Group Helps Seniors with Home Repairs on July 5, Covers 56 Schools and Identifi Es 178 Educators Involved in the Cheating, 32 of Them Principals

WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM • FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2011 • VOL. 14, NO. 17 • FREE

FREEP•RESS A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS • Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain. Several schools in APS cheating scandal located in DeKalb by Daniel Beauregard retaliation if they spoke scores. cording to the report. Alicia confessed. According to the [email protected] up about the cheating. Ac- At Coan Middle School, Waller, a special education report, Lysandra Hardaway cording to Withers, Benton the percentage of classrooms teacher, admitted to using and Sheila Brown admitted n investigative threatened to place teachers fl agged for wrong to right voice infl ection to prompt her to prompting their students report found that on Professional Development erasures was 31.4 percent students to answer correctly, by infl ecting their voice to Acheating occurred Plans (PDP), a program de- in 2009. Principal Andre the report stated. emphasize the correct answer in several Atlanta Public veloped to correct perceived Williams failed to properly Several teachers at Toom- during the administration Schools located in DeKalb defi ciencies for low CRCT monitor the 2009 CRCT, ac- er Elementary School also of the test. It also states that County during the administration of the 2009 Criteri- on-Referenced Competency See APS on Page 12A Test (CRCT). The report, released by Gov. Nathan Deal’s offi ce Group helps seniors with home repairs on July 5, covers 56 schools and identifi es 178 educators involved in the cheating, 32 of them principals. Eighty- two of the 178 educators identifi ed admitted their involvement, according to the report. The schools in the report that are located in DeKalb County are East Lake Ele- mentary, Toomer Elementa- ry, Whitefoord Elementary, Coan Middle School and Crim High School. All but Crim were found to have evidence of cheating. The report said “a cul- ture of fear and a conspiracy of silence infected [the] school system and kept many teachers from speaking freely about miscon- duct…There was a failure of leadership throughout APS with regard to the ethical administration of the 2009 CRCT.” According to the report, Ellenwood resident Sarah Wyatt (right) talks with Peter Schneider (left), manager of Fix-It Connection, about the repairs on her house. The shingles on 42 percent of classrooms at the Wyatts’ old roof were crumbling and the rotting posts in the carport were East Lake Elementary were being held together with duct tape. Photos by Andrew Cauthen fl agged for wrong to right erasures in 2009. The report by Andrew Cauthen the carport with duct tape. also accuses former Prin- [email protected] “If you saw the roof, it looked cipal Gwendolyn Benton like the house should have been and testing coordinator Fran The roof on the Ellenwood condemned,” Sarah Wyatt said. Standifer of erasing and house Sarah and Bill Wyatt “It was terrible.” changing students’ answers, have lived in since 1993 was em- That was before the roof and and altering the results of the barrassing. posts were replaced by a contrac- fi fth grade writing test. It had three layers of crum- tor chosen by Senior Connec- bling shingles. The wood was tions, a non-profit organization Morresia Withers, the rotting. The Wyatts even resorted that serves senior citizens by media specialist at East Lake, to covering parts of the posts in preparing and delivering 2,500 described the APS as having a “mafi a atmosphere” and said that teachers feared See Repairs on Page 12A Page 2A The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 DeKalb Schools improvement slower than other systems on CRCT ployees thrive in positive gaining close to 8 percent. The CRCT is used each environments and are de- Beasley said that there is a year to determine whether fl ated in negative and hostile correlation between reading each school in the system environments. Beasley said and social studies. will make Adequate Yearly that a healthy balance of vo- “As we continue to Progress (AYP) under cal and visible community address reading in our dis- federal guidelines and is support and criticism will go trict, we are confi dent that then used to determine the a long way toward moving increases in social stud- amount of funding a system the system forward. ies learning outcomes will can receive under the No “Our goal is to ensure occur as we have already Child Left Behind Act. that all students are reading begun to see increases in The offi cial AYP re- on grade level no later than social studies as refl ected sults will be released by the the third grade. [A] of prior- in the 2011 CRCT results,” Georgia Department of Edu- ity will be the expectation to Beasley said. cation in mid-July. Beasley provide and document the Beasley also said that said that, although he hopes impact of reading interven- aligned K-12 expectations more schools make AYP this tions when the data refl ects have been conveyed that so- year compared to last year, the student is in need of in- cial studies should be taught “we know that we are doing by Daniel Beauregard scores that have come out in tervention,” Beasley said. daily and teachers are en- the right work for our stu- [email protected] the school district but you Beasley also said that couraged to integrate social dents and time will validate cannot give up on us yet. the division of teaching studies content into other this.” The DeKalb County Our children need all of us and learning has developed content areas as well. School System is one of the to pull together. Change is a plan that will allow it to lowest performing systems necessary, and change will monitor district-wide read- in metro Atlanta in several happen,” Interim Superin- ing data to provide cam- subjects and other school tendent Ramona Tyson said puses support and hold them systems are improving fast- of the recent test scores. accountable for outcomes er than DeKalb’s according According to the 2011 well before the administra- to 2011 CRCT results. scores, DeKalb had the low- tion of standardized test RECEPTION & INDUCTION CEREMONY When compared with est Language Arts score in such as the CRCT. He said other systems such as At- every grade and the lowest that the 2011-2012 school Tuesday, July 26, 2011 lanta Public Schools, Clay- reading scores in all grades year is expected to be a 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. • Reception: Heavy hors d’oeuvres & Silent Auction ton County Public Schools except grade four, which year of increased reading 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Men of Influence Pinning & Induction Ceremony and Fulton County Schools, was higher than Atlanta and achievement in DeKalb. Sheraton Atlanta Hotel • 165 Courtland Street, Atlanta GA 30303 DeKalb, although making Clayton at 82.9 percent but The DeKalb School Sys- Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., ABL Board Chair slight improvements, is still lower than Fulton County. tem, like many of its metro- Leona Barr-Davenport, President & CEO improving more slowly than When asked why Atlanta counterparts, also For information or Tickets: the systems surrounding it. DeKalb Schools have been has a low success rate in www.atlantabusinessleague.org • 404.584.8126 “I understand, believe it slower to show improve- the subject of social studies, or not, those that have good ment Morcease Beasley, the with barely half of grades 2011 Honorary Chairs feelings and those that have interim deputy superinten- fi ve through eight passing bad feelings about the low dent of teaching and learn- in 2011. However, the so- academic achievement as ing for DeKalb Schools, cial studies scores do show PATRICE ADAMS CECILIA DR. ALVETTA MYRNA WHITE the result of some testing said that students and em- improvement, in some cases Vice President HOUSTON-TORRENCE PETERMAN THOMAS Director of Public Affairs Confidential Security Community Involvement President Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Agency, Inc. Officer Atlanta Technical College International Airport Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta EVENT HIGHLIGHTS Legacy Award Legends Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony / Men Dr. Hamilton E. Holmes of Influence Silent Auction / Heavy hors d’oeuvres / Avondale police offi cer Complimentary Wine & Beverages / Men of Influence Orthopedic Physician 2010 Directory / Photo opportunities / Delta Air Lines shoots man after struggle Posthumously (1941 - 1995) Sky Miles Legends Hall of Fame Inductees The Legends Hall of Fame are pioneers who have paved the by Daniel Beauregard Bankhead said the offi cer then ap- way for others to follow in [email protected] proached the individual and the church their respective arenas. The worker walked off. When the church worker MOI list reflects the names of An Avondale Estates police offi cer shot turned around again the offi cer and the sus- black men in metro Atlanta communities who have reached and killed a man after a struggle behind the pect were gone. senior level positions within Avondale Patillo United Methodist Church “The suspect ran off and he was chas- THE HONORABLE REVEREND CLARENCE COOPER JASPER WILLIAMS their profession, are leading off Covington Highway on July 15, according him and they wound up on the opposite Judge Pastor entrepreneurs in their industry, ing to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation side of the church in the woods…there was United States Distrcit Court Salem Baptist Church have proven history making (GBI). a struggle and the suspect was armed and feats or have attained the ability to influence large public John Bankhead, a spokesman for the apparently reaching for his weapon and the bodies politically. In addition to GBI who was on the scene, said that at ap- offi cer shot him,” Bankhead said. Sponsors professional accomplishments, proximately noon an offi cer made a routine According to Bankhead, the suspect, the Men of Influence traffi c stop and pulled an individual into the whose name has not yet been released, was have demonstrated their parking lot of the church at 3260 Covington being transported to Grady Hospital but died commitment to the citizenry of metro Atlanta by maintaining Highway. en route. His body was then transported to significant involvement and “The shooting had nothing to do with the DeKalb County Medical Examiners Of- participation in community the traffi c stop,” Bankhead said. “A church fi ce. and civic activities. The Legacy worker had seen a suspicious man out in The offi cer involved suffered no injuries. Award is presented to one front of the building acting in a strange man- legend whose efforts, good deeds and impact will outlast Co-Sponsors ner and went and told the offi cer.” the test of time and positively Anheuser-Busch Company impact the community for Atlanta Technical College generations to come. Confidential Security Agency, Inc. H.J. Russell & Co. The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Local News Page 3A Residents want code enforcement beefed up by Andrew Cauthen to be beefed up,” Sutton said. there to put people in jail,” Sut- per day per fine. Turman, another task force [email protected] One of the problems of the ton said. “Do we really want to Peagler said residents are member. “The county needs proposed ordinance is possible put a 90-year-old grandmother fed up with the bureaucratic the financial base from property When some residents travel jail time for violators and pen- in jail because she has a tarp on “shell game” and want the or- in the communities. We have a around DeKalb County, they alties handed down by volun- her roof?” dinance to be passed as soon as commission that is not protect- often see overgrown grass and teers on a seven-member code According to the proposed possible to address a backlog in ing the very basis for which weeds; inoperable vehicles; enforcement board that would ordinance, the code enforce- code enforcement complaints. money is generated for this commercial vehicles in resi- be held accountable for all deci- ment board would have the “I don’t know anything county to run. It doesn’t make dential areas; and pools that are sions it makes, Sutton said. authority to hand down admin- more important than to protect any sense.” unmaintained and become “Code enforcement is not istrative fines of up to $1,000 the property base,” said Gil mosquito traps. “This county is going to the dogs,” said Charles Peagler, president of the King Ridge Homeowners Association. There is “trash everywhere.” “It’s those aggravating things many neighborhoods experience,” said Joe Arrington, who along with Peagler was a member of a code enforcement task force that looked into the problems of county code viola- tions. The “large and ever-increasing number of foreclo- sures” has become “a com- pounding burden on all of this,” Arrington said. Some task force members and county residents are upset over what that say is foot-drag- ging on the part of the county. “We worked hard on this for 10 months,” Peagler said during the July 12 Board of Commissioners meeting. “We’ve done all the work on the ordinance. “We can’t understand why this ordinance can’t come out of your committee,” Peagler said to Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton during the meeting. “You were not drafted to run for that office, you asked for the office. We need you to do the job in that office.” Sutton said the ordinance is not buried on her desk. Be- cause the proposed ordinance had several problems, she said she passed the ordinance to the county attorney to get some legal opinions about how the ordinance would stand up in court. The legal staff found more problems that needed to be addressed, but hopes to have the proposed ordinance available for the Board of Com- missioners by Aug. 9. “There has to be respect for the process,” Sutton said. “We are working to come up with a product that we can work with.” But as originally drafted, the proposed ordinance “con- flicted with something else on the books,” Sutton said. Sutton, who chairs the board’s county operations and public safety committee, said code enforcement is a top pri- ority for her along with public safety. “I want code enforcement The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Opinion Page 4A The Newslady The congressman rides coach time when certain powerful state why I was not seated in fi rst class as just struck by that and thought it lawmakers get questionable perks of well. worthy of sharing. fi rst-class seats and free baggage in I had no ready comeback except While Mr. Johnson sat in the the wake of a huge $30 million fuel to say that he was the speaker of the cheap seats traveling back to the tax break to a certain airline, it is House in Georgia, which gave him nation’s capital to grapple with the refreshing to see a lawmaker on the status that I did not have. Respond- issue of raising the nation’s debt national level seated in coach. And ing from her feminist perspective, ceiling, he stood tall in the eyes of golly gee, the congressman had no my seat mate said it didn’t make this observer as the kind of public fl y swatter, no briefcase or coat car- sense to her and didn’t seem at all servant we need more of – sensi- I often go to the D.C./Maryland rier, no umbrella holder, and nary a fair. I assured her that it was not a tive to appearances especially in area either to teensit my grand- bodyguard in sight. Imagine that! problem for me. There is a certain these economically uncertain times. daughter while her parents travel for While a state senator a few years comfort in knowing who you are We see so much grandstanding and their jobs or just to visit. Last week back I had occasion to travel to and the knowledge that coach or posturing on the part of some of on my way to Regan National from Seattle for a national legislators’ fi rst class seating does not the per- our electeds, it is very reassuring to Hartsfi eld-Jackson, I witnessed a conference. Then-House Speaker son make. The destination is the know that certain of them have not very pleasant sight–my congress- Glen Richardson was on the same same. lost the common touch and do not man boarding the same fl ight. fl ight, but seated in fi rst class with But where one sits does send expect to be treated like British roy- Why is seeing your congressman his entourage. The young stranger a defi nite message of power and alty on our tax dollars. on a fl ight to Washington cause to seated next to me in coach heard our prestige. Hank Johnson’s stature as write about? Because my Congress- exchange of greetings and learned a congressman could certainly jus- Steen Miles, The Newslady, is a man, Hank Johnson, was sitting that I was a senator from the great tify his fl ying fi rst class. Instead, he retired journalist and former Geor- in coach, in fact a few rows behind state of Georgia. She asked if I was chooses to be a good steward of our gia state senator. Contact Steen Mi- me. Now that spoke volumes. At a a senator and he a representative tax dollars by fl ying coach. I was lies at [email protected].

Letter to the editor:

Atlanta Public schools scandle

Teachers are being blamed students attended summer child twice because of the poor for all of the problems the APS school for four weeks and performance at the two other [Atlanta Public Schools] are BANG passed the tests and was schools. Also the student said having because of cheating on promoted. On the other hand that the teachers made them the standardized test in 2009. parents had students who could feel like they could not do their This problem never could have not read and were promoted own work. An example was developed to this magnitude from kindergarden to third the teacher who told her to had the school board members grade every year and were not check her answer not once, not been on their jobs. stopped until the third Grade twice, but on the third try told The Atlanta School Board GCRT. her “good girl,” meaning the should ask themselves how The Teachers were pressured answer was correct. Did this many superintendents were by the principals, the principals student not need the teacher’s recruited from someone were pressured by the help? Perhaps not at test taking qualified and living in the superintendent and they wanted time, but who has designed State of Georgia? How many to make sure a bonus was a curriculum to include superintendents had their forthcoming each year, telling instruction and technique for contracts bought out before the all to do whatever necessary to taking this all so important one contract ended? And most of get the scores up. Where were test to determine who pass or all how many superintendents the parents when the teachers fail. did they recruit from other scheduled conferences to My question is this: who states, who left that state discuss class performance and designed the test, is it a part of because of poor performance conduct? The parents failed the daily curriculum, and if a in that state? Were background to show time-after-time. The child attends school 180 days checks performed on these principals concerns were how and fails to pass, how can this employees? the parents would react. They child pass after going to school Also, where were the parents never supported the teachers for four weeks in the summer? when year after year their but instead made sure the children were unable to test out parents heard what they wanted Signed: of grades three, five and eight? to hear. Mattie Bradley-Hudgons These same students went to I saw a parent and student Parent and retired school teacher school for 180 days and could on television, with the parent not pass this one test. These stating that she moved her The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Opinion Page 5A One Man’s Opinion Wake up call for the CEO some of the most Your time is in demand—no family and close friends—and significant budget cuts question—but I hear time Lose the security system in on rare occasions, speaking or in the metro region, and again that you keep place to access your floor in engaging the public in larger and for stabilizing other equally important the Clark Harrison Building forums. “Great Guy Burrell” revenues for our water people waiting. The largest - You are entitled to a security really needs to get out more. and sewer system, long employer (by far) in DeKalb detail, and it makes some sense You have very competent overdue for renovations County recently sat in your to have an off-duty DeKalb senior staff surrounding and repair. outer offices for nearly 45 P.D. officer or sheriff’s deputy you. Empower them to All three minutes, before being told in the outer lobby of your move forward on your predecessors holding the appointment would need offices. But it makes no sense agenda. You have challenges “The most persuasive the title of DeKalb to be re-scheduled. My for the elevator in a public with the current board of method at the disposal of County CEO served two terms. understanding is that he does building to not stop on the floor commissioners, but as recently government is the word of an I assume that CEO Ellis is also not plan to return. where you work, or to require demonstrated with their tough honest man,” Jules Cambon planning to seek a second term. an “escort” up to that floor. vote to significantly increase (1845-1935), famed French Unfortunately, the growing Travel out of DeKalb This may seem minor, but it the millage rate and property diplomat. sentiment and word on the less frequently - As a sets a bad precedent, and even taxes—when you make your I first met DeKalb County streets of DeKalb appears commissioner, and now sends a negative signal about case backed up by indisputable CEO Burrell Ellis in the to be that he is perceived as CEO, you have demonstrated public safety in DeKalb County facts—they will work with you. summer of 2000 when he becoming a “one-termer.” admirable leadership in the to every one of your visitors. We share a love for DeKalb knocked on my front door as a I have tried previously National Association of County, as well as a belief that then candidate for Commission to more discreetly relay Counties (NACO), as well as Loosen up - You are an its best days lie ahead and not District #4. He impressed me several basic concerns to your an ability to build relationships accomplished lawyer and behind. You need help telling with his passion for public administration. I am now in D.C. with the Obama jurist. You often speak, and your story and re-connecting service and his overall sincerity taking a more direct approach, administration. All that said, present as if you are making with the folks who helped about the need for DeKalb knowing that this will most the people of DeKalb are now a formal presentation before a put you where you are today. County to begin working likely find its way to your desk. worried about some very basic jury. I will call this “Lawyer Unless you plan an early return together to realize its full needs—keeping a roof over Burrell.” Lawyer Burrell is to your private law practice, I’d potential. Return phone calls - I hear their heads, having safe streets intelligent and knowledgeable, answer this wake up call. I also voiced support, this more often than any single and sending their kids to quality but can also be perceived as Bill Crane is a DeKalb in this same space, for the complaint. You have become public schools. Right or wrong, cold, indifferent and somewhat County native and business first tax increase of just “unreachable” and seldom given these circumstances, condescending. I met “Great owner, living in Scottdale, under 2.5 mils proposed by return phone calls, e-mails voters will question your Guy Burrell” on my front Georgia. He also serves as the CEO—under the strong or other correspondence. priorities when significant time porch 11 years ago. I have chief political analyst and com- heading of “Raise My Taxes... Communication from your is spent out of state or traveling. seen him in many smaller mentator for 11Alive News and PLEASE.” I commend CEO office cannot only be one way. Until better economic times community gatherings, giving WSB Radio, News/Talk 750. Ellis, and the DeKalb Board return, try sticking closer to warm and touching eulogies Contact Bill Crane at bill- of Commissioners for making Tighten up your calendar - home. at funerals, as well as with his [email protected].

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Publisher: Dr. Earl D. Glenn Managing Editor: Kathy Mitchell News Editor: Robert Naddra 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 The Champion, Thursday, July 21 - 27, 2011 Opinion Page 6A Sleazy corporate holiday You were right, Dad; they’re all in it together die?” By a 5-to-4 majority the court would reply: “Get lost. We don’t pick winners and losers; we just apply the Constitution. Is it our fault that the Founders loved owners better than workers?” The latest example of the imbal- My father, long dead, spent his ance in our society to come down working years in tool and die shops the pike is the lobbying effort by in Detroit, an experience from giant U.S. corporations to win a which he crafted a political, eco- huge tax break on overseas profi ts. nomic and social philosophy of life. This isn’t chump change we’re talk- “They’re all in it together,” he ing about. Apple has $12 billion out would say. That was the very core there, Google $17 billion, Micro- of the philosophy. soft $29 billion, others more. The following comments are pulled straight from our website and are Were high wages bad because These are profi ts earned over- not edited for content or grammar. they made prices go up? Were high seas, often by sending jobs over- profi ts good because they made seas. If they brought the profi ts Avondale Police shoot man after struggle the stock market go up? Did politi- home right now, they would be taxed at the offi cial, though mythi- cians who complained about how The Offi cer has a job to do. It’s called law enforcement. That’s little they were paid mysteriously cal, 35 percent corporate rate. what we all as taxpayers pay him to do. It’s a dangerous and become millionaires while in of- They want the government to unpredictable job. Without him, and his willingness to serve as fi ce? Did the World Series go seven declare a one-year “repatriation he does, all we have is chaos and anarchy. When a police offi cer games? holiday,” taxing the foreign profi ts orders you to cooperate, and you don’t, electing instead to run It was all evidence to him that at 5.25 percent a year. It would be or grapple with him, or in severe circumstances try to take away his theory was sound. He never great for the economy, the lobbyists his service pistol, if you get shot because of that, then I have no bothered to say who “They” were, argue, increasing tax revenues and sympathy. allowing the companies to invest in but it was fairly obvious whom he Let the man have the control he needs to do his job, and your bet is meant: the forces that made sure new jobs back home. If they don’t get the break, the profi ts stay over- that your event will be much easier. Nobody has to die in situations that in any given situation the rich like this! got richer and the poor got poorer seas, untaxed. and, more than that, that the scales It sounds like a deal, right? Ex- Dying like this, is just plain stupid. of justice were short-weighted to cept, isn’t there something sleazy the advantage of money and privi- about American companies sending – Bob posted this on 7/17/11 at 11:01 p.m lege. Life, to my father, was just jobs overseas, then holding Ameri- one big company store and the can taxpayers for ransom before prices were not negotiable. they’ll pay taxes on the profi ts they Rodgelio – It’s good that the offi cer is ok but I doubt that having to I wish he were alive today to earned doing so? kill a person seems like good news to him – or the suspect’s family. see what’s happening. Even a cynic As for companies using the This isn’t Kojack, dude. money to create jobs here, it prob- like him would be shocked at how – evan posted this on 7/17/11 at 8:17 a.m. the conspiracy that so outraged him ably won’t happen. After the last big tax holiday in 2005, companies has been codifi ed into a system of thanks for good news government. tended to pass back the extra mon- Tell a conservative Republican ey to shareholders in dividends and – rogelio menendez posted this on 7/16/11 at 8:26 p.m. that the rich are getting richer and stock buybacks. . the poor are getting poorer and he’ll Many of them did create new say: “So? What’s wrong with that?” jobs, of course — by building new DeKalb transportation wish list cut to 25 projects His only quarrel with what’s hap- plants overseas. pening is that the rich aren’t getting You were right, Dad; they’re all Dekalb just passed a millage rate increase. Now they want to fool us richer fast enough. in it together. into believing that a one percent sales tax will benefi t the county’s I still don’t think seven-game citizens. Once again, this is doublespeak and empty rhetoric. Fool Go to the Supreme Court and me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. When have say: “Your Honors, is there any World Series are fi xed, though. Maybe the umpires, just a little. DeKalb and Fulton politicians ever been competent with wisely chance soon that you’ll rule against handling taxpayers money? I don’t understand how Dekalb can a corporation being sued by an build new libraries and parks, fund employee meals, continue to individual who’s been cheated, OtherWords columnist Donald waste taxpayers’ money and then turn around and complain that the misused, and left on the beach to Kaul lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. county is broke. I can understand why. I believe Dekalb taxpayers www.otherwords.org and voters will oust all of these incompetents in the next election, especially all those who supported a millage increase and now support a sales tax. What other new tax will they come up with next? Printed on – Stoptheinsanity posted this on 7/15/11 at 9:06 a.m. No way. It’s a 1-cent INCREASE for Fulton and DeKalb residents, and a 100% 1-cent ADDITION for all other metro counties. post- Why pay twice for the same service? Nope. consumer – Rick posted this on 7/14/11 at 5:22 p.m. WITH A 26 % INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAXES = Oh Yeh ! Sure ! recycled paper Nope = None of it will pass in DeKalb County ! – JerryMyer Jackson Jr posted this on 7/14/11 at 3:33 p.m.

The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Local News Page 7A

Champion of the Week Rebecca Jones

computer training,” said Jones. Photo by Ricky Riley The second was the family literacy program where she helped a CDC exhibit focuses woman who was a refugee from Nepal. She is orignally from Bhutan, on domestic violence but was in a refugee camp in Nepal for sev- Off the Beaten Path: Violence, Women better understanding of the roots of abuse, eral years, said Jones. and Art, currently at the Centers for Disease a feeling of empathy, and an awareness of Rebecca visited her Control and Prevention (CDC) Global choice in their actions and beliefs. Refl ecting and her family on the Health Odyssey Museum, is a multi-media thoughtfully on these issues, the artists in After working in the weekends to teach her contemporary art exhibition that promotes this exhibition offer images and stories as corporate world, Re- how to read. For fi ve awareness and fosters dialogue about violence profoundly universal and creative responses becca Jones wanted months she worked with against women and its effects on victims, that illuminate our perceptions and call us to change. She had a her on reading and writ- families and communities. The exhibit features action,” an announcement from the federal strong desire to work ing skills. 28 international artists, including Yoko Ono, health organization states. with non-native English Jones’ duties include Louise Bourgeois, Wangechi Mutu, Mona “Around the world, women and girls are speakers, especially helping new arrivals get Hatoum and Hank Willis Thomas. victims of countless and senseless acts of refugees, from an early accustomed to Ameri- Produced by Art Works for Change, a violence,” said Randy Jayne Rosenberg, age. can schools. These nonprofi t organization that addresses social executive director of Art Works for Change This desire took her students are in grades and environmental issues, Off the Beaten and the exhibit’s curator. “In many of these to Refugee Family Ser- one through three and Path: Violence, Women and Art is a touring instances, they are victims simply because vices, where she has they all have a desire exhibition that premiered in Oslo, Norway in they are female. How do we get off the volunteered for a year to learn, according to June 2009 and traveled to San Diego, Tijuana, ‘Beaten Path?’ How do we create a world and has made a lasting Jones. Mexico City and Chicago in subsequent years. where all people are secure and where impact on the organiza- “Rebecca was one The Atlanta presentation is co-sponsored by women’s rights are seen fully and fi nally as tion. of our most valuable the Division of Violence Prevention in the human rights?” Refugee Family Ser- volunteers this year. She CDC National Center for Injury Prevention The exhibit will be at the Centers for vices operates in the donated so much of her and Control and the Global Health Odyssey Disease Control and Prevention, Tom Harkin communities of Stone time in several different Museum. Global Communications Center,1600 Clifton Mountain and Clarkston areas of our work. She CDC has applied a public health approach Road NE, Atlanta, through Sept. 9. which have large refu- signifi cantly contributed to violence prevention since the 1980s. Admission and parking are free. To gee populations. to the improvement of Violence directed toward women and girls is gain entrance, visitors need a government- Unlike refugee re- the literacy skills and a global human rights injustice with severe issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or settlement programs, overall well-being of the health and social consequences. passport. Vehicle inspection is also required. Refugee Family Services women and children she According to the CDC, Off the Beaten The Global Health Odyssey Museum is open focu on refugee and im- has worked with. We will Path challenges traditional ideas about Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. with hours migrant families that are miss her compassion gender based violence and helps create a new extended to 7 p.m. on Thursday. The museum here now and need help. and dedication a great conversation on the full spectrum of issues is closed on all federal holidays. For more Literacy in the English deal,” said Brittany Van- that surround this important topic. “The hope information, visit www.cdc.gov/museum/ or language is a main prior- Valkenburgh, volunteer is that audiences leave the exhibition with a call (404) 639-0830. ity for the organization. coordinator at Refugee The organization’s Family Services. programs include fi - Jones is a graduate nancial literacy, fi re and of Appalachian State home safety, refugee University in North Caro- Subscribe now family violence preven- lina. She earned a de- tion, youth and many gree in English. more. She has now signed “I have worked with up to be a Peace Corps Save 20% two programs while with volunteer where she will the organization. The be teaching English in fi rst was the after school the small West African program. 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Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347 [email protected] or at For additional information call 404-373-7779 404-373-7779, ext. 104. or visit us on line at ChampionNewspaper.com The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Local News Page 8A Lithonia seeks city administrator by Andrew Cauthen Lithonia city attorney Win- who was city administrator there The full-time city administrator [email protected] ston Denmark argued in court last from 2009 to 2011, until the Pem- would be responsible for the day-to- month during a hearing on the law- broke City Council asked for his day operations of the city and have Since the Lithonia City Coun- suit that Varner was not authorized resignation. a salary of $40,000. cil fired the city clerk nearly four to accept service of the lawsuit. Etheridge said he did not know According to its job description, months ago, the small city has been Varner was replaced by a tempo- why the council made that request the administrator would be appoint- grinding to a halt. rary clerical worker from a staffing and the Pembroke mayor did not ed by the city council and receive Because there is no clerk, “the agency who answers phones and return phone calls from The Cham- administrative direction from the city can only operate on a limited takes messages. pion. Etheridge was one of three mayor. The administrator would capacity,” said Lithonia Mayor Peterson said the council’s inac- finalists interviewed by the Lithonia direct the city government’s depart- Tonya Peterson said. tion in hiring a clerk or administra- City Council. Approximately 10-20 ments and their daily operations. Lithonia’s city charter allows for tor is a violation of the city’s charter candidates applied for the position, Lithonia is looking for someone a city clerk, police chief, part-time and “a violation of our citizens’ ba- Jackson said. with a master’s degree in business mayor and a city administrator. For sic rights to representation.” Etheridge, who has a masters administration or public administra- the past four months, Peterson has “Our licensing, permitting and degree in public administration tion with five years of local govern- “assumed the responsibilities and overall processes are grinding to a from Troy State University, said he ment experience. duties of both city administrator and halt while certain council members looks forward to the opportunity to The offer has not been accepted city clerk—completing paperwork, reallocate funds to various pet proj- work in community development in yet. enrollment in [a] benefits program ects,” Peterson said. a metropolitan area city. In the meantime, Peterson called and payroll,” she said in a state- “The recent action to offer a be- “My background is fairly infor the Lithonia City Council mem- ment. low-standard salary to one individ- depth in community development,” bers to staff the city hall during Peterson said the council, over ual shows that they are not serious Etheridge said. lunch starting July 18. her objections, fired the previous about changing the present course,” Before working in Pembroke, “I believe the taxpayer-based city clerk on March 28. The clerk, Peterson said. Etheridge was the planning director salaries of elected officials are for Missye Varner, was terminated According to council member for Jackson County from 2005-09. more than just attending meetings,” after she accepted service of a law- Deborah Jackson, the council Pembroke said he would prob- Peterson stated. “If taxpayers are suit delivered by a DeKalb County made an offer on July 13 to Frank- ably make a decision on accepting working for us, the city must work Sheriff’s deputy. lin T. Etheridge of Pembroke, Ga., the Lithonia position this week. for taxpayers.” NEWS BRIEFS Barnett was part of the 17-member delega- of what we stand for as a nation: Equal oppor- Mistrial declared in home tion of law enforcement officials who received tunity for all,” said Rep. Johnson. “The Fair invasion case the training through the Georgia International Employment Opportunity Act of 2011 will Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE). The help us level the playing field and get people A DeKalb County judge ordered a mistrial exchange program, which was founded in back to work.” in a case involving the leader of a home inva- 1992 by Dr. Robert Friedmann in the Geor- sion robbery crew and found the defendant’s gia State University Department of Criminal attorney to be in contempt of court, according Justice, provides senior law enforcement offi- Ellenwood couple pleads guilty to DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office cers with professional training opportunities in to human trafficking charges spokesman Erik Burton. policing techniques from peers abroad. Judge Mark Scott declared a mistrial on Juna Gwendolyn Babb, 56, and Michael July 13 in the case of Michael Blaine, who J. Babb, 54, of Ellenwood pleaded guilty July was indicted on 38 counts, including rack- Johnson introduces fair 8 in federal court to felony charges relating eteering, malice murder, felony murder, armed to a scheme to compel the labor of a young robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, posses- employment bill woman from the Kingdom of Swaziland in sion of a firearm by convicted felon and false southern Africa. imprisonment. Rep. Hank Johnson (Ga. District 4), along The couple brought the woman to the Scott ordered Blaine’s defense attorney, with Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut on United States under false pretences and forced Herbert Adams Jr., to retrieve case docu- July 12 introduced the Fair Employment Op- her to work for them from June 2005 to Febru- ments by 10 a.m. on July 13. After a hearing, portunity Act of 2011, which would prohibit ary 2007, according to U.S. Attorney’s Office Scott found Adams in contempt of court for employers and employment agencies from dis- spokesman Patrick Crosby. Juna Babb kept failing to prepare for trial and said that he criminating against unemployed job-seekers the victim from being found by law enforce- would write a letter to the State Bar of Geor- by refusing to consider them for employment. ment and threatened her with the debt that gia. Scott then declared a mistrial. Prior to the The Fair Employment Opportunity Act Babb said the victim owed her for travel to the declaration of a mistrial, the prosecution made will prevent employers and employment agen- United States. Babb also threatened the wom- a motion to stop the trial citing the defense at- cies from refusing to consider or offer em- an with arrest and deportation because she was torney’s lack of preparation which would deny ployment to someone who is unemployed, or in the country illegally, Crosby said. Blaine his right to a fair trial. Scott will sched- including language in any job advertisements Juna Babb pleaded guilty to harboring an ule the contempt of court hearing at a later or postings that states unemployed individuals alien for financial gain, which carries a maxi- date, Burton said. are not qualified. mum penalty of 10 years in prison. Michael A recent survey, conducted by the National Babb, a minister, pleaded guilty to misprision Employment Law Project (NELP), of four of of a felony for concealing his wife’s criminal Stone Mountain Park officer the top job search Web sites, CareerBuilder. conduct and for lying to federal agents. This com, Indeed.com, Monster.com, and Craig- offense carries a maximum penalty of three completes training in Israel sList.com, found more than 150 job advertise- years in jail. The defendants have agreed to ments that specified applicants must be cur- pay a total of $25,000 in restitution to the vic- Capt. Michael D. Barnett of the Stone rently employed. And the Job Openings and tim for her unpaid labor. Sentencing for both Mountain Park Department of Public Safety Labor Turnover Survey shows there are 4.7 defendants is scheduled for Oct. 6. recently completed a two-week training pro- unemployed workers for every 1 job opening. gram in Israel where he studied counterterror- “Discrimination against the unemployed ism, emergency management and other types – especially the long-term unemployed – in of policing strategies from Israeli police. job ads and hiring practices flies in the face See Briefs on Page 9A The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Local News Page 9A Briefs Continued From Page 8A Officer hit by car during traffic stop A 19-year veteran of the DeKalb County Police Depart- ment is critical but stable con- dition at an area hospital after being hit by a car while on duty July 17, according to police. Officer Daniel Lacoste was investigating an accident on I-20 near Panola Road when he was hit by a car driven by Kimyata White, according to DeKalb Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish. White was cited Rogers Lake Road in Lithonia, the site of a proposed facility which would convert wood chips to electricity, is a heavy industrial zone for improper lane change and and has an odd mixture of landfills, junk yards, residences, and even a horse pasture. Photos by Andrew Cauthen driving too fast for conditions. Lithonia residents sue over gas plant approval Officer shoots by Andrew Cauthen engaged in “contract rezoning” when are then heated to 1,400 degrees Fahren- [email protected] it granted a special land use permit for heit with natural gas burners to produce suspect at club the facility after the county already had syngas, which is turned into renewable Opponents of a Lithonia gasification signed a contract with Green Energy Part- natural gas (RNG). A 19-year-old male who plant approved by the Board of Commis- ners to sell wood waste for an estimated “It’s sold as a green energy idea and was suspected of firing a gun sioners in June have not given up. $200,000 per year. it seems to have more emissions than a outside a DeKalb County night- “The broader goal is to stop this “Therefore, DeKalb County had a fi- coal-burning plant,” Olson said. club was shot by police, accord- plant,” said Peter Olson, an attorney nancial incentive to approve the rezoning, John Evans, president of the DeKalb ing to a police spokesman. with Jenkins, Olson and Bowen of Cart- and it was in a position to lose a financial NAACP, said he is supporting the com- Several gunshots were re- ersville, who is representing Citizens deal worth at least [$4 million] over 20 plaint because of a 1,000-signature peti- portedly fired in the parking lot for a Healthy and Safe Environment years to the county if it denied the rezon- tion against the facility and extensive of Club Obsessions, at 4525 (CHASE). “My lawsuit is one tool in ing,” the lawsuit states. community opposition. Glenwood Road at approxi- the toolbox.” The lawsuit also states that the Board “The county pays no attention to mately 3 a.m. on July 16, ac- Formed to fight the proposed facil- of Commissioners failed to require Green that.” Evans said. “That’s serious.” cording to police. Two off-duty ity, CHASE has filed a lawsuit against Energy Partners to address the possible Evans said county officials have a DeKalb County police officers DeKalb County to prevent the construc- adverse impact of noise, smoke, odor, “blatant disrespect for the community.” responded and confronted a tion of a proposed 10-megawatt facility dust or vibrations by the facility as re- “The issue is disruptive for the com- suspect. One of the officers then to be located on 21 acres on Rogers Lake quired by the county zoning ordinance. munity,” Evans said. “That’s paramount.” shot the suspect, police said. Road outside the city limits of Lithonia. Green Energy Partners is planning to Evans said the Lithonia area is al- The suspect was taken to an Two residents who have properties construct a $60 million plant to convert ready suffering from “a mess that is im- area hospital for treatment of his on Maddox Road adjacent to the pro- yard waste into renewable natural gas. pacting the environment.” A gasification injuries. The officer who shot posed plant, Mildred Banks and Gerald According to Green Energy officials, plant would add to the harm. the suspect is on routine admin- Sanders, also joined in the lawsuit and the plant will use a method called pyroly- “We know it’s got to impact the en- istrative leave. There is no are members of CHASE. sis in which yard trimmings are placed vironment,” Evans said. other information available. The lawsuit claims that the county in oxygen-free chambers. The chambers

AdvertorialTHE LINE? Awareness Campaign Addresses Underage Drinking DeKalb Community Promise (DCP) is a non-profit organization that operates in East Atlanta. DCP has recently been chosen to implement a multi-faceted public awareness campaign that addresses the ever-increasing issue of underage drinking. East Atlanta has been selected as a high-risk community because of issues associated with social and community norms in addition to retail and social availability. Sandra Walker, project coordinator, has utilized several sources in DeKalb County to help educate parents, teachers, law enforcement and other community partners about common risks associated with underage drinking. As part of the campaign, Walker has distributed informational flyers targeting youth, educators, guardians and parents at retail locations throughout the area. DCP has also utilized billboards, radio stations and BET to help increase community awareness. In addition to raising awareness in the community, DCP’s goals have been supported by the DeKalb County Police Department with the implementation of alcohol shoulder taps. “The alcohol shoulder tap is designed to identify adults who are purchasing alcohol for a minor, and in no way is it an effort to trick or entice the adult to provide alcohol to minors,” Walker said. “We find it an effective tool to help curb the supply of alcohol to youth, and thus contribute to the prevention of underage drinking. It is important to remind the public that buying alcohol for kids is not only wrong, you can get arrested for it.” According to Walker, on July 1, 12 adults were asked by undercover minors to buy them alcohol. Twelve of the 16 adults complied with the request, and as a result, were arrested. Along with shoulder taps, the coalition also works with law enforcement and other agencies to complete other underage drinking prevention activities Walker’s crusade has garnered support from many community members who have contacted her with offers to help in any way possible. This positive community response further supports the notion that the citizens of DeKalb County refuse to let their youth fall victim to a lifestyle that has already negatively impacted so many members of this East Atlanta community. For more information or to get involved with the campaign please contact Sandra Walker with Beyond the Bell Inc at [email protected] or (404) 374-8624. The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Local News Page 10A Georgia Military College opens Stone Mountain branch by Daniel Beauregard what selective name, it is [email protected] open to everybody. “We’re very proud of our Georgia Military Col- cadet core and the veterans lege, a liberal arts junior that come to us,” Condon college established in said. “But we opened in 1879 Milledgeville in 1879, will and the name just stuck.” open the doors of a new lo- The school will offer cation in the city of Stone daytime, nighttime and Mountain on Aug. 8. weekend classes. The only The college, which has credentials a student needs six campuses throughout to attend is a GED or a high Georgia and two extension school diploma. centers, fi rst considered “The Fairburn campus is the idea when City Man- just exploding with growth ager Barry Amos men- and we see the opportunity tioned the idea of having for the same thing to happen the college open a location in Stone Mountain,” Con- in Stone Mountain. Now, don said. after nearly a year and a half in the making, it is Director Janice Anderson stands with city and state offi cials and cuts the ribbon at the new extension ready. See Military on Page 11A of the Georgia Military College in Stone Mountain. Photo provided Debbie Condon, At- lanta director of Georgia Military College, said that a lot of work went into determining whether the Reserve your tickets now! now!ets community was interested in having the school there. “We did online surveys, in-school surveys A Celebration of and talked to members of the community to see if Community Champions there was an interest, and there was, so we talked to Awards Gala Stone Mountain and we believe we will be an as- Luncheon set,” Condon said. Classes will begin Noon - 2p.m. Aug. 8, as long as the Crowne Plaza Ravinia branch manages to meet 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road its 25 student minimum. So far, Director Janice Atlanta, Ga. 30346 Anderson said that they have 10 students but she is confi dent they will meet and surpass their enrollment goals. Enroll. “I’m waiving the $35 application fee. We do Celebration of have many more than 25 applicants but they just haven’t enrolled in classes yet for reasons like fi n- ishing their fi nancial aid Presented by: The Champion newspaper or waiting for their tran- scripts, but they can enroll up until the fi rst day of Plan to attend a stellar event to class,” Anderson said. honor community servants, Another incentive community organizations and for students interested in individuals in the DeKalb community enrolling is that all 2011 • Choose from over 100 career paths high school graduates can who tirelessly volunteer his or her receive free tuition for the services for the betterment of DeKalb fi rst fall quarter as long County. Cost is $50 per person and • $75 per credit hour as they apply for state or includes a lavish lunch. federal fi nancial aid, re- TTTo secure your block of ticketsetsets gardless of whether they • Apply by July 19th for Fall Semester receive it. contactcontactcontact “If you work for the Louise Dyrenforth Acker at city you can attend the college tuition free and 404-373-7779, Ext. 102 or that’s not just one quarter [email protected] but the entire time,” Con- DeKalb Technical College don said. 404-297-9522 Although the two-year junior college might ap- www.dekalbtech.edu pear to brandish a some- The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Local News Page 11A APS educators given ultimatum by Daniel Beauregard tency Tests (CRCT). Now, school spokes- [email protected] The investigation man Keith Brommery named 178 educators said that Davis has given Atlanta Public Schools who had been involved in the educators a chance to Interim Superintendent cheating, 32 of them prin- resign and walk away from Erroll Davis recently cipals. Eighty-two of the the scandal rather than sent a letter to educators 178 educators involved ad- face a firing that could named in the cheating mitted their involvement, damage their reputation. scandal stating that they according to the report. “What he did essen- had until Wednesday, July APS schools in tially in that letter was 20, to resign or face ter- DeKalb County involved offer those individuals mination. in the scandal are East a three-day window to Earlier this month Lake Elementary, Toomer resign. After which they Gov. Nathan Deal’s of- Elementary, Whitefoord will get another commu- fice released the results Elementary, Coan Middle nication possibly as early of a report investigating School and Crim High as [July 21] stating that cheating during the 2009 School. All but Crim were the superintendent will be administration of the Cri- found to have evidence of taking steps to terminate terion-Referenced Compe- cheating. them,” Brommery said.

Military DeKalb County Wants to Hear From You Continued From Page 10A Regarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal with Comcast Cable Communications Anderson said that Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcast’s current performance under since she arrived she has the current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests of received an incredibly your community to [email protected]. warm reception from the Stone Mountain community and is excited to open up and see the school grow. “I just had neighbors coming by, not only mer- chants but residents, ex- pressing their excitement of the college being here and offering to volunteer. I’ve been embraced by the community and it’s just so exciting,” Anderson said at the school’s recent open house. Reginald Jackson, an adjunct professor who will be teaching at the Stone Mountain extension, said that although the numbers might be small at first they’ve got all of the tech- nology they need, including a computer lab with 16 work stations. “It’s kind of a vintage feel and that’s how Fair- burn is,” Jackson said as a train rolled by outside. “It really gives it a homey feel and being a junior college and a two-year institution, you really want to make people feel wel- come,” Jackson said. Jackson said he is looking forward to teaching in Stone Mountain and is ready to immerse him- self in the community. “That’s really what education is about; we have an obligation from a societal perspective to make sure that we educate society as well,” Jackson said. The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Local News Page 12A

Repairs Continued From Page 1A meals daily; providing 40,000 hours an- nually of in home care; and operating five DeKalb County senior centers. Using funding from several sources, Senior Connections also provides home repairs for more than 200 homes. When Wyatt heard about Senior Con- nections from a friend last year, she called the organization, but was told there was no money available to help her. Then she received a call from Senior Connections this year informing her that funds were available to cover the approximately $13,000 to fix her house. “Now, I’m mot going to be embarrassed to invite somebody from my church,” Wyatt said. “I’ve been calling everybody. The workers did a wonderful job” The home repair programs are “all about keeping seniors independent,” said Sally Eggleston, Senior Connection’s chief marketing officer. Eggleston said her organization began the program when they discovered that seniors needing handyman services or more extensive home repair were getting ripped off and did not know whom to call. Senior Connections has two home repair programs. In one program, the organization provides the repair services completed by licensed and bonded skilled workers. There is usually a waiting list for this program as funds are limited. In the other program, called Fix-It Connection, seniors who can afford to pay for repairs can choose from contractors preselected by Senior Connections, which guarantees the work. “We are able to work with these people to find an outlet to take care of their Sarah and Bill Wyatt talk with Peter Schneider (center), manager of Fix-It Connection, about the progress of the repairs to emergency,” said Bonny Robichaud, the home they have lived in since 1993. The couple says they are no longer embarrassed by their house. Photo by Andrew chief financial officer. Cauthen Peter Schneider, manager of Fix-It And the community is benefitted ered. times we can’t fix everything. But Connection, said programs benefit se- when homes are not abandoned “It’s a huge benefit to the tax- we certainly can help.” niors who are able to stay in their homes. and property values are not low- payer,” Schneider said. “Some-

APS Continued From Page 1A

Principal Tonya Saunders, and test- of the report and Davis presented a Board Member Courtney Eng- “I plan to issue a more detailed ing coordinator Hezekiah Wardlow preliminary plan of action to address lish said that he thought the core of action plan in response to the state instructed teachers to cheat on both the problems facing the system. The the issue was an instruction and cur- CRCT investigation report that will the CRCT and the fifth grade writing plan included moving the district’s riculum problem. be based on an extensive and thor- test. Office of Internal Resolution (OIR) “We have to ask ourselves criti- ough review of the findings,” Davis At Whitefoord Elementary, the from Human Resources to Internal cally, what did or did not happen in said. “I plan to take the time required percentage of flagged classrooms Audits, which reports directly to the the classroom that allowed an adult to painstakingly go over the state was 59.3 percent in 2009 and investi- Atlanta Board of Education, and set- to make a decision on behalf of a report so that we address each and gators said Principal Patricia Lavant ting “trigger points” that will result in child that said, ‘I do not think that every issue it identifies.” failed to properly monitor the test. automatic investigations of schools you can actually hit this bar,’ regard- The board also voted to extend “We need to keep emphasiz- whose test scores increase by a larger less of whatever bar it was,” English Davis’ contract for a year to allow ing that those who have cheated our than normal percentage. said. him to execute his plan and work to- children or those who have permit- Davis also emphasized that at the Prior to the release of the state ward getting the system off probation ted our children to be cheated, either heart of the scandal were the students report, APS submitted the names when they are revisited in September knowingly or unknowingly, will have harmed by the cheating and said that of more than 100 employees to the by the Southern Association of Col- forfeited their right to remain in our he wanted to review the remediation Georgia Professional Standards leges and Schools (SACS). system,” Interim Superintendent Er- plans to address any student deficien- Commission for further investigation The DeKalb County district attor- roll Davis said. cies and make sure that those who of testing improprieties and tempo- ney’s office said it will consider the The Atlanta Public School Board have been cheated received the reme- rarily reassigned 12 principals whose evidence to determine whether any met on July 7 to discuss the findings dial training they needed. schools had apparent testing issues. charges will be filed. The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Health Page 13A DeKalb County Board of Health announces back to school services The DeKalb County Board of Health encourages parents to get their children ready for the new school year. DeKalb County, city of Decatur and city of At- lanta schools all begin Monday, Aug. 8. Georgia law requires children enrolling in day care or school to have specifi c vaccinations and screenings. A child entering a day care center or private or public school in DeKalb County, the city of Decatur or the city of Atlanta for the fi rst time must submit the following completed forms: Georgia immunization form 3231 and Georgia screening form 3300. Students entering a public or private college or university should check the institution’s requirements. Most colleges and universities require specifi c immunizations that can be secured at affordable fees from any health center. Immunization records should be brought to the DeKalb reports fi rst West Nile health center or to the doctor’s offi ce. Vaccinations and screenings are available at all four of the Board of Health’s centers. The centers are open Monday virus mosquitoes of the year through Friday from 8:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. and no appointment is necessary. In addition, all health cen- DeKalb County’s West Nile virus season over infant carriers and strollers. Adults ters will be open for extended hours the week before has arrived two weeks earlier than expected. should apply repellent to their own hands and when the new school year begins. According to the DeKalb County Board of then rub them on the child. Adults should The extended hours for the health centers are Health, a routine collection of mosquitoes not apply repellent to a child’s hand nor from 8:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. on: Aug. 2, 3, 4 and Aug. 8, has tested positive for the virus. The early allow children to apply their own repellent. 9, and 10. Extended hours for dental services will be test result may indicate that this will be a Mosquitoes need standing water to available on Aug. 2, 3, 8 and 9 only. Individuals re- busy season, so it is especially important to breed. By simply eliminating the stagnant quiring dental services can be seen at the Central and know how to avoid getting the virus. water around the home, homeowners will North Health Centers during this time. West Nile virus is spread by infected have an enormous impact on the mosquito The fees are as follows: immunizations—cost mosquitoes and can cause serious, life- population. varies by immunization; vision screening—$10; altering and even fatal disease. Although The Board of Health recommends hearing screening—$10 and dental screening—$10. infected people older than 50 have the a number of ways to reduce mosquito Payment for health services may be made by highest risk for serious illness, individuals breeding: cash, a debit/credit card or a check drawn on a Geor- gia bank. of all ages can become ill. Some develop . a less severe illness called West Nile Dump standing water from plant Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids are accepted. fever. This mild illness usually goes away pots, toys, pool and hot tub covers, The Board of Health centers, where immuniza- and does not require medical treatment. wheelbarrows, boats and canoes. tions can be obtained, are: Fortunately, most people who are infected . with the virus do not have any ill effects. When not in use, store wading Central DeKalb (Vinson) Health Center, 440 “I am encouraging residents to pools and other items where they Winn Way, Decatur, (404) 294-3762 educate themselves about West Nile virus will not collect water. East DeKalb Health Center, 2277 S. Stone Moun- prevention and to take precautions to . protect themselves,” said S. Elizabeth Clean gutters and downspouts so tain-Lithonia Road, Lithonia, (770) 484-2600 Ford, M.D., M.B.A., district health they drain properly. North DeKalb Health Center, 3807 Clairmont director of the DeKalb County Board of . Health. “The most effective actions against Dispose of old tires, cans and other Road, Chamblee, (770) 454-1144 the virus are to wear mosquito repellent containers that may collect water. South DeKalb (Clifton Springs) Health Center, and to eliminate standing water where . mosquitoes breed.” Change the water in birdbaths and 3110 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur, (404) 244- Effective repellents for use on skin pet dishes every three or four days. 2200 and clothing contain DEET, picaridin, oil . of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535. Also, Keep drains and ditches clean of The main DeKalb County Board of Health num- clothing can be sprayed with permethrin. trash and weeds so water will drain ber is (404) 294-3700 Birth certifi cates of persons For quick trips outside, a long-sleeved shirt properly. born in Georgia are available for $25 from the Board of can be treated with permethrin and hung . by the door. It is then easy to slip on when Trim tall grass, weeds and vines; Health’s Offi ce of Vital Records, room 191, Rich- going outside. Permethrin-treated clothing mosquitoes often rest in these ardson Health Center, 445 Winn Way, repels and kills mosquitoes and ticks. It during the hot daylight hours. Decatur. Regular offi ce hours are Monday even retains this effect after washing. All The DeKalb County Board of Health’s through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. repellents should be applied according to Division of Environmental Health monitors A Georgia driver’s license or state identifi cation label instructions. for West Nile virus through mosquito card is required. Only a legal parent, grandparent Using repellents on children requires sampling. Since the virus can kill birds, or guardian can obtain a birth certifi cate for a child special attention. Repellent should be they also analyze reports of dead birds. In under 18 years old. Payment for certifi cates can be kept out of the reach of children. DEET addition, the division works with residents made in cash or by using a debit/credit card. Checks products should not be used on infants to reduce mosquito populations. are not accepted. For more information on birth cer- younger than 2 months old. Oil of lemon For help in fi nding mosquito breeding tifi cates, call (404) 294-3783. eucalyptus products should not be used sites, to report a dead bird or for more For more back-to-school information, visit: www. on children younger than 3 years old. information on West Nile virus, visit www. dekalbhealth.net. Mosquito netting can be used effectively dekalbhealth.net or call (404) 508-7900. The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Business Page 14A

Stars and Strikes family entertainment center much more than a bowling ally by Kathy Mitchell more,” explained Brad VanBus- “We wanted to get away from had learned. [email protected] kirk, general manager of the newly the concept of the smoky old bowl- Other centers in the Stars and opened Stars and Strikes on Moun- ing ally and create something clean Strikes family have hosted not An arcade with more than 100 tain Industrial Boulevard. and bright that the whole family only birthday parties, but corporate of the latest games, neon-lighted The family entertainment center can enjoy,” he said, adding that the outings, family reunions and wed- group game rooms, a restaurant that is the fourth to be built by Georgia- location has more than 70 lanes of ding receptions. On Saturdays the offers—in addition to standard ham- based Stars and Strikes. Like those twilight and boutique bowling. complex tends to fill with children’s burgers and chicken fingers—such in Cumming, Dacula and Dallas, On the day of the grand open- birthday parties, “but as it gets later, full meals as lemon garlic tilapia Ga., the Tucker/Stone Mountain lo- ing—two weeks after a “soft open- we see more adults,” VanBuskirk with sautéed shrimp. This is not cation offers, in addition to bowling, ing,” held to facilitate staff training said. In addition to children’s fare, your daddy’s bowling alley. arcade games for toddlers through and identify any problems—the the center offers a selection of food “When the owners started adults, bumper cars, a multi-level facility was packed. “We’ve got 20 and beverages oriented to adult to kick around ideas at a family Lazer Tag room, multiple private birthday parties going on here to- tastes in a sports bar atmosphere. Thanksgiving gathering about what event rooms and an air-cannon day,” VanBuskirk said. An awards He said that leagues started they should offer in a family-orient- game called Balladium. “A lot of program was under way in one of signing up to bowl there even be- ed entertainment center, someone people aren’t familiar with Balla- the private rooms and in another fore the place opened. “This is a suggested bowling and that idea dium, but once they try it, they love area youngsters in a martial arts great location. It’s easy to get to; it’s stuck, but it grew into so much it,” VanBuskirkSo said. manyprogram reasons where showing what they easyto to park.” join! Florida company opens loft Decatur residentDeKalb promoted Chamber of Commerce community in Chamblee 100 Crescentat nonprofit Center Pkwy., Suite 680. Tucker, GA 30084 (404) 378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org Sarasota, Fla.,-based real estate investment Angela White of Decatur has been promoted firm Domus Group LLC recently announced to clinical supervisor of Youth Villages’ Intercept its acquisition of 5300 Lofts,Looking a 242-loft-condo -forintensive new in-home services customers? program, helping chil- We can help! minium community located in Chamblee. The dren with emotional, behavioral and mental health owners say they are re-branding the develop-DeKalbissues and their families Chamber in the greater Atlanta of area. Commerce ment and offering new100 pricing Crescent and financing Center Pkwy.,White previouslySuite 680. served Tucker, as a GAclinical 30084 liaison (404) and 378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org options. family intervention specialist for Youth Villages Calling the company’s first venture in the in Atlanta. Atlanta market “a successful start,” Angus Originally from New Orleans, she holds a Rogers, Domus Group managing partner, master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s said “We intend to create a strongThe presence Voice in degree of in substanceBusiness abuse counseling in both DeKalb from County the market and look forward to becoming an Southern University in New Orleans. integral part of the Chamblee community.”DeKalbYouth ChamberVillages, a private nonprofit of Commerceorganiza- Located at 5300 Peachtree Road, the100 Crescenttion dedicated Center to helping Pkwy., emotionally Suite 680. and behavTucker,- GA 30084 development features newly constructed loft404-378-8000 iorally troubled children and theirwww.DeKalbChamber.org families live homes that start at $59,900 for a studio unit. successfully, is one of the largest private providers One- and two-bedroom units also are available. of services to children and families in Georgia. Your competitor is likely a member! DeKalb Chamber of Commerce 100 Crescent Center Pkwy., Suite 680. Tucker, GA 30084 (404) 378-8000 www.DeKalbChamber.org The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Education Page 15A Decatur volunteer teacher wins national Junior Theatre award by Daniel Beauregard [email protected] Shell Ramirez is a roller-skating referee for the At- lanta Roller Girls, a former opera singer, a volunteer children’s theater director who works with refugees and the Clarkston community liaison for the Decatur Family YMCA. Sounds like a strange combo but put all of these things together in a pot, sprinkle in an award for being one of eight top junior theater directors in the country and that pretty much de- scribes Ramirez. Recently, Ramirez was selected as an outstanding national educator at this year’s Junior Theatre Festi- val in Atlanta for her work with the International Com- munity School in Avondale Estates. The Junior Theatre Festival is the world’s largest musical theater festival dedicated to troupes that From left, Freddie "G" Gershon, Myrna Gershon and Shell Ramirez pose for a quick photo with the award Ramirez won. Photo provided work with elementary and way Welcomes America’s era before coming back to friend of mine told me about nancial resources. We want middle school students. It is Teachers at the Second An- DeKalb County. it and I went and tried out… to give them the opportunity presented by Music Theatre nual Freddie G Theatre Ex- “I was a singer but now I skate ref and send people to live the Broadway experi- International, the world’s perience” in New York City I prefer acting, I like direct- to the box,” she said. ence and interact with top leading dramatic licensing this month. ing actually. I prefer help- The weekend in New professionals, to reward agency. “Freddie is pretty big ing children understand the York, sponsored by Freddie them for all they do to intro- Ramirez first started the with musical theater. In concepts of the theatre to “G” Gershon and his wife duce the next generations to program when one of her the Huffington Post he has actually being onstage,” she Myrna, is an effort to honor Broadway and musical the- friends asked her what she his own theater section so said. instructors and teachers who ater,” Gershon said. thought about teaching the- he’s pretty well renowned,” Ramirez said that a lot are working to make a dif- “It’s crucial we keep ater to inner-city kids; she Ramirez said. of the work she does with ference for their students theater alive in this country took the idea and ran with it. Ramirez will be flown children’s theater is volun- and communities through by working with both edu- “I thought it was a great to New York City to be rec- teer work. Her job as the the process of staging musi- cators and children. Myrna opportunity for the kids and ognized for her achievement Clarkston community liai- cal theater productions in and I feel that America’s I basically had someone and participate in master son for the Decatur Family their schools and education- teachers should be honored handing me all the tools, and classes with some of Broad- YMCA brings her in contact al theater groups. and appreciated. Our future all I had to do was direct it. I way’s leading directors, with a lot of refugees who “These teachers do in- is in their hands.” had worked with kids in the- producers, actors, choreog- have settled in the area. spiring work with limited fi- ater and directed a little bit, raphers and designers. “I started a children’s but not a lot, and I totally There will also be spe- theater group on the side REVISED June 2011 love it. It’s my favorite thing cial receptions and dinners, and work with refugees in to do now, and it’s what I do teacher workshops on topics Clarkston and developed PUBLIC NOTICE to escape,” Ramirez said. including musical styles, programming for that. A The production that vocal techniques, marketing third of the kids that were DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS OF Ramirez won with was The and directing. Attendees will in the production were DISABLED STUDENTS Jungle Book, which hap- also be given tickets to see refugees. I volunteered and pened to be the first musi- RENT and Sister Act: The started this program and did The DeKalb County School System, Department of Special Education, cal theater performance Musical on Broadway. the whole directing of it,” announces its intention to destroy records that were developed to at the International Com- provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in DeKalb Ramirez said that she Ramirez said of the Jungle County Schools. This notice is in compliance with the federal, state and munity School. The school has always been interested Book production at the local policy. is unique because it is a in theater but that most of it school. charter school that opened stems from her having such She said that this year Records will be destroyed on October 1, 2011 based on the following nine years ago and the stu- criteria: a nice voice as a child. the company will be mov- • Students who graduated with a high school diploma in 2010. dent body is composed of “So, when I was a kid— ing from the International • Students who became twenty-two (22) years old between 400 students, kindergarten I’ve always been able to Community School to the June 1, 2009 and June 1, 2010. through sixth grade, from • Students with disabilities born during 1986 who graduated sing—when you’re able to Clarkston Community with a Transition Diploma, Certificate of Performance more than 40 nations who sing and your mom’s very Center and they will begin or reached maximum age of 22. speak more than 15 distinct religious, you get to sing working on Seussical, a • Students who became deceased between January 1, 2010 and languages. Half the students in Sunday school classes,” Broadway musical based on December 31, 2010. from the school hail from Ramirez said. the work of children’s writer These records will be destroyed as they are no longer needed for war-torn countries and are Ramirez is from the Dr. Seuss. educational planning purposes. granted refugee status in the Decatur area and attended “Then, my other life is United States. The parent, legal guardian or the student (18 years old or older) may DeKalb School of the Arts roller derby so I’m kind of request records prior to destruction by contacting the Special Education Along with her recogni- and Avondale High School. spread out all over the place. tion for the Junior Theatre Records Office at 678-676-1802. You will be required to produce She later attended college I’m a roller derby referee for identification or provide verification data to acquire these records. Festival award, Ramirez in St. Louis and studied op- the Atlanta Roller Girls. A will also attend the “Broad- Page 16A The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 AROUND DEKALB

camp is $125 per person. Each camper will be taught to June 2012. write, design, produce, direct and perform in an original The Georgia CMCJ is the governing and over- ATLANTA 30-minute piece. Parents are invited to the fi nal perfor- sight body of all classes of courts in the state. The mance on July 29 at 2:50 p.m. The camp and the perfor- president holds a voting seat on the Judicial Council County commissioner mance are at the Clarkston Community Center at 3701 of the State of Georgia made up of the presidents holds public meeting College Ave. in Clarkston. For more information contact from all classes of courts in Georgia including: Su- the community center at (404) 508-1050. preme Court, Appeals, Superior, State, Probate, Ju- DeKalb County commissioner Kathie Gannon will venile, Magistrate and Municipal courts. hold a public meeting regarding possible changes to “The City of Dunwoody takes great pride in the reapportionment and the county’s political boundaries accomplishments of Judge Wickham and applauds based on 2010 census information. The meeting will his new role as president of the CMCJ,” said Dun- be held July 27, 7-8 p.m. at Meadowview Elementary DECATUR woody Mayor Ken Wright. “This election is not only School, 1879 Wee Kirk Road in Atlanta. Mike Alexan- a strong indication of how well respected Judge Wick- der, head of research with the Atlanta Regional Com- Wesley Chapel Livable Centers ham is amongst his peers, but one more example of mission, will discuss which areas are gaining and losing Initiative meeting announced the exemplary people we have working for the City of population and how these changes will affect the political Dunwoody.” landscape. Gannon and Alexander will be available to DeKalb County invites the public and members of answer questions and take feedback on the impact of the Wesley Chapel Community to participate in a public redistricting within the county. Also, Gannon and com- open house for the Wesley Chapel Activity Center Liv- missioner Jeff Rader are co-sponsoring a public meet- able Centers Initiative (LCI) on Monday, Aug. 1, at 6:30 ing on the same topic July 28, at 7 p.m., part of the Civic p.m. at Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Commu- PINE LAKE Association Network (CAN) issues meeting at the One nity Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, in Decatur. For ad- DeKalb Resource Center at Northlake Mall. This will be ditional information contact Jessica Guinn at (404) 684- Lakeshore Drive closed the fi rst item on the agenda. 7031 or Sidney Douse (404) 371-2178 or visit www. for lake project wesleychapel-lci.com Lakeshore Drive from Spring Drive to Park Drive Golf fundraiser announced is closed indefi nitely while the city completes its lake Kick off event prepares dredging project. The goal, according to the city’s Charlie Yates Golf Course will host a fundraiser for for run/walk The First Tee of East Lake, a year-round golf instruction website, is to create a habitat and bank structure that will keep future erosion to a minimum. The dirt that and mentoring program of the East Lake Foundation, The City of Decatur and Team Decatur are host- on Monday, July 25, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. The goal is to recruit has piled up next to the stream bank may be moved ing the Get Active! Atlanta Kickoff for the KP Corporate and once it dries possibly could be collected by resi- participants to play as many holes of golf as possible Run/Walk on Thursday, July 28, 6-8 pm. Mayor Bill in one day. This event is similar to a walk-a-thon where dents and used in yards and gardens, according to Floyd, race director and Olympian Jeff Galloway and the website. each participant solicits pledges per hole played in ad- local singer/songwriter Morgan Rowe will be on hand dition to straight donations from friends, family, golfi ng for this event on the Old Courthouse Square in down- buddies and co-workers. There is a $15 entry fee for all town Decatur. There will be a Health and Fitness Expo, participants. The Charlie Yates Golf Course is located featuring local businesses that will have information on at10 Lakeside Village Drive, SE, Atlanta. For more infor- getting and keeping fi t, as well as drawings for prizes STONE MOUNTAIN mation, call (404) 373-4351 or e-mail eday@eastlake- and information on registering for the run/walk that will foundation.org. be held Sept. 8. Prizes include gift certifi cates for local Park Springs to raise funds for fi tness businesses, personal training and swim lessons. Alzheimer’s Association One attendee will win a free beach retreat weekend with Galloway on the Florida panhandle, near Seaside. The Inspired by their fundraising success during the event is free to the community and everyone is invited. past two years, when they raised a total of $10,000 CLARKSTON for the Alzheimer’s Association, Park Springs retire- ment community employees and members are again School for hearing impaired to Chef to sign cookbooks hosting a series of fundraising events. All events are hold back-to-school bash Whitney Miller, season one winner of Gordon being spearheaded by Park Springs Leisure Ser- Ramsey’s MasterChef will autograph her new cook- vices, and they are also open to neighbors in the Georgia Hands & Voices and the Georgia PEACH book Modern Hospitality: Simple Recipes with Southern surrounding area, according to Lisa Kiely, director of Cochlear Implant Association have partnered to present Charm at the Decatur location of The Cook’s Warehouse leisure services. the fourth annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, July Friday, July 22, 5 - 7 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres and bever- The remaining fundraisers planned at Park 23, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., at the Atlanta Area School for the ages from the cookbook will be served. The Cook’s Springs this summer are: Deaf in Clarkston. The event features educational ses- Warehouse is located at 180 West Ponce de Leon July 23, 7 – 10 p.m. – Casino Night (Community sions for adults and fun activities for children who are Ave., Decatur. The store phone number is (404) 377- Hall) - $25 per person deaf or hard of hearing. 4005. Those planning to attend should RSVP at https:// July 29, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. - Holiday Bazaar (Com- The Back to School Bash will focus on what families classes.cookswarehouse.com/ClassReg/Public/classes. munity Hall / Art Room) need to know to support their child’s transition through asp?classid=4943. July 29, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 4:40-6:30 high school and beyond. Families and professionals are p.m. - Bake Sale hosted by the Red Hat Society / encouraged to attend and network with other families Stone Mountain Mama’s with children who are deaf or hard of hearing, adults who Aug. 5 and Sept. 2, 7 p.m., Fridays – Movies, Mu- are deaf or have hearing diffi culties and the profession- sic and Memories (Theater) - $1 per person als who support them. The event is free to members of Aug. 24, 4 – 7:30 p.m. - Hula for Alzheimer’s the sponsoring organizations and $5 per individual or DUNWOODY (Community Hall/Grill) - $25 per person $10 per family for non-members. Additional information For more information about the Park Springs is available at www.gahandsandvoices.org. Municipal Court judge elected events or to order tickets for the Casino Night or Hula president of state council for Alzheimer’s, visit www.parkspringscommunities. com. Tax-deductible donations can also be made via Final theater camp offered Dunwoody Municipal Court Associate Judge Ken- by mailing a check, made out to the Alzheimer’s As- neth Wickham recently was elected president of the sociation, to Park Springs at 500 Springhouse Circle, The Decatur-DeKalb YMCA and the Clarkston Com- Georgia Council of Municipal Court Judges (CMCJ) Stone Mountain, GA 30087. munity Center presents their fi nal theater camp of the by the full body of 200 judges at the annual business year July 25-29 for children ages 8-14. The cost of the and training meeting. Wickham’s term will begin in The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Page 17A

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Photos courtesy of Lisa Hill Photography Water therapy Paideia teen gives back after overcoming rare form of cancer by Robert Naddra Not surprising to her mother, Katherine has [email protected] taken her life back since the MRI earlier this summer showed she was cancer free. Having he words on her back were simple missed nearly the entire school year, Katherine enough—“I Beat Cancer.” But the went back for the final two weeks, and she has depth of their meaning changed the returned to her swim teams to help out as a way 14-year-old Katherine Atha- coach this summer. nassiades approaches life. “Her teacher [at Paideia] told her she had TBefore being diagnosed with a rare type matured five years in five months,” Beth Atha- of brain tumor near her pituitary gland last nassiades said. “It speaks to her character. fall, Athanassiades was in gifted classes in the Also, this summer she left the house every eighth grade at Paideia and a member of the morning at 8 a.m. to be a volunteer coach. school’s middle school swim team. A swim- She’s very compassionate.” mer since the age of 4, Athanassiades has been Her mother saw other signs that her daugh- a member of the DeKalb Aquatics swim team ter was not going to let the cancer beat her. since the second grade and is on a team at Ve- Katherine, a clarinet player, decided this past netian Pools in Decatur. February to attend band class at Paideia even Athanassiades endured neurosurgery, che- though she was not attending other classes. motherapy and radiation and was declared can- “She didn’t have to go, but I got her to cer free by her doctors in early July. The rare band class at 7 a.m.,” Beth Athanassiades said. form of cancer, a pure germinoma brain tumor, “The band director gave her a special award. has a 95 percent recovery rate, according to That’s just the kind of kid she is.” her mother, Beth Athanassiades. The treatment has left Katherine with “Only 100 kids every year are diagnosed learning challenges. Remembering to do with it, but it has a good prognosis,” Beth simple things like chores, or processing a lot Athanassiades said. of information at once such as a long math Katherine Athanassiades, 14, shown above in a photo Katherine, who had the words written from March 2011, earlier this month was declared problem, has become difficult. But Katherine on her back this summer as she coached the cancer free by doctors after undergoing surgery, has worked through it by spending time with younger swimmers at Venetian, still has a pas- cheomtherapy and radiation for a brain tumor. Photo friends and family, including her 9-year-old sion for swimming, but now for different rea- provided boxer Greta. sons. raiser, bringing in more than $2,700 in dona- Because of the treatment, Katherine gets “As I got back into swimming, I realized tions. tired easily and is not sure when she will be how much it really helped me,” said Kather- “It felt really good and it was nice to see able to return to competitive swimming at the ine, who missed nearly her entire school year people support me for a cause I’m fighting level she was before the tumor. But that hasn’t and will be in the eighth grade this fall at Pai- for,” Katherine said. “It was good to see my kept her away from the pool. The swim-a-thon deia. “Swimming has always been there and teammates push themselves and watch every- was her idea and she has found it therapeutic it’s what gets me through. Everyone has been one come together as a community over this.” to help out with the younger swimmers. supportive and it always makes me feel better Katherine’s journey to recovery has put “Coaching gave me so much satisfaction,” when I’m around the pool.” things in a different perspective for her and Katherine said. “To see the junior [swimmers] She recently used her passion for swim- her family. Friends and family rallied around get better meant so much to me. ming to help others by organizing a swim-a- her as she endured spinal taps, headaches and “The big thing is that I always wanted to thon at Venetian Pools to benefit CURE Child- other side effects from the chemotherapy and win,” she said. “But now just being there is hood Cancer, an organization that supported radiation treatment. more important than winning. I put the words her during treatment. More than 40 Venetian “The main thing is we have seen how com- ‘I Beat Cancer’ on my back as a reminder for members participated in the June 25 event and passionate people are,” Beth Athanassiades myself. It means that even though you may raised $9,200 for the organization. Katherine said. “You see people have [the disease] worse beat me in a race, there is something more im- swam 100 laps and was the top teenage fund- than you do and it puts things in perspective.” portant than that.” The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011 Sports Page 19A

Clarkston, Lakeside hire football coaches Marcus Mitchell has been promoted from assistant to interim head football coach at Lakeside, according to DeKalb County athletics spokesman Mark Brock. Mitchell also is the school’s athletic liaison. Former coach Thomas Emory women’s tennis Cox left over the summer after compiling a 6-14 record in two seasons. Cox’s departure did not leave the school enough time to conduct a replacement search, Brock said. coach honored Mitchell will be Lakeside’s fourth coach in the past six seasons as the school has not won consistently since the Tennis Foundation has was the No. 1 singles and 1990s. Lakeside last made the playoffs in 1997 and has had provided afterschool ten- doubles player on Emory’s only one winning season since, in 2003. nis and educational pro- national championship Also, Gary Wansley is set to begin his first season as gramming to more than team in 1996. head football coach at Clarkston. Wansley, from Gwinnett 10,000 children since “Amy is so special. County, was hired this past spring after former coach Jay 1999. The focus behind She’s brought her players Rollerson was fired. Rollerson was 4-36 in four seasons the event was to celebrate out to spend time with our at Clarkston. The school’s high number of immigrant and women who have made kids and they’ve really refugee students has contributed to the challenges of pro- an impact on the youth of made a positive impres- ducing a winning football program in recent years. The An- Atlanta and the sport of sion on their tennis and at- goras have won only 19 games in the past 12 seasons and tennis. titudes. The kids see Amy have not won more than four games in a year since 1998. Bryant recently and the players as role However, from 1980-98 the Angoras made the playoffs wrapped up her 12th year models they can be proud eight times including a trip to the state semifinals in 1997. as head coach of the Ea- of,” said AYTF Director gles women’s tennis team. of Community Develop- The Eagles were 23-5 this ment and Programs Cee past season and finished Jai Jones. Miller Grove’s Parker to third in the NCAA Divi- Others who were Emory University head sion III national tourna- recognized at the event play in AAU showcase women’s tennis coach ment. She is only the fifth were Monica Pearson of Amy Bryant was one person and first female in WSB-TV, Karin Korb, Miller Grove senior Tony Parker will play for the of four people honored NCAA history, in any di- a professional wheelchair Georgia Stars AAU team in the ESPN/Rise AAU Boys recently by the Atlanta vision, to win the national tennis tour player, and Basketball Super Showcase later this month in Orlando, Youth Tennis Foundation team championship as a Gloria Wallace, who has Fla. Some of the top under-17 basketball teams in the at its inaugural “Serving coach and player. As a provided 18 years of ser- country will participate in the tournament. Parker, a 6-foot- Winners: A Celebration of coach, she led the Eagles vice to the USTA, includ- 8, 255-pound senior, helped the Wolverines to their third Women’s Tennis” awards. to titles in 2003, 2004, ing two terms as president straight Class AAAA state championship this past spring. The Atlanta Youth 2005 and 2006. Also, she of USTA Atlanta. He averaged 17.5 points and 15.5 rebounds while shooting 54 percent from the field as a junior. He also surpassed the 1,000-point mark. ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

City of Doraville 3725 Park Avenue DeKalb players compete Doraville, GA 30340

New Peachtree Road Sidewalk Improvements in elite camp Separate sealed Bids for the construction of the New Peachtree Road Sidewalk Improvements, which generally consists of construction of curb and gutter and concrete sidewalk along the north side of approximately 2,000 feet of roadway along New Two DeKalb County players are participating in Foot- Peachtree Road will be received by the City of Doraville, Georgia at Doraville City Hall until 4:00 P.M. local time, August 15, ball University’s Top Gun camp, which draws players from 2011 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud at the City Council meeting held at 6:30 P.M. local time, August 15, across the country. Melquan Benton, a junior wide receiv- 2011. The Contract Documents, consisting of Advertisement for Bids, Information for Bidders, Bid, Bid Security, Agreement, er from Miller Grove and Elijah Blackwell, a freshman de- General Conditions, Supplementary Conditions, Notice of Award, Notice to Proceed, Change Order, Drawings, Certificate of fensive back from M.L. King, will be among 27 Georgians Substantial Completion, Specifications and Addenda may be examined at the following locations: and 1,000 players overall participating in the camp that City of Doraville McGraw-Hill Construction Plan Room runs July 21-23 in Virginia. Last year 13 future U.S. Army City Hall 1750 Enterprise Way, Suite 103 all-Americans participated in the camp. 3725 Park Avenue Marietta, GA 30067 Doraville, GA 30340 AGC Builders Exchange Keck & Wood, Inc. 1940 The Exchange, Suite 300 2750 Premiere Parkway Atlanta, Georgia 30339 LAXPTBoys and Girls Lacrosse Clinics Suite 900 @ Oglethorpe University July 26-27 Duluth, Georgia 30097 Reed Construction Data (Online Plan Room) www.reedconstructiondata.com Attention is called to the fact that this project is being funded ultimately through the Community Development Block Grant $75 (2 day clinic) Program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The bidder is asked to pay special attention to the Federal Regulations included in the bid package. These regulations include The Davis-Bacon Act, Section 3, the Contract Girls Clinic 9:00AM-12:00PM Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. Boys Clinic 1:30PM-4:30PM A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference for all bidders will be held at 2:00 P.M. local time, August 4, 2011 at City of Doraville, City Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, Georgia 30340. FREE Pre-clinic July 25 9-10AM, 11AM-12PM To assure that Bidders receive all addenda and or clarifications to the bid documents in a timely manner, it is mandatory that all bidders obtain at least one complete set of Bid Documents from the Engineer to be eligible to bid on this project. Sets of the Boys and girls lacrosse sticks provided Contract Documents may be obtained at the office of Keck & Wood, Inc., the Engineer, upon payment of a nonrefundable fee Register online: www.laxpt.com 404-578-6635 of $150.00 for each set.

Page 20A The Champion Free Press, Friday, July 22, 2011

Students graduate from training program Ten high school students from schools in DeKalb County were the inaugural graduating class from a pilot program of the Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce. The IVVY Program (Instilling Value & Vision in Youth) focuses on training, educating and providing guidance to enhance value and vision in young adults. The program was founded by Anna Henderson and Lisa Owens was the program director. Graduates of the program were Abel Abay and Crystalyn Black of Stone Mountain High School; Brittney Goss, Summer Harris and Nicholas Harrison of Towers High School; Destin Downs, Chandreka Hudson and Crystal Webb of Crim High School; Brittney Everson of Southwest DeKalb High School; and Kendra McKoy of Martin Luther King Jr. High School. The graduation ceremony was held at Berean Community Center in Stone Mountain on July 16. As part of the program, the students also went on a field trip to CH2M Hill Engineering firm where they built a mock bridge. Photos provided

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