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JUNE 12 — JUNE 25, 2015 • VOL. 7 — NO. 12
Up into the clouds
COMMUNITY 4
Council picks Williams as mayor, but it’s not unanimous BY TIM DARNELL
PHIL MOSIER
Pilot Gary Ward, flying an MX2 aircraft, performs an acrobatic move during DeKalb-Peachtree Airport’s annual “Good Neighbor Day” Open House and Airshow on May 30. See more photos on page 19.
Local cops advise fellow officers overseas
Brookhaven now has its second mayor. J. Max Davis, the city’s inaugural mayor, resigned to run for the state House of Representatives, so on June 9, Brookhaven City Council chose Rebecca Chase Williams to take the mayor’s chair. But the vote wasn’t unanimous. District 2 councilman John Park voted against Williams’ election, while Williams, District 3’s Bates Mattison and Joe Gebbia of District 4, voted for it. “I don’t believe that Ms. Williams represents the interests of all of Brookhaven and especially those of District 2,” Park said after the meeting. Brookhaven attorney Linley Jones, who was heavily involved in the city’s march toward municipalization, was nominated by Williams to fill her old District 1 seat. Her appointment was unanimous. “This is an historic night. We have a unique opportunity where we show how well our charter works,” said Gebbia, who nominated Williams. “We have to make sure we choose someone who can continue the charge SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 5
BY ELLEN ELDRIDGE
elleneldridge@reporternewspapers.net
Brookhaven Police Chief Gary Yandura has taken advantage of opportunities to travel abroad for training—both in giving it and receiving it. Yandura was invited to the Republic of Georgia this May by Georgia Bureau of Investigations Director Vernon Keenan to assess police services, leadership and management in the hope of setting up an exchange program. “We met with police chiefs for seven precincts and had discussions,” Yandura said. “We exchanged basic information.”
The Brookhaven chief said visiting the Republic of Georgia with fellow chiefs from Doraville, Monroe and Garden City made him thankful for what he has at home. The U.S. State Department has had an international exchange program for 25 years, Keenan said. Kennan invited Yandura on the trip to Georgia because they’ve worked together for more than 10 years and Keenan said he has “the utmost respect” for Yandura, who had also been to Israel SEE LOCAL, PAGE 26
TIM DARNELL
Rebecca Chase Williams is sworn in by State Court Judge Mike Jacobs as the city’s second mayor.
A Special Section Pages 10-15
Head for the Hills