SCENE
WELLNESS
Spreading pollen for life
Eyes on preventable illness
Information about butterflies and other pollinators will be offered at Rosalynn Carter’s Butterfly Trail Discovery Day on June 18. 4
Encouraging men to make their health a priority is the focus of Men’s Health Week, celebrated in the days leading up to Father’s Day. 7
Put Litter in Its Place Let’s Do Our Part to Keep DeKalb Beautiful
EAST ATLANTA • DECATUR • STONE MOUNTAIN • LITHONIA • AVONDALE ESTATES • CLARKSTON • ELLENWOOD • PINE LAKE • REDAN • SCOTTDALE • TUCKER
Copyright © 2016 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.
June 11, 2016
Volume 22, Number 7
www.crossroadsnews.com
Muhammad Ali, ‘The Greatest of All Time,’ remembered Jan. 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016 Boxing great Muhammad Ali, who dazzled a generation with his athleticism, taunted his opponents with his rhymes, and left both men and women envious of his “beautiful” physique and face, was laid to rest June 9 and 10 at memorial services attended by thousands in his hometown of Louisville, Ky. Ali, the 20th century’s most significant sports figure, who declared that he could “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee,” died June 3 of septic shock at a hospital in Phoenix. He was undergoing treatment for a respiratory illness, associated with his 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, when it became clear that he would not recover. He was 74. His daughter Rasheda declared
Muhammad Ali, who began boxing at age 12, was an Olympic gold medalist at the 1960 Rome Games. Four years later, he defeated Sonny Liston and took the WBC and WBA heavyweight championships.
him finally free. “He is no longer suffering,” she said. Ali died surrounded by his wife of 30 years, Yolanda “Lonnie” Ali, and all nine of his children. He was eulogized June 9 at a Jenazah, a traditional Muslim funeral service, at Freedom Hall and at a June 10 public memorial service at Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center. He planned both services before his death. Ali’s longtime friends, former President Bill Clinton; comedian and actor Billy Crystal, who impersonated Ali in stand-up acts; and journalist Bryant Gumbel, were among speakers at the mePlease see ALI, page 2
Apartment complex proposed for Panthersville Developer seeks tax credits for 72-unit project
The Abbington Perimeter apartment complex is planned on a wooded site between Serenade Apartments and Pruitt Health on Panthersville Road in Decatur.
By Jennifer Ffrench Parker
A 6.5-acre wooded lot on Panthersville Road in Decatur could soon be home to dozens of families if a developer secures state tax credits for a 72-unit garden-style apartment project. Atlanta-based Rea Ventures Group LLC, which proposes to build the $13.7 million Abbington Perimeter apartment community, applied June 9 to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for housing tax credits to cover 80 percent of the development costs. If approved, the market rate and rentcontrolled apartments will be located at 3250 Panthersville Road, across from the Georgia Regional Hospital and near the Georgia Bureau of Investigation headquarters and the Perimeter campus of Georgia State University. Sean Brady, Rea Ventures Group’s vice president of development, said they will only proceed if they secure the tax-credit funding, but he said they stand a good chance of getting it because unincorporated Decatur has Sean Brady not received tax-credit funding in a while. “The last one was in 2006 for the Mercy Housing apartments on Flat Shoals Road,” he said. Abbington Perimeter will include 14 one-bedroom, 36 two-bedroom, and 22 three-bedroom units and will be professionally managed by Boyd Management, a 32-year-old company with a portfolio of 15,500 units in five states. The development is inspired by the 2007 Candler-Flat Shoals Livable Centers Initiative study that identified a need for quality housing for working families in the area.
Curtis Parker / CrossRoadsNews
Locally and nationally, Brady said the number of rent-burdened households – families who are paying more than a third of their income for rent – has nearly doubled from 25 percent in 1960 to 49 percent in 2013. “Rent burden leaves individuals or families with less money to save and less money to spend on goods and services,” he told three residents who attended a June 7 community meeting about the project at the New Life Community Center on Flat Shoals Road. Angela Sanders, who lives close to the proposed development, asked if Abbington Perimeter would be a Section 8 community. Brady said Abbington Perimeter would be a market-rate apartment community with rent controls – not a rent-subsidy com-
munity. He said that applicants will undergo rigorous background screening, including criminal, income and references. Legally, he said they cannot discriminate against anyone seeking housing and that all incomes, including a subsidy, will be considered during the application process. “For example, if a disabled vet has a subsidy, it will be considered but cannot be the sole income,” he said. Rea Ventures Group, which has developed housing from Texas to North Carolina over the past 40 years, has more than 2,600 work force housing units and 600 senior housing units in Georgia. Brady said only 4 percent of its residents use Section 8 vouchers. Drawing from Rea Ventures communities in Powder Springs, Rincon, Cordele and Brunswick, Brady said that their tenant mix
includes people who work in retail, education, clerical and administration positions; police/security; and retirees. “Our tenants are entry-level police officers, retail workers, teachers and so on,” he said. This week, the proposed site for the project had a for sale sign on it. Matt Monroe, Rea Ventures project manager, said Rea Ventures has a contract to purchase it contingent on the project’s Matt Monroe approval. Brady said the community will be built to green EnergyStar and EarthCraft design Please see APARTMENTS, page 2
CrossRoadsNews
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Community
June 11, 2016
“The November referendum questions are very important, and I want to be sure everyone has access to the information they need.”
Informational meetings on DeKalb SPLOST and E-HOST DeKalb County officials and municipal leaders as well as the public can attend two SPLOST and E-HOST informational meetings on June 21 at Maloof Auditorium in Decatur. The meetings will provide details on the proposed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax. The meeting with elected municipal leadership begins at 2 p.m., and the second meeting, an interactive open house for the public at large, begins at 6 p.m. House Bill 215 authorized DeKalb County to consider a 1-cent sales tax to invest in capital and infrastructure projects and to dedicate 100 percent of HOST proceeds to property tax relief. Questions about these two proposed changes are intended to be placed on the ballot on Nov. 8. Interim CEO Lee May said the meetings will educate and inform stakeholders.
Tax update at District 5 town hall District 5 residents can hear an update on SPLOST at a June 13 town hall meeting at the Lou Walker Senior Center in Lithonia. Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson is host for the 6-to-8 p.m. meeting in the Victory Room. A Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax item will appear on the November
“The November referendum questions are very important, and I want to be sure everyone has access to the information they need to make an informed decision,” May said in a June 9 statement. The purpose of the first meeting is to provide the governing authorities of DeKalb and each qualified city within the county the
ballot. Special guests include Zachary Williams, DeKalb chief operating officer; Luz Borrero, deputy COO of development; and Willie Lewis, a member of the DeKalb SPLOST Citizens Advisory Committee. The center is at 2538 Panola Road. For more information, contact Demetrius McCoy at 404-371-2412. opportunity to discuss the implementation of the SPLOST and E-HOST and possible projects. These projects include those planned by the county and the cities for inclusion in the proposed SPLOST referendum. The Citizens Advisory Committee, empaneled in January by May and the Board of Commissioners to provide feedback on projects to include road
projects and other infrastructure needs in DeKalb, recommended a list of projects to the board for consideration and approval. From 6 to 8 p.m., DeKalb will host an interactive open house for residents on the upcoming referendum questions. The information that will be made available includes proposed project lists and maps organized by commission district with general information about SPLOST and E-HOST. Staff members from police, fire, parks and recreation, libraries, public works and other departments will be on hand to answer residents’ questions and record feedback. Participants also are encouraged to participate in an online survey at dekalbcountyga.gov/SPLOSTsurvey. Both meetings are free and open to the public. The auditorium is at 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur.
Deadline to submit entries for CBC Foundation essay contest is June 20 Fourth District high school sophomores and juniors have until June 20 to participate in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Spouses’ essay contest for a chance to win $1,500 and a paid trip to the nation’s capital. African American students from the districts of CBC members can take part in the essay contest and issue forum. Students are presented with a topic that embodies some of the community’s most pressing issues and are asked to write an essay to defend their research, analyses and opinion. Submissions are judged by a special committee of CBC spouses. Winners and
their families are invited to Washington in September to accept their awards and attend a panel discussion on the topic during the foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference. This year’s essay topic will focus specifically on youth civic engagement. 2016 Essay Contest Question – You Are the Future: When we look around our communities, we see things that can be improved and require addressing. High levels of unemployment, attacks on public education, rising levels of crime among our young people and an indifference to the political process are
just a few of those issues. At the same time, we also see a decline in civic engagement among youth. As a future leader of your community, what does community engagement and involvement mean to you? How can you get involved with both political and non-political processes to move your community forward? All written essays must be submitted online by using the following link: https:// app.smartsheet.com/b/form?EQBCT=4a2d 3db9bb4d466daa59242d5e39b338. Essays should be original compositions, no less than 750 words, and no more than 1,000 words with evidence that supports
findings. They will be judged on overall content, quality, universality, style and grammar, and alignment with contest theme. Submissions are due by June 20 at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be selected on or before Aug. 5. The first-place winner will receive $1,500, second place will receive $1,000, and third place will receive $750. All three finalists will receive airfare and hotel accommodations to and from Washington to attend a congratulatory luncheon and the issue forum that follows during the conference in September. For more information, call Deidre Ellis at 202-263-5712.
Moody retires from Lithonia post
Ex-champ lit torch at 1996 Games
Former DeKalb Police Chief more than 30 years. Eddie J. Moody retired June 3 Moody, who was born in Redan from the city of Lithonia. where and went to Bruce Street Elemenhe was police chief, and city tary and High School until it and administrator for nearly four the county’s other segregated black years. schools closed in 1968. Moody served as police chief He graduated from Lithonia from December 2012 to NovemHigh, its successor, in 1972. ber 2014 before becoming city Eddie Moody Moody also worked from 2008 administrator. to 2011 as a special investigator with This is econd retirement. He left the the U.S. Investigation Service doing security DeKalb Police Department in 2004 after clearances for the federal government.
ALI,
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morial services attended by heads of state like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and King Abdullah II of Jordan, other celebrities, and thousands of everyday citizens who lined up and gobbled up 15,000 tickets within 25 minutes on June 8. Actor Will Smith, who played Ali in the 2001 movie of the same name, and former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis were among the pallbearers. Ali, who was born Cassius Marcellus Clay on Jan. 17, 1942, began boxing at age 12. He won the gold medal for boxing at the 1960 Rome Olympics at 18. Four years later, he defeated Sonny Liston in an upset to take the WBC and WBA heavyweight championships. When Liston refused to come out of his corner in the seventh round, Ali pronounced himself the greatest. “I am the greatest! I am the greatest!” he shouted. “I’m the king of the world.” Eventually everyone called him “The Greatest” too. Ali went on to become a threetime world heavyweight champion, also winning the title in 1974 and 1978. The boxer, who converted to Islam in 1964 and changed his “slave” name to Mu-
hammad Ali, became a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War in 1967, famously saying, “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Viet Cong.” Citing religious reasons, he refused to be drafted into the U.S. Army and was arrested; stripped of his heavyweight title; found guilty of draft evasion on June 20, 1967; fined $10,000; sentenced to five years; and banned from boxing for three years at the prime of his life and boxing career. His action propelled him to the forefront of African Americans’ fight for civil and voting rights in the 1960s. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1971, clearing the way for Ali to return to the ring. He competed in historic matches like the “Fight of the Century,” the “Thrilla in Manila,” and “The Rumble in the Jungle” and was named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated and the Sports Personality of the Century by the BBC. In 1984, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The progressive neurological disorder impaired his speech and ravaged his body. Atlanta gave him his first match on Oct. 26, 1970, after his release when no other U.S. city would host him. He returned to the city to light the torch at the 1996 Olympics.
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certifications. Amenities will include fitness and computer centers, on-site laundry facility, community rooms, picnic pavilion, playground, and a community garden with raised beds. Along with those amenities, Brady said residents will have access to fitness classes, financial and budgeting instructions, and organized social events. Because so few people attended the
community meeting, Monroe said they will consider hosting another meeting at a later date. He said the June 7 community meeting was advertised, as required by DCA, in the Champion newspaper, which is the county’s legal organ. The DCA is expected to announce the awards in November. If approved, Rea Ventures expects to start construction in September 2017 and the units will begin leasing in summer 2018.
June 11, 2016
Community
CrossRoadsNews
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“It is our duty to fight for our freedom. We have nothing to lose but our chains!”
Former officer pleads ‘not guilty’ in fatal shooting of naked vet By Ken Watts
Robert Olsen, the former DeKalb Police officer who shot and killed naked Air Force veteran Anthony Hill in March 2015, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on June 6. Olsen, who was indicted on Jan. 16, was finally appearing before DeKalb Superior Court Judge J.P. Boulee. Robert Olsen He is facing two counts each of felony murder and aggravated assault and once count each of violation of oath of office and making a false statement. Olsen, who was a DeKalb Police officer for seven years, resigned from the force on Jan. 25 after the indictment.
On Monday, he stood silent in the middle of a packed courtroom while his lawyer Don Samuel announced that he waived a full reading of the indictment and pleaded “not guilty to all charges.” Olsen left court without commenting immediately after his plea. His arraignment was over in less than five minutes. Hill, 27, who suffered from post-traumatic stress and other mental illnesses, was running around Anthony Hill naked at the Heights at Chamblee Apartments on Chamblee-Tucker Road in Chamblee when police were called about a man behaving erratically. Olsen, who responded to the call, shot him when he ran toward him. He told inves-
tigators that he feared for his life when the naked and unarmed Hill refused to obey his command to stop advancing. Hill’s family said he was not violent and that it was not necessary for Olsen to use deadly force. Carolyn Giummo, Hill’s mother, traveled from Moncks Corner, S.C., for the arraignment. She said she was encouraged by the movement in the case. “It’s the first step to justice,” she told reporters in front of the DeKalb Courthouse. “I’m not a judge. I’m not a lawyer. So I don’t know how fast things are supposed to go. I’m just happy reaching this point.” Giummo, who was flanked by her daughter Tamara Giummo and Hill’s girlfriend Brigit Anderson, said she hopes the tragedy of her son’s death will result in better training for police in how to handle the mentally ill. About two dozen protesters from Rise
Up Georgia and other human rights groups stood near the family in front of the courthouse holding banners that read “Mental Illness Is Not a Crime” and “#AnthonyHill.” “It is our duty to fight for our freedom!” they chanted. “We have nothing to lose but our chains!” Samuel, Olsen’s lawyer, said his team and prosecutors will spend the next few months in pretrial motions, exchanging information about the evidence they intend to introduce at trial, and will list expert witnesses each side intends to use. “It could take awhile and we may not get to trial until next year,” Samuel said. If the trial extends into 2017, it will be prosecuted by District Attorney-elect Sherry Boston, who defeated incumbent DA Robert James in the May 24 primary and will take office on Jan. 1.
There will be no property tax hike, says School Board chairman By Ken Watts
Residents nervous about the prospect of a property tax increase for DeKalb Schools were told on June 6 there will be no hike. Confusion started on May 26, when the district published a legal notice as required by Georgia law announcing a possible increase in the property taxes by 8.71 percentage over the rollback millage rate. The ad came two days after voters overwhelmingly approved a new five-year penny Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for the district in the May 24 election. DeKalb NAACP President John Evans summed up what all the speakers at the public hearing wanted to know. “The obvious question is why?” Evans
asked School Board members on Monday. School Board Chairman Melvin Johnson said there will be no millage increase. Johnson said he was limited in what he could say at a public hearing and referred residents to district Finance Director Michael Bell, who took them aside at the meeting Melvin Johnson for an explanation. Bell told the residents that each year, the Board of Tax Assessors is required to review the assessed value for property tax purposes of taxable property in the county and that when the trend of prices on properties that have recently sold in the county indicates
there has been an increase in the fair market value of any specific property, the Board of Tax Assessors is required by law to redetermine the value of such property and adjust the assessment. He said that when the total digest of taxable property is prepared, Georgia law requires that a rollback millage rate must be computed to produce the same total revenue on the current year’s digest that last year’s millage rate would have produced had no reassessments occurred. The 2016-2017 budget, tentatively adopted by the School Board, requires a millage rate higher than the rollback millage rate. “We’re required by law to publish the ad and its legal language whenever we examine the current millage rate,” Bell told CrossRoadsNews on June 8. “That does not mean
that we’re about to hike the tax. We’re just following the state’s rules.” Chuck Logan, who lives in the Chapparal subdivision in Lithonia and spoke at the hearing, said he was satisfied with Bell’s explanation but said the district needs to find a better way of notifying the public to avoid misunderstandings. “They have to quickly get the word out through community meetings to reach people in the neighborhoods and explain what’s happening,” Logan said. The School Board will hold two more public hearings June 21 before it sets the millage rate for the 2016-2017 budget. They take place 11:30 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. at district headquarters, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd. in Stone Mountain.
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2346 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30032 404-284-1888 Fax: 404-284-5007 www.crossroadsnews.com editor@crossroadsnews.com
Editor / Publisher Jennifer Parker Assistant Editor Brenda Yarbrough Staff Writers Jennifer Ffrench Parker Ken Watts Front Office Manager Catherine Guy Graphic Design Curtis Parker CrossRoadsNews is published every Saturday by CrossRoadsNews, Inc. We welcome articles on neighborhood issues and news of local happenings. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher, nor those of any advertisers. The concept, design and content of CrossRoadsNews are copyrighted and may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. Advertisements are published upon the representation that the advertiser is authorized to publish the submitted material. The advertiser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless from and against any loss or expenses resulting from any disputes or legal claims based upon the contents or subject matter of such advertisments, including claims of suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism and copyright infringement. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement.
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June 11, 2016
The theme for the Messiah’s House Father’s Day weekend is “Building Healthy Families and Communities.”
Award-winning illustrator to teach art classes Award-winning children’s book illustrator and artist R. Gregory Christie will present library programs for kids and adults on June 13 and June 20 in Decatur and Lithonia. Christie, a commercial artist for more than 20 years, has R. Gregory Christie done artwork for over 50 children’s books and has designed many album covers, including George Benson’s “A Song for My Brother.”
He is a two-time recipient of the New York Times’ 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year Award and a three-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Honor Award in Illustration. Christie received the NAACP’s Image Award, the Boston Globe’s Horn Book Award, the American Library Association’s Theodore Seuss Geisel Award in Illustration, the 2013 Ashley Bryan Illustrated Africana Children’s Literature Award, and a 10 Books All Young Georgians Should Read Award in both 2014 and 2015. His illustrations have been fea-
tured on HBO Kids, PBS’ “Between the Lions,” New York City’s subway cars, the 2013 Congo Square New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival poster, and on the 2013 “Kwanzaa Forever” stamp. He operates an autographed children’s bookstore, GAS-ART Gifts, in Decatur at the North DeKalb Mall. On June 13, Christie, who is also a skilled bookbinder, will teach kids about art and bookmaking at Art With an Illustrator at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St. It takes place 2 to 3 p.m. The hands-on program in the
On Your Mark series is for 6- to 12-year-olds and is open to the first 20 participants. On June 20, Paint With the Artist for patrons 18 and over takes place 6 to 8 p.m. at Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road in Lithonia. Christie will guide participants step-by-step as they paint their own 11x14 canvas. Call 770-482-3828 or visit the branch to register. Funding is provided by Stonecrest Friends. For more information, visit www.dekalblibrary.org and www. gas-art.com.
Messiah’s House celebrating dads Night Owl 5K helps Members of Messiah’s House wild animal rescue Assembly of God Church are saluting fathers, families and friends on June 17 and June 19 with special community outreach programs. On June 17, the Stone Mountain church is hosting Family and Friends Game and Karaoke Night that begins at 7 p.m. There will be music, food, fun and fellowship for the entire family. On June 19, a Father’s Day brunch will immediately follow the 11 a.m. worship service. The Rev. Patrick Findley, church pastor, will deliver the sermon. The theme is “Building Healthy Families and Communities.” The programs are presented by the Family Ministry and are free. The church is at 1683 S. Hairston Road. For more information, The Rev. Patrick Findley, shown with wife Hilary, will deliver the Father’s Day sermon at Messiah’s House. call 770-981-4136.
Birds of prey will cheer on participants in the Night Owl 5K – AWARE on June 18 at Panola Mountain State Park. The race begins at 3:30 p.m. at Alexander Lake Pavilion, 4963 Flat Bridge Road in Stockbridge. Proceeds benefit Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort. The course will be a mix of paved and hard-packed trails, winding through the state park, one of the jewels of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. Visit http://gastateparks.org/PanolaMountain for registration information. Participants will receive encouragement toward the finish line from AWARE’s ambassador animals, including owls and hawks. Refreshments will be available before and after the race. AWARE is the only rehabilitation center in the state that treats all native wildlife species. Last year, the nonprofit treated more than 1,800 wild animals and educated thousands of children and adults in Greater Atlanta on ways to preserve, promote and protect Georgia’s wildlife and their natural habitats. For assistance with an animal, e-mail help@awarewildlife.org. The park is at 2620 Highway 155 S.W. Visit https:// facebook.com/events/510869905750508 or call 678418-1111.
Budget, movie, BBQ & Blankets at park
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s Butterfly Trail Discovery Day takes place on June 18.
Georgia pollinators focus of discovery day Butterflies and bees, plants and pollinators are on the agenda on June 18 at former first lady Rosalynn Carter’s Butterfly Trail Discovery Day at the Carter Library and Museum in Atlanta. The outdoor event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 9 a.m. There will be hands-on activities and informational booths for children and adults to learn about monarch butterflies and other pollinators. The Freedom Farmers Market also will be in operation and will feature several native plant vendors, including Monarchs
Across Georgia, specializing in host and nectar plants for pollinators. The Butterfly Trail project grew out of the former first lady’s concern over the dwindling monarch population and other pollinators. Joining the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail (www.jimmycarter.info/ carterbutterflytrail.htm) means that you are providing nectar plants (flowers) as a butterfly food source and host plants such as milkweed or parsley on which butterflies lay their eggs. The library is at 441 Freedom Parkway. Visit www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov.
Antoinette Tuff, author of “Prepared for a Purpose,” will be at the Budget, BBQ & Blankets Town Hall Meeting on June 14 at Wonderland Gardens in Rainbow Park. The meeting, hosted by District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson, begins at 6 p.m. RSVP to 404371-2425. Topics include the 2016 budget review, SPLOST information and an opportunity for discussion and movie on the lawn. Tuff, former bookkeeper at McNair Discovery Learning Academy, talked a heavily armed man into surrendering Antoinette Tuff talked an armed man into surrendering. to authorities during the Aug. 20, 2013, siege at the Decatur school. Residents should bring blanket and lawn chairs. There will be free refreshments, and food trucks will be on-site. The park is at 3145 Rainbow Drive in Decatur, next to the Porter Sanford Arts Center. For more information, email larryjohnson@dekalbcountyga.gov or call 404-371-2988.
index to advertisers Blue Bubble Home Services............................ 7 Challenges Games and Comics....................... 7 Chapel Hill Orthodontics................................. 2 Commissioner Larry Johnson.......................... 3
DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court......................6 DeKalb County Board of Health...................... 3 George’s Landscape Maintenance.................. 7 Johnson Hopewell Coleman LLC................... 7
Johnson’s Antiques & Flea Market................. 7 Quenon Smith................................................ 7 Wells Fargo..................................................... 5
Holistic Health Management Inc.............Inserts Rite Aid...................................................Inserts Walgreens...............................................Inserts
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Finance
June 11, 2016
Clarence Boone of the DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau will present “Tourism, Film and the Entrepreneur.”
Tax notes, debt earn high ratings Jobs Bus offers internship assistance Moody’s Investors Service has assigned an MIG 1 to DeKalb County’s $90 million Tax Anticipation Notes, Series 2016. MIG 1 is the highest rating available for this category. The expected sale date is June 14. Moody’s maintains an Aa3 on the county’s outstanding general obligation debt. The county’s outlook is stable. The highest quality short-term rating is based upon Moody’s expectation of sufficient projected cash flow for note repayment and sound legal provisions. The rating also includes demonstrated market access for the county’s 2015 TANs. The Aa3 rating reflects the county’s recent increases in reserves, but ongoing limited financial operations. The rating also considers the county’s substantial and diverse economic and employment base, anchored by a stabilizing institutional presence, and a manageable debt profile. “The stable outlook acknowledges the county’s improved financial position, which is projected to remain below formal targeted
levels through fiscal 2016, and reflects the expectation that the financial position will stabilize, albeit at a level below similarly rated credits,” the report said. The outlook also reflects the recent stabilization in the tax base after several years of declines. Factors that could lead to an upgrade: significant improvement in reserves and tax base growth. Factors that could lead to a downgrade: future tax base declines and return to structural imbalance, resulting in a decline in reserves or cash. The notes are ultimately secured by the county’s general obligation pledge but payable first from property taxes levied during calendar 2015 and any other legally available funds of the county received during calendar 2016. The current issuance will be used for cash flow purposes, necessitated by the receipt of most property taxes between September and November, at the end of the county’s fiscal year. Visit www.moodys.com.
DeKalb’s Mobile Career Center is offering help to residents interested in applying for the county’s summer internship program. The program provides short-term internship opportunities for low-income residents 16-24 not enrolled in school and seeking employment. Two staff members are housed in the unit to help with applying. The Jobs Bus supports DeKalb’s strategic priority to facilitate jobs and economic development by providing work readiness services, including adult workshops and training, resume writing pointers, and interviewing tips. Businesses also are able to use the mobile unit for recruiting, pre-employment screenings, interviewing and training. Interim CEO Lee May said the center has helped almost 5,000 residents in the job search process and assisted area companies in finding employees. Upcoming stops from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: n June 13 – Clarkston Library, 951 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. n June 14 – Department of Family and Children Services, 178 Sams St., Decatur. n June 15 – Hairston Crossing Library, 4911
Redan Road, Stone Mountain. n June 16 – Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. n June 20 – Redan-Trotti Library, 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia. n June 21 – DeKalb Access and Resource Center, 949 Hairston Road, Stone Mountain. The June 18 stop at the Intergenerational Center, 2771 Columbia Drive in Decatur, takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Volunteers needed for job assistance
Volunteers are needed for Friends of Refugees’ Cafe Clarkston job assistance. They help clients register, create resumes, perform mock interviews, and navigate job searches. It is open Tuesday and Thursday 2-5 p.m. and Saturday noon-3 p.m. at Clarkston International Bible Church, 3895 Church St. Visit http:// friendsofrefugees.com/cafe-clarkston-getinvolved or call 770-367-2830.
Town hall meeting on state’s economy for 2030 Focus on film industry, Interested residents can join business leaders for a special town hall meeting on June 20 to discuss the outlook on the Georgia economy for 2030. The 11:30 a.m.to-1:30 p.m. meeting Chris Clark takes place at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta Perimeter at Villa Christina, 4000 Summit Blvd. in Atlanta, and is free to attend – register at www.dekalbchamber.org. It is presented by the DeKalb Chamber in partnership with the Georgia Chamber. Facilitated by Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark, at-
tendees will participate in a live poll designed to help create a roadmap for Georgia’s future competitiveness. Following the event, attendees can stay and provide additional feedback in optional issue-based and region specific polls. There will be a targeted listening session from 1 to 1:30 p.m. The Georgia 2030 is an ambitious plan to expand the state’s global commerce, cultivate its work force, bolster economic mobility, improve job creation, and support diverse thriving communities: n In order for Georgia to remain competitive, it must grow its economy by 40 percent. n There will be more than 1.9 million people added to Georgia’s population.
n There will be more than 1 million new jobs in Georgia. n There will be 134,000 takeoffs and landings at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. n There will be 1.5 million new cars added to the state’s roads. n Georgians will use 16 percent more energy. n There will be a need for 18 percent more secondary degrees and 38 percent more primary care physicians. n Millennials in the work force will grow by 20 percent. The senior population will rise by 50 percent. For more information on Georgia 2030, visit www.gachamber.com/georgia2030. For town hall information, contact Emily Yang at eyang@dekalbchamber.org.
tourism at luncheon
Clarence Boone of the DeKalb Convention & Visitors Bureau talks tourism and the film industry on June 15 at the Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce Third Wednesday luncheon. The 11:30 a.m.-to-1 p.m. event takes place at This Is It banquet facility, 2853 Panola Road in Lithonia. Clarence Boone Boone, corporate, government and association sales manager at the Convention & Visitors Bureau, will present “Tourism, Film and the Entrepreneur.” Attendees will learn about economic development opportunities in Georgia’s burgeoning film industry. To RSVP, visit www.greaterlithoniachamber.com. For more information, call 770-482-1808. Dated: May 06, 2016 Name: Simone McCoy 5918 Crescent Ridge Ct. Lithonia, GA 30058 (404) 675-7840 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Legal Notices 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5516-3++ Gloria Dorris Plaintiff Vs. Kenny Dorris Defendant To: 32-1 Oil Mills Rd. Sumner, MI 38957 By Order of the Court by publication dated May 13, 2016; you are hereby notified that on Apr. 10, 2016, the abovenamed Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Gloria Dorris, 2636 Embarcadero Dr., #112, Lithonia, GA 30058. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 13 2016. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 13th day of May, 2016 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV3835-9++
Femela Mitchell Plaintiff Vs. Denoris Carter Defendant To: 1609 Lakeland Circle Lake City, GA 30260 By Order of the Court by publication dated May 09, 2016; you are hereby notified that on Apr. 28, 2016, the abovenamed Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court, and to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose name and address is: Femela Mitchell, 513 Creste Dr., Decatur, GA 30035. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 09 2016. Witness the Honorable Mark Anthony Scott, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 09th day of May, 2016 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice of Petition to Change Name of Child(ren) in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5539-3++ Fedor R. Kozachkov filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on May 11, 2016 to change name(s) of the following minor child(ren) from: Zosya
Beylya Kozachkova to Zosya Beyla Kozak; Simon Revven Kozachkov to Simon Revven Kozak. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within the time prescribed In OCGA 19-12-1(f)(2) and (3). Dated: May 11, 2016 Name: Fedor R. Kozachkov 4870 Adams Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338 (504) 443-0595 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice of Petition to Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5477-3++ Fedor Rolertovich Kozachkov filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on April 27, 2016 to change name from: Fedor Robertovich Kozachkov to Yona Rolertovich Kozak. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Apr/ 27, 2016 Name: Fedor R. Kozachkov 4870 Adams Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338 (504) 443-0595 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice of Petition to
Notice of PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Name of ADULT
in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5471-3++ Irina Georgievna Kozachkova filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on April 27, 2016 to change name from: Irina Georgievna Kozachkova to Iris Georgievna Kozak. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed. Dated: Apr/ 27, 2016 Name: Irina G. Kozachkova 4870 Adams Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338 (470) 216-3345 05/21, 05/28, 06/04, 06/11
Notice of Petition to Name of ADULT in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5496-2++ Simone Brittany McCoy filed a petition in the DeKalb County Superior Court on May 06, 2016 to change name from: Simone Brittany McCoy to Simone Brittany Nappa. Any interested party has the right to appear In this case and file objections within 30 days after the Petition was filed.
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5557-3++ Marlene Morales Plaintiff Vs Jose Fuentes Defendant To: Jose Fuentes 3496 Pleasant Brook Village Lane, Unit G Doraville, GA 30340 You are hereby notified that the abovestyled action seeking Petition for Legitimation, Custody and Child Support was filed against you in said court on May 11, 2016, and that by reason of an Order for Service of Summons by Publication entered by the court of May 13, 2016, you are hereby commanded and required to file with the clerk of said court and serve upon Sarah T. Austin, Plaintiff’s attorney whose address is Cobb County Legal Aid, 30 South Park Square, Suite 101, Marietta, Georgia 30090, an answer to the Petition within sixty (60) days of the date of the Order for Service by Publication. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of said court. This 13th day of May, 2016. 05/28, 06/04, 06/11, 06/18
AMENDED Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16CV4473-3++
Artie Maryland Snell Plaintiff Vs. Kelvin Richardo Snell Defendant To: Kelvin Richardo Snell 5068 Wellborn Trace Lithonia, GA 30038 By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated May 17, 2016. You are hereby notified that the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address Is: Artie M. Snell, 280 Northern Ave., Spt. #16J, Avondale Estates, GA 30002. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of Apr. 20, 2016. Witness the Honorable Clarence F. Seeliger, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 18th day of May, 2016 05/28, 06/04, 06/11, 06/18
Notice OF PUBLICATION in the Superior Court of DeKalb County State of Georgia
Civil Action Case Number: ++16FM5621-4++ Mariame Parker Plaintiff Vs. Marcus Parker Defendant To: Marcus Parker By ORDER of the Court service for service by publication dated May 17, 2016. You are hereby notified that the above-named Plaintiff filed suit against you for Divorce. You are required to file with the Clerk of Superior Court and to service upon the plaintiff’s attorney whose address Is: Mariame Parker, 3379 Aztec Rd., #30B, Doraville, GA 30340. Answer in writing within sixty (60) days of May 17, 2016. Witness the Honorable Gail C. Flake, Judge of the DeKalb Superior Court. This the 17th day of May, 2016
CrossRoadsNews
June 11, 2016
Wellness
7
“Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does a child’s need for good nutrition.�
Initiative targets men to make better their health a priority Families and infivduals can encourage the men and boys to make their health a priority as the nation observes Men’s Health Week on June 13-19. The celebration leading up to Father’s Day on June 19 is part of a monthlong observance to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. On average, men live about five years less than their female counterparts. Men have a higher death rate for most of the leading causes of death, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and suicide. One in two men will develop cancer in their lifetime. Men make half as many physician visits for prevention as women. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers steps men can take each day to improve their health. n Get good sleep. Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep. Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and
Men and boys are encouraged to keep track of their numbers for blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, and body mass index.
conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. n Toss out the tobacco. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. It improves your health and lowers your risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease, and other
smoking-related illnesses. n Move more. Adults need at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, and muscle strengthening activities that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms)
on two or more days a week. You don’t have to do it all at once. Spread your activity out during the week. n Eat healthy. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol. n Tame stress. It can be harmful when it is severe enough to make you feel overwhelmed and out of control. Avoid drugs and alcohol. Find support. Stay active. n Stay on top of your game. See your doctor or nurse for checkups. Pay attention to signs and symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, and problems with urination. If you have these or symptoms of any kind, be sure to see your doctor or nurse. Don’t wait. Keep track of your numbers for blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, body mass index or others you may have. n Get vaccinated. Everyone needs immunizations to stay healthy, no matter your age. Visit www.cdc.gov/men/nmhw and www. menshealthmonth.org.
Free meals available for DeKalb Schools students during summer break DeKalb County public school students up to age 18 can get free lunch over the summer break from the Seamless Summer Feeding Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture sponsors the program to offer children, regardless of financial capability, nutritious meals during the break from school. For some children, meals they receive at school are the only meals they eat all day. The food program allows schools to continue feeding these children and others, even when classes are not in session. The goal is to nourish students and prepare them for the
upcoming school year. Superintendent R. Stephen Green says students need nutritious meals all year long. “Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does a child’s need for good nutrition,� Green said. The DeKalb School Nutrition Department provides free breakfast and lunch at selected sites through June 30 on MondayThursday. Redan Middle School and DeKalb Elementary School of the Arts will offer free breakfast and lunch Monday-Thursday through June 29. Meals are from 8-9 a.m.
and 11:30-noon. Joyce R. Wimberly, executive director of School Nutrition Services for the district, said the department served more than 409,000 meals last year. “Children require quality, nutritious meals in the summer, especially with their increased physical activity,� Wimberly said. “We want to continue the process of readying students’ minds and bodies for learning during the upcoming school year.� For more information, visit www.dekalb. k12.ga.us/www/school-nutrition/programs or call 678-676-0162.
Summer Food Service Program Low-income children and teens 18 and younger can receive free nutritious meals during the summer through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. It plans to serve more than 200 million free meals this year. Bright From the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning administers the program in the state, and some adults also are eligible for free meals. For participating sites, visit www.fns. usda.gov/summerfoodrocks or www.decal. ga.gov/Nutrition/Search.aspx or call 1-855550-SFSP (7377).
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CrossRoadsNews
June 11, 2016