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VOLUME 25, NUMBER 24
SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 Stay connected
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Stonecrest Development Authority approves $700 million revenue bond Lecester “Bill” Allen poised to become single-largest landowner in the city of Stonecrest By Valerie J. Morgan
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UPS to hire estimated 100,000 for holiday season
he city of Stonecrest has taken a quantum leap toward economic development, led by Mayor Jason Lary. The six-member Stonecrest Development Authority unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sept. 12 for a proposed $700 million revenue bond, paving the way to jumpstart development in the city. The Development Authority inked the MOU with Allen Family Investments, LLC to bring development to a 300-acre tract around the Mall at Stonecrest over the next five years. The deal will make Lecester “Bill” Allen, the single-largest commercial
SEE STONECREST page 7
Chair, Rusty Haygood, Department of Community Affairs
Chair, Anna Miller, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget
David Shafer, Chair, Georgia Republican Party
U
L-R: Lecester “Bill” Allen, Board Chairman Antonio Render and Mayor Jason Lary. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News
Mike Roby, Department of Veterans Service
Robyn Crittenden, Department of Human Services
Kerry Armstrong, Atlanta Regional Commission
Delores Crowell, DeKalb County Government
Nikema Williams, Chair, Democratic Party of Georgia
Jerald Mitchell, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
Tharon Johnson, Paramount Consulting Group, LLC
Gregg Simon, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Gov. Kemp names 66 to Georgia’s Complete Count Committee Gov. Brian P. Kemp has tapped 66 leaders to serve on the Complete Count Committee, a task force who will ensure every resident of Georgia is counted in the 2020 U.S. Census. The state committee will be chaired by Rusty Haygood of the Department of Community Affairs and Anna Miller of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. The Executive Order is available here. Two members of the Governor's Complete Count Committee, Lori Geary and Tharon Johnson, will serve as co-executive directors of a statewide marketing campaign for the 2020 census. Launched by the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, this nonpartisan initiative is called "Every. One. Counts." "We are honored that Governor Brian Kemp asked us to serve as co-executive directors of Georgia's Complete
Count Committee," said Lori Geary and Tharon Johnson. "It is vital that every man, woman, and child are counted in the 2020 census so that our state gets the right amount of federal funding and the right number of congressional seats. We look forward to working with the Complete Count Committee to make Georgia a national leader in census efforts." Complete Count Committee: Kerry Armstrong, Atlanta Regional Commission Patty Bentley, State Representative, District 139 Frank Berry, Department of Community Health Matt Brass, State Senator, District 28 Candice Broce, Office of the Governor
SEE COMMITTEE page 7
PS announced that it expects to hire about 100,000 seasonal employees to support the anticipated annual increase in package volume that will begin in November and continue through January 2020. That's enough people to populate a city the size of Albany, N.Y. “We expect another record peak season this year, with daily package deliveries nearly doubling compared to our average of 20 million per day,” said Jim Barber, chief operating officer. “In order to make that happen, once again we’re recruiting about 100,000 people for some of the country’s best seasonal jobs.” The full- and part-time seasonal positions – primarily package handlers, drivers and driver-helpers – have long been an entry point for permanent employment at UPS. Many senior UPS executives, including Chairman and CEO David Abney and other members of the company’s senior leadership team, started their UPS careers as part-time employees. Over the last three years, 35 percent of those UPS hired for seasonal package handler jobs were later hired in a permanent position when the holidays were over, and nearly a third of the company’s current U.S. workforce started in seasonal positions. Through the company’s Earn and Learn program, eligible seasonal employees who are students can earn up to $1,300 towards college expenses, in addition to their hourly pay, for three months of continuous employment. Interested applicants should apply at www.upsjobs.com.
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DeKalb Sheriff’s Office arrests Tucker murder suspect The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. Unit arrested Lenell Ledarius Ross, 26, of Tucker on a charge of felony murder. According to a warrant issued on Sept. 8, Ross fatally shot Carlos Williams on Clarke Drive in Tucker on Sept. 7, 2019. DeKalb sheriff’s investigators located Ross in the vicinity of Hambrick Road and Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain, where he was taken into custody by the sheriff’s office S.W.A.T. Unit without incident and transported to the DeKalb County Jail.
Rockdale sheriff’s deputy arrested for sexual contact with inmate A Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputy, Aaron Frank, has been arrested on improper sexual contact with a female inmate at the Rockdale County Jail. Frank was arrested and charged after confessing to have sexual contact with the inmate inside the women’s annex laundry facility, Sheriff’s spokesman Lee A. Thomas said in a news release. The Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division was notified of the assault on Sept. 6. The incident was Aaron Frank alleged to have occurred on Aug. 28 or Aug. 29. CID Investigators spoke with Frank, a detention deputy and several inmates, including the victim and several witnesses. During interviews, Frank confessed to having improper sexual contact with the female inmate. After consulting with the District Attorney’s Office, Frank was arrested for improper sexual contact with an inmate (OCGA 16-6-5.1) and violation of oath of office (OCGA 16-10-1). Rockdale County Sheriff Eric J. Levett issued the following statement: “I am proud of the swift investigation performed by my team. In less than 24 hours of notification of this incident, Deputy Frank was arrested. Deputy Frank’s job termination recommendation is pending his administrative due process hearing. I cannot express my displeasure and disappointment enough in Deputy Frank’s actions. I hold every one of my employees at a different level of accountability and there is a level of community trust that is associated with this career. Please know there is absolutely no exception in any case of misconduct by any employee of the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office that will go unanswered.”
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PUBLISHER Glenn L. Morgan
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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
SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 • PAGE 3
Cochran-Johnson to host NCBW Decatur-DeKalb to host candidates’ forum Sept. 26 meeting on code compliance The National Council of 100 Black Women DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine CochranJohnson and Timothy C. Hardy, deputy director of DeKalb County’s Code Enforcement Division, will a hold a community meeting on code Lorraine Cochran-Johnson compliance and how residents can contribute to the upkeep of their neighborhoods. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center, 3181 Rainbow Dr., Decatur. “Code enforcement is a critical component in residents engaging in the collective stewardship of our communities,” said Cochran-Johnson. “It’s imperative for everyone to understand that being in compliance with property maintenance and building codes is vital to community development and enhancing property values.” The community meeting will educate residents on code compliance procedures and the most common violations, as well as address key topics including safety and code violation reporting. In addition, residents also will learn how they can take an active role in the beautification of their community by participating in weekly clean sweeps. “I am proud to educate the public on how they can take an active role in changing the face of their communities,” Hardy said. “Code compliance depends on DeKalb residents to be the eyes of the community.” Representatives from various DeKalb County departments and agencies will attend including Andrew Baker (director, Planning and Sustainability) and Tracy A. Hutchinson (director, Sanitation Division and Beautification Unit). The community meeting on code compliance is open to the public. For more information, visit http://bit. ly/2kDH6U3 or call 404-371-3681.
STONECREST BUSINESS ALLIANCE INC. Cordially Invites The Community
Decatur-DeKalb Chapter, Inc. will host the Mayoral and Georgia State Senate and City Council Candidates’ Forum on Thursday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m., at Lithonia City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia. Dometrice “Dee” Clemmons will serve as moderator for the forum. Clemmons, elected in 2016 as the first African-American woman on the Henry County Board of Commissioners, is a former middle Dometrice Clemmons school teacher, strategist and founder of She Steams, a Forum Moderator coalition of women entrepreneurs striving to educate, empower, and enlighten the next generation. A native of Atlanta, Clemmons is a Spelman College graduate. Lithonia, Decatur and Stonecrest residents are invited to attend the forum and learn more about the candidates and their viewpoints on critical issues.
Rockdale to conduct door-to-door business license checks Rockdale County plans to conduct its own business census to determine the type of businesses that serve Rockdale and the number of vacancies and empty storefronts present. The county’s Department of Planning and Development will kick off the doo-to-door Business Audit Campaign on Oct. 1,visiting all businesses operating in unincorporated Rockdale. Officials say they plan to conduct the physical inventory through the end of October. Businesses must be compliant by Nov. 1. Business owners can expect a personal visit by staff from the Code Enforcement Division Team as they conduct field inspections. The team will be leaving notices and literature with the businesses as a reminder for license renewals for 2020, as well as looking for the following items: • Is the address posted and visible? • Is the signage permitted and in good condition? • Is the exterior of the property clean and the building maintained in good repair? • Is there a “current and posted” business license, alcohol license, tobacco license, etc.? • Are the correct businesses being conducted? For more information, contact the Rockdale County Code Enforcement Division at 770-278-7111 or Code.violationsmailbox@rockdalecountyga. gov.
CITY OF STONECREST PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1ST 2019 AT 6:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD, SUITE 155 STONECREST, GA 30038 CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, OCTOBER 28TH 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD, SUITE 155 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: LOCATION:
TMOD 19-0003 Stonecrest Overlay Stonecrest Overlay
PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
Text amendment to the Overlay to amend the prohibited and permitted uses and a map amendment to change the boundaries of the Overlay as a whole and the boundaries of Tiers 1-5.
LAND USE PETITION: LOCATION:
TMOD 19-0004 Stonecrest Zoning Ordinance City-Wide
PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
Define “Small Box Discount Store” and amend the City of Stonecrest Zoning Ordinance Table 4.1 (“Use Table”) to prohibit Small Box Discount Stores in the City of Stonecrest.
LAND USE PETITION: LOCATION:
TMOD 19-0005 Stonecrest Zoning Ordinance City-Wide
PROPOSED AMENDMENT:
Amending the City of Stonecrest Zoning Ordinance Table 4.1 (“Use Table”), to define “Party House”, permit Party Houses only via Special Administrative Permit in Zoning Districts “RE” and “RLG,” and prohibited Party Houses in every other zoning district.
Candidates Forum City Council District 5 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 • 8:00 a.m. AEI StartUp Factory, 7310 Stonecrest Concourse, Stonecrest A networking breakfast will follow the forum. To attend the breakfast, please RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stonecrest-business-alliance-members-networking-breakfast-tickets-70616567053.
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
RZ-19-007 *Full cycle deferral Aug City Council Meeting 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. RZ-19-008 Salim Damani 4623 Klondike Road R-85 (Residential Med Lot) Zoning District Applicant is requesting to rezone 3.0 acres to C-2 (General Commercial) Zoning District for future commercial development.
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Citizens set town hall to discuss Evans Mill Road cell tower removal Citizens for a Healthy and Safe Environment, Atlanta for the Planet and Stonecrest Citizens Coalition will have a town hall to discuss the dangers of cell towers placed in residential areas. The town hall is set for Saturday, Sept. 14, 2 to 5 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. The groups will be discussing the cell tower recently erected on Evans Mill Road and are calling for its removal. “We believe it was placed illegally at 3610 Evans Mill Road, Stonecrest, and are calling for its removal,” the groups stated in a news release. The community is encouraged to attend the meeting. For more information, call 770-559-9669.
Stonecrest District 4 Town Hall set Sept. 17 Stonecrest City Councilman George Turner will host his District 4 Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m., at Big Miller Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 3800 Big Miller Grove Way, Stonecrest. The agenda will include the following subjects: Economic Development-New Director, new direction District 4 Overlay protection 2020 Census and You SPLOST Update The community is encouraged to attend.
George Turner
Parks’ Citizens Advisory Board to meet in Lithonia The DeKalb Parks Citizens Advisory Board Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Lucious Sanders Recreation Center, 2484 Bruce Street, Lithonia. Information will be provided on current park improvements and recreation projects. For more information, contact Carol Underwood, administrative coordinator at 404-371-2927 or cjunderw@dekalbcountyga.
Veterans’ rally set: Remembering Anthony Hill, Quintas Harris, Brian Easley, Keisha Holmes Justice For Veterans will hold a rally to bring awareness to veterans who have been killed by the police or have committed suicide because of mental illness. The rally will be held on Saturday, Sept. 14, at noon, outside of the DeKalb County Courthouse, 556 McDonough St., Decatur. “Veterans are still suffering from mental illness and the lack of support from our community and the Veterans Administration. We cannot forget Sgt. Anthony Hill, who was murdered in 2015 by former DeKalb Police Office Robert Olsen. Anthony Hill was suffering from PTSD and bipolar disorder when he was killed. He was unarmed and naked,” said retired LTC Amos King, president of Justice for Veterans. Hill’s trial is scheduled Sept. 23. King said the rally also is being held to remember the families of Quintas Harris, Brian Easley and Keisha Holmes. “We are asking all veterans and the community to come out and support the rally,” King said. The community is invited, especially veterans and their families. For more information, call 678-698-8573.
Rockdale Board of Elections sets meetings Fieldstone Precinct to be relocated The Rockdale County Board of Elections regular meeting scheduled has been rescheduled to Sept. 19, 4 p.m., 1261 Commercial Drive, S.W., Suite B, Conyers (drive around to the back of the building). The Board of Elections will hold a special meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m., for the purpose of hearing public comments regarding the relocation of the Fieldstone Precinct to Chief Cornerstone Community Church, 2900 Salem Road. “If you cannot attend the meeting and would like to provide comments regarding this polling place change, please send your comments via email to me and I will ensure they are read at the Oct. 3 special meeting,” said Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham. Willingham may be emailed at Cynthia.welch@rockdalecountyga. gov.
M E T R O P O L I TA N AT L A N TA R A P I D T R A N S I T A U T H O R I T Y
Notice of Public Hearing Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will hold a public hearing for the purpose of considering the
Proposed Bus Service Modifications for December 7, 2019 for the following bus routes: Route 19: Clairmont Road, Route 123: Church Street/North DeKalb Mall, Route 823: Belvedere All route information, videos and comment forms are available at www.itsmarta.com.
Monday, September 16 Decatur Library Auditorium 215 Sycamore Street Decatur, GA 30030 Community Exchange: 6 pm
PUBLIC HEARING: 7 pm Riding MARTA: Blue Line to Decatur Station, exit on Church Street and continue one block east
Copies of the proposed Bus Service Modifications and the FY2020 Service Standards will also be available for public viewing at MARTA’s Headquarters Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri-8:30 am to 5:00 pm. For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact, (404) 848-4615. For those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (404) 848-5665. In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at the hearing. If you cannot attend the hearing and want to provide comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTA’s Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) email to custserv@itsmarta.com; (5) or fax your comments no later than September 23, 2019 to (404) 848-4179. All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected by the subjects to be considered at the hearing are hereby notified and invited to appear at said time and place and present such evidence, comment or objection as their interests require.
Jeffrey A. Parker, General Manager/CEO
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SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 • PAGE 5
Explore Historic Decatur through architectural walking tours Take a tour and get to know the architecture of Decatur’s surrounding neighborhood. Spanning from 1830-1965, the homes and buildings chosen sport different floor plans, house styles, and architectural styles. Designed for history lovers and architecture buffs alike, each stop will be followed up by a detailed account of the interior design, architectural elements, and associated history. This tour is outdoors with a total walking
distance of about one mile, and lasts about 90 minutes. The tour will start and end at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. Tour dates and times: October 2, 5:30 – 7:00 pm October 9, 5:30 – 7:00 pm October 23, 12:00 – 1:30 pm October 30, 12:00 – 1:30 pm DeKalb History Center member tickets are $5. Non-member tickets are $10.
DeKalb to host breast cancer run/ walk Oct. 19 Early registration for the fourth annual DeKalb County Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Run/Walk is now open. On Saturday, Oct. 19, DeKalb County, along with Susan G. Komen and Northlake Mall, will host the event at 9 a.m., at Northlake Mall, 4800 Briarcliff Rd. NE., Tucker. The route begins and ends at the mall and also features a onemile fun run. Through Sept. 13, registration for the 5K and one-mile fun run/walk is $5 for DeKalb County employees and $10 for non-employees. After Sept. 13, the price increases to $10 for DeKalb County employees and $20 for non-employees. Registration includes access to run/walk activities and an event t-shirt. Registration can be completed at www. komenatlanta.org/dekalb5k.
The High House, built in the 1830s.
Proceeds from the 5K run/walk will go to fund Susan G. Komen programming initiatives in DeKalb County. For more information on the DeKalb County Breast Cancer Awareness 5K Run/Walk or to be a sponsor, contact Nichole Simms at jnsimms@ dekalbcountyga.gov or 404-371-2552.
Rockdale Sheriff’s Office to host women’s self-defense class The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office will host its next Women’s Self-Defense Course on Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 to 8 p.m. The class will be held in the Sheriff’s Office Training Room on the second floor of the Jail Administration Building, 911 Chambers Drive N.W., Conyers. The class is free to women who would like to participate. Loose workout clothing is preferred and no prior experience is necessary. To sign up, call Lt. Jake Coggins at 770-2788059 or Karen Anderson at 770-278-8109.
Reckless Abandon to wrap up Rockdale summer concert series Reckless Abandon will perform rock’n roll classics as the finale act of Rockdale County’s Rockin’ Rockdale Summer Concert Series on Sept. 29, 6 to 8 p.m., at Costley Mill Park. The free outdoor concert series, held on the last Sunday of the month, kicked off on June 30. The series offered live music from local wellknown artists featuring jazz, R&B, rock and classic hits. Concert-goers may bring their own food and beverages, although alcohol is prohibited. There will be food trucks, beverages, and fun activities for children in the Kids Zone from 5 to 6 p.m. before the concert begins. Event parking is available at 2599 Salem Church Road, Conyers.
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PAGE 6 •SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Rockdale BOC announces Student Shadow Day 2019 Rockdale County Board of Commissioners will host the county’s student Talent Development Program: Shadow Day on Thursday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free program provides high school and college students the chance to explore careers and jobs up close while exposing students to networking opportunities and receive tips on how to enter the workforce. Lunch, snacks and official Rockdale “Swag” item also will be provided to participants. Registration deadline for the program is Sept. 30. Register online at https://stdpshadowday2019.eventbrite.com or select the Shadow Day 2019 link on the county website: www.rockdalecountyga. gov. For more information, contact Teesha Carter at teesha.carter@ rockdalecountyga.gov.
Registration under way for free RCPS Parent Academy
Johnson Park Recreation Center to undergo $2.8 million makeover By Mackenzie N. Morgan Staff Writer Johnson Park is getting a facelift. Rockdale County officials and community leaders recently held a groundbreaking ceremony fon Sept. 9. The county is upgrading the facility’s gymnasium and natatorium areas. The expansion will cost approximately $2.8 million and will be funded with special purpose local option sales tax dollars (SPLOST). The renovations, handled by Lichty Commercial Construction, Inc., will include a new gymnasium with an indoor walking track, offices, a weight room, a pool deck expansion with team meeting rooms as well as renovations to convert existing storage space into a family changing area with lockers and shower rooms. “I am pleased with the substantial renovations coming to fruition at the Johnson Park Recreation Center,” said Sue Sanders, Director of Rockdale County’s Recreation and Maintenance Department. “The transformation of the center will help us advance our goal of revitalizing recreational spaces in the county to provide additional opportunities for our citizens to participate in our programs.” Andrew Hammer, Rockdale County Deputy Director of Recreation and Maintenance, said he is looking forward to the renovations, in particular the center’s new indoor track. “We have hundreds of people who walk our trails at Johnson Park and this will allow people to walk indoors when weather does not permit use of the outdoor trails,” said Hammer. “This will be the first of its kind in Rockdale County.” Hammer said that county officials have been planning the renovations since 2011. The work is scheduled for completion July 2020. Johnson Park will continue to operate during the construction period, Sanders said. Johnson Park Recreation Center is located at 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers. For updates and more information, follow @rockdaleparks or call 770-278-7529.
Kaiser’s Constance Abbott to keynote GLCC Sept. 16 luncheon The Greater Lithonia Chamber of Commerce will host Constance Abbott for the September member luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Kaiser Permanente Panola Medical Center, 5440 Hillandale Drive, Lithonia. Abbott is a registered nurse and serves as health services administrator at Kaiser Permanente’s Conyers medical center. A catered lunch will be provided. Members are free with advance registration or $10 at the door. Guests are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. To register, visit greaterlithoniachamber.com.
Constance Abbott
Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center to reopen driving range The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is scheduled on Sept. 20, 9 a.m., to reopen the driving range at Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Center, 2706 Bouldercrest Road, Atlanta. Officials say the driving range is ready to go with new equipment. The storage barn has been completed and the bridge repairs are expected to be completed by the end of this month. The driving range will be in full operation Sunday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Renovations are still underway at the golf course. Golf cart repairs and tree removal are expected to be completed by the end of October. The golf course is expected to reopen in early October 2019. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs public relations specialist at 404-371-3643.
Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) will celebrate the 17th semester of its Parent Academy on Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Rockdale Career Academy, 1064 Culpepper Road, Conyers. The free, half-day event offers classes for parents, teens and tweens. Online registration is available at www.rockdaleschools.org/ parentacademy. Paper registration forms are available at each RCPS school. The day kicks off with keynote speaker, Superintendent Terry Oatts, and interactive, roundtable discussions. Parents and the public are invited to participate. Class topics range from financial planning to trending apps and parental controls, creating art, improving computer skills, CPR, helping your kids with today’s math, Zumba, preparing for standardized tests and more – all focused on helping parents and students become successful in life. Classes for families with special needs and Spanish-speaking families also will be offered. Parent Academy coordinator Darci Gilreath said she is proud of what Parent Academy has been able to provide for more than 4,000 parents who have attended previous sessions. The day also includes free lunch and door prizes, with a special door prize drawing after the keynote address and an extra chance to win for those who pre-register. Childcare is provided for children ages 3-10 for parents who preregister. If your child is enrolled in the RCPS Special Education Program and you are requesting childcare please contact Sirena Graves by Sept. 11 at sgraves1@rockdale.k12.ga.us or 770-918-6187 ext. 33187. Many local businesses and non-profits will be available in the vendors’ market for parents to browse. For more information, visit www.rockdaleschools.org/parentacademy.
Rockdale Sheriff’s Office partners with PaYS to assist soldiers On Sept. 10, Rockdale County Sheriff Eric J. Levett signed a memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Army’s Partnership for Youth Success, or PaYS. The PaYS program is a strategic partnership between the Army and a cross-section of private industry, academia and state and local public institutes. The U.S. Army PaYS program guarantees soldiers at least two job interview and possible employment after completing reserve training or their first term of service. The PaYS program provides America’s youths with the unique opportunity to simultaneously serve their country and prepare for their future. The PaYS program helps soldiers prepare for a career after the Army by connecting them with employers who understand the skills, discipline and work ethic that military service members bring to a business. The program is part of a long-term U.S. Army effort to help soldiers forge professional relationships with businesses and encourage business owners to look to the Army as a plentiful and reliable recruiting source. Since PaYS began in 2000, more than 841 employers have partnered with the program. “I was excited about the opportunity to work alongside the Atlanta United States Army Recruiting Battalion and our local ROTC programs in an initiatives that allows the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office to extend the message to our community youth to stay in school, start setting goals, making good choices in life and friends, and staying off drugs,” Levett said. “My agency currently employs several Veterans from all the branches of services. I am proud of all our veterans and the service they gave to our country and more so their choice to continue to be a public servant by joining our agency and serving and protecting their community after leaving military service.”
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SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 • PAGE 7
STONECREST continued from page 1
COMMITTEE continued from page 1 Otis Brumby, Georgia Press Association Margaret Ciccarelli, Professional Association of Georgia Educators Robyn Crittenden, Department of Human Services Delores Crowell, DeKalb County Government Derek Dabrowiak, Technical College System of Georgia Hardie Davis, City of Augusta Eddie DeLoach, City of Savannah Matt Dubnik, State Representative, District 29 Judy Fitzgerald, Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities John Gayle, City of Valdosta Lori Geary, Lexicon Strategies Mike Giles, Georgia Poultry Federation Frank Ginn, State Senator, District 47 Larry Hanson, Georgia Municipal Association Jeanine Abrams McLean, Fair Count Laura Meadows, Carl Vinson Institute of Government Rusty Haygood, Department of Community Affairs Andy Herod, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Skip Henderson, City of Columbus Bob Houghton, Georgia Association of Broadcasters Dorothy Hubbard, City of Albany Amy Jacobs, Department of Early Care and Learning Tharon Johnson, Paramount Consulting Group, LLC John King, Department of Insurance and Fire Safety Dominic LaRiccia, State Representative, District 169 Gerald Long, Georgia Farm Bureau Jodi Lott, State Representative, District 122 Brian Marlowe, Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce Santiago Marquez, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Tony Marshall, Georgia Health Care Association Nealie McCormick, Council on American Indian Concerns; City of Pelham Pat Merritt, Georgia EMC Anna Miller, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget Susan Miller, Department of Community Affairs Jerald Mitchell, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. Tyrone Oliver, Department of Juvenile Justice Lamar Paris, Union County Commissioner Sunny Patel, Office of the Governor Billy Pittard, Association of County Commissioners of Georgia Allen Poole, Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Condace Pressley, Cox Media Group Bert Reeves, State Representative, District 34 Robert Reichert, City of Macon Edward Reynolds, City of Bainbridge Johnna Robinson, Georgia Power Mike Roby, Department of Veterans Service Terry Rogers, State Representative, District 10 Jay Sanders, Department of Corrections David Shafer, Chair, Georgia Republican Party Gregg Simon, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Freddie Powell Sims, State Senator, District 12 Calvin Smyre, State Representative, District 135 Keith Stone, Office of the Georgia Secretary of State Brian Strickland, State Senator, District 17 Tiffany Taylor, Department of Education Blake Tillery, State Senator, District 19 Felita Williams, University System of Georgia Nikema Williams, Chair, Democratic Party of Georgia Matthew Wilson, State Representative, District 80 June Wood, Henry County Board of Commissioners Mike Worley, Georgia Wildlife Federation
Far right, Attorney Dan McRae discusses the bond with board members and city officials. Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ OCG News
landowner in the city of Stonecrest with more than 500 acres in the city. Allen owns the former Target department store and the AEI Startup Factory in Stonecrest. He also owns the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute and mansion where the Green Leaf series is filmed, which are both located off of Evans Mill Road, near the mega New Birth Missionary Baptist Church campus. “We have been working on this project for more than two years. So often, I wanted to share the information out of excitement for the city but I didn’t want a repeat of the Atlanta Sports City,” said Lary. “This is real money on the table with a long-term, experienced investor/developer that can deliver on the promise. The land is purchased and the deal is in place.” According to the terms of the 27-year revenue bond, the Development Authority will provide financing to Allen Family Investments to buy the property from Cadillac Fairview, which owns the Mall at Stonecrest. Allen will develop the project over a five-year period, according to the MOU. Allen sat alone on a front row at the Development Authority’s meeting, awaiting the board’s decision on the MOU. It wasn’t until Board Chairman Antonio Render said “Congratulations” after the board’s vote that it was revealed that Allen was the developer. Allen said after the meeting that he was looking forward to being a major player in the city’s growth. “I appreciate partnering with the city’s Development Authority,” said Allen. “It’s going to be a long process but I’m looking forward to making this city great by pushing for commercial development in the city of Stonecrest. This is a significant step that we have made toward that progress.” The MOU with Allen Family Investments is the first project the Stonecrest Development Authority has undertaken. Neither taxpayers nor the city will be liable for repayment of the bond. The revenue bond is soley the responsibility of the developer. It is different from a general obligation bond, paid for by a variety of taxes. Revenue bonds, also called municipal revenue bonds, are backed by revenue streams from specific projects such as tolls from a new toll road. Allen said that he plans to develop a 16-story hotel, convention center and amphitheater in the first phase of the project, which would start in February of 2020. The project would receive a 10-year tax abatement from the city of Stonecrest. Attorney Dan McRae, the leading economic development attorney for the state of Georgia, is handling the MOU, referenced to as the “Wall Street” project. Lary said the next step is for the Development Authority to negotiate the tax abatement with the other DeKalb County entities. Since there is zero property tax levied to residents who live in the City of Stonecrest, the abatement will be derived from several County entities. Allen Family investment will then work with other development partners to start the construction of the hotel, convention center and Amphitheater, Lary said. “Welcome to the New Black Wall Street,” the mayor said McRae, on behalf of the Development Authority, negotiated a $250,000 fee for the inducement of the bond from Allen. The city will receive its first payment of $25,000 from that fee by Oct. 31. Lary said that the Stonecrest Development Authority expects to see a total of more than $1 billion of investments over the next five years. “There are four more deals that are near closure. These opportunities are in excess of $300 million with multiple corporate entities,” Lary said. “The city will reveal the deals in the next 30-45 days. This is how economic development works. The opportunities cannot be shared until they are near closure. Otherwise, competition can interrupt or steal the deal away from the City.”
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