the DeKalb
37 FREE
Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker
Together empowering all
2017 TEA
Walk unites
community
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
F Gallery owner
or more than four
hours on Oct. 14,
individuals from
more than 20 eth-
nicities united to share
their stories and march
along Buford Highway.
Known as the Together
Empowering All (TEA)
Walk, Doraville-based
nonprofit Center for Pan
Asian Community Servic-
es (CPACS) hosts an an-
nual two-mile march and
free community gathering
uniting the community.
Members of the Cham-
blee and Doraville police
departments blocked one
lane along southeast-
bound Buford Highway
to assure a safe space to
walk. Beginning at 9 a.m.,
officers provided volun-
teers a flashing-light es-
cort as they placed cones
and blocked off the busy
street.
We are Georgia! Hear
our stories! marchers
shouted while walking
along Buford Highway.
T.E.A! Together empow-
ering all!
In addition to the
empowerment walk, the
event featured keynote
speaker State Rep. Sam
Parkthe only Asian-
American serving in the
Georgia House of Rep-
resentativesas well as
dancing, a stage show
and refreshments.
Park shared his fam-
ilys story of coming to
America and fostering a
better life for him and his
family.
As a grandson of
refugees and son of immi-
grants, I come from hum-
Visit www.championnewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 VOL. 21, NO.
More than 3,000 people walked at the 13th annual TEA Walk hosted by the Center for Pan Asian
Community Services. Photos by R. Scott Belzer
ble beginnings and I stand
before you a Georgia
state lawman, Park said.
I have lived the Ameri-
can dream and am proof
the dream lives on. This
is a story that many of us
share here today. Were
descendants of those who
sacrificed everything to
come to this great nation
and have a chance for a
better life.
Park called on those in
attendance to secure simi-
lar opportunities for future
generations. He said core
United States values are
being challenged by tur-
moil, fear and uncertainty.
Park said the current so-
cial climate is one filled
with hate and discrimina-
tion.
Park challenged atten-
dants to register to vote,
stand up for the voiceless
and enact the change
they wish to see in Geor-
gia and the country.
The American dream
is at risk of becoming
nothing more than a wish.
Your stories and mine are
quintessentially Ameri-
can, Park said. America
is a nation of immigrants.
Were a diverse nation of
The TEA Walkwhich stands for Together Empowering All
hopes to empower members of the Buford Highway community.
many cultures, colors and
creeds united by Ameri-
can principles and values
like liberty and justice
for all. That is what truly
makes this nation great.
The escort continued
as walkers went against
traffic to spread their mes-
sage and be seen by the
metro Atlanta community.
This is what 3,000-
plus people looks like on
Buford Highway, said
Victoria Huynh, vice
president of social ser-
vices and advocacy at
CPACS. We are Georgia
and we definitely stepped
up, spoke up and rocked
the south this weekend.
According to CPACS
and event officials, the
purpose of the event is
to showcase Atlantas
diverse communities
and have them walk in
solidarity as one family,
one community and one
America.
A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
Elyse Bynum Defoor, owner of
EBD4
has experiential
artistic visions
for Chamblee
by John Hewitt
EBD4 in Chamblee is
an ever-evolving work of
art. It serves as a working
studio, gallery space and
event venue for owner
and artist Elyse Bynum
Defoor. Defoor wants it to
be an epicenter for arts in
the community.
As one enters the
nondescript strip center
gallery space, impactful
photography of Defoors
work with wedding gowns
draws guests into a larger
space centered around
a incomplete sculpture
comprised of black
leather belts that have
been collected during the
previous 20 years. The
sculpture is one of many
that may cause guests to
linger for closer inspection
as it may evoke memories
of eras past and present.
A resident of the
Chamblee area since
2001, Defoor majored
in art at the University
of Georgia and worked
as a graphic designer
after graduation. She
later attended the Atlanta
See Gallery on page 5
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 2

CHAMBLEE

The composition and colors of Dianna Settles' mural resembles a Far Eastern mosaic. Photos A mural by Michelle Angela Ortiz along Buford Highway depicts a mother imagining a world without
courtesy of We Love BuHi fear.

PICTURES FOR
UNTOLD STORIES
Buford Highway murals tell
tales of the voiceless
BY R. SCOTT BELZER government, proper resources
for her children and constant
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com threat of displacement and
deportation.
Spanning the cities
Other murals, such as one
of Atlanta, Brookhaven,
painted by Jess Stone, offer
Chamblee and Doraville, Some new murals along Buford Highway offer poem-like meditations to observers.
poem-like meditations.
Buford Highway is known as a
We were raised by
metro destination for culture
mothers who carried us and Philadelphia. include Yoyo Ferro, Tatyana Sanithna Phansavanh,
and cuisine.
across the Pacific to get here, Other artists featured Fazlalizadeh, Roberto Jetsonorama, Zoo and
Organizers of a recently
reads Stones artwork, which at the completed murals Hernandez, Dianna Settles, Yehimi Cambron.
completed grassroots
features canoes, motor-
effort hope to make
powered fishing boats and
Buford Highway known
a portrait of a mother and
for something more visual:
child among an Asian market.
public art reflecting Buford
From ash, we reincarnate a
Highways cultural diversity.
home.
Titled The BuHi Walk,
No importa que tan
buildings along the Buford
difcil sea tu camino. Aqui
Highway corridor now
est mi mano y saldremos
brandish murals focused
juntos. Solo entiende algo
on immigration, diversity
muy importante, no estas
and the native lands of area
solo, reads another. En esto
inhabitants.
caminos juntos.
The murals are as
The BuHi Walk is a
diverse as Buford Highways
collaborative effort between
population. While one
advocacy group We Love
building, painted by Michelle
BuHi and Living Walls,
Angela Ortiz, features a
a nonprofit that creates
woman basking in the sun
thought-provoking public art
among various shades of
in Atlanta.
orange, red and yellow
The two organizations,
possibly eliciting a feeling of
combined with an advisory
a South or Central American
committee made up of
homelandanother, painted
officials from Chamblee,
by Dianna Settles, features
Doraville, Brookhaven,
mosaic-like primary colors,
MARTA, the Atlanta Regional
illustrating an attention to
Commission, the Latin
detail common in most far
American Association,
eastern countries.
the Center for Pan Asian
According to Ortiz, her
Community Services and
painting depicts Isaura, a
the Latino Community Fund,
mother striving to imagine
commissioned 10 artists of
a life without fear despite a
color from Atlanta, New York
lack of representation in local
LOCAL
AROUNDDEKALB
AVONDALE
ESTATES
Mens club monthly meeting announced
Avondale Estates City Manager Clai Brown
will share the status of current and future plans
for Avondale Estates at the Mens Club monthly
meeting Oct. 25 at noon.The meeting will be
held at American Legion Post 66, located at 30
Covington Road. Following the speaker, lunch
will be provided for $12. For more information,
contact Bob Boyd at (404) 501-9118 or email
atrmboyd@bellsouth.net.
BROOKHAVEN
Arts festival coming soon
Brookhaven will host an arts festival Oct.
21-22 behind the Brookhaven MARTA station.
On Oct. 21, the festival will begin at 10 a.m. and
end at 6 p.m., and from noon-5 p.m. on Oct. 22.
More than 140 participating artists will feature
works of fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media,
painting, photography, sculpture and more.The
MARTA station is located at 4047 Peachtree
Road. For more information, visit www.
brookhavenartsfestival.com.
Fall festival at Lynwood Park
Brookhaven will host a fall festival Oct. 21
from noon to 5 p.m. at Lynwood Park. The
festival will have food, a bounce house and
other activities. The park is located at 3360
Osborn Road. For more information, visit www.
brookhavenga.gov.
CLARKSTON
Radio station celebrates refugee voices
Sagal Radio Servicesa radio station based
at 3700 Market St. offering services in Somali,
Afaan Oromo, Bhutanese and Arabicwill
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 3
host a celebration of refugee voices in metro
Atlanta on Oct. 21 from 3 until 6 p.m.
Hosted by the Clarkston Community Center
at 3701 College Ave., the event will feature
performances, music, food and artwork from
local artists and restaurants as well as a panel
of speakers.
The panel will consist of DeKalb County
Chamber of Commerce president Katerina
Taylor, cardiologist Heval Kelli, 11Alive
journalist Neima Abdulahi, and Oak
Grove Methodist Church refugee program
coordinator Hank Woolard.
Tickets to the event are $15 in advance or
$20 at the door. Children 10 and younger are
not charged admission.
For more information, visit www.sagalradio.
org.
DECATUR
All welcome to Briarlake Fall Festival
Briarlake Elementary Schoollocated at
3590 Lavista Roadwill host its 22nd annual
Fall Festival and Craft Fair on Oct. 21 from 11
a.m. until 4 p.m.
Organized by the Briarlake Elementary PTA,
the event will feature food and craft vendors,
face painting, dancing, games, a haunted
house, inflatable bounce houses, STEM
booths, a dunk tank and a cake walk.
According to event organizers, last years
event drew 800 attendees and participants.
The event is free to attend. Activities are
paid for using tickets, which begin at 22 for
$10, 33 for $15 or 44 for $20.
For more information, visit www.
briarlakepta.org.
DORAVILLE
City to host annual charity softball game
City employees from Doraville and
Dunwoody will square off on Oct. 20 at 1
p.m. for the second annual Employee Softball
Charity Game.
The 2017 event will take place at
Honeysuckle Park located at 3037 Pleasant
Valley Drive.
The deep seeded friendly rivalry between
Doraville and Dunwoody employees will again
be played out, reads an event announcement.
Raffle tickets are available for $5 each or
five for $20. All proceeds will directly benefit
the local breast cancer organization I Will
Survive. Last year, the event raised more than
$3,000 for the charity. Each ticket also will
offer attendees a chance to win a Big Green
Egg grill among other prizes.
Attending the event is free and open to the
public.
For more information, visit the Doraville
Facebook page at www.facebook.com/
CityofDoraville or raffles.ticketprinting.
com/?r=6304.
LITHONIA
Mens Day services announced
Ousley United Methodist Church Mens Day
will be held Sunday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m.
Preacher, missionary, author, philanthropist,
entrepreneur and motivational speakerRev.
Romal Tune will be the guest speaker.
Tune has received a NAACP Image Award
nomination for his book Gods Graffiti: Inspiring
Stories for Teens.
The Ousley Male Choir will sing
contemporary and traditional gospel songs.
The church is located at 3261 Panola Road
in Lithonia. For more information visit www.
ousleyumc.org
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 4

DECATUR

Briarlake Elementary PTAs push for STEM programs such as the schools recently formed Coding Club have earned the association an
award for Outstanding Focus on Academics & Enrichment from PTO Today. Photos provided

Briarlake PTA earns national recognition

BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Which school has the best cadre of parents,
teachers and community stakeholders?
Which group works the most efficiently when
communicating with school leadership and
implementing new programs?
According to national nonprofit PTO Today,
DeKalb County School Districts (DCSD) Briarlake
Elementarys parent-teacher association (PTA) is
among the best.
Briarlake Elementary PTA was recently
recognized in PTO Todays Parent Group of the
Year Awards in the category Outstanding Focus on
Academics & Enrichment.
The school joins 14 other schools from as far
away as Kaneohe, Hawaii in such categories as
National Parent Group of the yearthe overall
winneras well as best parent group at a small
school, best parent group at a private school, best
family event, best major project or program and
best fundraising program.
According to a Briarlake PTA spokesman, the
school competed with 150 elementary and middle
schools throughout the country.
According to PTO Todays website, Briarlake
PTAs efforts in obtaining science, technology,
engineering and math-based (STEM) programs for
the school set the organization apart from others.
Such efforts involved implementing STEM
activities into field day and school assemblies;
organizing a family STEM night; developing
academic challenges to be completed over the
course of the year; creating a coding club and more.
All efforts, according to PTO Today, involved
parents financial, physical and mental commitment.
In addition to helping pay for teachers to
take STEM courses, parents attended professional
development sessions themselves so they could
learn about a STEM curriculum and report back
to the school, the organization states. They
researched how it was being implemented at other
schools, attended district meetings, and forged
partnerships with local museums and parks.
According to principal Jamela Lewis, parent
involvement is essential to student success at
Briarlake Elementary.
Engaging [with the] PTA is essential to our work
at Briarlake, Lewis said. We have a fantastic team of
parents whose sole mission is to make Briarlake the
best elementary school in the nation. As principal,
[I consider] it critical to leverage parent expertise,
skill sets, time and energy to propel our students
academic career and experiences at Briarlake.
We make decisions together, work together and
succeed together. Our motto is One school. One
community. One success!
Calls to Briarlake Elementary PTA co-chairs Emily
Gridwell and Jennifer Petrich were not returned.
For more information, visit www.briarlakepta.
org.

BROOKHAVEN

BROOKHAVEN OFFICIALS DISCUSS PROPOSED 2018 BUDGET

BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
It is balanced across all
funds, said Brookhaven City
Manager Christian Sigman
of the proposed 2018 budget.
Sigman presented the
2018 fiscal year proposed
budget to the mayor and
city council during the Oct.
10 regular meeting. Sigman
said across all 12 of the citys
funds, the proposed budget
totals $49,979,045.
Of that, $9.2 million is
inter-fund transfers, which
means its going to one
fund from another, he said.
So direct expenditures are
right at $40.7 million. For
a city our size, that is $777
per capita. For $777 per
capita, you get a full-service
police department; you
get 14 parks, three pools
and two recreation centers
with improvements; you
get paving, sidewalk and
stormwater improvements
and all the other types of
things you see go on in city
government.I think thats a
great value at $777 per year.
The general fund budget,
which funds the day-to-day
operations of the city, totals
$26 million, a 2.8 percent
increase from the 2017
revised budget.
The general fund does
not reflect any tax or fee
increases, Sigman said. There
are no additional FTEs [full-
time equivalent] proposed
for 2018 and this budget
maintains the boards policy
of a 25 percent fund balance
in the general fund.
Other features on the
proposed budget include:
Maintaining the same at 2.74
millage, which is still one of
the lowest in DeKalb County.
The 2018 year-end general
fund reserve is projected
to remain at 25percent of
expenditures.
The 2018 paving program
is funded $2.5 million
consistent with the 2018-
2022 paving plan.
Parks Master Plan
implementation funding is
proposed at $1.2 million.
The establishment of
the Brookhaven Tourism
Department.
Funding for the construction
of Phase I of the Peachtree
Creek Greenway set to begin without an increase in the
in the second quarter 2018.
Major changes in the
budget as proposed include
a $1 million increase in hotel/
motel fund, which is a direct
result of the rate increase
from 5 percent to 8 percent,
Sigman said.
Sigman said the proposed
budget supports the citys
existing planning documents,
created with public input
and is reflective of prudent
financial and operational
management.
These recommendations
advance the progress of our
master plans and does so
property tax rate, Sigman
said.
We strive to maintain an
efficient government and
provide the greatest value for
the taxes and fees collected,
he added.
LOCAL
One of several open spaces of EBD4
GALLERY Continued From Page 1
College of Art; she said her experiences
there propelled her back into art as a full-
time focus.
Defoor, whose work has been featured
throughout the Southeast and the subject
of a PBS documentary, draws her
inspiration from what she describes as the
energy found within each of us. Personal
metaphors have become inspirations
which allow her to express internalized
emotions, she said.
As a longtime resident and new
business owner in Chamblee, Defoor
wants to see a vibrant arts scene
develop in the booming city. She said
with the number of new, upscale housing
developments in the city, an interactive
gallery space nearby could become akin
to a community center that could bring
non-residents to the area who previously
may not have had a reason to venture out
in Chamblee and help to create a sense of
community for new residents.
Defoor describes her new space as
multifunctional and adaptable, explaining
that it allows for display of her large-scale
works and offers space for the display
of others works. She will present an
invitational exhibit called 40 Over 40
Nov. 11 through Dec.15 to show that
fresh ideas and talent comes from people
of all ages, and that artists with decades
of life experience have even more to
offer, according to Defoor.
The artist and business owner said
she would like to be a pioneer in the
Chamblee arts community as the city
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 5
experiences unprecedented growth
and rebrands itself as thriving urban
community. EBD4 can be a catalyst to the
arts scene in Chamblee by offering public
art exhibits, poetry readings and dance
performances in the space, she added
Defoor mused about the possibility of
a regularly scheduled art walk event that
would include stops throughout the city
as outlined in a development plan and
referred to as Chamblees Art Block.
Defoors ultimate wish is for a
large-scale art structure in downtown
Chamblee that would welcome the
entire community. She has already
developed a concept of an open space
built of iron that would replicate the shell
and structure of a cathedral and allow
for display of various forms of art. She
prefers outdoor installations that are
experiential rather than flat. I can do it,
I can plan it, I can make it happen, she
said.
Defoor said she also has the ability
to envision how a space can be changed
through art and has always created
installations that evoke feelings as
viewers see and experience the space.
She wants to make a connection with
the public and help dispel the image of
a gallery being a space where nobody
talks. I look at art as a heart connection
more so than a cerebral impression. I
want art to speak to me and make my
heart sing. I also want to give others the
opportunity to have a more personal
connection with art.
OPINION
Zoning arguments, gentrification and diversity
Many who oppose another
property owners plans for
development will quickly throw
out the term gentrification,
which is defined by Merriam
Webster as the process
of renewal and rebuilding
accompanying the influx of
middle-class or affluent people
into deteriorating areas that often
displaces poorer residents.
Just as often, those who
attempt to influence what
another does with their property
will at some point in their
arguments include the term
diversity and insinuate that
newer, more-costly homes,
condominiums or apartments will
negatively impact the diversity of
the community.
When these arguments are
made, there is also an argument
that those making those
statements perhaps believe that
not all segments of society are
able to afford the newer housing
options. Is there an inherent
prejudice built into these beliefs
that only White people can afford
nicer housing?
When those in opposition
to redevelopment argue that
diversity will decrease, it seems
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
to suggest that they believe
not all can earn an income that
would allow them to purchase or
rent these spaces. This mindset
is insulting to its core.
Granted, some property
owners in areas targeted for
redevelopment may see an
increase in their taxes due to
increasing values of surrounding
newer properties; but they also
will see a marked increase in
the value of their homes and
property should they decide to
sell or rent.
Neighborhoods have
changed numerous times
throughout the history of our city
and region. Many homes were
originally built and owned by
factory workers. When factories
closed, original homeowners
or tenants had to choose to
move from the community or
find other employment nearby.
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 6
As this occurred, home values
decreased and a second set of
owners and tenants who took
advantage of the opportunities
moved into the communities.
It is a fair assumption that
most of those who today oppose
rezoning are likely third- or
fourth-generation inhabitants of
their homes and the communities
they seek to control. They likely
replaced previous tenants
or property owners who, for
whatever reasons, chose to
relocate.
Diversity is an all-
encompassing term that should
include socio-economic and
educational differences in
addition to age, racial and ethnic
differences. It should not be
used to insinuate that not all are
capable of, or want to, improve
their living conditions.
Aside from the social
consciousness issues often
voiced in opposition to
redevelopment and their inherent
biases, there is the issue of
property owners rights. Unless
a community is protected by
covenants, one property owner
has no right to suggest to
another property owner what
should be done with his or her
property. Each has the right to
voice opinions but that should be
as far as it goes.
Luckily, more than 20 years
ago, my wife and I decided that
we had had enough of being told
by others how our lawn should
appear, what color options we
had to paint our home and that
we could only have two vehicles
in our driveway.
We moved to a rural area
and built our home on a single-
lane dirt road. We are in what
many would consider to be a
food desert, we dont have
public utilities such as sewer and
water, and I am forced to travel
long distances to find desirable
work. We have age, educational,
socio-economic and ethnic
diversity in our neighborhood.
We have single-wide mobile
homes, hunting shacks, cabins
and million-dollar homes next to
each other and nobody tries to
tell anyone else what they can or
should do with their property.
It baffles me that some feel
they have the right to tell others
what they think should be done
with property they have no
ownership of.
OPINION
Smack back that big hack attack
No single company or
industry can stop or be held
responsible for protecting the
security and vulnerabilities of the
Internet, former Equifax CEO
Rick Smith from his prepared
statement and testimony before
Congress on Oct. 3.
It is no longer a matter of
if, more a matter of when, your
personal identity, finances or
credit history is likely to be
compromised.
A sad fact of the recent
breach of the credit files of more
than 143 million Americans is
that the better job you have done
building and protecting a solid
credit history, the more likely you
become an attractive target for
identity theft.
The Equifax and Yahoo
data breaches, and numerous
previous ones of banks, retailers
and others, prove that no one is
invulnerable andno system is
fail-safe. The belated apologies
by Equifaxs former CEO
focused partly on the limits of
the companys abilities to secure
their data from the most effective
hackers and data phishing.
So if a 115-year-old, Fortune
1000, multi-billion-dollar
companys financial and data
center can be hacked, how can
others protect their business and
families?
Subscribe to an identity
protection service - Perhaps
the best known is LifeLock
(lifelock.com), but there are
many similar services, and
insurers likely also offer identity
theft protection and coverage
for most or all legal and related
credit restoration expenses for
reasonably low premium add-
ons to homeowners or renters
insurance policies.
Freeze your credit - Part of
the Equifax apology package,
the company now allows free
credit freezes, which they will
make available to all consumers
FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
Let Us Know What You Think!
THE DEKALB FREE PRESS encourages opinions from
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Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 7
Herjavc, from ABCs Shark the organizers of the conference.
One Mans Tank, and CEO of the Herjavec Im not someone who puts
Opinion Group will lead another session.
Unfortunately, roughly 40
much stock in the effectiveness
of the Russian government
percent of all threats come from attempting to hack and influence
Bill Crane the inside of a company. Youve U.S. elections. Though there
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
got to have some way to monitor is a clear and mounting pile
your own employees. Does of evidence that they certainly
everybody need to have access tried. I do expect that they will be
by January 2018. to the payroll server? Herjavec back. Forewarned is forearmed.
A freeze is not always warns. There is no one else
practical though, as you buy The conference is aimed at responsible for protecting your
a new home or make other C-suite executives in information identity other than you, so
major purchase, need loans to technology as well as small- get out there and take smart
finance a childs education, etc. to medium-size business measures to smack back that
Fortunately, credit can be frozen owners.The recent rash of next hack attack.
and unfrozen, and only by the big-league hacks may ratchet
individualthough it is again up ones need to repair, update
not as easy as flipping a switch. and prevent security breaches Bill Crane also serves
Think more of the time it takes of finances as well as those of as a political analyst and
applying for a new credit card a business. More information commentator for Channel 2s
in terms of ease of use.If one on the summit, and registration Action News, WSB-AM News/
chooses to freeze, one will need details is available at www. Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM,
to do this with all three major cyberhubsummit.com as well as a columnist for The
U.S. credit bureaus. Go to your states Champion, DeKalb Free Press
Stick with paper drivers license bureau, and and Georgia Trend. Crane is
statements - Banks, brokers request a new drivers license a DeKalb native and business
and most credit card issuers and number. This is a key piece owner, living in Scottdale. You
merchants want consumers to of identification, and anyone can reach him or comment on a
accept the ease and low-cost working from the Equifax hacked column at bill.csicrane@gmail.
option of online statements and data is going to be using your com.
banking. These may seem like old number, said James Azar,
a time-saver at first, but if/when co-founder of CyberHub USA,
a hack occurs, try presenting
documentation on accounts that
can no longer be accessed, or
questioning fraudulent charges
which cant be backed up with
paper statements. Trust me on
this one.
Invest time and dime in
getting prepared - An inaugural
two-day CyberHub Summit
comes to Atlanta on Nov. 8-9, in
the Omni Hotel @ CNN Center.
The state of Georgia has just
invested $50 million in funding
a Georgia Cyber Innovation
and Training Center in Augusta,
where cyber-security will be
a key focus. The conference
will include internet and data
security experts from across the
globe.Georgias Gov. Nathan
Deal will be a CyberHub Summit
keynote speaker. Robert
Publisher: Photographer: STATEMENT FROM THE
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PUBLISHER
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discussion surrounding this and any
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LOCAL
NORTH DEKALB
A $130 MILLION DISCOUNT?
Possible tax-abated
development welcomed
by Dunwoody City Council
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Dunwoody City Council
approved a special land
use permit (SLUP) on Oct.
9 allowing a 16-story office
building and 10-story hotel at
Perimeter Mall.
According to a tax
inducement resolution
approved by the Dunwoody
Development Authority on
Sept. 14, approval could also
mean forgoing $130 million
in tax revenue for the next 10
years.
The resolutionwhich
applies only to the office
building portion of the
projectgrants developers
Trammel Crow up to
$130 million in revenue
bonds. As such, Dunwoody
Development Authority will
own the property and lease it
to Delaware-based Trammel
Crow at a discounted tax rate.
The tax inducement states
the 345,000-square-foot
development will bring 2,500
jobs with an average salary of
$66,000 to Dunwoody.
The [Development
Authority] finds that the
economic benefits that will
inure to the city and the
state from the project and
the operation thereof and
the payments to be made by
[Trammel Crow] will be equal
to or greater than the benefits
to be derived by [Trammel
Crow], the resolution states.
Specific tax incentives will
be negotiated when Trammel
Crow closes on the property.
According to Dunwoody
Economic Developer Michael
Starling, Trammel Crow is
expected to close on the
propertylocated at 1131
Hammond Drive and 4400
Ashford-Dunwoody Drive
near Perimeter Mallin 2018.
Trammel Crow expects
to develop an office
building and hotel on a
surface parking lot near the
Dunwoody MARTA station
at Perimeter Mall. The
development will include
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 8
tree additions, a pocket
park, ground floor retail and
restaurant space as well as a
pedestrian bridge.
On Oct. 9, Trammel Crow
attorney Jessica Hill provided
Dunwoody City Council with
answers to questions asked
on Sept. 25. Concerns during
the SLUPs first read primarily
dealt with landscaping, tree
care and hotel amenities.
Hill said Trammel Crow
will add more than 80 trees
on a property that will be
25 percent open landscape.
According to Dunwoody
planning manager John
Olson, Trammel Crow
designers have since also
added a rooftop deck, rooftop
bar, benches and more open Dunwoody City Council approved a special land use permit allowing for a 16-story office building and 10-story hotel on
space to its original site plan. Oct 9. The project is expected to receive $130 million in tax revenue abatement. Photos courtesy
No member of the public
spoke in favor or opposition support or opposition either. Dunwoody City Council completed within the next
to the project during the Its in an area of very minimal approved the SLUP 5-2. four years or the agreement
public hearing on Oct. 9. impact for Dunwoody The SLUP agreement will be deemed null and void.
Council did not ask the residents. states the building will be
developers or Starling about
the possible abatements.
Council member Terry
Nall asked Trammel Crow
representatives why they
wished to keep the hotel
portion of the project. He
cited a 7 percent increase
in traffic as projected by a
Trammel Crow-funded traffic
study.
What is the compelling
reason for [the city] to
squeeze in this second
building and its density in this
very tight space? Nall asked.
Why should we intentionally
add 7 percent more daily
traffic after previously
reducing the density of the
site? What is our community
receiving in return for this
special request?
Hill said the hotel will
facilitate a higher caliber of
office tenant and provide a
better overall development.
In this location, next
to MARTA, it is the logical
location for a dense
development, Hill said.
From a practical perspective,
it becomes a better
development with a hotel
component. No one is here in
LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
EVERY STEP
DeKalb County School District briefs Chamber on state of the district
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
According to DeKalb
County School District (DCSD)
superintendent R. Stephen
Green, district students,
teachers and staff are
improving on an annual basis
by taking baby steps toward
long term goals.
Every step matters, Green
said. Sometimes its baby
steps. Sometimes its strides.
Sometimes its giant leaps.
In some cases weve made
incremental gains. In some
cases weve made big steps.
In other cases weve made
giant leaps.
Green and other DCSD
officials shared their successes
with the DeKalb Chamber of
Commerce on Oct. 12 during
an annual luncheon event
at Stone Ridge Event Center,
located at 1750 Stone Ridge
Drive in Stone Mountain.
According to Green, all
improvements should be
acknowledged, encouraged
and celebrated.
A big step for DCSD is its
reaccreditation until 2022,
which was certified earlier in
2017. Green said the district
worked collectively to achieve
such a goal and the business
community should be proud.
From the board room to
the class room, we have some
breathing room, Green said.
When I came here, we didnt
have it just yet. It put a lot
of pressure on staff and the
board, and rightfully so.
Another large step
according to Green is the
development of a district-
built curriculum. He said the
curriculum, coordinated by
Lisa Martin, focuses on deep
teaching and learning. The
curriculum is expected to be
complete in April 2018.
This is unique, not just in
DeKalb County and the state,
but the entire country, Green
said. This is curriculum built,
designed and developed by
our teachers for our students.
Long after any of us are not
here, the teachers will hold
onto the curriculum because
they put their heart and soul
into it.
Standardized test scores
and graduation rates are
considered more appreciated,
albeit smaller steps in Greens
COUNTS
The focus of the 2017 State of the District address was a focus on steps toward improvement. Photo by R. Scott Belzer
eyes.
Green said DCSDs
rate of growth in student
proficiencygauged by
college and career readiness
performance index (CCRPI)
scoresis continually
growing to meet and surpass
the states rate of growth.
Over a period of time, this
means DCSD will surpass
state average scores, he said.
If we continue, in about
two to three years, the
progress that were seeing in
elementary, middle and high
school will exceed the state,
Green said. DCSD continues
to outpace student growth
throughout the state.
Green also mentioned
increased graduation rates
seen in all but two DCSD high
schools.
Green said DCSD has seen
increases in distinguished and
proficient CCRPI scores.
We want to see continual
progress. This is what a
strategic attack plan is all
about, Green said.
Green also touted the
removal of five schools from
the state priority list and
seven from the chronically
failing list.
Those schools that are
struggling, in the name
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 9
of equity, were devoting
resources to support
students, staff and their
families, Green said. Its very
strategic and intentional
were devoting financial and
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Agriculture Education (CTAE)
program. He mentioned
several career training courses
available at DCSD, ranging
from nutritional services
to government and public
administration.
We have 3,800 or more
students per year that come
through our CTAE pipeline,
ready to work, Green said.
They come through several
industries and 17 career
clusters. Theyre coming out
ready to take any test and
ready to be hired. I have a
questionare you ready to
hire them?
Green said he hopes
to strengthen bonds with
local business leaders
by implementing such a
program.
Katerina Taylor, president
of the DeKalb County
Chamber, said she is proud
to call DCSD a partner in the
community. Taylor said she
hoped those in attendance
left the event informed and
aware of local success.
We understand that
human capital resources to
an educated workforce is a
help our schools with the
key in job growth, business
most challenges.
attraction and retention, and
A major step for Green
a prosperous community,
includes the expansion of
Taylor said.
the Career Technology and
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 10

TUCKER

An abandoned building often referred to as the cinder block inn, located next to a Holiday
Inn Express on Stonecrest Square, was demolished on Oct. 11.

A DECADE IN
THE MAKING
Longtime eyesore to be replaced
Part of creating your own city
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN was being able to take control of
horace@dekalbchamp.com your planning and zoning and
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary takes a ceremonial swing during demolition of the property on Oct. 11. everything else that goes with it.
Photos provided. This is an eyesore. This wouldnt
The cinder block inn, a
stand in Buckhead or Brookhaven
dilapidated abandoned property
and its not going to stand in
in Stonecrest, became a running
Stonecrest.
joke for hotel management at
Lary said ownership of the
the Holiday Inn Express located
property changed several times
adjacent to the property.
throughout the years. According
Aneisia Teele, director of
to city officials, owners of the
sales at the Holiday Inn, said she
property will build a hotel. The
would often make jokes about the
franchise of the hotel has yet
property stating it was like having
to be determined but they are
their own castle.
entertaining several offers, Lary
We just tried to turn a bad
said.
situation into a good one. We
Plez Joyner, Stonecrest
would tell our guests do you want
assistant city manager, said the
the castle view or the hotel view?
property will hold either one or
Teele said.
two hotels.
On Oct. 11, Stonecrest officials
Joyner said creating the
took the first steps in demolishing
city of Stonecrest has allowed
the property nearly 10 years
residents more control over their
after it was built. Crews began to
environment.
dismantle the building with mayor
This is awesome. This is why
of Stonecrest taking a ceremonial
we had a new city, to do stuff like
swing with a sledgehammer.
this. For 10 years, people have
Teele said she was surprised
been going to the county asking
and excited to hear the building
them to get this torn down and
would finally be coming down.
couldnt get it done, Joyner said.
Im excited. With this area
As soon as we get the new city,
increasing and the sports venue
a few months later its coming
thats coming in, this is going to be
down.
an exciting time for this area, Teele
Holiday Inn General Manager
said.
Shobha Dahya said the property
The building, located on
became a safety concern with
Stonecrest Square, has been an
homeless people sleeping in the
eyesore for years, according to
abandoned building. The area was
officials.
also filled with empty beer bottles
This building has been
and broken glass.
standing here vacant since 2008.
Its not a good sight. Its not
One of the first promises we made
a good sight for us or our guests.
to our citizens is that we would
Were excited its coming down,
take this building down this year,
Dahya said.
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary said.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 11

WEEKinPICTURES

Dunwoody High School held its annual homecoming parade on Oct. 12. Photos submitted

Henderson Mill Elementarys chorus sang outside a local business on Oct.

12. Photo submitted.

Motorcycle rider Diane Bauman enjoys a snack during the Susan G. Komen three-day walk. Photo by Horace Holloman

Brookhaven joined the Welcoming America Network, a nonprofit and nonpartisan national organization that connects
nonprofits and local governments to help them build plans and policies that encourages newcomers and long-time residents DeKalb Medical at Hillandale staff collected money and more than 500
to participate in social, civic and economic endeavors while highlighting the importance of being an inclusive city. Photo cases of water for hurricane relief efforts.
submitted

Have you created programming youd like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb Countys Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.
(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 12

STONECREST

Stonecrest Mayor: weve got a good chance at Amazon

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN HQ2 is expected to create tens of can draw Amazon here, and I think
horace@dekalbchamp.com thousands of additional jobs and we have a reasonable shot to make it
tens of billions of dollars in additional happen.
investment in the surrounding Amazon, with its headquarters
Amazon, which plans to open community, the company said in a in Seattle, said it estimates its
a second headquarters in North release. investments in Seattle from 2010
America, said it wants proposals that Amazon said it will look for cities when the company first arrived
think outside the box. Stonecrests that can offer incentive programs through 2016 resulted in an
bid to change a portion of the citys such as tax credits. additional $38 billion to the citys
name to Amazon does just that, Since were competing against economy. Amazon also reports that in
according to Stonecrest officials. cities like Chicago, New York, Los 2010, Seattle had seven Fortune 500
In early October, the Stonecrest Angeles and even parts of Atlanta, companies compared to 31 in 2017.
City Council voted to annex more we had to do something that was In February, Stonecrest officials
than 300 acres of land and rename it different, Lary said. How different is announced the development of a
Amazon if the company decides to Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary said Stonecrest has it to have Amazon be able to create sports complex called Atlanta Sports
move its second headquarters to the a good chance at being chosen by Amazon for its their own cityAmazon, Georgia. City. The project is expected to bring
area. new headquarters. Photo by Travis Hudgons Nobody can do that but us. 1,937 jobs to the area along with 300
The decision garnered national Lary said the city plans to offer new construction jobs.
media attention, something everything they need. Amazon three times the amount of This is what I had in mind all
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary said hes According to Amazon, the land requested so the company could along. Everyone has a talent and
proud of. company will invest approximately create its own city center, townhomes, vision is mine. I know where were
Thats how you draw a multi- $5 billion into the city it chooses to executive homes, post office and zip going to go 10 years from now and I
billion dollar company to your host its second headquarters, creating code. saw this coming in progression, Lary
area, Lary said. As you can see, we roughly 50,000 jobs. The name of the I was on Fox business network said. Were trying to support the
have transportation, we meet their headquarters will be called Amazon and they gave us an opportunity to vision and make this place a better
requirements in regards to interstate H2Q. talk about the economic multiplier place to live.
and they want [technology talent] In addition to Amazons direct if Amazon chooses to come [to
with the universities of Emory and hiring and investment, construction Stonecrest], Lary said. We would be
Georgia State close by. We have and ongoing operation of Amazon the new city mecca of the world if we

DECATUR

Human rights advocacy group applauds Decatur police

BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Several local human
rights activists say theyre in
support of Decaturs police
department policy outlining
its treatment of immigrant
detainees.
On Sept. 29 the Decatur
commission issued an
amendment to the Decatur
Police Department General
Order Manual, adding Section
03-d Immigration Status.
The section, titled Force,
Detention and Arrest,
outlines the guidelines for
immigrants in police custody
in Decatur.
According to the
amendment, the Decatur
Police Department shall not
hold or extend the detention
of any person at the request
of U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE)
unless the agency first
presents the Decatur Police
Department with a judicially
issued warrant authorizing
such detention.
Sarah Patenaude, co-
founder of the human rights
group Hate Free Decatur, said
The Decatur City Commission issued an amendment to the Decatur Police Department General Order Manual stating it will
not hold or extend the detention of any person at the request of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
the policy is a step in the right
direction for Decatur.
We are very excited
that the city has put into
the official code that they
wont make ICEs job any
easier. We think thats a very
important step, Patenaude
said. Everyone should have
their constitutional rights
protected under the law and
the city supports them.
According to the
policy, the Decatur Police
Department shall not arrest,
hold, extend the detention
of, transfer custody of, or
transport anyone solely on
the basis of an immigration
detainer or an administrative
immigration warrant,
including an administrative
immigration warrant in the
National Crime Information
Center (NCIC) database.
Any officer that violates the
general order will be subject
to disciplinary action.
Decatur prides itself on
being welcoming, but it can
be easy to let those just be
words. This is a step to put
weight behind those words
and making a commitment
to tell people that they are
safe and that the police are
here to protect their rights,
Patenaude said.
Despite the addition to the
policy on Sept. 29, Decatur
City Manager Peggy Merriss
said the amendment has
been a long-standing practice
by the Decatur Police.
We were already doing
what the policy says, we just
put it into official language,
Merriss said. That was already
our practice.
Merriss said the codifying
delay of the policy was due
to a busy summer for Decatur
officials.
The city of Clarkston
and the DeKalb County
Sheriffs Office also have
policies regarding immigrant
detainees. According to non-
profit group Project South,
Clarkston adopted its policy
this year in May while the
Sheriffs Office adopted its
policy Dec. 4, 2014.
The sheriffs office released
a statement regarding its
stance stating, to the extent
that this agency can, we
will continue to employ our
limited, taxpayer-supported
resources to assist ICE with its
efforts to secure and detain
alien criminal suspects in
our community by providing
advance inmate release
notification. However, federal
case law has determined that
detaining inmates beyond
lawful release without
sufficient probable cause or
a judicial warrant from ICE is
a violation of constitutional
law.
LOCAL
DORAVILLE
Different journeys,
same destination
Faiths join for prayer in Clarkston
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Leaders of five faiths in
the metro Atlanta area came
together at the Clarkston
Community Center on Oct. 11
to call attention to the plights
of immigrant and refugee
communities.
We have asked ourselves
as individuals, communities
and countries, in this time
of mass movement and
global doubt, do I allow fear
to prevail in my heart or
do I allow hope to reign?
asked Kat Doyle, director of
Justice and Peace Ministries,
a subsection of the Roman
Catholic Archdiocese of
Atlanta. I choose hope.
Doyle was joined by six
refugees and representatives
from the Catholic, Islamic,
Jewish, Methodist and
Episcopal faiths in a lantern
lighting ceremony as part
of a new Share the Journey
campaign. The ceremony
consisted of six stories and
six group prayers calling for
the betterment of the United
States and its peopleboth
foreign-born and native.
According to Doyle, on
Sept. 27, Pope Francis called
upon people of the Catholic
faith to share the journey
with all neighbors, not only
those who live near us, who
look like us, speak like us or
pray like us. She said empathy
should hold sway over all
other priorities, no matter
ones position on migration
policy.
One way to encourage
empathy and incite a human
connection, Doyle said, is to
hear refugees stories.
Saif Al Majidi, originally
from Iraq, shared his story
of leaving his native country
after being threatened
by insurgency groups for
working with American
WE ARE SOCIAL
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 13
journalists in Baghdad.
Leila Kabanda, originally
from Rwanda, shared her
story of staying in a Kenyan
refugee camp for nearly two
years as an alternative to
facing genocide. She said she
witnessed her family being
killed and fled the country
with her sisters.
Nasri Yonis, originally
from Somalia, said she waited
two years to resettle in
Atlanta. She said she and her
family traveled to Kenya with Clarkston Community Center hosted a joint prayer session on Oct. 11 as part of the Share the Journey Campaign, which
hopes of contacting family strives to bring attention to the plight of refugees. Photos by R. Scott Belzer
in the United States before
immigrating.
Pasaputi Regmi of Bhutan
said he, along with one-sixth
of his countrys population,
faced ethnic cleansing under
the leadership of King Jigme
Singye Wangchuk in the
1990s. He said he lived in a
series of refugee camps for
17 years before coming to
America. He is now a citizen.
Ti Hniang shared her story
of migrating from Burma to
the United States after staying
in a refugee camp for two
years. The Mesfin family, originally from Eritrea,
The Mesfin family, traveled for two years fleeing political
originally from Eritrea, told persecution before receiving refuge in
America. According to organizers, the purpose of the prayer session was to unite
their story of being forced to communities and encourage empathy.
join a political party or face
political persecution. They
traveled for two years before
receiving refuge in the United where they are safe, can raise disagreed with after the our borders in important
States. their families in peace, a place tragedy in Charlottesville, ways and not deny people a
Archbishop Wilton where they are known and Va. We are upset at the sanctuary or dignity, Wright
Gregory, Imam Osman loved, a place where their gifts continued denigration of said. We can care for the
Nur, Bishop Sue Haupert- can be used to their fullest, members of our human injured and sick in our midst
Johnson, Rabbi Scott a place where they can build family, those who need to and continue to offer hope for
Colbert, Bishop Robert generation upon generation, come to our country for people who want to come to
Wright and Bishop Victor a place they can call their refuge. If we truly believe in this place and make a positive
Atta-Baffoe prayed with the own, a place they can mold as a God that created humanity, contribution.
individuals before lighting a place thats honorable. are we not all brothers and According to Doyle, the
lanterns as a symbol of There may be times when sisters? Is there not much prayer program succeeded in
support and unity. we are powerless to prevent more that unites us than shedding light on people who
The scriptures tell us that injustice, but there must never divides us? need to feel welcome and safe
every human being is entitled be a time when we fail to Wright said President in the United States.
to a place and a name, said protest, Colbert said, quoting Donald Trump is making Migration is a very old
Haupert Johnson. God calls Elie Wiesel, before sharing American great again by story, Doyle said. This
all of Gods people to make a story about marching in garnering a reaction from campaign is designed to help
sure that every person has a Washington, D.C. with faith empathetic communities. communities see it with new
place and a namea place leaders he had previously I believe we can secure eyes and an open heart.
DEKALBCHAMPNEWS
EDUCATION
DECATUR
The City Schools of Decatur board of education held a meeting discussing transgender students on Oct. 10, attracting a record crowd. Photos by R. Scott Belzer
Transgender
conversations begin
at Decatur schools
City Schools of Decatur hosts first
discussion on equal education policy
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
More than 40 parents,
teachers, students and
community stakeholders
spoke for more than four
hours at an Oct. 10 City
Schools of Decatur (CSD)
board of education meeting
regarding transgender
students.
Under its current equal
education policyalso
known as Policy JAACSD
instructs teachers to not
discriminate based on gender
identity. For example, a
student who identifies as
femaleregardless of the sex
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 14
assigned at birthis to be
treated the same as any other
female student. This includes
female pronouns, restrooms,
locker rooms, sports and field
trip lodgings.
The leadership shown by
[this policy] gives faith and
courage to the children who
fearwe need to continue
that, said resident Robert
City Schools of Decatur board of education chair Annie Caiola said the board will discuss transgender issues in several
Stubbs. In history, we meetings to make sure each student feels safe, supported and valued.
know the oppression of any
group leads to longstanding
side. Please stay there. does not consider all parents an informational work session
problems. This policy is on
On Sept. 14, during the and students. Less than and more than two hours of
the side of love and support
public comment portion of one week later, the board public comment.
for children at the most
CSDs board of education announced it would discuss During the work session,
tumultuous time in their
meeting, three speakers the issue at its October Presbyterian minister Erin
years. Its on the side of
denounced the districts equal meeting. Swenson and Georgia State
history, the side of factsits
education policy, stating it The meeting consisted of University sociology and
on the right
SEE TRANSGENDER ON PAGE 15A
EDUCATION
Many parents voiced support for City Schools of Decaturs policy on transgender students, stating it
reflects the areas tolerance and welcoming nature. Photos by R. Scott Belzer
TRANSGENDER Continued From Page 14A
public health professor Eric
Wright discussed what it
means to be transgender as
well as the challenges they
face.
According to Wright,
transgendered individuals
face high risk of alcohol
abuse, tobacco use, bullying,
depression and high suicide
rates typically caused by
social stigmas. He said an
official written policy has
proved to help individuals
curb such trials.
During the public
comment portion, the
majority of speakers spoke
in favor of CSDs current
policy. They shared stories
of students personal strife
and challenges, as well as the
support they receive from the
district and community.
One transgender student,
who credited her mental
stability to CSDs support, said
it is not unusual for critics of
the district policy to desire
change in something they do
not understand.
Despite what some
people may say, I am a real
girl, she said. If theres one
thing Ive learned at City
Schools of Decatur, its that
people should be proud of
who they are. Well, Im proud
of who I am. The [proposal
to change CSDs policy] is
threatening the rights of
transgender students and
telling them theyre not
allowed to be who they are.
People may want to change
the system because people
dont understand me and
people like me. People
are normally afraid when
they see something they
dont understand. Its OK to
be afraid; thats a human
reaction. Im standing up
here in front of a room full of
people and I am quaking in
my white Converse [sneakers].
A group of parents and some out-of-county attorneys have attended the past two City Schools of Decatur board of
education meetings, voicing opposition to the district policy as it relates to transgender students.
But no matter how scared
you are, how much you dont
know this uncertain territory,
its not OK to deprive students
of their rights just for that
reason.
Parents of transgender
and cisgender students alike
shared stories of triumph
and success, much credited
to the Decatur communitys
supportCSD included.
They credited the district
policywhich has been in
place for more than a decade
and never been an issueas
one that epitomizes the citys
ethos.
A small group of people
some of whom are not
residents of Decatur or
DeKalb Countyurged the
board to consider drafting a
more encompassing policy
and not forget other pressing
issues.
Norcross resident
Garland Hunt called the
notion of gender identity
and pandering to its notions
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 15
City Schools of Decaturs board of education said it intends to hold several meetings to perfect its
equal education policy.
preposterous. He said the
districts views are in the
interest of the minority rather
than the majority of parents.
The propensities of a
very few should not affect,
influence or confuse the
general student population of
innocent minors attempting
to receive a public education,
Hunt said. They should not
be forced to be exposed to
[those experiencing] sexual
confusion about their gender.
Similar comments came
from Dave Baker, executive
director of Faith & Freedom
Coalition of Georgia.
Every fall, we have the
powder puff football game,
where cheerleaders go out
and play touch football and
the boys football team comes
to the sidelines, shakes the
pom-poms and everyone has
a great time, Baker said. But
thats the only time that any
of usparents, boys, girls
want the boys on the girls
cheerleading team and none
of us want the boys in the
girls locker room.
Tony Miles said he does
not agree with the current
policy as it relates to privacy
for his children and parental
rights. Miles said he would
appreciate parents having a
say in any policy as it relates
to students and that parent
have the right to teach their
children about sensitive
issues.
This should not be
decreed or issued through a
memo, but should be vetted
through the school board
with due notice and input
from the community, Miles
said.
Others felt the policy
had too much gray area to
enforce. One speaker said
male students in female
locker rooms and vice versa
conflicts with existing sexual
harassment laws.
Its about protecting the
rights of all students, not
just protecting the LGBTQ
community, she said.
Gena Major, who spoke
on Sept. 14, said she created
a petition requesting the
board be transparent and
considerate of protecting the
privacy of all students and
review its policy, as many
parents werent aware of the
current policy.
Both sides agreed they
wished to facilitate for the
safety, support and education
of all district students.
The board announced
its intent to review CSDs
current discrimination policy
at approximately 10:30 p.m.
after public input.
The policy mirrors a federal
mandate that was recently
rescinded by the Department
of Justice. Via his blog, CSD
superintendent David Dude
wrote in February 2017 that
he wished to create local
policy in the wake of the
election of Donald Trump
as president. In the post, said
nothing had changed and
that CSD will continue to not
discriminate based on gender
identity.
We support the
superintendents instructions
to staff regarding transgender
students, reads an official
statement issued after the
meeting. We also recognize
there are members of our
community with questions
and privacy concerns that
need to be addressed. Over
the next several months,
we will be participating in
community events offering
learning opportunities in this
area. We will be gathering
input from the community
on our policy; and we will
be reviewing our current
policy to consider potential
changes to further our goal of
ensuring that all students feel
safe, supported and valued.
BUSINESS
DECATUR
Ray Gilley, president of Decide
DeKalb, top left, expresses
his excitement at possibilities
that come through the new
commission.
Frank Ski introduces speakers
at the DeKalb Entertainment
Commission launch event.
Commission created to stimulate DeKalb entertainment industry
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Hundreds of people in
the Georgia entertainment
industry gathered at the
DeKalb Medical Center
Oct. 11 to network and
celebrate the launch of
the DeKalb Entertainment
Commission, a division of
Decide DeKalb created to
stimulate economic growth
within the county in film,
television, music and digital
entertainment.
The commission was
authorized by the county in
2016 and in 2017, created a
five-year strategic plan (2017
2022) to guide the countys
efforts to attract and support
the entertainment industry.
This is long overdue, said
radio personality Frank Ski,
who hosted the Oct. 11 event.
The entertainment industry
is already bringing billions
of dollars to Georgia. Whats
being introduced tonight will
put DeKalb at the top of it all.
Calling DeKalb
"Georgias untapped,
invisible entertainment
gem, "Commission Chair
Andrew Greenberg said
the commission will be
the economic engine that
drives growth for our county
across the entertainment
industry. The commission
will be an important resource
DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurman, fourth from left, is flanked by other key
figures in the initiative to attract the entertainment industry to the county.
for DeKalb County as the
entertainment industry
continues to grow across
Georgia. It has already had
an enormous economic
impact statewide, with $9.5
billion in film and television,
$3.7 billion in music and
almost $2 billion in digital
entertainment. Nobody
would have expected this 10
years ago.
He added, The new
DeKalb Entertainment
Commission will be about
making connections,
building collaboration and
creating amazing content. It
will encourage companies
to locate here while
creating jobs and spurring
construction, development
and overall industry growth.
The commission will
conduct an ongoing
marketing effort to showcase
DeKalb to statewide, regional
and national audiences,
Greenberg continued,
noting that a new app and
website also are part of the
marketing plan. An online
portal, accessible through
the website, will allow
productions to identify,
see and select locations,
streamline permitting and
approvals, and see county
maps, he said, adding that
the county will offer a regular
series of events to educate
and support local business.
In addition to revenue
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 16
generated directly by the
entertainment industry,
projects will bring an
increase in business to hotels,
restaurants and many other
businesses already in DeKalb,
said Greenberg, who added
that the commission will have
resources and information
for DeKalb companies and
professionals seeking to
build their presence in the
entertainment industry.
According to Shelbia
Jackson, entertainment
liaison for the DeKalb
Entertainment Commission,
DeKalb-based companies
have been contracted to
design its logo, build its
website, plan the launch and
expo events, create signage,
and provide marketing and
public relations services.
DeKalb County CEO
Michael Thurman said,
Were out to become the
Hollywood of the South. We
dont just want DeKalb to be
a top location for companies
to come to make movies; we
want movies to originate here
with producers, directors,
writers and crews members
who live and work right here.
He pointed out that three
movie studiosBlackhall,
Third Rail and Eagle Rock
already are established in the
area.
In addition to film
professionals, the county
will be seeking to attract
A poster displayed at the launch shows an ad that will
soon run in periodicals. Photos by Kathy Mitchell
companies that make Adams, Mereda Johnson
television shows, music, and Jeff Raider, who first
digital entertainment and proposed the commission.
games, according to material The commission on
released by the commission. Saturday, Oct. 21, will
Special tax credits are hostwhat it calls its inaugural
available to movie, television entertainment expo, which
and music companies doing will include panel discussions
business in Georgia. among industry professionals
Thurman noted that such and well as vendor
companies will have the booths and networking
cooperation of police and fire opportunities. The event
departments as well as other will be at Georgia Piedmont
government sectors. Technical College Conference
Among the other elected Center, 495 N. Indian Creek
officials at the launch were Road, Clarkston, 9 a.m.- 2:30
Lithonia Mayor Deborah p.m. For more information,
Jackson, state Rep. Mabel visit DeKalbEntertainExpo.
Thomas, DeKalb County eventbrite.com.
commissioners Gregory
CITY OF BROOKHAVEN FY 2018 BUDGET
REVIEW, PUBLIC HEARINGS,
AND ADOPTION
The proposed FY 2018 City of Brookhaven
Budget will be presented to Mayor and Council
by the City Manager on October 10, 2017 at the
regularly scheduled Council Meeting beginning at
7:00p.m.
The City of Brookhaven will hold a public hearing
on the proposed FY 2018 Budget at the regularly
scheduled Council Meeting on Tuesday, October
24, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Another public hearing will be
held during the City Council meeting on Tuesday,
November, 14, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Following the
public hearing on November 14, 2017, the City
Council will vote to adopt the FY 2018 Budget.
The FY 2018 Budget will be available for public
inspection at City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road, and
on the website www.brookhavenga.gov October 10,
2017.

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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 18

VOLLEYBALL

Four teams advance in

volleyball state playoffs
In Class AAAA, No. 2-
BY CARLA PARKER ranked Marist defeated
carla@dekalbchamp.com LaGrange 3-0 Oct. 12. Marist
(36-3) faced No. 5-ranked
North Oconee Oct. 17 in the
Chamblee, Decatur,
second round. Score was not
Marist and St. Pius X were all
available by press time.
victorious in the first round of
No. 3-ranked St. Pius
the volleyball state playoffs.
X took down Southwest
In Class AAAAA, No.
Whitfield 3-0 Oct. 12. The
10-ranked Chamblee won its
Lady Golden Lions (30-11)
first-round match 3-0 against
faced Chapel Hill Oct. 17 in
Rome on Oct. 11. The Lady
the second round. Score was
Bulldogs improved to 27-11
not available by press time. Decatur beat Flowery Branch in the first round of the playoffs and faced Chamblee in the second round. Photo
on the season. Chamblee by Travis Hudgons
faced No. 7-ranked Decatur
(34-10) in the second round
Oct. 17. Score was not
available by press time.
Decatur advanced to the
second round after beating
Flowery Branch 3-0 Oct. 11.

SOFTBALL

Six to play
in softball
Sweet 16
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Six softball teams from
DeKalb County will play in the
Sweet 16 of the state playoffs.
Four teamsArabia
Mountain, Chamblee, Decatur
and Miller Groveadvanced
to the Class AAAAA Sweet
16, Marist advanced in Class
AAAA and Dunwoody in Class
AAAAAA.
The Arabia Mountain Lady
Rams (23-4) swept Riverwood
in two games in the best-
of-three series Oct. 11. They
won the first game 13-1 and
completed the sweep with
a 13-0 in the second game.
Arabia Mountain will host
Loganville Oct. 18, and Oct.
19 if a game 3 is necessary.
The Chamblee Lady
Bulldogs ended a 0-16 playoff
streak with a two-game
sweep against Lithia Springs
Oct. 11. Chamblee (22-5-1)
won the first game 4-1 and
the second game 12-7. The
Lady Bulldogs will play at
Carrollton Oct. 18, and Oct. 19
if a game 3 is necessary.
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Touchdown run by Southwest DeKalb quarterback Justin Tomlin. Photos by Travis Hudgons
SWD GETS CRUCIAL REGION WIN
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The battle for first place in Region 5-AAAAA
became a two-team race after Southwest
DeKalb shut out region rival Miller Grove 21-0
on Oct. 13 at Godfrey Stadium.
The Southwest DeKalb Panthers (5-2, 2-0)
are tied with region defending champions
Arabia Mountain (5-2, 2-0) for first place in the
region with three weeks left in the season.
Arabia Mountain defeated Columbia 24-14.
Southwest DeKalb offense accumulated
534 yards against the Wolverine defense.
Quarterback Justin Tomlin led the Panthers
offense with 248 yards in the air on 13 of 21
completions and two touchdowns. He also
had seven rushing attempts for 90 yards and
one touchdown.
Running back Franciso Hunter led
the team in rushing yards with 176 on 19
OTHER SCORES
Oct. 13
Arabia Mountain (5-2) 24, Columbia (4-3) 14
Cedar Grove (7-0) 28, Pace Academy (2-4) 7
Clarkston (1-7) 47, Cross Keys (0-4) 2
Marist (7-0) 41, West Hall (5-3) 6
St. Pius X (2-5) 41, Oconee County (5-3) 13
Stephenson (5-2) 21, Charles Drew (2-5) 17
Towers (3-4) 51, Stone Mountain (1-6) 7
Tucker (6-1) 36, Lovejoy (4-4) 7
Banneker (6-1) 43, Decatur (3-4)
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 19
attempts. He was the recipient of one of
Tomlins touchdown passes on a 15-yard
reception, his only catch in the game. Jamel
Starks had three catches for 56 and one
touchdown.
Receivers Aquil Muhammad and Miles
Litt also had three receptions each for 52 and
48 yards, respectively.
Josh Tate led the Panthers defense with
nine total tackle, including one tackle for a
loss. Eris Walker had seven tackles, including
two tackles for a loss and Jervon Mannery
and Caleb Outlaw each had a sack.
The win was the first for coach Damien
Wimes over his former program. He was the
head coach at Miller Grove for six seasons
before he was let go after the end of the 2015
season.
Southwest DeKalb will try to stay at the top
of the region when the team faces Lithonia
Oct. 20 at Godfrey Stadium.
Lovett (4-3) 44, Redan (2-5) 13
Norcross (3-4) 38, Lakeside (1-6) 0
Pope (3-4) 35, Dunwoody (2-5) 34
Westminster (3-4) 33, McNair (2-5) 0
Oct. 14
Lithonia (2-5) 51, Chamblee (1-6) 0
M.L. King (3-4) 27, Jonesboro (2-5) 17
Open: Druid Hills (1-6) Miller Grove wide receiver Shawn Collins is tackled by a host of Southwest
DeKalb defenders.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017 Page 20

SOFTBALL Continued From Page 18A

The Decatur Lady Bulldogs (21-
8) swept Southwest DeKalb in two
games to advance to the Sweet
16. Decatur won the first game
6-4 and won a close 6-5 game 2 to
complete the sweep. Decatur will
host Walnut Grove Oct. 18, and Oct.
19 if a game 3 is necessary.
The Miller Grove Lady
Wolverines (16-6) took down North
Springs in two games to advance
to the Sweet 16. They won the
first game 7-6 and shut out North
Springs in the second games 6-0.
Miller Grove will play at Buford
Oct. 18, and Oct. 19 if a game 3 is
necessary.
It took Marist (16-11) three
games to take down Oconee
County and advance to the Class
AAAA Sweet 16. Marist lost the first
game 8-6, but came back to win
the second game 5-4 and the final
game 6-3. Marist will host Central
Carrollton Oct. 18, and Oct. 19 if a
game 3 is necessary.
Dunwoody (22-5) advanced
to the Class AAAAAA Sweet 16
with a two-game sweep over
Apalachee. The Lady Wildcats won
the first game 7-2 and the second
game 6-1. Dunwoody will play at
Allatoona Oct. 18, and Oct. 19 if a
game 3 is necessary. Carlin Weddell and the Chamblee Lady Bulldogs advanced to the Class AAAAA Sweet 16.

Bring it to the table.

The food, the stories, the same old jokes and
games. All the years happenings. Everyone and
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about. And this wouldnt be a reunion without it.

Learn how Publix can help make it a family reunion to remember at publix.com/familyreunion.