the News May 30th, 2015 Volume 7, Issue 7 by The Covington News

the NEWS May 30, 2015

Volume 7, Issue 7

Salem, Rockdale graduation, PAGE 8-9

Serving Rockdale County and Conyers

rockdalenews.com

Murder suicide: man kills wife, self in front of children, PAGE 4

Probate Judge Mays to run for re-election

Felony case withdrawn from Superior Court, to be filed in Magistrate Court By Martin Rand III

mrand@rockdalenews.com

Photos by Darrell Everidge/The Rockdale News

Love of junk, cars leads to movie business By Sandra Brands

news@rockdalenews.com

It started as a hobby; an obsession, really. It morphed into a business—and just in time. Conyers resident Tim Thompson had worked in information technology for the Southern Company for 35 years. On the day he was told that, because of cutbacks, he was to take early retirement he received a call from a movie studio looking to use an old car of his. It was the start of Atlanta Picture Cars. “He went from being very sad to be very excited,” said long time friend, Gerald King. Cars had been his passion, a passion, Thompson said, started when he and King played with toy trucks as five-year-

olds in Redan. His first love was a 1934 Ford pickup truck a friend of his father’s owned in the 1960s. “I don’t know why, I just fell in love with it,” he said. He bought a 1934 pickup in 1988, he said, “and it’s made a lot of money [in the movies] since then.” “Cars are fun,” he said. “It’s just my love for cars that started this business.” It’s a business that’s taken off. Thompson owns 26 antique cars, but has access to over 600 cars, including 75 from Rockdale County. Thompson serves as a broker, renting the vehicles to production companies on request. Currently, he is in conversation with representatives to bring three cars to Memphis for a project that will film in June; with a production company

The case involving Rockdale County Probate Court Judge Charles Mays and former Probate Court worker Freya Pearson is over in Superior Court, having been dropped earlier this month. Pearson’s attorney says they will be filing a case in Magistrate Court instead. After nearly seven months of accusations, Mays’ defense attorney Gary Washington announced Pearson and her attorney, Mike Waldrop, who also serves as Conyers’ attorney, filed a motion to dismiss the application for an arrest warrant against Mays without prejudice on May 5. Two weeks ago, upon request, the Mays camp received a letter from the DeKalb County Superior Court, where the case hearing took place, saying the “there are no more issues pending” and “there is nothing for the court to rule on,” said Washington. “It is over. It is finished. It is done,” said Washington, during a press conference held at the Hawthorn Suites, 1659 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers. Waldrop said afterwards in a phone interview, “It’s neither over, finished, nor done.” Accompanying Mays and Washington at the press conference Tuesday were Mays’ wife, children, other members of his family and friends “who have continually stood beside me,” as Mays described them. On Oct. 15, Pearson, through Waldrop, had

See MAYS on PAGE 15

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See CARS on PAGE 14

2 • Saturday, May 30, 2015

The News

Rockdale Works graduation

the NEWS

The “Rockdale Works” Workplace Fundamental Certification Program by Ga. Piedmont Technical College celebrated on May 13 the graduation of its first class of students: Austin Gizzard, Pavel Warren, Gail Pemberton, Lacretia Usher, Carl Morris, and Hilda Lau. “Rockdale Works” is a 94-hour training program designed to prepare students with practical skills for the manufacturing workforce. Specific training can earn students certificates in various fields including, but not limited to, lift truck operation, general industry and computer skills and soft skills. The program is sponsored by a host of community organizations including Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Rockdale County Public Schools-Work Based Learning, Atlanta Regional Workforce Board, Ceek to Fulfill, City of Conyers, Connection Consultants, Conyers Housing Authority, Conyers-Rockdale Chamber, Exel, Inc., Future Staff, Georgia Department of Labor, Monarch Consulting LLC, Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families, Rockdale County Accountability Courts, Rockdale County Emergency Relief, Rockdale County Government, Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office and the United Way. (submitted photo)

1009 Milstead Ave., Ste 200, Conyers, 30012 www.rockdalenews.com Office 770-787-6397 FAX 678-253-5988 News Tips: 770-728-1437, news@rockdalenews.com Advertising: 770-728-1436 Circulation: 770-728-1414 The News is published weekly on Saturday, for $32.00 a year (plus tax) for home delivery, or $33.92 by mail per year by Covington Newspaper Company, Inc. 1166 Usher Street, Covington, Ga. 30014. Periodicals postage pending at Covington, Ga. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The News, P. O. Box 1249, Covington, Ga. 30015

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By John Ruch

jruch@rockdalenews.com

A top defendant arrested in this week’s FIFA soccer corruption scandal owns a house at 104 Ellis Drive in Conyers, and the federal government wants to seize the property, according to a Department of Justice indictment. Jeffrey Webb is a FIFA vice president and the recently suspended head of CONCACAF, a powerful regional body overseeing soccer tournaments in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. He is among 14 people charged with massive corruption and bribery in FIFA, the Switzerland-based governing body for international soccer competitions, including the World Cup. He was arrested Wednesday during a FIFA meeting in Zurich for allegedly soliciting bribes of up to $3 million for soccer marketing, sponsorship and media rights deals. Webb owns at least four metro Atlanta residential properties, according to the federal indictment, with the others in Loganville and Stone Mountain. It is unclear whether he lived in any of those homes, and his official online profiles describe him as a resident of his birthplace in the Cayman Islands. His Conyers property is a single-family home on the dead-end

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Ellis Drive off of Sigman Drive, East near the intersection with Ga. Pounding for Paws 5k Run/Walk Hwy 20/Milstead Ave. AccordSaturday, June 27, 2015 ing to county property records, Time: 8am Fun Run, 8:30am 5K/WalK Webb bought the house, which Location: Conyers Olde Town Pavilion had been foreclosed on, in January 949 South Main St ~ Conyers, GA 0901116 State Farm, Bloomington, IL 2013 for $64,000. In May 2013, he $25 Per Person until June 19, 2015, $35 afterward and race day transferred it for no cost to KosBring a bag of kitty litterSaturday, or dog food and get $10 off race day2015 registration. June 27, son Properties Limited, described Saturday, June 27, 2015 Medals for allBloomington, under 14. Medals for top 3 Male & Female in 0901116 State Farm, IL Time: 8am Fun Run 8:30am 5K/WalK as a Cayman Islands company in Time: 8am age groups (15-19,20-24,25-29, Fun Run 8:30am 5K/WalK etc.) which Webb has “an interest.” Location: Conyers Olde Town Pavilion Location: Conyers Olde Town Pavilion For more information email EMBORCSC@EMBOR.com 949 South Main St ~Conyers, GA or The indictment says a similarly 949 South Main St ~Conyers, GA 770.787.3763 Proceeds until will Benefit Rockdale & Newton Control and race $25 Per Person June 19, 2015, $35Animal afterward named company, Kosson Ventures, $25 Per Person until June 19, 2015, $35 afterward and race day Bring a bag of kitty litter or dog food and get $10 off race day registration. is led by Costas Takkas, a former Make Bring a bag of kitty litter or dog food and get check $10 offpayable race day registration. Medals for all under 14. Medals for top 3 Male & Female in age groups (15-19,20-24,25Medals for all under 14. Medals for top 3 Male & Female in age groups (15-19,20-24,25-29, etc.) to: EMBOR Box 1143 Cayman Islands soccer official Pets brought must beor 770.787.37 For more information email EMBORCSC@EMBOR.com Covington,GA 30015 For more information email EMBORCSC@EMBOR.com or 770.787.3763 There will be pets and associate of Webb who is also well behaved, vaccinated Proceeds Benefit Rockdale & on Newton Animal Cont up for adoption will at and a leash. Please charged with corruption. Takkaswill Benefit Proceeds Rockdale & Newton Animal Control the event! clean up after your pet. allegedly aided Webb’s corruption Pets brought must be w Make check payable Pets brought must be well Make check payable schemes, the indictment says. behaved, vaccinated and to: EMBOR behaved, vaccinated and on a to: EMBOR leash. Please clean up a Box 1143 Those alleged schemes included There will be pets upBox for1143 leash. Please clean up after There will be pets up for Participants Name_______________________________________________ your pet. Covington,GA 30015 adoption at theCovington,GA event! soliciting bribesadoption and laundering your pet. 30015 at the event! money for marketing rights to variAddress_____________________ City ______________State_____ ous soccer events, including CONZip________ Gender______ Date of Birth____________ CACAF’s biannual Gold CupName___________________________________________________ tour- Participants Name_______________________________________________ Participants Age _______ Phone _______________ nament. Some Gold Cup rounds Address_____________________ City ____________ State______ Zip____ Address_____________________ City ____________ State______ T- shirt size: S Zip________ M L XL XXL Email__________________________ are slated to be held this July at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. Gender______ Date of Birth____________ Age _______ Phone ___________ Gender______ Date of Sponsorship Birth____________ Age _______ _______________ Opportunity a Terrier LevelPhone $50 Name on Back of Race Shirt One allegation is that Takkas actWAIVER RELEASE Email___________________________ Tshirt size: S M L XL XXL ed as a go-between to deposit monI hereby certify the following: I am physically Email___________________________ T- shirt size: Sfit and M haveLreceived XL medical XXL clearance to participate in the Pounding for Paws 5K Run/Walk, Saturday, June 27, 2015. If I do ey in Georgia banks that Webb then participate, I, on behalf of myself, my heirs and assigns, and my estate, hereby waive and Sponsorship Opportunity Terrieraffiliates, Levelas$50 Name on and Back of Race Shir forever discharge the sponsors, well their agents employused to purchase Stone Mountain Sponsorship Opportunity Terrier Level $50organizers, Name on Back of asRace Shirt WAIVER RELEASE ees,certify from any and all claims that may occur as a result of my participation. WAIVER RELEASE I hereby the following: I am physically fit and have received medical clearance to participate in the Pounding for Paws 5 property and toIbuild a swimming am physically hereby certify the following: I Saturday, fit27, and haveIf received medical clearance to participate the Pounding for Paws Run/Walk, June 2015. I do participate, I, on behalf of myself, in my heirs and assigns, and5K my estate, hereby waive and fore Saturday, June 27, 2015. If I do discharge participate, I,sponsors, on behalforganizers, of myself, my heirs and assigns, and my estate, hereby waivefrom and forever the affiliates, as well as their agents and employees, any and all claims pool at the Logansville home. Signature___________________________________________ Date___________ that may occur as a discharge the sponsors, organizers, affiliates, as well as their agents and employees, from any and all claims that may occur as a result of my participation. If under 18, Parent or Guardian Signature participation. Federal prosecutors want to force Signature_________________________________________Date_____________ If under 18, Parent or Guardian Signature Webb to forfeitSignature_________________________________________Date_____________ those fourIf Georunder 18, Parent or Guardian Signature gia houses, as well as several other properties he owns in Florida, alleging they are the profits or locations of criminal activity. Revised 1.29.15 efma

242071-1

Revised 1.29.15 efma

The News

Saturday, May 30, 2015 • 3

Supporting local nonprofits Four local non-profits will be able to do more good work in community with donations from the Clerk of Superior and State Courts office, awarded in a luncheon Friday afternoon. The three local nonprofits chosen by a review board were Elks Aidmore (aids at risk youth), which was awarded $4,000 and represented by CEO Abe Wilkinson; Rockdale Autism Support Group, which was awarded $5,000 and represented by board member Esther Maclin; Rockdale Cares (day program for developmentally disabled adults), which was awarded $6,000 and represented by Director Barbara Kilpatrick. The 2015 Family Law Center Attorney of the Year Donna Swilley had previously won the chance to donate $1000 to a charity of her choosing. She awarded that amount to the Project ReNeWal domestic violence shelter, which serves Rockdale, Newton and Walton counties. Paul Dailey, President of the board Project ReNeWal, accepted the check on the non-profit’s behalf. “We are here to celebrate non-profits and the people who run them and run them well,” said Clerk of Courts Ruth Wilson.

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4 • Saturday, May 30, 2015

The News

Man kills wife, self in front of children By Meris Lutz

news@rockdalenews.com

The Covington Police Department responded to a shooting May 21 discovering a man and woman shot when arriving on scene. The two Covington residents, Alicia Ruby Richards and Norman Alphonso Richards were found

dead at 10112 Wellington Ridge, Covington, around 10:30 p.m. According to a release from CPD, investigators determined the incident to be a murder-suicide. “Investigators interviewed eye witnesses, and at this point in the investigation it has been determined that the male suspect shot the female victim then turned the

firearm on himself,” CPD Capt. Craig Treadwell said in the release. Alicia Richards and Norman Richards were divorced, according to Treadwell, living at 10112 Wellington Ridge and 10330 Magnolia Heights Drive, respectively. The couple had returned from one of their two daughters’ fifth grade graduation when Norman

Richards grew angry with Alicia Richards for punishing one of the girls by taking away her cell phone, which he had paid for. The fight escalated and Norman Richards shot his ex-wife multiple times in front of their two young daughters. According to witnesses, Norman Richards had been behaving strangely before the incident.

Treadwell said CPD had responded to the address on many occasions for domestic violence related calls. The children have been placed with a relative pending a final decision by authorities. Alicia Richards (nee Stewart-Walker) was a former policewoman with the Jamaican Constabulary Force.

In Honor and Remembrance The stormy weather held off just long enough Monday for Rockdale’s organizations to honor the commitment and sacrifice of those in America’s armed services and their families with Memorial Day ceremonies. The Walk of Heroes/Veterans War Memorial at Black Shoals Park hosted a ceremony at 7 p.m. Speakers included keynote speaker state Senator Hunter Hill, R-Atlanta, Jim Beldsoe, President of the Ga. Viet Nam Veterans/Legacy Veterans Motorcycle Club, Dr. Dave Benson, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Conyers, Rockdale Sheriff Eric Levett, Buddy Roebuck of the Walk of Heroes board, Quontavious Miles of the Walk of Heroes board, Walk of Heroes President/Board Chair Tommy Clack, and Pat Buchanan, chaplain with the American Legion Riders and Ga. 10th District. Actor/Director Emily Bradford sang the National Anthem and Newton High School Band Director Jason Smith and recently graduated NHS senior Craig Thomas performed a Taps duet. American Legion Post 77 held its ceremony earlier 11 a.m. at 674 Legion Road, with speaker Butch Woodruff, member of the American Legion in Covington, a wreath laying ceremony, barbecue luncheon and Red Cross blood drive. For more, go to www.rockdalenews.com. (photos by Michelle Kim)

Ready2Work

Conyers woman killed in crash during storm

Commissioner Oz Nesbitt, Sr. hosted a grassroots initiative to help job seekers find employment in Conyers-Rockdale County with the READY2WORK Rockdale Job Readiness event, held Wednesday, May 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Panera Bread on Ga. Hwy 138. Commissioner Nesbitt partnered up with area staffing agencies that are searching for well-qualified applicants who can pass both a criminal background check and drug screen. Participants were invited to show up dressed professionally, with several copies of their professional resume in hand. Job seekers also completed an on-site $25 drug screen. “We will attempt to pair Conyers-Rockdale Job Seekers with a job and career opportunity that matches the employers need with the applicants skills,” said Nesbitt, adding that this is a hands-on approach to actively addressing the unemployment rate in Conyers-Rockdale County. The event also brought patrons to the front counter of Panera Bread, a locally owned franchise. “We’re killing two birds with one stone,” said Commissioner Nesbitt. For more on READY2WORK, contact Nesbitt at oz_nesbitt@ yahoo.com. (submitted photo)

By Staff Reports

news@rockdalenews.com

A Conyers woman was killed and two children injured in a head-on collision during Tuesday’s heavy storms. Brandy Michelle Wilkins, 29, of Conyers was driving a 1994 Chevrolet GMT 400 pickup truck southbound on Sigman Road around 7:05 p.m., according to a Georgia State Patrol spokesperson. According to initial reports, the Chevy drove through area of standing water that was several inches deep. Wilkins reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which crossed over into the northbound lane and was struck by an oncoming 2013 Dodge Durango. Wilkins was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the pickup truck and fatally injured. The Dodge Durango had an adult female driver and four children. Two of the children were reportedly injured in the crash.

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Opinion the

NEWS

PUBLISHER T. Pat Cavanaugh

EDITOR Michelle Kim

pcavanaugh@rockdalenews.com

mkim@rockdalenews.com

DESIGN EDITOR Sabastian Wee

SALES DIRECTOR Annette Godwin

swee@rockdalenews.com

agodwin@rockdalenews.com

CIRCULATION DIR. Amanda Ellington

COMPTROLLER Debbie Thompson

aellington@covnews.com

dthompson@covnews.com

Our Thoughts Giving Back We talk often about the generally good leadership we fortunately have here in Rockdale County. One of those leaders is one of our Constitutional Officers and Clerk of Superior and State Courts Ruth Wilson. Ms. Wilson since her election has spent considerable time updating the responsibilities of the Clerk’s Office; she also has found time to be in involved in our community. She is involved in many groups that support families in the community she is an active member of the Conyers Rotary and she is a graduate of what many people in the know say is the finest Leadership Rockdale class that has graduated from the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce’s program – the Class of 2012. What we respect the most about Ms. Wilson is the fact that she takes the money spent in this county for passports, which by state law is hers to do what she wants to do with it, and puts it back in the community. Ms. Wilson has assembled a board of active community leaders to help her pick groups to award cash donations to assist their programs, this year three groups were honored with donations ranging from $4,000 to $6,000 – Elks Aidmore, which serves at-risk youth, the Rockdale Autism Support Group, and Rockdale Cares, which runs programs for developmentally challenged adults. In addition, the Clerk of Court’s Family Law Center program Volunteer Attorney of the Year Donna Swilley has chosen the Project ReNeWal domestic violence shelter as the charity of her choice to receive the $1,000 award. We salute Ruth Wilson and her staff for thinking of our community first; it is encouraging and gives us hope that indeed there is a positive side to our elected leaders.

Saturday, May 30, 2015 Page 5 rockdalenews.com

Who do we count? My hard-working or completely elimEvery American stands to neighbor and your inate external party benefit from legalizing immineighbor may be disand internal party gration regardless of your race, enfranchised. On the competition. This of- nationality, socio-economother hand, my neightentimes leads to a ic level or political affiliation. bor and your neighbor comfortable protec- First, there are currently over 8 is subject to the scrutition for incumbents. million illegal immigrants emny of the Constitution. The voice of many at ployed in the U.S. representing Diane that time is muffled. Recently, the Supreme about 5.2 percent of the overall Court agreed to decide Voting is what U.S. labor force. Without this Adoma whether the Constitumakes us American undocumented labor populaColumnist tion requires only eland the Voting Rights tion, entire industries in some igible voters be counted when Act continues to battle with states would dry up like a “masforming “legislative districts.” challenges. The argument is sive drought” creating a thirst The lawsuit’s goal is to remove that non-citizens should be for workers and a funnel of negnoncitizens and illegal im- counted for apportionment ative economic consequences. migrants from the legislative purposes yet they cannot par- This dramatic outcome would district count. Some find this ticipate in the political process exist if all the illegal immigrants disturbing while others say it and cannot vote. Although were deported. is justified. In addition, the others in their geographic A small percentage of naSupreme Court may also con- areas benefit from this vast tive-born Americans may be sider other nonvoters such as population, they are restricted harmed by illegal immigration. minors, felons and even people from the political process. However, the facts clearly indiwho have not registered. OthThe problem is illegal im- cate that more Americans beners say if they are ineligible to migrants cannot vote, pay into efit from the contributions of vote why are they counted as a social security, nor participate illegal immigrants. While most potential vote? in the political process yet they would argue that this subject is This massive shift could es- contribute much to the infra- still highly debatable, however a pecially dilute entire Hispanic structure and quick glimpse communities’ representation fabric of our and underand devastate the Latino vot- country. This standing of The problem is ing power and other minorities. reminds me our tax strucAdhering to our Constitution of the Threeture clearly illegal immigrants is important and we must find Fifths Clause indicates the cannot vote, pay a way to bridge the voices of or Comprovast contrimany and seek outcomes that mise where butions made into social security, are fair, just and humane but the slaves by imminor participate Constitutionally sane. Finally, were counted grants make many say the drawing of these as three-fifths to our econin the political legislative districts is fair game of a person omy. Most process yet they and is a deterrent to those who for purposes may not be seek to break them. Although I of determinfamiliar with contribute much to am not sure what the voice of ing how much the tax or the highest court of the land representation fiscal impact the infrastructure will ultimately say, here are a state enjoys of immigraand fabric of our some of my thoughts. in Congress. tion. Massive Immigration is woven into Thus states tax revenues country.” the fabric of our nation. How- could essencan be genever, how do we manage this tially pad their erated from activity in a humane way that p o p u l a t i o n legalizing imis fair to all people? The Voting numbers, gain extra representa- migration as well as lowering Rights Act signed into law by tives even though the enslaved consumer prices. The benefits President Lyndon Johnson in people were completely pow- that results from increasing the 1965 aimed to overcome legal erless. Some states with large tax base are almost limitless. barriers at the state and local illegal immigrant populations For example, road, bridges, polevels that prevented African of residents can wield extra po- licemen, firemen, schools, hosAmericans from exercising litical power yet these residents pitals, sidewalks, parks etc. all their right to vote under the are powerless and unable to thrive from tax revenues. 15th Amendment to the Con- vote but because they live in the The Social Security Adminstitution. Next, voting districts same state with a large number istration claims that undocuand maps are aggressively be- of non-citizens who are dispro- mented workers have contribing skewed towards a specific portionately Latino while others uted close to 10 percent or $30 political party which decreases reap the benefits. billion to the Social Security

“

fund. This economic impact of an undocumented worker cannot continue to be ignored if we want to continue to thrive as a nation. Yet, breaking the law cannot be accepted as common. In 1787 a legal path was plowed with a compromise for the slaves to be counted. As legislation debates continue to heat up one central point of contention will surely be how to create a pathway to legal status for almost 11 million undocumented immigrants and 8.3 million of them are actively employed. Think of all the tax revenue that we are losing as a nation. The generation of tax revenue would create jobs for thousands of unemployed. Immigration reform would raise GDP per capita and create an increased labor force. GDP is raised when we have more people working and more people working efficiently. When one estimates the combined economic benefits immigration is worth a compromise. How do they gain political power with no vote? Yet, they cannot vote, have no voice and are destined to be a loud force to reckon with. For many states undocumented workers are the fate for continued economic growth. Although they have no official voice, they have clout. The Latino population is growing across the US. Finally, the undocumented worker is the fate for continued economic growth. Although short of a strong recognized official voice the voice of the unofficial will surely rise to the top. Although we are losing billions of dollars in tax revenue from illegal immigration; let me remind you that that we are collecting billions also. First, even unauthorized immigrants pay sales taxes, property taxes if they rent and some even pay state and local income taxes. Many of our social and non-social programs need these dollars. Diane Adoma is running for the Ga. House of Representatives District 91 in 2016. She can be reached at adoma.diane@gmail.com

6 • Saturday, May 30, 2015

The News

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Religion

Saturday, May 30, 2015 Page 7 rockdalenews.com

Together in fellowship Joint service brings together Old Pleasant Hill, Trinity Baptist congregations By Ryan Gaylor

news@rockdalenews.com

Sunday mornings have been described as the most segregated time of the week in America. However, last Sunday, May 24, two churches engrained in the Honey Creek community – Old Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with a traditionally black congregation and Trinity Baptist Church with a traditionally white congregation – came together for a joint worship service in observance of Pentecost. Approximately 180 people attended the joint service, held at Old Pleasant Hill, 300 Honey Creek Road. The two churches, inspired by a passion for uniting the community and for making the Gospel accessible, came together not only to observe Pentecost, but also to celebrate unity and diversity within the Honey Creek community. “This service was the result of [Trinity Baptist] Pastor Joe [LaGuardia] and I both having the passion for unity in the Body of Christ, as well as in the community,” said Old Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Pastor Layne Fields. “We both believe that it is of utmost importance for the church to intentionally be at the forefront of racial, social, and economic reconciliation. Since the biblical celebration of Pentecost is the living embodiment of reconciliation, the calendar just naturally defaulted to that date.” The Pentecost, celebrated 50 days

after Easter, is when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, according to the New Testament. According to according to Trinity Baptist Church Pastor Joe LaGuardia, this service was particularly significant when considering the demographics of both churches. He previously wrote that, “historically, Trinity Baptist Church has been primarily a ‘white’ congregation, whereas Old Pleasant Hill Baptist has been primarily African-American.” “You can’t understand us without understanding our demographic,” LaGuardia said. Both organizations hoped this service will send a message of unity through the community, in a growingly diverse area where as many as 60 percent of people are unaffiliated with a church,

according to the Stone Mountain Baptist Association; both churches feel that the event was successful in making that message heard. “Trinity Baptist is deeply committed to the local community, social justice, and peacemaking/ reconciliation efforts, so meeting with our neighbors at [Old Pleasant Hill] communicated two things: Our solidarity with the African-American community in our immediate neighborhood, and the commitment of both churches to be the presence of Christ in the Honey Creek area,” said LaGuardia. “This joint worship experience was a demonstration to the community that God’s people, regardless of race and ethnicity, can function on one accord, and be in one place with unity and

harmony. Ultimately, the community will be impacted positively because there are two like-minded congregations that are willing to face the race issue head-on. We have demonstrated that genuine Christian love for God and love for others can and will break down racial barriers,” said Fields. Both churches consider the joint service a great success. LaGuardia said the response from the community has been “very positive.” Fields said, “Our congregation was so pleased with this experience that they’re already asking when the next joint service is going to be held.” This wasn’t the first time the two churches had joined together in a joint service. “Trinity Baptist Church and Old Pleasant Hill Baptist have always had a good

relationship, and we used to have joint services frequently years ago, so this service was a continuation of our warm friendship over the years,” LaGuardia said. “Our last joint service was in 2007 I believe.” This joint service will not be the last between the two churches; Trinity Baptist Church and Old Pleasant Hill are planning to come together again in the fall. For more information, contact Joe LaGuardia of Trinity Baptist Church at trinitybc3@bellsouth. com, Layne Fields of Old Pleasant Hill Baptist Church at laynefields@ hotmail.com, or visit the Trinity website at www.trinityconyers. org or the Old Pleasant Hill Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ pages/Old-Pleasant-Hill-BaptistChurch/145713888803304 ).

New Birth Christian Church

Wednesday Evening Hour of Power 7:00 PM Sunday Morning Worship Service 9:30 AM NBCC Mission statement: To unify the people of God by impacting those we come in contact with by Preaching and Teaching the word of truth.

Antioch AME Church 1790 Ebenezer Road, Conyers, GA

770-761-0006

Sr. Pastor Steve A. Jameson Co-Pastor Sheryl Jameson

1955 Sigman Rd., Ste. 105, Conyers, GA 30012 (678) 478-3627 / Fax (770) 982-5500

Bible Study-Thursday 7:00 pm Sunday School 8:45 am Sunday Worship 10:00 am Rev. Dr. Stafford J.N. Wicker, Sr. Pastor

8 • Saturday, May 30, 2015

Graduation Salem High School

The News

Salem High School’s Class of 2015 held its commencement ceremony Saturday, May 23, 8 a.m. at the Ga. International Horse Park. The 324 seniors of Salem’s Class of 2015 were offered more than $2 million in scholarships. Student speakers included valedictorian Micheala Davis, salutatorian Christopher Jackson, and Malikah Register. Here are a few scenes. For more photos go to rockdalenews.com. (photos by Robert Porter)

The News

Saturday, May 30, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ 9

Graduation Rockdale County High School

Rockdale County High School and Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology held their commencement ceremony Friday, May 22, at the Ga. International Horse Park. Rockdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s graduating class had 431 students. Of those, 65 percent will go on to a four-year university and 2- percent to a two-year college, and 8 percent have signed up for military service. Schools that have offered acceptance to RCHS/RMSST students include University of Georgia, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw, Valdosta State, Savannah State, Auburn, the Air Force Academy, Berkelee College of Music, the Boston Conservatory, Florida A&M, Howard University, NYU, Stanford, Tuskegee University, the University of Missouri, and the US Military Academy at West Point. Student speakers included Carly Moon and Aminah Matthews. For more photos go to rockdalenews.com. (photos by Anthony Banks)

10 • Saturday, May 30, 2015

The News

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RCSO helmets for autism bike camp The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office recently made a generous donation of bicycle helmets to the Rockdale County Autism Support Group to give to riders participating in the second annual iCan Shine Bike Camp in Rockdale, which takes place July 6-10, 2015, at Rockdale County High School. “We are very grateful to the RCSO for helping us to encourage safety as we are promoting opportunities for those with disabilities to learn to ride a bicycle,” says camp Director Esther Maclin. The program is still in need of riders and volunteers for the program. Contact Maclin at icanbikerockdale@gmail.com or go to http://icanshine.org/conyers-ga/ for more information. (submitted photo)

Celebrating Garden Week Conyers Garden Club members met on April 20 to celebrate Garden Week in Georgia, created by Gov. Nathan Deal’s 2012 proclamation which established it as the third week of April. Members created potted posies for the residents of Morningside of Conyers. Member clubs of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. such as the Conyers Garden Club, strive to promote the objectives of the GCG, which are “Beautification, Conservation and Education.” Pictured (left to right): Mary Jackson, Melinda Cowan, Susan Klem, Gail Thomas, Pam Hinesley, Kathy Williams, Susan Hicks, Ann McCoy and Susan Turner along with their creations. Conyers Garden Club members also held its May meeting and Annual Plant Auction on May 12. The Conyers Gardem Club held its May 2015 meeting and Annual Plant Auction on May 12. Pictured (left to right): Rose Morrison, Melinda Cowan, Melinda’s granddaughter Curran Slay, Susan Klem, Joyce Andrews, Pat Bryan, and Susan Dodd. (submitted photo)

Saturday, May 30, 2015 • 11

Saturday, May 30, 2015 Page 12 rockdalenews.com

Sports

WELL DONE

Mauran leaves RYSA in great shape with a solid foundation By Shakeem Holloway

sholloway@rockdalenews.com

When Rafe Mauran accepted the job to become the Director of Coaching at the Rockdale Youth Soccer Association (RYSA) it was attractive because it was in his hometown of Conyers, Georgia where he could have a positive impact on kids that played soccer where he grew up playing soccer. Mauran had coached college soccer for 12 years before accepting the job and it was an opportunity to support his family while helping grow soccer in the community. It was the perfect fit. Six years later and RYSA has grown tremendously under Mauran’s leadership. RYSA started five new soccer tournaments, hosted a number of tournaments, started competitive indoor leagues and went from having 400 members to almost 1,000. During Mauran’s tenure, RYSA also started NPSL

A year gone by By Shakeem Holloway

sholloway@rockdalenews.com

What a difference a year makes. Freshmen become sophomores, sophomores become juniors and juniors become seniors. With that caveat is a revolving door of athletes and coaches that come together to reach a common goal: win. There was a lot of the latter between the two bordering counties of Newton and Rockdale and we recap some of the best stories of the 2014-2015 academic year here. ROCKDALE ROCKDALE! The only school to have a team win a state championship was Rockdale, but we’ll get to that later. In the Fall it’s all about softball and football. LadyBulldog softball, led by head coach Justin Arrington, managed to secure a 4-6 record in Region 2-AAAAAA and finish fourth in the

region after a devastating 13-11 loss to Lovejoy in the region tournament. Rockdale’s football team came in to the season with a lot of promise. They started the season by eking out two wins against county rivals Heritage and Salem for a 2-0 start. The Bulldogs were an up-and-down team all season, finishing with a 5-6 record (2-3 Region 2-AAAAAA). Still, RCHS had a chance to take an easier road to the state championship had they beat Newton in the final game of the season. With the Bulldogs up by five and nine yards away from the endzone, Newton forced a turnover and eventually took the lead with less than 30 seconds to play. The Bulldogs lost the game and were forced to play as a No. 4 seed in the playoffs. Rockdale faced one of the best teams in high school football in Colquitt and it showed in a 62-12 blowout loss in the first round. Head coach Venson Elder and the Bulldogs lose some valuable seniors such as T.J. Warren, and it’ll be

and WPSL soccer teams (pro soccer), all-star teams, and they managed to strengthen the infrastructure with field improvement, new locker rooms, bathrooms and concession stands. “I think the thing that would make me most proud of my time there was that we were able to make RYSA a viable option for kids playing soccer in the area again and really make it competitive on another different level. Provide programming that we hadn’t been able to provide before and provide a level of play for our kids that we’ve never been able to provide either,” Mauran said. Mauran says he has a lot of accomplishments to be proud of which include never having a team relegated from a top division to a bottom division, plus having 13 or 14 teams promoted, which Mauran says was less a reflection of him and more of a reflection of the kids hard work and the coaches.

Review of each school’s athletics this past year

interesting to see how they bounce back from it. The Bulldogs’ big three of Jalen Jordan, Connor Ferrell and Dwayne Brown led the basketball team to a 21-8 record (8-2 Region 2-AAAAAA) and a second place finish in the region. Rockdale swept Newton this past season, winning all three contests including the game to determine which team made it to the state championship. The Bulldogs fought valiantly in the region championship game, but after three quarters Rockdale couldn’t get close again and lost 60-40 against Tucker. A first round contest without Jordan and Ferrell fouled out somehow turned into an overtime victory for the Bulldogs, putting them in the sweet 16. That was RCHS’s last stop as they couldn’t get over the hump against Shiloh, losing 55-45. Head coach Alf Holst and the boys soccer team played a good season. The Bulldogs fin-

See REVIEW on PAGE 13

Mauran is now in Spartanburg, South Carolina where he is the Director of Coaching at the Carolina Football Club. Mauran says he hopes to improve the Carolina Football Club like he helped improve RYSA. He says that he feels that he and the staff there can create something great. “I certainly appreciate everything the board at RYSA did in giving me that opportunity. I learned a ton and made some good friends, reconnected with some other people,” Mauran said. “I hope I left the club in a better place than what I found it and I think the mark of being truly successful at a place is when you leave it that it continues to grow and continues to get better it doesn’t fall backwards. So my main hope is in the next few years – I’ll certainly be in touch with those folks there – that RYSA continues to grow and improve and that way I’ll know I really did my job during my six years there.”

Heritage to host youth football camp By Staff Reports

news@rockdalenews.com

Heritage football will host a youth camp for boys ages 7-15 from June 15 - 18 at the practice fields at Heritage High School 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. with instruction from the Patriots’ varsity football team and coaching staff. The cost of the camp is $50 per player, which includes snacks and a camp t-shirt (for pre-registered campers only). The focus of the camp is to develop the offensive and defensive abilities of players at their respective positions before they begin the youth football season. To register go this link: ftballearly.wix.com/heritage-football. For more information contact Patriots’ head coach Wendell Early at 404-583-5120.

The News

Saturday, May 30, 2015 • 13

REVIEW From PAGE 12

ished third in the region, just ahead of Alcovy after sweeping the Tigers. RCHS also swept Newton. The Bulldogs were taken out in the first round, but had a productive season nonetheless. Rockdale baseball started off its season undefeated in region play and then the Bulldogs ran into some of Region 2-AAAAAA’s toughest competition and suffered a losing streak. The final series of the season came against Newton, and the Bulldogs needed to sweep the Rams in order to secure the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. Rockdale won the first two games, and things looked promising, but Newton won the third and the Bulldogs were swept out of the first round in firstyear head coach Jonathan Brewer’s inaugural season. Last, but certainly not least, is Rockdale track and field. Both the boys and the girls had extremely successful seasons. The girls, led by Candace Hill (ranked No. 1 in the nation in her class in the 100m) finished fifth at state and can only

get better as Hill and her teammates continue to grow and get better. The boys track and field team, headed by Elder made one great comeback to capture the state title just a couple of weeks ago. Lawrence Crawford and Jhibri Greer won three state titles between each other and helped RCHS top Archer 53-45 for the 2014-2015 Class AAAAAA state championship. Not bad at all. NEWTON Newton probably had the best year in terms of winning teams in high school athletics between the two counties, but you could also argue for Rockdale. Each Newton team from its respective sports likely had a winning season that led to post-season success. We’ll start with the team that had arguably the best/most surprising run, the Newton football Rams. The Rams’ football team made a deep run in the playoffs this year after coming off a 5-4 season where they went 3-2 in Region 2-AAAAAA on their way to claiming the No. 3 seed. Their seed set them up for a first round matchup with Valdosta, the team that has won the most games in

Georgia playoff history and Newton hadn’t won one playoff game in over two decades. Anybody in their right mind would tell you they expected Newton to lose, except the Rams. Head coach Terrance Banks and the Rams not only upset Valdosta, but they went on to beat Central Gwinnett in the second round before falling to Etowah in the third round. Lady Rams’ softball went just 13-17 in the regular season but dominated in Region 2-AAAAAA finishing with an 8-2 record in the region. Newton finished as region runner-up to rival Alcovy after falling in the championship game, before falling in the first round of the playoffs. First year head coach Ashley Coles did an excellent job with the young team she had. Rising senior Ciara Bryan was also named Region Player of the Year for the Lady Rams. Newton boys basketball must have fed off of the momentum of the football team because they mirrored each other’s success. Like their gridiron counterparts, Newton basketball had a good regular season (20-8, 5-5 Region 2-AAAAAA) and an even better postseason. After falling to Lovejoy

the

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in the the Region tournament, the Rams were locked in as a No. 4 seed in the playoffs. However, they prevailed, twice. The Rams upset both Tift County and Dacula by seven points combined to advance to the Elite Eight. Newton’s runs stopped in the third round when they ran into the eventual state champions in Wheeler and the second best senior in the nation in Jaylen Brown. The Lady Rams basketball team enjoyed some success of their own during the season. With four immaculate freshmen and head coach Tiffani Johnson, the Lady Rams were set to defend their Region 2-AAAAAA championship against Tucker, the defending state champions, in the 2-AAAAAA region championship game. Newton wasn’t able to repeat losing a close contest, 4541. The Lady Rams went on to fall in the first round in another close game, 48-44, to Colquitt. Newton baseball didn’t start its season as expected, but managed to finish the season with a 9-6 record in the region and the No. 3 seed after beating Rockdale in the final game of the regular season. The Rams lost 2-1 in a three-game series in the first round against Lee

News

Around Town

County, but after losing a number of seniors from last year’s region championship team, things are looking up for head coach Andre Byrd and his team. Newton track and field, both girls and boys, showed a lot of promise this year. The girls managed to win the region championship for the first time in 14 years and sent a number of athletes to compete at state. The boys were runners up at the region championship and placed fourth overall at state, with Jeremiah Holloman winning the Class AAAAAA triple jump state title. HERITAGE Heritage football is usually much stronger than it was this past year, but the Patriots made up for it in other areas and the football team will likely be back near the top next year. Under second-year head coach Vernon Denmark, Heritage boys basketball continued to thrive. The Patriots, who finished the season 20-10 and 10-3 in region play swept Salem, split with Newton and beat

Perspectives

fOR FULL STORY, VISIT ROCKDALENEWS.COM

Sidelines

Variety

Wednesday, May 27, 2015 Serving Rockdale County and Conyers, Ga.

ONE MAN’S JUNK IS ANOTHER’S SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS Tim Thompson has turned his love for antique cars into a successful business for movie studios. Find out how he did it.

— Movie Car Magic – Tim Thompson turned his love of old cars into a booming business by providing them for movie shoots. — Life After High School – You’ve graduated. Now what? Our Life After High School special section on options for recent grads; — Honor and Remembrance – Memorial Day ceremony at Walk of Heroes Memorial. Register for free, then visit rockdalenewsdigital.com

Also inside: GRADUATION 2015 — See the slideshows from last weekend’s graduation ceremonies

14 • Saturday, May 30, 2015

CARS

From FRONT PAGE filming in Savannah that needs circa 1948 cars; and with the producers of “The Founder,” a film about Ray Kroc starring Michael Keaton slated to film in Atlanta this summer, who are looking for cars from 1955 and earlier. Thompson will find them. Networking for cars “When you run out of cars to supply, you do what you have to do,” he said. “When we ran out of cars for ‘Selma,’ I started reaching out for cars.” He hunts through Craig’s List, EBay, posts notices on Facebook and networks with friends and collectors. And he keeps his eyes open when he’s driving around town. One of the cars he bought for “Selma” was a 1964 Plymouth Valiant that had been a gift to a local man from his son. When the man was killed, the son sold the car to Thompson. “Selma,” the story of the march led by Martin Luther from Selma to Birmingham to secure equal voting rights, needed 80 1964 and older cars. Thompson provided 46 of them, including a 1962 Falcon he found in Conyers and bought. He also supplied the 1961 Desoto that belonged to the sheriff of Sel-

The News

ma at the time of the Selma march. The historic car belongs to a client in Conyers, he said. Another car used in the movie, a white 1963 Ford, had been on the way to the crusher when Thompson rescued it. “It wasn’t running, but it can be used for set design. It was used in the bomb scene in ‘Selma.’” One of the cars, a white 63 Ford was on the way to the crusher when he rescued it. “It wasn’t running but it can be used for set design. It was used in the [bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church] scene in ‘Selma.’” Another vehicle Thompson supplied was a 1941 Chevy fuel truck, which came from Missouri. Sometimes, he explained, large vehicles are used to block modern day happenings when filming on location. He also supplied an old, though restored garbage truck, rented from a Chattanooga garbage company. The garbage truck was also used in the movies, “Jayne Mansfield’s Car,” and “42.” Thompson also found, free, an airport tug that was pulled by a 1940s wagon, in “42.” At the end of the “Selma” shoot, Thompson got three of the cars the studio used in the film. Like a museum of vehicles Parked in his garage is a white VW bug, decked out in flower power slogans and drawings that was last seen in the 2015 movie, “Vacation.” Next to it is a 1973

silver Corvette, a replacement for the Corvette he purchased weeks before his 20th birthday. “Back in the 1970s, we would cruise around the park and I saw a bunch of Corvettes, all older than 1975,” he said. “I vowed I would have a Corvette before my 20th birthday on 1979.” In the driveway is a red Mercedes that was driven by Kathy Bates in a recent film. Nearby, a few blocks down the road, is an acre-and-a-half property with a metal building and a large collection of cars. It’s Thompson’s shop, which he bought long before he began Atlanta Picture Cars. Inside the shop are rows of Plymouths, Fords, Dodges, Chevies and Hudsons. There are motorcycles, bikes, advertising posters, a late 20th century phone booth, real and plastic movie car tags from various states and various eras, vintage Coke machines, antique air pumps and glass globe gas pumps, old oil cans, even a mid-Century Kotex machine. He loves junk, he admits, and he has a lot of it. “But it’s not junk if it makes money,” he said. Props make money, too It’s not just cars he rents to production companies, magazines and advertisers. He rents props. For example, the telephone booth, which he bought for $50, earned $400 a week on the set of “Anchorman 2.”

Like many things in Hollywood, some of the Atlanta Picture Cars seen on screen might give the illusion they function, but many actually don’t run. Those that do, do so because of Thompson’s long-time friend, King. “He can fix anything,” Thompson said. His long-time friend, Gerald King, is a mechanic employed by Charles Sirman, a Conyers businessman who owns over 100 antique cars, some that have been used in films. King learned how to fix cars from his family, many who were mechanics themselves. One of the first cars King and Thompson salvaged was the 1934 Ford pick-up Thompson had long desired. The truck, they said, was in pieces. The truck bed, the motor, the brakes all needed to be repaired or reattached. But King enjoys working with his friend. “We have fun,” he said. “You have to think of it as not work, but having fun.” Both King and Thompson have driven cars as extras in movies. So have other car collectors whose machines are being used on set. King said he enjoys meeting the production crews and actors, especially Vanessa Williams, whom he met during the filming of “A Trip to Bountiful.” In some ways, listening to Thompson talk about his cars and the movies, there’s a sense that the

business is just a way to fuel his obsession. He says he would buy more cars if he had room, adding that, “I should sell half of them to fix up the rest of them, but they’re making money.” He rented his first car to a production company in 1999 (movie, et. al). It was another 10 years before he rented another car out— but he and King dreamed of what the business could be. Since then, Atlanta Picture Cars can be seen in “Letters from a Wayward Son,” 1999; “The Accountant,” 2001; “Lost Valentine,” 2010; “Jayne Mansfield’s Car,” 2011; “42,” 2012; “Plus One,” 2012; “Anchorman 2,” 2013; “Watson’s Go to Birmingham,” 2013; “Endless Love,” 2013: “Kill the Messenger,” 2013; “A Trip to Bountiful,” 2013; “Selma,” 2014; “The Longest Ride,” 2014; “Vacation,” 2015; and “Sons 2 the Grave,” 2015. They have also posed for photo shoots for GQ, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren. Atlanta Picture Cars’ television credits include Spike TV’s Tattoo Rescue; Vampire Diaries; It’s Supernatural; Constatine; Resurrection; Adult Swim; Lost in Transmission; Satisfaction; Red Band Society; The Red Road and Halt & Catch Fire. Check out the Atlanta Picture Cars inventory at the website www.atlantapicturecars.com or visit them on Facebook at www. facebook.com/pages/Atlanta-Picture-Cars/242607449098821.

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The The News News

Saturday, May May 30, 30, 2015 2015 •• 15 15 Saturday,

MAYS

From From FRONT FRONT PAGE PAGE applied applied for for an an arrest arrest warrant warrant for for Mays for theft of services felony regarding approximately $20,000 of back pay she alleged is due for work on setting up a mental health or veteran’s accountability court. “The charges against Judge Mays were completely false,” said Washington. “This case however has been nothing more than a misuse of public resources and an abuse of the judicial process for selfish

motives personal gains gains by by an an motives and and personal individual with a questionable individual with a questionable character past.”” character and and past. After Washington spoke, Mays Mays After Washington spoke, answered about how how he he answered questions questions about felt whole process. process. felt during during the the whole “I was always confident because I hadn’t don’t anything wrong,” said Mays. “I knew justice would prevail.” DeKalb County “I’m afraid theirSuperior claim toCourt vicJudge Linda Hunter, who heard tory is premature,” Waldrop said, the case on April 15 after Rockafterwards. dale’s judges recused themselves, DeKalb County Superior Court “made it clearHunter, she feltwho likeheard matJudge Linda ters like on thisApril should the case 15 be afterhandled Rockin Magistrate court. themselves, They were dale’s judges recused better handle “made positioned it clear shetofelt like cases matlike this. She felt like it be ters like this should bewould handled

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Community Yard Sale Friday, 5/29 and Saturday, 5/30 from 9am-3pm at Camerons Landing and Woodstone Subdivision located off Fairview Road. Moving sale. Everything must go. May 29th and 30th. 8-3. June 4th, 5th, and 6th. 8-3. 35 Robertford Drive Covington, GA 30016. Bedroom furniture, desks, dishes, tv’s and much more. Items for Sale Cemetery Lots Cemetery lots- Two side by side for sale, $4,000. Located in Lawnwood Memorial Park, Covington, GA. 770-775-3533 or 770-313-1571. Jobs Drivers Wanted Local trucking company taking applications for over the road truck drivers. Home some week nights and every weekend. We have dedicated runs, no brokers involved, very low driver turn-over rate and new Peterbilt trucks. Must have tanker endorsements, have at least 2 years verifiable experience with a clean MVR and be at least 25 years of age. Benefits include paid holidays, paid vacation, paid sick days and health insurance. Call (770) 464-1935 for more information.

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a better use of the court’s resourcin Magistrate court. They were es, ” Waldrop said. better positioned to handle cases “Based on that, we dismissed like this. She felt like it would beit without prejudice. We willresourcbe refila better use of the court’s ing” Waldrop this weeksaid. in Rockdale Magises, trate Court same allega“Based onthe that, we basic dismissed it tions, with some adjustments, and without prejudice. We will be refilsamethis substantive crimes.” Magising week in Rockdale “I’m afraidthetheir claim victotrate Court same basictoallegary is premature, ” Waldrop said. tions, with some adjustments, and Mays also announced same substantive crimes.” at the press conference intention to “There was nohis ruling on the run forupre-election in 2016 merits there,” Waldrop said. “to provide additional four years of Mays an also announced at the qualityconference of service his to the Rockdale press intention to County citizens,” heinsaid. run for re-election 2016. Michelle Kim contributed to this article.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

The City of Covington has a vacancy for a Natural Gas Project Manager located in the Gas Department. This posi�on is responsible for planning, implemen�ng and evalua�ng mul�ple ac�vi�es associated with opera�on and administra�on of the Covington Natural Gas Distribu�on System. This posi�on assists the U�li�es Director with various administra�ve tasks associated with gas project maintenance and construc�on. Required training and experience includes gradua�on from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science Degree, At least fi�een (15) years prior natural gas construc�on and opera�ng experience, a minimum of ten (10) years of which shall be with a municipal, other public gas system or investor owned u�lity. Must meet Office of Pipeline Safety requirements within 1 year of employment. Salary to commensurate with qualifica�ons and experience. Qualified applicants may apply via our website at www.cityofcovington. org or may apply at the City of Covington Human Resources Office, 2194 Emory Street, Covington, Georgia 30014, 770.385.2025. This posi�on will remain open un�l 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. The City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT The City of Covington is currently accepting applications for a GIS Manager in the Engineering Department. This position performs professional level management related to the development and implementation of systems, networks, database, and macros to create, maintain, display and update a local government Geographic Information System. Required training and experience includes graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in geography, computer science, earth science, civil engineering or related technical field. At least 40 CEU’s of specialized GIS Software Training. Two or more years of progressively related experience in management of a GIS project, relational databases, GPS collection and GIS web related technology. Salary range is an annual minimum of $48,360 to an annual maximum of $71,531 will be determined based upon qualifications. Qualified applicants may apply via our website at www.cityofcovington.org or may send resume to or apply at the City of Covington Human Resources Office, 2194 Emory Street, Covington, Georgia 30014, (770) 385.2025. Position will remain open until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5th, 2015. The City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

16 â&#x20AC;˘ Saturday, May 30, 2015

The News

JUNE DEALS!!! Benchmade Knife Sale $25 to $50 OFF!

2595

Stripped Lower 7075-T6 MULTI CAL (A Federal Firearms License is required to purchase this item) (AR15- A3-LWFOR-UM)

399

Ruger SR 9mm & 40 Cal Both Compact and Full Size.

Longshot Shotgun Reloading Powder One Pound (LS1)

BL-C2 Rifle Reloading Powder One Pound (BLC1)

Same Models Excluded.

IMR 800X Reloading Powder One Pound (800X1)

Outback II D Rimfire Suppessor. Can be disassembled. All NFA rules apply.

IMR 700X Reloading Powder 14 Ounces (700X14)

17995

Drago Ammo and Tool Bag Black (17-301BL)