the DeKalb FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • VOL.

24, NO 22 • FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

are also beautiful. The bubbles

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN are amazing because I never
horace@dekalbchamp.com know what they’re going

D
to do. They do something
unwoody Nature
different every single time.”
Center hosted a free
Bowman’s show consists
bubble show July 6,
of bubbles of different
much to the delight of more
shapes and sizes made from
than 300 children and adults in
household items such as
attendance. 
hangers, crates and hula-
The show was held at the
hoops. Bowman also teaches
nature center’s North Woods
audience members about the
Pavilion as bubble fans packed
different shapes of bubbles. 
inside the venue, and some
“I’ve done shows where I
watched from outside. 
don’t speak at all and let the
For more than two
bubbles do all the talking,
decades, Deborah Bowman,
but the show is based on
also known as “Bo the
the science of bubbles,”
Bubbleologist,” has performed
Bowman said. “I like to ask
live bubble shows for local
questions and expand people’s
groups and communities. 
knowledge a little bit. There
Bowman said she loves
are some fun surprises in the
seeing the smiling faces of the
show.”
children she performs for. 
Bowman said she got
“I love seeing the sense
started bubble making when
of joy and surprise on the
she answered an advertisement
children’s, and adults’ faces.
in a newspaper looking for
It brings me a lot of joy,”
entertainment. She said her
Bowman said. “The bubbles

SEE BUBBLES ON PAGE 6

The Dunwoody Nature Center hosted a bubble show July 6. More than 300 people were in attendance. Photos by Horace
Holloman

Visit www.TheChampionNewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 2

DUNWOODY

Jay Vinicki is Dunwoody’s new assistant

city manager. Photo provided by the city
of Dunwoody.

Vinicki
named new
assistant
city manager
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com

Dunwoody announced
June 10 that Jay Vinicki
will be the city’s assistant
manager.
“Having worked in and
around the Dunwoody area
for more than a decade,
I appreciate the sense of
community that the city
offers,” Vinicki said. “I
can’t wait to get started.”
Vinicki began his
position June 24.
Dunwoody City
Manager Eric Linton
manages the day-to-
day activities of city
departments and maintains
intergovernmental
relationships with federal,
state and other local
governments, according to
the city’s website. Vinicki
will assist Linton with those
duties.
“[Vinicki’s] dynamic
leadership and extensive
experience in local
government made him
stand out,” said Linton.
“He has a proven ability to
navigate complex issues
with a strong background
in strategic budgeting and
policy research. He’s a great
fit for Dunwoody.”
According to a
press release, Vinicki
has experience in local
government budgeting,

SEE VINICKI ON PAGE 3

EDH-2200 Ortho Ad Champion Hillandale.indd 1 5/17/19 5:16 PM
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 3

DECATUR

Decatur makes
the cool list
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Apartment Therapy, along
with Behr Paint Company,
recently published a “Coolest
Suburbs in America 2019” list
and Decatur was included.
Apartment Therapy’s Real
Estate Editor Liz Steelman
explained a suburb to be a
high homeownership, high
car travel, single-family
housing community in any
town that surrounds a large
city. According to Steelman,
Apartment realizes that
different people have different
ideas of what a suburb is.
According to Apartment
Therapy’s website, Decatur
has a median rent price of
$1,032, a median house price
of $424,900, a 56 walkability
score and a $92,263 median
household income. The
website also highlights
Decatur activities and such
places as Decatur CoWorks,
Butter & Cream, Concerts on
the Square and Raging Burrito
& Taco.
“Overall the feedback for this
list has been very positive,”
said Steelman. “I think people
were really excited to see
that we highlighted places
VINICKI Continued From Page 2
planning and policy-making. Prior to Dunwoody, Vinicki
worked for Atlanta Public Schools (APS), where he served
as executive director of budget services since May 2018.
that don’t get a lot of media
attention.”
The media group on May
22 announced the list that
consists of 24 towns. The
suburbs are Maplewood, N.J.;
Denton, Texas; Round Rock, Decatur was recently included in Apartment Therapy’s 2019 “Coolest Suburbs in America” list. File Photo.
Texas; Arlington, Texas;
Alexandria, Va.; Decatur; with a reader survey about becoming more expensive,” should give them another
Somerville, Mass.; Arvada, which suburban area they Steelman said. “People are look.”
Colo.; Kirkwood, Mo.; thought was the best. being driven out of the city According to Steelman, the
Belmont, N.C.; Pasadena, With the data initially and into suburbs. Suburbs list was inspired from the
Calif.; Alameda, Calif.; collected, Apartment sometimes have a lower cost migration from cities to
Beaverton, Ore.; Winter Park, Therapy made its final list of living and they’re becoming suburbs.
Fla.; Ellicott City, Md.; Royal with demographic diversity, more diverse…We wanted “In our list I really thought
Oak, Mich.; Bellevue, Wash.; restaurants, entertainment, to highlight some of the Decatur was a model example
Media, Penn.; Evanston, Ill.; walkability and community in exemplary suburbs that we saw of what suburbs should be
Oak Park, Ill.; Naperville, Ill.; mind. that happening in and show and can be,” Steelman said.
Hoboken, N.J.; Carmel, Ind. “Geography of America is places that people normally “It seems like a really special
and Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. changing because cities are don’t think is cool. People place”
“Decatur had come up in our
reader survey and it seemed
to be a very cool place and
once we looked at it we saw Fast, reliable plumbing solutions
THIS
that it had a cool restaurant NEW CONSTURCTION & REPAIRS. RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
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community of people who
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said Steelman.
According to Steelman, COULD
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Did you know?

While working for APS, Vinicki directed and managed
budget functions totaling $1.1 billion. He also helped
develop budget policies, procedures and programs.
Prior to that, he worked for DeKalb County government Researchers are now looking at the possibility that exposure
for 11 years, serving as the first director of the Office to marijuana as a teen may cause changes in the brain that
of Management and Budget from 2015 to 2018 and make a person more likely to become addicted to marijuana or
overseeing development of a $1.2 billion budget. other drugs, such as alcohol, opioids, or cocaine.
Vinicki’s experience also includes planning and
budgeting for Gwinnett County government, the city of
Roswell and the Georgia governor’s office. He earned a
master of public administration degree from the University
of Georgia and a bachelor of art degree in communications
from Mississippi State University.
During his free time, Vinicki works as a statistician for
Georgia Tech football and basketball. He also volunteers as
For more information, call (770) 285-6037, E-mail: beyondthebell@comcast.net
an English as a second language (ESL) teacher. or visit beyondthebellkids.org
OPINION
Black parents can’t continue to ignore their children's mental health
On June 28, I received a disturb-
ing press release from Ball State
University about a recent study on
African-American teenagers and
suicide.
Research done by Ball State
University health science professor
Jagdish Khubchandani found that
suicide is the second leading cause
of death for African-American
youth. According to Khubchandani,
the rate of African-American male
suicides increased by 60 percent and
for African-American females, the
rate increased by 182 percent from
2001 to 2017. During that period,
there were 1,375 male suicides and
377 female suicides.
The study, “The Changing
Characteristics of African-American
Adolescent Suicides, 2001–2017,”
which was published in the Journal
of Community Health, found that
68,528 African-American males and
94,760 females made suicide at-
tempts serious enough that they had
to be treated by health professionals
in 2017. Males were most likely to
use firearms (52 percent) or to hang/
suffocate themselves (34 percent) to
commit suicide, while females used
hanging/suffocation (56 percent)
or firearms (21 percent) to commit
suicides.
Foreclosures
Tax Sales/Ads for Bids
Trade Name Registrations
Public Notices/Public meetings
Sheriff Sales/Local Legislation
Notices of Incorporation
To subscribe, visit DeKalbLegalNotices.com
or call 404-373-7779, X 0
#ItsInTheChampion
CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
They study also found that
Georgia had the highest rate in the
nation, at 5.8 per 100,000 people,
of African-American adolescent
suicides from 2015-2017.
For decades, addressing men-
tal health has been a taboo topic in
the African-American community.
In the past, if a Black person was
struggling with their mental or
emotional health, they were either
ignored and deemed “crazy,” or told
to “Talk to Jesus about that.”
As a person with deep faith, I
believe that God can handle any
problem that I’m dealing with,
including struggles with mental
health. However, I also believe that
God put people on earth—such as
therapists, doctors, dentists, etc.—
and blessed them with certain gifts
that could help people survive what-
ever ails them. So, I can “talk to
Jesus” and talk to a therapist to help
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 4
me positively deal with my mental
health.
Parents, especially Black par-
ents, should seriously consider put-
ting their child in therapy if they’re
struggling mentally or emotionally.
Mental health is just as, if not more,
important than physical health. Al-
though I’m nearly 32 years of age,
I can still remember how tough it
was mentally to get through one day
during my teenage years.
Adults think what children and
teens go through daily is peanuts in
comparison to what they deal with,
and one could argue the validity
of that point of view. But between
struggling to stay on top of school-
work, trying to be socially accepted,
dealing with bullies at school or
home and cyberbullying on top of
that, the pressure could be too much
for a child. Add in racism, or even
homophobia, poverty or any other
marginalized category they may fall
in to, I can understand how a child
or teen can question the value of
living.
If a parent, or any adult in a
child’s life, isn’t paying attention
to the child’s mental or emotional
well-being, it can have fatal conse-
quences as the study showed. Khub-
chandani said a form of protection
against suicides in adolescents
is having ready access to mental
health care.
“African-American adoles-
cents are at higher risk than the
general population to encounter
serious forms of violence,” he said.
“Schools are the leading provider
of mental health services for youth.
Thus, there needs to be a greater
emphasis on urban public schools
providing adequate screening,
treatment and referral services for
adolescents with mental health
disorders.”
These days, therapy has become
a growing topic in the Black com-
munity. People aren’t ashamed to
see a therapist or share their mental
struggles with society. Some celeb-
rities and athletes are advocating for
access to mental health treatment,
including Black celebrities and
athletes such as actress Taraji P.
Henson, NBA star DeMar DeRo-
zan and former NBA star Metta
World Peace.
I hope in the next decade we
will see suicide rates decline among
African-American youth. It starts at
home with the parent or legal guard-
ian.
OPINION
Like, love or loathe him, it
is clear that President Donald
J. Trump’s brand of politics is
scorched earth. If you take a swing,
he will swing back and probably
harder. His blows don’t always
connect of course and he often ends
up damaging himself.    This would have been wedding
A reasonably well respected
United Nations Ambassador, Nikki
Haley, announces her own pending
departure. Before this became an
almost weekly event in the Trump
White House, there was a significant
amount of punditry around who
might replace her or become the
"face of America" on the floor of
the U.N. Assembly Hall. Trumpster
fire distraction: “I might appoint my
daughter Ivanka.”  wrestling with a gaffe and glitch in
White House chief of staff,
defense secretary and director
of Homeland Security depart in
successive order, leaving a series of
acting secretaries in place without
Senate confirmation. Trumpster fire:
“I might appoint my son-in-law
Jared.” I think I’m noting a pattern
here.
 The U.S. economy continues
to perform as if on steroids. The
month of June and second quarter,
when many economists were
forecasting a slowdown and
cooling, produced nearly a quarter
million new jobs. President Trump
and his trade representatives
have negotiated the U.S./Mexico/
Canada, trade agreement to replace
NAFTA, however the new treaty
has yet to undergo the confirmation
process required in the U.S. Senate,
and though brinksmanship and
threatening massive tariffs may
destabilize the financial markets,
it has, so far, been a successful
brokering tool for getting China
back to the negotiating table.  out and changed the beneficiary on
 As with Trump’s recent desire
for a massive spectacle and salute
to the military on the Fourth of July,
the devil is in the details. His speech
was reasonably high-minded and
patriotic, without devolving into
jingoism or becoming a campaign
platform. The president stuck
largely to script and teleprompter,
and he stayed until the end despite
some pretty heavy rainfall (which
he despises) and which made him
FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • JULY 12, 2019 • Page 5
Trumpster fire sponsors. Bipartisan with greased I know you are not one greatly
‘One Man’s skids anyone? The president should
have challenged Congress to have
prone to taking advice and counsel
from others—more action, less
Opinion’ this bill on his desk, ready for distraction. Communicate, complete
signature prior to Labor Day, while and deliver more of your agenda;
Bill Crane celebrating July 4th with veteran less million shots a day, more laser
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
families at the same time.  beam, less shotgun style. Fewer
Trumpster fires, more solutions that
the president’s stated priorities matter. You’ll be glad you did.
and his First Lady appear somewhat with his actions, and not just
wilted before they were able to symbolism, Tweets or commanding Bill Crane also serves as a
make a speedy exit.  attention. The cost of this change is political analyst and commentator
And yet this platform also estimated to be about $5.6 billion for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-
provided the perfect stage for and will immediately impact AM News/Talk 750 and now 95.5
another missed opportunity.  roughly 65,000 survivor families. FM, as well as a columnist for The
For nearing a quarter century, And with that type of substantive Champion, DeKalb Free Press and
during Democratic and Republican real news in his remarks, several Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb
administrations alike, Congress attending members of the Joint native and business owner, living
and the White House have been Chiefs of Staff, might have in Scottdale. You can reach him
appeared a bit happier to be there. or comment on a column at bill.
federal law which has diminished  So, Mr. President, though csicrane@gmail.com. 
survivor death benefits for widows
of service personnel. This glitch is
known as “The Widow’s Tax.” A
long-standing V.A. death benefit is
a roughly $15,000 annual payment,
paid in monthly installments, to
the survivors of uniformed service
personnel killed in the line of duty. 
 A second program, offered
by the Department of Defense,
the Survivor Benefits plan, is
funded out of potential retirement
benefits of the enlisted, via payroll
deduction and subsidized by the
DOD, providing survivors up to 55
percent of the salary of the departed
soldier. As a cost-saving measure,
post-Vietnam and prior to the first
Persian Gulf conflict, the DOD
introduced a funding cut offset. For
every dollar paid out by the V.A.
death benefit, up to $15,000 per
year, the pay-out from the DOD
survivor benefits plan is reduced
by matching dollar amount paid to
widows. Many families figured this
the second policy to their children,
versus the widowed parent. This
saved families suffering great loss
more than $1,000 a month. Until
the 2018 tax law went into effect,
ending the practice of passing
this benefit through to surviving
children, and subjects that income
to a tax of up to 35 percent.
 The latest Congressional
bill to fix this mess has 324 U.S.
House and 72 U.S. Senate co-
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
Horace Holloman PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Taylor Robins We sincerely appreciate the
Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR, Production Manager: Donna Seay The Champion was founded in 1991
expressly to provide a forum for
The DeKalb Free Press, Kemesha Wadley discourse for all community residents
P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; on all sides of an issue. We have no
Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com desire to make the news only to
FAX To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779. The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday report news and opinions to effect
Deadline for news releases and advertising: by ACE III Communications, Inc., a more educated citizenry that will
Thursday, one week prior to publication date. 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 6

Celebrity mom hopes to bring change to food service industry

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
R&B sensation Usher has
been a household name to many
throughout his career, and his
manager, who happens to be his
mother, Jonnetta Patton, hopes her
DeKalb business will have similar
success.  classes include understanding the
Patton owns J’s Kitchen
Culinary Incubator, a DeKalb-based
company that provides aspiring
chefs and caterers commercial
kitchen space, equipment, food
packaging services and business
workshops to help launch their
businesses.
Patton said she’s inspired by
helping other chefs develop their
business plans.  Jonnetta Patton created a DeKalb-based culinary
“My purpose in life is helping
others evolve,” Patton said. “That’s
what I did for 17 years and I did
nothing for Jonnetta. I didn’t
realize that until I retired [from
entertainment]. One day one of
my chefs said I should open a
incubator to partner local chefs with business
professionals. Photo provided
shared kitchen and I looked into the
whole process and I wanted to be
different.”
Patton said she wanted
something different than a
traditional shared kitchen. She be great exposure for chefs in the
wanted to create an incubator. area. HUNGRY also teamed with
Patton’s dream came to fruition Patton’s son Usher to launch in the
approximately three years ago when Atlanta-area market with more than
she opened her kitchen.  20 chefs, some of whom cook with
Patton said most aspiring chefs J’s Kitchen. 
know how to produce tasty food “My relationship with
to grow their company but lack HUNGRY is something I truly
business acumen.  believe in. This is a $25 billion-
Topics covered in Patton’s dollar business that I’m offering
to my chefs,” Patton said. “They
business, understanding financials, have a great opportunity to make a
returns on investment, becoming successful business and not have to
an entrepreneur and funding a hustle.”
business.  Patton said although she’s a
“I wanted to add a business business-minded woman first,
service. I bring the business she has been working hard in the
professionals to them because kitchen as well. Patton said she
my mission is to help these plans to expand her business in the
chefs establish ownership and a future and possibly create a food
sustainable business,” Patton said.  truck company. 
Patton recently partnered with “Can’t you see a J’s Kitchen
HUNGRY, an online marketplace in the middle of Times Square?
that connects independent chefs Watching all these chefs has made
to businesses and catering me step my game up in the kitchen,”
events, to pair chefs from her J’s Patton said, laughing. “I love what
Kitchen Culinary Incubator with I do and I’m living my best life
HUNGRY’s customer pipeline.  because right now, I’m living it for
Patton said the partnership could me.”

A crowd gathers at the Dunwoody Nature Center North Woods Pavilion for a free bubble show. Photos by Horace Holloman.

BUBBLES Continued From Page 1

confidence in her shows has grown throughout surprised by the turnout.  17. Wedderburn said more than 3,000 people
the years.  “Wow,” Wedderburn said, laughing. “It was attended last year’s festival.
According to a nature center spokesperson, more than we expected but we’re happy to see so “We’re happy we can offer such programs to
Bo the Bubbleologist also performs her show at much interest from the community.”  the community. People are learning about us and
summer camps. The July 6 show was Bowman’s Wedderburn said the nature center will host we’re starting to get the word out about what we
first free Saturday show at the nature center.  a free program every first Saturday of the month do here,” Wedderburn said. 
Lisha Wedderburn, weekend coordinator featuring different themes. The nature center will
for Dunwoody Nature Center, said she was also host its 25th annual butterfly festival Aug.
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 7

We’re collecting back-to-school supplies

for Decatur/DeKalb students in need

There is an urgent need for:

• notebook paper • pencils • folders • highlighters
• crayons • markers • hand sanitizer • glue • bookbags
We will gladly accept any school-related items.
Please consider donating.

DROP OFF LOCATIONS INCLUDE:

Decatur Recreation Center
231 Sycamore St.
Decatur, GA 30030
Sauers Communications, Inc.
1585 Roadhaven Dr.
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
The Champion Newspaper
114 New Street, Suite E
Decatur, GA 30030
Junior League of DeKalb County
716 W Trinity Place
Decatur, GA 30030

Collection efforts end July 24

TheCHAMPION
 LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 8

COUNTYWIDE

Community shows concern as crime continues to rise
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Yvonne Jobe, a resident
of DeKalb County for more
than 46 years, said she’s
ready for a change in her
community.  I’m tired of them. You don’t
PICTURES NEW: Stop the violence rally “I’m sick of the litter
in DeKalb County and I’m
General Cutline: DeKalb County residents gather in Decatur for a stop the violence rally
sick of the violence. I’ve
June 29.
lived here since 1973 and
I’ve seen my neighborhood
go through all these
changes,” Jobe said. “I’m
praying before my life is
over it can come back to
what it once was.”
According to police
officials, DeKalb County
DeKalb County residents gather in Decatur for a stop the violence rally June 29. Photos by Shawn Craig
had more than 60 homicides
from January through June
—nearly 20 homicides more
than the same timeframe last
year. Jobe said her nephew
was killed due to gun
violence in 2005. 
“The gunshots at night,
know where they’re coming
from. You have to sit still to
see if it’s coming through
your roof. It’s constant and
I’m sick of the violence and
the young people killing
each other. It’s Black on
Black killings for no reason.
Drugs play a major part in
it,” Jobe said. “I’m willing
to do anything I can do
to help and clean up our
SEE RALLY ON PAGE 16

Use these steps to follow

safe medication practices:
DeKalb residents urge the community to stop the violence during a rally in Decatur.
✓ Only use medications as directed by your
Use these steps to follow healthcare professional
safe medication ✓practices:
Never share your prescription
medications or take someone else’s
✓ Only use medications as directed by your
medication
Use these
healthcare professional steps to follow
safe✓medication
Safely securepractices:
medications and dispose of
Use these✓steps Never share your prescription
to follow
medications or takehealthcare
✓ Onlythem when no
use medications
someone else’s
as longer needed
directed by your
professional
safe medication medication practices:
DeKalb County police officials on hand at the stop the violence rally in Decatur.
✓ Model safe medication practices
✓ Never share your prescription
medications or take someone else’s
✓ Only use medications as directed by your
✓ Safely secure medications and dispose of
medication
healthcare professional
them when no longer For local information, visit www.gu
needed
✓ Safely secure medications and dispose of
hese steps✓ to follow
Never share your prescription them when no longer needed
✓ Model
medications or take safe medication
someone else’s practices
✓ Brought
Model safeto you by: practices
medication practices:
medication
medication

y use medications as directed

secureby your For local information, visit www.guideinc.org
✓ Safely
thcare professional
medications
them when no longer needed
and dispose
For local of
information, visit www.guideinc.org
Brought to you by:
er share your
Individuals register prescription
for✓a volunteer
Model safe
litter pick up in medication
Decatur. practices
dications or take someone else’s Brought to you by:
 DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 9

WEEK in PICTURES

Lt. j.g. Jeanelle Seals of Decatur, who is assigned to the San Antonio dock ship, gives a ship tour for students from St.
Joseph’s College for Women during a scheduled port call in Visakhapatnam, India. Photo provided by U.S. Navy Mass Decatur Police Department Lt. Woodward stands beside his “partner” during an outing.
Communication.

Officer Velez visited with young campers at the Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club to discuss Tucker’s Parks and Recreation Department hosted its first Fourth of July Cookout at Kelley Cofer Park pool, which
the importance of knowing one's address, parent or guardian names and phone numbers. included a hotdog eating contest. Photo from City of Tucker’s Facebook page

If you would like to see your photo added to our Week in Pictures
page, send high resolution photos to horace@dekalbchamp.com.
Have you created programming you’d like to air on TV?
Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.

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

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 10

CLARKSTON

City adopts 2019

millage rate
BY CARLA PARKER same property tax revenue
Carla@dekalbchamp.com this year as the prior year,
would be 13.283,” he said.
Clarkston City Council “We’re recommending
has adopted a millage rate the 15.89 mils, which is
15.89 mils for the 2019 a 19.63 percent increase,
fiscal year. so that the tax rate would
The council remain the same due to the
unanimously voted July 2 to values increasing. Our real
adopt the 2019 millage rate property values increased by Clarkston City Council unanimously voted to adopt the 2019 millage rate of 15.89 mils. Photo by Carla Parker
of 15.89 mils, which is an 24.16 percent.”
increase of 2.607 mils over Gomez said at the July 2 current 2019 projected net increase in the net digest mils would be needed in
the rollback rate of 13.283. meeting that the valuation of tax digest for the city is valuation. fiscal year 2019 to balance
City manager Robin Gomez all properties is determined $209,105,296, which is a City officials said the the budget, according to city
said last month that the rate by the DeKalb County tax 25.3 percent increase from mathematical millage rate officials. City staff reviewed
would increase property assessor’s office. the 2018 net tax digest of required to balance the the budget and identified
taxes by 19.63 percent. “Those values are not $166,859,487. The rollback fiscal year 2019 budget is a net budget decrease of
“Based on the total determined by staff, myself, millage rate of 13.283 mils 17.296 mils. The budget $294,138 that will decrease
tax digest, the rollback mayor or city council of the for 2019 is lower than the was approved with the the millage rate needed to
millage rate for the city of city of Clarkston,” he said. 2018 adopted millage rate understanding that an balance the budget to 15.89
Clarkston to generate the City officials said the of 15.89 mils due to the approximate increase of 2 mils.

LITHONIA

Lithonia has sent requests for proposals for construction of sidewalks along Bruce Street to repair cracks due to old concrete. Photos by Carla Parker

Upgrades coming to Bruce Street sidewalk

BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
The sidewalk along Bruce Street
in Lithonia will soon get a facelift.
The city sent request for
proposals (RFP) for construction
of sidewalks along Bruce Street
from the Bruce Street Park sign to
Bruce Court, and from Bruce Court
to Pendley Street. According to
the city, the project will consist of
construction of approximately 490
feet of sidewalk.
City officials said the contractor
will be responsible for removing
the existing sidewalk, grading,
compacting, forming, pouring
and finishing of concrete. The
project also includes removal
and replacement of any disturbed
shrubbery as well as adding topsoil
and grass to restore disturbed areas
to their original condition.
City officials said the project
is partially funded by Georgia
Department of Transportation’s
Local Maintenance & Improvement
Grant funds.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 11

BROOKHAVEN

The current public safety facility doubles as storage Artist rendering of the new Brookhaven public safety building to be completed summer 2021. Photos provided by the city of Brookhaven.
areas, according to Brookhaven officials.

City to build $15 million public safety building

BY TAYLOR ROBINS with SPLOST proceeds,
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com approved by voters in
November 2017. An
During a June 25 additional $3 million is
city council meeting, estimated for furnishings,
Brookhaven approved the fixtures, equipment, project
management and other
construction contract for its
new public safety building. expenses related to moving
Brookhaven choose into the new facility.
Brookhaven also
Braselton-based firm
BM&K Construction & approved a contract with
Engineering to build the Lowe Engineers for project
facilty─1793 Briarwood management services for the
Road in Brookhaven. building for $400,000.
Construction for the According to a
press release, city staff
building that will hold
the Brookhaven Police is currently crowded
Department and Municipal into a rented building at
Court is due to be completed 2665 Buford Highway.
by summer 2021. The current building has
54 parking spaces for a
The construction
contract for the $15 police department with 85
million facility is funded employees and a municipal
Public Notice City of Chamblee
court.
“The addition of this
new building reflects the
city’s vision to invest in and
grow our physical resources
to meet the needs of the
residents and employees,”
said Brookhaven Mayor
John Ernst. “The old
facility had long been
inadequate in terms of
accommodating our police
and court system. Not only
will we now be able to meet
these needs, but this new
facility should prove to be
an important catalyst for
redevelopment in this area
of the city.”
Brookhaven already
owned the property where
the building will be
located. The property was
acquired with funds from Healthcare of Atlanta,
the Community Investment announced in December
Agreement with Children’s 2017.
CITY OF CLARKSTON
NOTICE OF GENERAL ELECTION
QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS AND REGISTRATION
Notice is hereby given that a General Election for the
City of Clarkston will be held on Tuesday, November 5,
2019 to elect three (3) Council Members to the
Clarkston City Council. The term of office is four (4)
years and the elected officials will be sworn in at the
January 2020 meeting of the City Council.
Voting will take place at the Clarkston First Baptist
Church, 4007 Church Street, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Any person who is a resident of the City of Clarkston
and who is registered at least thirty (30) days prior to this
election with the DeKalb County Board of Registrations
and Elections as an elector within the City of Clarkston
shall be eligible to vote in this election. Deadline for
voter registration is October 7, 2019.
Persons wishing to qualify for this election may file
a Notice of Candidacy with the Municipal Election
Superintendent at Clarkston City Hall Annex, 1055
Rowland Street, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning
on Monday, August 19, 2019 to Friday, August 23,
2019 (Georgia Election Code 21-2-132 (d)(3). The

PLEASE
DeKalb County, Georgia
The Downtown Development Authority of the Qualifying fee for council is $105, represents 3% of
City of Chamblee will have a called meeting the total gross salary of the preceding year (Georgia
Election Code 21-2-131 (a) (1) (A). Each Candidate
on Monday, July 15, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. until must meet the qualifications of the Charter and Code of

RECYCLE
approximately 7 p.m. The meeting will be held the City of Clarkston, as well as all applicable state and
at Chamblee City Hall located at 5468 Peachtree constitutional laws.
Road, Chamblee, GA 30341.
Application for absentee ballots may be made by mail or

THIS
in person to the Absentee Ballot Clerk, DeKalb County
Public Notice City of Chamblee Elections Division, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA
DeKalb County, Georgia 30032, 404-298-4020.
The Urban Redevelopment Agency of the City of
This notice is given pursuant to Chapter 21 of the Official

PAPER
Chamblee will have a called meeting on Tuesday,
July 16, 2019 at 7 p.m. until approximately 7:30 Code of Georgia, as amended, pertaining to municipal
elections, this 26th June 2019.
p.m. The meeting will be held at the Chamblee Civic
Center located at 3540 Broad Street, Chamblee, GA Tracy Ashby, City Clerk and
30341. Municipal Election Superintendent
BUSINESS
BROOKHAVEN
Local business taps into electric bicycle trend
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
When Eric Hunger
decided he was tired of
spending his nights in hotel
rooms, he began looking
for an opportunity to leave
his employer and start his
own business. “I knew that
whatever was trending in
Europe would probably be
popular in the United States
within four to five years. I
noticed that electric bicycles
were very popular all over
Europe.”
Hunger said his choice
of a bicycle-related business
was not just about potential
profitability; his interest in
bicycles dates to his youth.
“My grandfather raced
bicycles as far back as
1928. As soon as I was old
enough, he not only taught
me to ride, he taught me to
work on bicycles.”
Electric bicycles, he
noted, are an inexpensive,
environmentally friendly
way to move about,
particularly in large cities
and such places as college
campuses. After some
research, Hunger three years
ago opened ElectroBike
Georgia, with a flagship
store in Brighton Park
Shopping Center near
North Druid Hills Road in
Brookhaven.
Hunger explained
that electric bicycles are
powered by rechargeable
batteries; they can be
ridden like traditional
bikes, but with the flip of a
switch they provide pedal
assist or throttle power.
“Some riders use them as
traditional bicycles until
they get to a hill or become
tired. They are well suited
for commuting to work
or school even at heavy
traffic times. You can arrive
without being sweaty from
pedaling up inclines.”
He noted that folding
models, which he calls
“extremely portable,” are
particularly popular. “If
you ride the bike to work
and discover the weather is
bad when you leave, you
can call a car service and
Eric Hunger describes the inventory at ElectroBike Georgia as “the most versatile and
robust in the Southeast.” Photo provided
fold the bike and put it in
the trunk or carry it on the
bus or train.” Hunger added
that folding models also are
easily stored at home or at
the rider’s destination.
ElectroBike Georgia
offers more than 22 electric
bike models from three
manufacturers as well as
a selection of e-scooters
that can be seen at the
Brookhaven showroom,
Hunger said, calling the
store’s inventory “the most
The Mayor and City Council of the City of Lithonia do hereby announce that the millage rate will be set at a meeting to be held at the
Lithonia City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia 30058 on Monday, July 1, 2019 at 7:00 pm and pursuant to the requirements of O.C.G.A. § 48-5-32
do hereby publish the following presentation of the current year's tax digest and levy, along with the history of the tax digest
and levy for the past five years.
CURRENT 2019 PROPERTY TAX DIGEST AND 5 YEAR HISTORY OF LEVY
Real & Personal
Motor Vehicles
Mobile Homes
Timber - 100%
Heavy Duty Equipment
Gross Digest
Less Exemptions
NET DIGEST VALUE $
Gross Maintenance
& Operation Millage
Less Rollback
(Local Option Sales
Tax)
NET M&O MILLAGE
NET M&O TAXES
LEVIED
versatile and robust in the
Southeast.”
“People who frequently
rent e-scooters to get around
the city are discovering
that by purchasing one they
get a better-quality scooter
and save money in the long
run,” he said.
In addition to being
practical, Hunger said,
electronic bicycles and
scooters are fun. “Many
people ride them for
recreation,” he noted.
2014
$
$
20,095,784
1,554,440
$
$
22,172,872
$ 93,990 $ 93,990
$ 21,744,214 $ 23,248,502
$ 526,915 $ 536,850
21,217,299 $ 22,711,652
$ 21,217,299 $ 22,711,652 $
17.869
17.869
$ 379,131.92 $ 386,098.08 $
$ 379,131.92 $
#DIV/0!
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 12
“Everything is in stock. Business has grown
A customer can leave with rapidly since ElectroBike
the bike he wants without opened, according to
waiting for it to be ordered Hunger. “Brookhaven
and shipped,” Hunger said. has been an ideal place to
“I want people to think of open a business. The city,
ElectroBike as the place to the chamber of commerce
go for an informed selection and the community have
in personal electronic all been helpful and
transportation. We don’t welcoming,” he said. “Also,
want to be a local business; the main store is near Emory
we want to be a regional and electric bikes are perfect
business with shoppers from for moving around a large
across the state coming here urban campus.”
for electric bikes.” While electric bikes are
Hunger said popular among students,
ElectroBike’s Beltline they aren’t just popular with
store in Atlanta’s Old 4th young people, Hunger said.
Ward offers e-bike rentals. “We have customers from
“People who aren’t sure 15 to 85 years old. People
that e-bikes are for them who have enjoyed biking
can try them out along the most of their lives but have
Atlanta Beltline and see hip or knee replacements
for themselves how easy find they can continue to
they are to operate and how bike as they recover and
much fun they are to ride,” keep up with a spouse on a
he said. traditional bicycle.”
THIS COULD
BE YOUR AD!
Call 404.373.7779 Ext 110
for more information.
NOTICE
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
$ 34,914,658
981,640
$
$
26,527,218
794,580
$
$
29,294,531
765,330
$
$
38,544,385.00
347,940.00 $ 301,750
$ 93,990 $ 87,151 $ 79,712.00 $ 75,224
$ 27,415,788 $ 30,147,012 $ 38,972,037.00 $ 35,291,632
$ 550,783 $ 572,747 $ 5,357,734.00 $ 648,601
$ 26,865,005 $ 29,574,265 $ 33,614,303.00 $ 34,643,031
26,865,005 $ 29,574,265 $ 33,614,303.00 $ 34,643,031
17.000 15.768 14.074 11.116 11.968
17.000 15.768 14.074 11.116 11.968
423,607.40 $ 416,228.21 $ 373,656.59 $ 414,607.80
6,966.17 $ 37,509.31 $ (7,379.19) $ (42,571.61) $ 40,951.20
1.84% 9.71% -1.74% -10.23% 10.96%
EDUCATION
COUNTYWIDE
Uncertified teachers
let go by DCSD
BY TAYLOR ROBINS
Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
More than 100 DeKalb County School
District (DCSD) teachers were let go for
being uncertified in June.
After a nationwide shortage of teachers
in 2016, DeKalb County hired uncertified
teachers to fill vacancies in “hard to fill”
positions. The district waived certification to
fill the positions.
“DCSD believed that the approach
to hiring individuals with a minimum of
a bachelor’s degree and some content or
subject area background knowledge was
the best approach at the time, versus having
a substitute in the class with no content or
subject area background,” DCSD officials
said in a statement.
The uncertified teachers were placed in
areas of early childhood education, middle
grades and secondary education. Specific
subject areas, where the teachers taught,
were a combination of English language arts,
special education, math, science, health and
physical education.
According to DCSD officials, most of
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 13
the vacant positions have been filled for the
2019-2020 school year.
“DCSD is continuing to vet, screen and
interview certified candidates to fill all current
vacancies, regardless of the reason for the
vacancy,” stated DCSD officials.
DCSD said the district has provided the
uncertified teachers with information on
how to become certified in Georgia. Once an
uncertified teacher has obtained certification,
they may reapply.
According to the Teacher Certification
Degrees website, candidates can become
certified several ways by the Georgia
Professional Standards Commission. The
website provides guidelines for candidates
who don’t have a degree, have a degree but
not an education degree and candidates who
have a teaching degree but are interested in
additional training.
DCSD will hold a teacher job fair July 18
to fill the remaining vacant positions. The fair
will take place at Martin Luther King High
School─3991 Snapfinger Road in Lithonia
from 9 a.m. to noon. The district is also taking
candidate referrals and partnering with local
colleges and universities for employment
opportunities.
EDUCATION BRIEFS
by Taylor Robins • Taylor@dekalbchamp.com
Langford named to Dean’s List at Ithaca
College
Katherine Langford of Decatur was named
to the dean’s list for the spring 2019 semester.
Langford is majoring in writing.
Vess graduates from the University of
Iowa
Jennifer Vess of Stone Mountain was one of
more than 4,800 UI undergraduate, graduate and
professional students to participate in graduation
ceremonies in May. Vess earned a master of art
degree.
Wottor earns degree from Albright
College
A graduate of Saint Timothy’s School, Elsa
Akou Wottor of Lithonia has earned a bachelor of
arts degree in communications.
Students named to president’s list at
Clemson University
Students have been named to the president’s list
at Clemson University for the spring 2019 semester.
Students include: Luke Hale, Haley McKee,
Nicholas Muenchen and Josephine Wirtz, all of
Brookhaven.
URI students named to the spring 2019
dean’s list
The University of Rhode Island is announced
the spring 2019 dean’s list.
Lindsay Agvent of Brookhaven is included on
the list.
To be included on the dean’s list, full-time
students must have completed 12 or more credits
for letter grades during a semester and achieved at
least a 3.30 quality point average. Part-time students
qualify with the accumulation of 12 or more credits
for letter grades earning at least a 3.30 quality point
average.
Valdosta State University announces
spring 2019 dean’s list
Valdosta State University announced its spring
2019 dean’s list. Students who achieve a semester
grade point average of 3.50 or higher on nine or
more semester hours with an institutional grade
point average of 3.00 or higher are recognized by
being placed on the dean’s list.
Students include: Aliyyah Abdul-latif of
Lithonia, Cyle Clark of Lithonia, Jamie Croff
of Stone Mountain, Kwesi Fleming of Decatur,
Kayla George of Clarkston, Quartney Groves
of Clarkston, Jasmine Harris of Lithonia, Kayla
Hopkins of Decatur, Nabiyla Howard of Lithonia,
Mamadou Mbaye of Lithonia, Danielle McKay
of Lithonia, Sariah Millar of Decatur, Tatum
Newsome of Decatur, Walter Parker of Decatur,
Imani Pyron of Stone Mountain, Cicely Reid
of Stone Mountain, Sonya Smith of Lithonia,
Maxwell Steele of Decatur and Victoria Walker of
Lithonia.
 AROUNDDeKalb
CHAMBLEE
Public invited to talk with officials
about PDK expansion
DeKalb Peachtree Airport will host
a public open house where residents
can meet airport officials and learn
about the master plan process July 17,
6-8 p.m.
The event will take place in
Chamblee Civic Center─3540 Broad
Street in Chamblee.
DUNWOODY
Irrigation subject of UGA workshop
DeKalb County Cooperative
Extension and University of Georgia
EDUCATION /CAREER
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work with Delta, United, Boeing,
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RATES: $30 for up to 40 words, each
additional word $0.60. All ads are prepaid. All
major credit cards accepted.
Extension will hold an Irrigation
Workshop in Dunwoody July 11.
During the workshop, attendees
will be taught to install, maintain and
troubleshoot an irrigation system.
Officials will also be in attendance to
answer any questions.
The workshop is $20 and will be
at Barn-Brook Run Park’s greenhouse
complex─4770 North Peachtree Road
in Dunwoody─6:45-8:30 p.m.
Extension.uga.edu/DeKalb to register.
STONECREST
Library to screen movie
Us, starring Lupita Nyong’o and
Winston Duke, will be screened July
19 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Stonecrest
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 14
Library. Doors open 15 minutes before
movie starts. The library is located TUCKER
at 3123 Klondike Road. For more
information, call (770) 482-3828. Nonprofit event to include car show
Tucker Cruise-In, a nonprofit
STONE MOUNTAIN will host an old-fashioned town
meet and greet car show July 13 on
City to host car show Main Street in Tucker. There will
be a variety of vehicles, including
Stone Mountain will host “Village antiques, street rods, motorcycles and
Cruisers Car Show” July 27 from 4 to 7 imports. The Cruise-Ins are held on
p.m. in Stone Mountain Village. There the second Saturday of every month
is a $5 entry fee per car. There will until September. The event begins at
be awards and giveaways. For more 5 p.m. and ends with the presentation
of awards around 8 p.m. There is a
information, contact Kim Cumbie at
(770) 630-1727. $5 registration fee to enter a car into
judging. The cut off time to have a car
to be entered for judging is 6:30 p.m.
For more information, call (770) 527-
1521.
HELP WANTED Contact Dr. Julius Edmondson, Sr. 1-5. Teach grade relevant, subject
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SPORTS
TENNIS
Danielson to lead
Oglethorpe tennis programs
Oglethorpe University’s
athletic department
announced the hiring of
Paul Danielson as its new
head tennis coach.
Danielson served as
the program’s lead assistant
coach for the past three
seasons and as a volunteer
assistant for a season
under retiring head coach
Peter Howell, helping the
Stormy Petrel men’s team
to consecutive 12-7 records
over the last two years and
to a spot in the semifinals
of the SAA Tournament in
April. The team finished
third in the league this
season.
On the women’s side,
the Petrels advanced to the
SAA semifinals in 2016 and
2017, earning a third-place
conference finish in 2016
and a fourth-place standing
DECATUR
Agnes Scott athletic director resigns
BY CARLA PARKER
Carla@dekalbchamp.com
A
gnes Scott
College
announced
July 2 that athletic director
Allison Kern has resigned.
Kern is stepping down
from her position one year
after accepting the lead role.
She has been at Agnes Scott
for three years, including
a one-season term as the
school’s head womens'
basketball coach. Before
making the transition into
athletics administration, she
was named the department’s
first assistant athletic
director for external affairs.
According to the
PLEASE RECYCLE THIS PAPER!
in 2017.
“I am pleased to
announce Paul’s hiring as
our new head tennis coach,”
said Oglethorpe Director
of Athletics Todd Brooks.
“His extensive experience
as a player and a teaching
professional will serve him
well in building on our ever-
improving tennis program.
We have been fortunate to
have him for the past few
years as our assistant coach
and I know his familiarity
with our program, and
Oglethorpe University as
a whole, will allow him to
establish himself in this new
role quickly and efficiently.”
Danielson ascends to
the head coaching position
after more than 30 years of
coaching and instructional
experience, having served as
the head tennis professional
Agnes Scott College athletic director Allison Kern announced her resignation July 2.
athletics department, Kern
played a key role in the
creation and installation
of the department’s first-
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 15
Oglethorpe’s tennis program lead assistant coach Paul Danielson has been named head coach.
and director of tennis at
clubs in the Atlanta area and
Alabama.
In addition to serving
as an Oglethorpe assistant
coach, Danielson has also
worked as tennis instructor
in Atlanta.
“I am incredibly
humbled and honored to
become the head coach for
the men’s and women’s
tennis teams at Oglethorpe
ever golf tournament
fundraiser—the Agnes Scott
Athletics Golf Classic—at
East Lake Golf Club in
University,” Danielson
said. “I’m forever grateful
to Peter Howell and am
privileged to carry on
the legacy that Peter has
left behind. Oglethorpe,
specifically the tennis
program, holds a very
special place in my heart
and to be able to officially
join the family is a true
privilege. I can’t wait to get
started.”
Atlanta.
Kern was also a factor
in the athletics department's
rebranding ahead of the
The new Petrel head
coach inherits a men’s team
that went 5-2 in league
play, in addition to its 12-7
overall record in 2019, the
team finished as the 11th-
ranked team in the Atlantic
South region. The women’s
squad finished 17th in the
Atlantic South, compiling
an 8-8 overall record and
finished seventh in a tough
SAA in 2019.
2017-18 academic year,
with a color scheme, logo
and social media strategy,
according to the department.
“While I am personally
saddened to see her leave
Agnes Scott, she has my
full support,” said Karen
Goff, vice president for
student affairs and dean of
students. “I know with the
groundwork laid by her
predecessors, as well as
the work she has done to
advance the ASC athletics
program, I am confident
Agnes Scott Athletics
will continue to grow and
thrive.”
Agnes Scott officials
said a national search for a
new director of athletics will
begin in the fall.
LOCAL
RALLY Continued From Page 8
community.”
DeKalb County
Commissioner Lorraine
Cochran-Johnson said a part
of the problem is a lack of
economic opportunity. “We’re
at 62 people in 2019. Last year
we had a total of 66,” Cochran-
Johnson said. “We’re on course
to have a record year of murder
and be the murder capital in the
state of Georgia. When you think
about crime, most everything we
deal with is economics.”
Commissioner Larry
Johnson hosted a clean-up day
and stop the violence rally on
June 29 in Decatur. Johnson
said to improve the community,
everyone must get involved.  holds a community meeting the
“This is about working
together. It has to be all of us
making a difference together.
The church, community, police,
we all have to come together
to make a difference,” Johnson
said.  raised in south DeKalb. We’re
DeKalb County Police
Department South Precinct
10”x6.5” AA
Major Danny Jordan, a native
of DeKalb County, said the
department is addressing the
issue by increasing its presence
in high-crime areas. 
The department hosted
community roll calls in June
as part of the department’s
Homicide and Aggravated
Assault Location Targeting
Initiative. Roll calls are
department meetings in which
officers share information, give
details on crime suspects and
discuss officer accomplishments.
Jordan said he hopes the
increase of police presence will
curb some of the violent crime
in the area. The precinct also
last Tuesday of every month at
6:30 p.m. at the south DeKalb
Precinct across from the South
DeKalb Mall.
“We want to change the
culture,” Jordan said. “I was
invested in improving this
community.”
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JULY 12, 2019 • Page 16
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