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VOLUME 25 NUMBER 19
AUGUST 9, 2019 Stay connected
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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
ELECTIONS 2019 DeKalb’s municipal elections: 7 mayoral seats, over two dozen council seats open
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The new City of Stonecrest’s hosted its first National Night Out on Aug. 6. The familyfriendly event featured music, food trucks, and of course public safety officials and city officials who greeted residents. Mayor Jason Lary attended the event at City Hall in addition to another event at the Lions Head subdivision(p. 3) For more photos of the 2019 National Night Out, visit www.ocgnews.com.
Mass shootings reignite gun control debate
By Mackenzie N. Morgan
As families grieve for their loved ones who were killed in two recent mass shootings— one in El Paso, Texas, the other in Dayton Ohio—state lawmakers, community leaders and others are calling for tougher gun safety legislation. “Enough is enough. The horrific mass shootings that took place in our communities this past week are unacceptable and unfortunately becoming too commonplace,” said State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, who held a news conference with members of the Millennial Civil Rights group at Georgia’s Capitol on Aug. 8. “...Although we are hundreds of thousands of miles away..., either one of those tragedies could have taken place right here in the state of Georgia,” said Kendrick. Kendrick and the millennials were not alone in pressing for change. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said she joined 214 bipartisan mayors from across the nation signing on to a letter from The United States Conference of Mayors urging immediate action from the federal government on gun safety legislation. “Public servants—from the local level to Washington—have an obligation to protect the lives of those we are entrusted to serve,” said Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. “We need strong leadership willing to take the necessary measures to prevent heinous, senseless acts of violence. If we are truly serious about preventing one more family from knowing the pain of losing someone to another gun tragedy, we need Congress to enact commonsense gun safety legislation immediately.”
State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick speaks at the Georgia Capitol.
Patrick Crusius, 21, was identified as the suspect in the El Paso, Texas, Walmart shooting that left 22 dead on Aug 3. Authorities say Crusius, who is white, told them his attack was motivated by his objection to Hispanics. Crusius is facing capital murder charges. Connor Betts, 24, of Bellbrook, Ohio was identified as the suspect in the Aug. 4 Dayton, Ohio mass shooting that left 9 dead. Six of the nine victims were African American and one of the victims was Betts’ own sister. Betts, who was white, was killed by patrol officers 30 seconds after opening fire in the Oregon Historic District, a popular nightlife neighborhood in Downtown Dayton, OH. As of Aug. 4, there have been 251 mass shootings in the U.S., according to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, which tracks mass shootings in the country. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as any incident in which at least four people were shot, excluding the shooter.
ities in DeKalb County will kick off the qualifying period the week of Aug. 19 for candidates seeking public office in this year’s municipal elections. Voters will elect leaders in 12 cities: Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker. Seven mayoral seats and at least 28 council seats will be up for grabs in the general election, which will be held on Nov. 5. The number of seats available might change, however, if an incumbent vacates his or her seat to seek a different office or decides not to run for re-election. Here’s a look at the seats that will be open, each city’s qualifying schedule and the fee that must be paid at the time of qualifying: Avondale Estates The Office of Mayor and two Board of Commissioners seats will be up for election: Mayor Jonathan Elmore Commissioner Brian Fisher Commissioner Adela Yelton Qualifying will be held Aug. 19-23, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 21 North Avondale Plaza. The fee is $216 for mayor and $144 for commissioner. 404-2945400. Brookhaven The Office of Mayor and two council seats will be up for election: Mayor John Ernst Linley Jones, Council District 1 Bates Mattison, Council District 3 Qualifying will be held Aug. 21-23, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Brookhaven City Hall, 4362 Peachtree Road. Fees are $480 for mayor and $360 for a council seat. For more information: 404637-0500. Chamblee Three council seats will be up for election: Leslie Robson, District 2 Thomas Hogan, District 3 Darron Kusman, At-Large Qualifying is Aug. 20-22, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 5468 Peachtree Road. The fee is $360 for a council seat. For more information: 770-986-5010. Clarkston Three council seats will be up for election: Awet Eyasu Mario Williams Andrea Cervone (Elected 2017 Special Election - filling an unexpired term) Qualifying will be held Aug. 19-23, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City Hall Annex, 1055 Rowland St. The fee is
SEE ELECTION page 10
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Carr, Boston to jointly prosecute seven for abusing disabled adults in DeKalb Seven people, including three members of several family-owned businesses, have been indicted on charges of a coordinated abuse scheme involving disabled adults in DeKalb County. Attorney General Chris Carr in conjunction with the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, announced that the case would be jointly prosecuted. Valerie West, Eric West, Erica West, Akeem Dancy, Jadon Dancy, Cynthia Riley and Ceretha Stephens are District Attorney facing felony charges in the case. Sherry Boston “These individuals demonstrated a complete disregard for human life, developing a cruel scheme that deprived disabled Georgians of basic necessities to survive and stripped them of their rightful financial benefits,” said Carr. “We will work hand-in-hand with District Attorney Sherry Boston’s Office to bring these individuals to justice, and we appreciate the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Community Health, and the DeKalb Police Department for their partnership throughout this investigation.” Attorney General Chris Carr Boston said the victims were subjected to “egregious” living conditions and thanked the agencies that investigatef the case. “We will not tolerate this abhorrent behavior in DeKalb County and are thankful for the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners in the effort to bring these defendants to justice for their callous actions against one of our most vulnerable populations,” Boston said. According to investigators, the West family members allowed the disabled and elderly adults to live in squalor at homes the family owned and operated. The homes were infested with bed bugs and roaches, and at times, lacked electricity and hot water, authorities said. At the same time, the West family at various times operated Mental Wellness Matters, LLC (MWM), Curbside Medical Transporters, LLC (CMT) and The Greatest Minds Counseling Center, LLC (GMCC). The Wests enrolled the corporations as Medicare providers and obtained thousands of dollars by using the residents’ Social Security funds for their
SEE PROSECUTE page 10
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PUBLISHER Glenn L. Morgan
gmorgan1@ocgnews.com
EDITOR Valerie J. Morgan
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ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill
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STAFF WRITER Mackenzie Morgan
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On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the newspaper’s advertisers. No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject material and advertisements we deem inappropriate.
On Common Ground News P.O. Box 904 Lithonia, GA 30058 (678) 526-1910 www.ocgnews.com
Stonecrest Mayor Lary, city staff continue traveling community meetings Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and city staffers held their sixth “Meet the Mayor” meeting in the Lion’s Head subdivision on Aug. 6. The meetings have been attended by residents with questions ranging from economic development to public safety. The mayor and staff have been providing answers and encouraging more involvement from citizens. The mayor promised to bring the city to the citizens in his 2019 State of the City Address. “We are encouraging neighborhoods and homeowner’s associations to invite us out so that we can provide direct answers to questions and hear and address our citizens’ concerns. Our citizens will discover that it is far more effective to get the complete story from your mayor and city staff than to pull it from hearsay or naysayers with partial or incorrect information,” Lary said. The next “Meet the Mayor” meeting will be held in the Flat Rock Hills subdivision on Aug. 10, 10 a.m. A meeting will be held on Aug. 15, 7 p.m., in the Glencroft subdivision. Residents desiring to invite the mayor and staff to their neighborhoods can contact the city’s Community and Cultural Affairs Director, Al Franklin at 770 224 0200 or afranklin@stonecrestga.gov.
DeKalb Board of Health expands efforts to stem Type 2 Diabetes The DeKalb County Board of Health will soon offer a free, 12-month diabetes prevention program in three locations around the county. PreventT2 is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Diabetes Prevention Program. The Board of Health previously offered the program only in central DeKalb County. The Prevent T2 program uses trained coaches to teach participants with pre-diabetes how to make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of Type 2 Diabetes. A person with pre-diabetes has a higher blood glucose (sugar) level than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Untreated pre-diabetes can progress to Type 2 Diabetes. One in three American adults has pre-diabetes. “By joining the Prevent T2 program, you’ll learn how to make small changes to your daily routine that can help reverse pre-diabetes and prevent Type 2 Diabetes,” said Omatola Gordon-Rose, Chronic Disease Prevention Coordinator and Lifestyle Coach. Starting this fall, the program will available at: • Clifton Springs Health Center, 3110 Clifton Springs Road, Decatur • East DeKalb Health Center, 2277 S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road, Lithonia
• Latin American Association, 2750 Buford Hwy. NE, Atlanta, (sessions to be held in Spanish) Through the program, the groups will meet for a year, weekly for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months. The group setting provides a supportive environment for people who are facing similar challenges and making the same changes. Together, participants overcome obstacles and celebrate successes. The program is free. To qualify, persons must live in DeKalb County and be at least 18 years of age. More qualifications may be added. Information sessions will be held Wednesday, July 31, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. to provide information on diabetes, pre-diabetes, and enrollment in the Prevent T2 Lifestyle Change Program. To register for the information session or the program, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ DeKalbPreventT2 or call 404-5087847.
Toney Valley Civic Association awarded Neighborhood Watch grant The Toney Valley community in South DeKalb County recently took a big step toward becoming a more closely-knit community on the lookout for one another. Last month, residents unveiled their new Neighborhood Watch sign located at the entrance to their community at the intersection of Candler Road and Toney Drive in Decatur. The new sign kicked off a project that a team of residents developed, thanks to a $500 Enhanced Neighborhood Watch grant Toney Valley received from the United Way of Atlanta’s Community Building Institute (CBI). The team submitted plans for a project that included creating, purchasing and installing Neighborhood Watch signs in the subdivision, and recruiting and training community Block Captains. Toney Valley representatives developed the project after attending five half-day CBI sessions where they learned about child well-being, leadership, community resources and grant writing. Barbara J. Mobley, who was on the team who attended the sessions, said the community is proud that it received the grant and hopes that other communities will participate in the free sessions. “We are hoping that other non-HOA residential neighborhood and civic associations would be encouraged to participate in free sessions and workshops in order to enhance the quality of life for their locations,” said Mobley. Toney Valley’s Enhanced Neighborhood Watch and Safety Team was comprised of Mobley, Petronia Martin, Walter Martin, Andrew GillespieLockwood, and Oga Otumala. Representatives from CBI, the funder of our new signs, attended the unveiling CITY OF STONECREST PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, AUG 6TH 2019 AT 6:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD STONECREST, GA 30038 CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, AUG 26TH 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. CITY OF STONECREST, 3120 STONECREST BLVD STONECREST, GA 30038 The following petition(s)/amendment(s) within the City of Stonecrest is scheduled for Public Hearings as stated above. LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
RZ-19-006 Halpern Enterprises. Inc c/o Battle Law 6024 Covington Highway MR-2 (Med Density) Conditional Zoning District Applicant is requesting to rezone 3.0 acres to C-1 (Local Commercial) for future commercial development.
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
RZ-19-007 Rocklyn Homes c/o Battle Law 1794 Phillips Road R-100 (Residential Med Lot) Zoning District Applicant is requesting to rezone 30 acres to RSM (Small Lot Residential Mix) Zoning District for the development of 240 fee simple single attached units at a density of 8 units per acre.
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Conyers Smiles Dentistry to host free community outreach day Conyers Smiles Dentistry and Orthodontics is partnering with Foster Care Friends to host “Smile Generation Serve Day 2019” on Aug. 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the dental offices located at 2239 Highway 20 S.E., Suite H, Conyers. Needy patients will receive care free of charge during the event. There will be a full staff of doctors, hygienists and assistants to take care of cleanings, fillings and other needs. No cosmetic work such as bleaching and braces will be performed but doctors will discuss these options for those who are interested in them for a future visit. All children must have a legal guardian with them to sign for services at the event. Foster Care Friends representatives also will be on site to provide information about resources the agency offers foster care parents in the community. For more information and to obtain an assigned time to come in for dental services, please call 770-921-3565.
NCBW to host open house for Legacy mentorship program The National Council of Black Women (NCBW) Decatur-DeKalb Chapter, Inc. Legacy Program is recruiting girls who are in the 9th grade for its leadership and mentorship program. Young ladies who are interested are invited to attend an open house and enrollment on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 6 to 8 p.m., at the County Line Ellenwood Library, 4331 River Road, Ellenwood. The program offers college readiness, personal development, health and education, community service, financial literacy, cultural awareness and scholarships.
ACT-SO competition to showcase local Students’ talents The DeKalb Branch of the NAACP is kicking off its ACT-SO competition on Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to noon, at Redan High School, 5247 Redan Road, Stone Mountain. The Academic Cultural Technological Science Olympics showcases students who will compete for a chance to be in the national contest for medals and scholarships. Students are invited to compete in up to three categories including STEM, Performing Arts, Humanities, Visual Arts and Business. There is no fee to enter the competition. For more information, call the DeKalb NAACP at 404-241-8006.
SDIA to host community meeting Aug. 25 Would you like information on public safety, education, economic development, housing, and code enforcement? The South DeKalb Improvement Association (SDIA) will host a community meeting to provide updates and share resources on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Sugar Creek Golf Course, 2706 Bouldercrest Road, Atlanta.
DeKalb Parks to host second annual “Doggie Splash Paw-looza” The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host its second annual Doggie Splash Paw-looza on Sept. 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Midway Park Pool, 3181 Midway Road, Decatur. Dogs are invited to splash into fun as this year’s pool season ends. Admission is $5 per dog to swim and all proceeds will fund enhancements for the Brookside and Mason Mill dog parks. Owners must arrive with their dogs on a leash and provide proof of current vaccinations and rabies tag. Female dogs in heat and puppies less than six months old will not be allowed. All pet handlers must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by an adult. No more than two dogs per handler will be allowed. Owners will be required to supervise their dogs and clean up after them as necessary. To register, visit www.dekalbcountyga.gov/parks and click the “Register Now” button, or register in person at any recreation center.
Rockdale Rockers Social Club to meet Aug. 15 The Rockdale Rockers senior group will hold its next meeting on Thursday, Aug. 15, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Piedmont Rockdale Hospital in the Building A Classrooms, 1412 Milstead Ave., Conyers. The Rockdale Rockers is a social club for those aged 55 and older and is geared toward helping seniors live a stronger, longer, healthier life. All meetings include a buffet lunch, a guest speaker, and games. Memberships are now available and priced as follows: Single memberships are $15 per year and couple memberships are $25 per year. The cost for non-members is $5. The speaker for the meeting will be Rajeev Mysorekar, M.D., who is a hyperbaric medicine/wound care physician for Piedmont Healthcare. Dr. Mysorekar specializes in the multimodality treatment of non-healing wounds of all types. He is skilled in the application of surgical debridement, compression therapy, offloading and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to increase wound healing rates. Dr. Mysorekar has over 15 years of experience as a wound physician. If you are interested in attending the next meeting with the Rockdale Rockers, RSVP at 770-918-3303 or at laura.sistrunk@piedmont.org.
Pride of Conyers Masons Partner with Rockdale County to Host Men’s Health Fair The Pride of Conyers #578 Masons and Rockdale County government will host the Men’s Health Fair on Saturday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Piedmont Rockdale Hospital, 1412 Milstead Ave. N.E., Conyers. The health fair will be held in classrooms 1, 2, and 3. The free event will feature various services such as health screenings, veteran services, a chiropractor, massages, a healthy cooking demonstration, healthy shopping and athletic activities. No ticket required. Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPs are appreciated. To RSVP, visit https://menshealthfair2019.eventbrite.com. For more information, call the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Office at 770-278-7001.
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AUGUST 9, 2019 • PAGE 5
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Massive Turnout for New Birth Shoe Give Away
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host of volunteers, dignitaries and community partners joined New Birth Missionary Baptist Church's back-to-school outreach event where 5,000 students received free new shoes on Aug. 3. The line wrapped around the building at the church’s campus in the City of Stonecrest. In July, New Birth's Senior Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant issued a call to his congregation to donate 1,000 brand new shoes for students in grades K-12. What started as a goal of 1,000 shoes quickly swelled to more than 5,000 donated items thanks to the generosity of his congregation and various community partners. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News
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Faith & Spirit Community Calendar There are many opportunities for connection, empowerment and education in the next few weeks. On Common Ground’s Faith and Spirit Community Calendar features a diverse assortment of faith-based and other community events. To see what is going on in your community, visit churchesnow.org.
Feeding A Crowd The Sankofa Community Food Pantry hosted a crowd during its drivethrough food giveaway in July. Cars snaked around the build at the Faith Plaza, located at 1240 Sigman Road N.W., Conyers. Recipients received boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as dry goods, meats, canned goods and milk. Sankofa hosts the drive –through food pantry every third Saturday, 12 to 3 p.m., behind Faith Plaza. A variety of food items are given away at no cost, while supplies last. ID is not required to receive the food and you do not have to be a resident of Rockdale County. The food is given away on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 678-517-2538.
King Center’s second annual “Beloved Community International EXPO” The King Center’s second annual “Beloved Community International EXPO” will be held on Saturday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 449 Auburn Avenue, NE, Atlanta. The expo is free and open to the public. In collaboration with the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Atlanta Consulate Corps and others, the Expo will transform The King Center’s campus and the adjacent street into a “World House” of celebration, fun, music, dance, performances, and activities. All are invited to come enjoy the sites, tastes, and sounds of our wonderfully diverse world. For more information, visit www.thekingcenter.org.
Senior fling set in City of Clarkston Join the Clarkston Senior Committee on Saturday, Aug. 17, 3 to p.m., for the first annual Senior Fling. There will be food, music, giveaways and more. All neighbors are welcome. For more details, visit clarkstonga.gov/seniornight-fling
Pastor Lekan and Ebun Salami
Divine Faith International Ministry Gen-Now The Stone Church Inc. Atlanta invites the community to its “Praise Dance Sunday,” Aug. 11, 10 a.m., at the Stone Church Conference Center, 4943 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Suite B2, Decatur. The 2018 Praise Dancers winner, Divine Faith International Ministry GenNow, will minister dance praises during the worship service. Pastor Lekan and Ebun Salami welcome you to come dressed comfortably. For more information, contact 404-468-4102 or visit the web site: www. thestonechurchna.org.
Baptist Women in Ministry launches application for 2020 mentoring program The Baptist Women in Ministry’s (BWIM) Mentoring Program offers new ministers an opportunity to participate in two years of intentional mentoring with a seasoned Baptist minister and a group of peers. These mentoring groups serve as communities of support, encouragement, and guidance. The BWIM Mentoring program is open to Baptist women who have served in their current area of ministry for less than three years and are ministering in churches, chaplaincy, non-profit work, and other “outside-thebox” settings. Applications will be received through September 15, 2019. More information can be found at www.bwim.info/mentoring-program or by contacting Julie Long at julielong@bwim.info.
Faith community marks 400 years since arrival of the first enslaved Africans The year 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans to America. All Saints’ Episcopal Church and the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing will gather to address the legacy of slavery in this country. Rector Simon Mainwaring will moderate a panel exploring the topics of justice and race with The Rt. Rev. Robert C. Wright, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta; . Catherine Meeks, executive director of the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing; and Joel Thompson, Atlantabased composer, pianist, conductor, and educator. The conversation will be followed by a worship service featuring music from African-American composers, including Joel Thompson’s “Draw Us Near.” The event will be held on Aug. 18, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., 634 West Peachtree St., Atlanta.
University of North Georgia hosts religious symposium Mountain Top Lectures, in collaboration with the University of North Georgia, will host Professor Karima Bennoune Ph.D for a special lecture on Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m. at the University of North Georgia, Hoag Auditorium, 82 College Cir, Dahlonega. Bennoune is a professor of international law at the University of California and an expert on religious extremism. She regularly serves as a consultant for global organizations such as the United Nations and Amnesty International in the fight against fundamentalism and terrorism. Mountain Top Lectures host speakers hosts scholars and authors on a wide range of issues related to religion and spirituality three times year to foster an understanding of the human condition in a changing world in an effort to make a greater impact on the collective as a whole. For more information, visit www.mountaintoplectures.org.
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Conyers-Rockdale Chamber accepting registration for Entrepreneurial Academy The Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce is ready to help you get your business off the ground at this year’s Fall 2019 Entrepreneurial Academy. The seven-week program, held on Mondays, Sept. 23-Nov. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m., offers a deep dive into the essentials on starting and running a successful business. “If you have dreams of starting your own business or are already an established business owner seeking to expand, the academy has something for you,” said Fred Boscarino, President/CEO of the Chamber. “Experienced business people who have been there, tried that, share their voices of experience to help you avoid common pitfalls and be better prepared to establish your business for growth and prosperity.” The curriculum includes sessions on legal entities, accounting, loan options, marketing, social media, insurance and human resources. Workshops vary from panel discussions to lectures and hands-on training. “Of more than 750 academy graduates who have come through the program since it started in 2004, more than 50 percent are now in business for themselves,” said Boscarino. The academy, which graduated 32 participants in Spring 2019, draws participants from the surrounding metro Atlanta area including Conyers, College Park, Decatur, Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Covington, Forest Park, Stockbridge and McDonough. Esther Williams said while it took her two years to earn a master’s degree in business online, it took her just seven weeks to learn everything she needed to know to start her business at the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneurial Academy. “Everything—from insurance to opening policies—was covered. It’s really what I needed to get things up and running,” said Williams, a retired Rutgers University professor who launched the Green Hygiene Company, LLC, a mail-order business in Decatur offering environmentally-safe cleaning products for homes and corporate dwellings. The cost for the program is $175. Attendees who register by Sept. 1 will receive a $50 discount. The fee includes snacks for every session and a graduation dinner and certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program. The course is open to the public and entrepreneurial experience is not necessary to apply. For more information or to register, visit www.conyersrockdale.com or call 770-483-7049.
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ELECTION continued from page 1 $105 for a council seat. For more information: 404-296-6489. Decatur Three city commissioner seats and two Decatur Board of Education seats will be up for election: Scott Drake, District 1, Post B Brian Smith, District 2, Post B Tony Powers, At Large Michele Gray King, Board of Education, District 1, Post B Peggy Baggett, Board of Education, District 2, Post B Qualifying will be held Aug. 1921, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 509 N. McDonough St., Decatur. The qualifying fee for City Commission office is $360 and the qualifying fee for Board of Education members is $35. For more information: e-mail City Clerk Meredith Roark at meredith.roark@ decaturga.com or call 404-370-4102. Doraville The Office of Mayor and three council seats will be available: Mayor Donna Pittman Pam Fleming, District 1 M.D. Naser, District 2 Shannon Hillard, District 3 Qualifying is Aug. 19-21, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 3725 Park Ave. The fee is $540 for mayor and
$432 for a council seat. For more information, call 770-451-8745. Raquel.gonzalez@doravillega.us. Dunwoody The Office of Mayor and three council seats will be up for election: Mayor Dennis Shortal Terry Nall, City Council,Post 4 (District 1 At Large) Lynn Deutsch, City Council Post 5 (District 2 At Large) John Heneghan, City Council Post 6 (District 3 at Large) Qualifying is Aug. 19-21, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road. The fee is $480 for mayor and $360 for a council seat. For more information: Sharon Lowery, City Clerk, at 678-382-6711 or Sharon.lowery@dunwoodyga. gov. Lithonia The Office of Mayor and two council seats will be up for election: Mayor Deborah Jackson Fred Douglas Reynolds, Sr., Council member Shameka Reynolds, Council member Qualifying will be held Aug. 2022. Fees are $234 for mayor and $122.40 for council seats. For more information: 770-482-8136, ext. 128
Pine Lake The Office of Mayor and two council seats are open for election: Mayor Melanie Hammet Kris Casariego Megan Pulsts Qualifying will be held Aug. 1923. Fees are $108 for the office of mayor and $18 for a council seat: For more information: 404-2924250 Stonecrest Elections for the Office of Mayor and two council seats will be up for election: Mayor Jason Lary Rob Turner, District 2 George Turner, District 4 Qualifying will be held Aug. 21-23, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., City Hall, 3120 Stonecrest Blvd. Fees are $600 for the Office of Mayor and $450 for a council seat. For more information: City Clerk Megan Reid, 770-224-0200. Stone Mountain Three council seats are up for election: Richard Mailman, Post 1 Bernie Waller, Post 2 Chakira Johnson, Post 3 Qualifying will be held Aug. 2022, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Stone Mountain City Hall, 875 Main Street. The fee for a council seat is
$108. For more information: 770498-8984. Tucker Three council seats will be up for election: William “Bill” Fosenfeld, District 1, Post 2 Noelle Monferdini, District 2, Post 2 Anne Lerner, District 3, Post 2 Qualifying will be held Aug. 1923, Tucker City Hall, 4119 Adrian Street. The fee for a council seat is $420. For more information: 678597-9040.
Important Dates Oct. 7: Voter registration deadline for the Nov. 5 General Election/ Special Election You may check your voter registration status, update your information, or register to vote at the Georgia Secretary of State's website. Oct. 15: Advanced (Absentee in-Person) voting begins. Nov. 1: L ast day for absentee ballots to be mailed. Nov. 5: General Election Day Dec. 3: Runoffs will be held
PROSECUTE continued from page 2 own benefit. Authorities said the Wests billed the government by trafficking the disabled and elderly adults between their businesses. Cynthia Riley and Ceretha Stephens, both registered nurses, served as the primary providers of health care services to residents of the homes the Wests owned and operated. Neither reported visible signs of neglect to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement. Investigators said the residents were covered in bed bug bites and reported going without medications, supplemental oxygen and food. Akeem Dancy, who was employed by a mental health facility, used his position at the facility to identify and recruit disabled adults into the care of the West family. Jadon Dancy assisted the West family in operating the homes and their various businesses. “These types of cases are only
successful when there is a collaborative effort amongst state, county, and local agencies,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vic Reynolds. “Through the At-Risk Adult Work Group, the new law that gives Judicial Circuits the ability to establish Multidisciplinary Teams, and training conducted throughout the state, we have been able to develop the relationships to combat these horrific crimes against Georgia’s most vulnerable population. GBI is proud to be a part of this case, and we look forward to working with our partners on other cases.” The case was investigated by the state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the DeKalb County Police Department, Special Victims Unit and the Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division.
The defendants indicted are: • Valerie West: Neglect to a Disabled Adult, Trafficking of a Disabled Adult, Terroristic Threats, Depriving a Disabled Adult of Essential Services (4 counts), Aggravated Assault, Exploitation of a Disabled Adult, and Identity Fraud • Eric West: Neglect to a Disabled Adult, Depriving a Disabled Adult of Essential Services (4 counts) • Erica West: Neglect to a Disabled Adult, Trafficking of a Disabled Adult, Depriving a Disabled Adult of Essential Services (2 counts), Exploitation of a Disabled Adult (3 counts), and Identity Fraud • Akeem Dancy: Trafficking of a Disabled Adult • Jadon Dancy: Trafficking of a Disabled Adult • Cynthia Riley: Neglect to a Disabled Adult, Failure to Report Neglect of a Disabled Adult • Ceretha Stephens: Failure to Report Neglect of a Disabled Adult Photo: Lions Head
ON COMMON GROUND NEWS MARKETPLACE LAWN CARE
PUBLIC NOTICE
TRAINING
Mayor and Council Members needed in the City of Lithonia
The city of Lithonia is looking for qualified candidates for the position of Mayor and Council positions. The general election will be held on November 5, 2019. Each candidate will file notice of his/her candidacy and the appropriate affidavit in the office of the City Clerk, Lithonia City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia, GA 30058. Qualifying for candidates will begin on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 and end on Thursday, August 22, 2019 between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:30 pm. (office closed for lunch between the hours of 1:30 – 2:30 pm). The qualifying fee is $234.00 for the position of Mayor and $122.40 for the position of Council Member. The City of Lithonia deserves the best. City Hall Contact Information: Phone: 770-482-8136
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THE ALL-NEW CHEVROLET BLAZER DRIVING HBCU TALENT INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
TYLA BARNES
SHARON JOY WASHINGTON
MIANA MASSEY
TEDARIUS ABRAMS
EMANI NICHOLS
ELAE C. HILL
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Follow these DTU Journalism Fellows through their summer internships. See the stories they’ve uncovered at nnpa.org/chevydtu. @ChevroletDTU