Inside Fresh paint municipal Court poised to open COMMUNITY 3
Fire forces local cities considering joint fire department COMMUNITY 6
Brookhaven Reporter
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mARCH 8 — mARCH 21, 2013 • VoL. 5 — no. 5
Give it a spin
City hires manager, solicitor
Business boom? self-taxing business district proposed COMMUNITY 7
Out of focus residents vent over DeKalb school system
BY MELISSA WEINMAN
melissaweinman@reporternewspapers.net
COMMENTARY 8
Brookhaven City Council has appointed two key officials, marking a milestone in the development of the new city. Interim City Manager Marie Garrett will serve as city manager. Interim City Attorney Bill Riley, who advised the council on legal matters as the city adopted its initial code of ordinances, will become the city’s part-time solicitor. “I’m looking forward to helping you implement policies, procedures, and most importantly your vision for this city,” Garrett said at the Council’s Feb. 26 meeting. Brookhaven conducted a national search for its top administrative posi-
Crafting calm Creative therapy helps trauma victims MAKING A DIFFERENCE 10
Rifles, riots Experience home life, battle lines during Civil War OUT & ABOUT 14
SEE CITY, PAGE 4
Summer Camps
Drew Valley residents revive crime watch
A special advertising section PAGES 18-22
BY MELISSA WEINMAN
melissaweinman@reporternewspapers.net
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phil mosier
Ritch Fusakio helps “turn over” the engine on a B-17 aircraft at the DeKalbPeachtree Airport on March 2. This plane, used by the Liberty Foundation, a nonprofit group based in Oklahoma, served in World War II. It now employs a crew of three and flies passengers on tours. More photos on page 28.
The residents of Drew Valley have revamped their neighborhood watch program to take a stronger stand against crime in their neighborhood. Drew Valley is comprised of more than 800 homes in a knot of residential streets between Dresden Drive and Buford Highway in the heart of the new city of Brookhaven. At the Brookhaven City Council’s first meetings and town hall gatherings, residents of Drew Valley told council members that they are concerned about crime. One woman recounted being held at gun point while she walked her dog. Others recalled burglaries, especially in the homes nearest Buford Highway. Many residents say they have been SEE DREW VALLEY, PAGE 30