the DeKalb FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • VOL. 22, NO.

49 • FREE

Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, Stonecrest and Tucker • A PUBLICATION OF ACE III COMMUNICATIONS

DOGFIGHTING RING BUSTED

Foster
homes
needed
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
A DeKalb County husband
and wife were recently
charged with dogfighting
after officials received
complaints of suspicious
activity at a residence at
421 Cedar Grove Place in Joining members of the Brookhaven Trailblazers at a meeting to
Ellenwood. plan this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day dinner is Brookhaven
According to DeKalb Parks and Recreation Director Brian Borden, standing at right.
Trailblazer members are, seated from left, Pee-Wee Jackson,
County detective Jason DeKalb County investigators arrested two people in Ellenwood in Barbara Shaw and Chip Jones, and standing from left, Gary
Gagnon, two people were connection with dogfighting. According to officers approximately McDaniel, Paulette McClendon and Cassandra Bryant.
17 dogs were seized from the house and transported to DeKalb’s
charged with dogfighting

Trailblazers recall, celebrate

animal shelter.
and police are searching for
another. Chaketa Williams,

history at MLK day dinner

37, and her husband Willie
e Dasher, 45, were charged
with dogfighting and
appeared in court Jan. 5.
Police are still searching for
Christopher Austin, 47.
Gagnon said the charges
of dogfighting came after
investigators noticed several
dogfighting “paraphernalia”
items at the residence.
“We got a call from
the area and they were
supposedly moving dogs in
large cages and dogs were
being chained in the back
yard. When they checked out
the conditions there were a
lot of paraphernalia items
like treadmills and calendars
with what we believe to
be fight dates on them,”
Gagnon said. “We also found
documentation for training
regimens.”
Gagnon said the dogs
recovered from the residence
had bite marks consistent
with dog fighting. In total, 17
dogs were seized from the
home, some of which were
puppies.
“We found medicine to
treat dog wounds in the
house. On the dogs we found
‘hit marks’ which are bite or
scratch marks on the face or
on the muzzle of a dog used
in dog fighting. At least half
of the dogs had these ‘hit
marks’ on the back of the legs,
which is consistent with dog
fighting,” Gagnon said.    hostility, even violence.
In 2004, Dasher was
charged with dog fighting
but pled to a lesser charge
of gambling. He’s also been
charged with multiple drug
offenses, Gagnon said.
The dogs were brought
to Lifeline Animal Project’s
DeKalb County animal shelter.
Officials said the shelter is
already at capacity.
“We’ve been taking in
SEE FIGHTING ON PAGE 5
by Kathy Mitchell
Approximately 13 years
after the U.S. Supreme Court
ruled that racial segregation
within public school systems
is not legal, DeKalb School
District began taking steps
toward integration. For
students at all-Black Lynwood
High School in Brookhaven,
it meant transferring to
unfamiliar schools where—
based on events in other
school districts—some feared
Brookhaven City Council
member Lindley Jones
became aware of their story
when chatting at a church
event with Barbara Shaw,
one of 17 Lynwood students
who transferred to Cross Keys
High School in 1967.
During a transition period,
the school system gave
students a choice to remain
at Lynwood or transfer to a
SEE MLK ON PAGE 5

Visit www.championnewspaper.com for local, real DeKalb County news.

LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 2

CLARKSTON

Leadership now majority millennial in Clarkston

Mayor, councilmembers sworn-in
BY CARLA PARKER of Clarkston while being very and I am ready to work to I hope to keep up the his last term as mayor, said
carla@dekalbchamp.com transparent and welcoming,” continue to move this city positive progress of the city his last four years will be a
she said. forward,” she said. “I look by focusing on economic continuation of the first four.
Millennials are now the Bell said she is honored forward to working with development, affordable “I think we have a lot of
new leaders of Clarkston. and excited that she was the residents of Clarkston, housing, senior and important proposals and
Clarkston held its trusted with continuing the city staff, council and the community programming, policies that we’ve already
swearing-in ceremony Jan. 2 legacy of Clarkston. mayor to find solutions to and increasing mental health been discussing,” he said. “A
for Mayor Ted Terry, 34, and “I’m thankful that the mitigate problems in the city awareness and education.” couple of highlights—the
four councilmembers, three residents believed in me of Clarkston. Additionally, Terry, who said this will be affordable housing study.
of whom are millennials.
Councilmembers Jamie SEE CLARKSTON ON PAGE 4
Carroll, 34, and Ahmed
Hassan, 60, were re-elected
to the council. YT Bell, 29, is
new to the council, as well as
28-year-old Andrea Cervone,
who won the November
special election to fill former
councilwoman Beverly
Burks’ seat.
With the addition of Bell
and Cervone, millennials
are now the majority on
the council with four of
Celebrating
the seven city council
members younger than 40.
Councilmember Awet Eyasu,
a day on,
not a day off
who was elected in 2015,
is 39, and Councilmember
Mario Williams, who was also
elected in 2015, is 46.
Terry calls the makeup of
the city council “historic.” Georgia Power is proud to observe Martin
“I don’t know of any other
Luther King Jr. Day – a nationwide celebration
community, city or county
government that has a of service to mankind and community – by
majority millennial-elected encouraging its employees and customers to
body,” he said. “I think we’re
use their time off to serve others.
the first.”
Terry said the new faces on
city council bring more to the On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us all come
city than their youth.
“I think these council together to spend a “day on“ by extending a
members who are under 35 helping hand to help those who need it most.
aren’t just young people,
they’re young people
who bring to the council
extraordinary talent, skills
and accomplishments in
their own right,” he said. “I
think the positive thing is
that they’re bringing that to
the Clarkston City Council.
What you’re probably going
to see is more new ideas,
more innovation. I think
the millennial generation is
generally interested in solving
problems and looking at
problems in a different way.”
Bell said a millennial-led
government body means
there will be an array of
perspectives from across
various fields expertise and
experiences.
“This body will continue
to take more strategic,
Georgia Power employee georgiapower.com/community
innovative and collaborative
approaches to improve the
quality of life for the residents

GPC-MLK-DeKalbChampion.indd 1 1/3/17 12:06 PM

LOCAL
AROUNDDEKALB
BROOKHAVEN
Young Rembrandts to host event to benefit MLK Day project at Springbrook Park
homeless shelter
The Young Rembrandts arts program will
celebrate its 30th anniversary with “It’s In
The Bag,” Jan. 14 at Ashford Park Community
Building in Brookhaven, 2980 Redding Road.
Students are invited to donate art supplies
to benefit My Sister’s House, a local homeless
shelter for women and children. Simultaneous
classes will be offered for children ages 4 to 5
and 6 to 11. Participants will draw on brown
paper bags and then fill them with the donated
art supplies, which can include items such as
colored pencils, crayons, markers and sketch
paper.
For more information on Young Rembrandts
or the “It’s in the Bag” event, contact Laura
Vandewiele at (678) 478-8275 or laura.
vandewiele@youngrembrandts.com or visit
www.youngrembrandts.com.
CHAMBLEE
Chicken raising program announced
The Chamblee Library at 4115 Clairmont
Road will hold a special program on raising
backyard chickens sustainably Jan. 13 from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. Live chickens will be present and
a collection of books on raising chickens and
homesteading will also be available.
For more information, contact the Chamblee
Library at (770) 936-1380.
CLARKSTON
Library hosting meet and greet
Clarkston residents can learn more about
Clarkston Library at the Friends of the Clarkston
Library’s Morning Meet and Greet Jan. 13
from 10 a.m. to noon. Attendees can chat with
neighbors and find out how the library can
help make their life more interesting in 2018.
There will be light refreshments. The library is
located at 951 N. Indian Creek Drive. For more
information, call (404) 508-7175.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 3
DECATUR
The Friends of Springbrook Park will have a
volunteer workday Jan. 15, Martin Luther King
Jr. Day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The project will
include moving mulch and doing a general
clean-up. Volunteers are asked to bring a
wheelbarrow and shovel. The park is located at
1502 Springbrook Drive in Decatur. For more
information, email info@springbrookpark.com.
TUCKER
King Day projects at Henderson Park
Volunteers can join the Friends of
Henderson Park Jan. 15 to celebrate MLK
Day by doing service projects in the park.
Headquarters will be the playground by the
lake on the Livsey Road side of the park.
Projects include moving/placing crush and
run, mulch and rip rap. Volunteers can bring
a wheelbarrow or wagon to move mulch.
The project will begin at 9 a.m. and end
at noon. For more information, visit www.
friendsofhendersonpark.org.
COUNTYWIDE
DeKalb MLK Jr. holiday residential
sanitation schedule announced
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr.
Day on Jan. 15, garbage, recyclable materials
and yard trimmings collection for residential
customers will run one day late through Friday,
Jan. 19.
The Sanitation Division’s administrative
office, Central and North transfer stations and
Seminole Road Landfill will be closed on Jan. 15,
and will reopen Jan. 16 with normal operating
hours.
On Jan. 15, there will be no sanitation
collection service. Residential customers whose
regularly scheduled collection day is Monday,
Jan. 15, will be serviced the following day.
Residential customers whose regularly
scheduled collection day is Jan. 16 will be
serviced on Jan. 17. Residential customers
whose regularly scheduled collection day is Jan.
17 will be serviced on Jan. 18.
Residential customers whose regularly
scheduled collection day is Jan. 18 will be
serviced on Jan. 19.
For more information, contact the Sanitation
Division’s customer service team at (404)-294-
2900, sanitation@dekalbcountyga.gov or visit
www.dekalbsanitation.com.
Japan Society of Georgia seeks students
The Japan America Society of Georgia is
seeking four Georgia students (two girls and
two boys) interested in participating in the 30th
Annual Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC)
in Fukuoka, Japan. The JASG will act as the liaison
between the APCC, the city of Fukuoka, and
Atlanta’s APCC delegation, and manage all pre-
departure preparations for the fully funded and
chaperoned exchange program.
The APCC has been held every year since 1989
with the objectives of generating appreciation
for the culture of other nations and regions,
promoting mutual understanding and friendship;
and nurturing international awareness in the
region through the young people. The convention
will take place from July 14 to July 26 in Fukuoka,
Atlanta’s sister city.
Potential participants must submit an essay no
more than two pages on why they would make
a good Junior Ambassador and representative of
Georgia. The student should also submit a single
drawing on an 8 ½” x 11” piece of white paper
that represents the theme of the convention. In
addition, the student should provide a letter of
recommendation from the student’s teacher or
another adult who is not the student’s parent and/
or guardian. The student should also complete
and submit an application form, which is available
on the APCC page of the JASG’s website at
www.JASGeorgia.org/APCC. The deadline for
submission is Feb. 5.
Unity service for civic and social justice
A service is scheduled to help unify the
constituents of DeKalb with the members of the
DeKalb County Police Department.
The service is scheduled for Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at
St. Philip AME Church located at 240 Candler Road,
Atlanta.
To learn more about the DeKalb Pastors Alliance
and get more information on the Unity Services
please email dekalbpastorsalliance@gmail.com or
contact Sandy Ferguson at (404) 288-1910.
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 4

COUNTYWIDE

County files lawsuit

against opioid
manufacturers
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
In 2017, approximately 86
people died of an overdose
in DeKalb County. According
to county officials, 44 of those
deaths were attributed to
opioids.
Because of the cost of
dealing with opioid addiction,
the county has agreed to
sue opioid manufacturers to
recoup some of the financial
losses associated with treating
addiction.
“This sends the message
that the county is on top of
the issue,” said DeKalb County
Commissioner Larry Johnson.
“We don’t want anyone to
SEE OPIOIDS ON PAGE 5

COUNTYWIDE

Firefighters work to extinguish flames at the two-alarm fire. Photos by Desi LaPoole

Five apartment units damaged by fire

BY DESI LAPOOLE
On Jan. 7 at approximately 5 p.m., DeKalb
County Fire and Rescue received a call about an
apartment fire at Sterling Chase Apartment Homes
in Stone Mountain.
After the initial call, firefighters made
another call for additional resources to help put out
the fire. Approximately 40 firefighters responded
to the fire, which destroyed five units in the
apartment complex, four of which were occupied.
Firewalls prevented the fire from spreading to other
buildings in the apartment homes.
The fire affected the four families living in
the occupied units. Although it is protocol for
ambulances to be dispatched to the scene, there
were no injuries reported.
According to DeKalb Fire and Rescue Captain
Eric L. Jackson, the cause of the fire has been
attributed to a fireplace. “When we come in the cold
season, people sometimes have heating issues,”
Jackson said. “They sometimes do unconventional
and potentially dangerous things to warm up their
homes.”
Jackson urges citizens to remember five key
safety tips to keep themselves and others safe:
 
1. Check smoke alarms periodically, especially in
apartment homes.
2. Have a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible
location.
3. Have a fire escape plan ready in the event of a fire.
4. If using a fireplace, make sure the flue, or pipe
opening, is open to allow smoke to leave the
home. If the fireplace has not been used in a
while, have it inspected.
5. If living in an apartment or renting a home,
consider buying renter’s insurance.
 
“Prioritize what’s important,” Jackson said as a
reminder. “You could be doing everything right, but
if your neighbor isn’t safe, especially in apartment
homes, you’ll catch [fire] too.”

CLARKSTON Continued From Page 1A

We will look at a broader ordinance
similar to what the city of Atlanta
has passed. We’re looking at more
community policing policies, and we
have a micro-farming ordinance that
we’re currently drafting that would
allow more chickens, live animals and
farming in Clarkston.”
Williams said he is looking
forward to working with his younger
colleagues.
“This was a very hard-fought
election cycle,” Williams said.
“Everyone up here really campaigned
hard, went door-to-door and really
has a great vision for the community.
I really wish the best for everyone and
I’m looking forward to working with
everyone.”
LOCAL
NOTHING BUT A NUMBER
Decatur native
reflects on rise
as emerging
preacher
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
At the age of 5, Decatur
native Jared Sawyer Jr. said
he knew his calling in life.
Sawyer, now 20, said he
had a dream when he was
5 that God called him to
be a preacher. For the past
15 years, Sawyer has been
making his dream come true.
“I knew what I was called
to do. It was a part of my
destiny,’ Sawyer said. “It
MLK Continued From Page 1
formerly all-White school. In
addition to the Brookhaven
students, there were
Chamblee residents who were
bused to Lynwood rather
than being allowed to attend
all-White local schools.
“Growing up, I lived
within a block of Jim Cherry
Elementary,” said Pee Wee
Jackson, “To this day I have
never set foot inside that
school.”
“The school system gave
me a choice of transferring
or graduating from Lynwood;
my parents didn’t,” recalled
Shaw. “They believed I could
get a better education at
Cross Keys. I was scared, but
back then you did what your
parents told you to do.”
As it turned out Shaw’s
fears were justified. She
recalled a day when a group
of White teenage boys boxed
in the Black students and told
them, “Y’all talk about Black
FIGHTING Continued From Page 1
more dogs than usual this
season and we’re filled with
hundreds of dogs at both
shelters,” said Karen Hirsch,
spokesperson for Lifeline.
Lifeline, which took over
the animal shelters five years
ago and increased adoption
by 300 percent, according to
officials, manages the animal
shelters in DeKalb and Fulton
counties.
Decatur native Jared Sawyer
Jr. Shown above with Oprah
Winfrey has been preaching
since the age of 5.
started with just word of
mouth and people would
hear about my ministry. That
turned into nightly services
and youth revivals and it just
expanded from there.”
He received his license to
preach at the age of 8.
power; we’re going to show
you what White power looks
like.”
Shaw said one of the
students was able to get
to a telephone and called
a parent who came with
another community member
to rescue them. “They weren’t
just trying to intimidate
us,” she said of the boys
who refused to allow Black
students to leave an area of
the school. “They were there
to commit violence.”
Mistreatment, Shaw
said, didn’t just come from
students. “My algebra teacher
gave me an F, even though
I knew the work—and I was
good at math. I had always
made A’s and B’s in everything
at Lynwood. I had never
gotten an F in anything. My
mother came to the school
and had the teacher quiz me
in front of her. I answered the
questions correctly, but the F
Hirsch said the shelters
could use more people willing
to foster the animals.
“We’re asking the public to
open their homes to fostering.
They can foster dogs that
we already have. A lot of
them are really sweet,” Hirsch
said. “Having 19 additional
animals come in who each
have to be housed in separate
runs strains our already
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 5
At 5, Sawyer’s big break
came when his piano teacher,
Sue Hampton, asked him
to preach at Love Divine
Ministries in Decatur on
Easter Sunday.
At age 10, Sawyer was
preaching a sermon titled
“Though I am young, send
me,” at Simon Temple AME
Zion Church in Fayetteville,
N.C. The sermon went viral on
social media and was viewed
more than 35 million times.
“That sermon opened up
so much for me and helped
me open up my ministry,”
Sawyer said.
The Huffington Post
referred to Sawyer as the
“voice of the next generation.”
Sawyer currently has a social
media following of 200,000
and nearly a million views on
his YouTube page.
stood.”
“They paid a brutal price,”
Jones commented. “Their role
should be honored. We in
Brookhaven hadn’t said ‘thank
you’ for what they did. It was
time.”
In 2014, Jones, Shaw and
others organized a Martin
Luther King Jr. Day dinner at
the old Lynwood High School,
now Lynwood Recreation
Center, where Cassandra
Bryant and others organize
events year-round to honor
the community’s legacy. The
group initially called itself
“The Lynwood Integrators,”
but last year changed its
name to the Lynwood
Trailblazers.
The organizers had
expected the dinner to be a
one-time event, but interest
was so great “there was no
doubt that we needed to do
it again,” Jones recalled. “It
turned out to be an incredibly
crowded shelters in terms
of manpower, space and
resources.”
Gagnon said dogfighting
cases are rare in DeKalb
County. He said in his more
than three years of working
with DeKalb, this is the first
case he’s seen.
“DeKalb just isn’t a big
hub for fighting locations.
This is like one of our first
Despite his popularity,
Sawyer said he’s humbled by
his success and is happy to
live in his purpose. In August
of 2017 Sawyer was involved
in a car accident while making
a left turn onto Snapfinger
Road from Rolling View Drive.   
“The crash did something
to me. It was the first car
accident I have ever been
in and I had to spend time
away from television and
my cell phone. I was away
from everything but people,”
Sawyer said. “It taught me a
lot about purpose.”
Sawyer is now a junior at
Morehouse College where
he’s pursuing a religion
degree. So far Sawyer has
written and published four
books and said his published
works help him pay for his
college education.
moving experience. People
shared their stories; there was
singing and prayer. It was a
very meaningful way to honor
those who went through a
very difficult time.”
The dinner, now in its
third year, gives those who
integrated the school system
an opportunity to tell their
stories, providing them
emotional release while
educating later generations.
Tickets are sold, but the
event, which includes a
catered dinner presented in
upscale fashion, is subsidized
with city funds. “We decided
we’d go big or go home.
We have valet service, fine
china and a red carpet. It’s
one of our signature events,”
noted Brookhaven Parks and
Recreation Director Brian
Borden.
“The first year, I used
discretionary funds available
to each city council member,”
dogfighting cases. It just
doesn’t happen here often.
You see it in more rural areas,”
Gagnon said.
Gagnon said he wanted
investigators to stake out the
property a little longer to
see if it would lead them to
other dogfighters. However,
when animal control went to
the property to investigate
potential animal cruelty
“The only complication I
have is dealing with tuition.
I’ve dealt with a busy
schedule my entire life. I just
learned how to balance it all. I
learned to balance school and
having a work life, a family life
and a friend life,” Sawyer said.
Sawyer said he hopes
his message and books can
inspire members of a younger
generation to pursue their
passions in life.  He said he
plans on making a difference
in his community by offering
empowerment
“I want to start a
movement of young folks
and create a community of
empowered and enriched
young people. I want to share
with my peers,” Sawyer said.
“I want everyone to make the
most out of their lives.”
Jones said. “We no longer
receive discretionary funds,
but the city contributes.”
Approximately 100 people
attended the first dinner but
many more wanted to come,
the council member recalled.
“People who had tickets
gave up their tickets so that
people from the Lynwood
Park community would not
be denied seats.”
The next year, the event
was moved to the gymnasium
and seated 200 people. The
demand for tickets continues
to exceed the supply. “I hope
we can continue to hold this
event for many years. Change
is inevitable, but Lynwood
Park has a rich history that
shouldn’t be forgotten.
People who used to live in
Lynwood Park come back for
this event. It’s truly something
special,” said Chip Jones, a
member of the Brookhaven
Trailblazers. “
charges, officers had to move
fast once they noticed it was a
dog fighting case.
“We got a good tip,”
Gagnon said. “I would have
liked to [have sat] on the
house for about a week, but
once animal control got on
the scene it was kind of like
the cat was out of the bag.”
OPINION
The 'Dreamer' debate
Few topics have sparked
ongoing debate as the subject of
‘dreamers’. Dreamers are defined
as individuals who came to the
United States as children—typically
with undocumented parents
or guardians—have grown up
here, attended school here but
may be facing deportation if
U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) enforces our
existing immigration laws.
The idea of deporting thousands
who are in the US illegally, but know
nothing other than the United States
as their home or nationality, has
been a topic of interest since shortly
after Donald Trump was elected
as the 45th president of the United
States.
Former President Barack
Obama’s stalled 2014 executive
action would allow as many as 5
million people living in the U.S.
illegally to avoid deportation and
receive work permits. This came after
a 2012 policy that would allow an
estimated 800,000 people brought
to the U.S. illegally as children to
continue their education under
the Deferred Action for Childhood
John Hewitt
johnh@dekalbchamp.com
Arrivals (DACA) Act.
Trump vowed during his
campaign and afterwards that
he would enforce the existing
immigration laws of our nation
and has threatened to end DACA
privileges.
Those who are categorized as
"dreamers" typically came to the
United States along with other
family members who were seeking
a better life for themselves and
their families. Most dreamers have
only attended American schools
and speak English as their primary
language.
As children, the dreamers likely
had zero input in their families’s
decisions to enter the United States
without proper documentation.
They have assimilated into American
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 6
culture and likely adopted many
uniquely American traditions.
There is no good outcome for
this. If the decision is made to
allow dreamers and their families
to legally remain in the country, it
sends a message that our laws are
not absolute, and that illegal activity
goes unpunished. If dreamers and
their families are expelled from our
country, it conveys the message that
our government stands behind the
immigration laws established but
also jeopardizes many citizens who
were born here to parents who were
in the country illegally when the
child was born.
Expelling the families of
dreamers, as heartless as it may
seem, is the right thing to do. But
the right thing to do is not always
the best thing to do. We cannot pick
and choose which laws we decide
to enforce. Laws are written to be
absolutes that govern our nation
and how we respond to activity that
is not allowed.
Allowing dreamers to stay sends
a message to others throughout the
world that if they can successfully
penetrate our borders without
documentation and have children,
that they may also be allowed to stay
even though they originally came
here illegally. It also sends a message
that those abusing the laws have
little respect for the sovereignty of
our nation or for our laws and, that
our rules of entry are not enforced.
Those who travel internationally
know that when they are visiting
or working in other nations, it is
imperative that the laws of that
nation are respected and that we
have all the correct paperwork and
in some cases, even vaccinations
that are required by the government
of the nations we visit.
There are countless programs
under which potential immigrants
can seek legal asylum in our nation
and enter our country legally and
without fear of deportation. We
must send a clear message that we
will not tolerate illegal entry into
our country, but we must also have
compassion for those brought here
under circumstances beyond their
control.
OPINION
Button, button; who’s got the button?
“Will someone please inform him
that I too have a nuclear button, but
it is much bigger and more powerful
one than his, and my button works!”
Twitter response by President
Donald Trump to the Supreme
Leader of North Korea (yes, that is his
title) Kim Jong Un.
Though we understand the
reference and the analogy—
thankfully, the Resolute desk
in the oval office does not
actually feature a big red nuclear
button. The historic desk was
brought back to the White House
from the Smithsonian by President
Jimmy Carter in 1977, it was also
used by presidents Kennedy,
Reagan, George W. Bush, Clinton
and Obama.  than 100 nations scheduled to
 There is an existing nuclear
powers treaty between the United
States, United Kingdom, France,
Russia and China. In addition to
those five nuclear weapons states,
participating in the Treaty on
the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons (NPT), eight sovereign
states, including India, Pakistan
and North Korea, have detonated
nuclear weapons since the
U.S. detonated the first atomic
bombs ending World War II in the
Pacific. Other nations, including
Israel, are generally believed to
possess nuclear weapons but have
not publicly tested them.  connected by high-speed rail
Current estimates place the
aggregate world arsenal of atomic
and hydrogen bombs on missiles
and warheads at more than
9,200. The two Strategic Arms
Limitations Treaties (S.A.L.T. 1 and
2), begun by President Richard
Nixon and continued under
Reagan and Bush, reduced the
build-up of nuclear arsenals, as
well as called for the dismantling
of older and aging nuclear weapon
#ItsInTheChampion • TheChampionNewspaper.com
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DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 7
been sporadic. Olympic Games When the Cold War reached
‘One Man’s typically host many heads of near epic frigidity, and as the
Opinion’ state, in addition to each nation’s
premier athletes. In addition to
U.S.S.R. began to crumble, with
freedom breaking out across
Bill Crane the symbolism, and the unstated Eastern Europe, Reagan spoke
bill.csicrane@gmail.com
agreement for armistice, can frequently of the need to have
you think of any better target for ‘trust but verify’ as nuclear
inflicting maximum pain than weapons systems were being
systems.  launching a nuclear strike from dismantled or removed.
And although the Cold War North Korea aimed just across It’s hard to see the benefits of
has defrosted in many respects, the border in South Korea, and taunting someone about who has
the number of nuclear players simultaneously striking more than the bigger button. And knowing
and potential accidents has 100 other nations? how important facts are to this
significantly increased. Kim Jong- Kim Jong-un is not viewed White House, there is actually
Un is believed to have roughly 60 as the most stable mind or a very tiny red button atop the
weapons and missiles capable of personality. Goading or taunting Resolute desk, which Trump is
carrying a nuclear warhead.   someone who is potentially reported to enjoy pressing most
South Korea will host the mentally ill is at very best ill- every day he is in residence. Each
Winter Olympic Games in a few advised, and such provocation may time he does, a White House butler
more weeks. Currently, with more cause any number of accidental brings him a can of Coca-Cola and
or unexpected responses. When a fresh glass of ice. The pause that
participate in these games, as well Nikita Khrushev was threatening refreshes. It is possible of course
as the worldwide armistice which to stomp the United States under that he has gotten these two
precede every Olympics, North the heel of the boot of the U.S.S.R., buttons confused. It can be hard
Korea is currently not on the RSVP Kennedy responded to the to fully understand and appreciate
list. South Korean President Moon Cuban Missile crisis with resolute the workings of the mind of a
Jae-In has been communicating diplomacy from behind that stable, genius.
with the North, seeking their Resolute desk. 
participation and discussions
were even underway for athletes
from North and South Korea to
march together in the Opening
Ceremonies of these winter games.
Seoul, South Korea’s capital,
a city of 26 million, located just
more than 30 miles from the
North Korean border, will be
to the Winter Games host city,
Pyeongchang. These games will
feature 15 sports in 13 venues and
102 events scheduled from Feb.
9-25.
It would be a major step in the
right direction for North Korea
to at least temporarily rejoin the
world community and participate.
North Korea first participated
in the Olympics Games in 1972,
and the nation’s participation has
Publisher: Staff Reporters:
John Hewitt Carla Parker STATEMENT FROM THE
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Chief Financial Officer: Derek Smith We sincerely appreciate the
Dr. Earl D. Glenn discussion surrounding this and any
Social Media Manager: issue of interest to DeKalb County.
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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 8

LITHONIA

Walmart closing
Covington Highway
neighborhood market
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
The Walmart
Neighborhood Market
on Covington Highway in
Lithonia will close its doors at
the end of January.
Phillip Keene, director of
corporate communications
for state and local corporate
initiatives and public affairs,
said Walmart officials said
the closing came after a
“careful and thoughtful review
process.”
“This tough decision to
close the store is based on a
number of factors, including
financial performance,” Keene
said. “The decision to close our
Lithonia store is not an easy
one, but, as a company, we
are committed to continuing
our growth and investment in
Georgia.”
Walmart said it plans to
close the store to the public
by Jan. 30. The pharmacy this decision,” he said. “We are designed in 1998 as a smaller in 2013 and we are as proud
hopeful that the majority of option for communities in today as we’ve ever been with
will be open to customers
through Jan. 23. the associates at the Lithonia need of a pharmacy, groceries how associates have served
store will want to continue and merchandise, according and contributed to the local
“Our pharmacy staff
will work with customers their careers with Walmart by to Walmart. community over the years.
transferring to another nearby Keene said Walmart will “We are grateful to the
to transfer prescriptions to
another convenient location store.” continue to be supportive of customers who have given
The neighborhood market the local store leadership and us the privilege of serving
as soon as possible,” Keene
said. opened in 2013 in Covington associates in Lithonia. them at our Lithonia location,”
Square Plaza on the corner “This decision is in no way Keene added. “We look
Keene said the
100 employees at the of Covington Highway a reflection of their hard work forward to continuing to serve
and Panola Road. Walmart and customer service,” he them at other area locations
neighborhood market will
have an opportunity to neighborhood markets were said. “We opened this store and online at walmart.com.”
transfer to other Walmart
stores.
“We care deeply about
our associates impacted by IRVIN J. JOHNSON
Tax Commissioner

OPIOIDS Continued From Page 4A

DeKalb County, GA

die and we’re working on have a loved one going

prevention and intervention.
We’re alert and proactive and
getting on the front end of
this issue.”
According to the
lawsuit, county officials are
experiencing increased
costs associated with law
enforcement, emergency care,
and treatment to help those
suffering from opioid abuse.
The county officially filed
the lawsuit Dec. 20 and claims
opioid manufactures are
pushing for patients to be
treated with opioids while
downplaying the possibility of
addiction.
“My goal is to bring
awareness to this issue and
tell the pharmacies that this
is not something we will
tolerate. There are other
ways to treat legitimate
pain,” Johnson said. “This is
unacceptable.”
DeKalb County joins other
counties such as Fulton, which
filed similar lawsuits. Opioid
drugs such as OxyContin,
Fentanyl and Percocet are
at the root of the cause
according to the lawsuit.
Last year Johnson held
multiple opioid addiction
summits to bring awareness
to the issue.
“The addiction is having a
profound impact on DeKalb
County. One death is too
many,” Johnson said. “If you
through this addiction, find
them help. There are ways
people can come back and
fight this. This is a sickness. It’s
not criminal.”
Law Firm Napoli Shkolnik
PLLC will be representing
government entities during
the litigation process,
including DeKalb County.
Shayna Sacks, a partner
with the firm said opioid
manufacturers have been
dishonest to the public.
The pharmaceutical
companies, manufacturers
and distributors cannot
continue to mislead the
public,” said Sacks. “This
suit will hold big pharma
accountable for the damage
they have caused this
community.”
In 2017, President Donald
Trump declared the opioid
epidemic a public health
emergency. According to the
Georgia Department of Public
Health, Georgia ranks in the
top 12 of prescription opioid
deaths.
“There will be no cost to
the DeKalb County taxpayers
with this filing. Our office is
committed to working with
the county in its efforts to
combat the devastation these
painkillers continue to cause,”
said Hunter Shkolnik, a
partner with Napoli Shkolnik
PLLC.
ATTENTION ALL DEKALB COUNTY
HOMEOWNERS
The 2017 Property Tax Exemption Deadline is Fast
Approaching!
If you owned and resided in a home in DeKalb County on January 1st, you may
apply for a Basic Homestead Exemption and Property Assessment Freeze with
the County by April 2 of this year. The home must be your primary domicile
and legal residence for all purposes, including the registration of your vehicles
and the filing of your Federal and State income taxes. Applications received
after April 2 will be processed for 2018.
In addition to the basic homestead exemption available to all homeowners, there
are special exemptions available for residents 62 and older, disabled veterans or
their un-remarried spouses, and other disabled residents. Eligibility for special
exemptions is based upon age or disability, total household income, and must
be applied for in person. When applying, please bring your State and Federal
income tax forms, Social Security 1099, and any other forms of income you
may receive, to one of our three offices across the County.
North Office Main Office South Office
1358 Dresden Dr., NE 4380 Memorial Dr. 2801 Candler Rd. #66
Atlanta, GA 30319 Suite 100 South DeKalb Mall
Decatur, GA 30032 Decatur, GA 30034
Remember, the deadline for applying for all homesteads is
April 2!
Apply for the Basic Homestead Exemption, the Property Assessment Freeze, or
renew your tag registration online at: www.dekalbcountyga.gov/taxcommissioner
Questions? Call (404) 298-4000 or email us proptax@dekalbcountyga.gov
4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 100, Decatur, Georgia 30032 (404-298-4000)

DUNWOODY
Artist flexes creative muscles in cooking competition
BY DEREK SMITH
derek@dekalbchamp.com
As a retired architect and
critically acclaimed painter,
Dunwoody resident Barbara
Flexner has left her mark on
countless creations, but she
said no art gives the artist
more control from conception
to completion than cooking.
When she was a practicing
architect with two daughters
at home, Flexner became
passionate about cooking,
creating dishes for her
children and her husband,
Paul. It’s a passion that’s stuck
with her and grown since
she and her husband moved
to Dunwoody more than 13
years ago.
Flexner will have an
opportunity to test her skills
Jan. 21 when she takes part in
Almost Chopped, a cooking
competition to raise funds
for the awareness, research
and treatment of neurological
diseases including ALS,
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and
multiple sclerosis. The event
is put on by Hadassah of
Greater Atlanta, part of the
Hadassah Women’s Zionist
Organization of America, one
of the largest international
Jewish organizations.
As on the TV show
Chopped, contestants will
compete in two rounds
of cooking during which
they will be challenged to
wow judges with dishes
they create from baskets of
mystery ingredients in 30
minutes.
“The thing that intimidates
me more than anything is
the time factor,” Flexner told
The Champion. “For creating a
main course, that’s not much
time.”
She, along with her sous
chef Michele Vernon and
runner Judi Schnitzer,
will make up team Jersey
Tomatoes. The three are
friends who once lived within
a few miles of one another
in the New York/New Jersey
area. Schnitzer now lives in
Sandy Springs and Vernon
travels to the Atlanta area
often to monitor the progress
of her newest of eight Sunrise
Day Camps for children with
cancer. The Aurora Day Camp
will open in Atlanta in the
summer.
Though none are trained
chefs, like Flexner, Vernon
and Schnitzer have made
cooking a passionate hobby.
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 9
Barbara Flexner (bottom right) poses with her fellow competitors in the Hadassah of Greater Atlanta Almost Chopped cooking
competition. Photo submitted by Holly Strelzik.
Flexner, who’s lived in seven “It’s thinking on your like walking into your pantry hoping there’s something
different states before settling feet,” she said. “It’s kind of at the end of the day and there.”
in Dunwoody, said living close
to the varied and diverse run
of restaurants and groceries
along Buford Highway has
enriched her sense of cooking
adventure.
“We like living here very
much,” she said of the area.
“We enjoy the community.
We enjoy the diversity of the
community.”
Flexner said she and her
husband enjoy a number
of restaurants in the area
including Masterpiece, Chef
Liu and Sushi Hayakawa. She
said she loves discovering
new potential ingredients at
the Buford Highway Farmer’s
Market. She also is growing
her own herbs year-round.
Now she’ll join her
two friends to cook for
judges from four acclaimed
Atlanta-area restaurants:
NO FAKE
Chef Suzanne Vizethann
of Buttermilk Kitchen, Chef
Mimmo Alboumeh of Red
Pepper Taquería, Chef Vince
NEWS
Scafiti of The Farmhouse at
Persimmon Creek and Chef
Pano Karatassos of Kyma.
The competition will
be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at
HERE
Spring Hall, 7130 Buford
Highway Northeast #100.
Flexner and her Jersey
TheCHAMPION
Tomatoes team will be raising
money for ALS research
through Hadassah. It’s also
DeKalb’s most trusted news source and Georgia Press Association
another opportunity for General Excellence winner for seven consecutive years.
Flexner to flex her creative
Follow Us
Local. Real.
muscles—which she likens
To subscribe, visit
to coming home after a long TheChampionNewspaper.com
day, ready to cook for the or call (404) 373-7779 dekalbchampnews
family.
LOCAL
AVONDALE ESTATES
Firefighters save
dozens from
apartment blaze
As babies were
dropped from balconies
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
On Jan. 3 at approximately
5 a.m., residents in Avondale
Forest Apartment Homes
in Avondale Estates were
awakened by police and
firefighters banging on their
doors.
According to DeKalb
Community rallies for Avondale fire victims
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
Avondale Estates residents
were awakened by the smell
of smoke and helicopter
choppers above.
Around 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 3,
a fire spread at the Avondale
Forest Apartments on Piney
Tree Circle. According to
DeKalb County Fire and
Rescue officials, approximately
50 people were displaced by
the fire.
Of the 50 people displaced,
at least 12 were students
of Avondale Elementary,
according to Avondale
Elementary Principal Dontae
Andrews.   in a safe location within
Since the fire, Avondale
community members and
school leaders have worked
together to collect school
uniforms, shoes, coats, socks,
underwear, gift cards and
monetary donations.
“We have tried to come
together and do the best
we can for these families,”
said Patti Ghezzi, head of
the Friends of Avondale
Elementary School.
Ghezzi is collecting items
for the affected students at
her home at 3140 Wynn Drive
in Avondale Estates.
“I know a lot of the
students live in that complex,”
Ghezzi said. “I think seven
County Fire and Rescue
officials, a fire started at the
apartment complex and
quickly spread.
“You never really think
something like that is going
to happen until it happens
to you,” said Jelani Carroll, a
resident living in one of the
now-damaged apartment
buildings. “We have life, so
SEE FIRE ON PAGE 12
A group of Avondale Estates residents collected items such as school uniforms, shoes, coats, socks
and underwear for families affected by the fire.
families were affected
and some of them didn’t
even have time to grab
their clothes or phones or
anything.”
Ghezzi said the Avondale
Elementary School Education
Foundation has done an
outstanding job of identifying
and attempting to help the
students in need.
A gofundme account was
set up by Ghezzi on behalf of
the families. As of Jan. 5, the
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 10
DeKalb County Fire and Rescue put out flames on Pine Tree Circle Jan. 3 in Avondale Estates in the
Avondale Forest Apartment Homes.
account, www.gofundme.
com/pine-tree-circle-fire-
relief, has raised more than
$9,000.
“Were it not for the school
or the [Avondale Elementary
School Education] foundation
we wouldn’t have been able
to help these families,” Ghezzi
said. “I’m grateful that we have
this school and that they’re
so willing to work with us.
The families around here are
thrilled that we can help and
give money and items directly
to those in need.”
Items for the families
also can be dropped off
at Avondale Elementary
School on 8 Lakeshore Drive.
Funds from the gofundme
page will go directly to the
families impacted by the
fire, according to Avondale
Estates officials. The school’s
administration team and
school counselor Sherita
Ross will determine how to
use the funds to best meet
the students' needs.
“The kids of Avondale
Elementary are kind of our
sister school because they’re
in the same neighborhood,”
said Avondale Estates resident
and Museum School of
Avondale Estates teacher
Robin Hollis. “I think we
take care of each other. This
is a real important time to
come together. There’s a lot of
ways we could separate, but
it’s more important to come
together and help each other.”
During the fire, MARTA
assisted the DeKalb County
Fire Department by helping
transport families to safety.
MARTA staged two buses
the apartment complex so
families displaced by the fire
could stay warm, according
to officials. The families were
moved from the buses to a
leasing office on the property.
“The DeKalb County
fire chief called us [Jan.
3] to help provide a safe,
warm place for residents
while firefighters worked
to extinguish the fire, said
MARTA Deputy Police Chief
Joseph Dorsey. “MARTA’s
bus operations center moved
swiftly to provide the buses.
MARTA is always ready and
willing to help our fellow
first responders and the
communities we serve.”
LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 11

WEEK in PICTURES

Tucker’s Parks and Recreation Director Rip Robertson, center—joined by representatives of Friends of Tucker Former Doraville City Council member Dawn O’Connor (left) is presented with a plaque
Recreation Center, Main Street Theatre and Tucker City Council—turned the key for the first time to open honoring her years of service by Doraville Mayor Donna Pittman (right) Jan. 4 during a
Tucker Recreation Center. The city has officially assumed responsibility of the rec center from DeKalb County. city council meeting in Doraville. Photo by Derek Smith.
Photo from city of Tucker

Chamblee Charter High School teacher Bridget Bellamy, in the number 17 jersey, whose
son Davin Bellamy played in the College Football National Championship, poses for a
photo.

A car drives carefully across a patch of ice on Shallowford Road just west of Buford Highway Jan. 4. The
road was left frozen after a water main broke in the area, spilling water over the road in sub-freezing DeKalb County Sanitation workers help clean a property in DeKalb County.
temperatures and causing traffic slowdowns. Photo by Derek Smith.

Have you created programming you’d like to air on TV?

Do you have an interest in Public Access TV in DeKalb County?
Submit your show to DeKalb County’s 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
COUNTYWIDE
Culture change,
additional funds helping
solve blight issues
BY HORACE HOLLOMAN
horace@dekalbchamp.com
In DeKalb County, the
number of blight-related
issues such as open storage
and high weeds and grass
were down in 2017 compared
to the year prior.   [Michael Thurmond] has
According to statistics
provided by county officials,
open storage cases dropped
from 3,228 in 2016 to 2,738 in
2017. High weeds and grass
cases also decreased from
3,765 in 2016 to 2,738 in 2017.
DeKalb County Code
Enforcement Administrator
Tonza Clark said the decrease
is due to a culture change in
the department over the last
year.
“It’s a good feeling,” Clark
said. “When I look at the
numbers, I don’t want to see
them go up. This means that
we’re making progress. We’re
changing our behavior. From
mid-2016 to now, we’ve had
a lot of community meetings
and educational meetings
making [residents] aware of
the issues. A lot of them just
didn’t know.”
Clark credits the code
enforcement staff for
their efforts in addressing
blight. Clark said the code
enforcement officers are
currently understaffed. As of
Dec. 29, DeKalb had 19 code
enforcement officers and Clark
said there are still 13 vacant
positions.
“They have really been
pushing hard. We have daily
goals and weekly goals and
with that structure, we’ve
really been pushing it. The
officers that we have are
so good, and they work
hard. They get out and
make it happen,” Clark said.
“Sometimes it’s just a matter
of funding and making sure
we’re able to hire. We’re
actually in the hiring process
now. We’ve been limited on
what we were able to do.”
According to DeKalb
officials, the county spent $1.2
#ItsInTheChampion
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 12
FIRE
BEFORE
Continued From Page 10A
I’m happy for that. All the
material stuff, we can get that
back. You can’t get life back.”
Carroll said he has been
a resident of the apartment
complex for the past three
years. He said DeKalb County
million in reallocated funds
police kicked in his door and
at midyear 2017 to address
informed him that his family
blight issues including
was in danger.
$70,096 for the solicitor
“I’m just thankful we made
general’s office for a full-time
it out,” Carroll said. “It’s tough.
attorney and part-time legal
It’s really, really tough and it’s
secretary to help with the case
scary. At 5 a.m., your brain is
work.
still trying to catch up with
“I know the CEO
your body. I’m just trying to
stay strong for my kids.”
put in additional money for
The fire started at the 200
abatement because we never
building of the complex, but
had that before. We have
as of Jan. 3, a cause for the
never, in the history of code
fire is unknown, according
enforcement, had money to
to DeKalb County Fire and
clean these properties and
Rescue spokesperson Capt.
remove trash and debris,”
Eric Jackson.
Clark said.
Jackson said the
According to DeKalb
department’s handling of
County spokesperson Sarah
the fire was “flawless” as
Page, funding for addressing
FRONT BEFORE some parents dropped their
derelict properties came from
children from balconies to
federal grants such as the
awaiting firefighters below.
$400,000 demolition project
“What we did not expect
at Brannon Hills, which came
was to have people at the
from federal Community
other end of the building,”
Development Block Grant
Jackson said. “Not only were
funds.
we knocking on doors trying
Instead, DeKalb spent $1.2
to get people out, but our
million in reallocated funds to
firefighters were literally
address blight.
catching babies off the
While open storage cases
balcony.”
and high grass cases are
Jackson said
down, vacant property cases
approximately 50 people
were up in 2017.  The number
were displaced by the fire.
of cases for vacant properties Piles of debris sit in front of a property on Tulip Drive before the “The priority was the
in 2016 were 2,101 while in property was abated by DeKalb County officials in 2017.
babies and our firefighters
2017 the number increased to
caught a few. We also had
2,738 cases.
one of our chief officers bring
Clark said addressing
FRONT AFTER a guy down in a wheelchair.
vacant properties is difficult
It was all hands-on-deck,”
for the department.
Jackson said.
“The vacant properties are
Forty-five firefighters were
a challenge. When we had the
on the scene during the fire
housing market crash, a lot of
and according to Jackson,
those properties remained.
12 people were taken to the
What we’re finding is that
hospital, eight of whom were
the properties need to be
children. A few adults suffered
demolished,” Clark said. “The
minor burns during the
CEO has put money toward
fire, Jackson said. Displaced
demolishing properties and
families were offered
that’s a good thing.”
assistance by the Red Cross.
Currently, the county
“We were in life-safety
is scheduled to demolish
mode first. We want people to
or abate 80 properties. To
have a plan and a fire escape
board and abate the vacant
plan. We want people to make
buildings will cost the county
it to safety and have working
an estimated $300,000.
smoke alarms in the house,”
An additional $160,000
Jackson said.
will be used to demolish
approximately 10 to 12 A photo of the front of the property on Tulip Drive after DeKalb
blighted houses. County completed the abatement process.
LOCAL
DORAVILLE
Doraville city council
now more diverse
BY DEREK SMITH
derek@dekalbchamp.com
Doraville lived up to its
slogan Jan. 4 at a special city
council meeting.
“Diversity, Vitality,
Community,” is the slogan
of the small DeKalb County
town that houses and
supports an eclectic variety
of businesses and residents
from cultures around the
world. The city displayed its
commitment to its advertised
values when it swore in two
of its newest city council
members.
In the standing-room-only
city council chamber, gay
community activist Joseph
Geierman was sworn in to
take his position in District
2, and Stephe Koontz took
her position in District 3,
becoming the only openly
transgender elected official in
Georgia.
Residents, family and
friends poured through
the entrance even after the
meeting was called to order,
and onlookers were backed
up into the lobby as Doraville
Mayor Donna Pittman
made a motion to push all
actual business to the next
meeting, calling the event “a
celebration.”
Robert Patrick was also
sworn in to serve his second
full term in District 1 after
being appointed to the
position formerly held by
Pittman in 2012.
Patrick, Geierman and
Koontz took their seats on
the council briefly, so Pittman
could introduce a motion to
adjourn. When she did, both
Patrick and Koontz responded
with a second, but Pittman
let Koontz have the second
on record, marking her first
action as an elected official.
“I wanted my voice heard,”
Koontz told The Champion
when asked what it meant
when Pittman allowed her
second to be recorded. “I
think [Pittman] was being
nice, but also I think [the
council members] know how
hard it was for me to win this
election.”
Koontz won her position
by six votes.
“Votes really do matter,”
Geierman told The Champion.
“When I was growing up, I
never thought I’d be able
to win any election. Times
are always changing. Never
expect that things are going
to be the way it always has
been…It’s all about getting
out there and letting people
see you as a real person.”
Both newly elected
council members have
issues they want to focus on
to move Doraville forward.
Both favor the 2017-2037
Comprehensive Plan. Koontz
wants to work to improve the
situation with schools in the
city, develop a downtown
and have more affordable
housing. Geierman wants
to improve the city’s zoning
and permitting process,
update city codes and work
to eliminate slumlords. But
before they can achieve their
larger goals, both say they
need to focus on improving
relations among council
members.
“Part of the reason I ran is
because we’ve had a council
that wasn’t working well
together, and I think one of
the things that Doraville has
struggled with for a long time
is just with different council
members having different
agendas but no one talking
to each other,” Geierman said.
“I think one of my strengths
is being able to talk to a lot of
different people in different
circumstances and be able to
bring them together to come
to a consensus.”
“I’ve talked to all of these
council members before,”
Koontz said. “After I was
elected, before this meeting,
I met them at their house, we
sat down in their living room
and talked. I think that’s what
it takes for a city council to
work together effectively—
developing that personal
relationship, knowing that
you can pick up the phone
and talk to the person and
tell them exactly how you’re
feeling.”
And if they can improve
communication of the
council, they said they plan to
open the doors of the council
wide, so more people of all
backgrounds feel comfortable
working with them.
“It’s just trying to find out
what are those things that
people really care about and
trying to get them on board
for that. And what level of
investment can we help them
get in,” Geierman said. “Maybe
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 13
Municipal Court Judge Scott Carter (left) swears in Doraville City Council members Stephe Koontz
(second from left), Joseph Geierman (second from right) and Robert Patrick (right) Jan. 4 at a special
city council meeting. Photo by Derek Smith.
if we make this a place that Geierman said he was proud and [Koontz’s] gender identity
people really want to be and of the process. were not major campaign
be a part of, then maybe it’ll “I’m excited that I live in a issues,” Geierman said. “I think
be a little easier to do that. community where both of us that’s what I’m most proud of.”
After being sworn in, were elected and my sexuality
M E T R O P O L I TA N AT L A N TA R A P I D T R A N S I T A U T H O R I T Y
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 April 14, 2018
for the following bus routes:
Route 1: Marietta Street; Route 3: Martin Luther King Jr. Drive/Auburn Avenue;
Route 12: Howell Mill Road/Cumberland; New Route 14: 14th Street/Bland-
town; Route 26: Perry Boulevard/North Avenue; Route 37: Defoors Ferry Road;
Route 50: Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway; Route 51: Joseph E. Boone Boulevard;
Route 58: Atlanta Indusrial / Hollywood Road; Route 60: Hightower / Moores Mill;
Route 66: Lynhurst / Greenbriar; Route 68: Donnelly Avenue / Peyton; Route 82:
Camp Creek Parkway / Welcome All Road; Route 84: Washington Road/Camp
Creek Marketplace; Route 93: Headland Drive / Princeton Lakes; Route 153:
H E Holmes / Browntown; Route 180: Fairburn / Palmetto; Route 181: Washing-
ton Road/Fairburn; Route 189: Flat Shoals Road/Scofield Road; Route 191: River-
dale/ATL International Terminal; Route 813 (formerly Route 13): Atlanta Student
Movement Boulevard; Route 850: Carroll Heights/Fairburn Heights; Route 853
(formerly Route 53): Collier Heights; Route 856 (formerly Route 56): Baker Hills/
Wilson Mill Meadows; Route 867 (formerly Route 67): Harland Terrace/Dixie Hills
All route information, videos and comment forms are available at www.itsmarta.com.
Tuesday, Jan. 16 Wednesday, Jan. 17 Thursday, Jan. 18
Decatur Fulton County Govt.
Clayton County
Recreation Center Center - Assembly Hall Library - HQ’s Branch
231 Sycamore Street, 141 Pryor Street, Atlanta
Decatur, 30030 30303
865 Battle Creek Road,
Jonesboro 30236
Community Exchange: 6-7 pm Community Exchange: 6-7 pm
Community Exchange: 6-7 pm
HEARING: 7 pm HEARING: 7 pm HEARING: 7 pm
Riding MARTA: Across from the Riding MARTA: Bus Routes 32,
Decatur Rail Station. 42, and 55.
Riding MARTA: Bus Route 193.
Copies of the proposed Bus Service Modifications will also be available for public viewing at MARTA’s 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 Tele-
phone 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 comments you may: (1) leave a message at (404) 848-5299; (2) write to MARTA’s 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 January 25, 2018 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.
Elizabeth O’Neill, Interim General Manager/CEO
EDUCATION DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 14
ATLANTA
Fernbank Museum
brings fun lessons
for children
BY DEREK SMITH
derek@dekalbchamp.com
The Fernbank Museum
of Natural History is ready
to provide a number of
educational opportunities for
children in the new year.
The first new temporary
exhibit for the new year will
be A Secret World Inside You.
A young girl examines a nightvision viewing lens in the NatureQuest exhibit. Fernbank Public Relations
Specialist Kayla Rumpfeldt
told The Champion the exhibit
is from the American Museum
of Natural History, and will
use videos, larger-than-life
models, and interactive games
to investigate the cutting-
edge science of the human
microbiome and to offer a
new perspective on human
health. It begins Feb. 10.
In the meantime, museum-
goers can experience
a variety of permanent
exhibits. Wildwoods and
the Fernbank Forest offer
75 acres of outdoor area to
be explored with activities
spread throughout. Nature
Stories (for young children)
and Adventure Outpost (for
preteens) include immersive
interactive exhibits.
Special trailside
experiences, including a
Children climb through the Hidden Stories interactive activity in Wildwoods outside the museum Jan. 5. sensory wall, animal tracks
and tree molds help visitors
experience nature up close.
There are also educator-led
nature walks through a variety
of native plants, flowers and
wildlife.
According to Rumpfelt,
Wildwoods was installed in
2016 on top of the existing,
unaltered landscape outside
the museum and designed to
be as non-intrusive as possible
to keep the grounds as close
to true nature as can be.
Through Wildwoods,
explorers can access the
Fernbank Forest—65 acres of
mature mixed forest that has
one of the few remnants of
original forest vegetation in
the Georgia Piedmont. Self-
guided tours are welcome
through the two miles of trails
snaking through a canopy of
trees that measures more than
16 stories above the ground.
Educator-guided tours are
A young boy sniffs vinegar from a bottle during a presentation on the mysteries of science at Fernbank Jan. 5. Photos by offered one or two times a
Derek Smith. month.
Inside the museum is
NatureQuest, an interactive
permanent exhibit that
includes a multi-level
clubhouse, hands-on activities
and live animal displays.
According to Rumpfelt,
activities such as a virtual
waterfall and an interactive
red oak tree are designed to
give students a true-to-life
nature experience without
having to go outside.
A Walk Through Time
In Georgia allows visitors
to explore the natural
history of Georgia through
lifelike historic recreations
of geographic regions.
Highlights include a dinosaur
gallery, a giant sloth, a cave,
and the sights and sounds of
the Okefenokee Swamp.
Reflections of Culture
helps museum-goers learn
how people around the world
communicate information
about themselves through
forms of personal adornment.
It includes a collection of
photographs, costumes,
jewelry, footwear, headdresses
and masks.
According to the Fernbank
website, other permanent
exhibits include Sensing
Nature—an interactive,
sensory-based exhibit
aimed at young children.
It includes lasers, mirrors,
water and sounds designed
to demonstrate the role
senses play in interpreting the
environment.
World of Shells includes
a variety of shells collected
from the Georgia coast and
explains how shell material is
formed, the numerous ways
animals use their shells and
the life processes of shelled
animals.
And inside the
museum’s Great Hall is
Giants of the Mesozoic,
including life-size fossil-cast
recreations of dinosaurs.
This exhibit includes
fossils of Argentinosaurus,
Giganotosaurus,
Pterodaustro and Anhanguera
for visitors to enjoy.
Fernbank Museum of
Natural History is open
daily. Tickets can be
purchased from the website,
fernbankmuseum.org.
EDUCATION
SCOTTDALE
ITNOJ Barbershop owner Todd Cofield (top) cuts hair inside his shop Jan. 5. ITNOJ is the first in
Georgia to participate in the Barbershop Books program.
Barbershop Books
hopes to bring reading
to more children
BY DEREK SMITH
derek@dekalbchamp.com
More than 85 percent of
black male fourth-graders
in the United States are
not proficient in reading,
according to the 2013 U.S.
Department of Education
Nation’s Report Card. A
program recently instituted
by the DeKalb County Public
Library (DCPL) will attempt
improve that number by
bringing books into the
barbershop.
Barbershop Books is a
national program designed
to bring books written for
children ages 4 to 8 into
barbershops so they can
begin to identify as readers.
DCPL is the first
Barbershop Books sponsor
in Georgia and has one
barbershop—ITNOJ
Barbershop in Scottdale—on
board as a host site. And DCPL
is doing everything it can to
make the program a success.
“We wanted our
barbershops to just be a
host site, and we would take
care of everything else. So
we purchased the bookshelf
and we also purchased
the books that go on the
shelf,” Teresa Totten, DCPL
adult programming and
services coordinator told The
Champion. “Going forward,
whenever they need to
replenish the shelf with
books, that’s our job.”
Why would the shelf need
replenishing? Because the
library is allowing readers
who like a particular book to
keep it.
“If they see a book, if they
pick up a book and they really
love that book, we told the
shop owner to let them have
it,” Totten said.
ITNOJ Barbershop owner
Todd Cofield told The
Champion the program has
been well-received in his
shop. A small shelf sitting
along the wall next to the
barber chair inside ITNOJ has
books aimed at elementary
school-aged children, but
both Totten and Cofield want
to see the program grow
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 15
A small shelf of books that sits inside ITNOJ Barbershop in Scottdale as part of the Barbershop
Books program. Photos by Derek Smith.
beyond its intended limits.
“We expanded [the age
range],” Totten said. “We
want to cover zero to adult,
because we really want to
encourage everyone to read.
We also tell adults, if you’ve
got a little one with you who’s
not at an age where they can
read yet, read to them. We
just want to create that space
of community reading in the
barbershop.”
Cofield, who grew up in a
house with six siblings who
all read together as a family,
knows the power of reading.
He wants to encourage a
sense of a reading-based
community in his shop. He
said he hopes to soon have
a larger shelf of books aimed
at children of all ages, and
add computer terminals,
so school-age children can
do research and work on
homework.
“I want this to be a place
where anyone can come and
learn and grow,” he said.
And Cofield’s ambition
has the full support of DCPL.
Though the library won’t be
involved in anything outside
of providing books for the
shelf, it’s already working
to provide books for older
audiences and has plans
to expand the program to
three more DeKalb County
barbershops by the end of
January.
DCPL also has the full
backing of the DeKalb County
Library Foundation for any
funding it may need to grow
the program as large as it can
become.
“We’re gonna start with
just the four locations and see
what the demand is,” Totten
said.
DCPL will work with host
sites to track frequency of
replenishments, specific
demands for books and other
feedback from children and
parents who use the program
to try to hone it to the specific
audience in DeKalb County as
much as possible.
“We’re also thinking we
might want to have at least
one location in a salon,” Totten
said. “We want our little girls
to read too.”
Totten said she hopes to
launch a salon location in
the first quarter of this year,
possibly as early as February.
Cofield hopes the program
expands into all areas of
DeKalb County.
“Most people want to raise
their children and they want
to do right,” he said. “We’re
really the same people raised
with different belief systems,
but morally, we want to do
the same thing.”
Though he sees the goals
as congruent, he said there
aren’t enough people in his
community willing to take
matters into their own hands
to make those goals a reality.
He hopes Barbershop Books
can be one tool to change
that.
“Especially in the African-
American community, we
wait on the church to do stuff
for us,” he said. “But we’ve got
to be the church. We’ve got
to make the change come.
And the first thing you need
for change is knowledge. You
need knowledge.”

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BUSINESS
DECATUR
HOT FURNACES,
COOL ART
Decatur shop features 2,000-year-
old art of glassblowing
BY KATHY MITCHELL
Freelance Reporter
Nate Nardi was a student
at Jacksonville University in
Florida when he discovered
what has become his life’s
work—glassblowing, the more
than 2,000-year-old art and
craft of shaping glass softened
by extreme heat by blowing
through a long tube. Nardi,
who graduated with a fine
arts degree in glass arts, then
earned a master’s in fine arts
from Kent State in Ohio, said
he doesn’t define himself as an
artist or a craftsman.
“There’s a lot of technical
expertise involved, but there’s
a lot of art, too. I don’t make
a distinction as to where one
stops and the other starts; I
just love glassblowing,” he said.
Nardi is owner of Decatur
Glassblowing, a hot shop and
gallery that offers original
glass pieces from small novelty
items and jewelry pieces to
large bowls, beverage sets,
vases and art pieces. “Whether
a pieces is purely art or a
practical item often depends
on what you do with it,” he
commented. “You can put
flowers in a vase or fruit in a
bowl and it’s a functional item;
otherwise, it can just be art.
“Every piece that comes
from a glassblowing shop is
unique,” Nardi said, “Some
may be similar, but they are
never identical. Even with a set
of tumblers or wine glasses,
for example, each piece will
be slightly different from the
others.”
In addition to the dozens
of showroom items, Decatur
Glassblowing produces
custom art pieces, including
wedding unity ceremony
items, memorial cremation
glass and corporate awards.
“Sometimes customers want
a special art piece for their
home. Those are expensive
and time consuming, and it’s
important that I feel I can get
on board with that person’s
vision—we have to be on the
same page. If I don’t feel good
about the project, I would
rather not work on it,” Nardi
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 17
said.
He said he and his staff
produce very few high-end
pieces that sell for thousands
of dollars, adding, “Most of our
work is smaller pieces that the
average person can afford.”
Decatur Glassblowing
also offers demonstrations and Nate Nardi creates a small dish holding the soft glass at approximately 900 degrees inside a glory
classes at which students can hole. Photos by Kathy Mitchell
gain skill from the beginner
to the advanced level. Some
come for one-time events
at which groups can make a
small piece just for fun. “We
get corporate team building
groups, wedding parties, and
dating couples looking for a
different experience,” Nardi
said. “They make something
small such as an ornament,
a paperweight or a cup that
becomes a souvenir of the
experience.”
The shop is equipped
with two furnaces that burn
at approximately 2,000
degrees around the clock,
“glory holes”—reheating
chambers that keep glass at
approximately 900 degrees—
chambers for slowly cooling
the finished items and a cold
shop for grinding, cutting and
polishing. Nardi shows a finished dish of the type Most items for sale at Decatur Glassblowing are small
Temperature is essential to students often make in beginners’ classes. decorative or functional pieces.
glassblowing, Nardi explained.
“When you’re working with
the glass, you can’t let it get
much below 900 degrees or
it will crack,” he said. Despite
the high temperatures, Nardi
said, the work is safe when
precautions are followed.
“There actually is a lot of work
that’s much more dangerous
than this. I have a metal shop
here where we build and repair
equipment. I consider it more
dangerous than the hot shop.”
Decatur Glassblowing
is most visible from South
Columbia Drive near the
intersection of East College Dozens of completed vases, cups, dishes and other items are for sale in Decatur Glassblowing’s
Avenue; however, the entrance gallery.
is at Freeman Street, a short
Nardi said. “It’s a vibrant, presence at many Decatur group. Although another
street off Weekes Street just
creative community with lots events. “We offer small items glassblowing shop, Hot
east of where South Columbia
going on. I tell people we’re in for sale and some festivalgoers Glass, is a short distance from
becomes Commerce Street.
downtown Decatur and they are interested enough to come Decatur Glassblowing, the
“The place had been a
say, ‘Great, I come to Decatur to the gallery at some later relationship between the two
machine shop. I looked across
all the time to eat or go to date,” Nardi said. businesses is amicable, Nardi
the metro area for a place for
festivals.’” He explained that in the said. “We support each other’s
my business, then I found this.
Festivals are where Atlanta area the glassblowing events and sometimes do
It was perfect,” he recalled.
many learn about Decatur community is made up of events together,” he said.
“Decatur is a great location,”
Glassblowing, which has a a small, generally friendly
SPORTS
BASKETBALL
Late run propels Lady Rams
over Lady Panthers
BY MARK BROCK
The Arabia Mountain Lady Rams
outscored the Southwest DeKalb Lady
Panthers 13-2 in the final 2:36 of the
Region 5-AAAAA matchup to win 64-
52 Jan. 5.
Arabia Mountain, ranked No. 7 by
website Sandy’s Spiel, improved to
12-1 overall with its 11th consecutive
victory and atop the region standings
at 5-0.
The teams were tied at 38 at the
end of the third quarter and after
five lead changes in the first few
minutes of the fourth quarter, the
Lady Rams took a 51-43 lead on Alina
Shoemake’s drive to the basket with
5:41 to play.
Southwest DeKalb (7-10, 4-1),
which had trailed by as much as 20
points in the first half, rallied back and
Jayla Kimbrough’s basket finished a
7-0 run to pull her team within 51-50
with 2:36 to play.
Iyania Kitchens, a University of
Mississippi signee, got inside for a
layup with 2:27 to play to get the
Lady Rams rolling on a 13-2 run. It
was Kitchens’ ninth point of the third
quarter.
WEEKLY BASKETBALL SCORES
Jan. 2
Boys
Cedar Grove 64, Woodland 62
Greenforest 79, Elite Scholars 77
W. D. Mohammed 47, Paideia 43
Girls
Greenforest 53, Elite Scholars 41
W. D. Mohammed 59, Paideia 26
Jan. 3
Boys
Columbia 59, Tyner Academy (Tenn.) 50
Jan. 4
Boys
Chattahoochee 78, Dunwoody 57
Girls
Dunwoody 56, Chattahoochee 10
Jan. 5
Boys
Cedar Grove 69, Westminster 38
Chamblee 81, Columbia 75
Clarkston 60, Cross Keys 10
Greenforest 79, Drew Charter 71
Marist 57. Chestatee 50
DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 18
Marissa Mills got an offensive
rebound, layup and was fouled with 54
seconds to play. She hit the free throw
to give Arabia Mountain a 60-52 lead.
Mills would add three more points
in the final 33 seconds to help close
out the 64-52 victory.
Iyanna McMillan scored 13 first
half points as Arabia Mountain built a
27-7 lead with 5:56 left in the first half.
The Lady Panthers answered with
a 14-1 run to end the first half led by
Michaela Bennefield’s seven points to
close the gap to 28-21.
Benefield would hit for three more
points in the first 2:15 of the third
quarter as the deficit dropped to 30-
28. Shoemake would hit one of two
free throws at the end of period to
send the game into the final period
knotted at 38-38.
Mills led Arabia Mountain with 18
points, McMillan added 17 points,
Kitchens had 11 points and Shoemake
had 10 points.
Benefield finished with a 13-point,
10-rebound double-double and
Adrienna Thompson added a
10-point, 10-rebound double-double
of her own for Southwest DeKalb.
Arabia Mountain’s Iyania Kitchens tries to go around Southwest DeKalb defenders
to score. Photo by Mark Brock
McNair 42, Stone Mountain 39
Miller Grove 47, Lithonia 34
Paideia 58, Galloway 49 Jan. 6
Southwest Dekalb 61, Arabia Mountain 52
St. Pius X 79, Madison County 42 Boys
Brookwood 61, Lakeside 50 Arabia Mountain 72, Chamblee 66
Henry County 43, Druid Hills 37 Cedar Grove 98, McNair 57
Jackson-Atl 45, Decatur 37 Clarkston 71, Washington 50
Jonesboro 60, Stephenson 42 Decatur 62, Alcovy 58
Lovett 53, Towers 44 Miller Grove 56, Columbia 50
Mt. Vernon Presbyterian 56, W. D. Mohammed 36 Southwest DeKalb 56, Spaulding 29
Mundy’s Mill 71, M.L. King 63 St. Pius X 58, Marist 47
Pace Academy 75, Redan 62 Towers 94, Stone Mountain 35
Galloway 69, W. D. Mohammed 66
Girls Grayson 51, Stephenson 43
Arabia Mountain 64, Southwest DeKalb 50 Northview 84, Dunwoody 55
Chamblee 53, Columbia 35 Southwest Atlanta Christian 60, Paideia 52
Clarkston 21, Cross Keys 15 Westminster 75, Redan 56
Greenforest 59, Drew Charter 47
M.L. King 67, Mundy’s Mill 45 Girls
Marist 38, Chestatee 26 Arabia Mountain 66, Chamblee 36
Miller Grove 55, Lithonia 22 Decatur 53, Alcovy 46
Paideia 53, Galloway 36 Marist 28, St. Pius X 26
Stephenson 61, Jonesboro 46 Miller Grove 51, Columbia 46
Stone Mountain 53, McNair 36 Paideia 37, Southwest Atlanta Christian 16
Brookwood 71, Lakeside 36 Stephenson 38, Grayson 36
Henry County 51, Druid Hills 13 Stone Mountain 59, Towers 43
Lovett 66, Towers 22 Northview 79, Dunwoody 53
Madison County 60, St. Pius X Spalding 66, Southwest DeKalb 52
Pace Academy 51, Redan 23 Washington 55, Clarkston 10
Westminster 38, Redan 21
SPORTS DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 19

BASKETBALL

TITANS OFF
TO HOT START some years that we want to
BY CARLA PARKER
take a good shot at.”
carla@dekalbchamp.com Although this is his second
year as head coach, this is
It has been six years since
Vanegas’ fourth year with the
the Towers High School boys’
program. He was the junior
basketball team made the
varsity [JV] coach for two
state playoffs.
years before being promoted
In 2012, the Towers Titans
to head coach. Prior to
finished the regular season
moving to Towers, the Clark
20-8 and advanced to the
Atlanta University graduate
second round of the playoffs.
was the junior varsity coach
The Titans have a 29-89
at Columbia High School for
record from 2013 to 2017. This
a year.
season, the Titans are off to a
Vanegas said when he
hot start under second-year
took over the program, he
head coach Hasan Vanegas
stressed the importance of
with an 8-3 record following
playing defense.
the Tucker High School
“We make sure that we’re
Shoot-Out Classic Dec. 29.
tight defensively,” he said. “I
The team went 3-0 in the
tell them all the time, if you’re
tournament, including wins
playing defense you’ll have a
against Chamblee (7-7) and
lot more leeway on offense.”
Stockbridge (10-4). Vanegas
Vanegas said Towers
said the team’s success in
has always had talented
the tournament was a big
basketball players—such as
confidence booster for his
senior center David Manigo,
players.
who is averaging a double-
“Stockbridge is a really
double—but said the talent
good team and they were on
was not being used.
a roll, as well as Chamblee—
“I don’t think we have
they had won their Christmas
that much more talent here
tournament the week
than previous years, but [the
before and we beat them,”
current players] are playing
Vanegas said. “We are an
together, they have played David Manigo (No. 3) and the Towers Titans ended 2017 with an 8-3 record. Photo by Mark Brock
undersized team and it was
together,” he said. “I do have
big for us knowing that just
the luxury of having four
because [other teams such as
seniors who have been with
Stockbridge] are bigger than together with a purpose.” cart in front of the horse, on the right track. We have to
me [since] I was the JV coach,
us, nobody is going to play As the Titans enter their but I think we have a good make sure we keep playing
so I have been coaching them
harder than us. region schedule, Vanegas said chance,” he said. “We just have the same kind of basketball
for four years and that does
“It was a good win leading his team has a good chance to continue to do what we’re we’ve been playing,
help. But I don’t think Towers
into our region play,” Vanegas at finishing as one of the top doing. [The playoffs] are a improving and making sure
has lacked talent over the
added. “We have a couple of teams in Region 4-AAA and goal I set for myself and the we get better down the line
years, they just might have
tough challenges; a couple of making the playoffs. team set for themselves at the and making sure we’re ready
lacked the talent of playing
teams we haven’t beaten in “[We] try not to put the beginning of the year. We’re when that time comes.”

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LOCAL DEKALB FREE PRESS • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • Page 20