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MAY 31, 2014
Judge gives Ebenezer UMC green light to expand daycare
Photo by Joshua Smith/OCG News
E
By Joshua Smith
benezer United Methodist Church plans to expand its hours of operation now that a judge has ruled that it can have a special-use permit. “We prayed on this and got the ball rolling. Everyone at the church is excited to see that things worked in our favor,” said Paige Roberts, who serves as church administrator. Rockdale Chief Superior Court Judge David B. Irwin overturned the decision by the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners to deny the church a special-use permit to expand its daycare hours of operation. Irwin ruled on May 15 in the daycare’s favor, paving the way for the church to expand its hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The daycare had been operating from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for nearly three decades at the church’s 2533 Stanton Road, Conyers address. “The Board of Commissioners made an off-the-wall decision to deny us and their reasoning didn’t make any sense. All we wanted to do was extend the daycare’s hours to simply address the needs of our community and
our working parents,” said Roberts. “Nobody understood why parents should have to find a place for their children when we have the space and staff here. We, as a church staff, didn’t understand it either.” Judge Irwin ordered the county to issue the permit and to pay attorney fees and all filing fees associated with the action. About a month after the county turned down Ebenezer for a specialuse permit, it granted the Conyers Seventh-Day Adventist Church a special-use permit for its daycare. The board’s differing decisions concerning the two churches have come under scrutiny. “This was an entirely preventable and avoidable expense incurred on Rockdale County taxpayers by the actions of two voting County Commissioners,” said Conyers resident John Bowden. “In my opinion, Commissioners Oden and Nesbitt should personally reimburse the county coffers for their irresponsible, unjustified and unfounded actions.” County officials said they consider this matter resolved and have no further comment.
Maya continued from page 1
Movement as a fund-raiser and SCLC organizer. She was also a very close and trusted friend, to our Founder, Mrs. Coretta Scott King. The King Center was proud to present our Salute to Greatness Award to her in 1998 in recognition of her humanitarian work and contributions to society. Maya Angelou leaves a great and memorable blessing in the hearts of the millions whom she touched with
women were more than just people here to make babies. Her poems spoke to the tenacity, creativity and boldness in a black woman,” said Juliette Hill of Decatur. “Because of her, I was able to write my own book of poetry, ‘Golden Moments.’ Her work inspired me at 75 years old, to keep on pushing and working on my writing even after the death of my husband.” Mae Jones of Stone Mountain, said
“She showed the world that black women were more than just people here to make babies. Her poems spoke to the tenacity, creativity and boldness in a black woman.” – Juliette Hill, Decatur her artistry; and, she leaves behind a luminous vision of hope that will inspire millions more for generations to come.” Angelou was born April 4, 1928, in St. Louis. Her real name was Marguerite Annie Johnson, according to Wikipedia. Several news sources said Angelou started writing after she was raped at age 7 by her mother’s boyfriend. The perpetrator was beaten to death by a mob after she testified against him which caused Angelou to stop speaking for six years. Literary fans such as Juliette Hill of Decatur said they will miss Angelou greatly. “She showed the world that black
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Angelou’s work is timeless and more people need to learn more about Maya Angelou the woman, not just the poet. “She had so many great works besides “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and “Phenomenal Woman”. Maya Angelou came from lower than humbling beginnings and showed the world that God can use anybody to become a powerful and moving woman for all of us to enjoy,” said Jones. “Maya Angelou spoke five to six different languages and was truly a phenomenal woman. I used to listen to her tapes everyday on the way to work. I considered her like a mother with a great bit of inspiration and wisdom for all of us.”
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