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VOLUME 25, NUMBER 31
NOVEMBER 1, 2019
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Published Since April 1995
Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
Goodbye Daylight Savings Time. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour on Nov. 2.
Stonecrest approves purchase of former Sam’s Club Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary announced at the Oct. 28 City Council meeting that the city is buying the former Sam’s Club near the Mall at Stonecrest. Lary, flanked by City Council members George Turner, Rob Turner, Jimmy Clanton and Jazzmin Cobble, unveiled a rendering of the building that will become the new Stonecrest City Center, home of the future City Hall. The Stonecrest Sam’s Club has been vacant since it abruptly closed on Jan. 11, 2018. Store officials eorgia voters who haven’t said the shutdown was part versus renting is the best participated in elections of a restructuring in which casr scenario,” Lary said. in years could soon lose 63 Sam’s Clubs across the One of the key reasons their right to vote. About 330,000 nation were closed. for Walmart Corporation inactive Georgia voters will be The council accepting the lowest bid removed from the rolls ahead of the approved the $2.995 (rather than the highest), 2020 elections, Secretary of State million purchase of the officials said, was Mayor Brad Raffensperger has announced. 141,000-square-foot Lary’s negotiating Raffensperger said the updates facility during a special are required by federal and state law called meeting on Oct. 23. terms with executive management. in order to ensure the state has the The city was the lowest “I was able to most up-to-date voter information bidder amongst four other negotiate terms that and to cut down on fraud. Election suiters with amounts as would be favorable to officials plan to begin mailing high as $4.5 million. both entities without notices to the last known addresses “One of the key factors creating competition for of the individuals next week. in making this purchase the nearby Walmart. For “Election security is my top was the fact that the cost example, we’re prohibited priority,” said Secretary Brad of renting the facility from renting the facility Raffensperger. “Accurate and versus the monthly cost of to a BJ’s or Cosco type up-to-date voter rolls are vital to the Sam’s Club building entities,” Lar said. secure elections, but at the same were virtually the same. Communications time I want to ensure that anyone Anytime you can own Director Adrion Bell said potentially affected by this routine process has notice and opportunity to update their information. That is why my office is releasing the full list to ensure that people who are still eligible voters can update their information.” The Georgia NAACP said it plans to challenge the purge. In 2017, the secretary of state purged 534,000 Georgians from the voter registration rolls—the largest removal in U.S. history. The civil rights organization said a he DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s Office disproportionate amount of those has identified the two people who died in the removed from voter rolls were single-engine plane crash into some townhomes people of color. near Chamblee on Oct. 30. “People being removed for Leslie Csanyi, Jr., 59, and Scott Robert Lowrie, simply not voting is unethical 60, both residents of North Carolina, were aboard the and undemocratic. We should be plane when it took off around 10:30 a.m. from the investing in ways to make voting DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, authorities said. The small easier, not harder. We pledge to plane, identified as a Piper PA-28, crashed shortly after utilize our resources to not only leaving Runway 21, the FAA said. ensure that no voter is unlawfully DeKalb County government officials and the purged but also commit to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport issued a statement challenging the legal framework extending its sincere condolences to the families and of the practice altogether,” said the friends of Csanyi and Lowrie. Rev. James Woodall, State President At On Common Ground News’ deadline on Oct. of the Georgia NAACP. 31, authorities had not determined the cause of the The upcoming purge will plane crash into the Clairmont Hills Townhomes on reduce the voter rolls by about 4 Oakawana Drive, where six units were hit. percent, said Deputy Secretary of Although no one was injured at the townhomes, State Jordan Fuchs office. DeKalb County Fire Marshall Joe Cox and county “States like Nevada, Minnesota, building inspectors condemned the six units, declaring Colorado, Arizona, Illinois, them unsafe after they were left with gaping holes and Maryland and Vermont have similar filled with fuel vapor.
Georgia to purge 330,000 inactive voters from rolls State NAACP vows to challenge removals
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money from the city’s special purpose local option sales tax(SPLOST) will be used for the purchase. The council approved putting up $235,000 in earnest money needed for the purchase. Lary handled the negotiation and Fincher Denmark handle the land and building requirements, he said. Lary said it may not be necessary for the city to carry a mortgage on the facility since the city has $7 million in SPLOST money in the bank. However, we may decide the finance the property through our SPLOST
Bond or GMA financing. The city expects to close on or before Dec. 2, at the end of the due diligence Lary said Sam’s Club is leaving $1 million worth of refrigeration at the facility, which sits on 18 acres. Lary said the refrigerators might be used to lure a grocery store or farmer’s market to a secondary location as leverage. He said some of the trees on the land could be sold for timber as well. Lary said the building has the potential to serve the city in many capacities. “We’re going to make this a multi-use facility. It will serve as city hall, our newly formed Stonecrest Visitors and Convention Bureau, and a possible postal location,” said Lary. “Additionally, we will be designing and installing a studio audience style seating and lighting arrangement so that we can rent the facility to television producers that would like to host talk shows during the day while we operate the facility at night with work sessions and city council meetings. Finally, we’re looking to lure a national golf gaming partner for the
SEE STONECREST page 7
Two identified in fatal single-engine plane crash near Chamblee
T
SEE VOTER page 7
The plane went down on Peachwood Circle, officials said. DeKalb County Fire Rescue, DeKalb County Police and DeKalb Emergency Management Agency responded to the scene of the crash. Authorities closed off portions of I-85 near Frontage Road and Peachtree Circle Northeast and DeKalb police were on the scene to re-route traffic in the area.
SEE CRASH page 7
PAGE 2 • NOVEMBER 1, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Our future is bright in Stonecrest. Dear Stonecrest neighbors, You know me as a fighter. What you don’t know is that I’m fighting for Stonecrest. I started this journey six years ago going from neighborhood to neighborhood with just a map and an idea of building an independent, selfsustaining, proud city. There were many dark days and nights, and I sometimes wondered if I could continue to bear the pain of rejection, skepticism, and ridicule. Through faith, family support and great friends and neighbors along for the journey, we prevailed and became a city. If we continue to work together, we'll all be proud of the collective work that it takes to move our city forward for now and for generations to come. Like any new venture, it requires time and effort to be completely successful. Two years is an "eye blink" of time when developing a new city from inception to operation. I'm asking for each of you to allow me to continue leading our journey. I would be honored to earn your vote so that we can continue what we started, together.
VOTE NOVEMBER 5TH
Yours in service, Mayor Jason Lary, City of Stonecrest
Stonecrest Power Women Series
Family First God-Centered
With Representative Dar’shun Kendrick (right)
Protecting Our Citizens
Encouraging Young Entrepreneurs
Celebrating Our Health Victories
Love Thy Neighbors
Paid for by the Committee to Elect Jason Lary for Mayor
Recognizing Our Leaders
Building Our Partnerships
With Pastor Jamal Bryant
With Comm. Lorraine Cochran-Johnson
Protecting Our Seniors and Vets
Working with Our Schools
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PUBLISHER Glenn L. Morgan
gmorgan1@ocgnews.com
EDITOR Valerie J. Morgan
editor@ocgnews.com
ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill
richardhill@ocgnews.com
STAFF WRITER Mackenzie Morgan
mackenzie@ocgnews.com
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 770-679-5607 www.ocgnews.com
NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • PAGE 3
Lithonia’s mayoral race heats up as state officials investigate alleged address fraud With the Nov. 4 elections just days away, the Lithonia’s mayoral race is heating up as the Georgia Secretary of State’s office launches an investigation into the residency of Cindy Thomas who is challenging Shameka Reynolds, who has served eight years on the City Council. Deborah Jackson is not running for re-election as mayor of the city. Lithonia council members Ric Dodd and Amelia Inman filed a challenge to Thomas’ residency with the DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections at the beginning of the election cycle. Thomas appeared before the board on Sept. 12 to contest the residency challenge, providing documentation of her residency. Several supporters also spoke on her behalf. The county elections board dismissed the claim, clearing Thomas to run. Dodd said that he filed complaints twice with the Secretary of State’s Office alleging Thomas falsified documents to run for office. Dodd said he received an email on Oct. 15 from Chris
Cindy Thomas
Shameka Reynolds
Coulter, who stated he had been assigned to investigate the complaint on behalf of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office. Dodd said Thomas lived at her boyfriend’s house in the city for a portion of the last year, and did not live at the address listed when she qualified to run for office. Dodd, a longtime resident, said in the past, he has filed complaints against other candidates concerning their addresses: Vivian Dixon and Joyce McKibben, who ran for offices in the city of Lithonia. Lithonia, which is less than one square mile, has a population of just 2,100 people. “The city of Lithonia is small enough to know where everyone lives. One of Cindy Thomas’ campaign supporters said Cindy used to live with her mother off of Marbut Road. Well, that is not in the City of
Lithonia. Marbut Road is unincorporated Lithonia, which is now the City of Stonecrest,” said Dodd. Cindy Thomas’ campaign manager, John Jackson, said the Secretary of State’s called the complaint a “smear campaign” against Thomas. He said Dodd and Inman asked the Secretary of State to investigate because they were not satisfied with the decision rendered by the DeKalb Board of Elections in September. “It’s just a manufactured crisis. The DeKalb Board of Elections said that she (Thomas) met the residency requirements,” said Jackson. Jackson said that Thomas has lived on Swift Street for at least 1 ½ years. He said Thomas is leasing a house. He added that Thomas grew up in Lithonia but moved away after graduating from GeorgiaTech and starting a career in marketing. “She returned because she wanted to lift up the people who have less in the city,” said Jackson. Jackson said Thomas would not speak with On Common Ground News
because she wanted him to speak on her behalf. He said she was “too focused on her campaign.” Jackson named Mayor Deborah Jackson as one of Thomas’ supporters. Mayor Jackson said in a text to On Common Ground News: “I appreciate the level of enthusiasm and commitment she has shown to make a positive difference in the community. She has broad experience through her work in other countries that I believe would be beneficial to Lithonia.” State Rep. Doreen Carter, who has lived in Lithonia for 20 years and served four years on the City Council before her election to the Georgia House of Representatives, said she is throwing her support behind Reynolds. “This is her home. She has lived in Lithonia for years. She brings experience to the city of Lithonia, having served 8 years on the City Council. She understands business and the community as a whole. I believe she is a leader who we need in this season of politics.”
Rockdale County to pay tribute to veterans at Walk of Heroes The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners invites the public to join them at the Veterans Day Program on Nov. 11. The program will be held at 11 a.m., at the Walk of Heroes Veterans War Memorial at Black Shoals Park, which is located at 3001 Black Shoals Road, NE, Conyers. “Rockdale County is proud to pay tribute to those women and men who served in the military on National Veterans Day,” said Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. “We want to honor our veterans for their sacrifices and commitment to our country.” During the program, Rockdale Board of Commissioners will announce a partnership with the Georgia Department of Veterans Services that will provide a valuable service to veterans. The keynote speaker for the program will be BG Randall V. Simmons, Jr., Assistant Adjutant General, Georgia Army National Guard. U.S. Sen. David Purdue, Congressman Hank Johnson and State Rep. Vernon Jones also will attend and provide remarks during the program. In observance of Veterans Day, the Rockdale County Government offices will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11.
LOCAL HVAC FIRM SET TO MANAGE A $15 MILLION LOAN FUND Financing available for homeowners and churches to update their HVAC Units The National Sustainable Energy Group (NSEG), a leading, minority-owned Carrier and Bryant HVAC firm, has been selected to manage an $15 million HVAC Loan Fund. NSEG will be responsible for offering HVAC financing options for homeowners and churches within the faith-based community impacted by the Environmental Protection Agency’s phase-out of the R-22 refrigerant, commonly known as freon. We will offer financing to homeowners that have excellent, good, moderate and challenged credit scores. As well as our Rent-To-Own financing option.
PUBLIC MEETINGS NOTIFICATION - 2020 APPROPRIATIONS The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing relative to the proposed 2020 Appropriations on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. The work session of the Board of Commissioners will follow at the conclusion of the public hearing. The Board of Commissioners will have the first reading of the 2020 Appropriations Ordinance at their regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. and will have the second reading and adoption of the 2020 Appropriations Ordinance at their regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. A copy of the proposed 2020 Appropriations Ordinance will be available for inspection on Friday, November 1, 2019. These meetings will be held in the Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, Georgia 30012. For more information please visit the Rockdale County website at www.rockdalecountyga.gov <http://www.rockdalecountyga.gov> or by calling 770-278-7001.
Due to the mandatory 2020 deadline for the freon phase-out, the cost of freon is expected to increase by as much as 500% over the next year. Homeowners that have older model or non-functional HVAC units 10 years or older are urged to contact NSEG for a free HVAC evaluation. The new refrigerant, R410A, will not work in the older, freon-based HVAC units. “This will be a game changer within the HVAC industry for homeowners and local churches across the Metro Atlanta area” said Percy Brooks, Founder and CEO of the NSEG. “We will start the program in South DeKalb and Rockdale Counties.” The cities will include: Lithonia, Stone Mountain, City of Stonecrest, Conyers, Ellenwood, and Decatur. According to Brooks, NSEG has established a solid track record of providing affordable HVAC services within these cities, with over 85% of clients being African American female homeowners. The firm also provides services for senior citizens and veteran homeowners. NSEG’s goal is to now meet with over 100 churches across the Metro within the next six months as well. Brooks states that NSEG looks forward to providing our HVAC financing and sales to homeowners and churches affected by the mandatory EPA phaseout of freon that has caused major damage to the ozone layer and climate change. For additional information, please contact Percy Brooks at 404-218-6445 or email at percybrooks.meb@live.com Website address: www.hvachomesystem.com
PAGE 4 • NOVEMBER 1, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
DeKalb Sheriff’s Office seeks two murder suspects in separate incidents
UP TO
$2,000 REWARD FOR TIPS LEADING TO THE ARREST OF THE SUSPECT(S) BELOW
UP TO
CASE NUMBER: 19-102730
$2,000 REWARD
Conyers Police asks public’s help in finding two shoplifting suspects Incident Location: 2203 Highway 20 SE, Ross
Suspect Description: White medium to heavy CASE NUMBER: set female, wearing a 19-102730 pink hoodie, black leggings with white markIncident Location: ings on 2203 the side, jelly 20 SE, Highway flip-flops and neon Ross green Nikes.
FOR TIPS LEADING TO THE ARREST OF THE SUSPECT(S) BELOW
Conyers Police Department is seeking two female suspects wanted for shoplifting Suspect Description: White White medium to the heavyto heavy medium several items from set female, wearingwearing a set female, a whitepink sweater with ablack legRoss department store, hoodie, white tank top undergings with white mark2203 Highway 20onleggings S.E., jelly neath, black ingsmarkings the side, with white on in Conyers. The women flip-flops and neon the side, black sandals, greenand Nikes. a black tote purse, a were captured on video burgundy Michael Kors White surveillance shoplifting on purse.medium to heavy set female, wearing a Oct. 17. white sweater with a white tank top underAny information neath, black leggings leading to thewith arrest of on white markings On October 17,black 2019, at approximately 5:30 PM, the two female suspects pictured entered the side, sandals, the suspects may result Ross, a black tote purse, 2203 and a Highway 20 SE, and shoplifted several items. burgundy in a cash reward ofMichael up toKors purse. $2,000. �n� informa�on leadin� to the arrest of the suspects ma� result in a cash reward of up to $2,000.00. Tipsters will remain anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers Tipsters will remain anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with anywith any informa�on: Call: 404.577.TIPS (8477) Click: information: Call (8477) On October 17, 2019,404.577.TIPS at approximately 5:30 PM, the or twovisit femalewww. suspects pictured entered www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org Ross, 2203 Highway 20 SE, and shoplifted several items. �n� informa�on leadin� to the arrest of the suspects ma� result in a cash reward of up to $2,000.00. Tipsters will remain anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with any informa�on: Call: 404.577.TIPS (8477) Click: www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit is asking for assistance from the public in locating two murder suspects. Investigators are looking for Demonta Lamar Anderson, 24, who may be armed and dangerous. Anderson may be connected with a murder that occurred on Christopher Sellers Demonta Anderson Oct. 20 at an apartment complex on Flat Shoals Road in Decatur. The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office is also asking for assistance from the public in locating Christopher Sellers, 41, who may be connected to a murder on April 20 on Glenfair Road in Decatur. Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of either suspect is asked to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit by calling Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS. A reward may be possible if the information provided leads to an arrest.
VOTE DR. BARBARA
HALL
PROVEN LEADER ELDER NEWBIRTH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH VOTED IN EVERY ELECTION PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY & ACCOUNTABILITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DAY ONE READY NO OTHER COMMITMENTS
WWW.VOTEBARBARAHALL4DISTRICT5.COM
COMMUNITY AWARENESS MEETING ASK THE MAYOR
SATURDAY NOV. 2 | 10AM -12:30 | AEI STARTUP FACTORY 7310 STONECREST CONCOURSE | STONECREST, GEORGIA 30038 • WHERE’S SPLOST SPENDING AND ROAD REPAIR? • WHY IS CITY INVESTING IN PROPERTY PURCHASES? • WHY IS CITY PAYING FOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES? • WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS?
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Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary
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• ADD YOUR QUESTIONS HERE . . .
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• WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN PAST 2 YEARS?
THE MAY
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• WHAT’S ON YOUR ‘NEEDS IMPROVEMENT’ LIST?
MA TH KING KN AT ‘N SUR IS N OW OT E ING AN O LON ISS GER’ UE
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This “Ask the Mayor” is being hosted by District One’s Monthly CommUNITY Awareness Meeting with Councilman Jimmy Clanton
I’m Endorsing Our Mayor Jason Lary for Mayor Every eligible voter who lives in Stonecrest and are interested in its future, including the future of our communities, parks, churches and businesses are OBLIGATED to vote in this election. Not just vote, but to vote responsibly. City governance isn’t like children soccer where everyone gets a chance to play no matter their skill level. Governance requires seasoned leadership. Leadership whose responsiveness is based on the preferences of our citizens while still able to effectively deliver public services that promote common welfare. Again, responsive to the preference of our citizens and delivering public services that promote common welfare. A great leader has the wisdom to know the difference and the ability to marry the two. Mayor Jason Lary is that leader, one whom heart is with the common man, mind is with the business of the city and hands to deliver the hard work daily to build the foundation for our future. He’s Stonecrest biggest fan, biggest promoter and is willing to suffer personal blow back in the defense of and the advancement of his beloved Stonecrest. For me the decision is even easier when I’m asked to choose between the three; One candidate with a proven consistent record of wins for the city, one candidate with a bad record of conduct that cost the city and one candidate with no record whatsoever within the city. In my short two years in city government I’ve learn that no one person can obtain anything of substance without the ability to collaborate with colleagues. The sheer number of legislative wins in city council attest to Mayor Lary’s solid ability to collaborate with council members and staff. Great leadership requires POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT! Not negative engagement and certainly not no engagement! Stonecrest is a proud majority Afro-American city that is proving that our people can work together with leaders who look like us on our way to becoming a world class successful city. Mayor Jason Lary is the lead sower of the seeds that will grow into a city we all will be so glad we help build. Stonecrest is a real ‘Wakanda’ experience and we only need our citizens to believe in our own success as a community and not to sink toward the expected ‘crabbish’ behaviors that lead to communal implosion. Please vote responsibly and vote for our Mayor Jason Lary on Tuesday, November 5th, 2019. Thanks Jimmy Clanton, Jr. Stonecrest City Councilman, District 1
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Community meeting featuring DeKalb Tax Commissioner Irwin Johnson’s Office The Columbia Alliance Sustainable Neighborhood Initiative (CASNI) and DeKalb Metro Housing Counseling will host an informational meeting featuring DeKalb Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson’s Office on Nov. 9, noon to 4 p.m., at Columbia Drive United Methodist Church, 2067 Columbia Drive, Decatur. The community is invited to come out and learn about the services provided by the Tax Commissioner’s Office including basic homestead exemption, tag and titles, veteran exemption, disabled veteran, local exemptions, registration, renewals disabled placards, senior waiver, and more. For more information, visit www.DeKalbTax.org.
DeKalb’s free Bulky Item Curbside Collection begins Nov. 22 The DeKalb County Sanitation Division will offer free residential bulky item curbside collection from Nov. 22 through Dec. 21. Residents within the Sanitation Division’s service area will have an opportunity to place bulky items, including furniture and large appliances, curbside for collection. Collection schedules will be based on residents’ designated sanitation service day as follows: • Residential customers whose regularly scheduled sanitation service day is Monday will be serviced on Friday, Nov. 22, or Saturday, Nov. 23. To prevent collection delays, items should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. • Residential customers whose regularly scheduled sanitation service day is Tuesday will be serviced on Friday, Dec. 6, or Saturday, Dec. 7. To prevent collection delays, items should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. • Residential customers whose regularly scheduled sanitation service day is Wednesday will be serviced on Friday, Dec. 13, or Saturday, Dec. 14. To prevent collection delays, items should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. • Residential customers whose regularly scheduled sanitation service day is Thursday will be serviced on Friday, Dec. 20, or Saturday, Dec. 21. To prevent collection delays, items should be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20. Based on this collection schedule, residents with missed collections should call the Sanitation Division’s customer service team at 404-294-2900. For more information, contact the Sanitation Division’s customer service team at 404-294-2900.
NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • PAGE 5
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Commissioner Steve Bradshaw to keynote Veterans Affairs breakfast DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw will deliver the keynote address at the DeKalb NAACP Chapter’s Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Breakfast on Nov. 6, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the VFW lodge, 5362 Covington Highway, Decatur. “I am thrilled to have been considered and asked to provide this year’s keynote address at the DeKalb Chapter’s NAACP Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Breakfast,” Bradshaw said. “The men and women of the DeKalb Commissioner United States military and their families are very special Steve Bradshaw to me.” After receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1986 from Armstrong State College, Bradshaw entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant and was formally trained as a tank commander. During his seven-year military career, Bradshaw served in various positions of increased responsibility, including service in the Middle East during the first Persian Gulf War. Bradshaw retired from the Army in 1993 with the rank of captain to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Bradshaw hosted the Resource Expo for DeKalb County Veterans in 2018 and 2019, and allocated $40,000 of District 4 reserve funds for the Veterans Treatment Court. For more information on the event, email info@naacpdekalb.org or call 404-241-8006.
Discover the Lyon Farm at DeKalb History Center Lunch & Learn Join the staff at the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 12 p.m., at the DeKalb History Center (second floor), 101 East Court Square, Decatur for a Lunch & Learn. The ongoing preservation efforts at the Lyon Farm, one of DeKalb County’s oldest homesteads, will be. Arabia Alliance Executive Director Mera Cardenas and Director of Interpretation Sarah Lisle will discuss the historic farmhouse, which recently underwent major restoration and stabilization work. Cardenas and Lisle will highlight what has changed at the site over the past year and what the plans are for the future of the Lyon Farm. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to bring their own lunch.
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NOVEMBER 1, 2019 • PAGE 7
VOTER continued from page 1
Temporary road closure in the City of Stonecrest
rates of cancellations due to people moving as Georgia,” Fuchs said. “The 4 percent rate that we are seeing is similar to what states across the country are seeing.” In 2019, Georgia lawmakers passed legislation requiring election officials to mail a personalized notice to the last known address of people prior to removing them from the voter rolls due to a change in address. Raffensperger said he also plans to post the list of people online. Both federal and state law require election officials to conduct maintenance on registration records where the person has died or moved to a different address. Georgia law specifically requires elections officials to remove registration records that have been in “inactive” status for two general elections and have had no contact with election officials during that time. “Accurate voter lists limit confusion and delays at polling places on Election Day, and make sure voters get the correct ballot,” said Chris Harvey, Elections Director for the Secretary of State’s Office. “Accurate registration lists also allow county election offices to plan for polling place equipment and staffing needs. Accurate voter lists reduce the opportunities for mistakes or fraud.” Election officials will mail notices to the last known address of people who have been in “inactive” status for more than three years and had no contact with election officials during that time. A registration is moved to “inactive” status when the person fails to respond to a preaddressed, postage paid confirmation card asking them to confirm or update their information. The confirmation card is required to be sent to people who have filed a National Change of Address Card with the U.S. Postal Service indicating that they have moved to a new address, had election mail returned as undeliverable, or did not have any contact with election officials (including not voting) for the three prior years. Anyone can search the list of registrations that are subject to cancellation. Only information that is public pursuant to state law is included. If your name is on the list and you are still an eligible Georgia voter, you can update your registration at https://registertovote.sos. ga.gov or contact your county elections office. You may also respond to the confirmation card that will be included with the notice, but keep in mind that the notice is mailed to your last known address of your voter registration, which may not be accurate if you have moved and not updated your registration. Any registered voter can check their registration information to confirm it is accurate and up-to-date at https:// www.mvp.sos.ga.gov.
The City of Stonecrest has announced that Lithonia Industrial Blvd (between Rogers Lake Road and South Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road) will be closed Nov. 4-5 (Monday at 4 a.m. until Tuesday at 4 a.m.) due to filming in the area.
Rockdale County Chairman to host “Coffee with the Chairman” Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will host “Coffee with the Chairman” on Friday, Nov. 15, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., at Starbucks Coffee House, 1515 Hwy 138 SE, Conyers. Citizens are invited to meet with the chairman and discuss issues and concerns. The event is free and open to the public.
Oz Nesbitt
STONECREST continued from page 1 rear use of the two-story building as another revenue and recreational activity for our constituents and visitors.” The Sam’s Club buy follows the city’s purchase of the former Sears at The Mall At Stonecrest. The city approved the purchase at a special-called meeting on Oct. 3. The city is spending $2.1 million for the building, which it plans to use for a public safety building it hopes to share with DeKalb County’s Police Department or build its own within 24 months. The Public Safety project also is being funded by the city’s SPLOST. The purchase includes two buildings—the 142,000-square-foot Sears building and its 15,000-square-foot tire and battery center. The City Council approved sending $105,000 in earnest money to Sears, Roebuck and Co. for the purchase of the building and to start the 60-day due diligence process. T. Dallas Smith & Company handled the transaction on behalf of the city.
CRASH continued from page 1 Residents in the area told news reporters they couldn’t believe what happened. One resident said he had left his unit to take a walk and returned to find the plane had crashed into his residence. The American Red Cross were on the scene to assist displaced residents and help emergency workers. "Volunteers met with displaced families to ensure they have a safe place to stay and provided emergency resources for food, clothing and other essentials," the Red Cross said in a statement. "They also provided canteen services for emergency workers." The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.
Hillcrest Church of Christ
1939 Snapfinger Rd, Decatur, Ga 30035 | hillcrestcoc.net WORSHIP SERVICE TIMES: Sunday Mornings 10am to 12pm Sunday Evenings 5pm to 6pm
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BIBLE CLASSES: Sunday Mornings 9am to 9:45am Wednesday Nights 7pm to 8pm Thursday mornings 10 am to 11am
“ Hillcrest Church of Christ would like to invite the Community to our Family and Friends Day Sunday November 3rd” Worship service begins at 10 am.”
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PAGE 8 • NOVEMBER 1, 2019
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We cater to the entire family. Gum Treatments Tooth Colored Fillings Oral Surgery Cosmetic Bonding & Veneers Crowns, Bridges & Dentures Root Canals Implants We Accept Most Insurance Plans Peachcare & Medicaid Emergency Walk-In Time Available
900 N. Hairston Rd. Suite B Stone Mountain, GA 30083 900 N. Hairston Rd. 404-294-8500
Suite B Stone Mountain, Spalding Dentistry GAGentle 30083 6460 Spalding Drive 404-294-8500 Norcross, GA 30092 770-849-0006