayo said.

Mosby

Oliver

Deal

Mayo

by Andrew [email protected]

Back in April, DeKalbCounty accepted a $7.83million award from the U.S.Department of Energy to putoward the conversion ofaw landll gas to renewable

natural gas.Once completed, thisproject could save thecounty millions in fuel costsfor its eet. In 2008, whenhere was a spike in fuel

costs nationwide, the coun-ys sanitation departmentpent $4.5 million to fuel its

eet.We hope to cut that in

half in time, said BillyMalone, the assistant direc-

tor for DeKalbs sanitationdepartment. And if we hadanother spike, it wouldntaffect us.

Compressed natural gas(CNG), a type of renewablenatural gas used in engines,is 10 times quieter and itsemissions are 90 percent

better, Malone said. Use ofthe fuel also decreases thedependence on foreign oiland places it on a productmade in DeKalb County.

The project could alsobring in $1.8 million annu-ally through the sale of sur-plus gas, using current fuelrates.

Now eight months af-ter receiving the award,the county has not spent a

penny on the project, and itis running out of time to getthe stimulus money. Countyofcials want the projectto be ready to go by Dec.31, 2011, but bidders onthe contract say it will takeabout 12-13 months to makethat happen.

About $4.1 million inof the American RecoveryReinvestment Act stimulusaward will be added to $6.6million in matching countyfunds for the project. Buttheres a catch: the countyhas to fund the $10.7 mil-lion project on its own andget the $4.1 million federalmoney as a reimbursement.The deadline to turn in thepaperwork to get the reim-

Donate a new or gently used coat to help keep children served by DeKalb DFACS warm. Dropcoats at The Champion office before Jan. 17. For more information call 404-373-7779

Please support The Champion Coat Drive...


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FAX To: (404) 370-3903 Phone: (404) 373-7779Deadline for news releases and advertising: Thursday, one week prior to publication date.

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FREEPRESS

Guns are a guys best friendIn Arizona, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, you may once again carry a

loaded pistol into a bar, just like in the frontier days

Many fantasies plague theve-member majority of our out-of-control Supreme Court. One ishat law enforcement in most of the

United States has pretty well col-

apsed.Such a nightmare plainly callsfor armed citizens to be unleashedo defend themselves and the re-

public. And that idea requires, inurn, the virtually unlimited owner-hip of and right to carry personal

rearms. Federal, state and localaws to the contrary have now beenuled unconstitutional.

No doubt youll be startled tohear that the manufacturers andmarketers of such rearms agreewith the judges, as do plenty oflawmakers whose campaigns arenurtured by contributions from thegun lobby. Sen. JohnMcCain (R-AZ) is their point man in Congress,but there are plenty more.

However, dissident voices haveemerged from our nations mayors.Theyre the ones who have to dealwith gang wars and raise taxes topay for increased law enforcement.Governors are often stuck, too.

They have to impose taxes to runthe prisons.In Mexico, drug thugs shoot

everyone with American weapons.The cartels smuggle down productsobtained from our gun shows andfrom our shady dealers. Mean-while, the Mexican police andarmy get their arms directly fromour government.

Up here, gun lovers are get-ting more brazen all the time. Youcan now pack heat aboard Amtraktrains.

And in Arizona, Georgia, Vir-ginia and Tennessee, you may onceagain carry a loaded pistol into abar, just like in the frontier days.Now thats a piece of progressivesocial policy. You just never knowwhen some drunk is going to insultyou, and he or she may be armed.One cant be too prepared. Gunpolicy is one of the greatest causesof tension at normally placid Na-

tional Governors Association meet-ings.Surprise, surprise, the Violence

Policy Center found that stateswith low gun ownership rates alsohave lower rates of gun deaths.Who would have guessed? Perhapsthey should tell the Supreme Court.

Theres obviously no point tell-ing the gun lobby. They dont care.

They are fueled by greed on theone hand and machismo on the oth-er. There would be no gun violenceif everyone simply handled theirweapon responsibly, they say.

Well, let them start teachinggun safety in Louisiana. In theBayou state, 45 percent of house-holds own weapons, and folks getkilled by them at the rate of 20 per100,000 each year. The nationalaverage is 10 per 100,000. Herein my dear wimpy Connecticut,only four in 100,000 die every yearfrom gun violence. Is there a lesson

here? You betcha.But our trigger-happy nationand its highest court havent g-ured it out yet.

OtherWords columnist WilliamA. Collins is a former state repre-sentative and a former mayor ofNorwalk, Conn.

Guest Opinions

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2010 PAGE 4AOPINION


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Is MARTA still smarta?William C. Crane, 1974-1992 One Mans Opinion C. William Bill Crane, 2009 - ?

Hunger increases in Americaby Judge Greg Mathis

Reports that corporationsthat received federal bailoutdollars are doing better, evenmaking a prot, givesmany economists areason to smile. Unfor-

tunately, that corporatecheer isnt tricklingdown to the averageAmerican, many ofwhom still struggle tomake ends meet. Thisisnt about paying bills.Rather, many Ameri-cans arent getting theirmost basic need met: the needfor food.

Data released by The U.S.Conference of Mayors showsthat the nations food banks sawa 24 percent increase in visits.And nearly 43 million Ameri-

cans a record were usingfood stamps this past fall. Thereality of our economy andthe effect it has had our citizens

is sobering. Fifty six percentof those seeking help gettingfood were families, while 19percent were seniors. Beforeyou think that only the poorest

of the poor are strug-gling with hunger,consider this: 30 per-

cent of those in needof help are employed.

We hear electedofcials talk more andmore about reducingour nations debt. Un-fortunately, many wantto reduce it by hurtingthe poor. They be-

lieve that cutting aid to heavilyfunded government programs Social Security, Medicaidand Medicare, three programsthat support the poor, amongthem is the only way to bringdown the nations debt. While

this approach may seem logical,its not the correct one. And thenews from the Conference ofMayors conrms that.

With unemployment hold-ing at nearly 10 percent, moreAmericans are slipping intopoverty. Now, more than ever,the poor need the government tosupport, not reduce, the servicesavailable. The safety net that issupposed to cradle the needy

during difcult times must notonly be preserved, it must beextended.

As we enter a new year,its time that America gets itspriorities in check. Of course,we must continue to strengthenthose industries that drive oureconomy. But, more impor-tantly, we must also hold upthose individuals and familiesthat make up the fabric of ournation.

Judge Greg Mathis currentlyprovides legal advice to over 3

million listeners on the SteveHarvey Morning Show and alsoon his website, www.askjudge-mathis.com.

Mathis

Nothing astonishes men so muchas common sense and plain dealing,Ralph WaldoEmerson Essays:First Series, 1841

I am a long time supporter of massransit. We regularly take MARTAo the airport, the Georgia Dome andPhilips Arena. When I have the time, Iry to plan leisure travel involving pas-senger rail on Amtrak.

Rail travel, light, heavy, as well as

cross country, is smart, enjoyable andbetter for our environment. So whydoes so much about MARTA no lon-ger seem smarta?

The escalators?When they are running they often

appear rickety and well overdue formaintenance. The few elevators arelthy, and often reek of urine.

The bathrooms?Bathrooms are now ofcially

closed at most stations due to budgetcuts, including those where waits for arain outside of rush hour can extend to

more than 30 minutes.Yes, bathrooms require labor to

maintain and clean, but they are anecessity when you have crowds ofpeople.

The MARTA Police?

I almost never see security onMARTA trains or buses, but I often seemore MARTA Police cars driving upand down DeKalb Avenue and Pied-mont Road than I do DeKalb Policeor APD. If the purpose of MARTAPolice is to provide security on trains,buses and along the system, why aremost of their force in squad cars andnot on the system? If these ofcers arenot able to enforce local ordinances,why are they usually in a squad eetat all?

The Breeze cards are nota breezeThe Breeze fare system is at best

confusing, and at worst a rip-off. Cash

is no longer accepted, and you mustpay a premium to purchase these cards.Signage in the stations explaining thesystem is non-existent. Occasionalsuburban riders nd themselves lostin long lines, and can spend 30 min-utes, simply guring out how to buy afare. If youre still carrying around oldMARTA tokens, you areout of luck.

When in D.C., I live travelingthe Metro, whenever I y in or outof Chicago, Im a regular on the L.Portlands light rail and downtown railloop is a marvel to be seen. In SanDiego, Cal Train and Amtrak tie inseamlessly, between major cities and

on south to Tijuana. If you ever have33 hours to kill, I strongly recommend

the Pacic Coast Starlight from Oak-land to Seattleall along the Paciccoastline.

Other cities get this right. So whydoes our mass transit system make so

very little common sense? Even New-ark, N.J., has an airport SkyTrain andtrain system tying in to New JerseyPATH Trains, New Yorks subway,Amtrak and the MetroRail. Instead,in Atlanta we open up a bizarre trolleyline, running east/west from the KingCenter to Centennial Olympic Park,paralleling the existing MARTA east/west rail line between stations with atridership.

Why isnt MARTA telling andselling the story of the Beltline? Whyisnt MARTA re-visiting its laborcontracts, or reducing its administra-tive overhead, instead of slashing busservice, and stripping weekend train

schedules down to bare bones?Why isnt MARTA maximizing

revenue from in-station vendors, orallowing the development of small res-taurants, and fee-paid but clean publicrestrooms? Why isnt MARTA betternegotiating for any stream of revenuefrom the passengers it absorbs fromexpress bus lines out of Cobb, Gwin-nett and other counties?

I rode MARTAs East/West linefrom the Decatur station on the rstweek that it opened. Its been a longtime (around the Centennial OlympicGames), since our trains looked orsmelled that clean. MARTAs nances

are in a downward spiral, increasingfares, decreasing ridership. Decreased

maintenance expense, and deteriorat-ing stations and rail stock scare offpassengers. The New York Subwayand Chicagos CTA have been theretoografti covered trains, and crime

infested stations, and worse.But they fought back; they brokeout the bleach, and blasted away thegrafti. They were not ready to ac-cept mediocrity and urine stench asthe smell of success. And riders fol-lowed these turnarounds.

I spent ve years working for theMetro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce,and regularly plugging MARTAs con-venience and virtues, particularly rid-ing from baggage claim at Hartseld todowntown, Midtown and Buckhead.Id like to dust off those braggingpoints and start riding more frequentlyagain. However with a 3-year-old, of-ten a stroller, and a baby still in need of

an occasional changing room, I ndMARTA is now an impractical, oftenunclean choice and in some respectsfeels unsafe. Ridership will continueto decline until operational basics havebeen restored. MARTA needs to usesome common sense, and break outsome Pine Solor else continue cir-cling the drain.

Bill Crane is a DeKalb Countynative and business owner, living inScottdale, Georgia. He also serves aschief political analyst and commenta-tor for 11Alive News and WSB Radio,News/Talk 750. Contact Bill Crane at

[email protected].



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A Section Page 6A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2010

Why can't our politicians get

into the holiday spirit?

by Donald KaulColumnist

Surely life's unfairness doesn't have to be rubbed

in kids' faces at Christmas

Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper

The following comments are pulled straight from our Web site andare not edited for content or grammar.

Family marks 10-year anniversary of DerwinBrowns death

Derwin was my commander in the DeKalb Po-

lice Narcotics Unit. His innovative thinking and hisopenness to thinking outside the box helped bringthe Unit to the highest level of efficiency and pro-ductivity. DeKalb County lost a fantastic leader andhe is greatly missed. Rest in peace my friend.

David F. Blake posted this on 12/27/10 at 10:21a.m.

I have been forever touched by the tradegybefalling the Brown Family. It is my deepest desireto support the Browns by donating my talents inproviding inspirational entertainment for the upcom-

ing Derwin Brown day. Please contact me throughmy website so we may discuss further details of theevent.

Anna Sullivant posted this on 12/27/10 at 9 p.m.

DeKalb County commission seat a step up forformer state legislator

Well, here we go again--another incoming fresh-

man commissioner who says hes out to helpDeKalb citizens. Watson made such a foolhardystatement by saying anytime you tax people like

we did with the water rates...it is a stimulus pack-age... Taxing citizens to death is never a solutionto any economic problem. It only provides a largerpool of financial resources for city leaders to mis-use, abuse and overspend on frivolous and un-necessary expenditures. A true leader would seekways to trim and eliminate budget waste, freezeand reduce employee wages, raises and benefitsand reduce citizen taxes because so many arestruggling and barely making ends meet in thesedifficult economic times. When an additional taxburden is added to the shoulders of citizens alreadyat survivals end, it causes some of them to have togo without food, medicine or healthcare and someeven end up homeless.

JW posted this on 12/24/10 at 4:06 a.m.

I was born on Christ-mas Day as an only child,and destined to remainone.

My parents, grandpar-ents, aunts and uncles,having no other outlet,nundated me with pres-

ents every Christmastoycars to ride in, red wag-ons, pearl-handled cappistols, games that usedbatteriesan embarrass-

ment of riches.We lived in a working-

class neighborhood, onen which recently departed

husbands and fathers wereoutinely eulogized withhe phrase: "He was al-

ways a good provider."Other kids, my friends,

would get two or threepresents for Christmasone of which would be

a flannel shirt or some-hing), some would get

none, and I'd get this toytore.

Even as a child, thattruck me as unfair. Yes,know, life is unfair. But

hat doesn't make it right.And surely this unfair-ness does not have to beubbed in the faces of kids

at Christmas.But it is.The Republicans spent

most of the holiday sea-on holding up an exten-ion of unemployment

benefits to desperatefamilies in order to sparehe well-to-do a modestax increase. Bizarrely,

nearly half of the Ameri-can people sided with Re-publicans on the issue.

I must admit that evenn a year of disappointing

political surprises that onewas a shocker.

It reminded me ofDavy.

He was a patientin-mate, if you willat achildren's psychiatric hos-pital I worked at while in

college.Far from being a snake

pit, it was a fairly cheerfulplace, filled with boister-ous, rowdy kids who,despite their various prob-lems, did not seem to dif-

fer markedly from normalchildren.

Most of them were en-tirely likeablesome ador-ablebut Davy was at theother end of the spectrum.

He was convinced no-body loved him and, as ithappened, he was right.There was nothing inparticular to dislike abouthim; it was just that therewas nothing to like, either.

I said the hospital wasa cheerful place. Mostof the time it was. Then

there was Christmas.The children were senthome for the holidays, allexcept those whose par-ents wouldn't have themor couldn't be trusted witheven brief custody.

The hospital staffwould spend ChristmasEve trying to lend falsecheer to a joyless occa-sion for the few childrenleft behind. It wasn't ashift one volunteered for.

Davy's parents, as Iremember, had beatenhim like a gong from the

time he was an infant anddidn't want him home forthe holidays anyway, sohe was one of the threeor four kids there to greetme as I walked into thelocked ward on ChristmasEve.

He seemed happyenough. He entered intothe games and songs ofthe evening with greatenthusiasm. At bedtime,

I was assigned the task ofreading him his bedtimestory.

Let me digress. Thiswas an excellent, well-funded hospital, butsomehow it never gotaround to providing prop-er stockings for the kids.The standard-issue sockswere huge, long thingswith "Property of Univer-sity Hospitals" stenciled

on the side.When I walked into

Davy's room he wascrouched in a cornerworking on something. AsI moved closer I could seeit was a cardboard box,painted red with blacklines drawn crudely acrossit. A fireplace.

Davy had been fasten-ing one of the long, whitehospital stockings on it asI came in. "I made it my-self," he said brightly.

Then he jumped into

bed and waited for hisstory, confident Santawould slide down thatcardboard chimney andfill his stocking with toysand candy.

And, miraculously,Santa did.

I don't know exactlywhy that story occurs tome now, but I suppose ithas something to do withthe fact it can be seen asa metaphor of the times.The lucky few celebratetheir gift-laden Christ-mases in the cocoon of

their families, while oth-ers have to rely on thewarmth afforded by acardboard fireplace to getthrough the day.

It's not fair.

OtherWords columnistDonald Kaul lives in AnnArbor, Michigan. www.otherwords.org


7/24


Rashan Ali Champion of the Week

If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a future Champion of the

Week, please contactKathy Mitchellat [email protected] or at 404-373-

7779, ext. 104.

DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATIONNotice of Approved Local Option Sales Tax Projects

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 48-8-122 and the Transparency in Government Act, the DeKalb County Board of Education is publishing itsapproved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax schedule.

DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATIONSCHEDULE OF APPROVED LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX PROJECTS

YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2010

AMOUNT AMOUNTORIGINAL CURRENT EXPENDED EXPENDED

ESTIMATED ESTIMATED IN CURRENT IN PRIOR PROJECTPROJECT COST (1) COSTS (2) YEAR (3) YEAR (3) STATUS

Property acquisition, construction and equipping a minimum of eight (8) newschools and two (2) new centers; renovations, modifications, additions and

equipment for existing schools; acquisition and installation of informationsystems hardware and infrastructure at all schools and selected other facilities;purchase of both new school buses and school buses currently under lease. $ 524,404,330.00 $ 523,503,779.14 $ 8,297,484.59 $ 496,068,666.32 Ongoing

Property acquisition, renovations and expansion, construction and equipping,roofing, site improvements of new and existing schools; acquisition of buses,technology -media center upgrades, HVAC systems, roofing, schoolimprovement projects throughout the district, technology additions, renovationsand upgrades, transportation improvements and site acquisitions; payingcapitalized interest on General Obligation Bonds. 609,460,500.00 578,073,741.51 137,633,780.61 127,335,503.72 Ongoing

$ 1,133,864,830.00 1,101,577,520.65 145,931,265.20 623,404,170.04

(1) The School District's original cost estimate as specified in the resolution calling for the imposition of the LocalOption

Sales Tax.

(2) The School District's current estimate of total cost for the project. Includes all cost from project inception to completion.

(3) The voters of Dekalb County approved the imposition of a 1% sales tax to fund the above projects and retire associateddebt. Amounts expended for these projects may include sales tax proceeds, state, local propertytaxes and/or other funds over the life of the projects.

Ad Control # SP2010

DeKalb CountysRashan Ali, a radiopersonality at Atlan-tas V-103 radio sta-tion, actively and suc-

cessfully combinesworking, parentingand volunteering on adaily basis.

In 2006, Ali found-ed Sporty Girls Inc.

in Atlanta to provideyoung minority girlsthe opportunity toparticipate in non-

traditional sports.Sporty Girls goal is toexpose young womento sports such as golf,soccer, swimming andtennis while buildinggood character aswell as lifestyle skills.

A life-long competi-tive swimmer and re-cipient of a four-yearswimming scholarshipat Florida A&M Uni-versity, Ali knew that

one day she wouldwant to provide thesame opportunity togirls like her. Since2007, Sporty GirlsInc. has served more

than 65 girls from themetro area and con-tinues to grow.

Sporty Girls hopes

to encourage minor-ity girls ages 8 - 18to participate andachieve success innon-traditional sports.Our goal is to de-velop young femaleathletes into colle-giate superstars whowill earn athletic and/or academic scholar-ships, Ali said.

The benefits ofparticipating in Sporty

Girls program are nu-merous. The programwill expose the girls tosports not traditionallyoffered in the publicschool system. Ac-

cording to the SportyGirls Web site, at thevery least, partici-pants in the programs

Camp Elite will benefitphysically during thecamps by being ac-tive. Since each girlwill also be eligible fora year-long scholar-ship, the likelihood forcontinued physicalactivity for each girlthroughout the yearis increased. JenPrice, Executive di-rector of SGI stated,It is our hope to

decrease obesityamong young girlsand increase theirknowledge in makinghealthier lifestyle de-cisions.

White male dismantling theecurity device and pocketinghe phones before he left thetore.

On Facebook, the depart-ment has links to various

ress releases, including a fewbout the November murderfRussell Sneiderman out-ide of Dunwoody Prep.

In addition to using well-known social media, Dun-woody Police Departmentwas the rst department in theountry to begin using Inter-ctive Defense, a proprietary,ocial medium that links the

police department with neigh-orhoods to allow direct com-

munication via the Internet.Grogan said one of the fea-

ures of the system is to allow

esidents to notify the policedepartment when they areut of town. Police can thenheck on the residents homend send out a text when the

home has been checked.Although they can be an

ffective way of communicat-ng quickly and directly withhe public, the use of social

media by police departmentss not yet widespread.

A lot of police depart-ments are a little apprehensivebout using it, Grogan said.

DunwoodyContinued From Page 2A


8/24


2010Year in ReviewNew Birth pastor facessexual coercion allegationsBishop Eddie Long of New Birth

Missionary Baptist Church in Lithoniain early November denied allegationsthat he coerced former members of thechurch into sexual relationships.

Anthony Flagg, Jamal Parris,

Maurice Robinson and Spencer Le-Grande each led separate lawsuitsin September claiming that Long luredthem into sexual relationships withmoney, employment, gifts and lavishtrips to New York, Las Vegas and Af-rica, among others places.

The church admitted that Long tookthe young men on trips but could notconrm or deny that Long had inti-mate relationships with his accusers,according to reports.

Long admitted providing opportu-nities for travel, education and personalgrowth to many members of the NewBirth congregation. However, he de-nied having sexual relationship withany of the four men. (1)

School superintendent firedand others face criminalcharges

DeKalb County Schools Superin-tendent Crawford Lewis was termi-nated by the school board in April afterprosecutors charged that he along withschool system Chief Operating OfficerPat Reid, Reids secretary, CointaMoody, and Reids ex-husband TonyPope profited off school constructioncontracts. Lewis, who had been withthe school district 33 years, faces sev-eral charges: four racketeering counts,theft by a government employee andbribery. Reid faces seven charges: fourracketeering counts, theft by a govern-ment employee, bribery and falsifyingpublic documents. (2)

Fire chief resigns in wake ofmismanaged incident

DeKalb County Fire ChiefDavidFoster resigned and four reghterswere terminated after an investiga-tion indicated that the re departmentdid not respond properly when sum-

moned to the Dunwoody home ofAnn

Bartlett.Five units were sent to the 1600

block of Houghton Court but could notnd a burning house. No reghtersleft the truck to search for the addressand all ve units left the scene minutesafter they arrived. Five hours later sev-eral calls reporting a re were receivedby 911 and when units responded the

home was engulfed in ames. The74-year-old woman was found dead inthe garage.

Two of the reghters were reinstat-ed by an independent hearing ofcer;the other terminated reghters did nothave the option of appeal.

County approves water ratehike, agrees to pay $453,000penalty

The DeKalb County Board of Com-missioners in December approved$1.345 billion in improvements to

DeKalbs water and sewer system. Theimprovements will be nanced by a11 percent rate hike each year for threeyears beginning in 2012.

A customer with county water andsewer services currently using 6,000gallons per month would see his or herrates increase from $59.52 in 2010 to$94.41 in 2014.

The day before the rate hike vote,the county agreed to pay a $453,000penalty from the federal EnvironmentalProtection Agency for excessive sew-age spills. The proposed consent agree-ment between the county and the EPAis a resolution of a joint federal andstate complaint led against the county

for violations of the Clean Water Actand the Georgia Water Quality ControlAct. (3)

Yancey found guilty indouble slaying

Former DeKalb County sheriffsdeputy Derrick Yancey received twoconsecutive life sentences Nov. 19 inDeKalb County Superior Court afterbeing convicted of murdering his wifeLinda Yancey and day laborerMarcialCax-Puluc. The killings occurred inJune 2008. In April 2009 Yancey cutoff his GPS ankle bracelet and escaped

house arrest. He was captured in Belize

2010 Top DeKalb news stories

1

3

2

See Year in Review on Page 9A


9/24


the following September and returned to DeKalb County to standtrial. Yancey had initially claimed that Cax-Puluc had killed hiswife while trying to rob her and that he killed Cax-Puluc in selfdefense. (4)

Interim school superintendent gets $76,000raise

The DeKalb School Board voted in December to give interimschool superintendent Ramona Tyson a $76,000 raise, pendinganother vote in January. The increase would bring Tysons sal-ary to $240,000 annually. The raise would be part of an 18-monthcontract under which Tyson would continue to serve on an interimbasis until a permanent superintendent is in place by July 1, 2011.After that, Tyson would assist in the transition of the new hire untilJune 30, 2012. She would then return to her former position as se-nior deputy superintendent with her previous salary. (5)

Two county school board incumbents lose

After two terms as District 7 representative on the DeKalbCounty School Board, Zepora Roberts lost her seat to challengerDonna Edler, who took 72.36 percent of the vote in a Nov. 30runoff election.

Roberts is one of two DeKalb County Board of Education in-cumbents whose bid for re-election was thrown into a runoff.

The other defeated incumbent, District 1s Jim Redovian, lostto Nancy Jester, who said that her victory indicates that votersrecognized that weve got to change the trajectory of the DeKalbCounty Schools.

Incumbents Eugene Walker, Jay Cunningham and SarahCopelin-Wood retained their seats, winning a majority of thevotes in the Nov. 2 general election.

Three local Democratic congressmen retainseats

In an election that resulted in a number of Democrats being un-seated by Republican challengers, three Democratic congressmenwho represent parts of DeKalb County retained their seats.

Two-term Congressman Henry Hank Johnson was re-elect-ed to a third term serving Georgias 4th Congressional District. Hedefeated political newcomerLisbeth Liz Carter. Carter, whoreceived 27 percent of the vote, launched the strongest Republicanchallenge for the seat in recent history.

Civil rights pioneerJohn Lewis, who has served in Congresssince 1986, retained his position as 5th Congressional Districtrepresentative after defeating Republican candidate Fenn Little, aconstitutional and civil rights attorney.

The 13th Congressional race ended with incumbent Democrat

David Scott retaining his seat after winning approximately 66percent of the vote over Republican Mike Crane, a constructioncompany owner.

OBrien named police chief

After holding the position of interim chief for nearly 20 months,William D. OBrien was named DeKalb County police chief inOctober. He had been named interim chief soon after the dismissalof former Police ChiefTerrellBolton. OBrien said that amonghis top priorities would be creating a great working environmentfor the men and women in the department.

Morale was among the issues cited in the departure of Bolton,who was red by DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis in February2009. A report submitted by Ellis transition team when he took of-ce in January 2009 expressed concerns about morale in the policedepartment. Bolton had been appointed by former DeKalb County

CEO Vernon Jones. (6)

4

5

6

Year in Review Continued From Page 8A



10/24


8

9

7

DA Keys Fleming takes EPA job;James elected new DA

DeKalb County District Attorney GwenKeyes Fleming was selected by PresidentBarack Obama in Septemberas theU.S.Environmental Protection Agency Southeastregional administrator. Keyes Fleming, whowas elected DeKalb County district attorneyin 2004 and again in 2008, served as solicitor-general for the county prior to taking ofceas district attorney. She was both the rstwoman and the rst African American to serveas DeKalb County district attorney. Solicitorgeneral Robert James, a 38-year-old native ofMurfreesboro, Tenn., was elected to succeedKeyes Fleming as DeKalbs district attorney.(7)

DeKalb Police Alliancepurchases insurance polices

The DeKalb Police Alliance raised $80,000at the annual Police Ofcers Ball in Novem-ber and purchased $100,000 life insurancepolicies for the more than 1,500 full-time

sworn ofcers in DeKalb, including the mu-nicipal police departments, marshals and sher-iffs department.

In partnership with Darryl Ford, StoneMountain Chrysler Jeep Ford, the alliancedonated six 42-inch at-screen TVs for train-ing. Recipients were chosen in a drawingfrom among the departments who attended theevent.

The 2010 DeKalb Public Safety ChampionAwards, in collaboration with The ChampionNewspaper, raised awareness about publicsafety and law enforcement in DeKalb.

Champion recognized for

excellence by peers

The caliber of work ofThe ChampionNewspaperwas honored in June at the Geor-gia Press Associations annual banquet inJekyll Island. The Champion took home 22awards (15 rst place honors)including thecoveted General Excellence Award for overallexcellence. This is the third time in the pastfour years that the newspaper has received thisdistinction. (8)

MARTA eliminates DeKalb busroutes

Eight MARTA bus routes in DeKalb Coun-ty were among 40 routes cut in 2010 as part ofthe transit systems effort to plug a $69 milliondecit. MARTAs $710 million budget for s-cal year 2011 represents a 10 percent reduc-tion in bus service systemwide, a 14 percentreduction in rail service and hikes in weekly,monthly and Mobility passes, MARTA of-cials said. We are extremely disappointed tomake these cuts at a time when affordable andenvironmentally responsible transportationoptions are needed more than ever, MARTACEO Beverly Scott said. (9)

Holocaust Memorialdedicated

Abe Besser, an 84-year-old Holocaustsurvivor, and his wife Marlene GelernterBesser, were sponsors of the Besser HolocaustMemorial Garden at the Marcus Jewish Com-munity Center in Dunwoody, which was dedi-cated April 25. I do not want the Holocaust to

10




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be forgotten, Besser said.The memorial garden features ninesculptures by sculptorDee Clements,and an eternal ame. The sculptures

depict different aspects of Jewish lifebefore, during and after the Holocaust.The memorial garden will be used as ateaching tool, according to Marcus Jew-ish Community Center CEO MichaelWise.

CDC worker killed in Haitiearthquake; teams sent toassist with public health

A 31-year-old Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention worker wasamong those killed in the devastatingearthquake that hit Haiti on Jan. 11. Thebody ofDiane Caves, a CDC program

analyst based at the agencys Atlantaheadquarters, was identified Feb. 8 afterit was found in the rubble of the Port-au-Prince hotel where she had been stayingduring a three-week assignment. Shewas completing a CDC plan for HIV-AIDS relief work in the impoverishedCaribbean country.

In the weeks following the earth-quake, CDC deployed teams of workersto conduct public health assessmentsand address issues such as food and

potable water and environmental health,set up and conduct disease surveillance,assess and develop plans to prevent in-juries associated with clean up.

Child killed by celebratorygunre sparks campaign

Marquel Peters was sitting inchurch next to his mother at a NewYears Eve Watch Night Service whenhe was struck in the head by a straybullet. He died at the hospital later thatmorning. William Miller, DeKalbsdirector of public safety, said the bullet,which pierced the roof of the church,

was likely the result of someone ring agun to celebrate the new year.The incident sparked a campaign

to educate the public on the dangers ofcelebratory gunre and discourage busi-ness owners from selling ammunition inthe days leading up to the Fourth of Julyand New Years Eve. (11)

11




12/24


Southwest DeKalbstudent dies followingcar crash

Southwest DeKalb High Schoolstudent Carmon McBride waskilled when the car she was rid-ing in crashed into another car andipped on Kelly Chapel Road nearthe high school. Carmons brother,17-year-old Myles McBride, wasdriving his Mazda Protg andswerved to avoid a dog, accordingto DeKalb County Police spokes-man Jason Gagnon. Carmon wastaken to Childrens Healthcare ofAtlanta at Egleston where she waspronounced dead, Gagnon said.Myles McBride and two other pas-

sengers in the car suffered seriousinjuries but survived. All four weremembers of the schools marchingband and on their way home frompractice when the accident hap-pened.

Adelman namedambassador toSingapore

State SenatorDavid Adelman,who represented part of DeKalbCounty, resigned his seat after

President Barack Obama chosehim as ambassador to Singapore.Adelman was sworn in March 28

at the old DeKalb County Court-house in Decatur and left for Sin-gapore in April.

Adelman said he will serve atthe pleasure of the president, butthe typical tour of duty is three tofour years.

Dunwoodys identitygets branded

The city of Dunwoody took an-other step toward creating its ownidentity with the slogan Smartpeople. Smart city. Dunwoody

became incorporated as a city onDec. 1, 2008. Dunwoody began itsrebranding process in Septemberof 2009, said Edie Damann, mar-keting and public relations directorfor the city. A marketing rm washired, community input was re-ceived and focus groups were usedto help ensure the right tag line waschosen. The brand is used by thecity as well as Dunwoodys cham-ber of commerce, the conventionand visitors bureau and the com-munity impact districts, Damannsaid. The cost of the rebranding

effort was split, with the city andthe Dunwoody CVB each paying$50,000 and the chamber chipping

in $5,000, Damann said.

Former police chief diesafter extended illness

Former Police ChiefLouis Gra-ham died Nov. 15 following an ex-tended illness. Graham was namedchief of the DeKalb County PoliceDepartment in 2004, a position heresigned two years later amid con-troversy stirred by a secret profanity-laced tape recording of Graham andhis assistant that included raciallyinammatory language.

Stone Mountain ArtsIncubator opens

The Stone Mountain ArtsIncubator and MicroenterpriseProgram, a project to beautify thedowntown Stone Mountain areaand provide space for selected art-ists opened Oct. 8. The artists haveset up shop in Main Street spacessubsidized for a time by a grant tothe city of Stone Mountain, ART

Station and DeKalb County.The new streetscape project

and the arts incubator program

are part of an effort to revitalizeddowntown Stone Mountain andmake use of some of its previouslyempty retail stores. At the heart ofthe project is a sculpture, GraniteWorkers, by John Thigpen, apiece that celebrates the men whoonce worked the areas granitequarries.

New foreclosureordinance takes effect

The countys new foreclosureregistry went into effect in Octo-

ber. The new ordinance requires allcreditors who foreclose on a prop-erty to register the property withDeKalb County and pay a fee of$175, or face nes in the amount of$1,000 per day. The ordinance re-quires that creditors or mortgageeswho are located outside DeKalbmust designate a local propertyagent within DeKalbs geographi-cal boundaries to ensure securityand maintenance of the property incompliance with county code.


by Robert [email protected]

A 41-year-old Decatur manon vacation in Colorado facesmisdemeanor child abusecharges after allegedly punching

a 14-year-old girl in the face onDec. 17.Scott Filler, who is a doctor

with the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention inAtlanta according to reports,could face up to two years incounty jail, said district attorneyMark Hulbert.

According to the EagleCounty Sheriffs Ofce, a14-year old girl from Mexicowas skiing with a ski schoolclass on a beginner slope at theBeaver Creek Ski Resort. Thegirl swerved to avoid a fallenskier and bumped into Fillers

4-year-old son and both fell tohe ground.

Filler thought the girl wasskiing recklessly, according topolice, and jumped on top of

the 14-year-old and punchedher in the face with his st. Theski instructor told Filler he waspunching a girl and got him tostop, said Lt. Mike McWilliamof the Eagle County SheriffsOfce.

The father then realized thathis son was not injured andapologized for his inappropriatebehavior, police said.

The girl was taken to anearby medical clinic andwas treated for minor injuriesand released. The girls fatherdecided to press charges.

It does happen, but itsvery, very rare, Hulbert said ofaltercations on the ski slopes.There is no mandatory jailtime. It all really depends oneach case and the injuriessustained.

No court date has been set,

Hulbert said, but typically acase is heard 30 to 60 days afterthe incident. A plea bargain alsois a possibility, Hulbert said.

Decatur man charged for altercationat Colorado ski resort

Fireghters honored for rescuing dogsDeKalb County Fire Rescue recently received an award from the Atlanta

Humane Society for rescuing two dogs in an apartment re. Capt. Chris

Holder, re apparatus operators Clint Martin and Robert Milton, andseasoned reghterScott Baker were honored for rescuing the dogs during are Nov. 15 at the Austin Oaks apartments on Glenwood Road in Atlanta. Thereghters were joined by a representative of the Atlanta Humane Society for thepresentation of the awards. Photo provided


13/24


Has DeKalbTechbeen a part ofyour life?

We want to reconnect with you

through our newly launched

DTC Alumni Association website!

DEKALB TECH ALUMNI

(Degree, Diploma or TCC)

Please Register at

dekalbtech.edu/alumni404-297-9522 x1139

Win free food from Publix!Three lucky pets (and their owners) are about to win big at Publix.

Will you be one? Simply go to publix.com/mypet and register to receive

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of this promotion is FL, GA, AL, SC, and TN. Sponsor: Publix Super Markets, Inc. To be eligible, you must be a legal resident of FL, GA, AL, SC, or TN a nd youmust be above age of ma jority in your state of residence. Other eligibility restrictions apply. Prizes (3): $5,200 in Publix Gift Cards. ARV: $5,200. Odds of winningdepend on number of entries. Winners are solely responsible for all taxes and any costs not stated above. Gift Cards are subject to other restrictions. To enter:(1) Visit www.publix.com/mypet and opt-in to receive pet-related promotional materials from Publix; or (2) To enter without opting-in, mail a letter or postcardprinted or typed with your name, ma iling address & phone number to Publix Free Food for You & Your Pet Register-To-Win Sweepstakes at the address below.Mail-in entries must be postmarked by 3/31/11 and received by 4/5/11. Limit 1 mail-in entry per outer mail envelope. Winners may be required to presentphoto ID and sign affidavit of eligibility/liability release. See Official Rules for complete entry instructions, eligibility limitations and other restrictions. ForWinners List or Official Rules, visit www.publix.com/mypet or mail SASE to Publix Free Food for You & Your Pet Register-To-Win Sweepstakes, c/o Publix Mktg/Res Dept, P.O. Box 32021, Lakeland, FL 33802-9805, specifying either Winners List (available after 5/13/11) or Official Rules.

Landfill Continued From Page 3A

bursement is March 2012.The rest of the $3.8 mil-

ion in stimulus funds wouldbe used to convert 40 sani-ation department vehicleso compressed natural gas,etrot the countys eet

management divisions re-pair shops for maintenanceof CNG vehicles, and con-struct public CNG fuelingstations at the countysSeminole Road landll inEllenwood and at the cornerof Kensington and Memo-ial Drive. Currently, theres only one public CNG sta-ion in the stateWhitehall

Street in Atlanta.The county is consider-

ng a plan to build its ownsystem to convert the land-

ll gas to renewable naturalgas with the ability to pipemuch of the gas into the nat-ural gas pipeline maintainedby Atlanta Gas Light. Thispipeline supplies natural gaso two million customers in

Georgia. The top bid for theconstruction is from EnergySystems Group, of Atlanta.

When this was present-ed to us, this was presentedas a great accomplish-ment, said commissionerJeff Rader. We were able

to partner with the federalgovernment to develop thisinfrastructure on DeKalbCounty land at a facilitythat would be generating thefeed stock for this processfor up to 100 years.

Muddying the waters is alast-minute bid from JacobyEnergy Development, of At-lanta, which wants to con-struct a 5-mile pipeline fromSeminole landll to the LiveOak landll, located in Con-ley.

Jacobys proposal isto process the landll gasin a facility the companypays for. Jacoby wouldthen pump gas to Live Oakwhere it would be convertedto RNG. Jacoby would pay

the county the current NewYork Mercantile Exchangeprices for natural gas afterdeducting operation andmaintenance costs andamortization of the capitalcosts. The Jacoby contractwould only be for 20 years.

If the county uses thisplan it would lose the fed-eral stimulus money be-cause it would be a majordeviation from the agree-ment for the moneys use,Malone said. There were

110 applications for thestimulus funds, but only 24municipalities received thefunding.

Rader said there maybe a way for the county tobuild its processing facil-ity and still allow Jacoby topump gas to the Live Oaklandll.

Theres plenty of gas togo around, said Rader.

Seminole Landfill


14/24


Courts rejection of health care reform law notlegally grounded says Emory law professor

Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcasts current performance underthe current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests ofyour community to [email protected].

DeKalb County Wants to Hear From YouRegarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal

with Comcast Cable Communications

by Nigel Roberts

Emorys constitutionalaw expert Robert Scha-piro criticized the opinionof a federal judge whodeclared the new federalhealth care reform law un-constitutional. According toSchapiro, the legal analysiss not well grounded in

existing law and may nottand review by the federal

appellate court.On Dec. 13, Federal Dis-

rict Judge Henry Hudsonconcluded that the lawsequirement that most

Americans obtain health

nsurance exceeds the regu-atory authority granted to

Congress under the U.S.Constitutions CommerceClause. However, Hudsondenied a request to sus-pend enactment of the lawbecause he anticipated anappeal.

The Commerce Clausegives Congress the au-hority to regulate trade

with foreign countries andAmerican Indian nations. Italso grants the legislativebody the power to regulate

rade among the states. Atssue is whether the clauseallows Congress to requirendividuals to purchase

policies under its authorityo regulate the interstate

health care insurance indus-ry.

Under health care re-form, the government couldne those who fail to ob-ain coverage through anncome tax penalty. Conse-

quently, supporters of theaw argue that if the Com-

merce Clause does not giveCongress that authority, the

federal government couldtill use its taxation pow-

ers to compel the uninsuredo purchase a health care

policy.But Hudson rejected

both arguments. He wrote:At its core, this dispute isnot simply about regulatinghe business of insurance

or crafting a scheme ofuniversal health insurancecoverageits about an indi-viduals right to choose toparticipate.

Schapiro said Hudson

got it wrong. The issue iswhether the overall schemes necessary to the regu-ation of commerce, he

countered. In his analysis,

Hudson overemphasizedthe distinction between

activity and inactivity,Schapiro pointed out. Thatsimply is not a distinctionthat nds support in Com-merce Clause precedent,he stated.

Schapiro offered theexample of the federal gov-ernments use of the Com-merce Clause to criminalizethe willful failure to pay

(inactivity) child supportunder the federal Child

Support Recovery Act. Hesaid the courts have consis-tently upheld that law underthe Commerce Clause.

The opinion is simi-larly unprecedented inrejecting the theory thatthe mandate comes withinCongress taxing power,said Schapiro. The healthcare bill does not actually

require anyone to purchasehealth insurance. The bill

imposes a tax on peoplewho fail to purchase healthinsurance, unless they fallwithin certain exceptions.

Georgia is one of severalstates that oppose healthcare reform legislation.Gov. Sonny Perdue ap-pointed a special attorneygeneral to challenge theconstitutionality of the fed-

eral health care act. Duringthe 2010 legislative ses-

sion, the General Assemblypassed a bill (SB 411),which Perdue signed intolaw, that seeks to excludeGeorgia residents fromprovisions mandating thepurchase of health care in-surance.

New

1/4

Full

1/19

The Northeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with scattered rain and

snow today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 56 in East St. Louis,

Ill. The Southeast will see isolated showers today, mostly clear to partly cloudy skies

Friday, isolated showers Saturday, with the highest temperature of 77 in Marathon Key, Fla. The

Northwest will see scattered snow today, mostly clear skies Friday and Saturday, with the highest

temperature of 47 in Coos Bay, Ore. The Southwest will see isolated showers today, mostly clear

skies Friday and Saturday, with the highest temperature of 67 in Carlsbad, N.M.

THURSDAY

Isolated Rain

High: 53 Low:40

First

1/12

The Champion Weather Dec. 30, 2010Seven Day Forecast

Local UV Index

WEDNESDAY

Mostly Sunny

High: 58 Low: 39

TUESDAY

Sunny

High: 55 Low:38

MONDAY

Sunny

High: 54 Low:35

SUNDAY

Partly Cloudy

High: 54 Low:37

SATURDAYFew Showers

High: 63 Low:48

FRIDAY

Mostly Cloudy

High: 60 Low:48

In-Depth Local Forecast Today's Regional Map

Sunrise

7:41 a.m.

7:41 a.m.

7:42 a.m.

7:42 a.m.

7:42 a.m.

7:42 a.m.7:42 a.m.

Sunset

5:38 p.m.

5:39 p.m.

5:40 p.m.

5:41 p.m.

5:41 p.m.

5:42 p.m.5:43 p.m.

Moonset

1:41 p.m.

2:27 p.m.

3:18 p.m.

4:14 p.m.

5:13 p.m.

6:14 p.m.7:14 p.m.

Moonrise

3:03 a.m.

4:09 a.m.

5:13 a.m.

6:12 a.m.

7:04 a.m.

7:50 a.m.8:30 a.m.

Last

1/26

2010. Accessweather.com, Inc.

Weather History

Dec. 30, 1988 - Unseasonably

cold weather prevailed in the

southwestern United States. A

week of subfreezing tempera-

tures in Southern California

claimed the lives of five people.

Redding, Calif. was blanketed

with four inches of snow.

Weather Trivia

Tonight's Planets

Why does salt help keep

snow from turning to ice?

Answer: Salt water needs to be

much colder to freeze.

?

Day

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

TuesdayWednesday

National Weather Summary This Week

Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

StarWatch By Gary Becker - Cold, Cold Quadrantids

Today we will see mostly cloudy skies with a

30% chance of rain, high temperature of 53,

humidity of 71%. East wind 5 to 10 mph. The

record high temperature for today is 73 set in

1984. Expect mostly cloudy skies tonight with

a slight chance of rain, overnight low of 40.

Dec. 31, 1962 - Perhaps the

worst blizzard in the history

of Maine finally came to an

end. The storm produced 40

inches of snow in 24 hours at

Orono and a total of 46 inches

at Ripogenus Dam. Gale force

winds produced snow drifts

20 feet high around Bangor.

In the Mid-Atlantic States we missed the Geminid Meteor Shower on the morning of December 14, but some managed to see the last total lunar eclipse until 2014.

If I had to pick one over the other, I think the weather cooperated wisely. It was, however, unseasonably cold for both observations. Now that the excitement of these

two events has passed, including the Holidays, we can brace ourselves for three more months of cold, blustery observing conditions, in my mind, the most difficult

time of the year to view the heavens. The first cold event of the year is the Quadrantid Meteor Shower which culminates during the evening and morning of January

3-4. I wouldnt even mention it if the moon were not incredibly cooperative. It is new on the 4th at 4:04 a.m. If four was a lucky number, Id say that we would be in for quite a

treat. Unfortunately, the Quadrantids are a little fickle, with maximum numbers occurring over a rather narrow time frame of several hours and predicted for the East Coast in 2011

to happen between 4 p.m. on January 3 through 1 a.m. on January 4. The later the better for us, because the radiant, the area in the sky from which these meteors diverge, gets

higher in the sky throughout the night. If maximum occurs just a few hours later, observers along the East Coast could witness as many one to two meteors f or every two minutes

that pass. These rates could persist for several hours. Otherwise rates of 10 or so meteors each hour is the norm for a maximum night. During the early evening, Quadrantid mete-

ors will seem to diverge from low in the NE. By dawn the radiant will be higher in the NE, below the handle of the Big Dipper. Most Quadrantids are faint, so a darker, rural site

will be helpful for success. An online map showing the radiant is posted at www.astronomy.org below the StarWatch article for this date.

Rise Set

Mercury 6:11 a.m. 4:23 p.m.

Venus 4:03 a.m. 2:46 p.m.

Mars 8:21 a.m. 6:13 p.m.

Jupiter 11:54 a.m.11:44 p.m.

Saturn 1:16 a.m. 12:57 p.m.Uranus 11:53 a.m.11:47 p.m.

3 50 - 2 4 6 8 107 9 11+

UV Index

0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate,

6-7: High, 8-10: Very High

11+: Extreme Exposure

Atlanta

53/40

Decatur

53/40

Doraville

52/40

Dunwoody

51/39 Lilburn

52/40

Snellville

53/40

Lithonia54/40

Morrow

54/40

Smyrna

52/40

Hampton

55/41

Union City

54/40

College Park

54/40

*Last Weeks Almanac

Date Hi Lo Normals Precip

Tuesday 50 35 53/35 0.04"Wednesday 60 34 53/35 0.00"

Thursday 44 28 53/35 0.00"

Friday 49 26 53/35 0.00"

Saturday 40 30 53/35 0.26"

Sunday 30 25 53/34 0.00"

Monday 37 25 52/34 0.00"Rainfall . . . . . . .0.30" Average temp . .36.6

Normal rainfall . .0.86" Average normal 43.8

Departure . . . . .-0.56" Departure . . . . .-7.2*Data as reported from De Kalb-Peachtree Airport


15/24

TygrettContinued From Page 1A

MallContinued From Page 1A

a family lake where people can goo sh or take a canoe out. People

will be able to enjoy it like it waswhen I rst came to Clarkston.

Ransom said it is likely that oneof those three projects will be dedi-cated in his honor.

We have to keep moving on

he vision that he and the councilhad for the city, Ransom said.And it will be an honor to get itdone.

The biggest thing was thathe balanced the budget, Ransomaid.Were going into the new year

with a balanced budget, nally.In addition to serving as mayor,

Tygrett was assistant manager of theREI store in Gwinnett County.

Under the citys bylaws, Ran-om will serve out Tygretts term

as mayor, which ends in 2013. Thecity will hold a special called meet-ng to appoint an additional council

member and a vice mayor, Ransom

aid.Tygrett is survived by his wife

Amy and two children. The familywill spread his cremated ashes onhe beaches of South Padre Island in

Texas, and Darling-Mouser FuneralHome in Brownsville, Texas, is han-dling the arrangements, accordingo the obituary.

North DeKalbs prospects for a brighter future are too late for Reginald Walker, owner of Kicks USA. The failing econony, lan-guishing mall foot trafc and medical bills combined to make it difcult to pay his store bills. Walker, who has been in the mallsince 1998, was forced to close his doors after getting $31,000 behind on his lease and having some of his inventory seized topay back taxes. Photos by Andrew Cauthen


chise to North DeKalb Mall, thestores space was not completelyconstructed. It had never been oc-cupied. There was not even a oorin the unit.

There was nothing but dirt ev-erywhere, Walker said. That wasin 1998. So Walker spent $271,000in plumbing, electrical and con-struction work to get his unit readyfor business.

Then in 2008 the mother ofWalkers son was diagnosed with

ovarian cancer. Walker has put outmore than $40,000 over the pasttwo years for her medical bills. Themedical payments combined withthe poor economy to hurt Walkersnances. Beginning in January2009, Walker worked out an adjust-ed rental agreement with the mallowners. Instead of paying, $4,500per month, Walker was to pay $500per week plus utilities.

I felt it was not advantageousto pay the full rent because the foottrafc was not there, Walker said.

Now Walker is approximately$31,000 behind in his rent for hisstore and owes $2,300 back taxes.And the mall owners have evictedhim for nonpayment.

I understand its about eco-nomics, said Walker, who hasmore than $40,000 worth of inven-tory at wholesale, and is currentlylooking for a new location and try-ing to raise some capital to reopen.I understand its about money, butyou cant underestimate the will ofa person given a second chance.

North DeKalb Mall has a 45-year history of changing stores andreinventing itself. When the mallrst opened in 1965, it was calledNorth DeKalb Center and had 54

stores, including Richs and Wool-worth. Later, the name was changedto North DeKalb Mall.

In 1986, the malls name waschanged to Market Square at North

DeKalb after a renovation and somenew anchor stores were added:Mervyns, Uptons, and Lechmere. In2000 the name was changed backto North DeKalb Mall. Since then,several stores have come and goneincluding Phar-Mor, Uptons, OldNavy, and Rhodes Furniture.

Hendon Properties, whichbought the mall for $25 million in2003, intended to bring a Costcoto the mall. The plans were nallyscrapped after intense oppositionfrom local residents who objected

to a proposal to build a parkingdeck over the ood plain at the rearof the mall.

Mary Joyce Burge, NorthDeKalb Malls marketing manager,said she is pleased with the numberof shoppers going to the mall cur-rently.

Weve had good trafc dur-ing the holiday season, Burgesaid. She acknowledged that themall concept has been hurt in re-cent years by the increase in onlineshopping.

Its the wave of the future,Burge said, adding that there stillare many people like her who want

to touch and see the products beforethey purchase them.

Burge said North DeKalb Malldoes not attempt to compete againstthe nearby Northlake, Lenox or

Phipps Plaza malls, but focuses onbeing a shopping destination for

customers within a ve-mile radius.We dont claim to be a region-

al mall, Burge said. We considerourselves to be a neighborhoodmall.


16/24


BUDGET RESOLUTION2011 BUDGET

TAX FUNDS

GENERAL FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Property Taxes $167,907,699Excise Taxes 57,864,000

Other Taxes 34,314,815Use of Money & Property 395,087Intergovernmental Revenue 4,458,591Fines & Forfeitures 10,387,500Charges for Services 6,075,800Miscellaneous Revenue 6,220,397Interfunds 16,630,854Fund Balance Carried Forward (7,537,113)TOTAL - GENERAL FUND $296,717,630

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Chief Executive Ofcer $1,748,171Board of Commissioners 3,183,223Ethics Board 9,020Law Department 3,609,093Geographic Info Systems 2,041,807Facilities Management 15,347,874Purchasing 3,118,658Human Resources & Merit System 3,597,081Information Systems 18,998,595Finance 6,053,354Property Appraisal 4,180,985Tax Commissioner 6,518,846

Registrar 1,640,674Sheriff 78,023,624Juvenile Court 9,602,771Superior Court 7,663,789Clerk of Superior Court 5,591,523State Court 1 2,653,079Solicitor - General 5,656,383District Attorney 12,787,181Child Advocates Ofce 1,805,695Probate Court 1,614,140Medical Examiner 2,154,038Public Defender 7,183,517Police 4,670,035Magistrate Court 2,574,803Fire & Rescue Services 16,027,377Planning & Development 1,262,317Public Works - Director 311,800Economic Development 708,354Library 13,674,420Cooperative Extension $231,805Public Health 4,864,926Community Service Board 1,960,223D F A C S 1,561,000

Human Services 4,171,662Contributions to Capital Projects 3,230,625Non - Departmental 26,685,162TOTAL - GENERAL FUND $296,717,630

FIRE FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Property Taxes $33,773,393Excise Taxes 14,767,500Other Taxes 5,336,785Use of Money & Property (60,674)Miscellaneous Revenue 15,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 1,866,309TOTAL - FIRE FUND $55,698,313

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Fire & Rescue Services $53,151,929Non - Departmental 2,546,384TOTAL - FIRE FUND $55,698,313

SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT - DESIGNATED SERVICESANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Property Taxes $74,433,023Excise Taxes 1,928,800Other Taxes 6,587,323Licenses & Permits 1,014,800Use of Money & Property (944)Charges for Services 2,594,300Miscellaneous Revenue 126,800Interfunds 77,731,391

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The DeKalb County Chief Executive Ofcer and Board of Commissioners will holdPublic Hearings on the 2011 Proposed Budget at the times and places listed below:

Tuesday January 11, 2011 10:00AM Maloof Center Auditorium1300 Commerce Drive,

Decatur

Tuesday January 25, 2011 10:00AM Maloof Center Auditorium1300 Commerce Drive,

Decatur

All interested citizens are invited to attend these hearings and have the right topresent comments pertaining to the proposed budget.

The recommended budget is available for public inspection in the ofce of theDirector of Finance, 6th Floor, Maloof Center, and at all DeKalb County Libraries

uring normal business hours.

Fund Balance Carried Forward (21,819,830)TOTAL - S T D - DESIGNATED SERVICES FUND $142,595,663

SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT - DESIGNATED SERVICESPROPOSED EXPENDITURES:

Police $107,004,011Public Works - Transportation 3,190,610Public Works - Roads & Drainage 12,982,302Parks & Recreation 13,907,610Non - Departmental 5,511,130TOTAL - S T D - DESIGNATED SERVICES FUND $142,595,663

SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT - UNINCORPORATED

ANTICIPATED REVENUES:Excise Taxes $31,194,693Other Taxes 450,000Licenses & Permits 22,615,000Use of Money & Property 11,862Fines & Forfeitures 16,000,000Charges for Services 83,000Miscellaneous Revenue 1,500Interfunds (61,363,537)Fund Balance Carried Forward 15,463,782TOTAL - S T D - UNINCORPORATED FUND $8,088,446

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:C E O Ofce - Cable TV Support $379,672Finance - Business License 652,326Recorders Court 4,021,316Planning & Development- Zoning Analysis 920,918Police - Code Enforcement 1,903,188Non - Departmental 211,026TOTAL - S T D - UNINCORPORATED FUND $8,088,446

HOSPITAL FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Property Taxes $15,500,168Excise Taxes 5,786,400Other Taxes 2,249,548Use of Money & Property (41,770)Fund Balance Carried Forward (1,441,856)TOTAL - HOSPITAL FUND $22,052,490

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES: $22,052,490

RENTAL MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Excise Taxes $496,501Use of Money & Property 3,151Fund Balance Carried Forward 391,922TOTAL - RENTAL MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX FUND $891,574

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES: $891,574

DEBT SERVICE FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Property Taxes $7,943,811Other Taxes 1,432,108Use of Money & Property (58,273)Fund Balance Carried Forward 278,683TOTAL - DEBT SERVICE FUND $9,596,329


SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT - DEBT SERVICE FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Property Taxes $14,653,695Other Taxes 2,920,338Use of Money & Property 89,942Fund Balance Carried Forward 10,019,384TOTAL - STD - DEBT SERVICE FUND $27,683,359


TOTAL RECOMMENDED 2011 TAX FUNDS BUDGET $563,323,804

SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS

DEVELOPMENT FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Licenses & Permits $3,982,458Use of Money & Property (4,000)Charges for Services 20,000Fund Balance Carried Forward (951,129)TOTAL - DEVELOPMENT FUND $3,047,329

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Planning & Development $3,047,329TOTAL - DEVELOPMENT FUND $3,047,329

PUBLIC EDUCATION & GOVERNMENT ACCESS FUND

ANTICIPATED REVENUES:Use of Money & Property $10,000Miscellaneous Revenue 145,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 1,312,684TOTAL - P E G FUND $1,467,684


COUNTY JAIL FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Intergovernmental Revenue $180,000Fines & Forfeitures 1,585,500TOTAL - COUNTY JAIL FUND $1,765,500


HOTEL / MOTEL TAX FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Excise Taxes $1,200,000

Other Taxes $0Fund Balance Carried Forward 194,254TOTAL - HOTEL / MOTEL TAX FUND $1,394,254


See Budget Page 17A


17/24


VICTIM ASSISTANCE FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Intergovernmental Revenue $300,000Fines & Forfeitures 950,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 143,265TOTAL - VICTIM ASSISTANCE FUND $1,393,265


RECREATION FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Use of Money & Property ($226)Charges for Services 980,000Fund Balance Carried Forward (139,919)TOTAL - RECREATION FUND $839,855


LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFISCATED MONIES FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Fund Balance Carried Forward $6,560,468TOTAL - L.E.C.M. FUND $6,560,468

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Sheriff $1,369,762District Attorney 24,700State Court Marshal 28,815Public Safety - Police 5,137,191TOTAL - L.E.C.M. FUND $6,560,468

UVENILE SERVICES FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Use of Money & Property $500Charges for Services 40,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 303,223

TOTAL - JUVENILE SERVICES FUND $343,723PROPOSED EXPENDITURES: $343,723

DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT & EDUCATION FUND

ANTICIPATED REVENUES:Use of Money & Property $1,500Fines & Forfeitures 18,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 54,715TOTAL - D.A.T.E. FUND $74,215


STREET LIGHT FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Use of Money & Property ($500)Charges for Services 4,533,264Fund Balance Carried Forward 285,508TOTAL - STREET LIGHT FUND $4,818,272


EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Use of Money & Property $10,000Miscellaneous Revenue 12,080,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 7,918,285TOTAL - EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM FUND $20,008,285


SPEED HUMPS MAINTENANCE FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Use of Money & Property $3,000Charges for Services 250,397Fund Balance Carried Forward 1,487,620TOTAL - SPEED HUMPS MAINTENANCE FUND $1,741,017


GRANT - IN - AID FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Federal Government $87,084,296State Sources 8,041,127Contributions 55,864Fund Balance Carried Forward 0TOTAL - GRANT - IN - AID FUND $95,181,287

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Community Development $17,489,314Workforce Development 4,106,588

Sheriff 320,233Juvenile Court 169,388Superior Court 38,480State Court 873Solicitor-State Court 14,984District Attorney 163,698Police 4,701,936Fire 3,650,964Family & Children Services 1,213,910Human Services 2,815,354Water & Sewer 247,938Justice Assistance Grants 59,929,209TOTAL - GRANT - IN - AID FUND $95,181,287

ENTERPRISE FUNDS

WATER & SEWERAGE OPERATING FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Use of Money & Property $9,160Charges for Services 197,916,100Miscellaneous Revenue 20,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 5,555,951TOTAL - WATER & SEWERAGE OPERATING FUND $203,501,211

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Public Works - Water & Sewer $196,529,018Finance - Revenue Collections 6,972,193TOTAL - WATER & SEWERAGE OPERATING FUND $203,501,211

WATER & SEWERAGE SINKING FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Interfunds $38,863,634Fund Balance Carried Forward 0TOTAL - WATER & SEWERAGE SINKING FUND $38,863,634


SANITATION FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Use of Money & Property $42,000Charges for Services 65,725,000Miscellaneous Revenue 155,000Interfunds 147,143Fund Balance Carried Forward 9,074,932TOTAL - SANITATION FUND $75,144,075

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Public Works - Sanitation $74,897,995Finance - Revenue Collections 246,080TOTAL - SANITATION FUND $75,144,075

DEKALB - PEACHTREE AIRPORTANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Use of Money & Property $25,000Miscellaneous Revenue 4,594,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 6,800,165TOTAL - DEKALB - PEACHTREE AIRPORT $11,419,165

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Airport Operations $8,919,165Transfer to Capital Projects 2,500,000TOTAL - DEKALB - PEACHTREE AIRPORT $11,419,165

STORMWATER UTILITY OPERATING FUNDANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Use of Money & Property ($130,000)Charges for Services 17,500,000

Fund Balance Carried Forward 3,732,876TOTAL - STORMWATER UTILITY FUND $21,102,876

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Stormwater Operations $19,397,409Reserve for Appropriations 1,705,467TOTAL - STORMWATER UTILITY FUND $21,102,876

INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS

FLEET MAINTENANCEANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Intergovernmental Revenue $160,000Charges for Services 29,500,000Miscellaneous Revenue 100,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 0TOTAL - FLEET MAINTENANCE $29,760,000

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Public Works - Fleet Maintenance $29,760,000TOTAL - FLEET MAINTENANCE $29,760,000

VEHICLE FUND

ANTICIPATED REVENUES:Use of Money & Property $30,000Charges for Services 14,179,328Miscellaneous Revenue 300,000Fund Balance Carried Forward 11,514,446TOTAL - VEHICLE FUND $26,023,774

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Vehicle Acquisitions $18,016,800Interdepartmental Services 791,943Reserves and Other Miscellaneous 7,215,031TOTAL - VEHICLE FUND $26,023,774

RISK MANAGEMENTANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Charges for Services $250,125Miscellaneous Revenue 76,200,395Payroll Deductions 399,812Fund Balance Carried Forward 34,148,162TOTAL - RISK MANAGEMENT $110,998,494

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES:Unemployment Compensation $303,384

Group Health & Life 110,695,110TOTAL - RISK MANAGEMENT $110,998,494

WORKERS COMPENSATIONANTICIPATED REVENUES:

Charges for Services $6,784,936Fund Balance Carried Forward 6,608,064TOTAL - WORKERS COMPENSATION FUND $13,393,000


REVENUE BONDS LEASE PAYMENT FUNDS

BUILDING AUTHORITY LEASE PAYMENTS

ANTICIPATED REVENUES:Use of Money & Property $3,731,846Fund Balance Carried Forward 0TOTAL - BUILDING AUTHORITY $3,731,846


PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUDICIAL FACILITIES AUTHORITY LEASE PAYMENTS

ANTICIPATED REVENUES:Use of Money & Property $3,104,676Fund Balance Carried Forward 0TOTAL - PS&J FACILITIES AUTHORITY $3,104,676


Budget Continued From Page 16A


18/24

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2010 PAGE 18AhEalth

Peace on Earth &

Goodwill to all...

Were wishing happiness,joy & safety to all for theNew Year.

elcome

2011ChampionNewspaper.com

404-373-7779

For more information,visit www.atlantagastro.com or

call 1-866-GO-TO-AGA [468-6242].

Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates isproud to announce the association of

Mahmoud B. Barrie, M.D.for the practice of Gastroenterology

Dr. Barrie is now seeing patients at:

Specialists in the Detection andTreatment of Digestive Diseases,

Hepatitis and Colon Cancer

AGA is a participating provider for Medicare,Medicaid and most healthcare plans offered in Georgia.

Atlanta Medical Center340 Boulevard NE

Suite 145Atlanta, Georgia 30312

404.584.7306

Lithonia5900 Hillandale Drive

Suite 330Lithonia, Georgia 30058

770.817.0224

Study in asthma patients shows

H1N1 vaccine safe, effectiveA study of the 2009

H1N1 inuenza vaccine in

adolescents and adults withasthma showed that a singledose of the vaccine wasafe and induced a strongmmune response. Individu-

als older than age 60 withevere asthma may require aarger vaccine dose, howev-

er. The study appears onlinen theJournal of Allergy

and Clinical Immunology atwww.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(10)01764-1/abstract.

The Emory ChildrensCenter, jointly operatedby Emory and Childrens

Healthcare of Atlanta, wasone of seven participatingites in the study. In part-

nership with Emory, Chil-drens recently designatedmmunology and vaccines

as one of eight priority re-earch focus areas for the

pediatric healthcare sys-em.

The study of 390 peopleages 12 to 79 was conductedat Severe Asthma ResearchProgram sites sponsored byhe National Heart, Lung,

and Blood Institute of the

National Institutes of HealthNIH). It was co-sponsoredby the National Institute ofAllergy and Infectious Dis-eases of the NIH.

It was very importanthat we nd the optimal

dose of H1N1 u vaccinehat could be given safely to

our asthma patients, said

Anne Fitzpatrick, principalinvestigator of the Emory

trial.

champion free press 12-31

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