Buckhead Reporter www.ReporterNewspapers.net
SEPT. 18 — OCT. 1, 2015 • VOL. 9 — NO. 19
Inside
Fall Education Guide
For cars only Bike lanes draw wrath COMMUNITY 2
Call a ‘friend’ Zone 2 prosecutor fights crime PUBLIC SAFETY 34
They grow so fast!
Pages 11-27
Residents: Put more cops on neighborhood streets BY JOE EARLE
joeearle@reporternewspapers.net
PHIL MOSIER
Linda Zvonar and granddaughter Calliope Tirado, 10 months, enjoy the “Urban Farm Day” program cohosted by Farm Chastain and the Blue Heron Nature Preserve on Sept. 12. Participants toured beehives and the composting area, and learned about inner-city gardening. See more photos on page 3.
Scores of Buckhead residents, voicing anger and fear over recent high-profile crimes, recently told top Atlanta police officials that homeowners want more officers to patrol their community. “Our concern is house break-ins... We’re worried about the sanctity of our houses and the safety of our houses,” resident Brink Dickerson said during a public meeting Sept. 10. “Zone 2 needs more cops. There’s a well-known joke that if you see a cop in Chastain Park, you should stop and offer directions, because he’s lost.” Many of the more than 150 residents attending the gathering at The Lodge at Piedmont Presbyterian Church applauded as Dickerson told police officials, including Chief George Turner, that “we need more cops that are visible and on our streets more of the time. ... We feel a little underserved right now.” Maj. Van Hobbs, who commands the Zone 2 precinct, which includes Buckhead, said police are responding by putting more officers in areas where crimes regularly occur. “We will get resources,” SEE RESIDENTS PAGE 32
Barbershop creates a place for football, family and fundraising BY JOE EARLE
joeearle@reporternewspapers.net
People often remember Walter “Tommy” Thomas’ barcut or shoeshine. bershop for its décor. Football helmets representing local “My daddy built a heck of a barber shop,” said Walter high schools and colleges in the ACC and SEC fill shelves “Tommy” Thomas, who, after his father Gilmer Thomas, is high above the barber’s chairs. Bright red Coca-Cola signs the second generation of barbers nicknamed “Tommy” to and dozens of commemorative Coke bottles cover just about own and run the place. “I’m just riding his coattails.” every available inch of the walls. But Thomas’ fans say Thomas does more than cut hair Yet regular patrons of the shop say there’s more to the and talk about football at the shop his dad opened in 1959. place than its clutter and classic barbershop look This month, the Foundation for Mitochonand feel. The place has become a Buckhead indrial Medicine is honoring Thomas, his wife Making a stitution during the 56 years it’s operated at the Linda, and their son Jason and daughter-in-law same spot at 1268 West Paces Ferry Road. Charlotte for their support of the organization. Difference Getting haircuts at Thomas’ place becomes a The family was to take center stage during the family tradition for some Buckhead boys. Men organization’s annual Hope Flies Catch the Cure who got trims when they were young keep coming back and benefit, held at the Buckhead Theatre. bring along their sons and their grandsons. Politicians stop “We’re honoring the Thomas family because of the imby to get spruced up while they do a little campaigning. pact they’ve had on mitochondrial awareness, for using Football coaches appear for pre-game trims. Businessmen Thomas Barber Shop to get the word out,” said Morgan visit to catch up on neighborhood news while getting a hairSEE A PLACE, PAGE 8
JOE EARLE
Walter “Tommy” Thomas gives Charlie Schreeder a trim in his barbershop, a business the Thomas family has been operating in the same spot in Buckhead for 56 years.