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FREEPRESS
AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 • VOL. 13, NO. 3 • FREE

• A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS •

Guilty verdict in racial discrimination case still

‘positive outcome,’ county says
by Daphne Sashin The jury found no cause he wouldn’t “dig up
evidence of wrongdoing dirt” on the White manag-
DeKalb County and for- against former parks di- ers to build a case against
mer county CEO Vernon rector Becky Kelley, who them.
Jones are hailing a federal claimed her work condi- Attorneys for the plain-
jury’s race-discrimination tions were so intolerable tiffs, led by former Georgia
verdict as a victory because that she was compelled to Attorney General Mike
of the relatively small resign. She took a higher- Bowers, argued that the
amount in damages they paying job as state director White managers were
were ordered to pay. of parks and historic sites. transferred, demoted and
Following six years of Jurors also awarded stripped of their job duties
litigation, a mostly White nothing to Herbert Lowe, under a scheme to replace
jury found last week that who is Black, and said his
the county, Jones and two job in the parks depart- Deputy Clerk Jessica Birnbaum, far left, reads the verdict in the DeKalb
other former employees ment was eliminated be- See Trial on Page 15A County racial discrimination case. Artist sketch by Richard Miller
intentionally discriminated
against former White Parks

Private paradise
and Recreation Department
managers John Drake and
Michael Bryant based on
their race. The jury award-
ed $185,000 in damages.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys
had asked the jury for $2 Tiny island off Georgia coast available as a secluded retreat
million.
County leaders have
not discussed whether they
would appeal, but DeKalb
CEO Burrell Ellis issued a
statement calling the deci-
sion “a favorable outcome”
for the county “in light
of years of litigation and
the amount of damages at
stake.”
He went on to say: “I
look forward to seeing this
matter closed so that we
can focus our attention on Mayhall is under renovation and is expected to
the quality of life issues be available for rental this fall.
that matter most to our citi-
zens.”
Jones, the county’s first
Black CEO, and who is
now running for Congress,
also depicted the verdict The lodge on Eagle Island offers both comfort and isolation, giving true meaning
in a positive light despite to the phrase “get away from it all.”
being found guilty of race
discrimination.
“I have been tried by by Kathy Mitchell appear on maps, and when they
fire, and I have prevailed,” Photos by Kathy Mitchell do, they are shown just as un-
he said at a press confer- identified specks in the water.
ence on April 2. “The ver- As many times as I have Many are privately owned and
dict has made me more de- visited Georgia’s coast, taking none can be reached except by
termined to see that persons business or pleasure trips to boat. Still, I was surprised to
of all backgrounds, races such large outer barrier islands learn, some are available for a
and genders are included at as Jekyll, St. Simons, Cumber- very different sort of vacation.
the table of opportunity… land and Sea Island, I had until The island where I and a
Lawsuits will not deter recently given little thought to group of other journalists spent
me from making sure that the dozens of tiny inner barrier
those who have been shut islands that pepper the area.
out and kept out are in- Small wonder. These rarely Capt’n Andy Hill is more than the owner; he’s
See Island on Page 15A the attentive host to all who rent his properties.
cluded.”
 A Section • Page 2A
Dunwoody launches revamped Web site
by Matt Amato
Need a police report for
that fender bender? Ever
wonder if your neighbor-
hood’s experiencing a crime
wave? For Dunwoody resi-
dents, such information and
more is now available from
the police department’s re-
vamped Web site.
Tracking sexual preda-
tors, viewing an inventory
of all citations through a
given period, and even civic
announcements are among
features that officials are
hailing as an example of ef-
ficiency and transparency.
“We want to keep resi-
dents informed,” said Det.
Kelly Gobely, one of the
department’s designated
public information officers.
“They have a right to know
[what’s going on] and we
want them to know.”
The online system means
obtaining reports will no
longer require an open
records request, which in
some cases can take several
days before being granted.
Information from online re-
ports includes all citations,
such as arrests, traffic viola-
tions, accident reports and
code violations – complete
with a narrative and any
pending court dates.
Additionally, the Web
site has links that track
specific crime statistics in
any location and the where-
abouts of sexual predators,
Police searching for armed robber
DeKalb County Police
are searching for a man who
tied up an employee at Game
Stop in Lithonia and robbed
the store of an undetermined
number of electronic items.
The suspect, carrying a
handgun, entered the store
on April 2 and forced an
employee to go to the back
of the store. The suspect then
tied up the employee and
locked him in the restroom,
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
said Gobely, adding that resident Keith B. Smith. a tarnished reputation. That remain undisclosed, such
these services act as a one- “Yet somebody will just doesn’t seem right.” as names and addresses of
stop shop for the public. see the arrest record, and Gobely, however, said child abuse and child moles-
However, contrary to one all of a sudden you’ve got that some information will tation victims.
newspaper report last week,
the Web site will not pub-
lish police reports immedi-
ately after being submitted.
“They are still going to take
a couple days to generate,” The Publix Pharmacy
Diabetes
said Gobely, adding that
everything is first subject to
approval.
Officers submit reports
through a laptop computer,
meaning they are often writ-
ten immediately after and at
the scene of an incident.
“Once they are done,
Management
they are submitted to a su-
pervisor, who then approves
it,” said Gobely.
Transferring records on-
line has been expensive but
will save resources in the
System
long run by minimizing du-
ties performed by employ- FREE Medication
ees and saving filing space,
said officials. Get free immediate-release generic metformin
Gobely also noted that
records prior to last week (with prescription, up to a 30-day supply/90 tablets).
and since the police depart-
ment’s inception would not
be transferred electronically
for online access. Online Resources
Despite the purported en-
vironmental, informational Visit publix.com/diabetes to sign up for monthly
and efficiency advantages of
making records more acces- e-newsletters, as well as receive ongoing support
sible, some have criticized it
as an invasion of privacy. including the latest diabetes information, coupons
“There’s a possibility
that you could be arrested and special offers, recipes, health management
for something and later be
found innocent,” said local and self-care tools, podcasts, and more.
Knowledgeable Pharmacists
Your Publix pharmacist is an important member
of your healthcare team—available to give one-on-one
advice about nutrition and exercise, as well as address
other diabetes concerns you have.
The Publix Pharmacy is committed to helping you
and your loved ones manage both the day-to-day and
long-term challenges of diabetes.
according to DeKalb Police
spokesman Jason Gagnon.
The suspect then ransacked
the store and took numerous
electronic items before leav-
ing the store on foot, Gagnon
said.
Anyone who can identify
the suspect is asked to call
the DeKalb County Police
Department at (770) 724- Visit publix.com/diabetes
7850.
 NEWS THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 • PAGE 3A

Arts incubator to birth economic stimulation, officials predict

by Gale Horton Gay David Thomas, president Stone Mountain City
gale@dekalbchamp.com and artistic director of ART Manager Barry Amos said
Station, said the program property owners making
Draw it, paint it, sculpt it has the potential to benefit space available are receiv-
and they will come. the city by stimulating the ing market rent rates. And
That’s what officials are economy and assisting artists officials are also looking at
banking on to revive down- with a network of resources a third building as addition-
town Stone Mountain and and an environment among al space for more artists.
bring potential customers other artists. He called the Asked how the city of
and the curious to the city. 24-year-old ART Station an Stone Mountain is faring
City officials are launch- anchor with an already es- economically, one official
ing an arts incubator pro- tablished arts audience that said it was a challenge.
gram this summer that will is ready to welcome more “It certainly does impact
provide artists with space arts fans. our ability to move forward
Stone Mountain City Manager Barry Amos, Mayor Pat Wheeler,
where they can create, ex- This program is one of on some things,” Amos said ARTS Station President David Thomas and ARTS Station Associate
hibit and sell their work as several that Stone Mountain of decreases in revenue. Producer Michael Hidalgo tour a former doctor’s office/quilt shop/
well as receive support in is initiating in the hopes of “However, we understand photo studio that will soon become artists’ studios.
marketing and technical as- stimulating the economy by we must live within our
sistance. attracting people to down- means.” no increase in the tax rate as very frugal.”
The Stone Mountain town Stone Mountain to Amos noted that Stone well as no decrease in city For more information
City Council unanimously shop, dine and visit sites Mountain’s $3.4 million services. on the program, e-mail
approved the program last such as artists galleries. budget is based on its tax “We’ve always been fru- stonemountainartsincuba-
week. Work is well under way on rate. He said there has been gal,” said Amos. “We’re still tor@gmail.com.
“It’s a good start to move a streetscape along Main
Stone Mountain forward and Street that includes new ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
bring back some customers,” sidewalks, a pedestrian me-
said Stone Mountain Mayor dian, roadway resurfacing
Pat Wheeler. and burial of utility lines. City of Doraville
Through the Stone Moun- According to a press 3725 Park Avenue
tain Artists Micro Enterprise release about the program, Doraville, GA 30340
Program, eight artists will artists will be selected
be given space in one of through a “vigorous jury
two buildings located at the process that will evaluate Central
Central Avenue
AvenueSidewalk
SidewalkImprovements
Project
corner of Main Street and E. artists on the basis of both Separate sealed Bids for the construction of the Central Avenue Sidewalk
Mountain Street. The rent their artistic skills and their Improvements, which generally consists of construction of curb and gutter and concrete
for the space has not been business practices. Artists sidewalk along both sides of approximately 1000 feet of roadway along Central Avenue
determined, but one official will provide a statement of
indicated it could be as low their artistic mission and will be received by the City of Doraville, Georgia at Doraville City Hall until 4:00 P.M.
as $75 to $100 a month. focus as well as samples local time, May 17,2010 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud at the
Artists will be required of their work and a desire City Council meeting held at 6:30 P.M. local time, May 17, 2010.
to have their studios open to operate a gallery of their The Contract Documents, consisting of Advertisement for Bids, Information for Bidders,
Tuesday through Saturday own in the future. All art- Bid, Bid Security, Agreement, General Conditions, Supplementary Conditions, Notice
from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and ists will be required to meet
during special events. They the low to moderate income of Award, Notice to Proceed, Change Order, Drawings, Certificate of Substantial
must also donate 30 percent requirements of the Micro Completion, Specifications and Addenda may be examined at the following locations:
of their sales to the Micro enterprise guidelines as City of Doraville McGraw-Hill Construction Plan Room
Enterprise Program and at- established by the Federal City Hall 1750 Enterprise Way, Suite 103
tend two monthly technical Department of the Housing 3725 Park Avenue Marietta, GA 30067
assistance workshops. The and Urban Development”
contract period is one year, (HUD). Doraville, GA 30340
with the possibility to renew. The program is being AGC Builders Exchange
The city is currently ac- funded with $243,000 from Keck & Wood, Inc. 1940 The Exchange, Suite 300
cepting applications from DeKalb County’s Communi- 2425 Commerce Avenue Atlanta, Georgia 30339
artists through May 14. To ty Development Department Building 2100 Suite 300
download an application (money from HUD passed
and prospectus, visit www. through the county) with the Duluth, Georgia 30096 Reed Construction Data (Online Plan Room)
artstation.org. And they are city of Stone Mountain kick- www.reedconstructiondata.com
expecting to receive a slew ing in an additional $14,000. Attention is called to the fact that this project is being funded ultimately through the
of applications, noting that In recent years, down- Community Development Block Grant-Recovery Program of the U.S. Department of
at a meeting last year about town Stone Mountain has Housing and Urban Development. The bidder is asked to pay special attention to the
the program, some 80 artists had more and more vacant
and other interested parties storefronts along Main Street Federal Regulations included in the bid package. These regulations include The Davis-
attended. as businesses closed. Bacon Act, Section 3, the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, the Copeland
(Anti-Kickback Act), and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
New Nutrition Program Available to A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference for all bidders will be held at 2:00 P.M. local time,
Low-Income Georgia Residents May 6, 2010 at City of Doraville, City Hall, 3725 Park Avenue, Doraville, Georgia 30340.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) - a
To assure that Bidders receive all addenda and or clarifications to the bid documents
federal and state initiative - has just been opened for limited
service in this county. Managed by the Atlanta Community Food in a timely manner, it is mandatory that all bidders obtain at least one complete set of
Bank and a few of its partner agencies, CSFP provides Bid Documents from the Engineer to be eligible to bid on this project. Sets of the
approximately one 30 lb box of healthy food monthly for Contract Documents may be obtained at the office of Keck & Wood, Inc., the Engineer,
qualifying low-income senior citizens and women with infants.
upon payment of a nonrefundable fee of $175.00 for each set.
LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE
S/ Ray Jenkins
in this first year of federal funding.
Mayor
Contact the Atlanta Community Food Bank
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 678-553-6000 April 15, 2010
for basic eligibility and application information.
 OPINION THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, APRIL 15 - 21, 2010 • PAGE 5A

Priests and nuns should be free to marry
It is said one should not discuss
race, religion or politics. But in this
column, it is customary to discuss
all three at one time or another. This
time it’s religion. Specifically I be-
lieve it’s time for the Roman Catho-
lic Church to begin the dialogue to
abolish its basic tenet of prohibiting
marriage among priests and nuns.
Priests and nuns take a vow of
chastity or celibacy; in effect they
are married to the church. Perhaps it
is time to seek a more perfect union.
This is no smear on the Catholic
Church. But it stands to reason that
there must be a preoccupation with
sex, given the magnitude of sex
scandals that plague the church. Not
a week goes by that there is not a
new headline about a priest molest-
ing a child or children. These are
heinous and despicable violations of
our most precious ones.
The Newslady
Growing up in predominately
Catholic South Bend, Ind., the
rumors and titillating stories of
sex, booze and abandoned babies
abounded about priests and nuns.
But without proof, it was all
mere gossip among the maids,
housekeepers and townsfolk. Today,
however, there are well documented
cases of sex scandals in the church
that have also suggested elaborate
and costly cover-ups.
Currently in the news is the case
of a priest accused in the 2004 rape
of a 14-year-old girl in Minnesota.
He is now assigned to a church in
India and says he has no plans to
return to the states.
It is also revealed that a Catholic
bishop in Norway resigned last year
after admitting he had molested a
child some 20 years earlier when
he was a priest. Georg Mueller is
the first bishop to step down after
admitting to molesting children.
Church officials said it happened at
the beginning of the ‘90s and that
Mueller was made a bishop in 1997
after no other allegations came to
light. Imagine that?!
I reported on the sex scan-
dal in Atlanta involving the first
African-American archbishop of
the Catholic Church in the United
States. Archbishop Eugene Marino
headed the Catholic archdiocese
here in metro Atlanta. He resigned
in disgrace in 1990 for having a
sexual affair with a woman named
Vicky Long, a consenting, unmar-
ried 27-year-old. Ms. Long agreed
to a one-on-one with me at her Co-
lumbus, Ga., parish, but the church
whisked her away before we made
the nearly two-hour trip. Ms. Long
claimed publicly that she and the
archbishop had a secret “wedding”
ceremony, including the exchange
of rings.
This was in 1990, mind you,
about the same time then-Father
Mueller was admittedly molesting
little boys.
Archbishop Marino’s punish-
ment for violating the canons of the
church with a woman was swift,
severe and very public, unlike the
response to Mueller, who essentially
got a slap on the wrist and a promo-
tion. Most of incidents involving
children were handled similarly—
quietly filed away by church hierar-
chy while the victims were paid pal-
try sums to keep quiet. Archbishop
Marino acknowledged his indiscre-
tion and expressed his anguish at
violating his vow of chastity. He
died a few years ago at age 66 in a
New York retreat house maintained
by the church.
How to cut out the cancer in the
church and begin to heal? It seems
as simple as ABC. Perhaps as a first
step, the Roman Catholic Church
might Acknowledge it has a big
problem and that these are not “iso-
lated” incidents. Secondly, really
Believe in God’s redemptive power
and thirdly as a public Confession
issue a Papal decree discarding the
involuntary vow of chastity and al-
low priests and nuns to marry.
It seems to this writer that to
prevent that which is “natural” helps
spawn the “unnatural” and perverse.
And while it might be difficult to
get past our widely held belief of
the Immaculate Conception, there
has been no report of another such
occurrence any place in the world in
the more than 2,000 years hence.
Who knows, the Creator might
be pleased that the church has be-
gun to carry out his first instruction
to Adam and Eve in the garden—
“Be fruitful and multiply.”
Steen Miles, The Newslady, is a
retired journalist and former Geor-
gia state senator. Contact Steen Mi-
lies at Steen@dekalbchamp.com.

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 www.ChampionNewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 A Section • Page 5A

William C. Crane, 1974-1992
Census expense makes no sense
President George Washing-
ton started the first U.S. Census,
overseen by then Secretary of State
Thomas Jefferson. That count was
a comparatively modest enterprise
to count the living residents of our
new country. The current census,
intended as a “snapshot of our na-
tion” on April 1, 2010, is a much
more unwieldy and cumbersome
enterprise.
That said, I have an almost
impossible time envisioning how
counting every man, woman and
child in our nation of roughly 310
million people and 134 million
households will cost U.S. taxpayers
$14.53 billion. That is almost dou-
bling the cost of the 2000 Census,
which I also have a hard time fath-
oming at a cost $8.1 billion. To put
this in context, particularly during
this recession, the entire budget for
the state of Georgia’s government
for next year, including all teachers,
prisons, road construction, etc., will
come in under $18 billion. Georgia
is the ninth largest state in the na-
tion in terms of population. Our
One Man’s Opinion C. William “Bill” Crane, 2009 - ?
U.S. Census could be spending
more to “count us” than the entire
annual budgets of as many as 40
states.
The U.S. Commerce Depart-
ment will hire 870,000 “temps” this
year to man a census field force that
will total 1.2 million people—to ask
10 questions of every household. A
little simple math is in order. A
billion is 1,000 million. With 134
million households, we are spend-
ing slightly more than $100 per
household, to count the average 2-3
occupants inside.
Yes, I understand that the cen-
sus is designed in part to allocate
members of the U.S. House (capped
at 435 members). Georgia is ex-
pected to gain another seat, and our
14th Congressional District. And
together with the U.S. Senate, Con-
gress uses Census data to allocate
roughly $400 billion in federal
funds each year.
Some mind-numbing expense
facts about this count:
• $257 million for postage
• $338 million for advertising
(including $2.5 million on a
Super Bowl ad)
• $1.5 billion on regional, local
offices and staff
• $2.05 billion on data crunch-
ing contracts with IBM, Lock-
heed Martin and Harris Corpo-
ration
• $2.74 billion on the “non-
response” follow up
During February, the most re-
cent month where employment
data is available, the U.S. economy
actually gained nearly 162,000
jobs. The largest “new employer”?
You guessed it, the temp workers
for this U.S. Census.
While considering a cut to five-
day delivery, why not use our U.S.
Postal Service employees—who
visit virtually every residence and
business across the country each
day—to knock on the door, hand-
deliver the forms, and then have a
National Census Holiday for the
actual count. Postal workers could
also deliver a voucher for $50 off
the income taxes of each household,
cutting those costs in half—and not
requiring any new employees, or
temporary office space. I’m sure
that the USPS or even UPS could
easily engineer a system to com-
plete this task for $1 billion.
The hardest populations to
count traditionally have been
lower income minorities, im-
migrants, illegal immigrants and
the homeless. These will also be
where the Census will spend a
disproportionate share of time and
expense—roughly $56 for every
non-returned forms. Though I am a
strong supporter of building a path
to citizenship for immigrants who
learn the English language, work
and pay taxes, the majority of our
immigrants do not vote, nor do they
choose to become citizens, yet their
numbers are included when deter-
mining populations as well as allo-
cating federal budget dollars, while
U.S. citizens temporarily living
abroad (excluding those employed
by the federal government) are not
counted in the U.S. Census. Even
more lack of common sense as
many of those citizens are property
owners and taxpayers whose work
or family obligations have simply
carried them temporarily abroad.
Just since the Nixon White
House Census of 1970, the cost
of this task has mushroomed from
$1 billion, to this year’s estimated
$14.5 billion. Other than gold and
oil, what other commodity or task
now costs 15 times what it did just
40 years ago? Though this is data
we need, and not a simple task, this
seems another chilling reminder
of the prospects of handing over
control of major tasks to the federal
government. President John F. Ken-
nedy himself marveled of Wash-
ington, D.C., as a unique blend of
“Northern hospitality and Southern
efficiency.”
Bill Crane is a DeKalb County
native and business owner, liv-
ing in Scottdale, Georgia. He also
serves as chief political analyst
and commentator for 11Alive News
and WSB Radio, News/Talk 750.
Contact Bill Crane at Bill@dekalb-
champ.com.

Limbaugh loves universal

health coverage
by Jim Hightower
Keep talking, Rush–we love ya man!
Rush Limbaugh, that is–the radio rattl-
ebrain who led the right-wing’s air attack on
Barack Obama’s health-care reform cam-
paign. Spewing venom,
spittle, and ignorance,
Limbaugh used his mi-
crophone like a cattle
prod, delivering jolt after
jolt to the 24 percent of
Republicans who now
tell pollsters that they
believe Obama “may be
the Antichrist.”
For Rush, the health- Hightower
care fight was personal.
In January, suffering with chest pains, the
yackety-yacker was rushed to a hospital in
Hawaii. After his recovery, he used the expe-
rience to embellish his rhetorical assault on
reformers: “Based on what happened here to
me,” he bellowed, “I don’t think there’s one
thing wrong with the American health care
system. It is working just fine, just dandy.”
Well gosh, Rush–that’s because Hawaii
has had a form of Obamacare since 1974, in-
cluding a statewide mandate that employers
provide health coverage for full-time work-
ers. Why shouldn’t all Americans get what
you got?
Still, Limbaugh kept playing his loopy
card. Asked what he would do if Obama’s
bill passes, he harrumphed: “I am leaving the
country. I’ll go to Costa Rica.”
Well gosh again, Rush. Of course you
would, because Costa Rica has universal,
low-cost public health care and has the lon-
gest life expectancy in the Americas. So,
why not bring such coverage to everyone in
the USA?
Meanwhile, of course, Obama’s reform
did pass, yet Limbaugh has not kept his
pledge to deport from our shores. However,
Joan LaPore wants to help him escape the
horror of having to live here with those of
us who do support reform. Owner of a Vir-
ginia travel agency, LaPore is offering a free
ticket “to send Rush Limbaugh ONE WAY
to Costa Rica.”
But wherever you go, Rush, keep yack-
ing.
Jim Hightower is a radio commenta-
tor, writer, public speaker, and winner of the
2009 winner of the Nation/Puffin Prize. He’s
also editor of the populist newsletter, The
Hightower Lowdown.
 A Section • Page 6A
It’s not government’s
size, it’s the stupidity
As much as liberals would
wish it otherwise, Joe Stack,
the fellow who flew his plane
into an IRS building in Austin,
Texas, was no right-wing nut-
case.
by Donald Kaul
Columnist
And despite the fervent
prayers of right-wing ranters,
neither was he a leftist space
cadet.
He was instead a full-ser-
vice, equal-opportunity misan-
thrope. He hated everything.
Banks, governments, Catholics,
corporations, accountants, poli-
ticians and the IRS–especially
the IRS–were all targets of his
vitriol in the five-page suicide
“note” he left behind.
He wrote the missive, set
fire to his home, then got in his
plane and flew it into a building
that housed the IRS in Austin,
killing at least one person, in-
juring others, and reducing the
building to a lot of broken glass.
A last posting on his Web
site ended with the message:
“The communist creed:
From each according to his
ability, to each according to his
need.
“The capitalist creed: From
each according to his gullibility,
to each according to his greed.”
Does that sound right-wing
to you? I don’t think so.
And liberals don’t go around
blowing up buildings. They
stage ineffectual protests that
inspire the police to beat them
senseless.
Forget the left/right argu-
ment. Stack was missing a few
arrows from his quiver, like
Tim McVeigh the Oklahoma
City bomber, Ted Kaczynski
the Unabomber, and that pro-
fessor who, after being denied
tenure (at the University of
Alabama at Huntsville) shot up
a faculty meeting, killing three
colleagues. Stack’s daughter,
by the way, has since said she is
proud of her father, thus demon-
strating that the nut does not fall
far from the tree.
That said, Stack did have a
legitimate beef with the govern-
ment and it goes to the heart of
the right-wing argument against
“Big Government.”
Stack wrote about having his
career as a software engineer
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
stifled by a tax that, according
to The New York Times, made it
all but impossible for informa-
tion technology professionals
to work independently. It was
intended as an offset to a tax
break given to IBM.
When it failed to
work as advertised, its
chief sponsor in the Sen-
ate, New York’s Daniel
Moynihan, tried to get it
rolled back–to no avail.
Over the next decade, as
many as 70 senators tried
to get it repealed–without suc-
cess. The argument was: “If we
did it for them, we’d have to do The following comments are pulled straight from our Web site and are not edited
it for everybody.” for content or grammar.
There’s a lesson there: There
are few things more powerful After weeks of debate, committee decides not to close any schools
than a bad idea that gets made in DeKalb
into legislation. It’s almost im-
possible to get rid of. Lets see? Hmmm. Parents are removing their children from un-
There was a story that ran derperforming schools. The Board of education considers closing
on the same day as the Stack schools.
bombing mission that illustrates Had it not dawned on the leadership of the Dekalb County School
the intransigency of the govern- system that they were on this path long ago and never did anything to
ment from a slightly different prevent it?
angle. Dekalb County use to be one of the top education systems in the
Qing Hong Wu, who’d State as well as the country. Shame on you!! We see cases of Princi-
come to this country from Chi- pals changing standardised test scores so his school would not fail the
na when he was 5, ran with the No Child Left behind program, and once again. Dekalb did nothing to
wrong crowd when he was 15 fix the school?
and got into serious trouble. He If you reconise a problem and dont even try to fix it then you get
was arrested and convicted of a what you deserve. I hope every single one of those lazy Teachers and
series of muggings in Manhat- administrators that have failed the Children of Dekalb County loose
tan. their jobs as they should and never curse another young mind with
Because he was a bright kid their complacent and lazy attitudes!
and showed some remorse the
judge made a deal with him– –Ben posted this on 4/7/10 at 1:15 p.m.
serve three years in a reforma-
tory, come out clean, and the
judge would help him craft a What a sad joke this school system has become.
new, useful life.
Qing kept his end of the bar- –Banjoman posted this on 4/7/10 at 8:28 p.m.
gain. He served his time, then
worked and studied until today,
at age 29, he is vice-president of Former chorus teacher cleared of indecency charges
Internet technology at a national
company.
Or was, until immigration I am happy the teacher was freed of the charges but I am angered in the
authorities showed up and ar- fact that the boys are being tried. OK the charges will be expunged? But
rested him as a criminal alien the matter is they made a mistake and have gone through the trial with
(his parents were undocumented the teacher is punishment enough.
immigrants) subject to man- The government has separated morals from the people, by decreasing
datory deportation to China, censorship with TV, demanding that children should not be punished by
which he hadn’t seen since he the parents but puts the financial burden on the citizens by trials to pun-
was 5. ish the children in areas that should be handled by the parents. If nothing
His friend the judge stepped else is agreed upon from what I am writing everyone should agree upon
in to vouch for him, as did his this, I would hope; CHILDREN ARE JUST CHILDREN, THEY HAVE NO
employer and dozens of oth- KNOWLEDGE AT TIMES THAT THEY ARE MAKING MISTAKES UNTIL
ers. After he spent four months AFTER THEY HAVE TO FACE THEIR MISTAKE. WE ARE TO GUIDE
in prison awaiting deportation, THEM NOT RUIN THEM BY PLACING THEM IN JAILS WITH MEN AND
embattled New York Governor WOMEN THAT WILL HARM THEM EVEN MORE AND RUIN THEIR
David Paterson finally granted FUTURE. JUVENILE HALL HAS HIGH RATES OF INMATE TO INMATE
his pardon. CRIME AND THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CHILDREN WHO COME OUT
Sometimes the problem isn’t ARE NOT PREPARED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF SOCIETY.
the size of government, it’s the
stupidity. –Natalie posted this on 4/10/10 at 8:07 a.m.
Minuteman Media columnist
Donald Kaul lives in Ann Arbor,
Michigan.
 www.ChampionNewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 A Section • Page 7A

Ceceile Belmore
–Champion of the Week

Although dents, she

Ceceile maintains
Belmore’s contact with
job as mem- family mem-
ory care bers through
director at letters and
The Court phone calls.
at Decatur “I want to
is to find make sure
activities that each and
for the resi- every resi-
dents, all of dent has a
whom have pleasant day,
memory every day,”
challenges, the work Belmore said. “I care
she does there goes far for each resident the
beyond fulfilling her job way that I would want
description, according someone to care for my
to Anna Kershaw, a own mother or my own
volunteer at the facil- father. I always remem-
ity. “I was in awe of her ber that this person
dedication to the resi- could be my parent.”

Elks give more than 3,500

dents and to the staff. If fact, Belmore said
She is spirited, creative that her passion for

dictionaries to third graders

More than 3,500 third
graders in 27 DeKalb and
Gwinnett elementary schools
have received their own per-
sonal dictionaries this year
through a community ser-
vice program conducted by
the Atlanta Northlake Elks
Lodge 78.
For the past six years
members of the Elks Lodge
78 have delivered almost
20,000 dictionaries to stu-
dents in the two counties.
“A dictionary is perhaps
the first and most powerful
reference tool that a child
can own,” said Harriet
Sager, coordinator of the
Elks Lodge 78 Dictionary
Program. “Its usefulness
was founded in 1995 by
Mary French of Charles-
ton, S.C. The sole mission
of her non-profit organiza-
tion–which the Elks share–is
to distribute dictionaries to
as many third graders as pos-
sible in the 50 United States
and its environs.
In 2004 the Elks became
involved and dictionaries
have been distributed to
every state of the Union,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands. More than 12 mil-
lion children have received
dictionaries since the pro-
gram started.
The dictionaries distribut-
ed by the Atlanta Northlake
Elks, The Best Dictionary
An additional 1,725 dic-
tionaries were distributed
in Gwinnett elementary
schools.
The Northlake Elks are
also involved in a variety of
other youth projects, includ-
ing scholarships, student es-
say contests, drug and alco-
hol awareness and Aidmore
Children’s Center, a Georgia
facility for troubled teenage
girls.
The Tucker lodge #78,
founded in 1892, also works
closely with the local Veter-
ans Administration Hospital.
It is located at 1775 Montreal
Road, Tucker.
and loving, making working with people
sure that the residents with memory loss
at this elder care facil- stems, in part, from her
ity are properly cared experience with her fa-
for – body, soul and ther, who suffered from
mind,” Kershaw said. dementia before his
“She has helped many death 10 years ago. “I
DeKalb County resi- learned a lot then about
dents and their families how the brain works
through an extremely and how memory loss
difficult time, and she progresses. I make
is always working to sure that people here
improve the facility and stay active. This jour-
train the care givers on ney does not end when
how to empathize with a person enters an as-
the residents.” sisted living facility. We
In addition to giving keep going and going.”
a very personal level
of service to the resi-
If you would like to nominate someone to be considered as a fu-
ture Champion of the Week, please contact Kathy Mitchell at kathy@
dekalbchamp.com or at 404-373-7779, ext. 104.

Pets of the Week

goes beyond the spelling,
pronunciation and definitions
it lists; it is a companion for
solving problems that arise
as a child develops his or her
reading, writing and creative
thinking abilities. Students
benefit from an increase in
self-reliance and resourceful-
ness inspired by the maxim,
‘look it up.’ For many chil-
dren it will be the first book
they have ever owned.”
Because of today’s eco-
nomic climate and school
budget cuts, many school
districts are struggling with
rising day-to-day operating
costs and are not financially
able to provide dictionaries
to individual students, added
Sager.
The Dictionary Project
For Students, also contains
a table of weights and mea-
sures, information on the
50 states, as well as several
other factual sections.
“Our students were very
excited to get their own indi-
vidual dictionaries and they
use them all the time,” said
Henderson Mill Elementary
third grade teacher Kelli
Davis.
DeKalb elementary
schools that received more
than 1,700 dictionaries are:
Brockett, Evansdale, Smoke
Rise, Henderson Mill,
Livsey, Midvale, Sagamore,
Briar Vista, Briarlake, Idle-
wood, Dresden, Hawthorne,
McLendon, Medlock, Mont-
gomery, Oak Grove, Pleas-
antdale and Woodward.
DOG
Beamer is a male Boxer/Boston Terrier mix. He is about 2 years
old and weighs about 40 pounds. Beamer is cute, has a great
temperament and is friendly with people and other dogs. He is
up to date with routine shots and has been neutered.
CAT
Gina is a young female brown tabby. She seems very friendly
but just a little shy. Gina has been at the shelter for several
months and is hoping to find her new home soon.
Gina is up-to-date with routine shots and has been spayed.
These featured pets are available for adoption at DeKalb Animal Services and Enforcement, 845 Camp
Road in Decatur. For additional information call (404) 294-2996 or visit www.dekalbcountyanimalservices.
com. Hours of operation are: M-F: 10: a.m.-5:p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Adoption fees are: male dog-$87, female dog-$92, male cat $62 and female cat-$82. Animals available for
adoption have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated and de-wormed. Dogs have been tested for heartworms
and cats tested for FIV/FLV.
 A Section • Page 8A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010

Program would create 4,000

summer jobs for youth in DeKalb
by Robert Naddra the teleconference. Georgia.
robert@dekalbchamp.com “This is particularly “It’s important for us to
important when the make sure we have a full
Hank Johnson has unemployment rate among and accurate account in
helped the Barack Obama teens is so high,” Bernstein the census,” Johnson said.
administration take the said. “This program sets off “This is the kind of federal
first step to curb rampant teens on a career path and program that is reliant upon
unemployment among Black provides training and work figures derived from the
teens across the country, readiness.” census count.”
including the congressman’s If funding is approved, With jobs created in
4th District, which covers the program would create administration and clerical
most of DeKalb County. about 200,000 jobs work, maintenance,
The U.S. House of nationwide, Bernstein education, recreation and
Representatives recently said. He said depending other areas, Johnson is
passed funding that would on how swiftly the Senate confident the Summer
give $600 million, including takes action, the money is Youth Jobs Program will
more than $18 million in expected to be available play a part in the county’s
Georgia, to the Summer at the beginning of the economic recovery.
Youth Jobs Program. The summer. Last year’s “I’m sure we’ll see
program needs approval in Recovery Act created an uptick in the number
the U.S. Senate before the 300,000 jobs for teens. of people seeking
money is available. Johnson said the funding employment,” Johnson said.
“It’s clear that the will create more than 4,000 The money will be
African-American jobs for teens in the 4th made available through
community is bearing the District. He also stressed the the U.S. Department of
Southwest DeKalb, MIT brunt of this recession,
as 39.3 percent of Black
importance of the census
and urged residents to fill
Labor and filter down to
individual states, based on
grad returns home to teens in my district are
unemployed,” Johnson
out and return the forms to
give an accurate account of
demographics.

tutor math students said in a teleconference on

April 9. “This will allow
the employment picture in

by Jonathan Cribbs middle-schoolers to adults us to be able to directly

STONE MOUNTAIN READY TO SELL
jonathan@dekalbchamp. in the midst of career or tackle the problem of youth
unemployment in Georgia.” VILLAGE 4563 Wellspring Way,
com educational changes who Stone Mountain
feel they need a brush-up The national CITY-WIDE YARD SALE
unemployment rate for 922 Main St., behind Gazebo $91.000; 3BR, 2BA, Bank will
It’s Stephanie Espy’s before taking graduate finance 30 yrs, 6% interest,
educational pedigree that school entrance exams, etc. all American teens is 26 Saturday, April 24
percent, Jared Bernstein, 5% down, pmts could be as
stands out on first look. It “A lot of the barriers for 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. low as $519/mth! Contact
starts at Southwest DeKalb people that are going back chief economist to Vice Setup begins 7:30 a.m. on
President Joe Biden, said in Kristi, Skip or Kara at Talbot
High School. She graduated to school are taking the day of sale State Bank 706-674-2215;
there in 1997. Then it moves tests,” she said. For info call City Hall Member FDIC,
to MIT in Massachusetts When mentoring students 770-498-8984 Equal Housing Lender
where she received a looking to perform better on
bachelor’s in chemical standardized tests, MathSP
engineering in 2001. teaches students how to
From there she went west break down test questions
to California – Berkeley into parts and examine
specifically – where she got them in pieces before
her master’s in chemical trying to solve them. The
engineering. Then there’s service works with younger
the roundabout south, students in areas ranging
back to Atlanta and Emory from basic arithmetic to
University’s business school calculus, and it also helps
for yet another master’s people prepare for exams
earned in 2008. ranging from the PSAT to
It’s not the typical the GRE.
resume of your average, for- Espy said she remembers
hire math tutor. a particular student who
“So many careers these had not been in a math
days require knowledge class in about a decade and
of mathematics,” she said. wanted to attend one of
“Really, to be successful in the country’s top business
your career or in general schools and needed to
some basic level of math is take the GMAT, a popular
important.” standardized test required
And with that sort of for entry into many post-
enthusiasm for numbers, graduate business schools.
Espy started MathSP, a math The woman took a
tutoring and test preparation practice test, Espy said,
company based in Atlanta. and scored a 400. The test
The service is designed to maxes out at 800, and very
assist students ranging from good business programs
See MIT Street on Page 14A
 www.ChampionNewspaper.com
Senior Olympics on the
lookout for more seniors
The DeKalb County Senior
Olympics is less than a month
away, however, organizers are
still on the lookout for more
participants.
The DeKalb County Parks &
Recreation Department organizes
the annual event for men and
women 50 years of age and older
to participate in more than 30
event categories and team sports
offered. This is the 15th year for
the Senior Olympics and a new
activity—Wii bowling—will be
introduced. Other sports are: table
tennis (singles and doubles), line
dancing, swimming, tennis, water
volleyball, golf, bowling, track
and field, horseshoes, canasta,
checkers, dominoes, mah jong,
walking, billiards and pinochle.
“Our mission is to promote
healthy lifestyles for seniors
through fun, fitness, and play,”
said Jackie Swain, DeKalb
parks program coordinator. “It’s
no secret that baby boomers are
entering their golden years and are
becoming more conscious about
health and the way we age. Staying
fit and active is the best answer
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 A Section • Page 9A
to aging. The games provide
an excellent way for seniors to
maintain or improve their physical
and mental condition as well as
their coordination, while enjoying
some friendly competition.”
Last year’s Senior Olympics
attracted about 300 participants,
and Swain said she’s hoping for
more this year.
The Senior Olympics will
be held May 10-20 at various
locations throughout the county.
Opening ceremonies are planned
for 10 a.m. on May 10 at the
Porter Sanford III Performing Arts
and Community Center.
Registration is open until April
19. The registration fee is $10 per
person (which covers participation
in two sports and a souvenir shirt).
Participants must turn
50 years of age by Sept. 26,
2010. Registration information
can be found at http://www.
yourdekalb.com/parks/
pdf/2010Registrationpack.pdf.
Gold, silver and bronze medals
will be awarded to first-, second-
and third-place winners in each
event. In 2008, seniors took part in belly dancing, singing, dancing and billiards during the
DeKalb Senior Olympics. File Photos
 A Section • Page 10A
Holocaust survivor Abe Besser stands next to artwork in the Besser Memorial Holocaust Garden,
which will be dedicated on April 25, at the Marcus Jewish Community Center. Photos provided
Holocaust Memorial
Garden a teaching tool
for future generations
by Robert Naddra
Robert@dekalbchamp.com
Abe Besser never will
forget the horrors of the
Holocaust. Now he wants to
make sure that generations
of children understand what
happened.
Besser, an 84-year-old
Holocaust survivor, and his
wife Marlene Gelernter
Besser, have sponsored the
Besser Holocaust Memo-
rial Garden at the Marcus
Jewish Community Center
(MJCC) in DeKalb County.
“I do not want the Ho-
locaust to be forgotten,”
Besser said. “I wanted
something be passed on
from generation to genera-
tion so that the atrocities of
what happened to us will
never be forgotten.”
The dedication of the
memorial garden will be
April 25 from 11 a.m. to
noon. The memorial garden
features nine sculptures by
renowned sculptor Dee Cle-
ments, and an eternal flame.
The sculptures depict dif-
ferent aspects of Jewish life
before, during and after the
Holocaust.
The memorial garden
will be used as a teaching
tool, according to Marcus
Jewish Community Center
CEO Michael Wise.
“It’s a really great op-
portunity for thousands to
come through and to be able
to teach families and chil-
dren about the Holocaust
in an age appropriate way,”
Wise said. “We can take
people through here and ex-
plain what it means.”
The MJCC hosts a sum-
mer day camp for children,
who will be able to tour the
memorial garden. The cen-
ter also is offering to bring
schools in to see the memo-
rial garden, Wise said.
“We’re just now begin-
ning to promote it and we
want to use it as an opportu-
nity for outsiders to come in
to learn about the Holocaust
and see the memorial,”
Wise said.
Dr. Michael Berenbaum
will be the guest speaker at
the dedication ceremony.
An estimated 140,000 Ho-
locaust survivors came to
American after 1948.
“He is probably today’s
greatest single authority on
the Holocaust and using it
to teach,” Wise said.
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
The dedication is the
culmination of a dream of
Besser’s that has been three
years in the making. Two DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
years of planning went into
the project, plus a year of
construction, Wise said. BUDGET HEARINGS
It took about nine months FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2011
for the sculptures to be
completed. Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Besser, his parents
and his six siblings were TIME LOCATION
separated after the Germans 6:00 p.m. William Bradley Bryant Center for Technology
invaded Poland during 2652 Lawrenceville Highway
World War II. Besser was Decatur, GA 30033
16 when he was taken to his
first concentration camp.
He and four of his sisters
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
survived, and three ended
up coming to the United TIME LOCATION
States. 6:00 p.m. William Bradley Bryant Center for Technology
By the end of World War 2652 Lawrenceville Highway
II, 6 million Jews had been Decatur, GA 30033
murdered by the Nazis.
About 140,000 Holocaust
Citizens interested in reviewing a detailed copy of the program
survivors came to American
based budget may do so beginning Tuesday, April 13, 2010 by
after 1948.
Besser was able to immi- visiting the DeKalb County School System website at
grate to America in the early www.dekalb.k12.ga.us.
1950s through sponsorship
by an Atlanta man who FOR INFORMATION, CALL THE OFFICE OF THE
gave him work in a machine CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT 678-676-0069.
shop. After Besser finished
See Holocaust on Page 16A
 www.ChampionNewspaper.com
Lithonia man to plead
guilty to mortgage fraud
by Nigel Roberts
In an ongoing prosecu-
tion, federal authorities an-
nounced April 1 that a Li-
thonia man will plead guilty
to a range of mortgage fraud
activities stemming from an
investigation of the failed
Omni National Bank of At-
lanta.
Prosecutors charged Del-
roy Davy in December with
bank fraud in obtaining mil-
lions of dollars in mortgage
loans from Omni and other
lenders in his house flipping
scheme. Authorities said
Davy, 37, would plead guilty
at a May 11 court hearing be-
fore U.S. District Judge Jack
T. Camp. Davy is one of
three men authorities accuse
of fraudulent dealings with
the failed bank.
Jeffrey Levine, 68, a for-
mer Omni executive, faces
sentencing on May 25 before
Camp. The announcement
stated that Levine pleaded
guilty on Jan. 14 to bank
fraud for altering Omni’s
books to hide losses stem-
ming from fraudulent invest-
ment property loans.
An investigation of Omni
revealed that the bank made
high-interest loans to unqual-
ified borrowers who used
the money to purchase and
rehab rundown houses—with
the expectation that borrow-
ers would ultimately resell
the properties at huge profits
or rent to Section 8 tenants.
Instead, many of the bank’s
gambles failed, resulting in
more than 500 foreclosures
that Levine sought to hide.
Many white collar crimi-
nals—from bankers and
lawyers to shady entrepre-
neurs—used properties in
the metro area as their play-
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 A Section • Page 11A
VA investigating Atlanta
medical record breach
ATLANTA (AP) The U.S. Veterans Affairs
Office of Inspector General has launched a
criminal investigation into a security breach
of veterans’ medical information at the Atlan-
ta Veterans Administration Medical Center.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports
that a physician assistant stored unauthorized
clinical information on her personal laptop re-
garding veterans who were seen at one of the
VA specialty clinics. The newspaper sites an
internal document it obtained.
Katie Roberts, the press secretary for the
VA, confirmed the investigation.
The newspaper reports the agency has yet
to determine how many veterans are affected
or the degree to which the data contained per-
sonal and medical information.
ground to get rich. Some
of them worked in concert
to varying degrees. Conse-
quently, when authorities in-
vestigate one source of fraud,
they inevitably uncover sev-
eral others.
That was the case with
Omni—which the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corpora-
tion (FDIC) closed as Omni
caused it to lose several mil-
lion dollars. Further investi-
gation into the bank’s deal-
ings revealed links to three of
Omni’s best customers that
included Davy, who authori-
ties alleged paid kickbacks to
an Omni loan officer and ob-
tained fraudulent loans from
the bank.
At his initial court appear-
ance, Davy waived indict-
ment and indicated that he
would plead guilty. Prosecu-
tors say he faces a maximum
sentence of up to 30 years in
prison and a fine of $2 mil-
lion.
Camp has already sen-
tenced another defendant
with ties to Omni, Mark
McBride, to 16 years and
two months in prison, fol-
lowed by five years of super-
vised release. McBride must
also pay nearly $2.2 million
in restitution.
Also in the April 1 an-
nouncement, prosecutors
said that the third man, Brent
Merrill, faces sentencing on
May 25, after pleading guilty
in March to making false
statements to the FDIC and
to aggravated identity theft.
According to the govern-
ment, Merrill arranged short
sales in the names of identity
theft victims to obtain for-
giveness from the FDIC of
$2.2 million in Omni loan
payoffs when facing foreclo-
sure on 14 of his properties.
 A Section • Page 12A
Downtown Stone Mountain
streetscape shaping up
Construction under way on sidewalks, roadway and pedestrian median
by Gale Horton Gay
gale@dekalbchamp.com
Transformation often is
not pretty.
The city of Stone Moun-
tain is in the midst of such a
transformation that is causing
traffic tie-ups, disruption in
business and revenue loss,
but officials predict that when
major construction is com-
plete in a few months it will
be worth it.
Major road and sidewalk
work is well under way on
its streetscape project, which
will give the city a new look.
“It is going very well,
very well,” said Stone Moun-
tain City Manager Barry
Amos of two blocks of Main
Street that is now a long
construction site with dug
up sidewalks, orange safety
cones in the streets, yellow
caution tape, detour routes
and fewer on-the-street park-
ing spaces.
When the work is com-
plete, downtown Stone
Mountain will have new
wider sidewalks with brick
and granite pavers and gran-
ite curbs. A new pedestrian
median is also being built
that will be landscaped.
Streets are being resurfaced,
and utility lines are being
buried underground. Light-
ing, benches and bike racks
round out the project, which
will cost $1.6 million for
phase I.
Steve Wells, executive
director of Stone Mountain’s
development authority, said
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
that second phase will bring
similar improvements to
Manor and Poole streets,
with construction expected
to start on that phase in a
year to 18 months. Funding
for the project comes from
the Georgia Department of
Transportation and MARTA
offset funds.
“It will not only change
the look of Stone Mountain,
but it will increase pedes-
trian safety,” said Amos.
Business owners in
downtown have the option
of having an awning in-
stalled over their storefronts,
with half the cost paid by the
owner and the remainder re-
imbursed through the city’s
Main Street Program.
Karen Parker, owner of
Mama Mia’s Italian Restau-
rant on Main Street, is ec-
static about the changes.
“I think it’s great,” said
Parker. “It’s going to bring
the city back to where it
was. It will be pretty again
and fresh. People will love it
when it’s done.”
Parker’s eatery—a fam-
ily-owned business—has
been a Stone Mountain insti-
tution for 32 years. the busi-
ness has had ups and downs,
but the last few years have
definitely been the worst of
times, according to Parker
who attributes it to the over-
all downturn in the economy.
Despite the construction
outside her door, which she
is optimistic will be com-
plete by the end of April,
Parker said the restaurant has
Photo by Gale Horton Gay
not been negatively affected
by the construction since
Mama Mia’s currently is
only open for dinner.
“By the time we do open,
the streets are usually open
again,” she said.
Last week part of Main
Street was blocked due to
construction and a long line
of cars snaked along Manor
Drive and Second Street,
creating a rare mid-afternoon
traffic jam in Stone Moun-
tain.
“We realize this construc-
tion will adversely impact
existing businesses,” said
Amos. “Once the streetscape
is finished, we feel that the
inconvenience during con-
struction will be well worth
it.”
Work began on the proj-
ect on March 9 but constant
rain resulted in delays. Now
work is progressing rap-
idly, according to the city
manager who’s anticipating
completion in June.
 www.ChampionNewspaper.com
Druid Hills Home and Garden
Tour to be filled with fun history
What do U.S. Presi-
dent Franklin Roosevelt,
Atlanta architect Walter
Dowling, cookbook author
Henrietta Stanley Dull
and Chicago gangster Al
Capone have in common?
They all share connections
to Oakdale Road in historic
Druid Hills.
Visitors can learn about
them and other famous
residents of Oakdale at the
2010 Druid Hills Home
and Garden Tour & Artist
Market. The tour, Only on
Oakdale, welcomes visitors
inside six elegant home and
garden jewels on Oakdale
Road, Friday, April 16,
through Sunday, April 18,
along with a native plant
sale, an artists’ market, lun-
cheons, and live entertain-
ment.
Joel Hurt first purchased
a 1,400-acre tract for At-
lanta’s “ideal residential
suburb.” The Druid Hills
neighborhood, designed by
Frederick Law Olmsted
in the late 1890s, is now
on the National Register of
Historic Places. The tour
benefits historic preserva-
tion and green space resto-
ration in the neighborhood.
It features:
• A 1914 house that was
briefly the residence of
Coca Cola magnate Asa
Candler has original
wood accents in the foyer
and living room, a two-
story stairwell with sky-
light, and a landscaped
backyard with tennis
court.
• Another tour home, built
in 1919 by H.W. Nicho-
les, housed the Phi Chi
Fraternity in the 1930s,
but today, family an-
tiques and Asian treasures
complement the original
windows, fireplace, and
columns.
• A 1922 Tudor home on
the tour trumpets modern
finishes, such as a beamed
ceiling and Gothic arches,
to reflect the original de-
sign in a new addition of
a master suite and family
room.
• A 1923 bungalow repre-
sents the late Arts & Crafts
period, expanded with a
pool, outdoor kitchen, and
lush landscaping.
• A mixture of antique and
contemporary fixtures wel-
comes visitors to a 1925
home, renovated in 2009
to carve out a spacious
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 A Section • Page 13A
kitchen and family room. The Druid Hills Artist
• A charming bungalow, Market is at St. John’s Lu-
built by Arthur H. Bai- theran Church, at the corner
ley in 1927, recently was of Oakdale Road and Ponce
almost doubled in size in de Leon Avenue. For more
a “green” renovation that information, visit www.dru-
highlights custom wooden idhillstour.org, or call (404)
cabinets and stained glass 524-TOUR (8687)
elements. Parking: St. John’s
• A native plant sale offers Chrysostom Melkite
tour goers an opportunity Church, 1428 Ponce de
to buy perennials and an- Leon Avenue, and one
nuals that thrive in Atlanta side of Oakdale Road and Built in 1922, the Tudor home of Kristina and David Crane will be
gardens. neighboring streets. among those included in this year’s tour.
DeKalb County Wants to Hear From You
Regarding the Proposed Franchise Agreement Renewal
with Comcast Cable Communications
Send your comments and/or concerns regarding Comcast’s current performance under
the current franchise agreement and/or the future cable-related needs and interests of
your community to cable@co.dekalb.ga.us.
The Champion Weather April 15, 2010
Seven Day Forecast In-Depth Local Forecast Today's Regional Map Weather History
THURSDAY
Today we will see mostly sunny skies with April 15, 1921 - Two-mile
Mostly Sunny
a high temperature of 74º, humidity of 43% high Silver Lake, Colo.
and an overnight low of 53º. The record Dunwoody received 76 inches of snow
High: 74 Low: 53 high temperature for today is 87º set in in 24 hours, the heaviest
72/52 Lilburn
1936. Friday, skies will remain mostly Smyrna Doraville 73/53 24-hour total of record for
FRIDAY sunny with a high temperature of 78º. 73/53 North America. The storm
Mostly Sunny
73/53
Snellville left a total of 87 inches in 27
High: 78 Low: 55 *Last Week’s Almanac Decatur
74/53 and a half hours.
Date Hi Lo Normals Precip
Atlanta 74/53
SATURDAY Tuesday 87 54 71/48 0.00"
74/53
Lithonia
College Park April 16, 1851 - The famous
Mostly Cloudy Wednesday 81 60 71/48 0.00" 75/53
75/53 “Lighthouse Storm” raged
High: 72 Low: 50 Thursday 75 54 71/48 0.58" Morrow
near Boston Harbor. Gale
Friday 68 44 71/49 0.00" 75/53 winds and gigantic waves
SUNDAY Saturday 72 38 72/49 0.00" Union City
destroyed Minot Light with
Mostly Sunny Sunday 75 45 72/49 0.00" 75/53
its two keepers still inside.
High: 73 Low: 50 Monday 80 48 72/49 0.00"
Hampton The storm resulted in great
Rainfall . . . . . . .0.58" Average temp . .62.9
76/54 shipping losses as well as
MONDAY Normal rainfall . .0.87" Average normal 60.0
coastal erosion.
Mostly Sunny Departure . . . . .-0.29" Departure . . . . .+2.9
High: 74 Low: 52 *Data as reported from De Kalb-Peachtree Airport
Local Sun/Moon Chart This Week Tonight's Planets
TUESDAY Day Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset
Rise Set
Partly Cloudy First Thursday 7:06 a.m. 8:09 p.m. 7:24 a.m. 9:40 p.m. Last
Mercury 7:44 a.m. 9:31 p.m.
High: 75 Low: 51 4/21 Friday 7:05 a.m. 8:09 p.m. 8:03 a.m. 10:43 p.m. 5/5
Venus 8:14 a.m. 9:58 p.m.
Saturday 7:04 a.m. 8:10 p.m. 8:50 a.m. 11:45 p.m.
Mars 1:40 p.m. 3:45 a.m.
WEDNESDAY Sunday 7:03 a.m. 8:11 p.m. 9:43 a.m. Next Day
Jupiter 5:40 a.m. 5:19 p.m.
Partly Cloudy Full Monday 7:02 a.m. 8:12 p.m. 10:44 a.m. 12:44 a.m. New Saturn 5:54 p.m. 6:15 a.m.
High: 72 Low: 50 4/28 Tuesday 7:00 a.m. 8:12 p.m. 11:49 a.m. 1:36 a.m. 5/13 Uranus 5:59 a.m. 5:55 p.m.
Wednesday 6:59 a.m. 8:13 p.m. 12:57 p.m. 2:23 a.m.
Local UV Index National Weather Summary This Week Weather Trivia
?
The Northeast will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies with a few showers and
thunderstorms today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 82º in
How can snow keep you
0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+ Lawrenceville, Ill. The Southeast will see mostly clear skies today through Saturday,
warm?
with the highest temperature of 84º in Ft. Myers, Fla. The Northwest will see mostly clear to partly Answer: If you are trapped in a
UV Index
0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, cloudy skies with a few showers today through Saturday, with the highest temperature of 73º in blizzard, a snow cave can insulate
6-7: High, 8-10: Very High Torrington, Wyo. The Southwest will see mostly clear to partly cloudy skies today through Saturday, you from the cold.
11+: Extreme Exposure with the highest temperature of 89º in Goodyear, Ariz. © 2010. Accessweather.com, Inc.
StarWatch By Gary Becker - April Lyrids to Provide Spring Shower
The Lyrid meteor shower of April 22 marks the end of an unusually long drought of meteor activity which begins each year in early January. The dearth of shooting stars
during the first quarter of the year may actually be good news for mid-latitude observers. Long nights coupled with cold, cloudy weather can have their challenges. The
Lyrids might be better classified as more of a sprinkle than a shower. Meteor rates rarely exceed 10 events per hour. On the positive side, typical Lyrids are about as bright
as the stars of the Big Dipper, allowing enthusiasts from more light-polluted locales to see them. Lyrid brightnesses may also indicate that the stream has been active for
a long period. Smaller particles released from the dusty tail of a comet, in this case Comet Thatcher (C/1861 G1), can have their orbital paths modified by nongravitational forces. The
directional heating of partials by the sun and then their cooling in different orientations (Poynting-Robertson effect) and the occasional jetting action of gases sputtering from the dust
itself can modify the orbits of very small cometary dross. Even the pressure of sunlight has an effect. These same forces have almost no influence in changing the orbital paths of larg-
er gains. If clear skies prevail, the morning of April 22, after 2 a.m., will be the ideal time to spot Lyrids. The waxing gibbous moon will be near its setting position and the radiant, the
area of the sky from which the meteors will be diverging, will be above mid-sky in the east. That location is in the constellation of Lyra the Harp which also sports Vega, the fifth bright-
est star in the nighttime heavens. See the map showing the Lyrid radiant in the online version of this article. If a shooting star is seen and its path can be traced back to Vega, it will most
likely be a Lyrid. Dress like it is winter. Face east and view overhead, normally the darkest part of the sky. www.astronomy.org
 A Section • Page 14A
Dunwoody officers
awarded for DUI arrests
by Matt Amato
Four Dunwoody police
officers were awarded for
high numbers of DUI-related
arrests last year at a recent
banquet in downtown At-
lanta’s Georgia International
Convention Center. At the
event hosted by the Georgia
chapter of MADD (Moth-
ers against Drunk Driving),
several officers across the
state received recognition for
“making the roads safer.”
Alvin Rodriguez, who
has been with the Dunwoody
department since its incep-
tion last year, was given the
2009 DUI Hero award for 90
DUI-related arrests.
The city’s police depart-
ment recorded 184 DUI-
DeKalb police motorcycle officer
struck by car
DECATUR, Ga. (AP) A
DeKalb County officer on a
motorcycle was struck by a
vehicle.
DeKalb County police
blocked off Columbia Drive
from Memorial Drive to
Belvedere Lane after the of-
ficer’s motorcycle collided
with a sedan-type vehicle
around 2 p.m. on April 10.
DeKalb Police spokes-
MIT
Continued From Page 8A
require a score of at least
650, she said. After working
with Espy, the student
scored a 680 and received a
scholarship, she said.
“Those kinds of
experiences happen all
the time where they
came in with a very weak
foundation, and they come
out and do well,” Espy said.
“They do what they thought
they couldn’t do.”
She said her time at
Emory’s business school
inspired her to start MathSP,
which has grown to include
instructors in New York,
according to a company
related arrests since April
2009, when it was officially
formed. According to Det.
Kelly Gobely, the four of-
ficers’ figures, as recognized
by MADD, included arrests
made while working for their
previous employers.
Dale Laskowski (26 DUI
arrests), Jason Witcher (31
DUI arrests) and Tim Wal-
dron (25 DUI arrests) were
given Bronze Awards.
“Although the efforts of
these officers are impressive,
our goal is to ultimately see
these numbers decrease as
the public realizes the Dun-
woody Police Department
is aggressively pursuing
the enforcement of DUI,”
commented Gobely in an e-
mailed statement.
man Jason Gagnon told the
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
that the accident is being in-
vestigated.
He said the officer is
believed to have suffered a
broken collarbone and is in
stable condition. A police
escort helped transport the
officer to Grady Memorial
Hospital.
statement. Espy also said
she plans to hire additional
instructors to take over
her mentoring workload.
The company also offered
free courses to 15 students
who applied in need of
remediation before the SAT,
GRE and GMAT.
“Part of what makes
math fun or not fun is the
teachers you’ve had,” Espy
said. “I’ve been fortunate…
to have really good
teachers. If you have a good
teacher, you understand it
better. … There’s so many
students out there who need
this type of program.”
Join the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
100 Crescent Center Parkway, Suite 680, Tucker, GA 30084
404.378.8000
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
In down economy, older
moms’ births still up in US
by Mike Stobbe
ATLANTA (AP) U.S.
births fell in 2008, probably
because of the recession,
updated government figures
confirm. The one exception
to the trend was the birth
rate among women in their
40s, who perhaps felt they
didn’t have the luxury of
waiting for better economic
times.
The birth rate for women
in their early 40s rose a sur-
prising 4 percent over the
previous year, reaching its
highest mark since 1967.
The rate for women in their
late 40s also rose, slightly.
But birth rates fell for
teen mothers, as well as
women in their 20s and 30s.
“Women are postponing
births to those later ages,
above 40,” said James
Trussell, director of Princ-
eton University’s Office of
Population Research.
Experts don’t know for
certain why so many are
delaying having babies,
though some suspect the
economy is a big factor.
However, “you get to the
point where the biological
clock starts ticking and peo-
ple realize they have to do
it,” said Trussell, who was
not involved in the research.
The new report on births
was issued April 6 by the
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. It’s based
www.dekalbchamber.org
on a review of more than
99 percent of birth certifi-
cates for the year 2008—the
first full year of the reces-
sion. Overall, the number
of births declined 2 percent
from 2007. It’s the first an-
nual decline in births since
the start of the decade.
Experts say the most
likely explanations are the
recession and a decline in
immigration to the United
States, which has been
blamed on the weak job
market.
Some early birth in-
formation for the first six
months of 2009 indicates a
continuing decline of about
3 percent in total births,
CDC officials said.
Last summer, the agency
gave a first glimpse of the
2008 numbers. The new re-
port confirms the birth rate
decline, and also gives a
breakdown of births by age
group.
The new report found
that birth rates fell by 3
percent for women in their
early 20s, 2 percent for
women in their late 20s, and
1 percent for women in their
30s.
The trend in those num-
bers indicates that the older
women got, the less will-
ing they were to postpone a
birth, said the new report’s
lead author, Brady Hamil-
ton of the CDC’s National
Center for Health Statistics.
The teen birth rate
dropped 2 percent—and the
rate for Hispanic teenagers
was the lowest reported in
two decades. The teen birth
rate had been declining
from 1991 through 2005,
but rose from 2005 to 2007.
The new data indicate the
spike has ended.
Even so, women in their
40s still have babies far less
often than younger women.
The rate was about 10 births
per 1,000 women in their
early 40s, and less then 1
per 1,000 for women in
their late 40s.
The rate for women in
their late 20s was 115 per
1,000.
Experts note that the
postponement theory may
explain why younger wom-
en had lower birth rates,
but doesn’t fully get at why
the rate for women in their
early 40s rose so sharply.
Some speculated that
more sophisticated assisted
reproduction services may
be paying off for older cou-
ples, or perhaps some di-
vorced women are choosing
to have additional children
with a new partner later in
life.
The new CDC report
also showed that the per-
centage of babies born
prematurely fell a bit, from
12.7 percent to 12.3 percent.
 www.ChampionNewspaper.com
Trial
Continued From Page 1A
them with Blacks. The defense
characterized the complaints as
“petty workplace grievances” that
had nothing to do with race, and
argued the White managers saw no
loss in pay or benefits.
Drake, who was assistant parks
director at the time of the suit, later
retired. Bryant, then a deputy di-
rector, was later fired by the county
and died in February 2010 of liver
disease.
The jury ordered the county
to pay $74,000 in damages to
Drake and to Bryant’s estate. In
addition, it ordered former parks
director Marilyn Boyd Drew to
pay $55,500 and Jones and his for-
mer executive assistant, Richard
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
Stogner, to each pay $27,750 to Congress to replace Hank Johnson
the two men. in the 4th district. During the trial,
The county is liable for most of he testified he wanted the best em-
the payment of legal judgments; ployees who reflected the county’s
DeKalb code states it shall pay up population. When Jones was asked
to $50,000 on behalf of an individ- at his press conference why he
ual employee or a total of $200,000 threatened employees who worked
on behalf of multiple employees for him, he replied: “I threaten a
being defended in the same case. lot of my employees for not doing
DeKalb’s payment cap doesn’t their job and wasting taxpayers’
include legal fees. Going into the money.”
trial, the county had paid $2.54 Stogner retired as executive as-
million for its defense. The plain- sistant to the CEO. Drew was fired
tiffs’ attorneys said their fees were in July 2009 after her department
expected to be at least $2 million, failed to enroll county children in a
which they will seek from the statewide swim meet. She is unem-
county. ployed and her house is in foreclo-
Jones, who served as CEO from sure, her lawyer said.
2001 to 2008, is now running for The jury cleared defendant
A Section • Page 15A
Morris Williams, who was an as-
sistant county administrator and
now serves as chief of staff for the
DeKalb Board of Commissioners,
of any wrongdoing.
Outside the jury’s presence,
Judge William S. Duffey repeat-
edly rebuked the county for stone-
walling the plaintiffs and with-
holding documents, saying that
“governments are supposed to act
differently.” He said that the be-
havior by the defendants suggested
“we have not moved very far as a
country,” and there had been “more
damage in this county” than any
chance for healing in the relations
between races.
Staff Writer Jonathan Cribbs

Island
Continued From Page 1A

owned by Andy Hill—or Capt’n Andy as he’s
known—who also owns several neighboring
islands. While much of the island is as it was
when England’s King George II gave it as a
land grant during Georgia’s colonial era, there
is a very comfortable—even sumptuous—
lodge. Beyond having such basics as electricity
and hot and cold running water, the lodge has
a well appointed kitchen, a hot tub, cozy fur-
niture, cable television (we watched the Olym-
pics each evening), Internet access and engag-
ing decorating details that reflect the owner’s
love of boating and nature.
Guests start their half-hour boat trip to Eagle Island from the marina in Darien. Photos by Kathy Mitchell
My favorite features are the wide wrap-
around porch and the large windows that let
visitors enjoy the breathtaking scenery even
when they’re inside. With a little luck, one
might even spot the island’s resident bald
eagle. Because we visited during an unusual
February cold snap, the big fireplace in the sit- owner; he’s the accommodating host for any
ting area was a popular spot.
I could easily imagine the four-bedroom
lodge as a retreat for a family, a friends group
or a hunting or fishing party. I could even en-
vision it as a special-event venue for a small
wedding or family reunion. Actually, calling
it a four-bedroom lodge doesn’t give the full
picture. The ground-level bedroom is almost
a suite in itself with several beds, a separate
bath and a kitchenette with a coffee maker and
small refrigerator.
One novel little feature is an outdoor show-
er. It’s enclosed, but the see-through screen
side design doesn’t allow complete privacy—
it’s a good idea to know who’s around before
using it.
In addition to the handsome main-level
kitchen with modern appliances, there’s an
outdoor food preparation area with a sink, a
steamer and a grill, where game or seafood
fresh from the field or stream can be prepared
for the night’s dinner. In fact, Capt’n Andy, his renting the lodge—they’re renting the entire
wife and a few friends demonstrated this fea-
ture by preparing a low-country boil and oyster $400 a night for two guests ($500 a night for
roast for the group. He even has his own cus-
tom seasoning mix.
Capt’n Andy, by the way, is not just the
group that uses his property. Just tell him what niversary package. All include round-trip boat
you want, and he’ll try to make it happen. If
there’s anything he can’t handle personally,
one can be sure someone in his network of ex- gia shrimp. Getaways can be customized to
perts is ready to take over.
One such expert is kayaking pro Danny
Grissette, who took me on my first kayak-
ing adventure. Viewed at a kayak’s leisurely
pace, the scenery in the marshes is picture-
book stunning. One never knows when a flock
of snowy egrets will rise from the rushes or a
dolphin will leap from the sun-washed waters.
Had it been a few degrees warmer, the morn-
ing would have been perfect.
Those spending time on Eagle Island ei-
ther have to stay put for the duration (Capt’n
Andy will ferry you out and bring you back,
and there are folks on call around the clock for
emergencies) or keep a watercraft of some sort
handy. Some visitors like having a kayak; oth-
ers bring or rent a motor boat. More populated
islands and Darien, on the mainland, are just a
short scoot across the water.
If fishing or duck hunting are more your
notion of an ideal day, another member of the
Cap’n Andy network, Wendell Harper, is
your man. He knows the Georgia coast better
than many people know their backyards. In
addition to being able to take you to the best
hunting and fishing spots in the area, Harper,
who has been featured on such programs as
Outdoors in Georgia, has a seemingly endless
cache of colorful stories that can keep a lis-
tener spellbound for hours.
A second private island retreat, under reno-
vation and expected to be ready for rental this
fall is Mayhall Island, also owned by Capt’n
Andy and just a stone’s skip from Eagle Island.
Built in the 1970s, the lodge at Mayhall—once
a lavish private residence–fell into disrepair
when a previous owner became too ill to take
care of it. Like the lodge at Eagle Island, it’s
designed to take full advantage of its natural
surrounding, including its majestic view. On a
clear day, from the roof one can see the Syd-
ney Lanier Bridge near the entrance to Jekyll
Island.
Guests renting these properties are not just
island. Guest packages for Eagle Island start at
three to 10 guests) on a weekend getaway. A
six-day package is $2,500 for two guests and
$2,790 for three to 10 guests. There also are
special packages such as the honeymoon/ an-
transportation to and from Darien, and six-day
stays include five pounds of wild-caught Geor-
guests’ needs and requests.
For additional information, visit www.pri-
vateislandsofgeorgia.com.
 HEALTH
CDC: Not too late to get
swine flu vaccination
by Mike Stobbe
ATLANTA (AP) Health
officials are renewing their
push for Americans to get
swine flu vaccinations fol-
lowing a recent uptick in
hospital cases in Georgia.
No other state has had
such an increase in hospital-
izations, and overall swine
flu illnesses and deaths have
been down for months. But
in the past two weeks, 70 to
80 people in Georgia have
been hospitalized with swine
flu—the most since Septem-
ber, according to the Georgia
Department of Community
Health.
Most were unvaccinated
adults and many had pre-
existing conditions that
made them more susceptible
to swine flu, federal health
officials said recently.
Georgia has one of the
lower vaccination rates for
swine flu in the country, said
Dr. Anne Schuchat, a flu
expert with the Centers for
Disease Control and Preven-
tion, although she declined
to elaborate.
Swine flu was first identi-
fied last April and it hit the
country in two waves—a
smaller spring wave and
then a larger fall wave. Flu
activity has been declining
since November, and health
officials have had to push
harder and harder to get
people interested in getting
some of the tens of millions
of unused doses.
“Many Americans are
still vulnerable because they
haven’t gotten vaccinated
yet,” said U.S. Surgeon Gen-
eral Dr. Regina Benjamin,
who joined Schuchat in a
March 29 teleconference
with reporters.
About 86 million Ameri-
cans have been vaccinated
in a campaign that began in
October.
If a third wave of illness
occurs, it likely would be in
pockets where few people
were previously infected or
got flu shots, said University
of Michigan flu expert Dr.
Arnold Monto.
The Georgia hospitaliza-
tions were in areas of the
state that were not hard hit
last year, Schuchat said.
Swine flu has sickened
about 60 million Americans,
hospitalized 265,000 and
killed about 12,000. The
U.S. death toll from the
new H1N1 virus, declared
a global epidemic, is about
one-third of the estimated
deaths from a regular flu
season. But it was a fear-
some threat because chil-
dren and teens are much
more vulnerable to it than
seasonal flu.
There’s been no signifi-
THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 • PAGE 16A
cant increase in deaths re-
ported in Georgia or nation-
ally, and reports of flu-like
illness are at their lowest
level since late 2008. And
there’s no evidence that the
virus has mutated to a more
dangerous form, health of-
ficials say.
New pandemic flu vi-
ruses usually don’t change
substantially in the first two
or three years, Monto said.
Community
health fair
announced
A free health fair open
to the public will be held
on Tuesday, April 21, and
Wednesday April 22, at the
Wesley Chapel Library in
Decatur. The theme is “Taking
Charge of Your Health” and
the event is sponsored by the
American Red Cross Metro
Atlanta Chapter. The doors
will open at 1 p.m. and the
event ends at 7:30 p.m.
Various health- related
topics will be discussed
throughout the day along
with presentations and
demonstrations by experienced
medical professionals. Free
literature and resource
information will be provided
along with refreshments and
door prizes. Wesley Chapel
Library is located at 2861
Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur.
The phone number is (404)
286–6980.
Holocaust
Continued From Page 10A
his three-year commitment,
he left that job and began
building homes. He later be-
came a developer.
“I still have the box I
brought with me on the ship,”
Besser said. “When I got to
Atlanta, I didn’t know a soul.
I recuperated for two weeks,
then met the shop owner and
went to work. I was a new-
born Atlantan and I never
left. This is my home.”
Besser remembers the
freedom and appreciation he
felt coming to Atlanta and
wants to share his Holocaust
experience through the me-
morial garden.
“When Hitler invaded
Poland he took everything
out on the Jews for no rea-
son,” Besser said. “He took
us away from our families. I
don’t want what happened to
be forgotten.”
The CDC has gathered
swine flu vaccination rates
for each state but has turned
down repeated requests RECENTLY REMODELED!
from The Associated Press 485 Stewart Mill Rd, Stn. Mtn.
for the rates. The CDC says $127,500 OR BEST OFFER;
it will release the informa- 4BR, 2BA; Bank will finance
tion in a forthcoming article 30 yrs, 6% interest, 5% down
in one of its publications, pmt, pmts could be as low as
Morbidity and Mortality
$727/mth! Contact Kristi,
Weekly Report. Skip or Kara at Talbot State
Bank 706-674-2215; Member
FDIC, Equal Housing Lender
 BUSINESS THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 • PAGE 17A

“I brought in more affordable [pet] food and options for people on a budget,” says Park Pet Supply owner Victoria Park.

Pet supply store still

thriving after 11 years
by Matt Amato price” myth. “Most people alone. by name, trained staff to
think that but it’s not true,” In some ways she’d be as knowledgeable and
When Victoria Park she said. “Petco is very already done the crucial courteous as possible, and
started her East Atlanta expensive.” research others sometimes do things like help people
Village pet-supply store, In fact, Park’s business omit when assessing viable carry their bags to the car.”
the nearest similar retailer offers lower prices – and demand. “You need to find This, she said, helped
was at Northlake Mall. all she did was follow her something people need build strong customer
But the in-town boom of distributors’ recommended on a regular basis,” Park loyalty – one of the most
recent years, bringing big- retail price. In 2009, even suggested to would-be effective weapons against
box competitors within a with a sagging economy, retailers. “It really helps the “big guns.”
couple of miles, hasn’t hurt profits beat the previous living in the neighborhood. By adding more
business like many might year. We know our neighbors and services, in line with
expect. “I brought in more understand the big picture.” growing business, Park
Park Pet Supply affordable food and options A glance around the Pet Supply’s value in turn
recently celebrated its 11th for people on a budget,” village, which has seen grew. Grooming, bath and
anniversary. In that time, she said. “I hear how many retailers come and go as dog-sitting options are now
39-year-old Park has learned of our customers are in an if in a revolving door, considered staples. Coupled
a few entrepreneurial economic downturn.” confirms this assessment. with low-priced, specialized
lessons that could help The real lesson here: Park’s customer service products and staff expertise,
others facing a similar know your market. That skills, cultivated by a Park sees her business as a
David and Goliath scenario came naturally for Park. background in wholesale neighborhood mainstay.
against encroaching She’s lived in the East travel, steadied the ship “We knew it was a good
corporate giants. In her Atlanta area since her in the first two years – idea,” she said. “We’re still
case, Goliath was nationally 20s and is involved in the commonly considered the here.”
recognized chains Petco and community. She first came make-or-break period. Park Pet Supply is
Petsmart. upon the idea of the store “Since the beginning we’ve located at 479 A Flat Shoals
And the first battle: because she was frustrated always had strong customer Ave. For more information,
exposing “the bigger the by the lack of local options service,” she said. “We got visit www.parkpetsupply.
size, the lower the lower and realized she wasn’t to know [customers’] dogs com.
 EDUCATION THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 • PAGE 18A

Administration to recommend four school

closures to board of education
District office plans to pick up where conflicted residents’ committee left off
by Jonathan Cribbs Committee leaders, in-
jonathan@dekalbchamp.com cluding Thad Mayfield, said
reaching a recommendation
After a residents commit- to close four schools was
tee argued and failed to rec- complicated by the fact that
ommend the closure of four the district will need to redraw
schools earlier this month, attendance zones. The commit-
the DeKalb County School tee didn’t want to close four
System announced it plans to schools and then discover they
go to the school board with its needed to reopen one or sev-
own recommendation. eral of them after attendance
The school system plans zones were redrawn – part of
to ask the school board to ap- a second phase of work the
prove four schools for closure committee may never see.
at an April 16 meeting. Those Several board members said
schools have not been named they could not say whether the
and will only become public committee’s recommendation
once they’ve been presented to to avoid closures would lead to
the board, district spokesman its dissolution.
Dale Davis said April 12. Regardless, angry parents
The recommendation will now face off in public
comes after two months of school board meetings with
contentious work by the Citi- an elected body and district
zens’ Planning Task Force that officials who are less likely to
culminated earlier this month waiver on the issue.
in a recommendation not to “By consolidating these
close any schools – a decision schools we would hope that
district officials and school the parents would understand
board members said they were that this is not about trying to
hoping to avoid. take something away from
But after infighting their kids but to improve the
among committee members educational opportunity for
and hoards of angry parents the kids, and unfortunately the
descended on the commit- committee abdicated its re-
tee’s meeting place on Law- sponsibility and has tossed this
renceville Highway protesting back to the board for a deci-
various closure proposals, the sion,” board member H. Paul
group – created by Superinten- Womack, who also chairs the
dent Crawford Lewis – de- board’s budget committee said.
cided to hand the issue back to The district’s budget woes
the board. also play a large factor. School
The Premier DeKalb County School System
Operations Division
Presents The
DeKalb County School System
Surplus Materials Auction
board members have said since
the beginning of the effort that
schools need to be closed in
the district. Now, with the dis-
trict’s budget deficit ballooning
to roughly $115 million over
the last two months, the school
board is searching for cuts
everywhere it can. The board
gave interim Superintendent
Ramona Tyson the go-ahead
last month to begin the process
of laying off several hundred
employees – none of them
teachers.
The committee, which was
only scheduled to complete its
first phase of work with this
recommendation, could have
helped save the district nearly
$2.4 million if the board chose
to close four recommended
schools.
Board members have also
complained about the state
money the district loses be-
cause it has so many open
seats. Through the state’s edu-
cation equalization formula,
DeKalb County, one of the
wealthiest in the state, receives
no money. And after consult-
ing with state officials, board
members said they learned the
formula penalizes them for the
county’s empty seats. The dis-
trict anticipates nearly 16,000
empty seats over the next
seven years.
The enrollment imbalance
is widespread in elementary,
middle and high schools. Pro-
jected enrollments for next
school year show schools
across southern, central and
southwestern DeKalb County
with dramatically low enroll-
ments, and the situation is
projected to worsen by 2016-
17, the last year of the school
district’s capital improvements
plan, which Lewis began in
2006.
Reasons for the districtwide
imbalance are varied. Shifts
in the housing market have
pushed people outside central
DeKalb. More students have
enrolled in private, charter and
home school programs. The
district is also analyzing how
serious No Child Left Behind’s
school of choice policies con-
tributed to the imbalance. The
federal legislation allows par-
ents to transfer their children
out of an under-performing
school to a better-performing
one if they choose.
Board member Jay Cun-
ningham also believes the dis-
trict will need to close schools.
“The formula is not work-
ing for us at all. We’re using
our tax dollars to subsidize
their students’ education,”
he said. “We’ve gotten zero
dollars the last four years. …
We’re going to have to com-
DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TEACHERS’
LOCAL SALARY SUPPLEMENTS
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
TIME LOCATION
6:00 p.m. William Bradley Bryant Center for Technology
2652 Lawrenceville Highway
Decatur, GA 30033
bine schools.”
But Cunningham said he
also questioned whether clos-
ing those schools immediately
– or as early as August – was
poorly timed. He said he also
had concerns regarding the
rezoning process. But board
member Gene Walker went a
step further and defended the
committee, saying the district
needs to rezone first and read-
dress the possible closure of
schools later. Throughout the
budgetary crisis, which began
in January, Walker has advo-
cated tax increases and railed
against the $115 million cuts
Tyson has proposed.
“Time is necessary. We
need to put the time in to do
the best job,” Walker said.
“I’m not one of those who is
saying we must close schools
immediately to save two or
four million dollars.”
If the board approves the
district’s proposal to close four
schools, the district will hold
two public forums on May 11
and 13.
The board would be sched-
uled to give final approval to
close the schools on May 14,
and the schools would likely
be shut down before the start
of next school year.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

TIME LOCATION
6:00 p.m. William Bradley Bryant Center for Technology
2652 Lawrenceville Highway
Online Sales Begin Thursday, April 8, 2010 Decatur, GA 30033
The DeKalb County School System will auction surplus materials and equipment which will
include, but is not limited to school buses, cars, computers, desks, chairs, file cabinets,
lawn mowers, tools, and other surplus items.
The proposed fiscal year 2010-2011 budget includes a reduction in
The online auction will be facilitated through GovDeals (www.govdeals.com) which is an work calendar days to the current teachers’ salary schedule. This
online auction service for City, County, and State Governments and Agencies to conduct will result in a reduction to the local portion of the salary schedule
online sales of their surplus property and equipment. GovDeals is assisting the DeKalb for all teachers. This hearing is being held as required by GA
County School System in the sale of their surplus equipment. Together we would like to Code 20-2-212 to allow for public input regarding this matter.
invite you to participate in the online auctions. Go to www.govdeals.com and click on the
link “New Bidders Register Free!”. For more information or assistance call 1-800-613-0156
ext 4475 or email marketing@govdeals.com
 Classifieds
www.ChampionNewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 A Section • Page 19A

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 A Section • Page 20A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010

AroundDeKalb DECATUR
ATLANTA public are expected. All
questions submitted (via CHAMBLEE month. Visitors will
have the opportunity
Seminar to focus on phone) by April 17 will to explore the unique
Family reunion be considered. Seating City to hold road race shops, restaurants and
workshops offered health care, credit
is limited. galleries in Historic Stone
The city of Chamblee Mountain Village while
DeKalb Convention The Decatur/DeKalb recently announced its
Chapter of the National Mentoring program to sampling a variety of
and Visitors Bureau is hold year sale first-ever road race for wines. Each month a
again hosting its free Coalition of 100 Black all ability levels. The
Women’s (NCBW) will prize will be offered for
Family Reunion Plan- TeaCup Girls Mentor- event is scheduled for visitors who visit five
ning Workshops in 2010. hold its annual finan- Saturday, May 1, be-
cial seminar on Sat- ing Program is holding shops.
The workshops offer tips its annual Yard Sale and ginning at 8:30 a.m; it In addition to the
that can help simplify urday, April 24, at The will begin and finish at
Cornerstone Commu- Fish Fry, April 16 and 17, wine tours, the South
the planning and make 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 3728 DeKalb Peachtree Air- DeKalb Street Rodders
family reunions more nity Bank’s Community port (PDK). Participants
Room, 125 Clairemont Boring Road, Decatur, will host the 2010
entertaining for those at- off Wesley Chapel and have a choice of a 5K Car Show and Cruise
tending. Workshops can Ave. in Decatur—direct- route through Cham-
ly across from the Holi- Flat Shoals Pkwy. For in downtown Stone
be attended by anyone more information, con- blee’s downtown and Mountain from 5 - 8 p.m.
interested. day Inn Select—1 to 4 mid-city district or 1K
p.m., chapter President tact Cynthia Wright at on April 17.
All reunion workshops (770) 316-9013 or tea- route around one of The village of Stone
are held on Saturdays Kimberly Cameron an- PDK’s runways. There
nounced. The seminar cupmentoring@aol.com. Mountain is located in the
from 9 a.m. until noon is ample parking at the city of Stone Mountain
unless otherwise noted. is titled “Health Care: airport.
Where Are We Now? Health fair scheduled one exit prior to Stone
The next scheduled All entrants will re- Mountain Park on
workshop is planned The New Credit Card ceive race shirts as well
Law : What We Should A community Health Highway 78 East. This
for April 24 at Atlanta Fair will be held at CVS/ as food, fluids and mu- event is presented in
Bowling 300, 2175 Sa- All Know.” Carole sic.
Mumford, director of In- pharmacy, 2458 Can- part by Main Street
voy Drive, Atlanta. dler Road, Decatur, on Early registration is Stone Mountain, a
Reunion Workshops tergovernmental Affairs $15. Cost for race day
for District 4 Congress- Saturday, April 17, noon private, non-profit
are free but pre-registra- - 4 p.m. The following registration and mailed organization devoted to
tion is required. To reg- man Hank Johnson’s entries postmarked after
Office, is working with screenings will be pro- the revitalization of Stone
ister call (770) 492-5000 vided: Monday, April 26, is $20. Mountain Village. For
or visit www.dcvb.org. the chapter to provide Race packets may be
a community update on •Blood pressure additional information
•Diabetes picked up on race day. regarding Main Street
the newly passed Health Active.com registrations
Care Reform Law. •Bone density (osteopo- Stone Mountain call (770)
World Music rosis) will have an additional 498-7334 or visit www.
Ensembles to perform The public is asked fee. Entrants may regis-
to submit questions, •Cholesterol mainstreetstonemountain.
•Dental and chiropractic ter online for free with a com.
Emory World Music to the chapter’s voice Chamblee account.
mail at (770) 981-8775. •Vision acuity
Ensembles, Tong Soon Awards will be given
Lee, director, will per-
form Sunday, April 25,
“People have heard so
much about health care
For more information,
visit www.toyourheal- to the overall male and
female participants and
TUCKER
reform that many have thusa.com or call 888-
at 7 p.m. at the Perform- 604-0333. to the top three finish- Northlake Mall holds
ing Arts Studio, 1804 N. stopped listening, they ers in the following age dine & dance
Decatur Road, Atlanta. are tired and confused,” groups: 10 and under,
said Paulette Smith, Decatur: Candidates’
The Emory World Music Forum for the 4th Con- 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25- Area residents
Ensembles were formed chair of the NCBW De- 29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, can swing, sway and
catur/DeKalb’s Public gressional District seat
in fall 2007 as a part of 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60- savor the sounds of
the world music and eth- Policy Committee. “As 64, 65-69, and 70 and the Atlanta-New York
a community we must The Decatur Alumnae
nomusicology curriculum Chapter of Delta Sigma older. Connection on April
in the Emory Univer- examine the result of For additional infor- 27 in Northlake Mall’s
this move for change so Theta Sorority, Inc.
sity Music Department. will host a Candidates’ mation, call Chamblee Food Garden. Held
Taught by Emory faculty we will know how these Parks & Recreation of- the last Tuesday night
changes will affect our Forum for candidates
and artist affiliates from vying for Georgia’s 4th fice at (770) 986-5016. of every month, 6 - 8
the Atlanta community, personal health and p.m., this social affair
wealth.” Congressional District
the ensembles perform seat on Tuesday, April is free and open to the
frequently within and
outside Emory. This
The program will
also include a segment 27, 2010 from 6:30 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m. at the Com-
STONE public. Those attending
can come early to
MOUNTAIN
free concert features all on how the new credit have dinner before
card law will affect indi- munity Achievement
five of the ensembles Center located at 4522 dancing the night away.
performing a range of vidual finances. Attorney Northlake Mall is located
Angelyn Wright, who Flat Shoals Parkway Walk & Wine Tours
genres from the North in Decatur, GA. The at 4800 Briarcliff Road.,
Indian, South Indian, specializes in debt and announced N.E., Tucker. For more
bankruptcy negotiations, following candidates
Javanese, Korean and have been invited and information, call (770)
Chinese musical tradi- will provide information The merchants of 938-3564.
on credit card use and are confirmed to at- Stone Mountain Village
tions. For more informa- tend: Liz Carter, Larry
tion, call (404) 727-5050, debt. will host the 2010 Walk
Call (770) 981-8775 Gause, Congressman & Wine Tour beginning
e-mail boxoffice@emory. Hank Johnson, Vernon
edu or visit www.arts. to register to attend and April 17 from 6 – 8 p.m.
to submit questions. Jones and Commission- and continuing on the
emory.edu. er Connie Stokes.
Many questions from the third Saturday of each
 SPORTS THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 • PAGE 21A

Alisha Andrews Donte Williams Sheldon Strickland Zuri Frost

2010 All-county basketball team

Talent pool runs deep in DeKalb
by Robert Naddra
Robert@dekalbchamp.com
The talent pool for high school basketball in
DeKalb County has been deep for a long time.
And with four state champions and a runner up
this past season, many players were put in the
state and national spotlight.
Several players who performed well in the
state title games highlight The Champion’s 2009-
10 All-DeKalb County basketball team.
Here is a look at The Champion’s top 10 boys
and girls players in the county.
C Akila McDonald, Columbia, 6-4, Sr.
McDonald, who has signed with the Uni-
versity of South Florida, led the county with
81 blocks on the season and averaged 8.3 re-
bounds per game. She had a season-high 22
blocks against Carver Atlanta.
G Zuri Frost, Columbia, 5-3, Soph.
Frost developed into a solid leader on the
court and was instrumental in bringing the
Eagles their first girls state basketball title. She
averaged 12.4 points per game and was second
in the county with 4.6 steals per game.

G Williesha Spencer, McNair, 5-2, Sr.

The transfer from New York made a huge
impact in her only season at McNair. Spen-
cer led the county in scoring (21.2 points per
game), steals (6.5 per game) and 3-point shoot-
ing (45 percent). She also helped turn around a
struggling program, as the Wolverines’ 17-5 re-
cord was their first winning season since 1992.

G Alisha Andrews, Redan, 4-11, Sr.

The feisty point guard has a profound
court-sense and can do amazing things with a
basketball. Andrews led the county in assists
(6.0 per game) and averaged 14 points (tops for
the Raiders) and 4.3 steals per game. She had a
season-high of 32 points against Stephenson.
C Nia Evans, Redan, 6-0, Sr.
The Virginia Tech signee was a dominant
force close to the basket for the Raiders, who
lost in the Class AAAAA title game to end a 58-
game winning streak. She shot 52 percent from
the field while averaging 11.6 points per game.
BOYS
F Jershon Cobb, Columbia, 6-4, Sr.
(Player of the Year)
The Northwestern signee is a well-round-
ed athlete and a tireless worker, and it shows
on the court. Cobb averaged 18.8 points per
game. He scored 20 points, including 11 in
the fourth quarter, in the state championship
game. An accurate shooter, Cobb shot 53
percent from 3-point range. He also averaged
6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

F Aneesah Daniels, Redan, 6-0, Jr.

GIRLS
G Kayla Lewis, Southwest DeKalb, 6-0,
Sr. (Player of the Year)
The University of Florida signee is one
of the best shooters in the state, averaging
14.6 points per game and connecting on 53
percent of her field goal attempts. Quick-
ness and aggressiveness on both ends of the
court helped Lewis stand out on a team that
won its third straight state title.
G Chancie Dunn, Southwest DeKalb, 5-8, Sr.
The Clemson University signee led the county
in free throw shooting and shot 54 percent from the
field. She could take over a game if opponents paid
too much attention to Lewis or if Lewis got into
foul trouble, as was the case in the state title game.
An integral part of the Raiders strong in-
side game, Daniels led the team with 10.6
rebounds per game and scored 12.4 points per
game. She had a 20-rebound effort against
Douglass.
F Serena Clark, Tucker, 6-1, Sr.
The Clemson University signee passed
the 1,000-point mark for her career this past
season. Clark was among the top scorers (17
points per game) and rebounders (10.9 per
game) and led the county shooting 54 percent
from the field.
F Jasmine Camp, Chamblee, 5-6, Jr.
Quickness with or without the ball is one of
the main strengths of the Bulldogs’ playmaker.
She also averaged 13.8 points and 3.8 assists
per game, and scored 20 or more points in a
game four times.
C Donte Williams, Miller Grove, 6-8, Sr.
Consistency is the name of the game for
Williams, who helped the Wolverines win their
second straight state title with 13 points and 11
rebounds in the championship game. He aver-
aged 10.3 rebounds per game and was second in
the county with 125 blocks.
G Langston Hall, Chamblee, 6-4, Sr.
The Mercer University signee is the proto-
type all-around player. Hall is a good shooter and
better ball-handler, and was the floor leader for
the Bulldogs. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.6 re-
bounds, 5.3 assists per game, and led the county
in 3-point shooting percentage.
See Basketball on Page 23A
A Section • Page 22A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010

Each week The Champion spotlights former high

school players from the county who are succeeding
in athletics on the college level.

Hudson Randall, Florida

(baseball): The pitcher from
Dunwoody was named South-
eastern Conference Freshman
of the Week after earning his
first SEC win of the season on
April 11. Randall held Tennes- Oglethorpe University president Dr. Lawrence M. Schall (holding trophy, left center) receives the 2009
championship trophy from members of the Stormy Petrels’ national championship golf team.
see hitless through five innings
and struck out six in a 9-1 Ga-
tors’ win. Randall, 3-3 on the
season, went eight innings and
allowed four hits and no walks.
Oglethorpe golfers receive
Jada Jeffries, Hampton (soft- national championship rings
ball): The senior from South-
west DeKalb earned a win and The Oglethorpe Uni- Methodist University, which the Arnold Palmer Award
a save as a pitcher, and went versity men’s golf team, led after 54 holes of the 72- for tournament medalist. For
3-for-10 at the plate with an winners of the 2009 NCAA hole event. The Petrels fin- the four-day tournament,
RBI and four runs scored as the Division III Men’s Golf ished with a four-day total Loftsson finished with a
Pirates won three games against Championship, received of 12-over-par 1164 to beat score of 3-under par, 285.
Morgan State on April 10 and their national championship the University of La Verne At the ring ceremony,
11. Jeffries was the winning rings in a ceremony held at by four strokes. each member of the team
pitcher in a 17-9 win, going the historic East Lake Golf Oglethorpe sophomore and coaching staff received
seven innings, striking out four Club on March 31. Olafur Loftsson fired a championship rings from
and walking one. The Stormy Petrels won final round 3-under par 69 the NCAA and Oglethorpe
the championship last May to come from behind to win President Dr. Lawrence M.
Shawn Payne, Georgia South- at the PGA Villages in Port individual medalist honors. Schall. The team also pre-
ern (baseball): The junior cen- St. Lucie, Fla. It was the Loftsson finished in a tie sented Schall with the na-
ter fielder from Redan went school’s first national cham- with La Verne’s Mitchell tional championship trophy
5-for-13 and drove in a run in pionship in any sport. Fedorka and bested him on to be held in Oglethorpe’s
three games against Elon on Oglethorpe overcame the first playoff hole to win athletic archives.
April 9-11 as the Eagles won
the series 2-1. Payne, who is
batting .295 on the season, also
had nine putouts in the series.

The Champion chooses a male and female high school

Athlete of the Week each week throughout the school year.
The choices are based on performance and nominations
by coaches. Please e-mail nominations to robert@
dekalbchamp.com by Monday at noon.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Justyn Shackleford,

Towers (track): Shackleford won the 110-meter hurdles
in 14.90 and the 300 hurdles in 38.58 on April 10 in the
Jefferson Relays.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Adrienne

Jemison, Southwest DeKalb (track): Jemison won the
triple jump (36-11) and the 400 meters (1:00.17) and
placed second in the 300 hurdles to help the Panthers finish
first in the Darlington Invitational in Rome on April 10.
 www.ChampionNewspaper.com THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010 A Section • Page 23A

DeKalb high school sports highlights

BASEBALL
Lakeside: The Vikings (13-5) won all three
games at the Disney Complex in Orlando over
spring break. Will Middour was the winning
pitcher and had two hits with an RBI in a 5-1 win
over Fluvanna County (Va.). He struck out eight
batters in six innings. Also, Ben Means had three
hits and two RBIs. In a 7-1 win over Kenosha
Tremper (Wis.), Jesse Wofford and Niko Sta-
thakis each had two hits. Andy Threatt pitched
six innings and struck out six to earn the win.
Nathan Terrell had three hits and two RBIs in a
10-5 win over Mt. Dora (Fla.). Chris Rich had
two hits and two RBIs, and Jonathan Whitting-
ton and Means each had two hits and an RBI.
Rich, the winning pitcher, went five innings and
struck out six.
Redan: Cliff Peterson allowed four hits over
seven innings as the Raiders (10-8, 6-2 Region
6-AAAA) beat Southwest DeKalb 8-2 on April
10. Gary Mele led the offense with three hits
and an RBI.
Dunwoody: The Wildcats went 2-2 over spring
break against four Florida teams. Jared Martin
had four RBIs and hit a three-run home run in a
15-0 win over South Plantation. Hunter Wheel-
er and Alan Pitt each had two RBIs. James Far-
nell was the winning pitcher, going two innings
and striking out three while allowing no hits.
Ian Davis and Martin each had two hits in a 6-3
win over Northeast. Wes Bancroft pitched five
innings, allowed two earned runs, five hits and
struck out five to pick up the win. Farnell earned
the save, allowing only one hit and no runs over
two innings. The Wildcats also lost to Western
9-4 and Nova 9-1. Martin had two of the Wild-
cats’ four hits and an RBI in the loss to Western.
Tim Lin had two hits, including a solo home run,
in the loss to Nova.
Marist: Brandon Liebrandt was the winning
pitcher in a 6-2 win over Greenbrier over spring
break. He allowed only one hit through four in-
nings, but then gave up a two-run home run. The
War Eagles got six runs on three hits in the bot-
tom of the sixth inning. The War Eagles also lost
to Brookwood 16-7. Kevin Gale hit a grand slam
to tie the game 7-7 in the sixth inning, but Brook-
wood answered with nine runs in the seventh.
Chamblee: The Bulldogs lost to Deltona 9-2 and
Spruce Creek 12-2 in Daytona Beach, Fla., during
spring break. Patrick Eastham had three hits and
B.J. Robinson had two against Deltona. Anthony
Brown had two hits and Robinson drove in a run
against Spruce Creek. The Bulldogs (10-6-1) com-
mitted 10 errors in the two games.
TRACK
Southwest DeKalb: The Panthers girls team won
the Darlington Invitational in Rome on April 10.
Adrienne Jemison won both the triple jump (36-
11) and the 400 meters (1:00.17); Amina Avril
won the discus (133-5.5) and the shot put (39-4);
and Morgan Snow won the 100 meters (12.49) and
the 100 hurdles (14.79). Also, Greciana Cooper
won the 1600 meters in 5:32.69 and Kiah Jackson
won the 800 meters in 2:29.16. The boys placed
second in Group 1 at the Jefferson Relays on April
10. Malcom Brock won both the triple jump (43-
2) and the high jump (6-4), while the Panthers also
won both the 4x800 and 4x400 relays.
Towers: Three Titans placed first in the Jefferson
Relays on April 10. Justyn Shackleford won
both the 110 hurdles (14.90) and the 300 hurdles
(38.58); Kristofer Sims won the discus (134-
5); and Shannon Williams won both the discus
(96-5) and the shot put (43-3) in the girls meet.
Stephenson: Jordan Welch placed second in
the triple jump for the Jaguars at the Jefferson
Relays on April 10.
St. Pius: The Lions had three first-place finishes
in the Peachtree Ridge Invitational on April 10
in Duluth. For the boys, Nick Miller won the
pole vault with a jump of 12-0. For the girls,
Kathleen Laporte won the 800 (2:21.25) and
Shelby Ashe won the shot put (40-7.25). Fin-
ishing second were Jonathan Porter (shot put,
discus), Brendan Hoban (3200), Danielle Penk
(pole vault) and Crystal Taylor (long jump).
Redan: The Raiders had three second-place
finishes in the Peachtree Ridge Invitational
on April 10 in Duluth – Troy Howard (110
hurdles), Soyong Smith (800) and Cynia Clark
(triple jump).
Decatur: The Bulldogs girls team won Group 2
at the Jefferson Relays on April 10. Individual
winners were Ashleigh Rasheed (triple jump,
34-1.5), Queen Alford (long jump (16-2.5),
Anjelica Manson (high jump, 5-0), Moya
Swann (100 meters, 13.25) and Lexi Shields
(300 hurdles, 49.21). The girls team also won
four relays. The boys team finished second and
won four relay events. Roderick Adams (100)
and Julius Rice (300 hurdles) both placed sec-
ond for the Bulldogs.

Basketball
Continued From Page 21A

G David Mason, Chamblee, 6-5, C William Goodwin, Southwest

Sr.
Mason is one of the best pure shoot-
ers in the area and led the county in
scoring at 22.8 points per game. He
made 55 percent of his field goal at-
tempts and scored 30 or more points in
six games last season.
F Kash Manzelli, Marist 6-3, Sr.
The War Eagles’ floor leader, Man-
zelli scored a school-record 48 points in a
loss to Hillgrove in the 6-AAAA tourna-
ment and averaged 22.6 points per game.
He scored in double figures in all but one
game and had nine double-doubles.
G Sheldon Strickland, Lakeside, 6-4, Sr.
Known as much for his defense as
his offense, Strickland led the county in
steals (106) and was second to Mason in
scoring average (20.3 points per game).
G Adarius Fulton, Miller Grove, 6-0, Sr.
Fulton was the motor that made the
Wolverines go. Fulton was a danger-
ous shooter from long-range and could
turn a game with one shot. He made 57
percent of his long-range shots, good
enough for second-best in the county.
DeKalb, 6-8, Soph.
Goodwin dominated close to the
basket and made life difficult for
opposing teams in the lane. He led
the county with 138 blocked shots
(5.8 per game) and rebounds (11.1
per game). Goodwin had 10 or more
blocks in four games.
G Trumon Jefferson, Decatur, 5-10, Jr.
A clutch playmaker who helped
the Bulldogs advance to the Class AA
state playoffs, Jefferson averaged 17
points and nine rebounds per game.
He also averaged six assists and five
steals per contest.
G Shaqui Byrd, Stone Mountain,
6-2, Sr.
Byrd averaged 17.5 points per
game and proved to be one of the
better shooters in the county. He
made 44 percent of his 3-point shots.
Byrd’s 37 points against Chatta-
hoochee was the highest single-game
point total among public school play-
ers in the county. He also averaged
2.8 steals per game.
Trumon Jefferson
A Section • Page 24A THE CHAMPION FREE PRESS, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
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