AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM • FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2009 • VOL. 11, NO. 50 • FREE FREEP• A PUBLICATIONRESS OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS • DeKalb 2009 budget focuses on safety and shortfalls by Brian Egeston
[email protected] St. Patrick’s Day 2009 After averaging a 4.2 percent operating budget increase since 2005, DeKalb County Commissioners voted to accept the 2009 bud- It’s a great day for the Irish and all who like to party with them get with a 5.4 percent decrease from the 2008 budget. By Deborah Held tural services are promising buckets of the stuff, live The budget includes funding for 35 ad- music, as well as tastings from some of the area’s ditional police offi cers, four sheriff’s depu- There are a few really great things that make St. fi nest restaurants. ties and fi ve code enforcement offi cers. The Patrick’s Day so darned easy to enjoy: it’s fun, it’s Silent and live auction items include fi ne art, housing market, consumer sales and the festive, and it always falls of the same day every theater tickets, restaurant meals and even a visit from Dunwoody succession contributed to the year—March 17. Though originally focused on the Santa Claus (and who can put a price on that?). budget decrease, according to a report pub- celebration of St. Patrick himself, who is credited ART Station is located at 5384ManorDrive, in lished by the county. with bringing Catholicism to Ireland and who died the restored trolley barn within the historic village Ten out of 12 departments have cuts to on this day in the 15th century, today’s St.