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www.championnewspaper.com

WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2013 VOL. 16, NO. 7 FREE

FREEPRESS A PUBLICATION OF ACE III C OMMUNICATIONS

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain.

Dorsey Brooks

See Brooks on Page 15A

See FODAC on Page 15A

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by Carla [email protected]

At age 98, Dorsey Brooks still has a clearmemory of his days at Tucker High School,where he coached and taught 1947-1962.

Brooks, who currently lives in Hoschton, isa historic figure in the athletics department atTucker High. In 1947, he was asked to come tohe high school to develop the athletics program.

He was a one-man show in the beginning,coaching football, basketball, baseball and track.He also assisted with the girls sports programbefore more coaches were hired. He did all ofhis while maintaining and preparing the field.

When I went to Tucker it had the only

football field in the county, he said. If anythingneeded to be done I had to do it.

Brooks love for sports began at an earlyage. Born on Nov. 26, 1914, the year TuckerHigh opened, Brooks lived in Jefferson withhis parents and nine siblings on a farm. It wason that farm that Brooks learned how to playbasketball.

The hoop was on the back of an old barn,he said. Thats all me and one of my buddieshad to play on and thats how we learned to playbasketball.

He played basketball at Martin Institute inJefferson, where the team won a junior higheighth grade tournament. The next year as afreshman he moved to Lattimore, N.C., to livewith his brother, who was farming cotton. Hemade the team as a freshman, started and playedevery game, and the team eventually won theNorth Carolina state championship.

I was fairly good [at basketball] and Igot interested in it, he said. I was luckyenough to play on the team that won the statechampionship.

He moved back to Jefferson afterward. Aftergraduating from Martin Institute, he and a friendtried to join the Navy; he was denied entrybecause he was underweight. Brooks went

back home with the hopes of finding a job atthe Jefferson Cotton Mill. Because of the GreatDepression, the owner of the cotton mill couldnthire him.

I asked him if he could help me pay forschool and he said yes, Brooks said.

Dorsey Brooks: A Tucker High School legend still active at 98

Andrew [email protected]

Heavy rains did not put adamper on the 13th AnnualRun Walk n Roll event May 4

o benefit Friends of Disabled Adultsnd Children (FODAC).

This is the first time weveeen rained on, said Chris Brand,

FODACs president and CEO. Io impressed with our staff andhe volunteers and the people whohowed up today.

Dozens of people participatedn the fve-mile race or two-mile

walk/roll at Stone Mountain Park.Participants and supporters hadaised more than $20,000 before the

vent to beneft FODAC, a nonproftrganization providing over $10

million annually in durable medicalquipment (DME) and supplies to the

disabled community. Brand said hexpected another $10,000-$20,000 toe raised during the event.

Snellville native AimeeCopelandwas the special guest and host for thevent. Copeland battled a esh-eatingacterial infection in 2012, whichesulted in the loss of her leg, a footnd a hand.

Benefit race raises more than $20,000 for nonprofit

More than 100 people braved heavy rains to raise $30,000 during a run/walk/roll benetting Friends of Disabled Adults andChildren (FODAC). Photo by Andrew Cauthen

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The Champon, Thrsday, May 9 - 15, 2013 Page 2ALOCAL NEWS

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Toll free (TTY 711),seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.Call now to RSVP.

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Discover how Kaiser Permanente brings your care and coverage together in one convenient Medicare

health plan. Find out why Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (HMO) is rated 4.5 out of 5 Stars

in Georgia for 2013.2 And why it could be right for you.

1Free with no obligation. 2Plan performance Star Ratings are assessed each year and may change from oneyear to the next. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Plan Management System, Plan Ratings 2013.Kaiser Permanente contract #H1170. Kaiser Permanente is a health plan with a Medicare contract. You mustreside in the Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage (HMO) service area in which you enroll. A sales person will bepresent with information and applications. For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings,call toll free (TTY 711). Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine Piedmont Center,

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Page 3A The Champon, Thrsday, May 9 - 15, 2013

Commissioners restart bidding process for water/sewer overhaulby Daniel [email protected]

DeKalb County commissioners voted April 23o delay overhauling the countys water and sewerystems because of an ongoing investigation intohe countys Department of Watershed Manage-

ment.After learning three members of the selec-

ion committee reviewing the process hadbeen questioned by the grand jury, commis-ioners decided to start the bidding process

over.At an April 2 Finance, Audit and Budget

Committee meeting (FAB), CommissionerElaine Boyer said she wants to make surehe largest public works project that she

has been involved with in her 20 years on thecommission is totally transparent.

Boyer said several contractors that havebid on the projectestimated at more than $1billionhave also been interviewed by thegrand jury.

The DeKalb County Department of Water-hed Management is currently being investigated

for alleged corruption and bid-rigging.Lee May, presiding ofcer of the commission,

aid the fact the DeKalb County CEO Burrell El-is is being investigated by the grand jury and Dis-rict Attorney Robert James has asked for recordsegarding bid-rigging calls for extra review.

You had at least two to three members of theelection committee that were called to the grandury directly and asked about watershed manage-

ment and this contract, May said.Commissioners butted heads at another FAB

meeting April 16 when a suggestion to start thebidding process over was made.

Were at a point now where we need to g-ure out if we want to continue down this road orscratch it and start over, May said.

May and Boyer agreed the best route is to startover. However, CommissionerKathie Gannonsaid she isnt aware of any technical wrongdoingof the administration when they conducted theirreview of the proposals.

I would be very worried about starting overbecause of the time line, Gannon said.

Previously, Gannon had suggested startingover and re-opening the bidding process, butchanged her mind after learning of the timeline.

I just nd this a bit disingenuous by commis-sioner Gannonshe comes in last week, throwsthese reballs in then left. Last week she says weshould throw it out, May said.

None of this was intended to create a ght orto stop things from moving forward. I dont carewho gets any of the workall of this was meant

to expedite it with as little work and chaos aspossible. So, to come in and walk out as Imexplaining it is ridiculous, May said.

The county has been embroiled in legalbattles and investigations related to the countywatershed department since was a specialgrand jury impaneled in January 2012.

At the beginning of 2013, the grand juryconcluded its investigation but its ndingshave remained under seal and a legal battlehas ensued between Jamesand Ellis.

A judge had previously ruled that beforethe grand jurys report would be made public,it should be released to Ellis and his lawyersto allow them to redact any incriminatinginformation. James appealed to the SupremeCourt, which denied his appeal.

Ellis testied before the special grand jurytwice. While he was testifying the second time,investigators from the DAs ofce searched hishome and ofce for information that would provea range of crimes, including racketeering, wirefraud, theft and bid-rigging.

The foreman of the grand jury, Albert Tru-jillo, has led a lawsuit against DeKalb CountySuperior Court Judge Mark Anthony Scott forrefusing to release the ndings.

Condado de DeKalb 2014-2018 Plan Consolidado para HUD

Programas para incluir en Plan de Accin Anual 2014

ANUNCIO IMPORTANTE

PROCESO DE SOLICITUD DE SUBVENCION PARAEl Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados

Unidos (HUD) 2014 FUNDS

El 16 de Mayo de 2013, el Departamento de Desarrollo Humano y Comunitario del Condado de DeKalb

comenzar a aceptar solicitudes de organizaciones religiosas, organizaciones comunitarias, municipios,agencias sin fines de lucro u otras entidades interesadas en aplicar para Community Development BlockGrant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), y los fondos de HOME para el ao 2014. Todas lassolicitudes o peticiones seran objeto de financiamiento HUD en el futuro, para estos programas.

Las aplicaciones CDBG y ESG y la informacin general se pueden obtener a partir 16 de Mayo 2013 en elsitio web del Condado de DeKalb, www.dekalbcountyga.us. Para obtener ms informacin, por favor, nasea nuestras reuniones o llame al 404.286.3308.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ap li ca ci n /I nf or ma ci n /T al le r de As is te nc ia T cn ic a

Fecha/Hora Local idadJueves, 16 de May, 2013

10:30 AM 12:30 PM

Wesley Chapel Library

2861 Wesley Chapel Road

Decatur, Georgia 30034

Esta reunin es muy importante teniendo en cuenta l as reducciones de fondos en los diferentes programas!______________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Au di en ci as P bl ic asEl Departamento de Desarrollo Humano y Comunitario del Condado de DeKalb est llevando a

cabo dos audiencias pblicas.

Fecha/Hora Fecha/Hora

Jueves, 23 de Mayo, 2013 a las 6:30PM

Community NeedsMaloof Auditorium

1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GAEl propsito de esta audiencia pblica es obtener

la opinin del publico sobre las necesidades yprioridades de la comunidad. Vamos a discutir lainformacin general sobre el Plan Consolidado

2014-2018 incluido el Plan de Accin Anual 2014,el proceso de presentacin de solicitudes, y las

actualizaciones del programa.

Jueves, 22 de Agosto, 2013 a las 6:30 PM

Proposed Budget/Annual Action PlanMaloof Auditorium

1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GAVamos a presentar el proyecto de Plan Consolidado2014-2018 incluyendo la 2014 Anual Plan de accin,

presupuesto y solicitaremos preguntas y comentarios delpblico.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

DeKalb County 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan for

HUD Programs to include the 2014 Annual ActionPlan

GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS FORThe United States Department of Housing and Ur ban Development

(HUD) 2014 FUNDS

On May 16, 2013 the DeKalb County Human and Community DevelopmentDepartment will begin accepting applications from faith-based organizations,community organizations, municipalities, non-profit agencies and other entitiesinterested in applying for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), EmergencySolutions Grant (ESG), and HOME funds for the Year 2014. Al l appl icat ions orrequests are subject to future HUD funding f or these progra ms. CDBG and ESGapplications and general information may be obtained beginning May 16, 2013 at theDeKalb County website; www.dekalbcountyga.us. For more information, please join us a themeetings or call (404) 286-3308.

______ ___ ____ ___ ___ ______ ___ ____ ___ ___ ______ ___ ____ ___ ___ ________ _

Ap pl ic at io n/ In fo rm at io n/ Te ch ni ca l As si st an ce Wo rk sh op

Date/T ime Locat ionThursday, May 16, 2013

10:30 AM 12:30 PMWesley Chapel Library

2861 Wesley Chapel RoadDecatur, Georgia 30034

This meeting is very important given the funding reductions in the various programs!

Public HearingsThe DeKalb County Human and Community Development Department

is conducting two Public Hearings.

Date/T ime Date/T ime

Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 6:30 PM

Community NeedsMaloof Audi torium

1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GAThe purpose of this public hearing is to solicit

input from the public regarding communityneeds and priorities. We will discuss general

information concerning the 2014-2018

Consolidated Plan including the 2014 AnnualAction Plan, application submis sion process,and program updates.

Thursday, August 22, 2013 at 6:30 PM

Proposed Budget/Annual Act ion PlanMaloof Audi torium

1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GAWe will present the proposed 2014-2018

Consolidated Plan including the 2014 AnnualAction Plan, p roposed budget and solici t

public questions and/or comments.

DeKalb County 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan for HUDPrograms to include the 2014 Annual Action Plan

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

______________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

None of this was intended to create a fightor to stop things from moving forward. Idont care who gets any of the workall ofthis was meant to expedite it.

Lee MayCounty Commissioner

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So the Supreme Court isconsidering doing away withace for admission to college?think that is a great idea, but

we must also do away with alleferences to race or gender on

all official applications. Merit,experience and references wouldbe the only qualifications required.No picture IDs for applicationeither. In addition, there would be

hefty fines and jail time for thosefound discriminating or givingpreferential treatment on the basisof age, race, names, color, gender,exual orientation and religion.

Start with the government and thecensus. Count people. No moreethnic boxes to check.

The reason for set asidesor quotas in the first place wasbecause minorities and womenwere getting the short shrift incollege admissions, contractsand employment. Vestiges of that

discrimination remain. Imaginethe boon to our economy if merit,not race was the only criteria usedfor college admission. Use thesports and entertainment worldas examples or even closingarguments in the courtroom,the most talented win. What awonderful country (world) thiswould be!

Currently we all have tocheck the boxesBlack, AfricanAmerican, Biracial, White, NativeAmerican, Hispanic, Non-WhiteHispanic, Latino, Asian, Indian,Pacific Islander and Other.Gracious! After all of that race andethnic defining who else is leftamong the human species in theuniverse? Why cant we just check

U.S. Citizen or non-U.S. Citizen,Work Visa or Student Visa? Wecount census numbers to determinehow many federal dollars shouldgo to what programs for whichgroup. What a ridiculous wasteof space, paper, labor and dollars.We keep separating ourselves. Ifwe discontinued the use of labelsand were all simply identified asAmericans, it seems that might goa long way toward bringing aboutsome semblance of equality inthis country. In addition, consider

the savings that might be derivedfrom trimming government bloat ofall the people/group counters andprogram shifters.

Picture IDs should be requiredfor all official transactions, i.e.drivers license, banking, college,school, employee access, and sincewe have it already voting. Apicture speaks a thousand words.One could readily determinewhether the individual is darkor light complexioned, male orfemale. Do away with height andweight. Most of us, especially wewomen, are at minimum 10 poundsheavier than the weight indicatedon the license. Who pays attentionto the height anyway? If for somereason that makes a difference,

then height could be conceded. Itshould be mandatory that pictureson ID be changed every five years.The black-haired woman on mybank card from nearly 15 years agobears precious li ttle resemblance tothe gray-haired woman today. Its alittle like those 25-year-old pictureson the front of funeral programsthat hardly look like the person laidout in the front of the church.

This writer has long heldthat true equality will occur inthis country when an average

non-White male or female cansuccessfully compete with anaverage White male or female.Wed have to do away with alllabels to achieve that lofty ideal. Iwant my legislators to introduce ameasure to do away with all racialand ethnic labels, in keeping withthe move by the Supreme Courtto eliminate race as a preferencein college admissions. As acompanion requirement to doingaway with color and gender checkboxes, it bears repeating thereought to be serious jail time andbig fines when Sheniqulolah Smithand Moughtah Hoppondopouloushave the grades and SAT scoresand Jeremy Johnson IV getsadmitted with lower scores.

Obviously we cant do awaywith all bureaucracy, becausesomeone would have to monitor forfairness. Oye vey! I forgot aboutname discrimination. This streamof consciousness just ran out ofsteam. Cant we all just get along?

Steen Miles, The Newslady, is aretired journalist and former Geor-gia state senator. Contact SteenMiles at [email protected].

Race, sex neutralThe Newslady

Page 4A The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 10, 2013OPINION

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Let Us Know What You Think!

THE CHAMPION FREE PRESSencourages opinionsfrom its readers. Please write to us and express yourviews. Letters should be brief, typewritten and containthe writers name, address and telephone number forverication. All letters will be considered for publication.

Send Letters To Editor, The Champion Free Press, P. O. Box 1347,Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Send E-Mail to [email protected]

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

to publication date.

EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributingeditors do not necessarily reect the opinions of the editor or publishers.The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement atany time. The Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

Publisher: Dr. Earl D. GlennManaging Editor: Kathy Mitchell

News Editor: Andrew Cauthen

Production Manager: Kemesha Hunt

Graphic Designer: Travis Hudgons

The Champion Free Press is published each

Friday by ACE III Communications, Inc.,

114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030

Phone (404) 373-7779.

www.championnewspaper.com

DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110

FREEPRESS

STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLISHER

We sincerely appreciate the discussion surrounding this and any

issue of interest to DeKalb County. The Champion was founded in1991 expressly to provide a forum for discourse forallcommunityresidents on all sides of an issue. We have no desire to make thenews only to report news and opinions to effect a more educatedcitizenry that will ultimately move our community forward. We arehappy to present ideas for discussion; however, we make everyeffort to avoid printing information submitted to us that is known tobe false and/or assumptions penned as fact.

One Mans Opinion

A government which robs Peterto pay Paul can always depend onthe support of Paul.Irish author,playwright and economist GeorgeBernard Shaw (1856-1950), inEverybodys Political Whats Whatin1944.

My experiences with trolleys andstreet cars are limited to visits to NewOrleans and San Francisco. Scenic,memorable and a fun way to sightsee,

but far from the most practical wayto travel. So now, in challengingeconomic times, with transportationinfrastructure dollars increasinglyrare,Atlanta and MARTA arebuilding a trolley to nowhere, andbefore it goes anywhere, it may wellcost $10 million more.

Georgia Power ran Atlantas laststreetcars through 1949. In 2010,Atlanta was initially awarded $47million in federal stimulus fundingfor shovel ready projects to buildthe Atlanta Trolley, which will runon tracks in the streets in an east/west 1.3 mile loop from the MartinLuther King, Jr. Historic district andSweet Auburn districts to CentennialOlympic Park. By 2012, the cityannounced that project costs had

increased to $90 million. MARTAwill run the service, once completed,at a fare commensurate with the restof the system. To see a map of theloop, with service expected every15-20 minutes, and using AuburnAvenue and Edgewood Avenue as its

primary corridors, visithttp://www.atlantadowntown.com/_les/docs/atlanta_streetcar_route_8_12.pdf

And now, before Siemenscompletes the rst rail car (of four),we understand that complicationscaused by non-mapped water, sewer,natural gas and other undergroundutility lines, which look likespaghetti after excavating a fewfeet of asphalt and road bed, willadd another $9 million to projectcosts. This brings us to nearly

$100 million for the short journey,already paralleled underground bythe MARTA rail line, and accessibletopside by three existing arteries,each with sidewalks on AuburnAvenue, Edgewood Avenue andDecatur/Marietta Streets. This is alsonot our primary existing hospitality/tourism and convention corridordowntown. That honor belongsto Andrew Young InternationalBoulevard, which connectsdowntown hotels to the GeorgiaWorld Congress Center, CentennialOlympic Park and what is left of ourdowntown retail district.

Let us instead imagine thesame $100 million being put touse on other existing and neededinfrastructure improvements in metro

Atlanta and around the state. Thatamount of federal coin could coverthe majority of costs of deepeningand dredging the port of Savannah,a project ardently supported by bothAtlanta MayorKasim Reed andGov. Nathan Deal. Or $100 millioncould pre-fund a huge chunk of theAtlanta Beltline, bringing muchmore quickly to reality comparative

bargains and true economicdevelopment catalysts such as theFourth Ward Park on the east sideof City Hall East and Ralph McGillBoulevard. You wont believe thatuntil you see it.

Or, $100 million couldsignicantly expedite the conversionof a more than 400-acre greenspace (more than double the size ofPiedmont Park) into a world class

park, as well as Atlantas primarywater reservoir. The conversion ofthe former granite quarry is alreadyunder way, albeit slowly, but unlessyou are a regular viewer ofTheWalking Dead, in which the parkand water reservoir were heavilyfeatured in Season One, the ZombieApocalypse may still precede that

parks completion.Or my nal thought, $100 million

in expansions of either AlonzoHerndon Field or Bobby DoddStadium at Georgia Tech, could

provide our Atlanta Falcons with anoutdoor home for those warmer and

sunny season home games, leaving inplace the Georgia Dome and savingall parties involved more than $1

billion in expense. But sadly, each of

these other options simply makes toomuch sense. Time and again, we haveto question why our governmentleaders squander increasingly rareresources on paths of folly like anunneeded tourist trolley.

If this project hits $100 million(wanna bet?) that total will come to$7.7 million per tenth of amile for a1.3 mile loop. A typical road of statehighway blacktop (not interstate) isroughly $1 million per mile. As withour coming new open air stadium,there are good people involved in

pulling this thing forward, as well asbuilding it out.

This makes almost as muchsense as Fulton County buildinga $5 millionAviation History andCultural Center adjoining CharlieBrown Airport, instead of near

Hartseld, the worlds busiestairport. Supporters will say, but its

free money. Those may be mostlyfederal stimulus dollars, but freefederal project funds really are notfree. We just seem to be forevercomfortable depending on thekindness and generosity of strangers.

Bill Crane also serves as a po-litical analyst and commentator forChannel 2s Action News, WSB-AMNews/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, aswell as a columnist forThe Champion,Champion Free Press andGeorgiaTrend. Crane is a DeKalb native and

business owner, living in Scottdale. Youcan reach him or comment on a col-umn at [email protected].

Tourist trolley or folly?

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 10, 2013 Page 5AOPINION

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The Champon, Thrsday, May 9 - 15, 2013 Page 6ACOMMuNiTY

Champion of the Week

If you ould like to nominate someone to be considered as a

future Champion of the week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at

[email protected] or at (404) 373-7779, ext. 104.

sandrail Maon

Sandrail Mason is

someone who exempliescommunity, love, familyand integrity, according toJerome Alford, who nomi-nated her to be honored forher work in the community.

Alford said he was es-pecially impressed with aChristmas event she spon-sors each year at the Sam-uel Jones Boys and GirlsClub in Decatur. He saidshe raises some money forthe event but the majorityof whats provided for the300 guests comes from sac-rices she and her husbandmake throughout the year,he said. I was privilegedto volunteer at the 2012Christmas Cheer event andI was amazed by the full

breakfast that was provided

as well as the health andwellness information, freehaircuts and, of course, thetoys for the children.

Mason said she has beenhelping people for manyyears, but incorporated asa nonprot, At Your Ser-vice Enrichment, Corp., in2003. My husband and Ihad been helping peopleany way we could, includ-ing letting people who hadno place else to go sleepon our sofa or on a palleton the oor. We decidedwe could do more as aregistered nonprot, sherecalled. Mason said shegot help from Beulah BibleCollege ling the paper-work to register as a non-

prot.Keeping families to-

gether is a central themefor her organization, Masonexplained, adding that sheespecially works to helpchildren and senior citizens.There are children goingto school who dont even

have proper underwear,and kids can be very harshwhen they see other kidswho dont have what theyhave. We dont want any-one to be in that situation,so we try to help where we

can, she said. If I learnabout a child who doesnthave a bed to sleep in, Iask around to nd someonewho has a bed they can do-nate.

Mason said she alsonds volunteers who canhelp older people whoneed help keeping up theirhomes. We nd peoplewho can cut their grass ordo repairs, she said. Iremember a lady in her 80swho said she couldnt cleanher home because of arthri-tis. A group of us went toher house about 2:30 in theafternoon and worked until10:30 or 11 that night. Shetold me later that she wasso happy with how cleanher house was that she justsat in the living room untilabout 1:30 that morning ad-miring it.

Noting that she is in-spired by the example hermother set when she wasgrowing up, Mason said, I

believe youre supposed to

help people when you can.You never know when youmight need help yourself.Besides, it just makes mehappy to be able to put asmile on someones face.

Sneiderman to beindicted for third timey Daniel Beauregard

[email protected]

The Dunwoody widow

ccused of conspiring tomurder her husband iseing served with anotherndictment.

Andrea Sneiderman ischeduled to be arraigned

May 21 in DeKalb Countyudge Gregory Adamsourtroom, for the third timeince being arrested Aug. 2,012.

Sneiderman, whosehusband Rusty Sneidermanwas murdered outside aDunwoody day care centern 2010, faces charges that

nclude perjury, malicemurder, felony murder andggravated assault.

Prosecutors allegeSneiderman and her formeross Hemy Neuman plottedo kill her husband.

According to prosecutors,he was having an affair with

Neuman, who later confessedo the murder and is nowerving life in prison withoutarole.

At hearings April 4 and0, defense attorneys spent

hours arguing why severalounts of Sneidermans

6-count indictment shoulde thrown out.

The question for you at

this time your honor is, Isthe indictment perfect? andclearly it is not, defenseattorney John Petrey said.

It fails miserably, yourhonor.

Adams agreed withdefense attorneys anddismissed four non-murdercharges against SneidermanMay 1.

Prosecutors have sinceled a new 16-countindictment, chargingSneiderman with malice andfelony murder, aggravatedassault, four counts ofmaking a false statement,seven counts of perjury,concealment of material

facts and hindering theapprehension of a criminal.The four charges that

Adams dismissed werefor giving false statementsto law enforcementofcers. However, thosecharges appear on the newindictment, with slightlydifferent language.

Adams has set a tentativedate of July 29 to begin juryselection for Sneidermanstrial.

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The Champon, Thrsday, May 9 - 15, 2013 Page 7ACOMMuNiTY

AROUNDDEKALBATLANTA

Republican women to meet

The North DeKalb RepublicanWomen (NDRW) will meet at theDeKalb Republican Party Head-quarters, 3583-G Chamblee TuckerRoad (Embry Hills Shopping Vil-age) on Saturday, May 11, at 10

a.m. The speaker will be StateSenatorFran Millar, who willrecap the 2013 state legislative ses-sion. The public is invited.

The NDRW is a nonprot orga-nization involved in public service,working with the USO, Ronald

McDonald House, the V.A. Hospi-al and local schools. The NDRWs currently collecting diapers forhe families of American mili-ary. Those who would like to con-ribute can bring the diapers to the

DeKalb GOP Headquarters on anymeeting date.

For more information, contactNatalie Olmi at (770) 396-4101.

DeKalb for Seniors to hold Seniorof the Year gala

DeKalb for Seniors Inc. will hostts second annual Senior of the

Year Silver Awards Gala, honoringolder members of the communityand recognizing them for theirservice and civic involvement.The event will be held at noon onSaturday, May 18, at Saint PhilipAME Church in the Family LifeCenter, 240 Candler Road, Atlanta.Gospel radio host Larry Tinsleyof V-103/WAOKSunday MorningPraise will serve as master ofceremonies for the luncheon.

Nomination submissions wereudged and 15 nalists from across

DeKalb County will be honored athe luncheon. Finalists with the top

scores will be awarded rst, second

and third place Senior of theYear awards. Finalists are: CarrieBaldwin, Decatur; Carrie Brisco,Stone Mountain; Janice Cash,Decatur; Carleen Cumberbatch,Lithonia; Alma Goecker, Atlanta;Arlene Parker Goldson, Lithonia;Sandra Harris, Decatur; AndrewHicks, Lithonia; Shirley Jones,Lithonia; Evelyn Kennedy,Chamblee; Bea Mackins, StoneMountain; James McCoy, Decatur;Rose Miles, Lithonia; AnnieThomas, Stone Mountain; andSamuel O. Williams, Lithonia.

DeKalb for Seniors Inc. is

a nonprot that serves as thefundraising and advocacy arm forhe Lou Walker Senior Center,

and is an award winning facilityfor community members 55 and

older. The center serves more than

3,000 seniors throughout the year.Proceeds from the Silver Gala willsupport the Lou Walker SeniorCenter.

AVONDALe esTATesCitys Rail Arts District to hostArt-B-Que

The Rail Arts District inAvondale Estates will host Art-B-Que on Saturday, May 11, andSunday, May 12. There will befun for the entire family, includingexploring the treasures in the artistmarket, 20 plus bands, food andmore. For more information onbeing a sponsor, volunteering orparticipating as an artist, visit www.artbque.com.

BROOKHAVeN

ARC to host preventative healthservices presentation

The Atlanta Regional Commissionwill offer senior citizens can get in-formation about preventative healthservices on May 14, 2-3 p.m. at theBrookhaven Library. Informationabout what Medicare covers in rela-tion to the services and other freeor low-cost services available in thecommunity will be provided. Theevent is open to the rst 30 partici-pants. Brookhaven Library is locat-ed at 1242 N. Druid Hills Road, NEin Atlanta. For more information,call (404) 848-7140.

DeCATUR

Crocheting group to meet

Creative Expressions Crocheting

Group will meet at the CovingtonLibrary Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.-noon.This group is for adults whohave an interest in crocheting,whether beginners or those whohave been crocheting for years.All experience levels are welcome.Participants should bring their ownsupplies. The group meets everysecond Saturday of the month,except holidays. Covington Libraryis located at 3500 CovingtonHighway, Decatur. For moreinformation, call (404) 508-7180.

Author to present debut novel

Rhonda Riley will be at theDecatur Library Monday, May 13,7:15-9 p.m., with her debut novelThe Enchanted Life of Adam Hope,

which the library describes as a

lyrical, engaging love story. Thenovel has drawn high praise fromearly readers, according to thelibrary.Library Journalwrites thather exquisite language draws thereader into this improbable, beauti-fully rendered, somewhat biblicallove story with a wildly imaginativepremise that is irresistible, tenderand provocative. Bestselling authorJulianna Baggott calls it an in-credible, otherworldly love story.

The Decatur Library is located at215 Sycamore Street, Decatur. Formore information, call (404) 370-3070.

LITHONIA

Library celebrates spoken-wordartists life

Stonecrest Library in Lithoniais holding a tribute to famous poet/spoken word artist Gil Scott-HeronMay 20, 6-8 p.m.

The event will be hosted byLangston Hughes award-winningpoet and essayist Gwen RussellGreen, who is also a resident ofsouth DeKalb County.

Scott-Heron is best-known for

his poem/song The RevolutionWill Not Be Televised, recordedin the 1970s. He is also known asan expert cultural chronologist andcommentator on social and politicalevents in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

For more information call (770)482-3828 or visit the StonecrestLibrary, located at 3123 KlondikeRoad in Lithonia.

Arabia Mountain preserve holdssunset hike

The Davidson-Arabia MountainNature Preserve is hosting a night

hike May 18, 6-9 p.m.Sponsored by the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service, the event willhighlight the recovery efforts beingto restore quillwort and pool spriteat the preserve. Both types of plantsare found at the mountain and pro-tected under the Endangered Spe-cies Act.

Those interested should meet atthe Davidson-Arabia Mountain Na-ture Center, located at 3787 Klond-ike Road in Lithonia. Attendees willbe able to learn about the ecosystemand heritage of the mountain, thenhike up the mountain at sunset toobserve the areas of restoration for

the plants.For more information, call (770)

492-5231 or visit www.arabiaal-liance.org.

Healthful eating class to focus on

fruits, vegetables

As part of its Food Talk series,The University of Georgias Coop-erative Extension Expanded Foodand Nutrition Education Programon Thursday, May 16, 11 a.m.-noon,will present Color Me Healthy:Add more fruits and vegetables toyour meals at the Salem-PanolaLibrary. The series provides healthyeating/nutrition education classesfor families with children. Fund-ing for the series is provided by theUniversity of Georgias CooperativeExtension Services. Salem-Panola

Library is located at 5137 SalemRoad, Lithonia. For more informa-tion, call (770) 987-6900.

sTONe MOUNTAIN

City-wide yard sale announced

The city-wide yard sale will beheld on Saturday, May 18, 8:30a.m. until 3 p.m. on the First BaptistChurch lawn in the center of town.Set up begins at 7:30 a.m. on theday of the saletables will not beprovided.A limited number of 10-by-10 spaces under the pavilion

are available at $20 each on a rstcome, rst served basis or 10-by-10lawn spaces can be rented for $10each. For more information, contactSusan Coletti at (404) 444-5607 orcity hall at (770) 498-8984. No foodvendors; no refunds and no raindate.

TUCKeR

DeKalb police departmentcelebrates ofcers

The DeKalb County Police De-partment held a ceremony to honor

the achievements of members with-in its force. The men and womenhonored received recognition fortheir advancement to ranks of ser-geant, lieutenant and major.

Five new sergeants, one lieuten-ant and one major received recog-nition during the ceremony, heldat the DeKalb County Police andFire Rescue headquarters, locatedat 1960 West Exchange Place inTucker.

Their dedication and develop-ment as law enforcement profes-sionals is admirable and commend-able. The hard work and standard

of excellence of these individualswill continue to serve them well intheir future endeavors, said ChiefCedric Alexander.

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See Superintendent on Page 9A

DeKalb Schools superintendent releases 90-day planby Daniel [email protected]

DeKalb County SchoolDistrict (DCSD) interim Su-perintendent Michael Thur-mond said the districts op-

portunities are limitless ina new 90-day plan releasedApril 30.

Thurmond, who has beenuperintendent of the morehan 90,000-student district

for little more than threemonths, said DCSD willearn from its past mistakes

but not dwell on them.The agenda for the next

90 days will be challengingand rewarding. We will dem-onstrate signicant institu-ional progress to AdvancED/

SACS monitors, balance thescal year] 2014 budget and

prioritize student academicachievement and careereadiness, Thurmond statesn the report.

Thurmond was hired toeplace former Superinten-

dent Cheryl Atkinson weeksbefore Gov. Nathan Dealecommended dismissing six

of the nine-member DeKalb

County Board of Education.The members who werenot dismissed were newlyelected Marshall Orson,Melvin Johnson and JimMcMahon.

Deal appointed new

members after an applicationprocess and a series of inter-views.

At the end of 2012, thedistrict was placed on proba-tion by accrediting agencyAdvancED and warned thatif it didnt address a hostof issues, it would lose ac-creditation. A new law allowsDeal to replace the boardmembers if a district is indanger of losing accredita-tion because of governanceissues.

The 90-day plan outlines

ve objectives based onThurmonds review of thedistricts student achieve-ment data, policies and

processes, budget resources,organizational culture andstructure.

The rst of the ve goalsis to address AdvancEDsaction items and achieve

unconditional accredita-tion status. The district wasgiven 11 required actions toaddress by December 2013.

Only six of those requiredaction items are listed inthe plan: engage gover-nance practitioners to assistwith rebuilding the DCSDgovernance structure; holdongoing meetings with Ad-vancED/SACS for technicalassistance support; submit

an institution progress reportto AdvancED/SACS dur-ing May 2013 monitoringvisit; complete execution ofthe scal year 2013 decitelimination plan; engageexpert practitioners to assist

with strategic planning pro-cess; and participate in boardtraining.

According to the plan, thedistrict has already estab-lished a response team thatis currently working on eachitem.

DCSD faced a budgetdecit last year that grewto approximately $80 mil-lion. This year, budget of-cials have stated that earlyestimates indicate a budgetshortfall of approximately$16 million.

The second goal of theplan is to develop a balancedbudget for scal year 2014.Ofcials propose to do this

by holding hearings to re-ceive stakeholder input, eval-uate senior level personnel

prior to renewing employ-ment contracts and revisingstate and federal grant pro-grams to improve academic

achievement.The plan also states it will

eliminate excessive legalfees. To date, the district hasspent more than $30 millionin civil and criminal courtcases, some that date back to

the early 2000s.Another goal of the plan

is to invest in student/adultmentoring programs to im-

prove academic achievement.One of the proposed actionsof this goal is to research anddocument the importance of

parent, adult guardian andmentor involvement and itscorrelation with student suc-cess.

Other goals includeimplementing a plan to im-

prove operational efciencyby evaluating senior staff andDCSDs organizational struc-ture, reviewing the districtscapital outlay program andtechnology programs.

The district has struggledin the past with maintaininga positive public perception.The initial AdvancED inves-tigation of the district was

based, in part, on complaintsto the accrediting agency

By Charles Steele Jr.,

President Emeritus/CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

President Obama has taken the courageous path in promoting a sustainable and independent energy utureor our country. His policies to support the growth o renewable energy production in the orm o wind, solarand biomass in our country is brave because, with change oen comes misunderstanding and sometimes,deliberate misinormation, serving to impede progress. Tis is the case in DeKalb County, Georgia.Biomass is a term that reers to renewable energy rom living matter, including manure. Tere is so muchbiomass produced in nature, it only makes sense to convert it into energy. Biomass plants, existing or over ahundred years, use a variety o materials as uel. Te most common material is wood pellets.

Modern biomass plants are operating in European cities as a major part o their energy mix. Such plantsare now operating in the United States at some o the nations leading universities. Te University o Vermont,Iowa, and Central Michigan all use biomass plants to provide steam, hot water and power or their campuses.Te renewable energy complex at the University o Iowa was just honored by the Environmental ProtectionAgency as one o the top twenty renewable acilities located in the United States. Te Federal government isbuilding a biomass plant at the amous Oak Ridge National Laboratories, which houses some o the nationsleading scientists.

One can use biomass eedstock to produce methane gas (or power generation) or convert it to ethanol ortransportation uels. Perhaps even more importantly, depending upon the process, organic soil amendments(ertilizers) can/are produced rom biomass.

Brazil is emerging as an economic power largely because they converted their economy to a biomass- based energy (i.e., sugarcane waste)aer the rst oil embargo in the 1970s. Tey no longer need to use their capital to buy ossil uels rom OPEC, Venezuela, or rinidad.

Tese modern biomass plants and emissions control systems should not be conused with incinerators which is a common mistake. Whatthese new plants represent are state-o-the-art technological investments, energy independence and economic progress.Tats why I am alarmed to learn o opposition being voiced in the DeKalb/metro Atlanta community to the sizeable and signicant investmentproposed by a minority-owned company, Green Energy Partners-DeKalb, LLC. Rather, I applaud their enterprising eforts to produce environ-mental-riendly economic development. Biomass plants are no stranger to Georgia, operating or over a hundred years in Georgias pulp andpaper industry.

Te arguments or environmental injustice do not make sense, given that the some o the nations leading universities -- not located in minorityareas -- have chosen to locate similar plants on their campuses. By comparison, the DeKalb County plant would be located within a historicallyheavy industrial area, nestled behind a closed landll, next door to a trash transer station and across the street rom a privately owned landll,rock quarry, and asphalt plant, with numerous trucking companies lying between the biomass plant and the city o Lithonia.

I believe the concerns regarding the use o allen tree limbs or uel in the proposed plant in the unincorporated Lithonia originates rom mis-inormation. Tere is no evidence nor do reports that I could nd that directly link biomass plants to health risks or the local population.

I do believe there are groups that oppose everything President Obama is now trying to do with renewable energy, to take attention away romeconomic investments that help build our local communities.

I support the development o renewable energy to include biomass. I am urging our communities to embrace and support the Presidents re-newable energy policy and the signicant investment in jobs and growth that his policy creates, which cannot be exported.

WHY I SUPPORT THE DEKALB COUNTY BIOMASS PLANT

Paid message

The agenda for the next 90 days willbe challenging and rewarding.

Michael ThurmondInterim Superintendent

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Residents ghting a pro-posed mixed-used complexproject at 315 West Poncede Leon Ave. in downtownDecatur have led an ap-peal with the Zoning Boardof Appeals.

In the appeal, which wasled April 12, homeown-ers said they question thevalidity of revisions to theDowntown Multiple Dwell-ng ordinances passed byhe city commission on

Dec. 3, 2012, and theyisted ve concerns.

One concern is the zon-ng administrator failed tofollow the procedures es-ablished in the applicable

ordinance for providingpublic notice.

The appeal also stateshat the zoning administra-or has not addressed ap-

plicable ordinances, whichequire variance approval

by the Zoning Board of Ap-peal.

The Decatur DowntownDevelopment Authorityapproved the developersapplication for the project

n March. The new $40million project includes240 high-end apartments

and 10,000 square feet ofretail. Atlanta-based realestate developer Carter

USA brought the plan to thecity in mid-February. Sincethen, the company has heldmeetings with residents inthe area as well with cityofcials.

Carter USA currentlyhas the 2.5-acre site un-der contract. The existingDecatur Court building, a125,000-square-foot ofcedevelopment, will serveas the anchor to the proj-ect. The land was recentlypurchased for almost $9million by an afliate of

Weaver and Woodbery andRedstone Investments, ac-cording to reports.

Representatives fromCarter USA have met withresidents in previous com-munity meetings and someof the concerns mentionedincluded trafc and park-ing. According to ZoningBoard of Appeals Authorityto Act section 10.18.2: Sup-plemental Standards for ap-proval, vehicular parkingfor the proposed develop-ment shall be undergroundor effectively screened by

retail or residential spaceor by landscape treatment.Parked vehicles shall be

screened from view fromthe public right away.

The Zoning Adminis-

trator states, The proposedplan is in compliance withthe requirement, the ap-peal stated. However, resi-dents stated in the appealthat the surface parkinglots on the south and eastsides of the property do notprovide screening from theview of the public.

Decatur planning direc-torAmanda Thompsonsaid in March that theneighborhood will get ap-proximately $50,000 oftrafc calming improve-

ments that will be installedthis summer.Well be putting up

crosswalks, many medians,stop signs and more, shesaid.

But residents stated inthe appeal that the plandoes not provide for re-quired streetscape improve-ments along Ponce de LeonPlace from the corner ofWest Ponce de Leon Av-enue north to the projectsmain driveway entranceon Ponce de Leon Place,according to the Citys

streetscape standards.The appeal will be heard

May 13 at 7:30 p.m.

SuperintendentContinued From Page 8A

Decatur homeowners file appealagainst proposed mixed-use complex

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Notice of Public HearingsMay 14 & 16, 2013

Notice is hereby given that the Board o Directors o the

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will hold public hearings

or the purpose o considering the

Proposed Fiscal Year 2014Operating & Capital Budgets

Tuesday, May 14

7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, 30350

NORTH FULTONSERVICE CENTERCommunity Exchange: 6-7p.m.

HEARING: 7:00 p.m.Riding MARTA: Bus route 87 from either the Dunwoody or North Springs rail stations.

also on Tuesday

1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, 30030

DECATURMALOOF AUDITORIUMCommunity Exchange: 6-7p.m.

HEARING: 7:00 p.m.Riding MARTA: Walk one block west of Decatur Station.

Copies o the proposed budget will also

be available at MARTAs Ofce o External

Aairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta,

Georgia 30324 during regular business hours,

Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For ormats (FREE o charge) in ac-

cordance with the ADA and Limited English

Profciency regulations contact (404) 848-

4037. For those patrons requiring urther ac-

commodations, inormation can be obtained

by calling the Telephone Device or the Dea

(TDD) at 404 848-5665.

In addition, a sign language interpreter

will be available at all hearings. I you can-

not attend the hearings and want to pro vide

comments you may: (1) leave a message at

(404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTAs Ofce

o External Aairs, 2424 Piedmont Road,

N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete

an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.

com; (4) or ax your comments no later than

May 28, 2013 to (404) 848-4179.

All citizens o the City o Atlanta and

the counties o Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and

Gwinnett whose interests are aected by the

subjects to be considered at these hearings

are hereby notifed and invited to appear at

said times and places and present such evi-

dence, comment or objection as their interests

require.

Keith T. Parker, AICP, General Manager/CEO

Thursday, May 16

2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta 30324MARTA HEADQUARTERS BUILDING

Community Exchange: 6-7p.m.

HEARING: 7:00 p.m.Riding MARTA: Across the street from the Lindbergh Center Station.

also on Thursday

3201 Martin Luther King Jr., Drive SW, Atlanta 30311

ADAMSVILLE RECREATION CENTERCommunity Exchange: 6-7p.m.

HEARING: 7:00 p.m.Riding MARTA: Bus route 73 from H.E. Holmes Station.

Samantha is an adult Labrador

Retriever mix. She has been attendingCharm School and is learning very quickly.She knows how to Sit and how to Touchwith her nose on command. She alsoknows her name. She is still learning towalk like a lady when on leash. Samanthalike most Labradors likes to play andrun and has plenty of energy. You canimagine how being kept in a cage all day,except for 20 30 minutes affects her.She is exuberant when she first gets out.

Samantha is medium size soshe can fit in any home; she weighsapproximately 45 lbs. She has been at theshelter too long; even 1 day is too long fora loving pet looking for a home. Samanthawould like a person of her own with whomshe could run and play. She is sponsoredby the Decatur High School HomelessPets Club and comes with a $250 trainingpackage to Frogs to Dogs. When youcome to the shelter to visit youll see theflowers the Decatur HS Homeless Pets

Club planted with Samanthas help. Shewants to come home with you so she canhelp you plant flowers too!!

PET WEEKofthe

Dekalb County Animal Shelter404-294-2165

Jamie Martinez

[email protected] [email protected]

Name: Samantha Sponsored by Decatur High School

Homeless Pets Club Vaccinated, Spayed & Heartworm negative $250 training package to Dog to Frogs

If interested in adopting Samantha, send an email toboth addresses below for a prompt reply

from teachers, residents andommunity members.

Thurmond said in the planhat he has spoken with a

host of stakeholders and theommon theme is to put stu-

dent academic achievementrst. He proposes to rebuildpublic trust by eliminatingwaste and mismanagement,eviewing central ofcetafng patterns, support-ng teachers and involving

parents and stakeholders inDCSDs decision makingprocess.

We will rebuild publicrust and condence through

deliberate actions groundedn transparency, open com-

munication, collaborationand shared responsibility,Thurmond said.

According to school of-cials, the 90-plan will bemplemented from May-July

2013. To view the plan, visitwww.dekalb.k12.ga.us.

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Starlight Six shooter found guilty

Libraries preparing summerreading programs

by Daniel [email protected]

A man accused ofshooting and killing amartial arts expert at aDeKalb Countydrive-in theaterwas found guiltyMay 2.

QuentricWilliams facesspending the restof his life behindbars for murdering28-year-oldMitt Lenix May15, 2012, at theStarlight SixDrive-In off MemorialDrive.

We hope that this guiltyverdict starts the healing

process for the family andfriends of Mitt Lenix,DeKalb District AttorneyRobert James said.

Kristina Guede, Lenixsgirlfriend,testied that theircar battery died, so he wentto ask for help.

Lenix reportedlyinterrupted Williams and hisgirlfriend having sex.

During the trial Williamstook the stand, claimingthat he shot Lenix in self-defense and only red awarning shot to try andscare him away.

He took his right handand stuck it in his waist like

he had a gun and he bentover and he started comingtoward my truck, Williamssaid. I jumped up on themiddle console and I shotuppopone shot, not

intended to killhim but to scarehim off.

Williams,who facedmultiple chargesincludingmalicemurder, felonymurder andassaulting apolice ofcer,ed the sceneand led police on

a high-speed chase.Lenix was taken to a

local hospital where he laterdied.

Police spokeswomanMekka Parish said awitness called 911 andfollowed Williams caruntil police were able to getbehind the vehicle.

Police then chasedWilliams on I-285 intoGwinnett County, wherehe wrecked his car andmanaged to run away frompolice ofcers. While policewere chasing him, Williamsthrew nearly $10,000 incash out of his truck.

Williams also tried tosteer his truck into severalof the police cars chasinghim, which is why he is

charged with aggravatedassault of a police ofcer.He was arrested May 16,2012, at the Sun Suites onClub Drive, where policefound a gun and a largeamount of cash and drugs.

According to ofcials,Williams had previouslyserved two state prisonterms for drug convictions.

I applaud the work ofour attorneys Zina Gumband ASheika Penn on thecase, James said. Alsoour victim witness advocateDallas Wilbanks wasinstrumental in workingwith [Lenixs] family andfriends during the emotionaltrial.

Lenixs parents are alsomartial arts experts and

own the Universal MartialArts studio in Stockbridge,where their son taught.

Our son was well-known all over the U.S. asa martial arts champion butespecially in Georgia andFlorida, Bill Lenix said.He was also a combatmedic in the National Guardand he had spent his lifeeven thought it was cut soshorthelping others.

Sentencing was set forMay 8. Williams faces lifeplus 15 years behind bars.

Williams

DeKalb County

Department of Watershed Management

Public Advisory

SNAPFINGER WOODS SANITARY SEWER ACCESS ROADS

May 9, 2013 June 9, 2013Advisory Issue Date Advisory Close Date

This advisory is issued to inform the public of a receipt of an applicaon for a variance submied pursuant toa State Environmental Law. The Public is invited to comment during a 30 day period on the proposed acvity.Since the Georgia Environmental Protecon Division (EPD) has no authority to zone property or determine landuse, only those comments addressing environmental issues related to air, water and land protecon will beconsidered in the applicaon review process. Wrien comments should be submied to: Program Manager,Non Point Source Program, Erosion and Sedimentaon Control, 4220 Internaonal Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta,Georgia 30354.

Type of Permit Applicaon: Variance to encroach within the 25-foot Sate Waters Buer.

Applicable Law: Georgia Erosion and Sedimentaon Act O.C.G.A. 12-7-1 ET seq.

Applicable Rules: Erosion and Sedimentaon Control Chapter 391-3-7.

Basis under which variance shall be considered {391-3-7.05(2) (A-K)}: A

Project Locaon:This project is located on the secon of Snapnger Woods Drive that is bounded by Rayburn Road to the westand Shell Bark Rd to the east near the city of Lithonia, GA. Specically, the site is located in land lots 8 & 9 ofthe 16th district & land lots 128 & 129 of the 15th district, in DeKalb, Georgia. The proposed construcon willinclude the installaon of permanent gab surface course sanitary sewer system access roads on both tracts ofland.Project Descripon:The proposed site condions will include the installaon of 16 heavy duty gravel road inside of a 20 proposedaccess easement. The surrounding site condions will not be altered from the exisng. All disturbed non-road-way areas and landscaping will be replaced in kind. Abandoned drives will be planted with approved materialsand converted to wetland migaon areas. County and state buer encroachments will be required for sanitarysewer maintenance road access in order to gain access to dierent parts of the property that contain the overallsewer main. The Public can review site plans at 1580 Roadhaven Drive Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. Phone770-621-7272.

NOTICEOFPROPERTYTAXHEARINGS

TheMayorandtheAtlantaCityCouncilwilladoptamillageratewhichwillrequirenotaxincrease.AllconcernedcitizensareinvitedtothepublichearingtobeheldattheAtlantaCityHallComplex,55TrinityAvenue,Atlanta,GeorgiaintheCityCouncilChamberslocatedontheSecondFlooronThursday,May16,2013at6:00p.m.

As schools close for theummer in a few weeks, the

DeKalb County Public Li-brary is scheduling variouspecial programs, includingts annual Vacation Reading

Program (VRP).VRP promotes the joy

and importance of readingand a love for the libraryfor the entire family. Thisyear, the program will run

from May 25-July 31.The library is holding

hree kick-off programs thatwill include storytelling,music, crafts and photos aswell as an opportunity toign up for VRP. The kick-

offs are: Thursday, May 30,0 a.m., at Stonecrest Li-

brary, 3123 Klondike Road,Lithonia; Thursday, May30, 3 p.m., at Tucker-ReidH. Cofer Library, 5234LaVista Road, Tucker; andSaturday, June 1, 10 a.m., atDecatur Library, 215 Syca-

more Street, Decatur.Sharon Deeds, libraryyouth services coordina-or, said the programs areots of fun for children and

parents, but whats reallymportant is that parents

motivate their children toead all summer long.

Studies show that read-

ing just a few books overthe summer months canhelp your school-age chil-dren maintain their readinglevels so they dont fallbehind in reading whenschool resumes, Deedssaid. Reading to your babyis just as important becauseit helps them develop lan-guage and early literacyskills.

The librarys SummerReading for Adults is at-tracting more participantseach year.

Library operations coor-dinatorKittyWilson, whoalso heads adult services,said the program offersgrown-ups more than justan opportunity to enjoysome good books.

Summer Reading forAdults also encouragespatrons to attend book dis-cussions and author talks,Wilson said. They have a

chance to share their per-spectives about the booksthey read, and some evenwin great prizes for partici-pating.

For more informationabout VRP, check at yourlocal branch or see dekal-blibrary.org.

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CANT SEE THE PLAN ORUNDERSTAND IT

To view the video, visitwww.chmapionnewspaper.com.

Lithonia basketballcoach redby Carla [email protected]

Lithonia High School bas-ketball coach Barry Brown-er is out of a job.

On March 11, a video ofBrowner and his studentsdoing a popular dance, theHarlem Shake, in a class-oom was posted on You-

Tube. According to a DeKalbCounty School Districtpokeswoman, Browner was

disciplined for the video, butwas red for a separate inci-dent.

I cannot disclose the

ause for termination. Thatspart of an employee person-nel le that is not public,aid Lillian M. Govus, a

DeKalb County School Dis-rict spokeswoman. How-

ever, I can tell you that thevideo was not the cause forhis termination.

Govus also would notay what disciplinary actions

were taken.In the video, a female

tudent jumps on a table andbegins dancing in front ofBrowner. Then Browner andhe other students start danc-ng around the classroom,

with several more studentsdancing on tables.

Browner said he could notdiscuss the video or his ter-mination because he is in theprocess of getting an attor-ney. But Browner is talkinghrough social media. On his

Twitter account, Browner hashared his thoughts about thencident and he is also gettingupport from friends.

On April 27, he tweeted,Took Lithonia too theirbest record in 7 yrs ...hav-

ng to give it up after some-ones hatred for me becamedeadly......., Will miss theL.........., and Never wantedo leave but........

On April 28, he tweeted:I only did the HarlemShake...it wasnt like I messedwith lil girls like others #se-urity# and I think I will be

ok.... Im well versed EDU-CATED and dont Stutter....

The South Cobb HighSchool head boys basketballand track coach GregoryMoultrie tweeted to Brown-

er: @CoachBBrowner10aye coach I just found out!Man KEEP YOUR HEADUP GOD HAS A PLAN FORYOU EVEN WHEN YOU

Former Lithonia High Schoolbasketball coach Barry Brownerwas lmed dancing with hisstudents in a Harlem Shakevideo. He was punished for hisactions then red for a separateincident.

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Shawn Ray, kindergartner

ayla and Taylor Johnson, rst-grade sisters

had Hopkins, kindergartner Elizabeth Wang, kindergartner

Grace Moussouri, fourth grader, and arteacher Laura Fleury-Bell

Colin Mach, second-grade teacher ElaineMach, and Emma Mach

Abigail Ethridge, rst grader Bella Drennan, kindergartner

Dunwoody Elementary SchoolsEvening of the Arts event onApril 19 featured visual, musicaland literary arts created by stu-dents in kindergarten throughfth grade. Laura Fleury-Bell isthe Dunwoody Elementary artteacher. Parents could purchasetheir childs framed art with apercentage of the proceeds go-ing to the schools arts program.Photos provided

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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 www.dekalbcountyga.gov.

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

with Comcast Cable Communications

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The city of Decatur po-ice department and City

Schools of Decatur willhave a new home in 2014.

Decatur city ofcialsheld a groundbreaking cer-emony May 7 for the Bea-con Municipal Center. Thenew 83,000-square-footcenter will be built at WestTrinity Place and AtlantaAvenue, where the old po-ice station was located.

The old Decatur PoliceStation and other parts ofhe Beacon Hill Complex

were demolished in prepa-ation of the construction ofhe Beacon Municipal Cen-er. The center will house

a new police departmentbuilding and municipalcourt, the renovated Ebstergym and Active Living cen-er and the central ofce for

City Schools of Decatur.City ManagerPeggy

Merriss said the $38.3 mil-ion project also includes a

new storm water manage-ment facility under Ebstereld.

Were very excitedabout the project, Mer-iss said. Its a really great

project, we have a greateam of people working on

t and we cant wait untilts nished.Merriss said the central

ofce will have a train-ng space for school board

members and a large meet-ng room. The court build-ng will be a state-of-the-art

building and electronicallyupdated.

We will also try to gethe building LEED silver

certied, Merriss said.Leadership in Energy

and Environmental DesignLEED) consists of a suite

of rating systems for thedesign, construction andoperation of environmental-y friendly green buildings,

homes and neighborhoods.The project will also in-

clude a front courtyard fac-ng West Trinity Place with

an outdoor movie screen.The central ofce is

cheduled to be completedn May 2014; the remainder

of the project is expected tobe completed in July 2014.

Decatur ofcials break ground for Beacon Municipal Center

The Northeast will see scattered showers and thunderstorms today through Saturday,

with the highest temperature of 80 in Danville, Ill. The Southeast will experience

mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms today through

Saturday, with the highest temperature of 89 in Ft. Myers, Fla. In the Northwest, there will be mostly

clear to partly cloudy skies today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 90 in Hanford,

Wash. The Southwest will see mostly clear skies today and Friday, isolated thunderstorms Saturday,

with the highest temperature of 88 in Bullhead City, Ariz.

Weather History

May 9, 1985 - Lightning

struck some trees about 150

yards away from a home in

Alabama and followed the

driveway to the home. The

charge went through the house

and burned all the electrical

outlets, ruined appliances and

blasted a ho le in the concrete

oor of the basement.

May 10, 1987 - Jamestown,

N.D. soared to a record high

of 96 degrees. Thunderstorms

along the central Gulf Coast

deluged Lillian, Ala. with

14.5 inches of rain and nearby

Perdido Key, Fla. with 12.8

inches of rain.

Weather Trivia

What is ombrophobia? ?Answer:Ombrophobiaisthefear

ofrain.

Detailed Local Forecast

Today we will see mostly sunny skies with a

high temperature of 81, humidity of 50%. West

wind 5 to 10 mph. The record high temperature

for today is 93 set in 1936. Expect mostly cloudy

skies tonight with an overnight low of 60. The

record low for tonight is 44 set in 1984.

THURSDAYMostly Sunny

High: 81 Low: 60

FRIDAYPartly Cloudy

High: 79 Low: 61

SATURDAYScat'd T-storms

High: 77 Low: 59

SUNDAYPartly Cloudy

High: 75 Low: 52

MONDAYMostly Sunny

High: 70 Low: 51

TUESDAYSunny

High: 76 Low: 54

WEDNESDAYMostly Sunny

High: 78 Low: 59

Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week

Day

Thursday

Friday

SaturdaySunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Sunrise

6:39 a.m.

6:39 a.m.

6:38 a.m.6:37 a.m.

6:36 a.m.

6:35 a.m.

6:35 a.m.

Sunset

8:27 p.m.

8:28 p.m.

8:28 p.m.8:29 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

8:31 p.m.

8:31 p.m.

Moonrise

6:23 a.m.

7:03 a.m.

7:47 a.m.8:34 a.m.

9:23 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

11:08 a.m.

Moonset

8:22 p.m.

9:15 p.m.

10:07 p.m.10:54 p.m.

11:39 p.m.

Next Day

12:20 a.m.

New

5/9

First

5/17

Full

5/24

Last

5/31

Last Week's Local Almanac

Date Hi Lo Normals Precip

Tuesday 77 58 76/54 0.00"

Wednesday 73 61 77/55 0.00"

Thursday 67 59 77/55 0.00"

Friday 63 58 77/56 0.00"

Saturday 62 50 77/56 2.46"

Sunday 67 48 77/56 0.88"

Monday 59 44 78/56 0.17"

Rainfall.. . . . . . . 3.51" Average temp. . 60.4

Normal rainfall. . 0.86" Average normal 66.2

Departure . . . . . +2.65" Departure . . . . . -5.8

Local UV Index

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

The Champion Weather May 9, 2013Seven Day Forecast Todays Regional Map

Tonights Planets

Rise Set

Mercury 6:34 a.m. 8:14 p.m.

Venus 7:18 a.m. 9 :19 p.m.

Mars 6:27 a.m. 8:01 p.m.Jupiter 8:33 a.m. 10:47 p.m.

Saturn 7:17 p.m. 6:23 a.m.

Uranus 4:56 a.m. 5:19 p.m.

National Weather Summary This Week

StarWatch By Gary Becker - Planet Rendezvous in Lusty May

It's May! Its May, the lusty month of May! That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray Thats Guinevere singing about one of the joyful perks regarding

life at Camelot, in mythical England where by law the seasons had regimented time slots, could never be too severe, and the rain could never fall till after sundown. No

wonder the empire fell. No astronomer in his right mind would ever want to live in a place like that. Yet in the real world, May produces some of the most spectacular

nights of the year. Gorgeous warm days with turquoise skies blend seamlessly into transparent, temperate nights where the stars seem so close you can almost reach out and

touch them. Im hoping for that kind of an evening on Friday, May 10 when a very skinny, razor sharp crescent moon will be a scant two degrees from the goddess Venus.

The rendezvous takes place in the WNW with the moon only 11 degrees from the sun, so the event will only be visible in a rather strong twilight and with the use of binoculars. While thePleiades will only be about six degrees from the moon at this time, I doubt that the bright sky conditions will allow anyone to view this star cluster. Although the East Coast is the favored

location, by the time of sunset along the West Coast, the moon will be just over a degree higher in the sky, making its visibility a little more probable. The key to assuring success is to

have a location which has a awless western horizon. This is where owning a penthouse apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with a clear shot across the Hudson would come

in handy. Most of us, unfortunately, will simply have to hunt down an appropriate site. Be there with binoculars by sundown and begin to scan the horizon to the left of sunset. You should

see Venus rst. To Venus left and slightly below, the moon should emerge 10-15 minutes later. Clear skies to all! www.astronomy.org

Dunwoody

79/59Lilburn

80/60

Snellville

81/60Decatur

81/60

Morrow

82/60

Hampton

83/61

Union City

82/60

College Park

82/60

Atlanta

81/60

Doraville80/60

Smyrna80/60

Lithonia

82/60

Decatur city ofcials held a groundbreaking ceremony May 7 for theBeacon Municipal Center. The new 83,000-square-foot center will bebuilt at West Trinity Place and Atlanta Avenue, where the old police sta-tion was located. Photos by Carla Parker

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More than 150 students receive music scholarshipsby Andrew [email protected]

For 17-year-old BrandonScruggs, practice has paidoff.

The percussionist at Mill-er Grove High School hasbeen offered scholarships toBethune-Cookman, Savan-nah State, Norfolk State,Grambling State and AlbanyState universities, amongothers.

A musician since seventhgrade, Scruggs said he prac-iced daily.

I practiced reading mu-ic. I practiced reading dif-ult pieces. I practiced every

day in my freshman yearand sophomore year, evenafter we had marching bandpractice, and in the concert

eason I practiced all melod-cs and timpani and I endedup making it to the secondound of the district honor

band, Scruggs said.

Scruggs was one of morethan 150 DeKalb CountySchool District students whoreceived offers of musicscholarships. The studentswere recognized duringthe districts Senior MusicScholarship Signing Day

program May 2.We had a great 2012-

2013 year for music, saidDr. Kathleen Howe, thedistricts deputy superin-tendent for curriculum andinstruction. We initiatedinstrumental music in everyelementary school in theDeKalb County School Dis-trict. In the music departmentalone, we had eight teachersthat were selected as 2012-2013 teachers of the year attheir respective schools.

We also have more than

150 seniors that have beenoffered music scholarshipsacross the country to some ofthe most prestigious schoolsin America, Howe said.

Monica Fogg, DruidsHills High band director, saidthe program was designedto highlight the wonder-ful accomplishments of ourstudent musicians. Its ourultimate goal to have our stu-dents go on and further theireducation in collegeandcome back and help our com-munity once they graduate.

Miller Grove HighSchool band directorKevenShepherd, said this was theschools second consecutiveyear with more than $1 mil-lion in scholarship offers for

band students.The students are very

dedicated and Im blessedto have a crop of depend-able students who work veryhard, said Shepherd, whohas been Miller Groves

band director since theschool opened in 2005. Assoon as they get in the pro-gram I let them knowourultimate goal is to send you

to college or some univer-sity. Playing in the band isgreat. It can teach you a lot.Music does a lot for the soul,the mind [and] it helps youout in the classroom. Butthe ultimate goal is to go toschool.

When the younger stu-dents see all of the otherseniors getting those scholar-ships they buy into it, Shep-herd said.

We work really hard andIm really, really hard onthe students as far as not justthem achieving or taking it tothe next level with music butwith also what theyre doingwith their academics, Shep-herd said. They understandthat if theyre not achievingin their classrooms, if theyrenot doing what they need to

do in their classes, Im notgoing to be happy with themin band class.

Scruggs said, Bandhelped me by, rst of all,

denitely keeping me out oftrouble.

The techniques he wastaught in band classes, frommemorization and learningmusic, helped him in othersubjects, including math,one of his weaker subjects,Scruggs said.

His advice to youngerband members is to de-nitely keep your persistencelevel very high. Make sureyou practice as much as youcan. Try to replace some ofthe things you would do lei-surely with practice time onyour instrument.

Scruggs said he willmost likely attend Bet-hune-Cookman University,which has offered him a$10,500 music scholarshipto go along with another

$10,000 in grants he has re-ceived.It feels good, he said.

It feels really good.

DeKalb County music students receiving college scholarships were honored as family members and band directors looked on. Photos by Andrew Cauthen

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Brooks Continued From Page 1A

FODAC Continued From Page 1A

The Champion Free Press, Friday, May 10, 2013 Page 15ALOCAL NEWS

The owner gave him $300 for the firstuarter at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural

College (ABAC). Brooks played footballnd basketball at ABAC. He later transferredo the University of Georgia and played onhe basketball team.

After graduating from college, Brookserved a short term in the Navy then becamevocational agricultural teacher.

Avery Graves, a principal whom Brooksad worked for, became the principal at

Tucker and asked Brooks to come to Tucker.During his tenure at Tucker, Brooks had a lotf success. In 1956, he led Tuckers baseballeam to a state championship, the first stateitle for Tucker

I had fun coaching, he said.He also coached a few players who went

n to play Major League Baseball, includingim Flanigan, who signed with the St. Louis

Cardinals out of high school.He had great athletes in all sports and

we used the same athletes [in each sport],

aid Larry Ross, one of Brooks formerlayers.Brooks also experienced some hard

imes at Tucker. In 1959, he was coachingphysical education class when a studentollapsed and died from a brain hemorrhage.

Brooks said the students death wasspecially hard for him because he was theon of a high school classmate.

He was like family to me, he said. Iave lived through some things that manyther people had not lived through.

Brooks was also a part of the creationf the Tucker Little League program. Heandled the correspondence and interfaced

with Little League headquarters to getTucker sanctioned.

In 1966, Brooks was the principal ofCarrollton High School in Carroll Countynd oversaw the initial integration of thechool. He told the teachers to seat theirtudents in alphabetical order so that biasould be seen.

Brooks retired in 1976 and returned toefferson. In 2006, he created and fundedhe Incentive Reward Program at Jefferson

Middle School to assist at risk children athe school.

Ive always been interested in childrennd I wanted to create a program for at risktudents to give them hope, he said. Ifhe students showed improvement they areewarded with cash money.

When Brooks isnt helping children, hes spending time with his third wife Dianne,who is 40 years his junior, his children andrandchildren. Brooks also teaches Sundaychool, reads the newspaper, plays cards andoes dancing.

He loves to dance, Dianne said. Hesed to go to Helen to dance at some of theance halls.

Brooks said he attributes his activeifestyle and good looks to good health and aositive attitude.

Im always looking for something too tomorrow, he said. I was blessed withood genes and I think Ive done a fair jobf taking care of myself. Im not a smoker,rinker nor a heavy eater.

My mind is good and I want toeep my mind active, he said. I dontread tomorrow at all. I look forward toomorrow.

FODAC has meant a lot to us ever since Igot out of Shepherd and actually needed theirhelp with a couple of things, Copeland said.They were always there for us.

Its just an amazing organization and wewere happy to give back to the community bysupporting them, Copeland said.

The funds from the race, one of FODACs

main fundraisers, will go to FODACs DMEProgram that distributes over 5,000 items eachyear to Georgia and other states. These itemsinclude power and manual wheelchairs, hospitalbeds, walkers, shower chairs and pediatric

equipment.Its for operating support for the facility,

facility costs, direct service costs and thetrucking costsall the costs that it take tocollect the equipment, clean it, fx it and provideto people in the community at no cost, Brandsaid.

In the race, Josh Sheppard, Vince Girone

and Gary Shay place frst, second and third,respectively.

Girone, 15, whose mother works forFODAC, said, I just like the organization. Itsgreat to be around everybody.

FODAC raised more than $30,000 during its walk/run/roll event May 4.

Josh Shepherd comes in rst in the 13th annual benet race for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children. Photos byAndrew Cauthen

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Commissioner rides along withcounty sanitation employees

While many were still in bed or were

preparing for the daily routine of work orschool, CommissionerStanWatson, wasup early April 25, dressed in the garb of aDeKalb County sanitation employee.

This was part of his effort to betterunderstand the sanitation departmentrsthand.

It is important to me, both as yourcommissioner and as a taxpayer, to know howDeKalb County operates and to support areasthat work efciently, receive feedback fromthose who are in the trenches and identifyopportunities to develop and/or implementbest practices, Watson said.

If I do not understand the system wehave in place and how our employees and

residents are impacted, I cant be consideredthe progressive leader that my constituentsdeserve, Watson said.

Touring with the Sanitation Departmentwas part of Watsons commitment to gainknowledge of DeKalbs core operations andthe way things are done. In April, Watsonparticipated in a ride-along with DeKalbCounty Police South Precinct. Within the nextfew months, he plans to visit the East andTucker Precincts as well.

Police seeking suspect of twoarmed robberies

The DeKalb County Police Department is

seeking the publics assistance in identifying aman suspected of robbing two businesses May1.

According to detectives, at approximately11:30 a.m., the suspect entered the Family

Dollar store located at 3590 Panola Road.The man was armed and demanded money

from the cashregister. He thened the locationwith an undisclosedamount of cash.

The sameperson is believedto have entered asecond business,Dollar General,2566 WesleyChapel Road,approximately 15minutes later and

robbed the location of cash, according topolice. No injuries were reported during eitherincident.

Detectives believe the man may beresponsible for additional business robberiesin DeKalb and neighboring counties.

The suspect is described as a Black male,21-24 years old, approximately 5-foot, sixinches to 5-foot, 8 inches and weighing 150pounds. He was last seen wearing a blackT-shirt, black jeans and a red baseball capwith Atlanta Braves written on the front.

Anyone with information in this case isasked to call Crime Stoppers Atlanta at (404)577-TIPS (8477). Callers may be eligible for areward and will remain anonymous.

Accused baby killer receives bond

A man accused of killing his ances2-year-old son in 2012 was granted a

$100,000 bond April30.Devin Sawyer

was arrested Nov. 24,2012, and chargedwith malice murder,felony murder, crueltyto children and vecounts of aggravatedassault.

According topolice, the childsmother, DanielleCalhoun, left her sonwith Sawyer at the Ivy

Park apartment complex on Memorial Drivewhile she ran errands.

When police arrived at the scene, Sawyerreportedly told investigators that he and theboy had taken a nap and when Sawyer wokeup, the boy was dead. However, police foundcuts and bruises on the boys body.

Cab driver arrested on drug charge

A cab driver wasarrested April 29for allegedly sellingdrugs out of his taxicab.

Police said36-year-old JeanBrown was pulled

over for speeding ina school zone. Whenofcers searched hisvehicle they founddrugs and a gun.

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post-consumerrecycled paper

News Briefs


A petition has beenposted on www.change.orgo remove the Confeder-

ate Memorial carving fromStone Mountain in StoneMountain Park.

The petition, started byMcCartney Forde I, asksGov. Nathan Deal and stateenators and representatives

of Stone Mountain to re-move the carving from thenorth face of the mountainand replace it with a me-morial that honors Georgiaveterans who were killed,

wounded or taken prisonern each of the wars Ameri-

can soldiers fought in.The reason this is im-

portant is the three menembossed on the face ofarguably the most famousandmark in the great state

of Georgia are icons forwhat is widely consideredhe darkest period in our

nations history, Fordewrote in the petition, awar that divided our greatnation and pitted brotheragainst brother. A war that

was waged in the name oflavery, racism, and oppres-ionthe polar opposites ofhe founding principles ofhis great nation.

The carving portrayshree Confederate leaders

of the Civil War: PresidentJefferson Davis and Gen-erals Robert E. Lee andThomas J. StonewallJackson and their favoritehorses, Blackjack, Trav-eller and Little Sorrel.

The carving was con-ceived by C. Helen Plane,a charter member of the

United Daughters of theConfederacy (UDC). TheVenable family, owners ofhe mountain, deeded the

north face of the mountaino the UDC in 1916. The

UDC was given 12 years tocomplete a large Civil Warmonument.

Gutzon Borglum wascommissioned to do thecarving, but he abandonedthe project in 1925 andwent on to begin work onMount Rushmore. Ameri-can sculptorAugustusLukeman continued theproject until 1928, whenwork stopped for 30 years.In 1958, at the urging ofGov. Marvin Grifn, theGeorgia legislature ap-proved a measure to pur-chase Stone Mountain for$1.125 million.

In 1963, Walker Han-cockwas selected to com-plete the carving, and work

began in 1964. The carvingwas completed by RoyFaulkner and was consid-ered complete on March 3,1972.

Forde also wants theConfederate Hall to be re-modeled into a facility thathonors veterans.

Some might argue thatthis monument honors so-called heroes of the CivilWar, but in reality it is amonument that perpetuatesthe perception of Georgiaas an icon of racism, slav-

ery and oppression, Fordewrote. Continuing to allowthis monument to stand,along with ConfederateHall, in its current state istantamount to a statue ofAdolf Hitler in Jerusalem.

The thousands of menand women from Georgiathat have given their livesand livelihoods in the nameof freedom for all Ameri-cans deserve a majesticreminder betting their ser-vice and sacrice, Fordeadded. There is no betterplace than the face of Stone

Mountain.As of May 3, the peti-

tion had 556 signatures andneeds 24,444 more. The pe-tition can be found at visitwww.change.org/petitions/remake-the-confederate-memorial-carving-on-stone-mountain-in-georgia.

Petition started to remakeConfederate Memorialcarving on Stone Mountain

Sawyer

Brown

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The Champon, Thrsday, May 9 - 15, 2013 Page 17ABuSiNESS

The Voice of Business in DeKalb CountyDeKalb Chamber of Commerce

404.378.8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org

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