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VOLUME 25, NUMBER 34
DECEMBER 6, 2019
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DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox
Melody Maddox takes office as DeKalb County’s first female sheriff Public celebration set Dec. 16
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elody M. Maddox officially took the reigns as DeKalb County’s new sheriff after the Thanksgiving holiday. Maddox was sworn in on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019 by DeKalb County Superior Court Judge LaTisha Dear Jackson to fill the unexpired term of Jeffrey Mann, who retired at the end of November. Maddox becomes the county’s 50th sheriff and the first woman to hold the position. Maddox was appointed Chief Deputy Sheriff in July of this year to fill the position held by Reginald B. Scandrett, who retired in June. A Decatur resident, Maddox became Chief of Police for Georgia Piedmont Technical College in DeKalb County in 2016. She managed a team of sworn officers and civilian personnel responsible for public safety and security for students, faculty, visitors and facilities on the college’s six campuses. A Georgia P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement officer, Maddox began her law enforcement career with the sheriff’s office in 1996 as a Detention Technician in the Jail Division. In 1997, she joined the DeKalb County Police Department where she held positions of increasing responsibility for ten years as Master Police Officer, Chief Aide & Crimes Analysis Officer, and Field Training Officer. She completed training programs in Emergency Management and Information Command Systems Training and she is a P.O.S.T. Certified General Instructor in ethics, integrity and professionalism as well as Defensive Tactics. Maddox’s professional affiliations include the Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), the National Sheriffs’ Association, the DeKalb Chiefs Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Maddox received her bachelor’s degree from Morris Brown College and her master’s degree from Central Michigan University. A graduate of Newburgh Theological Seminary and
SEE SHERIFF page 6
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News
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ulius and Susan Lee have the holiday spirit. The Stonecrest residents have decorated their home inside and out with beautiful holiday lights and Christmas displays. “ We love this time of year. We usually have the lights up just before Thanksgiving and we take everything down on Jan. 2,” said Julius Lee, adding that he and his wife enjoy driving around looking at other people’s holiday lights.
Lee said while he focuses on the outside, his wife decorates the inside of their home with beautiful Christmas displays. The Lees’ home, located at 3665 Bayberry Way S.W., Stonecrest, has been listed for two consecutive years on www.Christmaslightfinder. com, the largest worldwide database of decorated homes and holiday light displays.
Stonecrest to launch its own convention and tourism bureau The City of bringing Stonecrest’s Stonecrest plans tourism efforts in-house, to launch its the city would be better own convention able to focus specifically and tourism on Stonecrest as a bureau in early destination for sororities, 2020, breaking fraternities, houses of ties with the worship, government, Discover DeKalb the corporate sector, U.S. Convention & military, sporting events Mayor Jason Lary City Councilman Economic Development Visitors Bureau and family reunions, Rob Turner Director Clarence Boone (DCVB). among other entities. The City “We appreciate tourism and trade shows. Council voted unanimously having the opportunity to work The city would end the on Nov. 25 to terminate its with the DCVB, but we wanted to agreement with DCVB in intergovernmental agreement have more control over marketing February 2020, meeting its (IGA) with the DCVB and utilize the city. We will now have staff required notice of at least 90 days the city’s hotel/motel taxes to dedicated to promoting the city of to the agency. promote its own conventions, Stonecrest as a destination for the Mayor Jason Lary said by
SEE STONECREST page 7
VA to host Claims and Compensation Assistance Fair for military veterans Officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will assist military veterans and their spouses with claims and compensation processing on Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. All veterans and/or their spouses in the metro area are urged to attend, said retired Lt. Col. Amos King, who heads Justice for Veterans. “This will be the third annual event Justice for Veterans has hosted. It’s an opportunity for veterans to get the help they need in applying for claims and
compensation. Officials will be on site who can provide an update on their claim or help them to apply,” said King. “We have a lot of veterans out there who need help and this is the chance to get it.” King said many senior veterans don’t have transportation to the VA. “We can’t stress enough how important this event is for veterans and their families. This would be a great opportunity for them to come out to a place in the neighborhood for the VA to assess them. Now, you must have an appointment to been seen by a DAV representative. You don’t
need an appointment for this event,” said King. Representatives from the Georgia National Cemetery also will be on hand to provide information on burial benefits, King said. King is urging the public to share the information with military veterans that they may know. Justice for Veterans and DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson are sponsoring the free event. For more information, contact Retired Lt. Col. Amos King at 678-698-8753.
PAGE 2 • DECEMBER 6, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
DeKalb Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit seeks public’s help locating murder suspect The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a murder suspect. A Felony Murder warrant has been issued for Atlanta resident Dequan Trimell King, 25, in connection with the shooting death of Brandon McCrary on Waldrop Place in Decatur on Sept. 22, 2019. Dequan T. King Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit by calling CrimeStoppers at 404-577-TIPS. A reward may be possible if the information provided leads to an arrest. UP TO
$2,000 REWARD
Conyers Police seek suspects in car stolen out of Kentucky FOR TIPS LEADING TO THE ARREST OF THE SUSPECT(S) BELOW
On Nov. 22,CASE at 1:20 NUMBER: 19-115987 p.m., the four suspects Incident Location: pictured fled from officers Petsmart in a Dodge Challenger 1370 Dogwood Dr bearing tag CIB8629. Suspects Descriptions: This tag is reported stolen 1. Black male w/ black hoodout of Kentuckydreads, the ie,and dark jeans 2. Black male wearing vehicle was last seen a red and white shirt, southbound on Highway jeans, white shoes. 3. Black female wear138. ing black hoodie with white stripes on Any information black pants regarding these sleeves, persons and slides. Black female of interest may4. result in wearing light pink beana cash reward ofie,up blackto coat, white pants $2,000.00. Vehicle Description: Tipsters will remain Gray Dodge Challenger anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers On November 22, 2019, at 1:20 p.m., the four suspects pictured fled from with any information: officers in aCall: Dodge Challenger bearing tag CIB8629. This tag is reported 404.577.TIPSstolen (8477) www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta.org out Click: of Kentucky and this vehicle was last seen southbound on Highway 138.
�n� informa�on re�ardin� these persons of interest 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
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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.
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DECEMBER 6, 2019 • PAGE 3
Grimes elected to Stonecrest District 5 Council seat Tammy Grimes is celebrating her victory and ready to serve on the Stonecrest City Council. Grimes, an instructional support specialist for the DeKalb County School District, defeated Dave Marcus, a retired strategic planner and financial analyst, in the Dec. 3 runoff for the Stonecrest District 5 City Council seat. Grimes said she is looking forward Councilwoman-Elect Tammy Grimes to “working with the citizens, mayor and City Council to make “Stonecrest proud.” “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I am humbled by all of the support that has been shown to me and my campaign during the November election and the December runoff. I stand ready willing and able to serve!! Running this campaign has truly been a humbling experience,” said Grimes, who said she was trying to shake off a cold after stomping for votes in frigid temperatures on Election Day. Grimes received 53.73 percent (209 votes), while Marcus received 46.7 percent (180 votes), according to unofficial results from DeKalb County elections officials. Voter turnout for the runoff was low, as predicted by elections officials. Only 4.2 percent of the 9,189 registered voters in District 5 participated in the special election, which was held to fill the unexpired term of Diane Adoma, who ran unsuccessfully against Mayor Jason Lary. Adoma placed third in the three-way race for mayor. Grimes’ swearing-in ceremony has not yet been set. The ceremony will be announced to the public after DeKalb officials certify the elections results on Dec. 13, city officials said. Councilwoman-elect Grimes met with the mayor and other city officials on Dec. 4 during a welcome and introduction tour at City Hall. The Stonecrest City Council will have a work session meeting on Dec. 9, 6 p.m., at City Hall. The regular City Council meeting will follow at 7 p.m. To view the meeting agenda, visit ocgnews.com.
CEO Michael Thurmond is joined by county leaders at the Dec. 5 news conference.
DeKalb CEO Thurmond proposes 4 percent Public Safety pay increase DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has recommended to the county Board of Commissioners a 4 percent public safety salary increase. Included in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal, the raise would be effective the first pay period in January 2020. The total cost of the compensation increase is $5.4 million. “DeKalb County remains committed to ensuring that our community is safe,” said CEO Thurmond. “The county’s holistic approach to increase compensation for the men and women of public safety reflects the county’s commitment to protecting DeKalb citizens and improving the county’s public safety system.” The proposed salary increase would apply to approximately 2,300 employees, including police officers, firefighters, E-911 employees, Medical Examiner investigators, marshals, State and Juvenile Court probation officers, sworn Code Enforcement officers, Animal Services officers, DeKalb Emergency Management Agency employees, District Attorney investigators, Solicitor-General investigators, and Sheriff’s deputies, detention officers and security technicians. If approved by the Board of Commissioners, the increase would be the fourth public safety increase since 2017. A pay adjustment to address public safety salary compression was granted in 2017, followed by a three-percent adjustment for all employees including public safety and an additional fourpercent raise for public safety personnel in 2018. The full Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal will be presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration by Dec. 15.
PAGE 4 • DECEMBER 6, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
DeKalb seniors invited to “New Year, New You” event Dec. 13 Seniors in DeKalb County will be getting some valuable keys as an early Christmas gift. While these keys won’t unlock a new car, they will unlock beneficial information that will get 2020 off to a healthy start. DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, in partnership with the DeKalb County Board of Health and the Lou Walker Senior Center, will sponsor “New Year, New You: Your Keys to Aging Well.” The event will take place Friday, Praise 102.5’s Darlene Dec. 13, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior McCoy will host the Center, 2538 Panola Road, Stonecrest. event for seniors. “DeKalb County is fortunate to have an active and diverse senior population,” said Commissioner Cochran-Johnson. “Our senior centers work tirelessly year-round to provide services and programming that will enhance their quality of life, which is why I am happy to join their efforts by sponsoring this year’s New Year, New You event.” The event is free and open to DeKalb County seniors. Because space is limited, registration is required. Sign-up sheets are available at the Lou Walker Senior Center, South DeKalb Neighborhood Center, and Lithonia Neighborhood Center. Online registration is also available at http://bit. ly/2CIYfks. Hosted by Praise 102.5’s Darlene McCoy, this signature event will feature presentations by distinguished health experts and local government professionals. Topics to be discussed will include elder care, senior driving, sexual and mental health, flu and seasonal wellness, physical fitness, property taxes, and estate planning. The event also will feature free health screenings and flu vaccinations, breakfast, lunch, musical entertainment, giveaways, and a wealth of information that will assist in the holistic enrichment of DeKalb’s seniors. “The DeKalb County Board of Health is happy to team up with Commissioner Cochran-Johnson and the Lou Walker Senior Center to bring back this event for the county’s seniors,” said District Health Director S. Elizabeth Ford, M.D., M.B.A. “Learning insightful health information and turning it into action is key to helping our seniors live longer, healthier lives.”
DeKalb DFCS to move to new location Feb. 3
Santa Claus is coming to town
DeKalb organization to give away 1,000 toys and bikes to needy families Retired State Rep. Earnest “Coach” Williams and the DeKalb chapter of the Albany State University Alumni Association will be giving away over 1,000 toys and bikes to children in need this holiday season. Williams is inviting the public to submit the names of families in need by Dec. 14. Toys will be distributed on Dec. 21 at the Omega World Center, 3951 Snapfinger Parkway, Decatur. Earnest “Coach” Williams
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
BIBLE CLASSES: Sunday Mornings 9am to 9:45am Wednesday Nights 7pm to 8pm Thursday mornings 10 am to 11am
“Pre-Thanksgiving Singing Concert. The Church of Christ United Worship Chorale will be supporting The Bahamas Hurricane Dorian Relief Effort on Saturday November 23rd from 4 to 6pm. Donations will be collected at the Concert.”
DeKalb County Department of Family & Children Services (DFCS) staff are preparing to move to a new location in early 2020. Officials say the current location, 178 Sams Street, Decatur, will close its doors on Friday, Jan. 31. The new office will open the following Monday, Feb. 3, at 8 a.m. at 2300 Parklake Drive, Atlanta. DFCS will move staff to the new location throughout the winter. The new 113,000-Square-foot office building will house over 500 DFCS staff and is expected to serve more than 100,000 families in DeKalb. DFCS administers The Georgia Food Stamp Program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP]), a federally-funded program that provides monthly benefits to low-income households to help pay for the cost of food. DFCS is responsible for issuance of SNAP, Medicaid and TANF to low-income families; assistance for out-of-work parents to help them get back on their feet as well as multiple support services and programs to help families in need. For more information and updates about the relocation, interested parties may call 404-370-5000 or visit www.dfcs.ga.gov. To report instances of child abuse or neglect, call the DFCS CPS Intake Communication Center at 1-855-GA-CHILD (1-855-422-4453).
State Rep. Viola Davis to host Town Hall series State Rep. Viola Davis, District 87, will host a series of town hall meetings at DeKalb County public libraries to discuss education, ethics, economic development, equity and other issues. The schedule is as follows: • Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the conference room, at the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library, 5234 Lavista Road, Tucker. • Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the conference State Rep. Viola Davis room at the Hairston Crossing Library, 4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain. • Dec. 16, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., in the conference room, Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library, 5234 Lavista Road, Tucker. To schedule a private appointment with Rep. ve Viola Davis in the conference room (15-30 minutes), email repvioladavis@gmail.com or text 678-349-6835.
Silver Leaf Baptist Choir to host gospel music concert The community is invited to take a journey celebrating gospel music with the Silver Leaf Baptist Church Choir of Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 7 to 8 p.m., at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. The concert is free and open to the public. Funding is provided by the Friends of the Decatur Library.
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DECEMBER 6, 2019 • PAGE 5
Revonda Cosby named new executive director of Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance
The board of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance announced on Dec. 4 that Revonda Cosby has been selected to succeed Mera Cardenas as the Alliance’s executive director. Cosby will begin in the new role on Thursday, Dec. 5, as Cardenas helps her to make the transition into the lead position. Cardenas, who had served the nonprofit for nearly a decade, announced in October that she would be leaving Arabia to serve another National Heritage Area in Cleveland, Ohio. Cardenas said Cosby is well prepared to guide the Arabia Alliance, bringing two decades of experience in parks and recreation, nonprofit management and historic preservation.
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“We are thrilled to have somebody taking over this role who is so skilled, excited and who already has such a deep knowledge of this area,” said Cardenas, who will assist Cosby transition into her new role during the month of December. “I am confident that I leave the organization in good hands.” Cosby has a long and varied career in many fields relevant to the National Heritage Area. On the ground, she has worked in community development, public space marketing, historic preservation and natural resource management. Cosby also has considerable executive and management experience, including corporate and regional strategic
Revonda Cosby (third from left), the incoming Executive Director of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance with members of the Board search committee and outgoing Executive Director Mera Cardenas (second from right).
partnerships, non-profit engagement and intra-government relations. She has held leadership roles in
DeKalb County’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs; Wesley House; IHC Global; and the Nature Conservancy; among other organizations. “On behalf of the 16-member board of the AMHAA, we are thrilled, after a comprehensive search committee process over the last two months, to have selected such an excellent new Executive Director in Revonda,”Board Chair Ron Williams and Treasurer Kelly Jordan said in a statement. The Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance works with partners throughout the 40,000-acre Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, located in three counties southeast of Atlanta, to protect and promote a nationally significant landscape.
Deacon Mayor Jason Lary performs first wedding
tonecrest Mayor Jason Lary put on a different hat over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Lary, an ordained deacon at Union Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, performed the marriage ceremony for Deborah and Sheldon Fleming on Nov. 30. Lary said Sheldon Fleming, who works in the city of Stonecrest’s Parks and Recreation Department, asked him to perform the ceremony and he gladly accepted. “I felt honored to be asked. It
Photos provided
was the first wedding ceremony that said Lary. Since Lary was ordained on I’ve performed. My pastor helped Aug. 5, 2018 by his pastor, Edward me to prepare for the wedding,”
L. Randolph, Jr., he said he has spoken at a funeral in his capacity as an ordained deacon. Lary had to pass a catechism, an oral examination in which he was asked several questions about the bible and the Baptist Church’s doctrine to become ordained. He said he loves serving as a deacon and feels refreshed from the challenges that come with serving. Lary said the Flemings were married in Ellenwood at a family estate.
PAGE 6 • DECEMBER 6, 2019
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Photos by Mackenzie N. Morgan/OCG News
Browns Mill Rec kicks off senior fitness program with local fitness celebrity By Mackenzie N. Morgan
Mr. Johnson at Browns Mill. It’s one of our first programs that adDashuan Johnson, better known dresses health and wellness for the as “The Guru of Abs,” showed secommunity and active older adults. niors how to shed their midsections It’s important that older adults have during a kickoff celebration of a access to dynamic instructors with new senior fitness program at the appropriate modifications,” said City of Stonecrest’s Browns Mill Sean DePalma, Stonecrest’s director Recreation Center on Dec. 3. of Parks and Recreation. More than 20 older adults atStonecrest operations director tended the inaugural class just ahead Brandon Riley said he found out of New Year resolutions. about the program through his mom Johnson got the crowd moving who praised the fitness program and started them off with chair exer- after attending Johnson’s class at cises to some thumping beats where another center in DeKalb County. they were able to stand intermittent“It is very important to me that ly and do marching exercises. Atwe continue to bring excellence and lanta Brand Central provided comawareness to the City of Stonecrest plimentary T-shirts to commemorate and that we continue investing in the center’s first senior class since our citizens and our community. My the center’s grand re-opening after vision is to provide great customer undergoing a $100,000 renovation service for this city so we can be the this past October. Chick-fil-A of parks and rec,” said “We’re very excited to have Riley.
Kimberly Butler, 51, is a resident of Stonecrest and a fan of Johnson’s fitness program. “Although I’m not quite a senior, I started taking Dashaun’s class for health reasons. When I got into the class, everything started improving and I started seeing weight loss. I like his body sculpting class because it really works,” said Butler. “We are so glad to have Guru of Abs. His classes are amazing and he loves working with seniors,” said Tameika Porter, who helped bring Johnson to Browns Mill Recreation Center. Jewel Porter, 66, said she appreciated that Johnson’s class was both fun and accessible. “He was really patient and calm and didn’t push us too hard,” said Porter, who came from the neighboring city of Conyers.
Johnson, a native of DeKalb, said he started the program in 2018 in honor of his grandparents who passed away just 30 days apart two years ago. He said seniors are his favorite group to serve and that he looks at them as family. “A lot of my peers that I grew up with send their parents to my classes, which makes me feel really good. They’re loyal, dedicated, on time and they are committed. So I try to find ways to keep them energized, engaged and entertained,” Johnson said. Johnson was recently featured in a PBS Network documentary for his work with seniors at DeKalb’s Exchange Park and said working with this demographic has been really pivotal in his career. “We’re not a class. We’re building a community,” said Johnson.
DeKalb Watershed Management receives top award
Cameron Spivey
Conyers Seaman Cameron Spivey prepares Thanksgiving dinner at sea PACIFIC OCEAN—It didn’t come from grandma’s kitchen, but the crew above the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59) still enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Culinary Specialist Seaman Recruit Cameron Spivey, from Conyers, slices up turkey for the holiday feast on Nov. 28. Russell is underway conducting routine training in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Photo by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Lynch
The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) was recently recognized with a top award for outstanding wastewater collection system operations. “After many years of mismanagement and dysfunction, this award is evidence that the DeKalb County Watershed Management Department has made verifiable progress and improvement,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “DeKalb has prioritized enhancing customer service, properly treating wastewater to protect the environment and ensuring the viability and integrity of the system.” DWM was awarded the 2019 Collection Systems Gold Award at the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) Fall Conference for operating the wastewater system in an outstanding manner. GAWP is Georgia’s
Pictured from left: DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management’s David Hayes, Willie Horton and Darren Eastall accepted the 2019 Collection Systems Gold Award on behalf of the county.
largest professional water and wastewater organization and recognizes organizations that take exceptional efforts to properly manage, operate and maintain collection systems. The GAWP award recognizes utilities that strive to continually improve their systems through
proper management, maintenance, and operation. The award criteria follow the practices set forth in the DeKalb County Capacity, Management, Operation and Maintenance program including preventative maintenance, system evaluation, rehabilitation programs and training, among many others. DeKalb County annually processes, treats and releases 12 billion gallons of clean water into the South River through two wastewater treatment plants, Snapfinger and Pole Bridge. The plants have also been recognized by GAWP for 100 percent compliance with pollutant removal levels set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. For more information about DWM, visit www. dekalbwatershed.com.
SHERIFF continued from page 1 Bible College, she is a member of the Leadership DeKalb Class of 2017. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the DeKalb NAACP, she serves with Women to Women Personal
Awareness and Safety Training, and she has been honored for her career achievements and community volunteerism by numerous civic and business organizations.
The public is invited to attend an inaugural celebration on Dec. 16, 6 to 9 p.m. at Saint Philip AME Church, 240 Candler Road SE, Atlanta.
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DECEMBER 6, 2019 • PAGE 7
GLBC opposes Gov. Kemp’s health care waiver proposal State Rep. Karen “Health care is a right Bennett (D-Stone that should be afforded Mountain), chair to all Georgians,” said of the Georgia Rep. Bennett. “We, at the Legislative Black Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), said Caucus, cannot in good the GLBC stands conscience support policy against the health that ignores the needs of an care waiver proposals estimated 600,000 Georgia by Gov. Brian Kemp. citizens, institutes state State Rep. Karen Bennett Rep. Bennett, required work hours, as along with leaders well as economically and of the House Democratic Caucus, socially burdensome reporting and Senate Democratic Caucus and a does not fully address the health representative for the Latino and care disparities within the African Asian American Pacific Islander American community. In fact, the caucuses, held a press conference on proposed ‘Kemp waivers’ leave Dec. 3 to voice their opposition to much needed health insurance the proposals. provided through federal tax dollars
on the table.” The GLBC said the proposed waivers would cover an estimated 80,000 people and would cost approximately $300 million, if approved by the federal government. The GLBC said if Georgia expands Medicaid coverage, as allowed in the Affordable Care Act, almost 600,000 Georgians would receive Medicaid benefits, and the expansion would cost $210 million. “Beyond insuring more citizens, especially in rural Georgia where the diminution of medical services has reached crisis levels, the infusion of federal dollars can produce a multiplier effect by generating additional local and state revenue
while also creating more jobs,” added Bennett. The GLBC is a non-profit and non-partisan organization, which seeks to help protect the rights of African Americans, people of color and persons who are disenfranchised. State Rep. Karen Bennett represents District 94, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves on the Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, Health & Human Services and Regulated Industries committees.
STONECREST continued from page 1 abundance of tourism, trade shows, conventions and special events that will help boost economic development for Stonecrest,” Lary said. Clarence Boone, who formerly worked for the DCVB and was hired in June of this year as the city’s economic development director, will lead the city’s tourism bureau, Lary said. Boone, who has 27 years of experience in brand development across a variety of industries, formerly worked as sales manager for DCVB from 2012 through June 2019. Boone was responsible for developing strategic business opportunities and economic impact formulas for several market segments during his tenure with Discover DeKalb. Boone said his role as economic development director goes hand-in-hand with tourism and marketing, and he’s ready to move forward. “The relationship with Discover DeKalb was fruitful, however, Discover DeKalb’s focus is on DeKalb County as a whole,” Boone said. “After two years of being incorporated as a city, we have the ability to tell our own story and market ourselves. We know the attractions in this city better than anyone and we will be able to attend tourism conventions and use those attractions to draw tourists and build economic development here in Stonecrest,” said Boone. Adrion Bell, the city’s communications director, said the city has used the DCVB to manage tourism since the city began collecting hotel and motel taxes in 2017. The taxes increased from 5 to 8 percent in 2018, after the city requested from state lawmakers the full 8 percent, the same as other municipalities were receiving, Bell said. While DCVB collected 40 percent of the hotel/motel taxes (about $400,000 annually) to promote and
market Stonecrest, the city retained 3 percent of the taxes for administrative charges. DCVB’s contract was an automatic renewal every Jan. 1, according to the city’s agreement. Now, the 8 percent tax would all go to the city, the mayor said. By law, the city will spend 60 percent of the money on quality of life and cultural activities, while 40 percent would be spent on tourism and marketing, Lary said. Lary said the city plans to market its festivals and events, growing film industry, as well as historic sites such as the Flat Rock Archives and Arabia Mountain Heritage Area, walking and bike trails, top-rated restaurants and other local attractions. Lary said the city will create a marketing strategy that includes a dedicated web site for tourism, and guides and brochures about the city’s offerings. He said the city itself is historic: Stonecrest was incorporated in 2017 as DeKalb’s largest city with more than 54,000 residents. “We want people who come to the state of Georgia to think Stonecrest for everything—from hosting their conventions and family reunions to making films,” said Lary, adding that the Stonecrest Film and Entertainment Committee recently hosted actor and screenwriter Robert Townsend for his premiere documentary, “Making The Five Heartbeats.” The 90-minute documentary, which was held at New Vision Stonecrest 16 movie theatre on Aug 17, covered the challenges and the rewards in the production and release of the 1991 movie, “The Five Heartbeats.” In the past year, the city has provided more than 40 permits for filming in the city. Some of the projects include Greenleaf, Black Lighting, Passengers, Legacies, and The Resident.
Councilman Rob Turner, who heads the Stonecrest Film and Entertainment Committee, has said the city is poised to attract more films, creating economic development opportunities, jobs and tourism. He said the city developed its strategic plan in 2018 and is now implementing many of the goals, including developing an online database of locations, including private homes, where films could be produced in the city, a Stonecrest Film Academy, which will offer industry professionals workshops on getting into the industry, and other information. The city has forged partnerships with the DeKalb Film and Entertainment Commission, DeKalb Work Source, the Georgia Film Academy and is building partnerships with others including DeKalb County public schools with plans to provide opportunities for students who are interested in the film industry. Lary said the former Sam’s Club, where the City Center, home of Stonecrest’s future City Hall, likely would be used to house the new convention and tourism bureau. The city inked a deal in October to purchase the 141,000-square-foot Sam’s Club for $2.995 million. The council approved the purchase at a special called meeting on Oct. 23. The city was the lowest bidder among four other suitors with amounts as high as $4.5 million, Lary said. The city is still working on setting a closing date for the property, officials said this week. The Stonecrest Sam’s Club has been vacant since it abruptly closed on Jan. 11, 2018. Store officials said the shutdown was part of a restructuring in which 63 Sam’s Clubs across the nation were closed.
LAWN CARE
DeKalb HHS awards grants to 58 local nonprofits The DeKalb County Human Services Department’s 2019 Grant Program will support 58 local nonprofits and provide approximately $851,000 in funding. “The Human Services Department is pleased to invest in local nonprofits that serve DeKalb County residents,” said Human Services Director Damon Scott. “During this grant cycle, DeKalb was able to extend the reach of the Human Services Department and support agencies that deliver extremely important and critical services countywide.” The Human Services Grant Program is designed to provide supplemental funding to community nonprofit organizations. Service areas that will be addressed in this grant cycle include youth and family development, crisis intervention and prevention, homelessness and supporting individuals with disabilities. The grant program uses a competitive evaluation process to identify grantees. Grant awards range from $10,000 to $25,000 and at least half of the awarded amount must be used for programming. Funding was approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. Resources for these grants originate from two areas: $617,808 from the County’s General Fund and $233,402 from a Victims Assistance Fund. For more information, about the Human Services Grant Program, contact Lisa Thomas, Human Services Grant Coordinator, at 404-270-1180.
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