FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker
Decatur Police Inv. Ashley Melvin helped collect a carload of boots, underwear, socks, bug spray
and personal care items.
DeKalb rallies for relief effort
by Horace Holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com
L
ouisiana native and DeKalb County
resident Amber Pugh said she didnt
think twice when it was my turn to
give back.
Pugh said she remembers when her
family members and friends were trying to
escape the path of Hurricane Katrina, which
hit Louisiana in 2005. The death toll reached
more than 1,500.
That was a really scary time, Pugh
said. You just didnt know what was going to
happen or if everyone you loved was safe.
But Im glad my loved ones got the help they
needed.
Nearly 12 years later to the day Hurricane
Katrina hit Louisiana, Pugh said, its my turn
to help now.
Pugh, along with other DeKalb County
residents and officials, are coming together
for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. Some
areas in Texas received 50 inches of rainfall
and Derrick Freeman, the mayor of Port
Arthur, was quoted as saying, our city is
under water.
Pugh donated multiple cases of bottled
water, along with blankets, sleeping bags and
diapers to a local drive collecting items.
I just want to make a difference. I cant
imagine what its like to go through that. My
family had to go through that and Im sure its
tough, Pugh said.
Multiple organizations across DeKalb
Visit www.championnewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 VOL. 21, NO. 31 FREE
Shara Sanders, president of Junior League of DeKalb County,
donated several clothing items to The Champion.
DeKalb County Sheriffs Office officials collect
goods for the Hurricane Harvey relief effort.
County collected items for relief efforts.
The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office opened
a donation collection center for victims of
Hurricane Harvey.
The sheriffs office will collect and
transport items to donation centers in the
affected areas.
Requested donations include blankets,
sleeping bags, air mattresses, pillows, towels;
personal toiletries such as new toothbrushes,
toothpaste, lotion, shampoo and deodorant;
A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS
household cleaning products and laundry
detergent; non-perishable snack foods, board
games, coloring books, playing cards and
crayons.
We are partnering with the American Red
Cross for the convenience of DeKalb County
and nearby residents who want to support
this emergency response effort, said DeKalb
County Sheriff Jeff Mann.
Debra Deberry, clerk of Superior Court
in DeKalb County, said her offices will also
collect items and donate them to the sheriffs
office.
DeBerry said sometimes tragedy can help
bring people together.
When it comes to disaster and folks
needing help, it comes down to the raw basic
human need, DeBerry said. I think we have
done that because were all Americans and
were all humans and we all suffer the same
when these catastrophes happen.
The court will collect items through Sept.
14 at the DeKalb Clerk of Superior Court at
556 McDonough St. in Decatur.
As of Sept. 5., the death toll of Hurricane
Harvey reached 60.
[Giving back] is personally gratifying,
but we feel horrible for what has happened,
DeBerry said. Its like what can I do to
help?
Shara Sanders, president of Junior
League of DeKalb County, made several
donations to the offices of The Champion.
See Relief on page 5
@DeKalbChampNews
LOCAL
CHAMBLEE
A platform for parents
DeKalb resident helms parent education center, community
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
Most of Chamblee resident
Phyllis Austins time is
spent serving, supporting,
educating and helping
parents create a quality
education.
Many parents dont know
what a quality education
looks like, Austin said.
Education is about the
school and the home working
together.
Austin, a Chicago native
and former DeKalb County
teacher, is the head of both
In My Shoes and The National
Parent Education Center &
Community, two 501(c)3
organizations advocating for
better education in DeKalb
County.
The main way of achieving
better local education, Austin
said, is to teach parents how
to become involved. The
National Parent Education
Center & Communitys main
objectives are to educate
parents on the ins and outs
of education, teach parents
how to recognize a quality
education and create a
quality education.
We quarrel over giving
students homework, over not
giving students homework,
that theres not enough
time in the day to deliver
lesson plans, Austin said. It
minimizes the role of parents
in developing essential
knowledge skills.
Services offered by The
National Parent Education
Center & Community
include consultation about a
specific issue; writing letters;
advocating for a specific
cause; parent education
seminars; and hosting
workshops for community
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 2
groups such as a parent-
teacher organization, church
group or school council.
Austin said lessons from
The National Parent Education
Center & Community involve
navigating bureaucracy.
Some schools are open
about their information and
some schools are closed,
Austin said. The important
thing is to recognize the
people in leadership roles
who are gatekeepers to
parental knowledge.
Austin said she was
inspired to found the
organization after moving
from Chicago and noticing
her son received higher
DeKalb County resident Phyllis Austin, an educator for 18 years, said its up to
grades for less work. Her son, parents to hold the education system accountable. Photo submitted.
according to Austin, was
rewarded for adhering to a
attended the schools open very nice. We sat down and
whole language approach
house, Austin said. During the teacher began showing
in the classroom, despite his
the event, my sons teacher
inability to spell. SEE PARENTS ON PAGE 13A
approached usshe was
My sons father and I
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 3

AROUNDDEKALB
AVONDALE
Scheduled to run Sept. 9 to Nov. 19 with
Saturday rehearsals from 10 a.m. until 12:30
p.m., the program will teach participants how
Specific dates for Lunchtime in the Studio
include Sept. 28, Nov. 15, Feb. 8 and April 19.
Registration is encouraged.

ESTATES
City to host education town hall meeting
The Avondale Estates Ad Hoc Committee
for Education will host an education town
hall meeting Sept. 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at
First Baptist Church in Avondale Estates.
The meeting will be moderated by DeKalb
County School District Board member Dr.
Michael Erwin. Scheduled speakers include
principals from Avondale Elementary School,
Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts, The
Museum School of Avondale Estates, as
well as an official with the Dekalb School
Choice Program. The church is located at 47
Covington Road. For more information, visit
www.avondaleestates.org.
to create characters, improvise as well as what For more information, visit www.coredance.
it is like to partake in a production. org.
This year, participants will help produce
Nick Tickle, Your Favorite Fairy Tale Detective,
with productions scheduled for Nov. 11, 18
and 19.
Cost for the programdesigned for youth
in grades 6 through 12is $75. According to
event officials, auditions will be part of the
first rehearsal. All registered youth will be part
of the show.
Space is limited and registration is required.
To register and obtain required forms, visit
www.onionmanproductions.com/youth-
program.html.
For more information, contact Abra
Thurmond, youth artistic director at Onion
Man, at (404) 405-3221 or youththeatre@
onionmanproductions.com.

BROOKHAVEN
City to host parents night out
Brookhaven will host Parents Night Out
on Sept. 15, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Lynwood
Community Center. The event is a way for
parents to drop off their children on a Friday
and have time to themselves. The event will
include dinner, games, activities and options
to keep children entertained. Pre-registration
is required by the preceding Wednesday and
pickup is promptly at 9 p.m. Cost is $15 per
child; ages: 5-12. The community center is
located at 3360 Osborne Road.
CLARKSTON
Movies at Milam to feature Cars 2
The city of Clarkston is scheduled to host a
free screening of the film Cars 2 on Sept. 15 at
6:30 p.m.
The eventhosted at Milam Park at 3867
Norman Roadwill also include free food Wylde Center schedules September events
and drinks, a bouncy house, music and other
family-friendly activities. The Wylde Center, one of Atlantas
Come on out, bring a chair, blanket and environmental nonprofit organizations,
all the kids, reads an event description. Drive has scheduled three September events to
your family to the end of summer fun. continue celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. and the On Sept. 9, children ages 4 to 10 are invited
screening will begin at 8 p.m. The event is free to participate in Painting in the Garden with
and open to the public. Ms. Sylvia, a painting event at Wylde Centers
Mulberry Fields location at 1301 Iverson St. in

Painting event at Blackburn Park
Artists of all ages and skill levels are
invited to Paint the Park Sept. 16 from 1 to
4 p.m. at Blackburn Park. Once the pieces are
complete they will be displayed in the park
visible from Ashford Dunwoody Road until
the event closes. The winning pieces will be
on display at city hall. Art supplies and paper
will be provided, but artists can bring their
own easel and canvas. The park is located
at 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road. For more
information, visit www.brookhavenga.gov.
CHAMBLEE
Onion Man begins fall youth program
Onion Man Productions, a nonprofit theater
company located at 5522 New Peachtree
Road, is registering for its fall youth program.
DECATUR
Core Dance to host lunchtime events
Core Dance Studiolocated at 133
Sycamore Streetis scheduled to host a series
of lunch events in September, November,
February and April from noon to 1 p.m.
Known as Lunchtime in the Studio, the
events will offer a close-up and personal look
at how contemporary dance is crafted and
performed, according to event officials. The
event will also include a free lunch.
While eating, guests can expect to observe
and engage with dancers as they share their
work. The studios goal in the event is to
provide the public with an opportunity to
partake in the innovation, collaboration,
investigation and community-building that
forms the heart of Core Dances vision.
The event is free and open to the public.
Atlanta. The cost is $15 for members and $25
for non-members. The event is 2 to 4 p.m.
On Sept. 16, families are invited to learn
about Georgia reptiles at Reptiles in the
Garden at the centers Edgewood Learning
Center, located at 1503 Hardee St. in Atlanta.
Presented by Wildlife Wonders, the event is
designed for family members of all ages. The
event is free for Wylde Center members, $5
for non-member adults and $2.50 for non-
member children ages 12 and younger. The
event is 2 to 3 p.m.
On Sept. 30, the Wylde Center will host
STE(A)M Truck Rocket Making at the centers
Sugar Creek location at 415 East Lake Drive in
Decatur. Here, children ages 5 and older will
be taught how to make a stomp rocket. Two
sessions will be offered, with one at 11 a.m.
and one at noon. The event is free for Wylde
Center members and $5 for non-members.
For more information on the events and to
register, visit www.wyldecenter.org.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 4

DUNWOODY

Newly elected congresswoman introduces

staff, touts upcoming town hall
BY R. SCOTT BELZER judiciary and education Democratic candidate
committees in Washington, Jon Ossoff. The Georgia
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com D.C. 6th congressional district
Newly elected Georgia Handel told attendees includes parts of Dunwoody,
6th Congressional District her duties when Congress Brookhaven, Chamblee,
Representative Karen Handel
spoke at the Dunwoody City
Council meeting Aug. 28 to
set the tone for her time in I very much look forward Rep. Karen Handel of Georgias 6th Congressional District addressed Dunwoody
office. City Council and the public at an Aug. 28 meeting. Photo submitted.
Thank you so very much
for the chance to address to working with you and During her victory speech, Specific issues involved
the council and the people
Handel thanked Dunwoody discrimination in the armed
of Dunwoody, Handel said.
I came by to say thank you working for you as we move city councilman Terry Nall
among other Republican
forces, immigrants, pardoning
Joe Arpaio, treatment of the
to the people of Dunwoody
leaders such as Tom Price, media, racism, Twitter, hateful
for the opportunity to
serve as the 6th district forward with issues.... Johnny Isakson and Newt
Gingrich.
rhetoric and more.
Dunwoody Mayor Denis
[congresswoman]. I am ever
Again, thank you for Shortal said all elected
mindful that my role is to
this extraordinary honor, representatives are welcome
represent all of the people in
Handel said. I very much to address the public at
the 6th district. Its important
returns to session on Sept. Doraville and Tucker among look forward to working with Dunwoody City Council
to me to represent the
5 will include budget and municipalities in Fulton and you and working for you as meetings.
diversity of people and the
appropriations, tax reform Cobb counties. we move forward with issues Handel held her first
diversity of thought across
and higher education reform. During the campaign, important to the 6th district. town hall meeting on Aug.
the district.
Handel was elected 51.9 Handel said she supports Certain residents used the 30 during an hour-long
Handel introduced staff
percent to 48.1 percent decreasing taxes, aggressive public comments portion of teleconference. The meeting
and intermediaries in Georgia.
to represent Georgias 6th foreign policies, growing the meeting to urge Handel gave an update on her first
She also informed the
congressional district via small businesses, balancing to transcend partisanship months in Washington, D.C.
council and attendees of her
special election in June, the federal budget and to address behavior by and answered questions from
upcoming roles in the federal
claiming victory against revamping federal healthcare. President Donald Trump. the audience.

DUNWOODY

Scoutmaster helps locate

missing elderly man on a hunch
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com

On May 16, Dunwoody

resident and Boy Scout Troop
477 leader Barry Deutsch
joined other community
members in tracking down
an elderly man who had been
reported as missing.
Rumors spread that the
man may have dementia or
similar medical issues that
caused him to wander from
his familiar surroundings. The
man is 89 years old and he
disappeared around 7 p.m. in Dunwoody scoutmaster Barry Deutsch was honored by Dunwoody City Council
Aug. 28 for his efforts in locating a missing elderly man in May. Photo submitted.
the evening.
According to Dunwoody
Police Department Chief Billy media. We also put out Councilwoman Lynn Deutsch
Grogan, a hunch from the the info on [Georgia Crime were among the volunteers
local scoutmaster may have Information Center] to search who assisted in the search.
saved the missing mans life. statewide. We activated an While completing the task of
We did the usual things Alpha Unit K-9 Rescue Team providing water to volunteers,
that we dowe started to assist with the search, the couple learned through
looking for him and put Grogan said.
something out on social Grogan said Deutsch and SEE HONORED ON PAGE 8A
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 5

Child advocacy group wants more public involvement

by Gale Horton Gay
Keeping children safe from sexual
and physical abuse and helping them
heal if they have been abused are part
of the mission of the Georgia Center for
Child Advocacy (GCCA).
However, officials of the organization
want the community at large to
recognize its responsibility of keeping
watch over the younger population.
We want to make sure we are doing
everything we can to protect children,
said Sheila Ryan, executive director of
GCCA.
Darkness to Light Stewards of Chil-
dren is GCCAs prevention training
program that teaches individuals the
signs of child abuse, what to do about
it and why its important to talk to chil-
dren about the subject. Ryan said that
110,000 adults statewide have been
trained.
Training sessions are held monthly
alternating between DeKalb and
Fulton countieswith the only cost to
participants being $15 for the training
materials. She said the two-and-a-half-
hour sessions will potentially make a
difference in the life of a child and keep
children from being harmed.
The next training session in DeKalb
County takes place from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
on Oct. 25 at DeKalb Family Protection
Center,1950 W. Exchange Place in
Tucker.
GCCA also provide an array of other
services such as therapy for children
who have been abused or witnessed
violence, forensic interviews, family
counseling and other services such as
transportation. It also provides training
to Georgia Department of Family and
Children Services (DFACS).
The bilingual staff of forensic
interviewers, family advocates, client
service coordinators, intake coordinators
and therapists continues to keep its
knowledge up to date. In June five
therapists and a clinical director traveled
to Charleston for training in how to
families struggling with anger,, conflict
and depression. Earlier this year, GCCA
was asked to assist with teaching a
human trafficking courses in Hawaii.
Two years ago, GCCA opened a Sheila Ryan, executive director of Georgia Center for Child
center in DeKalb County to have a Advocacy, wants more people to undergo training to keep children
safe from sexual and physical abuse.
greater presence in the community. The
agency partners with the DFACS as well
as works with local police.
During the first half of 2017, 34
percent more children have been served
through GCCAs Intervention Services
than the same period in 2016. The
agency, which was launched in 1987,
has helped more than 16,000 children,
according to an official.
The centers largest fundraiser is
being planned for October. Cheer for
Children Ball celebrates its 22nd year
at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at The Foundry at
Puritan Mill, 916 Joseph E. Lowery
Boulevard, Atlanta. Chef stations, live
entertainment as well as silent and live
auctions are part of the event. Tickets
are $200. Visit cheerforchildren.org for
tickets and more information.

RELIEF
Continued From Page 1

Sanders said she wanted her

daughter to understand what
it means to give to people less
fortunate.
Sanders donated several
articles of clothing as well as
blankets and other items.
Its just heartbreaking. I
cant imagine having to leave
my home and not being able to
take anything or being trapped
in my home, Sanders said.
Right now we need some love
in the country. This is what it
means to be an American.
As part of a mission trip
with United Methodist Church
in Decatur, Sanders said she
visited Baton Rouge in April to
help others affected by flooding
in the area.
It shows that mission
trips arent just about going
overseas. It happens here and it
starts locally, Sanders said. The city of Decatur Police Department collected boots, underwear, socks and personal items for first responders providing relief
for victims of Hurricane Harvey.
OPINION
Letter
Schools are centers of learning
From the time bright-eyed toddlers
enter preschool through elementary, high
school, and even into higher education,
opportunities abound for new discoveries
to be made each day. And in such a vibrant
learning environment, mistakes are viewed
as precious moments not to be quickly
erased from memory but to be leveraged.
These are times when a student or a
teacher, an entire class or a school, or a
even a school district may pause to ask,
What happened? What can we learn from
this? What should be done differently?
How can this be made right? To produce
generations of innovators, leaders, and
citizens of conscience, wide latitude must
be given to explore, and that means that
students and teachers must have room to
make and clean up mistakes.
Over two weeks have passed since
students in a French class at DeKalb School
of the Arts (DSA) were shown a clip from the
2003 film The Triplets of Belleville.
No way around it, this was an error. The
video does not further the object of studying
French language, and it is replete with racist,
sexist, and violent images. No context or
explanation was provided before or after
the teacher showed this video. As probably
occurs daily on some level in an outstanding
school like DSA, a mistake was made.
But perhaps because this error touches
on matters of race that the U.S. has been
very slow and awkward in addressing, the
students and teacher have been given no
opportunity to advance their understanding.
Parents, who addressed this matter first
with the teacher and school administration
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 6
to the Editor
and later with the school system, asked that
three steps be taken to promote a culture of
learning:
All parents with students in this class
be informed of the circumstances so
that they may with due speed begin
to process this situation with their own
children
Parents continue to collaborate with the
teacher and administrators in a process
of restoration and education for the
class
DSA faculty and staff receive certified
professional development training in the
area of diversity and inclusion
Eleven days after the incident, the district
was able to collaborate with the principal to
send a letter to parents. Nothing more, and
silence can be deafening.
Because the teacher has been absent
from the classroom, parents and students,
in online and in-person interactions, have
formed allegiances in an imaginary battle
that pits those who support the teacher
against those who do not support the
teacher. This mirage would never have
materialized had the school simply offered
to the class an opportunity to contextualize
the experience of seeing the inappropriate
material. What could have been achieved
in a simple lesson about the Jazz Age in
France, which the film excerpt parodies, and
information about the reality of Josephine
Bakers life as an entertainer and member
of the French Resistance? Could students
who are focused on studying music, visual
arts, dance, and drama have benefited
from an exploration of all of these forms of
expression in the 1920s and analysis of \
The Triplets of Belleville? Perhaps we will
never know. Or perhaps the school will take
advantage of the many opportunities that
exist to invite collaboration and facilitated
dialogue through organizations like the Anti-
Defamation League, Savannah College of
Art and Design, The Martin Luther King Jr.
Center for Non-Violent Social Change, The
National Center for Civil and Human Rights,
and the YWCA.
Of course, this list is not exhaustive.
There are also many local scholars and
artists who would be happy to contribute to
this learning experience. DeKalb County
Schools still has the opportunity to stand
out as a national leader in incubating
centers of learning and to demonstrate
constructive responses to errors made,
even those that touch the sensitive areas
of racism and sexism. Will the district seize
this teachable moment at this critical time in
history to prepare its schools to navigate the
messiness of true learning or will the silence
become even louder?
Nwandi Ngozi Lawson
Chief Cultivation Officer for
The Virtues Collective
Resident of DeKalb County.
nwandi@gmail.com.
OPINION DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 7

Trump gets it right...on a big one

I give FEMA a grade of A-plus, require this president to make a cabinet agencies.
all the way from the president
down, Texas Gov. Gregg
One Mans concerted effort from a Congress
returning from recess and facing
The Chinese break the word
crisis into two symbols. One
Abbott assessing the federal Opinion multiple fiscal cliff and deadlines, means danger and the other
governments response and to prioritize billions in emergency opportunity. This Harvey wall-
assistance, before, during and Bill Crane aid and reconstruction funding banger along the Texas coast
after the landfall of Hurricane bill.csicrane@gmail.com for both states. It has been give our President the opportunity
Harvey along the Texas coast. noted that the presidents budget to reset priorities, external
template would reduce FEMAs communications structure and
Though for some, this Trump and pre-staged water and other budget by nearly $1 billion to help to move forward on the success
administration has become the emergency supplies as Hurricane make the first down payment of demonstrated effectiveness
gang that cant shoot straight, Harvey approached Texas from on the administrations much when and where it matters most.
nothing is more important in the the Gulf of Mexico. discussed wall along the Mexican Though we hope it does not take
role of commander in chief than And before some critics border. another disaster in the making
keeping the American people point out that Texas is among It is too early to tell or give or striking to move this point
safe. Though we are still very the reddest of red states, filled credit to General John Kelly for forward, it would be a shame to
early in the recovery stages with Trump supporters and bringing order and structure to revert to the former increasingly
of Hurricane Harvey along the voters, President Trump is also the Trump White House, but we broken shoot, ready, aim model.
coast of Texas and across metro receiving high praise next door, can also hope that he carries God bless and keep the people of
Houston and surrounding cities, from the Democratic governor of forward another military tradition Louisiana and Texas.
this White House has been Louisiana, John Bel Edwards. of the mission de-brief. Our
providing steady assistance, Well, first of all, let me tell commander-in-chief would do
guidance and support, since prior you the federal government has well to note the importance and Bill Crane also serves as a
to this once tropical storm coming been excellent. The president success of assembling a strong political analyst and commentator
ashore. has called twice. He signed the team, across a wide array of for Channel 2s Action News,
Granted, Federal Emergency declaration (of emergency) we disciplines, working to secure WSB-AM News/Talk 750 and now
Management Agency (FEMA) requested within a few hours their appointment confirmations, 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist
and our nations first responders of our making the request on standing back and via delegation, for The Champion, DeKalb Free
have learned lessons and had Sunday evening. Acting Secretary allowing those who know what Press and Georgia Trend. Crane
serious practice, thanks to the of Homeland Security [Eliane] they are doing to move forward is a DeKalb native and business
tragic earlier disasters caused by Duke has been wonderful and and take charge. That model owner, living in Scottdale. You
hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Sandy FEMA administrator Brock has is working well here, and could can reach him or comment on a
and others. been great as well, he explained. easily be deployed across the column at bill.csicrane@gmail.
Prior to becoming White Though Harvey has been bulk of Trump administration com.
House chief of staff, General down-graded to a tropical storm,
John Kelly was the director of it continued to deliver torrential
Homeland Security, FEMA is rains in flooding on the Louisiana
a part of that cabinet agency, coast, on the 12th anniversary of
and President Trump has made Hurricane Katrina. The sodden
some significant and qualified cities, counties and millions of
appointments in these and flooded acres, thousands of
related agencies. It was not too homes and businesses across
long ago, that the FEMA was Texas and Louisiana as well as
viewed more as a dumping millions of impacted residents
ground for high level patronage have a long way to go to returning
appointment; Google Michael to normalcy. Federal and state
Brownie Brown, FEMA relief efforts continue to enhance
director during Hurricane Katrina the work of first responders,
in the first administration of along with the National Guard
President George W. Bush 12 and civilian volunteers. As the
years ago. flood waters begin to recede, it
FEMA Director Brock Long, is also expected that the body
who previously held an equivalent count will rise, including many still
position as director of emergency among the missing.
management for the state of This recovery work is in its
Alabama, deployed resources nascent stages and will again

FREEPRESS
the DeKalb
Publisher: Photographer: STATEMENT FROM THE
John Hewitt Travis Hudgons
PUBLISHER
Chief Financial Officer: Staff Reporters: We sincerely appreciate the
discussion surrounding this and any
Let Us Know What You Think! Dr. Earl D. Glenn Carla Parker issue of interest to DeKalb County.
SEND LETTERS TO EDITOR, R. Scott Belzer The Champion was founded in 1991
THE DEKALB FREE PRESS encourages opinions from Production Manager: Horace Holloman expressly to provide a forum for
The DeKalb Free Press, discourse for all community residents
its readers. Please write to us and express your views. P. O. Box 1347, Decatur, GA 30031-1347; Kemesha Wadley on all sides of an issue. We have no
Letters should be brief, typewritten and contain the Send email to Johnh@dekalbchamp.com desire to make the news only to
FAX To: (404) 370-3903; Phone: (404) 373-7779. The DeKalb Free Press is published each Friday report news and opinions to effect
writers name, address and telephone number for verifi- Deadline for news releases and advertising: by ACE III Communications, Inc., a more educated citizenry that will
cation. All letters will be considered for publication. Thursday, one week prior to publication date. 114 New Street, Suite E, Decatur, GA. 30030 ultimately move our community
forward. We are happy to present
Phone (404) 373-7779. ideas for discussion; however,
EDITORS NOTE: The opinions written by columnists and contributing editors do not necessarily reflect the opinions www.championnewspaper.com we make every effort to avoid
of the editor or publishers. The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. The printing information submitted to
us that is known to be false and/or
Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. DISPLAY ADVERTISING (404) 373-7779 x 110 assumptions penned as fact.
LOCAL
HONORED
Continued From Page 1A
social media that the man
had been seen in an area of
Dunwoody.
So they went looking,
Grogan said.
According to Grogan,
Barry found the man off
the roadway in a ravine.
He had fallen, hit his head
and remained unfound for
approximately seven hours.
He was in a pretty serious
medical condition, Grogan
said.
Grogan said Deutsch
used his training to stabilize
the man while Lynn notified
emergency personnel.
Barry Deutsch was
awarded the Certificate of
Merit on Aug. 28. He will
again be recognized at
Troop 477s next meeting
by Dunwoody Lt. Fidel
Espinoza.
God forbid what would
have happened if [the
Deutschs] had not located
him, Grogan said.
Deutsch called the event
an interesting evening. He
credited the efforts of local
law enforcement as well as his
wife for coming together to
solve a community issue.
I want to commend
the police forcethey
were doing an excellent
job, Deutsch said. There
were even helicopters and
multiple dog teams out. It
was all a matter of being in
the right place at the right
time. Whenever you get one
of those alerts, if you can do
something, do it.
Dunwoody Councilman
John Heneghan called
Deutsch an everyday hero
who unselfishly gives his time
and talents to make this a
better community.
I cannot say with certainty
that my friend, Mr. Barry
Deutsch, actually saved
a mans life but I can tell
you that [he] goes beyond
the call of duty serving his
community as a leader with
Boy Scout Troop 477, where
he has taught leadership and
service to hundreds of young
men in our community,
Heneghan said. Thank you
Barry for saving this mans life
and thank you for all that you
do in our community!
DUNWOODY
Resident campaigns for common sense
Marc Alan Urbach eyes governors seat, reform
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
From now until the
second week of November
2018, theres a good chance
Dunwoody resident Marc
Education, citing an initiative
Alan Urbach will be driving
from Ronald Reagans
at least four hours in any
direction each day to spread
the virtues of common sense
across the state.
Urbach, a former educator
and write-in candidate for the
2016 presidential election,
is one of seven declared
candidates for the 2018
gubernatorial election. Should
classroom. Were going to
Urbach win the Republican
nomination and governors
seat, he will be the first Jewish
teacher to be the leader in
man to do so in Georgia.
Im not running for
governor for me, Im running
for you and your job, Urbach
said. For all 10 million
Georgians, for 25 million
veterans, our active military
and for all active citizens in
the United States. Its not
about me. Its about whats
doing right for Georgians.
On Aug. 29, Urbachwho
considers himself a statesman
rather than a politiciansat
with The Champion to outline
his campaign platform and
subsequent promises to
the state. Many of Urbachs
platforms are expanded upon
in his two books, Believe:
Do We Need a Third Great
Awakening? and Heal Our
Nation, Save Our World.
I love peopleI dont care
what religion, ethnicity or
slant they have, [Republican
or Democrat], I dont care,
Urbach said. I care about
people. I have a passion for
people. Im a menscha
mensch in Hebrew is someone
who does great things for
other people.
Education is one of
Urbachs primary concerns.
He taught history for 11
years in Gwinnett County
and considers the current
common core model corrupt.
Urbach instead favors what
he calls Common Sense
Education.
Education is the cure
of ignorance, poverty and
disease, Urbach said, quoting
former governor Ellis Gibbs
Arnall. Thats a fact, but
many of my friends who
are teachers, believe today
that modern education is
causing ignorance, poverty
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 8
and disease. We can turn Providing Georgia students
education aroundeducation with a moral compass is one
is the key to success in life. of Urbachs passions, as is
To turn education religious freedom. He said
around, Urbach said it may he is in favor of offering The
be necessary to eliminate Bible as an elective as well as
the Department of its influence in hallways and
classrooms.
According to Urbach,
administration. Urbach said the Bible serves as both the
he will push to keep tax foundation of America and
dollars in Georgia and the the best way to educate
Dunwoody resident, former educator
power of local school districts and author Marc Alan Urbach is Georgia students in non-
in the hands of stakeholders. hoping to be the first Jewish governor academia. He cites opinions
in Georgia history. Photo by R. Scott
Ill pressure the Georgia from Founding Fathers
Belzer
Assemblytheyre our John Jay, Benjamin Rush
schools. Were going to and Gouverneur Morris as
the classroom. Lets find out
put the right books in the historical support.
whats really being taught to
Urbachs inspiration behind
students and whats not being
write new lesson plans, such a platform is specific
taught to students. Lets use
Urbach said. I want the
common sense principles.
SEE CAMPAIGNS ON PAGE 12A
METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Notice of Public Hearings
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority will hold public
hearings for the purpose of considering the
Proposed Bus Service Modifications for December 9, 2017 for the following routes:
Route 3: MLK Jr. Drive/Auburn Ave.; Route 4: Thomasville/Moreland Ave./MTC; Route 13: Atlanta Student
Movement Blvd./Hunter Hills; Route 16: Ralph McGill Blvd./N. Highland/Lenox; Route 24: Hosea Williams
Drive/McAfee Road; Route 40 (New): Peachtree Street/Downtown; Route 42: Pryor Road/McDaniel Street;
Route 49: McDonough Boulevard; Route 55: Jonesboro Road/Hutchens Road/Forest Parkway; Route 81: Ve-
netian Hills; Route 86: Peachcrest Road/Snapfinger Road/Fairington Road; Route 95: Metropolitan Parkway/
Hapeville; Route 107: Glenwood Road; Route 110: Peachtree Street (The Peach); Route 111: Snapfinger Woods
Drive/Stonecrest; Route 115: Covington Highway/South Hairston Road; Route 116: Redan Road/Stonecrest;
Route 126: North Lake/Chamblee; Route 142 (Demonstration Status): Hosea Williams Drive/McAfee Road;
Route 155: Windsor Street/Lakewood Ave/Polar Rock; Route 162: Alison Court/Delowe; Route 172: Sylvan
Road/Virginia Avenue; Route 192: Old Dixie/Tara Boulevard; Route 295 (New): Metropolitan Campus Express;
Route 889 (Demonstration Status): Oakley Industrial.
All route information, a video with Hearing information and comment forms are available at www.itsmarta.com
Monday, Sept 11 Thursday, Sept 14 Thursday, Sept 14
Fulton County
Clayton County Maloof Auditorium Assembly Hall
Commission Chambers 1300 Commerce Dr., 141 Pryor St., SW
112 Smith Street, Decatur, GA 30030
Jonesboro, GA 30236 Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m.
Atlanta, GA 30303
Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m.
Community Exchange: 6-7 p.m. HEARING: 7 p.m.
HEARING: 7 p.m.
HEARING: 7 p.m. Riding MARTA: Walk one block west
Riding MARTA: Route 193. of Decatur Rail Station Riding MARTA: Bus Routes 32, 49,
55, 74, and 186.
Copies of the proposed Bus Service Modifications will also be available for public viewing at MARTAs Headquarters Office of External
Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30324 during regular business hours, Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 5 pm.
For formats (FREE of charge) in accordance with the ADA and Limited English Proficiency regulations contact, (404) 848-4037. For
those patrons requiring further accommodations, information can be obtained by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD)
at 404 848-5665.
In addition, a sign language interpreter will be available at all hearings. If you cannot attend the hearings and want to provide com-
ments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTAs Office of External Affairs, 2424 Piedmont Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30324-3330; (3) complete an online Comment Card at www.itsmarta.com; (4) or fax your comments no later than
Sept. 21, 2017 to (404) 848-4179.
All citizens of the City of Atlanta and the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Gwinnett whose interests are affected by the
subjects to be considered at these hearings are hereby notified and invited to appear at said times and places and present such
evidence, comment or objection as their interests require.
Keith T. Parker, AICP, General Manager/CEO
LOCAL
CLARKSTON
Residents evacuated from apartment complex
by Horace Holloman
horace@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb residents
living at the Brannon Hill
Condominiums in Clarkston
were evacuated after the
DeKalb County Fire Marshall
deemed portions of the
building uninhabitable.
According to documents
obtained by The Champion
through an open records
request, the fire marshals
office requested that action
be taken by Sept. 15 at
6657 Old Singleton Lane in
Clarkston after firefighters
discovered unsafe conditions
at the building.
On Aug. 25, DeKalb County
Fire Rescue responded to a
structure fire at the building.
After firefighters inspected
the premise, they noticed
10 residents were unable
to safely evacuate from the
third floor due to structural
damage to the staircase.
The DeKalb Fire
Marshals Office conducted
an emergency inspection
for the purpose of assessing
the premises, buildings and
fire protection systems,
as well as thoroughly
evaluate conditions which
demonstrated a clear and
inimical threat to human life,
safety or health, said DeKalb
County Fire Marshal Chief J.K.
Cox in a referral notification
to the county.
The county will be
responsible for safeguarding
the area as well as secure
access points from inside
and outside the building.
A fire code official can also
post signs and barriers on
the location to secure public
safety.
Representatives with the
DeKalb ounty Community
Development and Red Cross
were notified and assisted
the 10 displaced residents
from the third floor, which
was declared unsafe for
occupancy.
After detailed analysis
and collaboration with
other county agencies, I
have concluded that unsafe
conditions are clearly present,
constituting an extreme risk
to the safety and health of the
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 9
general public, as well as staff
of the DeKalb County Fire
Rescue [Department], Cox
wrote.
According to documents,
the DeKalb County
Building Department will
be responsible for repairs,
alterations, remodeling,
removal or demolition of the In July, DeKalb County removed 1,199 tons of debris from demolished buildings
building. at Brannon Hill Condominiums.
The Brannon Hill
Condominium has
been called the worst
neighborhood in America
and in July county workers
removed 1,200 tons of debris
as part of a demolition and
cleanup phase.
Built in 1973, more than
100 units at the complex are
vacant and in various states of
disrepair. In November 2016,
DeKalb County obtained a
court order allowing nuisance
abatement in Brannon Hill
at four buildings totaling 68 Ten residents were displaced after a structure fire at the Brannon Hill
Condominiums in Clarkston.
units.
In a press conference DeKalb will be judged the ability to remove these
addressing Brannon Hills by the quality of life of all four blighted buildings in
conditions in July, DeKalb of our residents, including Brannon Hill, but removing
County CEO Michael those most challenged, said buildings isnt the cure.
Thurmond said the county Thurmond. The county has
still has work to do.
LOCAL
TUCKER
City Council says no to proposed
development of Sears property
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The vacant Sears
warehouse at the intersection
of Hugh Howell Road and
Mountain Industrial Boulevard
will remain so for the time
being.
The city council voted
during an Aug. 30 special
called meeting to deny three
petitions from developer
Stephen Macauley to
construct an 88-acre mixed-
use development. The
proposed development,
named The Rise, was to include
192,000 square feet of retail
space, 88,000 square feet of
office space, 705 housing units,
a supermarket, as well as a
daycare and an elementary
school.
Macauley petitioned to
change to the comprehensive
plan, re-zone the property
from light industrial to a town
center designation and he
applied for a special land
use permit (SLUP) to allow
a personal care home to be
constructed on the site.
The council voted 5-2
against the comprehensive
plan amendment, and 6-1
against the re-zoning and
SLUP petitions. The council
citied numerous concerns as
it voted against Macauleys
petitions, including the
possibility of disrupting the
industrial corridor, according
to the citys communication
director Matt Holmes.
During the meeting,
councilmembers and the
developer pointed out that,
despite a denial, the property
can still be developed by
right or without the special
permissions being sought from
the city, according to Holmes.
Under the current zoning,
that could mean construction
of restaurants, a movie theater
and several other aspects
included in The Rise proposal,
Holmes said. It would not
permit construction of the
residential facilities or the
supermarket included in the
proposal.
This is the second time
this year the city council has
turned down Macauleys
petitions. In January, the
city council voted to accept
Macauleys withdrawal
request of the same three
petitions. Macauleys decision
to withdraw came after city
council members made
motions to either defer their
vote or deny the applications
due to several concerns. One
of those concerns was the
city not having a downtown
development authority in
place yet to evaluate the
project.
After the vote, several
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 10
Tucker City Council denied a developers application requests to move forward with the proposed mixed-use project for the
vacant Sears property.
residents of neighboring care about it like we do. council members say things
Smoke Rise community voiced One resident questioned like, You knew there was a
their disappointment in the whether the current council warehouse there 20 years ago
council on the communitys wants any progress for the when you moved in, thats the
Facebook page. In April, property. sign of a leader who doesnt
several residents from the We have heard a lot want progress. I feel such
Smoke Rise community from the city council and the clarity today in the fact that
spoke in favor of the plan and collaborative about wanting The Rise never stood a chance
begged the council to approve to preserve what we have, due to these circumstances.
Macauleys applications. the resident wrote. When city
The Smoke Rise Community
Association endorsed the
project after meeting with
Macauley and his staff.
What a shame. Why did we
ever vote for the city? Clearly
it us an us-against-them fight,
one resident wrote on the
Smoke Rise Facebook page.
Shame on those who did not
listen to their constituents.
Good luck finding any other
developer that would want
to try to use that property.
[Seventeen] months is not
too fast to make a mindful
decision. Just so sad.
Just sickening to see how
short-sighted they were,
another Smoke Rise resident
wrote. Most of those who
voted against dont live on our
side of Tucker and clearly dont
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 11

WEEKinPICTURES

Thanks to the efforts of readers, friends, associates and supporters, the reception area of The Champion
is overflowing with donated items to be sent to the community of Alief, Texas in the greater Houston
area.

Fifth graders at Henderson Mill Elementary toil in the schools out-

door garden and plant seeds before rain arrives on Aug. 31. Photo
submitted.

Bottled water, linens, clothing, toiletries as well as dog and cat foods, are among the many items being
shipped to a shelter in Alief, Texas

Teachers at Edward L. Bouie Elementary School received their

Chromebooks on Aug. 29 as part of DeKalb County School Districts
Thirty-eight goats that escaped from the Drew Valley detention pond were returned thanks to the help Digital Dreamers technology initiative. Photo submitted.
of a few Brookhaven residents. Photo submitted

Have you created programming youd like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb Countys Public Access channel, DeKalb 25.
Drop off DVD or USB copies to the Manuel J. Maloof Center at
1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, or upload your content via the internet.
(404) 371-2325 DeKalb25@outlook.com DeKalb25.com
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 12

CHAMBLEE Three fatally shot in Stonecrest apartment

A midnight miracle
CHAMBLEE POLICE RESCUE ABANDONED BABY
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Shortly after midnight
on Aug. 31, Chamblee Police
Department received a call
about a matter most officers
dread: an abandoned baby.
According to a press
release from Chamblee police,
the call came from the Family
Medical Cliniclocated at
4861 Buford Highway
following the discovery
of a baby in the buildings
entryway.
Police state the baby was
found in a gym bag with the
umbilical cord still attached.
Video surveillance and on-
scene interviews revealed the
bag was originally left outside
in the early morning hours of
Aug. 30. The bag was brought
inside by staff during the day
but not inspected; the baby
remained in the gym bag all
day without nourishment.
Once discovered, the baby
was transported to Scottish
Rite Hospital in time to save
its life. While there, it was
identified as a 4.86 pound boy
who does not appear to be
full-term.
Based on the timeline of
the incident, the medical staff
considers the infant boy a
miracle child, states the press
release. Its a miracle baby!
The child has since been
transferred into the custody
of the Division of Family and
Chamblee Police Officer Beth Frye holds a baby that was found abandoned at a
clinic along Buford Highway. Photo courtesy of Chamblee Police Department.
Children Services. Chamblee
Police said the case remains
open and that they hope to
identify who abandoned the
child soon.
This is the second time in
five years Chamblee Police
officer Beth Frye has rescued
a newborn. In June 2013, Frye
arrived at a scene involving
DeKalb County detectives
are investigating what led
to the shooting deaths of
three people at a Stonecrest
apartment.
Police said the bodies of
brother and sister Stanford
Henderson, 28, and
Starlynne Henderson, 29,
as well as Eric Robinson, 27,
a friend, were found in an
apartment in the 5000 block
of Par Four Court around 2
a.m. on Aug. 30.
Officer and DeKalb
County Police Department
spokeswoman Shiera
Campbell said police
received a call about a
disturbance around 11 p.m.
and that officers discovered
the crime scene a few hours
later.
Were still interviewing
witnesses; its still early in the
a prematurely born baby
before an ambulance and her
emergency first-aid training
saved the infants life.
Updates will be posted
on the Chamblee Police
Departments Facebook page.
Any tips can be reported to
Chamblee Police directly by
calling (770) 986-5005.
investigation, Campbell said.
Campbell said the two
male victims lived at the
apartment and the female
victim was visiting. She said
police do not have a motive in
what led to the shooting but
detectives believe it could be
drug related.
Check back with The
Champion for more details as
they become available.
STONE MOUNTAIN
VILLAGE
CITY-WIDE YARD
SALE
922 Main St.
(behind Gazebo)
Sat., Sept. 23, 2017
8:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m.
Setup begins 7:30 a.m. on
the day of sale
For info. call City Hall
770-498-8984

CAMPAIGNS Continued From Page 8A

wording in the Northwest
Ordinance of 1789, which
states, religion, morality, and
knowledge, being necessary
to good government and
the happiness of mankind,
schools and the means of
education shall forever be
encouraged.
According to Urbach,
current classroom history
books omit Christian
principles from state text
books and deny children a
sense of cultural history.
This country is a Christian
country, not by law, but by
culture, tradition and history,
Urbach said. This is what I call
delete-ism. Im a proponent
of the truththe students
should learn truth that will
guide them properly and
give them success in life in
everything they do.
Urbach proposes no
income tax on salaries to
help stimulate the economy,
stating people deserve to
keep the fruits of their labor.
To create better Georgia
jobs and infrastructure,
Urbach proposes that
businesses provide student
loans in exchange for tax
write-offs and student
workers rather than high-
interest loan rates. Urbach
also proposes a high-speed
bullet train linking Columbus,
Macon, Atlanta, Augusta,
Savannah and Chattanooga.
Urbach said he hopes
to achieve this with private
funds by what he calls moral
capitalists.
Urbachs stance on
healthcare includes ending
the Affordable Care Act
(ObamaCare), stating it
violates Amendment V of the
United States Constitution as
well as Georgia Statute 16-8-2.
As governor, I will work
to ensure competitive, free-
market principles that will
provide better services and
bring down costs, Urbach
states.
To find out more about
Marc Alan Urbach and his
platforms as a gubernatorial
candidate, visit www.
marcurbach.com
LOCAL
COUNTYWIDE
From left, DeKalb County Magistrate Court judges Matthew
McCoyd, Hollie Manheimer and September Guy.
A new initiative targets blighted properties in DeKalb County.
Program created to address blight
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
DeKalb County officials may
have some extra ammo in the fight
to prevent blight in the county. The
DeKalb Magistrate Court recently
launched a new initiative to help
clean up blight and prosecute those
responsible for it.
Chief DeKalb Magistrate Judge
Berryl Anderson announced the
formation of a new court effort to
remediate blight issues Aug. 30.
Under the new initiative, judges
will meet once per month to hear
cases in which properties have been
cited for multiple citations by DeKalb
PARENTS Continued From Page 2A
us our sons grades: As and Bs. She
was very delighted to inform us that
our son made the academic honor
roll. I remember looking at his teacher
in a state of puzzlement and asking,
How? Why? He cant spell. You didnt
notice? I told my son that we were
going to stick with the standards from
his former state [Illinois] and that our
expectations are higher than those of
Georgia.
Since 2001, Austin said she has
helped parents focus on whats
County Code Enforcement without
corrective measures being taken by
property owners.
Supervising Ordinance judge
Hollie Manheimer, along with Judges
September Guy and Matthew
McCoyd, will hear these cases.The
three judges were appointed by
Anderson in May 2015 after the
responsibility for ordinance violations
in DeKalb County was shifted by
statute to the Magistrate Court,
according to county officials.
According to county officials, the
key difference with the treatment of
these cases is if the owner does not
repair or demolish as required, the
county will be allowed to tear down
these properties at county expense.
needed to become a community
stakeholder and demand more of the
powers-that-be. She credits her sons
success to holding schools to her
own personal standards, providing
additional learning tools and
assignments and advocating.
The legal law is to provide a
standard, core-based education,
Austin said. The more apt we are to
understand how to be involved, the
more as parents we can contribute.
The more you know about your childs
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 13
DeKalb County can then collect the
costs of demolition from the property
owner.
We have long been plagued in
DeKalb County with problems created
by these troublesome properties,
Anderson said. In the past, there was
not much that could be done unless
the properties owners could be found.
This initiative allows the county to
move forward with taking down these
properties regardless of whether the
owners respond to court orders. We
can protect the rights of homeowners
while making sure the neglect of their
property does not undermine the
quality of life in DeKalb.
Under the new initiative, the group
of judges heard their first cases on
education, the better a parent you can
be.
Austin said Georgias public
school systems often suffer from low
standards, low expectations, grade
inflation, inadequate curriculums, a
willingness to mislead parents about
their childs abilities and a willingness
to lie to students about their own
ability.
Much of Austins advice can be
found in her three books: Daily
Affirmations for Students, From Parent
Aug. 24. Three of the 10 cases resulted
in an order for demolition unless
the property owner makes serious
improvements.
Anderson said ordinance judges
will be particularly sensitive to
property rights of owners. According
to Anderson, the judges will follow a
strict procedural safeguard checklist
to ensure that property rights are
protected. In each instance, notice is
sent to all interested parties, including
property owners, homeowners,
mortgage holders and renters.
These hearings will be held on the
third Thursday of each month at 2
p.m. at 3630 Camp Circle, Decatur in
the Camp Circle Courthouse Complex,
Courtroom E.
to Power, God Has not Forogotten You,
and Permission to Be Great.
Austin said her work combines
spirituality with practical knowledge
about education.
[From Parent to Power] is the
only book that places educational
concepts in a book with spiritual
concepts, Austin said. It addresses
emotional issues and other issues, all
in the mission of uniting, educating
and elevating parents to greatness.
EDUCATION
STONE MOUNTAIN
FROM PASSION TO PROFIT
DeKalb student wins contest, earns publishing contract
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
For as long as he can
remember, Stone Mountain
resident and DeKalb Early
College Academy sophomore
Khalil Siddeeq has had
a passion for stories and
storytelling.
It lets me explore my
imagination, Siddeeq said.
Its really fun just being able
to make up this really cool
story that I have total control
over. I can make the world
from scratch. Lots of people
have really cool ideas, and
as a writer, I can take those
ideas and turn them into
something tangible.
This month, Siddeeqs
passion turned into profit as
he was named a winner in
the BookLogix Young Writers
Contest in the 14- to-18 age
category. As a winner, he will
receive a publishing contract
worth an estimated $5,000 for
his novel Rouk: The Child in the
Capsule.
As an entrant, Siddeeq
submitted a 200-page
manuscript for Rouk. Since
Siddeeq has been working
on the story since November
2014, it was a challenge to
edit his work and maintain
the overall essence of the
story.
I had to edit it down,
Siddeeq said. I submitted it
last minute and didnt know
there was a page limit, so I
was scrambling to edit stuff
out. The story did not change.
This did not interfere with the
soul of the book.
Siddeeq describes Rouk:
The Child in the Capsule as
an urban science-fiction
and fantasy novel. The story
revolves around a boy who,
experimented on as a baby,
has a being from another
dimension put inside his
body. After 10 years with
little to no results, a second
scientist does something
similar by summoning
another being. The second
Visit us Online at WWW. TheChampionNewspaper.COM
DeKalb Early College Academy sophomore Khalil Siddeeq recently won
BookLogixs Young Writers Contest in the 14 to 18 ages category, earning a
publishing contract worth $5,000. Photo by R. Scott Belzer
being proves to be evil and
powerful, but it awakens
abilities inside the child.
Its up to the original
child, the main character,
to use his latent abilities to
combat this menace and save
the world, Siddeeq said.
According to Siddeeq,
judges from BookLogix
commended the storys wit
and character development
and recommended he not
take as long in moving the
story forward.
Siddeeq cited such
Japanese stories as Naruto
and Avatar: The Last Airbender
as well as young adult novels
from Percy Jackson and
the Olympians as his main
influences in developing
Rouk.
Siddeeq said the
upcoming novel began as
nothing more than a hobby.
He realized he had fun writing
while at school during routine
writing assignments and
began doing it in his spare
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 14
Something action-y. Or
maybe an animated show. I
cant draw well but it would
be really cool.
Until next year, Siddeeq
will correspond with editors in
perfecting Rouk: The Child in
the Capsule. When its ready to
publish, the book will receive
a layout, softcover design,
official International Standard
Book Number (ISBN), online
selling with quarterly royalty
payments, 25 printed copies,
eBook conversion and eBook
selling with quarterly royalty
payments.
Im very proud of him; hes
a hard worker, conscientious
and an aware young man,
said Siddeeqs father, Taqwa
Siddeeq. Hes been keeping
time.
Especially the narratives,
Siddeeq said. I had a lot
of freedom to develop the
narratives as I see fit. I just
sit down and write. Having
a structure or a plan would
probably make it feel more
like a job or stressful. I dont
feel like thatI just write.
Siddeeq wrote his first
novel when he was 9 years
old. While he admits its not
as good, he plans to rework it
and give it the treatment he
feels it deserves.
Siddeeqs score on his fifth
grade writing assessment
for the Criterion-Referenced
Competency Test (CRCT)
affirmed that he was good at
ithe had the highest grade
at his school.
Siddeeq is now
us on our toes. He does good
considering a career in because Im 15, I dont really
work in the community. He
television screenwriting in have a lot of experience and
volunteers for Neighborhood
addition to his interest in Im still just figuring stuff out,
Works, and were very proud
becoming an aerospace but I do think it would be
of him.
engineer. cool to write for a TV show
Im not certain about it or a movie, Siddeeq said.
EDUCATION
DECATUR
Seven ways to say Welcome
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CENTER MURAL COMPLETED BY ATLANTA ARTIST
BY R. SCOTT BELZER
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
According to Atlanta artist
Ralph rEN Dillard, art has
the ability to break down
structuresboth real and
imaginedthat hold people
back from their true potential.
My works grand theme
is unlearning, Dillard said.
It deals with breaking down
the social constructs or social
agreements that hold people
in a reality or a life they arent
aligned with. My work is all
about getting the viewer to
understand who they truly
are.
Beginning this school year,
students at DeKalb County
School Districts International
Student Center (ISC)located
at 3318 Midway Road
will be greeted by Dillards
latest work as they enter the
building.
Dillard was commissioned
by ISC principal Alexander
Russell to paint a mural near
the schools entrance. The
mural states Welcome in
seven languages and includes
a globe made of 50 different
flags.
Dillard said the project was
near to his heart because it
helps students throughout
the school day.
As an artist, I was
introverted at school. I know
how it feels to be ostracized,
Dillard said. It makes me feel
good knowing my work is
helping studentsstudents
from another part of the
worldfeel better about
being at school.
According to Dillard, the
mural proved to be a physical
and mental challenge. He
had to stay in one position
for a long time and provide
intricate details to make
sure flags were correctly
represented.
Dillard also had to paint
while students registered and
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 15
received live feedback from
stakeholders.
It was really intense to
create, Dillard said. This was
the first time I had to paint in
multiple languages. Students
and parents were there
looking and asking questions,
providing nuances and
corrections. From a technical
standpoint, its difficult to be
put on that stage. Its already
difficult by myself, but with
that much critique, it made it
that much more difficult.
According to Dillard, near
the murals completion, just
as with many pictures, cheers
and commendations were
given to him by students,
parents and teachers. Local artist Ralph rEN Dillard was chosen to paint International Student Centers new mural, which features seven
different ways to say Welcome. Photos courtesy of rEN.
The feedback has been
tremendous, Dillard said.
Teachers have commented
on the vibrant colors. Its
really brightened up the
hallway in an area thats
already well lit. Between
that, the parents, students,
teachers and others cheering
me on as I was painting, it was
a wonderful experience.
Dillard said the mural
helped him grow as an artist
by placing him in a situation
he had never been in before,
adding extra lumps of muscle
as an artist.
For me, its not a job, its
something I love to do. I dont
see things as difficult, but as
things that help me grow,
Dillard said. This forced me to painting.
DID YOU KNOW
do something I had not done Today, Dillard has three
before. It was something that standing exhibitions at South
Parents & grandparents
forced me to look at my art Fulton mayor Bill Edwards
are often the first to
differently. office, the South Fulton Art
Growing as an artist, for notice a child has
Center Gallerys opening difficulties with learning
Dillard, began in childhood OnyxCon, and an opening and developing like other
and has not ended. His titled Mythos at Gallery 992. children?
earliest memory is drawing Dillard is also working on
a ram on his mothers painting three Pianos for Children with learning
phonebook. From there, Peace, which will be placed in difficulties benefit most
he moved on to singing, locations throughout Atlanta
PROJECT CHILD FIND from early detection of
Do you know a child who resides problems?
songwriting and writing for public use.
poetry. It was not until 2006 in DeKalb County who may have a
For more information developmental delay or other disabilities More boys than girls are
in Philadelphia, Pa., that about Ralph rEN Dillard, visit such as problems with learning,
diagnosed with learning
Dillard developed a love for www.renswork.com. communication, vision, hearing, or other
disabilities?
physical or health impairments?
Many people who have
Do you suspect this child may need learning disabilities go
special education services? on to become extremely
successful, and in some
The DeKalb County School District cases, famous?
offers comprehensive special education
services to eligible students ages three
through 21 years enrolled in public SPECIAL EDUCATION
school, private school or home school. DEPARTMENT
5839 Memorial Drive
Contact 678-676-1809 for more Stone Mountain, GA
information or visit our website at http:// 30038
www.dekalbschoolsga.org/special- 678-676-1809
education
BUSINESS
DECATUR
Restaurateurs continue family
traditions, start new one
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
Artwork on the wall at
Janets Kitchen captures
the essence of the soon-to-
open eatery on Clairmont
Road in Decatur. Featuring
an American flag that melts
into a flag of the Philippines,
the art is a visual reminder of
the restaurants two featured
cuisines soul food and
Filipino.
Although the eatery held
an opening party on July 23,
its full opening will be in mid-
September. The date of the
July celebration was chosen
to honor the restaurants
namesake, Janet Sanders,
who had operated a Stone
Mountain-based catering
company for 40 years and
died in September 2016.
So many people knew
my mother and loved her and
loved her food. After we lost
her, I wanted the wonderful
things she brought to the
Atlanta communitynot just
great food but an amazing
spiritto continue. I chose
to have an opening party
on my mothers birthday
to celebrate her life and
vision. She would have been
65 years old on July 23,
explained owner Nycole
Sanders-Francisco, who
said her mothers specialty
was soul food, adding, She
was famous for her desserts,
especially her lemon pound
cake.
Although Sanders-
Francisco, who grew up in
the Decatur area, earned
degrees in fashion design and
marketing in New York City,
the desire to continue her
mothers cooking traditions
remained with her. Inspired
by her mothers desserts, in
2010, she opened The Brookie
Cookie bakery in Brooklyn,
New York. After she returned
to the Atlanta area to care for
her ailing mother, Sanders-
Francisco closed The Brookie
Cookies bricks-and-mortar
store and continues it as an
online business now that she
and her husband have moved
to Georgia.
Sanders-Francisco said she
urged her mother to teach
her to make her popular
dishes. It wasnt easy because
usually my mother worked
from memory and instinct.
She had a gift. I actually
had to watch her and create
written recipes based on what
I saw her doing.
In addition to dishes
inspired by the soul food
catering company, Janets
Kitchen will feature Filipino
specialty dishes from Sanders-
Franciscos husband, Lester
Francisco, who grew up in
a family that immigrated
to New York from Manila,
Philippines.
Lester said he has no
formal chef training but grew
up cooking for the family
under the guidance of older
family members. The dishes
I cook are like the ones you
find in Filipino homes, he
explained, noting that he
had found no similar cuisine
offered in the area. There are
a good many Filipino people
living in this area and we
think they will enjoy finding
the kind of food they had
back home.
Attendees at to the July
event were offered a sampling
of foods they found on the
Janets Kitchen menu. They
sampled pork adobo; chicken
adobo, a braised chicken dish
that is one of the national
dishes in the Philippines;
shrimp inasal, shrimp lumpia
along with collards, mac n
cheese, black-eyed peas, fried
okra and other Southern
specialties. Desserts included
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 16
double chocolate cookies,
sweet potato pie as well as
bibingka, a popular Filipino
dessert made with rice cake
and coconut milk.
Sanders said she got
the idea for soul food with
a Filipino twist as she, her
mother and her husband
cooked together for the
holidays. My mother would
taste something he was
cooking and say, This is really Nycole Sanders-Francisco and husband Lester Francisco combine family food
traditions to create a soul food-Filipino fusion menu.
good; how do you make this?
They were sharing recipes
and I thought this would be a
great fusion.
Most of the dishes on
the Janets Kitchen menu
are either soul food or
Filipino, but there are some
fusion dishes. For example,
the chicken and waffles,
inspired by a traditional soul
food restaurant offering,
features Southern-style
waffles and Filipino-style
fried chicken. The merging
of the two cuisines may
seem odd to some, but they
are surprisingly compatible,
according to Sanders-
Francisco. Both feature lively,
spicy flavors and rice is a
staple for both cuisines, she At a pre-opening party celebrating the restaurants namesake, Janet Sanders,
said. guests are offered samples of menu items.
Sanders-Francisco said the
Decatur real estate company
that found the location on
Clairmont near North Decatur
Road was working to assure
the plaza had a varied mix
of food offerings. There was
already an Italian restaurant,
a pub and several Asian
eateries. [The real estate
agent] felt soul food would be
a good addition. When I told
him we would be doing soul
food with Filipino cuisine, he
was very excited and worked
with us to make it happen.
Although the restaurant
probably will open earlier,
Janets Kitchen has scheduled
a grand opening celebration Artwork on the restaurants wall depicts a blend of the American flag and the
for Sept. 24. flag of the Philippines.
CLASSIFIED
The
CHAMPION
The Champion is not responsible for any damages resulting from advertisements. All sales final.
RATES: $30 for up to 40 words, each
additional word $0.60. All ads are
prepaid. All major credit cards accepted.
AUCTIONS
ADVERTISE YOUR
AUCTION in over 100
newspapers for only $350.
Your 25-word classified
ad will reach more than1
million readers. Call Bruce
Washington at the Georgia
Newspaper Service, 770-
454-6776.
DRIVERS
BROWN TRUCKING-
Immediate Opportunities-
COMPANY DRIVERS and
OWNER OPERATORS.
Brown Require: CDL-A,
2 years of tractor trailer
experience OTR or Regional
(Multiple states) in the last 3
years, good MVR and PSP.
Apply : www.driveforbrown.
com. Contact Sarah Rabe
404-821-1058.
EDUCATION/
CAREER TRAINING
NEW YEAR. NEW CAREER-
AVIATION Grads work
with JetBlue, Boeing, Delta
and others-Get hands on
training for FAA certification.
Financial aid if qualified.
Call Aviation Institute of
Maintenance (866)564-9634
. www.FixJets.com
MISCELLANEOUS
SAWMILLS from onl
$4397.00-MAKE & SAVE
MONEY with your own
bandmill-Cut lumber any
dimension. In stock ready
to ship! FREE info/DVD.
www.NorwoodSawmills.com
1-800-578-1363 Ext. 300N
KILL ROACHES-
GUARANTEED! Buy Harris
Roach Tablets or Spray.
Odorless, Long Lasting.
Available: Hardware
Stores, The Home Depot,
homedepot.com. Try Harris
Bed Bug Killers Too!
NEW HIGH-SPEED
INTERNET SERVICE
Available where you live.
25Mbps download speeds!!
No hard data cap. Ask for
free, next day installation.
888-313-8504.
CLASSIFIEDS
Ads due by Friday at noon for next
publication date. For more information
visit www.championclassifieds.com
IF YOU HAD HIP OR KNEE
REPLACEMENT AND
SUFFERED AN INFECTION
between 2010-present,
you may be entitled to
compensation. Call Attorney
Charles H. Johnson 1-800-
535-5727.
DIGITAL HEARING AIDS-
Now offering a 45-Day
Risk Free Offer! FREE
BATTERIES for Life! Call to
start your free trial! 844-245-
5602.
COMCAST HI-SPEED
INTERNET $29.99/mo (for
12 mos.) No term agreement.
Fast Downloads! PLUS Ask
About TV (140 Channels).
Internet Bundle for $79.99
(for 12 mos). Call 1-877-920-
4815.
PAYCHEX. Payroll. Human
Resources. Benefits
Consulting. More than Half-
Million Small & Mid-Size
business Clients Nationwide!
Call Now-One Month of
Payroll Processing FREE!
New Customers ONLY. Call
1-844-861-4555.
GREAT OFFER FROM T
MOBILE. Unlimited Data!
Two Lines for ONLY $100/
month (w/autopay). No Cost
HD Video Feature. No Cost
Upgrade for Hi-Speed Mobile
Hotspot. CALL 844-500-8709
ARE YOU IN BIG TROUBLE
WITH THE IRS? Stop wage
& bank levies, liens & audits,
unfiled tax returns, payroll
issues & resolve tax debt
FAST. Call 877-355-6139.
HIGH-SPEED INTERNET
is Available Where You
Live Today! Plans as low
as $39.99 per month. Ask
about discounts for DirecTV
Customers! 1-800-266-4409
PBSinternet@gmail.com
HAVE A CAR? Want to earn
money on your schedule?
Drive with Uber. www.
uber.com Use invite code
JENNIFERL1266UE.
SWITCH TO DIRECTV.
From $50/Month, includes
FREE Genie HD/DVR & 3
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 17
months HBO, SHOWTIME,
CINEMAX, STARZ. Get a
$50 Gift Card. Call 855-412-
1946.
ACORN STAIRLIFTS. The
AFFORDABLE solution to
your stairs! **Limited time--
$250 Off Stairlift Purchase!**
Buy Direct & Save . Please
call 1-877-768-2480 for
FREE DVD and brochure.
MOVING OUT OF STATE?
We Will Match or Beat Any
Price Guaranteed! Prices
Start at Only $799. Quality
Moving Companies Only.
CALL Long Distance Movers
for FREE Quote 1-844-723-
7615.
OXYGEN-Anytime.
Anywhere. No tanks to refill.
No Deliveries. The All-New
Inogen One G4 is only 2.8
pounds! FAA approved!
FREE info kit: 877-925-6492
Attention: VIAGRA and
CIALIS USERS!! A cheaper
alternative to high drugstore
prices! 50 Pill Special
$99.00. FREE Shipping!
100% Guaranteed. CALL
NOW 888-411-3860.
SAFE STEP WALK-IN
TUB. #1 Selling Wak-in
Tun in North America.
BBB Accredited. Arthritis
Foundation Commendation.
Therapeutic Jets.
MicriSoothe Air Therapy
System Less than 4 Inch
Step-In. Wide Door. Anti-
Slip Floors. American made.
Call 844-387-1279 for up to
$1500 off.
LUNG CANCER? And 60+
Years Old? If so, You and
Your Family May Be Entitled
To Significant Cash Award.
Call 844-461-4870 to learn
more. No Risk. No Money
Out of Pocket.
SAVE YOUR HOME! Are
you behind paying your
MORTGAGE? Denied Loan
Modification? Is the bank
threatening foreclosure?
CALL Home Owners Relief
Line now for Help 888-614-
2507.
DISCLAIMER: We do not knowingly accept advertisements that
discriminate, or intend to discriminate, on any illegal basis. Nor
do we knowingly accept employment advertisements that are not
bona-fide job offers. All real estate advertisements are subject
to the fair housing act and we do not accept advertising that is
in violation of the law. The law prohibits discrimination based on
color, religion, sex, nationalorigin, handicap or familial status.
NEW AT&T INTERNET LIVING WITH KNEE OR
OFFER, $20 and $30/ BACK PAIN? Medicare
mo plans available when recipients that suffer with
you bundle. 99% Reliable pain may qualify for a low or
100% Affordable. HURRY, no cost knee or back brace.
OFFER ENDS SOON. New Call 855-972-2656.
Customers Only. CALL NOW
1-800-291-8502. Life Alert . 24/7. One press
of a button sends help FAST!
DISH SPECIAL! Stop paying Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even
for channels you dont watch! if you cant reach a phone!
Starting at $39.99/mo. FREE FREE Brochure. CALL 800-
Next-Day Installation + FREE 371-8914.
$50 giftcard with signup
courtesy of SatelliteDeals DISH NETWORK. TV for
Call 855-400-4334 Less, Not Less TV! FREE
DVR. FREE Install (up to 6
SPECTRUM TRIPLE rooms). $49.99/mo. PLUS
PLAY. TV, Internet & Voice Hi-Speed Internet-$14.95/mo
for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per (where available). Call 1-866-
second speed. No Contract 369-1468
or commitment. We buy your
existing contract up to $500! VACATION
1-800-616-7798.
RENTALS
STRUGGLING WITH
ADVERTISE YOUR
DRUGS OR ALCOHOL?
Addicted to PILLS? Talk to VACATION PROPERTY, to
someone who cares. Call more than 1 million Georgia
newspaper readers. Your
The Addiction Hope & Help
25 word classified ad will
Line for a free assessment.
888-497-5176. appear in over 100 Georgia
newspapers for only $350.
EXEDE SATELLITE Call Bruce Washington
at Georgia Newspaper
INTERNET. Affordable, high
speed broadband satellite Service, 770-454-6776 or
online at www.gapress.org/
internet anywhere in the U.S.
Order now and save $100. georgianewspaperservice.
html
Plans start at $39.99/month.
Call 1-800-615-3819.
DENTAL Insurance
Physicians Mutual Insurance Company
A less expensive way to help get the dental care you deserve
If youre over 50, you can get coverage for about
$1 a day*
No wait for preventive care and no deductibles
you could get a checkup tomorrow
Keep your own dentist! NO networks to worry about Coverage for over 350 procedures including
NO annual or lifetime cap on the cash benefits cleanings, exams, fillings, crownseven dentures
you can receive
FREE Information Kit
1-877-914-2062
www.dental50plus.com/georgia
*Individual plan. Product not available in MN, MT, NH, RI, VT, WA. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete details
about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-800-969-4781 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q);
Insurance Policy P150(GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN) 6096C MB16-NM001Gc
CALL NOW 1-844-500-8709
SPORTS
CROSS COUNTRY
Tucker junior Abdilnur Tiroro won the second boys race
of the DeKalb cross country meet.
Chamblee sweeps boys, girls races at Arabia Mountain
by Mark Brock
The second week of cross country action shifted
to Arabia Mountain this week with Chamblee
sweeping the second race of the DeKalb County
cross country meet on Aug. 29.
Chamblee won the girls race 15 to 50 over
Tucker with a Top 10-sweep led by senior Beining
Xiao, who ran the fastest time (21:33.70) in a
DeKalb meet this season.
Senior Paris Williams was second in 25:52.70
with Madeline Miller (26:21.20), senior Chloe
Wyatt (26:38.80) and sophomore Jessica
McDonald (27:05.10) rounding out the Top 5
runners
Tuckers top finisher was Nafekot Tadesse in
11th place with a time of 30:08.30.
Chamblee boys had five runners to finish in the
top 12, leading them to a 30-39 win over Tucker.
Tucker junior Abdilnur Tiroro crossed the finish
line first with a time of 19:18.80.
Chamblee took second and third as junior
Bennett Solomon (19:35.30) followed Tiroro across
the line and senior Charles Holt (19:47.30) took
third. Chamblee senior Rasheed Cobb was seventh
in 20:45.60 and George Williams was ninth in
DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 18
Southwest DeKalb senior Anthony Parker won the
first boys race of the DeKalb cross country meet.
20:54.40.
Senior Kalil Khan (21:25.40) wrapped up the win
for Chamblee with his 12th place finish.
Tucker had sophomore Bereket Adugna
(20:38.80) in fifth, junior Ian Nuhfer (21:05.40) in
10th and junior Steven Tiung (21:22.40) in 11th.
McNair senior Marrico Gooden was fourth
overall in 20:09.80 while Cross Keys senior Bladimir
Morales (20:12.60) was fifth. Stone Mountain junior
Mohamed Dirie rounded out the Top 10 in eighth
with a time of 20:51.60.
Arabia Mountain won the tiebreaker in the boys
opening race of the day as the Rams sixth runner
finished ahead of Southwest DeKalbs in a 59-59 tie.
Junior Elijah Bibbs ran a time of 25:16.10
to finish 17th overall to come across ahead of
Southwest DeKalbs Malik Gaye, who was 38th.
Stephenson was third with 66 points followed by
Redan (81), Lithonia (114) and Cedar Grove (141).
The Panthers had a 1-2 finish to have the early
advantage as senior Anthony Parker came across
in 20:43.60 and junior Nakai Jack in second at
21:42.20. Sophomore Calvin Mosley was eighth
overall in 24:23.30.
Arabia Mountain junior Torrance Allen was the
first Ram to cross the line with a time of 22:54.80 for
Chamblee senior Beining Xiao won the second girls
race of the DeKalb cross country meet.
a sixth-place finish while senior Sam Garrett was
10th in 24:31.70.
Miller Grove senior Joel Mazelin was third in
22:14.30 and was followed by Redan senior Allansa
Providence (22:50.90) and sophomore Kingsley
Harris (22:54.20) to lead Redan to a fourth-place
finish.
Cedar Grove freshman Omari Walker (24:15.8)
was seventh and Stephenson senior Jechorvion
Foster was ninth in 24:25.20.
Stephenson had the only full team in the girls
race and had four runners in the Top 10, led by
winner Jeniya Culbreath (27:54.80).
Sophomore Jordan Williams (29:17.30) was
fourth, sophomore Marisa Mayfield was eighth
(30:14.20) and junior Deanna Rawling (32:36.20)
was 10th.
Southwest DeKalb junior Raven Thurman was
second with a time of 28:19.60 followed in third by
Nya Bostic (28:43.40). Sophomore Chanice Harris
was fifth in 29:43.20.
Columbia Frunol Hulufe was sixth in 30:00.90
and Redan freshman Aniya Dallis was seventh in
30:07.00. Cedar Groves Aleyah Roberts was ninth.
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 19

FOOTBALL Photos by Travis Hudgons

Dunwoody wins fourth

straight Golden Spike
over Chamblee
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Emotions were high Sept.
1 for the Dunwoody Wildcats
as they played their first
game after the death of co-
defensive coordinator Kent
Davis.
While grieving for their
late coach, the Wildcats were
able to pull out a 16-0 win
over rival Chamblee in the
annual Battle of the Golden
Spike at North DeKalb
Stadium. It was Dunwoodys
fourth consecutive win over
the Chamblee Bulldogs.
Dunwoody recognized
Davis before the game and
players tried to put their
emotions aside during the
game. But between their
grief and the intense rivalry
between the two north
DeKalb schools, tensions
rose often and led to several
instances of after-the-whistle
pushing and shoving.
Dunwoody coach Michael
Nash said his players have to
keep their composure at all
times.
Weve had a tough couple
of weeks with the passing of
coach Davis, and I dont feel
like our kids were focused the
way they needed to be and
we didnt executeits the
bottom line, Nash said. We
didnt execute. Hats off to
[Chamblee], but we just didnt
execute.
The first quarter was a
defensive battle as both
offensives struggled to
get in the end zone. The
Wildcats offense got going
in the second quarter, led by
running back Robby Hardin,
who scored on an 11-yard
run, giving Dunwoody a 7-0
lead.
Before halftime, Chamblee
had an opportunity to score,
but quarterback Stuart
Steeles pass was picked
off by Dunwoodys Jordan
Battle. The third quarter was
another defensive battle with
a few shoving matches and
personal foul penalties.
Dunwoody extended its
lead to 10 on a field goal
by Jamie Morrison. The
Wildcats sealed their win on
a three-yard touchdown pass
from Zach Pankey to Chris
Sturken bringing the final
score to 16-0.
Dunwoody (2-0) now
enters the region portion
of the schedule beginning
with North Atlanta on Sept.
8. Nash said his team has to
regain its focus if they want to
get to 3-0.
We have to get past
what were dealing with right
now emotionally, he said.
And after that we have to
[stay] focused and control
the things we can control.
Thats just not on Friday
nights, but its on Monday
through Wednesday. We have
to practice hard on Monday Dunwoody running back Robby Hardin scored on an 11-yard yard.
through Wednesday and
be focused and understand
that we cant get complacent
in Georgia football. Were
2-0 right now and if were
satisfied with that then were
never going to be 3-0. We
have to continue to work.
Dunwoody will take
on North Atlanta at North
DeKalb Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

OTHER SCORES
Sept. 1
McNair (2-0) 55, Cross Keys (0-1) 0
Arabia Mountain (3-0) 46, Redan (1-2) 6
Stone Mountain (1-2) 37, Clarkston (0-3) 0
Lithonia (1-2) 21, Luella (0-3) 13
SW DeKalb (2-1) 28, Creekside (0-2) 0
M.L. King (1-2) 19, Miller Grove (2-1) 13
Marist (2-0) 31, Baylor (Tenn.) (1-2) 6
Cedar Shoals (2-0) 45, Decatur (1-2) 13
Benedictine (2-0) 41, St. Pius X (0-2) 13
North Springs (2-0) 21, Towers (1-2) 6
Colquitt County (3-0) 35, Tucker (2-1) 21

Sept. 2
Dutchtown (2-0) 43, Columbia (2-1) 0

Open
Cedar Grove (2-0); Druid Hills (0-2); Lakeside (0-2); Stephenson (0-2)
Dunwoody cornerback Jordan Battle avoids a Chamblee player after intercepting a pass.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2017 Page 20

Bring it to the table.

The food, the stories, the same old jokes and
games. All the years happenings. Everyone and
everything. Bring it all, because thats what family is
about. And this wouldnt be a reunion without it.

Learn how Publix can help make it a family reunion to remember at publix.com/familyreunion.