crossroadsnews, september 19, 2009

www.crossroadsnews.comSeptember 19, 2009Copyright © 2009 CrossRoadsNews, Inc.

COVER PAGEFourth medical officeWELLNESS

When Kaiser Permanente opens its new office in the Artisan Building in downtown De-catur, it will be the company’s fourth office in DeKalb County. 9

The overwhelming popularity of the “America I Am” African-Ameri-can exhibit has led to an exten-sion of its run at the Atlanta Civic Center. 15

Extended showingSCENE

Actor and R&B singer Michon Ratliffe had Jenee Douglas ready to swoon during an appearance at McNair High School. 18

Teen serenadeYOUTH

Sheriff ’s weapon returned; alleged thief was already in jailVolume 15, Number 20

Court orders Grady to keep dialysis clinic open

McKenzie JacKson / crossroadsnews

Dr. Neil Shulman, a longtime Grady physician and advocate, urges board members to keep the dialysis clinic open.

Grady board chair A.D. “Pete” Correll (left) and hospital CEO Michael Young talk with protesters who are against the closure of Grady’s dialysis clinic.

By McKenzie Jackson

The man who broke into DeKalb Sheriff Thomas Brown’s SUV and stole his service revolver is now in jail – the same jail operated by Brown.

Sammy Davis White Jr. was arrested on Sept. 15 on charges he stole Brown’s semiautomatic handgun from his countyowned black Ford Expedition in the parking lot of a Home Depot on Aug. 18.

On a tip from “a very credible source,” police arrested White, 22, for breaking and entering an automobile and theft by taking in connection with the breakin of

Brown’s car.They didn’t have to go far to nab

him because he had been sitting in the county jail since Sept. 8 on unrelated charges of probation violation, giving a false name and information to police, marijuana possession and firearm possession by a con

victed felon. Surveillance video from the

Home Depot on Lawrenceville Highway on Aug. 18 showed a man

following Brown into the store entrance, turning around and going to the sheriff ’s vehicle where he stole the weapon, a suitcase, Ipod, navigation system and radio.

Brown said the crime was not a random act.

“He was an inmate at our jail before and had some problems with me before that resulted in him being placed in the disciplinary part,” Brown said Wednesday. “The theory is he wanted to get back at me.”

White, who lives in Decatur, is no stranger to law enforcement.

Sammy White Jr.

By McKenzie Jackson

The Grady Dialysis Clinic will stay open indefinitely after an injunction from Fulton Court Superior Court.

Judge Ural D. Glanville issued the injunction on Sept 16 to stop the closure that was set for Sept. 20.

Advocates and patients petitioned the court for the temporary restraining order to prevent Grady Memorial Hospital Corp. from closing the dialysis clinic, which treats 96 patients.

They resorted to the courts after Grady’s board of directors voted Sept. 14 to only extend the clinic’s license for 60 days.

During the emotional and raucous board meeting attended by more than 100 patients and advocates, opponents of the clinic’s closure said the safety net hospital should not close the clinic without a clear plan for what will happen to the patients who get their treatment there.

Dr. Neil Shulman, a longtime Grady physician and advocate,

said dialysis patients who don’t get treatment face death.

“This really involves whether some of these people will die in two or three weeks,” he said.

Michael Young, Grady’s president and CEO, said he was not trying to kill anyone.

“I’m committed to not let anyone die,” he said.

Dorothy LeoneGlasser, a registered nurse and member of the Grady Advocates for Responsible Care, said the group of physicians, medical care providers and dialysis clinic patients filed the restraining order because Grady was pressuring patients to seek treatment elsewhere without giving them a written contract to explain why the dialysis clinic was closing on Sept. 20.

“We felt we needed the injunction for Grady to keep the dialysis center open so the patients can get their treatment until they are really taken care of and we know that they are going to have complete transitional care,” she said.

Grady spokeswoman Denise Simpson said on Thursday the hos

the board at Monday’s meeting that the 96 dialysis patients included 46 from Fulton or DeKalb counties.

She said the hospital has offered to pay for undocumented patients to return to their home countries.

“Grady is providing all manner of relocation support to these patients including apartment rental, moving costs and airline tickets, “ she said. “We are doing everything to do to assist in their transition and will continue to do so.”

Williams says it costs $3 million a year to operate the clinic and that money could pay for 75,000 outpatient visits at Grady’s Neighborhood Health Centers.

pital will not comment on anything that is active litigation.

The cashstrapped hospital system, which is financially supported by DeKalb and Fulton county taxpayers, has been operating in the red for years. It is seeking to cut costs in the face of declining revenues. It had planned to outsource dialysis services to Fresenius, a private dialysis provider. Patient advocates were opposed to the hospital’s attempts to relocate dialysis patients who are in the United States illegally. LeoneGlasser said the mostly Hispanic patients are not getting all of the information they need.

“This needs to be in writing,” she said. “Fresenius has a written contract with Grady. The patients deserve to get a written contract with Fresenius and Grady Hospital, so they know exactly what day they are supposed to show up, how much dialysis they are getting and when it is going to start.”

The restraining order prohibits the hospital from discontinuing treatment to the patients and closing the clinic. The hospital must also give all of its dialysis patients written notice in their primary language.

Denise Williams, Grady’s senior vice president of operations, told

DeKalb Sheriff Thomas Brown has gotten back the service revolver that was stolen from his SUV on Aug. 18.

McKenzie JacKson / crossroadsnewsPlease see WEAPON, page 3

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COMMUNITY PGCommunity “We have to count everyone because that is how the money is allocated. We

need every person in every community within DeKalb to be counted.”

Same bank hit 5 days apart

Committee to work for full census count

Eyewitness picked suspect from lineup

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DeKalb police are searching for two separate bandits behind two robberies at the same South DeKalb Bank of America branch five days apart.

The men robbed the Bank of America at 4960 Flat Shoals Parkway in Decatur the last week in August. Now the police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects.

On Aug. 26 at 3:55 p.m., a black man entered the bank and handed a teller a note demanding money. The robber fled after receiving an undetermined amount of cash.

The suspect is described as 5foot6 in height and between 30 and 40 years of age. Surveillance camera footage shows the man wearing a green shirt, dark sunglasses and a straw hat.

On Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. another black man went to the same bank and passed a note to the teller demanding money. The crook fled with an undetermined amount of cash.

The suspect is described as 5foot9 inches in height and between 35 and 45 years of age.

Surveillance footage shows the robber wearing a blue and gray shirt with dark pants and a blue and red baseball cap with the letter “A” on the front.

No weapons were used in either robbery and no one was injured.

DeKalb Police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said Thursday that the police have no leads in the case.

Anyone with information or who recognizes either suspect should call the police’s Major Felony Unit at 7707247850.

Police say these two men robbed the Bank of America on Flat Shoals Parkway on separate occasions in August.

By McKenzie Jackson

DeKalb County government knows the stakes are high for the 2010 census.

If the census gets a complete count of residents, the county will get its fair share of federal dollars and representation.

To make sure the best count takes place, the county has created the DeKalb County Complete Count Committee.

CEO Burrell Ellis announced the creation of the committee at a Sept. 16 press conference.

The committee will be led by Commissioner Connie Stokes, who represents Super District 7.

Ellis said the group will lead the efforts to ensure that all county residents are counted during the census period, which begins on April 1, 2010.

“DeKalb is ready to meet this responsibility,” Ellis said. “We will take all necessary steps to achieve the maximum count of people in our county.”

He said every community has a responsibility to ensure that every man, woman and child of every age, race and ethnic group are included in census counts.

With an accurate count, Stokes said DeKalb will be better positioned to get its share of more than $400 billion in funds to support vital local services like health care, schools, transportation, social services and law enforcement.

“We have to count everyone because that is how the money is allocated,” she said. “We need every

person in every community within DeKalb to be counted.”

The census, which is done every 10 years, attempts to count every U.S. resident. State populations determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Census forms asking the age and number of residents will be mailed to every address in March 2010 and must be returned.

In the 2000 census, when 72 to 78 percent of DeKalb residents responded, DeKalb had a population of 665,865. In 2008, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the population had grown to 739,956, an increase 74,091 people.

The county’s Complete Count Committee is composed of seven subcommittees whose members are drawn from a crosssection of the community, including business, educational institutions, faithbased and community organizations, and social service providers.

The groups will work together to ensure that all of the county’s residents – citizens and noncitizens – are counted.

Stokes said within the next 30 days the group will begin spreading census information and raising awareness about the upcoming census by contacting local community and neighborhood groups.

She said distrust of the government is one of the obstacles to a complete count.

“The data is collected only for statistical purposes,” Stokes said. “The individual responses are protected and information cannot be used against a person by any government agency or court.”

Ellis said they would like to have a response of at least 80 percent for the 2010 census.

“Every citizen should make sure they are present and accounted for,” he said.

For more information on the Complete Count Committee, the 2010 Census, or employment opportunities, call Commissioner Connie Stokes’ office at 4043713053, visit www.conniestokes.org or www.census.gov, or call the U.S. Census Bureau Atlanta Regional Office at 4047303832.

Connie Stokes

He has had several runins with the law since Dec. 12, 2008, when he was arrested for contempt of court. Since then he has been arrested for entering an auto illegally, possession of tools in commission of a crime, and probation violation.

Brown said White, who is also known as Big Man, recognized his vehicle in the Home Depot parking lot.

He said an eyewitness noticed White coming out of Brown’s vehicle and attempted to follow White, who was driving a Ford F10 pickup.

After the theft made the news, Brown said his gun was placed in a bag and dropped in a mailbox on Hosea Williams Drive in Atlanta on Aug. 21 with a note attached.

“[The note] essentially said ‘sorry,’” the sheriff said.

White was picked out of a police lineup by the eyewitness in the Home Depot parking lot.

Brown said he is thankful that he did not come out of the Home Depot while White was still in his car.

The sheriff said if he came back any sooner White would have had the drop on him.

WEAPON, frOm PAgE 1

CrossRoadsNewsSeptember 19, 2009 3

Community

index to advertisers

Same bank hit 5 days apart 3DeKalb police are searching for two

separate bandits behind two robberies at the same South DeKalb Bank of America branch five days apart.

Judge to sit on Supreme Court for a day 5

DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams will be a Supreme Court Justice for a day on Sept. 21.

TV co-anchor to be honored for work with Juvenile Court 5

Fox 5 News co-anchor Amanda Davis will be honored Sept. 24 by the DeKalb County Juvenile Court for her work with foster care children.

First-time unemployment claims drop 6

The number of people filing first-time unemployment insurance claims in DeKalb County dropped in August. It was the first decline since January.

Computer classes at library branches 8

Adults can learn how to use library online resources and how to navigate Microsoft Word 2007 at two branches this week.

Flu shots available at festival 9Adults and children can get flu shots

at Riland Educational Corp.’s Community Health and Arts Festival on Sept. 26 at Mi-lam Park in Clarkston.

Support group offers diabetics information, resources 11

Diabetics can find camaraderie, help and friendship at a Diabetes Support Group that meets monthly at the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Office.

African-American exhibit extended to Sept. 27 15

“America I AM: The African American Imprint,” the exhibit showcasing nearly 500 years of African-American contributions to U.S. history, is held over through Sept. 27.

Demise of public housing a threat to communities 16

The decision to close public housing projects and migrate its residents into mixed income communities has proven to be a gigantic failure.

Stonecrest hosting annual college fair 18

The PROBE College Fair will be at the Mall at Stonecrest on Sept. 24 with more than 100 colleges and universities.

28 categories in bill for bullying probe 19

The DeKalb School System’s $389,161.81 tab for the bullying investigation did not all go to Judge Thelma Wyatt Moore.

Single life eyed from biblical view 21

Single adults can “Take a Look Within” at a Sept. 25-26 Singles Conference hosted by Elder Dane Cunningham, CEO of Embrace Relationships Seminars Inc.

Ardyss International .......................................23Atlanta Family Fun Centers ............................ 15BJH Attorneys & Counselors at Law .................8CDC Federal Credit Union ............................... 6Club Z In-Home Tutoring Services ................. 19CrossRoadsNews, Inc. .................................... 17DeKalb Co. Dept. of Watershed Mgmt. ...........5DeKalb Co. Schools-Parent Resource Ctr. ..... 18Delicious Blooms ...........................................23E. L. Bouie Traditional Theme School ............23

Ella’s Caring Hands Adult Day Care ...............23Embrace Relationship Seminars, Inc. ............. 21First African Presbyterian Church ................... 21Friends of Larry Johnson ................................ 9Friends of Stephanie Stuckey- Benfield ...........8Jay’s Lawn Service ..........................................23Just Decks ....................................................... 14Kool Smiles Children & Adult Dentistry ...........11Les Kemp / Allstate ..........................................5M&J Package Store ........................................23

Malcolm Cunningham Ford ...........................24MARTA .............................................................5National Ass’n of Minority Contractors .......... 15Newburn Reynolds Photography ...................23Oakhurst Medical Centers Inc. ....................... 12Pretty Faces By Kimberly................................23Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia ....................10ReMax of Buckhead .........................................3Rowe & Rowe, LLC ......................................... 6

South DeKalb Business Association .................7Southeastern Primary Care Consortium Inc ....11Steps to a Healthier DeKalb ........................... 13Sump’em Good Catering Company ............... 14Sylvester Ayaeze/Solid Source Realty ...............5The Law Office of B.A. Thomas .....................23The Mall at Stonecrest .....................................2The Small Business Center ............................. 19Wright, James & Boston P.C. ............................3

QuiCk Read

“It’s been eight years now and everybody is so busy doing their normal day-to-day things, that they kind of forget.”

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LOCAL

SERVICES!LOCAL

GOODS!

DeKalb firefighters remember comrades in 9/11 attacksBy McKenzie Jackson

Eight years ago, 343 firefighters perished in the rubble of al Qaeda’s terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York.

Firefighters in DeKalb County haven’t forgotten.

On Sept. 11, they remembered the attack that has been seared into the U.S. memory as “9/11.” They raised their hands in salute to their fallen colleagues, and to the 2,752 other people killed when terrorists flew four commercial airliners into the World Trade Center’s twin towers, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and into a field in Shanksville, Pa.

At 8:45 a.m., the moment when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, more than 40 recruits and firefighters observed a moment of silence.

During the solemn ceremony, emergency alert tones emanated from their department walkietalkies, and recruits raised the U.S., Georgia and DeKalb County flags.

Fire Chief David Foster said it’s important to remember the firefighters who died trying to rescue people in the crumbling World Trade Center buildings.

“Unfortunately, I think people start forgetting,” he said. “It’s been eight years now and everybody is so busy doing their normal daytoday things, that they kind of forget.”

The DeKalb ceremony echoed 9/11 ceremonies held across the country Friday.

President Barack Obama laid a wreath of white flowers at the Pentagon, where 184 people were killed.

Obama told the crowd of rela

Photos by McKenzie JacKson / crossroadsnews

More that 40 DeKalb Fire Rescue recruits and firefighters honored the firefighters that died on 9/11.

tives and friends of the victims that no words can ease the ache in their hearts.

“Nearly 3,000 days have passed, almost one for each one who has been taken from us,” he said.

As bells tolled, family members and friends of the victims read their names in a solemn roll call at the site of the former World Trade Center.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the newly established Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance.

“From this day forward, we will guard the memories of those who died by rekindling the spirit of service that helps keep us strong,” he said.

In Shanksville, former Secretary of State Colin Powell delivered the keynote address at the site where the 40 passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 died after fighting with terrorists over control of the aircraft.

“In the face of fear, they found the courage of attack,” he said.

CrossRoadsNews September 19, 20094

Health care reform is on the agenda for state Rep. Rahn Mayo’s Sept. 29 community meeting at Java Delight Café in Decatur.

Charity Woods from Health Care for America Now and Dr. Ayna Herbert, a DeKalb Medical emergency medicine physician, will give an inside look at the challenges in the current health care system. The discussion will center on health care reform’s effects on

Fox 5 News coanchor Amanda Davis will be honored Sept. 24 by the DeKalb County Juvenile Court for her work with foster care children.

D av i s , a n Emmyaward w inning announcer, anchors the television station’s 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. broadcast. She profiles children in the state’s foster care system in her weekly “Wednesday’s Child” program.

She will be among 400 volunteers recognized at the Juvenile Court’s Child Advocate Network’s annual Volunteer Ceremony at the

Community “We want the residents of District 4 to continue to work together to improve the environment for sustainable neighborhoods.”

Judge to sit on Supreme Court for a day

Health care reform, voting, census on meeting agenda

Cleanup day set near park

MARTA greatly appreciates the ongoing support of our customers, stakeholders, employees, regional partners and the general public during this difficult economic time. MARTA, like so many other private and public sector companies, continues to face financial challenges. We are making it through Fiscal Year 2010 only because of significant funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the help of our regional partners. Unless the President and Congress decide differently, we will not have those funds available to us in the future. We hope to secure additional funding to avoid further fare increases and service modifications next fiscal year. We need you to help us carry our request for assistance to state lawmakers, regional and local decision makers.

On October 1st, we will be raising our fares. A ONE-WAY TRIP will cost $2.00.

We will need to secure additional funding to avoid further fare increases and service modifications next fiscal year.

Please visit www.itsmarta.com to see details on all fare changes. We are honored to serve you and hope we can count on your support in the future.

Thank you for being a valued customer.

METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY

404-848-5000 TTY: 404-848-5665 Accessible Format: 404-848-4037

Get over$8,000On Any Home Purchase on or before November 30, 2009.

Call Sylvester @ 404-216-2247 or e-mail [email protected] for details.

TV coanchor to be honored for work with Juvenile Court

Individuals and groups will be cleaning up the roadways near Stone Mountain’s Wade Walker Park on Sept. 26.

The District 4 Community CleanUp and Recycling Day is sponsored by DeKalb Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton.

Sutton said she is just trying to beautify the district’s streets and neighborhoods, helping instill community pride and encouraging neighbors to work together to

help build safe, clean and stronger communities.

“We want the residents of District 4 to continue to work together to improve the environment for sustainable neighborhoods,” she said.

The clean up starts at 8:30 a.m.

Wade Walker Park is at 5585 Rockbridge Road in Stone Mountain. For more information or to register, email [email protected] or call 4043714907.

Sharon Sutton

Maloof Auditorium in downtown Decatur.

Davis will also be the event’s guest speaker.

Chief Judge Desiree Sutton Peagler said volunteers with the court’s Citizen Panel Review Program, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Youth Diversion Program, Community Service Program and the Youth Achievement Program will be honored for their service.

Together the 400 honorees have given more than 30,000 hours of service annually on behalf of the children served by DeKalb Juvenile Court.

The Manual Maloof Auditorium is at 1300 Commerce Drive in Decatur. For more information, call Phyllis Douglas at 4042972777.

Amanda Davis

taxpayers and their health care choices. Participants will also hear about the goals of President Obama’s administration and details of his health care plan. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.

The League of Women Voters will discuss voter registration and impor

tance of a complete count in the 2010 census.

Java Delight Café is at 4153 Flat Shoals Parkway. For more information, call 4046566372.

Rahn Mayo

DeKalb Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams will be a Supreme Court Justice for a day on Sept. 21.

Adams will “serve by designat ion” on the Georgia Supreme Court and be among the justices hearing the case Hall, Warden v. Lance, S09A1536.

The 10 a.m. session will hear the Jackson County case in which the state is appealing a lower court’s ruling that threw out the death sentence given to Donnie Lance for the murder of his exwife and her boyfriend.

On Nov. 9, 1997, Sabrina “Joy” Lance and Dwight “Butch” Wood were found dead in Wood’s trailer home. According to evidence presented at trial, Wood was shot

twice with a shotgun and Joy Lance, Donnie Lance’s exwife, died from repeated blows to her head.

Investigators found imprints from “Diehard” work shoes on Wood’s trailer door. A box with Diehard work shoes – the same size and style as the imprints on Wood’s door – was found in Lance’s shop, along with an unspent shotgun shell that matched the ammunition used to kill Wood.

At trial, the state presented evidence that Lance had a fiveyear history of violence against his wife, including cutting her with a knife and beating her with his fist, a belt and a handgun. One incident resulted in her hospitalization.

The jury convicted Lance of two counts of malice murder, and in 1999, he was sentenced to death. In February 2002, the Georgia Supreme Court upheld his convictions and sentences.

In 2003, Lance filed a petition

for a writ of habeas corpus, a civil proceeding that gives already convicted prisoners another chance to challenge their case in court in the county where they’re imprisoned.

In April of this year, the habeas judge overturned Lance’s death sentence, finding that his trial attorney had provided “ineffective assistance of counsel” during the penalty phase of his trial. The attorney general, representing the state, now appeals to the state’s high court.

Adams made history in 2004 when he became the first judicial candidate in an open race, to be elected unopposed to the DeKalb Superior Court. He joined the Superior Court bench in 2005 after nine years as DeKalb’s Juvenile Court Judge.

Gregory Adams


businesses and local economies,” she said.

Since the outbreak of the virus in April, more than 147 Georgians have been confirmed with the illness. Statewide, the virus, also known as swine flu, has killed four people. Nationwide, it has sickened 7,983 people and killed 541.

The CDC recommends that sick peopele stay home and away from the workplace.

“The best way to slow the spread of the disease is keep sick people away from well people,” the CDC says. “If sick people come to work, they may infect other workers, and this has the potenetial to lead to a high rate of absenteeism in the workplace.”

The “Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza” guide offers small business owners and employees seven recommendations on writing a preparedness plan, including identifying a workplace coordinator, determining who will be responsible for assisting, establishing an emergency communications plan and preparing business continuity plans.

The suggestions include examining policies for leave, telework and employee compensation; identifying essential employees, essential business functions and other critical inputs; and sharing pandemic plans with employees and clearly communicating expectations. The guide also offers 10 tips to help protect the health of employees and eight tips for individuals to protect their health and the wellbeing of those around them.

In the foreword of the guide, Napolitano says that small business leaders are a valuable partner in the country’s defense against natural and manmade threats.

“Preparedness is the best method to defend against the impacts of all threats and all hazards, including public health threats,” she said.

Napolitano said small businesses are often the backbone of private sector industries and their local communities.

“With this in mind, we must partner to ensure the wheels of the nation’s economy continue to turn, even if faced with absenteeism, restricted services and supply chain disruptions,” she said. “If prepared, small businesses can keep their doors open and our nation’s economic health and security resilient. “

To download the booklet, visit http://www.flu.gov/professional/business/smallbiz.pdf. For information on the H1N1 virus, visit www,flu.gov. To prepare a business continuity plan, visit www.ready.gov/business/.

FinanCe “The best way to slow the spread of the disease is keep sick people away from well people.”

Deadline approaching to take advantage of homebuyer tax credit

Guide offers tips for dealing with flu seasonFirsttime jobless claims dropThe number of people filing

firsttime unemployment insurance claims in DeKalb County dropped in August. It was the first decline since January.

In August, 4,756 unemployed workers filed firsttime claims with the Georgia Labor Department, a 14.6 percent decrease than the 5,570 claims filed in July.

Statewide, the firsttime claims decreased 25.7 percent or 69,856. In July, 93,988 people filed initial claims. Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said that while the August numbers were higher than a year ago, they were lowest increase since January 2008.

He said the pace of new layoffs is decelerating.

“However, a rising number of laidoff workers are remaining unemployed longer,” he said.

The number of jobless workers receiving state benefits rose 79.6 percent over the year, from 80,150 in August 2008 to 143,942 in August 2009.

According to the labor department, 148,000 claimants are receiving federally funded extended benefits, bringing the total number of UI beneficiaries to 291,942. The average length of time that jobless Georgia workers drew benefits increased from 11.6 weeks in August of 2008 to 13.7 weeks in August of 2009.

A majority of the initial claims were filed by laidoff workers in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and administrative and support services.

For more information, visit www.dol.state.ga.us.

Karen Mills Janet Napolitano

Small business owners now have their own guide to help them battle a H1N1 flu outbreak this fall.

Karen Mills, the Small Business Administration administrator, and Janet Napolitano, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary unveiled “Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza: A Preparedness Guide for Small Business” on Monday.

The 11page preparedness guide, authored by the Department of Homeland Security, Centers for Disease Control and Small Business Administration, is designed to assist small businesses in planning for the possibility of an H1N1 flu outbreak. The new influeza virus spreads quickly because most people do have immunity to it.

A vaccination, that is in development, is expected to be available in October.

The virus is spread through coughing or sneezing or by touching something with the virus and touching your eyes, mouth or nose.

Children younger than five years old, pregnant women, adults and children with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart disease and weak immune system, residents of nursing homes and other chroniccare facilities, and people, 65 years and older.

Small businesses, who have 10 or less employees are especially susceptible to the negative economic impact of a flu pandemic. The Institute of Business and Home Safety estimates that 25 percent of businesses do not reopen following a major disaster.

The SBA says that planning can help business owners offset losses and protect their business and employees when the flu hits.

Preparation will help businesses minimize disruption protect employees’ health and safety and limit negative impact on the community’s economy.

Mills said that for countless small business owners, having even one or two employees out for a few days has the potential to negatively impact operations and their bottom line.

“A thoughtful plan will help keep employees and their families healthy, as well as protect small

Time is running out for firsttime homebuyers who want to tap into $8,000 tax credit for new homes purchased this year.

Eligible buyers must purchase a home by Nov. 30 to get the credit that is good on a principal residence valued at up to $80,000.

The IRS defines a firsttime homebuyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the threeyear period prior to the purchase. For married taxpayers, the threeyear ownership rule also applies to both spouses.

For example, if you have not owned a home in the past three years but your spouse has owned a principal residence, neither you nor your spouse qualifies for the firsttime homebuyer tax credit.

The credit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment or Stimulus Act applies to a principal residence purchased on or after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009.

It is good only if you make up to $75,000 as an individual, or $150,000 if you’re filing a joint return with a spouse.

The credit cannot be used for vacation homes and rental property.

The IRS says the credit can reduce your tax bill or increase your refund, and it will be paid out to eligible taxpayers, even if they owe no tax or the credit is more than the tax owed.

The credit does not have to be repaid if you stay in the house for at least three years.

Firsttime homebuyers who purchase a home in 2009 can claim the credit on their 2009 taxes. For

more information, visit http://www.irs.gov. or www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home.html

Tax credit at a glancen The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.n It is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.nIt does not have to be repaid.n Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000

qualify for the full tax credit.n Any home used as a principal residence qualifies for the credit, including singlefamily homes, townhouses and condominiums, mobile homes, and houseboats. You cannot purchase a home from your parents, grandparents, etc., your lineal descendants – children, grandchildren, etc. – or your spouse.

The credit is also good on houses you built, as long as the date of first occupancy is after Jan. 1, 2009.

The H1N1 guide for small businesses encourages people to wash their hands or use sanitizer frequently and to cough or sneeze into a tissue or shirt sleeve.

Rowe & Rowe, LLC747 Lauren Parkway • Stone Mountain, GA 30083

404-508-1118

Anton L. RoweAttorney at Law

Felicia P. RoweAttorney at Law

CRIMINAL DEFENSE • Robbery • Aggravated Assault • DUI • Simple Battery • Possession of Drugs • Rape • Simple Assault • Murder • Domestic Violence • Forgery • Armed Robbery • Traffic Offenses • All other misdemeanors & feloniesPERSONAL INJURY • Wrongful Death • Sexual Harassment • Traumatic Injuries • Auto Accidents • Tractor Trailer Accidents • Slip & Falls

ATTORNEYS AT LAW

We’ll loWer your monthly car payment

If we don’t, we’ll give you $50 in gas.

Let’s face it, in today’s economy everyone is looking for ways to make their money stretch just a little bit more. Car payments can take a big bite out of your budget, especially in Atlanta where auto loan rates can run as high as 10% or more. When you consider the fluctuating gas prices, your car can cost much more to own and operate than your budget can comfortably afford.

The good news is that CDC Federal Credit Union can help. We are so confident that we can lower your monthly payment by lowering the rate or extending the term of the loan that if we fail, we will give you $50 in gas just for allowing us to try! Either way, it’s money in your pocket.

Consider CDC FCU your destination for a great rate and take our auto challenge! Apply for a loan today. 404-325-3270.

We Do Business In Accordance With The Federal Fair Housing Law And The Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

If you live, work, worship, attend school, or volunteer in portions of DeKalb, Fulton, or Gwinnett Counties, you’re eligible for membership!

404-325-3270 • cdcfcu.com/loanchallenge

Experience the difference of membership.*Applicant must show written verification of current auto loan terms. Existing CDC FCU loans are not eligible for refinancing; offer is valid on loans financed through another financial institution. In order to collect the $50 incentive, the member must qualify for loan based on an assessment of individual creditworthiness and our underwriting standards. Terms and conditions are subject to change without further notice.

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Save money. Live better.&

Are Proud to Spotlight Businesses in Our Community

South DeKalb Business Association Commercial prosperity & Quality of life...

SDBA

South DeKalb Business Park4260 Clausell Court, Suite 103

Decatur, Georgia 30035Ph. 404.917.1231Fax 404.917.1232

[email protected]

P. O. Box 368Tucker, Georgia 30084

404-513-1645 Office770-804-2014 Fax

[email protected]

3145 Rainbow DriveDecatur, Georgia 30034

404-286-6163 Office [email protected]

www.wonderlandgardens.org

4980 Lawrenceville Hwy NWLilburn, GA 30047-4912

(770) 638-0218 404-642-8168 cell

770-638-0218 office 770-638-5046 fax

[email protected]

8075 Mall Pkwy, Suite 101-102Lithonia, Georgia 30038

770-484-5889 office404-218-8413 cell770-484-5863 fax

[email protected]

LoyLene Je f fe rson-Shaw saw the v is ion o f s ta r t ing her bus iness in 1991. A f te r work ing severa l years in te lev is ion p roduc t ion and sa les , she des i red to c rea te her own Adver t i s ing Spec ia l t y bus iness . Her f i r s t c l ien ts were Kra f t Foods , Inc . , H .J . Russe l l & Company, Premier E lec t r i c & Supp ly Company and o thers who he lped to empower her company. Sensat iona l G i f t s , L td . i s a adver t i s ing p romot iona l marke t ing f i rm prov id ing p roduc ts and programs to s t imu la te sa les , mot iva te employees and s t reng then corpora te iden t i t y. Sensat iona l G i f t s , L td . ’s , m iss ion i s to enhance and deve lop the image o f i t s c l ien ts by p lac ing the i r Brand / Image on the mind o f o thers and to cons tan t l y surpass the i r cus tomer ’s expec ta t ions

De lphyne L . Lomax is the Pr inc ipa l fo r V & L Research and Consu l t ing , Inc .The f i rm o f fe rs over 45 years o f exper ience in the marke t research indus t ry and

consu l t ing . Under her leadersh ip , the consu l t ing f i rm has been recogn ized and awarded fo r i t s commi tment to the h ighes t s tandards fo r in fo rmat ion co l lec t ion , da ta p rocess ing , and ana lys is and repor t genera t ion . V & L Research and Consu l t ing o f fe rs so lu t ions th rough the de l i ve ry o f accura te , t ime ly and cos t e f f i c ien t in fo rmat ion c l ien ts need to make dec is ions . De lphyne L . Lomax is a no ted bus iness leader who works w i th c l ien ts to deve lop resu l ts d r i ven s t ra teg ies on serv ing cus tomers more e f f i c ien t l y and p ro f i tab ly.

She ldon F leming i s the co- founder and execu t ive d i rec to r o f Wonder land Gardens . Wonder land Gardens i s a nonpro f i t o rgan iza t ion tha t i s a sus ta inab le year - round green space des t ina t ion , wh ich o f fe rs ind iv idua l and g roup garden ing , na tu re wa lks and f resh vegetab les and f ru i t s fo r pub l i c v iew ing and consumpt ion . The components o f Wonder land Garden 's inc ludes : communi ty gardens , a coopera t i ve garden ing p rogram, an ou tdoor c lassroom, a s to ry te l l i ng a rea , L i fe Sk i l l s seminars , a Wonder t ra i l , l ec tu res and workshops sess ions . She ldon F leming i s an agr icu l tu ra l scho la r, a Master Gardner and a long t ime insp i ra t ion fo r “g reen” in South DeKa lb .

Mary Tor rence is an independent marke t ing consu l tan t w i th more than 20 years o f exper ience in the Marke t ing /Adver t i s ing Indus t ry. She has worked in the a reas o f s t ra teg ic p lann ing , med ia buy ing and pub l i c re la t ions w i th smal l bus inesses , non-pro f i t o rgan iza t ions and For tune 500 compan ies . Mary Tor rence deve lops cus tom marke t ing so lu t ions tha t a re des igned to f i t the un ique needs and budgets o f her c l ien ts . Mary Tor rence is known fo r her bus iness leadersh ip and her t rack record o f success fu l campa igns .

Lore t ta Car r Wash ing ton , P.E . , i s Pres iden t & CEO, o f LCW Eng ineer ing , Inc .She is a l i censed pro fess iona l eng ineer w i th over 23 years o f p rogress ive and

respons ib le c iv i l eng ineer ing des ign and management exper ience . LCW Eng ineer ing , Inc . was es tab l i shed in Augus t 2004 as a consu l t ing f i rm tha t p r ides i t on p rov id ing c iv i l eng ineer ing serv ices fo r the des ign o f roadways , water /sewer, t rans i t and s i te des ign . LCW is an S-Corpora t ion p rov id ing our c l ien ts w i th the des ign and cons t ruc t ion p lans fo r pub l i c works in f ras t ruc tu re p ro jec ts . Lore t ta Car r Wash ing ton o f LCW Eng ineer ing , Inc . i s one o f on ly a few Af r i can Amer ican woman owned c iv i l eng ineer ing f i rms in the count ry.

Loylene Jefferson-ShawSensational Gifts Agency

Delphyne LomaxV & L Research and Consult ing, Inc.

Sheldon FlemingWonderland Gardens

Mary TorrenceMary Torrence Consult ing

Loretta Carr Washington LCW Engineering, Inc.

Loylene Jefferson-ShawPresident

Sheldon FlemingFounder/Executive Director

Delphyne LomaxPrincipal

Mary TorrenceOwner

Loretta Carr Washington, Owner


Chamber launches fund drive

Time to incorporate when risk of loss exists Computer classes at libraries

Finance “It is going to take the business community working on one accord to encourage elected officials to make difficult decisions.”

Adults can learn how to use their local library’s online resourc-es and how to navigate Microsoft Word 2007 Basics I & II at two branches this week.

During the Sept. 22 Online Open House at the Clarkston Li-brary, patrons can learn to use Au-toRepair Reference Center, locate articles in Consumer Reports and other magazines. and get a brief introduction to Galileo, “Georgia’s Virtual Library.”

The 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. clas will be at the library, 951 N. Indian Creek Drive. For more informa-tion, call 404-508-7175.

On Sept. 23, the Decatur Li-brary will offer a class in creating, editing and saving simple docu-ments and cutting, pasting, and using other special features of Microsoft Word.

The two-part class will take place 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mouse and typing skills are required. Class size is limited and registration is encouraged.

To register, call 404-370-8450, ext. 2259. The library is at 215 Sycamore St. in downtown De-catur.

Free computer classes are also available at the:n Cyber Center, Wesley Chapel UMC Church Administrative Building, Room 101, 2828 Wesley Chapel Rd., Decatur, GA 30034. Call 404-289-7011.n DeKalb Workforce, 320 Church St., Decatur, GA 30030. Call 404-687-3400. n Goodwill of North Georgia – Decatur Career Center, 1295 Columbia Dr., Decatur, GA 30032. Call 404-728-8605.

The DeKalb Cham-ber of Commerce is trying to raise $100,000 with its “Return of the Chamber: Breaking To-morrow’s Barriers” cam-paign.

It launched the 12-week initiative on Sept. 1 to address economic issues in DeKalb and to help raise the chamber’s profile.

Chamber president Leonardo McClarty said the county is a major player in the Atlanta region and that issues facing the DeKalb business community impact areas outside the county.

“For us to begin addressing the real issues that face our com-munity, we must have committed and dedicated supporters who know and understand the true value of a strong and well-funded Chamber,” he said.

Tad Leithead, the chamber’s development director, said business leaders need to get in-volved in their local chamber to help address the three major issues threatening economic prosperity: water, educa-tion and transportation.

“It is going to take the business community working on one ac-cord to encourage elected officials to make difficult yet much-needed decisions,” he said.

During the initiative, corporate volunteers are working to attract new chamber members, generate event and program sponsorships, and raise the awareness of the chamber across the region.

For more information, visit www.dekalbchamber.org or call Jackie O. Ginn at 404-378-8000, ext. 225.

Leonardo McClarty

Dear Dave,I started a small business a few

years ago. Since then, it’s grown larger than I anticipated. When should you change from a sole pro-prietorship to something else?

– Mike

Dear Mike,I would incorporate the busi-

ness into a Sub-S Corp when it becomes large enough that liability and lawsuits are a concern, espe-cially if you’re in a business that is litigious in nature.

I ran my company as a sole proprietorship for a few years, but once we grew to 20 or 30 team members and saw the potential for bad things to happen, we changed to a Sub-S.

Incorporating is also a good idea if you’re worried about protecting your personal assets. If you’re worth a few million and decide to open a business, the last thing you want is for somebody to sue you and take all your money because they fell down on your property and bumped their head.

You can keep that from hap-pening by standing behind what lawyers call “the corporate veil.”

Make sure you’ve got liability insurance and good basic business insurance in place, too. A corpo-rate veil is always a good idea once you’ve got some wealth or your company starts to generate a lot of money!

– Dave

Deeper problem at work Dear Dave,

My husband and I are not on the same page when it comes to money and our three teenage daughters.

I think they should learn to work and make some money, but he doesn’t care if they work or not.

Plus, he insists on regularly buy-ing them big-ticket items they don’t deserve like cameras and fancy phones. What can I do about this?

– Susan

Dear Susan,You’re right about one thing.

Kids should learn to work and make money at an early age.

I’ve given nice gifts to my kids, but the difference is that they work and make money for themselves, too. The nice gifts I gave them were for special occasions. Showering them with expensive toys all the time was not our way of life.

In this situation, your husband is allowing them to be nothing but consumers. They’re not learning how to work, and they’re not learn-ing how to save or give.

This is setting them up for a lifetime of unrealistic expectations, and it’s a really bad plan.

If nothing changes you’re go-ing to end up with kids who think they’re princesses. They’ll believe the entire world revolves around them, and the poor guys who marry them will spend the rest of their lives trying to keep three spoiled little girls happy.

Still, I think the biggest problem here is that you and your husband are experiencing a marital break-down. If the kids were taken out of the picture, the same problems would still be there. The difference is that they would manifest them-selves in other ways.

He needs to stop being so impulsive, but maybe you could lighten up a little and try to estab-lish some guidelines as to when gifts are appropriate.

There’s a middle ground you guys can reach, but it’s going to take some time and effort. Most of all it means the two of you are going to have to work together!

- Dave

Folks may not want adviceDear Dave,

I’m worried about my parents and their finances. They’re both in their fifties, and they’re not being very responsible with their money. I’m especially concerned about what this could mean when they reach old age.

Do you have any advice on how I could help them manage things better?

– Corey

Dear Corey,It sounds like you may have

already run into what I call “Pow-dered Butt Syndrome.” Once someone has powdered your butt, they really don’t want your advice on anything.

Sometimes parents will grow to the point where they respect and even seek counsel from their children. But the reality is that most adults simply don’t want unsolic-ited advice.

I’m on the radio every day giv-ing financial advice to people, but I don’t grab them by the throats and make them listen. I encounter or hear about people doing dumb things all the time, and in most cases I mind my own business.

Now, it’s a different story if someone asks for my opinion. At that point, I’m obligated to tell them what I think.

But if the person I’m worried about is a good friend or member of the family, I’ll try to put myself in a position where they might ask for advice. One good idea could be to tell them your story.

You could describe your past problems, how you fixed them, and how much easier and secure things are now. Sometimes, when you ap-proach a person with this kind of spirit, it becomes easier for them to get into subjects they ordinarily wouldn’t talk about.

– Dave

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I’m on the radio every day giving financial

advice to people, but I don’t grab them by the throats and make them listen. I encounter or

hear about people doing dumb things all the time, and in most cases I mind

my own business.

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Flu shots available at festival

www.crossroadsnews.com

Health & Wellness

Downtown Decatur office to be Kaiser Permanente’s 4th in DeKalb

DeKalb Medical lands award for qualityAdults and children can get

flu shots at Riland Educational Corp.’s Community Health and Arts Festival on Sept. 26 at Milam Park in Clarkston.

The Stone Mountain-based nonprofit is hosting the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. festival to help educate residents about taking care of their health. Representatives from the DeKalb Board of Health will

provide flu shots for $25. Local doctors will offer free blood pres-sure screenings and there will be food and activities for youth.

A number of companies will exhibit their goods and services. Admission is free.

Milam Park is at 3867 Norman Road in Clarkston. For more in-formation, visit www.rilandcorp.com or call 404-433-0987.

DeKalb Medical at North Decatur picked up a Presidential level award on the Partner-ship for Health and Accountability Quality Honor Roll on Sept. 4.

The honor, given by the Georgia Hospi-tal Association, places the hospital among top health systems statewide for providing the most effective methods of treatment for cardiac patients and patients diagnosed with pneumonia.

Eric Norwood, the hospital’s CEO, said

DeKalb Medical has emerged at the top level of several regional and national quality rankings.

“We are gratified to receive this kind of recognition for our quality,” he said.

To nab the award, DeKalb Medical maintained a score of at least 93 percent on clinical data collected by the Federal Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services, which administers the country’s Medicare and Medicaid Programs. Eric Norwood

Kaiser Permanente of Geor-gia will open its fourth location in DeKalb County by the end of 2009.

The nonprofit HMO is spend-ing $1.8 million on interior con-struction, furniture, equipment and technology upgrades to open a new medical office in downtown Deca-tur at the corner of Ponce De Leon Avenue and Commerce Drive.

They are renovating 5,442 square feet in the Artisan Building at 201 W. Ponce De Leon Ave.

Peter Andruszkiewicz, president of Kaiser Per-manente of Georgia, said the new medical center in downtown Decatur would provide more convenience and ac-cess to Kaiser members.

“The property is an excellent growth location that will allow us to bet-ter serve members from some of our key employer groups such as the DeKalb County government and city of Decatur,” he said.

Kaiser Permanente already operates centers on Panola Road and Mall Parkway in Lithonia

and the Crescent Center in Tucker. It has 15 other locations in its 28-county metro Atlanta area. The Decatur Center will bring to $32.2 million its investment in medical offices in DeKalb County.

When remodeling is complete, the medical office will include exam and procedure rooms, a laboratory, a pharmacy and basic radiology services. On Wednesday, construc-

tion workers were installing pipes and beams on the first floor of the Artisan Building, where Kaiser Per-manente will occupy Suite A.

The new center will increase Kaiser’s DeKalb workforce to 280 employees. Physicians from the Southeast Permanente Medical Group will offer internal medicine and pediatrics for Kaiser Perma-nente members.

Workers are renovating space in the Artisan Building in downtown Decatur to house Kaiser Permanente’s fourth medical office in DeKalb County.

P. Andruszkiewicz

McKenzie JacKson / crossroadsnews


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Wellness “Some people just think they should look at sugar, but they should be looking at the total carbohydrates in a food item.

Support group offers diabetics information, resources, camaraderieBy McKenzie Jackson

Diabetics don’t have to battle their disease alone.

They can find camaraderie, help and friendship at a Diabetes Support Group that meets monthly at the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Office.

The group meets the fourth Tuesday monthly except in No-vember and December. Members and their family members learn to manage their illness, participate in healthy cooking and meal planning demonstrations, get exercise tips for diabetics.

They also listen to presenters discussing medical and other is-sues that affect them and get the

latest information on battling their chronic illness. At its Sept. 22 meet-ing, the group will discuss “Foot Care and Diabetes.” The meeting starts at 6 p.m.

Jessica Hill, the Cooperative Extension director, and Felicia Marable-Williams, the Family and Consumer Sciences agent, will lead the discussion on the threat diabe-tes presents to the feet and legs of diabetics.

Without proper care, Marable-Williams said, diabetics can lose feeling in their lower extremities.

“Diabetics need to check for discoloration and make sure there is feeling because too much sugar can cut that off,” she said. “It’s quite serious. I don’t think people real-

to cook and teach them to count carbohydrates.

“Some people just think they should look at sugar,” she said, “but they should be looking at the total carbohydrates in a food item as well as the sodium.”

Marable-Williams said partici-pants are also encouraged to talk to their doctor and ask questions.

“The support group makes them feel more comfortable being around others who have what they have, and they are able to ask ques-tions and be in an environment that is welcoming.”

The DeKalb Cooperative Exten-sion Service is at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur. For more infor-mation, call 404-298-4080.

ize how serious it is. It can lead to amputation.”

The September meeting is the ninth Diabetes Support Group meeting hosted this year by Coop-erative Extension. Other meetings have discussed topics like “Living With Diabetes,” ‘Healthy Meal Planning,” “Diabetes and Eye Care,” and “Stress and Diabetes.”

Marable-Williams said that the Cooperative Extension Service, a department in the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, started the support group in 2007 because of the county’s high rate of diabetes.

In DeKalb, 37,000 people are diabetics, one of the highest in the state. The lifelong disease, which is

marked by high levels of sugar in blood, leads to fatigue, blurred vi-sion, hypertension, stroke, periph-eral vascular and heart diseases, and erectile dysfunction in men.

The Diabetes Support Group at-tracts 10 to 20 diabetics and friends and family members monthly.

Marable-Williams said par-ticipants get an education at each session.

“We have different topics about diabetes. We discuss whether it is eyes or foot care or controlling the intake of certain foods and carbohydrates,” she said. “We also have various guest speakers and handouts for them to take.”

Marable-Williams said they show participants healthy ways

Diabetics and their families learned about healthy eating habits that can help them cope with the disease at a recent Diabetes Support Group meeting.



“As the cases of novel H1N1, or swine flu, continue to circulate in our

community this fall, it is important to prepare now for the effects that

higher-than-normal absenteeism rates will have on our daily lives.”

Dr. Pat. O’Neal

Prepare, plan and stay informed about the flu

Throughout September, des-ignated National Preparedness Month, the Georgia Depart-ment of Community Health) is encouraging Georgians to take action and be prepared to slow the spread of the seasonal flu and novel influenza A (H1N1) viruses in their communities.

As cases of novel H1N1, or swine flu, continue to circulate in our communities this fall, it is important to prepare now for the effects that higher-than-normal absenteeism rates will have on our daily lives.

While the severity and symp-toms of novel H1N1 flu are simi-lar to the seasonal flu, we antici-pate an increase in the number of novel H1N1 flu cases because very few people have immunity to this virus. Combine those numbers with the Georgians who will be af-fected by the seasonal flu and you have a very busy flu season.

Rolling up your sleeve and arming yourself against the flu viruses is as simple as following

these three key steps:n Prepare for an increase in the number of individuals affected by the seasonal flu and novel H1N1 in schools and across businesses. n Plan what to do if you, your loved ones or co-workers get sick and have to stay home. Make con-tingency plans now for your home and work place needs in the event that you or your family members become ill. n Stay informed: Stay connected with a trusted source for up-to-date information on seasonal flu and novel H1N1.

We cannot stop an influ-enza pandemic, but we may limit spread of the disease through early detection and a well-planned re-sponse.

For more information visit, www.dch.georgia.gov/rollupy-oursleeve or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GADCH.

Dr. Pat O’Neal is director of Georgia Department of Community Health’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response.

Wellness “The survey results reinforce the need for regular eye exams as kids’ eyes continue to change and adapt.”

Oakhurst Medical Centers, Inc. is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation ofHealth Care Organizations (JCAHO)

TWO LOCATIONS TO BETTER SERVEYOU!

Providing quality, affordable, culturally sensitive healthcare to the residents of DeKalb County for 30 years.

Providing quality, affordable, culturally sensitive healthcare to the residents of DeKalb County for 30 years.

Johnson happy that public option still has support

Health fair in Stone Mountain

Regular eye exams encouraged for youthOne in five youths ages 12 to 17

have difficulty seeing the classroom chalkboard, a new study finds.

The study by VSP Vision Care and Prevent Blindness America, which surveyed nearly 1,500 par-ticipants, also found that more than one in four youths complain of headaches.

Gary Brooks, VSP Vision Care president, said that is why regular eye exams are so important as chil-dren progress in school.

“Most parents probably assume once a prescription is given, there isn’t a need for further follow up,” she said.

“However, the survey results reinforce the need for regular eye exams as kids’ eyes continue to

Adults and children can join a brisk walk and then get flu shots and health screenings at the Sept. 26 Health Fair and Wellness Walk in the village of Stone Mountain.

Mayoral candidate and city coun-cilwoman Beverly Jones is hosting the event at the Baptist Pavillion, 5325 Manor Drive in Stone Mountain.

Registration for walkers begins at 8:30 a.m. The health fair starts at 10 a.m.

There will also be fitness demon-strations, massages, children’s activi-ties, food and entertainment.

For more information, call Bev-erly Jones at 678-886-6247.

change and adapt.”The survey also found that:

n Almost two-thirds (66 percent) of children under the age of six have never had an eye exam by an eye doctor. n One in four kids, ages 6 to 11 yearsold, wears prescription glasses.n The prevalence of common eye conditions, as reported by parents, increases with the child’s age.

Nationally, the most common vision problem in older children is nearsightedness, also called myopia. Children with the condition can see close objects clearly, but objects farther away, like a chalkboard, ap-pear blurred.

Prevent Blindness Georgia, an

affiliate of the national organiza-tion, recommends all children have their vision checked at infancy and regularly throughout childhood.

If a child fails a vision screening, or if there is any concern that might indicate an eye or vision problem, the child should be referred for a complete eye examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

The combination of primary care doctor eye evaluations and vision screenings with a referral for a complete eye exam by an eye doctor is the recommendation of the American Academy of Pedi-atrics, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthal-mology and Strabismus.

Fourth District Congressman Hank Johnson says he is pleased that President Barack Obama did not back down from his commit-ment to a robust public option as a part of his health insurance reform legislation.

“All of us can agree that health care costs are spiraling out of control, and that something needs to be done to rein that in,” Johnson said in a statement after Obama’s address to the joint ses-sion of Congress on Sept. 9.

Johnson said the public op-tion is the logical way to provide coverage to 47 million Americans

who don’t have coverage today. “It would bring costs down,

create competition and get the insurance company bureaucrats out of the patient-doctor rela-tionship,” he said.

Johnson, who lives in Li-thonia, represents portions of DeKalb, Rockdale and Gwinnett counties.

He said that H.R. 3200 as proposed is a good plan, but it doesn’t have to be the only way to attain fundamental reform.

“One thing we know is that the status quo is unacceptable,” he said.


Ice Cube (left)nad Keke Palmer star in “The Longshots,” about a former football star turned coach and his unlikely star quarterback.

Octoberfest set at Wesley Chapel Library

Aussie guitarist to perform

Youth group holding tryouts

scene The free movie kicks off “Let’s Go to the Movies,” hosted by the Friends of the Lithonia Parks and sponsored by the the Lithonia business community.

Movie screening at Lithonia Amphitheatre

Boys and girls singers in grades two to five can audition for the Atlanta Young Singers of Callan-wolde’s 34th season of Bringing Music to Life on Sept. 19 at the Por-ter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center in Decatur.

The choral program is seeking singers of all musical levels to cre-ate a diverse group of youth from

across metro Atlanta. Kids get to learn new music, meet new friends, perform live and travel.

The free auditions are from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The Porter Sanford III Perform-ing Arts and Community Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur. For more information, visit www.aysc.org or call 404-873-3365.

Fall is here and the Friends of the Wesley Chapel Library are celebrating with an Octoberfest Bazaar on Oct. 3 at the library.

The 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. event will include the library’s fall book sale, and vendors selling homemade crafts, collectibles and other items. There will also be food and refreshments.

Emma Davis, a member of the Friends group, said they need books and residents are encour-aged to donate new and lightly used books to the library.

Davis said a limited number of vendor tables are available for $15 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The Wesley Chapel Library is at 2861 Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur. For more informa-tion, contact Marcus Williams at [email protected] or call the library at 404-286-6980.

The Young Singers of Callanwolde will hold auditions at the Sanford Arts Center on Sept. 19.

“The Longshots,” starring Ice Cube, Tasha Smith and Keke Palm-er, will be screened Sept. 19 at the Lithonia Stewart Amphitheater.

The free movie kicks off “Let’s Go to the Movies,” hosted by the Friends of the Lithonia Parks and sponsored by the the Lithonia busi-ness community.

“The Longshots,” which was released August 2008, is based on a true story of a poor Illinois town that came together behind the Minden Browns, their local

football team and their unlikely quarterback, Jasmine Plummer, played by Keke Palmer, who made a name for herself in “Akeelah and Bee.” Jasmine was the first and only female to play in the team’s 56-year history.

Ice Cube plays a down-on-his-luck former high school football star, who turns his niece into the quarterback of the local team, and gets his stride back as the team’s coach.

With their new leader and their

pigtail-wearing star, the team of misfits claws its way to the Pop Warner Super Bowl and ignited the town with team spirit and town pride.

The 94-minute family comedy, which is written by David Lane and directed by Fred Durst, is rated PG.

The Friends group group also plans an Oct. 31 Community Festi-val @ The Amphitheatre. For more information, call councilwoman Deborah Jackson at 404-534-6545.

One of the most talented guitar players from Down Under will be performing Sept. 24 at the Decatur Library in downtown Decatur.

Australian musician Geoff Achison will perform a mix of gutsy original tunes, improvised jams and dynamic new arrangements of blues and soul classics from his new album, “One Ticket, One Ride,” at 7 p.m. in the library’s auditorium.

Achison, who hails from rural Australia, gets his inspiration from great blues and R&B

music of yesteryear. He is known world-wide for his blues/funk-style music and has released 18 albums since 1990.

He has performed throughout the United States, United Kingdom and his home country on solo tours and with the groups Classically Blue and the Dutch Tilders.

Achison has also won more than 20 awards and honors, including being

voted the “Top Ten Hot-te s t New

Guitar-ists” by Guitar

P l a y e r Magazine.

His performance is sponsored by the

Friends of the Decatur Library.

Admission is free. The Decatur Library is at

215 Sycamore St. For more infor-mation, call 404-370-3070.

Geoff Achison is known worldwide for his blues/funk-style music and has performed throughout the

United States, United Kingdom and his home country.

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African-American exhibit extended to Sept. 27

scene “By telling the stories of the events of the past, we can help the leaders of the future set the stage for active participation in the democratic process for years to come.”

Books to be discussed at local branches

Award-winning novels by Alice Walker, William P. Young and Geraldine Brooks will be dissected by book lovers at group discussion meetings at three DeKalb Li-brary branches this month.

The groups will discuss the books’ themes, storyline, writing style and char-acterization.

Members of the Covington Library Book Discussion group will explore Walker’s “The Color Purple” at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 21. The book, which was released in 1982, tells the story of a 1930s rural Georgia family and focuses on the low position of black females in American social culture.

The library is at 3500 Covington High-way in Decatur. For more information, call 404-508-7180.

“The Shack,” published by Young in 2007, is about Mack, a father of five who comes to terms with the murder of his daughter through conversations with God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

It will be discussed at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Wesley Chapel Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. For more information, call 404-286-6980.

The Decatur Library’s Discussion Group will talk about the “People of the Book,” a historical fiction about Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the oldest surviving Jewish illuminated texts. “People of the Book,” was published in 2008. The group meets at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30. The library is at 215 Sycamore St.

For more information, call 404-370-3070.

“America I AM: The African American Imprint,” the exhibit showcasing nearly 500 years of African-American contributions to U.S. history, is held over through Sept. 27.

The exhibit, which opened June 12 was scheduled to close Sept. 6 at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta, but was extended to accommodate the large crowds.

Atlanta is the second stop on the exhibit’s 10-city, four-year tour, which kicked off in January during the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at Philadelphia’s National Consti-tution Center.

Organizers say it has already attracted tens of thousands of visitors.

The 15,000-square-foot exhibit depicts pivotal moments in courage, conviction and creativity in the history of African Americans across the nation and worldwide.

It includes more than 200 rare artifacts, including the “Doors of No Return” from the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, through which enslaved Africans passed to board ships to the New World, the typewriter Alex Haley used to write the groundbreaking book “Roots,” the door key and stool from the jail cell where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” a copy of the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery in America, Frederick Douglass’ clothing and the letter from President Lincoln that enabled him to move among Union lines recruiting black soldiers, Malcolm X’s journal and personal Koran, and Prince’s “Purple Guitar” from the movie Purple Rain.”

Visitors can leave a video imprint in an interactive area.

“America I AM: The African American Imprint” is developed in partnership with author and commentator Tavis Smiley. It is organized by Cincinnati Museum Center and Arts and Exhibitions International and

The America I Am exhibit features pivotal elements of courage, conviction and creativity in the history of African Americans.

sponsored by Wal-Mart. At its opening in Atlanta, Smiley said the exhibit encourages all people to connect in a meaningful way with the foundations of democracy, cultural diversity, exploration, and free enterprise.

“By telling the stories of the events of the past, we can help the leaders of the future

set the stage for active participation in the democratic process for years to come,” he said.

At Wal-Mart Stores, tickets are $10 for adults, 12 years and older, and $4 for chil-dren, ages 3 to 12. For more information, visit www.AmericaIAM.org.

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How many of the current recipients of Social Security and Medicare who so vocally object to

health care reform because it is a government program, are prepared to give up their government-operated Social Security and Medicare programs?

William Murrain

Forum Are we going to sit back and witness the destruction of our neighborhood to crime and trash?

Many who oppose Obama need refresher in civics, history

Where are Atlanta’s church leaders when tragedy struck at AUC campus?

Youth must face consequences of choicesHow often have you heard the

excuses that people make for the bad choices they have made in life? I have heard it many times, probably made a few myself.

However, it’s as though they want to blame every-body for their failure in life. The failure could be blamed on the fact that they never knew their father or mother, and because of that a spell of defeat was cast over them at birth? Females could say that because their mother was a teenage mother, she was destined to do the same; i.e, it was meant for her to follow in her mother’s footsteps.

Sometimes, the world makes it easy for people to make bad choices. It is understood that there is noth-ing wrong with people who really need help to get it. But sometimes there are too many freebies and the system is abused.

For example, back in the day when girls got pregnant, they were not allowed to attend regular high school with the other students. They had to go to “night school.”

Today these girls know that there are no rigid consequences for their actions, so they can keep getting pregnant, continue to go to

regular school and may never learn the consequences for their actions.

Pregnant girls can make the high school halls look like a maternity ward.

Some of these girls don’t think much of themselves and use their bodies for their brains. Some have multiple part-ners and may never know

who the daddies are, thus no child support leaving the taxpayers as financial fathers.

There was one girl I met who was 17 or 18 and who had two small children. She was somewhat brag-ging that she had finally finished high school while being pregnant two times. She further lamented how she was taking care of her children etc., how she was going to college.

I told her there is no way that you are taking care of your chil-dren without a job so it has to be the welfare system from taxpayers’ money who is supporting you. I also told her there is no way that you can take care of your children when you “go to college” and you don’t have a job.

There is nothing wrong with getting an education, but there are people who seem to believe that

they have an entitlement and the world owes them something for their bad choices in life.

If the system would stop mak-ing it easy for people to make bad choices, the world would be better off. It might make teenage girls think twice if they had to be home schooled or required to attend evening school for continuance of their high school education when they elect to get pregnant.

Having babies when you are a teen is just plain stupid and selfish, an act that only puts restraints on the child you are carrying and on your life in general.

Most of the time, no respect or support is gained from the fa-ther of your child. He will only go and impregnate another girl who thinks with her body instead of her brain.

These deadbeat fathers are to blame also, and need to consider a vasectomy when they keep making babies. The bottom line, for any given situation: Instead of making excuses to make bad choices, weigh the difference and decide to make a good choice.

The choice is yours to make and so are the consequences.

Miriam Knox Robinson lives in Decatur.

Miriam Robinson

Now I understand why after all of the monies we spend on education, Georgia is and for the foreseeable future will have one of the lowest educational achievement levels in the country.

This morning’s (Friday, Sep-tember 4th) headlines describe the urgency with which a number of Republican leaders are moving to amend the state’s constitution to “Prevent Democrats in Washington from enforcing health care reform in Georgia.”

This in a state with one of the highest levels of H1N1 cases, high-est levels of TB, need I go on?

First of all, they probably were absent the day “Primacy of Fed-eral Law” was taught in their civics class.

Secondly, they and a number of their “Go Fish Georgia” non-read-ing, non-comprehending cohorts

shout that Obamacare is leading us towards Hitlerite Nazism and communism.

They were also absent in his-tory class when the lesson focused on the fact that those two forms of governments were mortal enemies to each other.

Finally, they allege that page 16 of a non-existing health care plan will outlaw private insurance com-panies. I would encourage them to have someone read Factcheck.org to them where it unquestioningly rebuts that assumption as a bald

faced lie, and much to the contrary finds that the “proposed health care plan” permits everyone to keep their current insurance if they are pleased with it.

In addition, it will require all private insurance plans within five years of passage of the proposed health reform act to meet certain national, federal standards:n They can no longer drop your coverage if you have a preexisting condition.n They may no longer capriciously change your plan without good

reason, due process and proper ad-vance notice

These reasons seem reasonable enough for me. How, may I ask, does that outlaw private insurance companies?

How many of the current recipi-ents of Social Security and Medicare who so vocally object to health care reform because it is a government program, are prepared to give up their government-operated Social Security and Medicare programs?

I applaud the Progressive Caucus in the House of Representatives for standing up for their principles. They should not sign on to a plan just to make Obama look good.

A reform in name only is no reform. A reform where the lead-ership agrees to leave in place the mendacious Bush administration’s agreement with Big Pharma – that limits our ability to implement true

competition or to get the drugs they sell in Canada, for a third less than those same pharmaceutical companies sell to us here in the United States – is a violation of the contract for change that Candidate Obama made with us.

President Obama and his team dropped the ball coming out of the gate on this one. It will take a miracle to recover with a plan of any meaningful substance.

As a society we share a moral and social contract to look out for the best interests of each other.

Can we truly say that the cur-rent debate reflects that purpose and goal? The thundering silence of our churches that were so loudly present on all sides dur-ing the last presidential debate is deafening.

William A. Murrain lives in Conyers.

With any tragedy comes realiza-tion of the value of each human life.

The brutal murder of Spelman College stu-dent Jasmine Lynn was senseless and cowardly. A reckless gunman took the innocent life.

A young Afr ican American scholar, full of promise and potential was taken too soon. Another human being violently taken from this earth. Another destiny lost.

But what’s really lost is the “fire of the Christian community” to stand up against these violent acts. On any given Sunday, some of the biggest church buses attempt to bring these African-American stu-dents to their buildings.

They take up the tithes, the of-ferings, the building fund offering, and the missionary offering. Then they drop these students back off in

the AU Center to go it alone for the rest of the week.

But in the wake of this homocide, a stu-dent-government-run vigil was held in the stu-dent’s memory. However, the absence of Chris-tian church leaders was shocking, if not indict-ing. There wasn’t one

leader from any of these “named churches” in all of Atlanta, Fulton County or DeKalb County.

The death of a budding flower in the spring of her life, and not one spiritual leader from any of these churches was present to support, comfort, encourage or embrace a student population grieving from the loss of a dear sister.

The Atlanta University Center has long been the intellectual and academic center of excellence for African Americans. The main ele-ment that made the AU Center

valuable and vitally significant to African Americans students was its commitment to Christian spiritual development and commitment to Christian Service.

Historically black colleges and universities grounded their col-lective responsibility to academic excellence in their faithfulness to Jesus Christ and the practical ap-plication of his teachings.

The glaring absence of Chris-tian leaders was shocking as well as painfully disappointing. You can send a bus on Sunday morning but not a spiritual leader during a crisis? If these churches really cared about these young people, this was the time to show it. In the students’ deepest time of pain, ministries were missing in action.

In the Bible, Jesus was touch-able. He was approachable. People could talk to Him. He was not “trippin” on his title or status as the Son of God. Jesus was simply one of

the people who loved the people. It’s not how big your church is,

it’s about how many lives you touch for Glory of God. Metro Atlanta has some of America’s biggest, wealthi-est, influential, polished, and indus-trious churches in America.

Preachers are on billboards, tele-vision, radio, newspapers, the Inter-net, and cable television, but not on the battlefield – in the streets, where they should be compelling men and women to turn their lives around.

So what should these churches have done? They should have or-ganized a collective worship service

on the AU Center campus. They could have mandated their leader-ship staff and membership to de-ploy their benevolence, hospitality, praise and worship, grief teams and pastoral counseling teams to the campus, to show an undeni-able presence of God’s love. But it just didn’t happen.

And then you wonder why we have a lost generation of gun-slinging cowards killing innocent people. If the church won’t stand up, who will?

Kevin Oliveira lives in Mc-Donough.

Demise of public housing a threat to stable communities

The decision to close public housing projects and migrate its residents into mixed income communities has proven to be a gigantic failure.

As a 25-year resident of South DeKalb, I observe daily the de-struction of our community by people who have little or no sense of community as it relates to cleanliness or respect for their fellow neighbor’s property.

I witness daily, young men loitering and using all manner of profanity in public places; individuals of all ages discarding trash in the streets and on my property with no understand-ing of the impact it has on the beauty of the neighborhood and the environment. Some Section 8 residents moved into established communities with no under-standing of their part in keeping them clean.

We must be truthful to our-selves; if not, our clean well-kept communities will cease to exist.

I’m convinced that no matter what you do for some people, care and respect for the commu-nity is something that they don’t understand. I hope I’m wrong,

but I predict if we don’t come together and work for changes, South DeKalb with transition into a despicable ghetto.

Being poor has nothing to do with being nasty and disrespect-ful. Are we going to sit back and witness the destruction of our neighborhood to crime and trash, or will we fight to maintain the dignity and beauty of our com-munities?

This is a fight I refuse to lose. I have invested too much in my property and this community to stand back and let a few bad people bring it down.

When our young men seem eager to line up for volunteered slavery through the penal system by involving themselves with crime and violence, this is a sure sign we’ve lost our moral compass as a race and as a community.

I asked a question to the com-munity in a previous letter to CrossRoadsNews that I will ask again. In the words of the Last Poets, “Black People, What y'all gone do? Will the real Black People please stand up."

Wayne K Jones lives in Deca-tur.

Speak your mind!We welcome your comments on issues of importance to the

community. E-mail us at [email protected], or voice your opinion on www.crossroadsnews.com.

Include a contact number with Letters to the Editor so we can reach you if necessary. Your contact information will not be pub-lished. Submissions may be edited for clarity or space. We do not publish anonymous letters.

Kevin Oliveira


Youth “You know you can never say how many people you have reached. I just do what I can and try to give a positive message.”

Young television star sets hearts aflutter at McNair High assembly

Stonecrest hosting annual college fair

Five named Charter Scholars at UGA

Program offers skills to address bullies

Five freshmen with South DeKalb roots were awarded Charter Scholarships at the University of Georgia for the 2009-2010 school year.

They are among 250 undergraduates who received the $1,000 scholarship, which recognizes first-year students with stellar academic records, leadership and community involvement, and a commitment to intel-lectual, social and cultural diversity. UGA

announced the awards on Aug. 28.Recipients from the South DeKalb area

include Latrice Lyle and Marissa Akery from Southwest DeKalb High School, and Decatur High School graduates Olivia Gorbatkin, Benjamin Wertz and Catherine Hughes.

Students can renew the Charter Scholar-ship, founded by the University of Georgia Foundation, for up to three more years if they maintain certain academic standards.

K.C. Cristian is on a mission to teach children the power of their words and how to avoid bullying, teasing and taunting.

Using her presentation titled “Power of Words,” Cristian visits schools and youth centers to teach children about bullying and provide tips on ways to respond when con-fronted by bullies.

Cristian said while the POW presentation offers

a viable alternative to bullying or retaliating in anger, its main focus is to provide children with good communication skills that can be used in all walks of life.

“Everybody can use good communica-tion skills,” she said, “even people who are not

being bullied.” She said the Power of Words teaches that the mind gravitates toward whatever one feeds it.

“Adults often shout, ‘Use your words!’” she said. “POW gives students appropriate words to use.” She said POW aims to teach children what to say or do when challenged with situations such as teasing or taunting, self-doubt, parental conflicts, teacher-student disagreements, and bad customer service.

A native of Washington, D.C., Cristian moved to metro Atlanta in 2003. She created the POW presentation in April after two young boys reportedly committed suicide as a result of bullying, and after her own daugh-ter was taunted by a fellow second-grader.

For more information or to schedule a POW presentation, email [email protected] or call her at 770-884-4988.

K.C. Cristian

By McKenzie Jackson

McNair High School ninth-grader Jene Douglas, 14, probably had never felt her heart beat so fast.

But when 16-year-old actor and R&B singer Mishon Ratliff pulled her onstage and serenaded her with his new song “Just a Kiss” on Sept. 10, all the starstruck student could do was put her hand over her chest.

Afterwards, she pronounced him “cute.”

“I was just shocked and I didn’t know what to do,” she said with a blush.

Jene had her close encounter with the teen heartthrob in the au-ditorium of her Atlanta school. And she was not the only ninth-grade girl who went gaga over Mishon, a star of the ABC Family sitcom “Lincoln Heights.”

When he walked into the ninth-grade girls’ assembly, Mishon was met with screams of “I love you!” “Oh my God!” and “Wow!”

Mishon, a Los Angeles, Calif., native, held the rapt attention of the girls for an hour while discuss-ing staying in school, healthy rela-tionships, bullying and domestic violence.

The sitcom star’s visit to the school was part of “It’s Cool to Be Smart,” a two-year-old initiative administered by DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson and the nonprofit mentoring organiza-tion It’s Cool to Be Smart.

The program’s goal is to en-rich the lives of underserved and under privileged youth by providing access to role models, music artists

and positive messages that encour-age success in education.

Steffanie E. Wilson-Jerome, a Johnson assistant, said actress Keke

Palmer, gospel rapper Canton Jones and hip hop star T.I. have all made appearances in DeKalb schools through the program.

Before his musical performance, the girls peppered Mishon with questions. They wanted to know what kind of shoes he likes to wear and what he plans to do when he gets older. He rewarded them with autographed posters of himself.

Mishon said he hopes his positive message registered with the girls.

“You know you can never say how many people you have reached,” he said. “I just do what I can and try to give a positive mes-


Mishon Ratliff (left) serenades 14-year-old Jene Douglas during a ninth-grade girls assembly at McNair High School. Above, Ratliff takes questions from students before his musical performance.

The seventh annual PROBE College Fair will be at the Mall at Stonecrest on Sept. 24 with more than 100 colleges and universities from Georgia and other states.

High school seniors and their parents will be able to meet college representatives and discuss entry requirements and financial aid programs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the mall’s lower level.

The fair is offered by Georgia Education Articulation Committee Inc. Over eight weeks last year, the 2008 tour reached an estimated 49,500 high school students and their families.

The Mall at Stonecrest is at I-20 at Turner Hill Road in Lithonia. For more informa-tion, visit www.mallatstonecrest.com or call 678-526-8955.

sage.” Alice Nedd, McNair’s Commu-

nity in Schools liaison, said that she hopes Mishon’s visit motivated the girls to stay focused on their school-work so that they can buck the high dropout rate in the state.

“We want them to stay in school and graduate in four years,” she said.

Mishon didn’t leave empty-handed. Fourteen-year-old Brittany Brown, who had never watched “Lincoln Heights” before, admitted that she might now be a Mishon fan.

“I can say I like his song,” she said.

DeKalb County School System Announces NCLB

Supplemental Educational Services (SES)

ROUND I 2009-2010

FREE TUTORINGAs part of its requirements under the federal No Child Left Behind Act,DeKalb County School System is offering free tutoring in the areas of

math and reading/language arts.

Free tutoring is available for your child if he or she

attends a Title I elementary, middle, or high school that is included on the“Needs Improvement” list and

receives free or reduced-price meals

Eligible Schools

Open EnrollmentBegins August 28, 2009 and ends September 25, 2009

A brochure containing an application will be mailed to each eligible studentor you may obtain one from your local school.

Applications must be returned to the local school by September 25, 2009

For more information call DeKalb County School SystemOffice of School Improvement at 678-676-0309

or by contacting your local school counselor

Avondale MiddleAvondale HighBethune MiddleCedar Grove HighClarkston HighColumbia ElementaryColumbia HighCross Keys High

Eagle Woods AcademyFairington ElementaryFlat Rock ElementaryFreedom MiddleInternational Student CenterLithonia HighMartin Luther King, Jr. High

McNair MiddleMcNair HighSalem MiddleShadow Rock CenterStone Mountain MiddleStone Mountain HighTowers High


Youth The school district has refused to release the invoices filed by Moore for the investigation, citing attorney-client privilege and attorney work-product doctrine.

28 categories in bill for bullying probe Blue Ribbon Schools namedBy Jennifer Ffrench Parker

The DeKalb School System’s $389,161.81 tab for the bullying investigation did not all go to Judge Thelma Wyatt Moore.

The cost of the investigation into the death of Dunaire Elemen-tary fifth-grader Jaheem Herrera included hours billed by two asso-ciates who worked with the retired judge on the 30-day investigation, and expenses for mileage, meetings, telephone calls, research, inter-views, surveys and the preparation and editing of the 313-page double-spaced report, released to the media on Aug. 26.

On Wednesday, after a Sept. 12 CrossRoads News story on the cost of the investigation, the DeKalb School System released 28 “gen-eral categories” for which the funds were spent but did not put dollar amounts on the categories.

The school district has refused to release the invoices filed by Moore for the investigation, citing attorney-client privilege and at-torney work-product doctrine as its reasons for denying reporters at CrossRoadsNews and other media outlets the opportunity to view the payments made between May 12 and Aug. 18.

School Superintendent Dr. Crawford Lewis hired Moore on April 30 to investigate allegations made by Masika Bermudez, Ja-heem’s mother, that the child killed himself because of relentless bully-ing at the Stone Mountain School.

Jaheem, 11, hung himself with

a cloth belt at his family’s Decatur apartment on April 16.

In verbal and written reports, Moore said Jaheem did not com-mit suicide because of bullying at Dunaire Elementary. She also said that his mother never complained to the school.

In her written report, she said numerous complex circum-stances affected Jaheem’s life and

documented a history of domestic abuse between his mother and her boyfriend. Moore said she was un-able to interview Bermudez, or any family member of Jaheem.

“This is not a simplistic case of bullying,” she said. “The investiga-tion reveals a multitude of complex and significant factors impacting the life of this young boy before his death.”

The $389,161.81 tab for the DeKalb School System’s investigation into the death of Jaheem Herrera were spent on the following:

Meetings and interviewsMeeting with superintendent and

general counselPrincipals/asst. principal meetingsMeeting with administratorsMeeting with Internal Affairs

director and DeKalb District Attorney Chief meeting with associates to review interviews and prepare draft report

Meeting at State Bar of GeorgiaNational school safety conference

meetingsInterviewed numerous witnesses at

Dunaire ElementaryInterviewed staffInterviewed parentsConducted surveysTalked to experts in the area of

children psychologyConference Rockdale Clerk of Court

ResearchTelephone calls

Open Records Act request and U.S. Dept. of Justice report

U.S. Virgin Island recordsReview of documentation and

process planninginformation from the GBIResearched criminal histories Researched information regarding

bullying Researched various training

courses with school safety and bullying emphasis

Salary and reportHours billed by the associatesInvestigatorPreparation for press conferencePress conferenceMileage/printing/paper/misc.

supplies (Staples)Preparation of reportReview and editing of draft of final

public reportFinal public reportSource: DeKalb School System

Where did the money go?DeKalb School of the Arts in

DeKalb County and Honey Creek Elementary School in Rockdale County are among the 2009 Na-tional Blue Ribbon Schools.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan named them among seven Georgia public schools making the list.

Students at Blue Ribbon Schools score in the top 10 per-cent in student achievement even though at least 40 percent of their students are considered economi-cally disadvantaged. The award distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at

very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap.

State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox said the seven Georgia schools show how high expectations and hard work can lead to outstanding achievement.

The other Georgia schools making the list are Carter Godwin Woodson Elementary in Atlanta Public Schools; Hightower Trail Middle, Cobb County; Alice Coachman Elementary in Dough-erty County; Trion High, Trion City Schools; and Tunnel Hill Elementary, Whitfield County.


By McKenzie Jackson

Former Stephenson High School linebacker Marcus Ball, 22, could be making his college football debut for this season on Sept. 26.

Ball, now a safety for the Univer-sity of Memphis, will be eligible to compete in the Tigers’ contest against Marshall University.

The former Florida State line-backer and Pearl River (Miss.)

Community Col-lege defensive back was ruled ineli-gible to play in the Tigers’ first three games because of academic issues stemming from his playing career at Florida State.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound redshirt junior transferred and joined the Tigers on Aug. 29, after a standout one-year stint at Pearl River.

With the Wildcats, Ball, a 2006 Stephenson graduate, was a first-team All-American safety and recorded 53 tackles and two interceptions in nine games.

He transferred to the Popularville, Miss., junior college after spending two years at Florida State.

In his first season with the Semi-noles, Ball earned playing time in the first four games of the season and recorded 13 tackles and one intercep-tion before injuring his left knee in a game against Rice University.

In his final season at Florida State, Ball played in nine games and recorded 24 tackles, one sack, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery before he drew a three-game suspen-sion for his part in an online cheating scandal.

Ball never served the suspension until leaving for Pearl River.

Memphis, a Conference USA football team, had an 0-2 record as of Sept. 18, with losses to Mississippi and Middle Tennessee State.

The Tigers are scheduled to play Tennessee-Martin on Sept. 19.

SportS “Taiwo deserves it because she’s a hard worker. You’ll see her staying after practices and games shooting at the goal on her own.”

Ball may play in first game with Memphis

GPC’s Adeshigbin named soccer Player of the Week

South DeKalb teams fare well in combined tally

Dunwoody High School’s athletic teams scored the most points to win the 2009 All-Sports Award.

Six schools from south and central DeKalb finished in the top 10 standings for the 2009 DeKalb County All-Sports Award on Sept. 9.

Tucker, Southwest DeKalb, Redan, Stephenson, Miller Grove and Colum-bia finished in the top 10, but were topped by Dunwoody High School, which won the award for second time in three seasons and 10th time overall.

The award winner is determined by the accomplishments of all the athletic programs in the 19 DeKalb County

By McKenzie Jackson

Georgia Perimeter College’s Taiwo Ad-eshigbin was named the NJCAA Division 1 Player of the Week in women’s soccer on Sept. 9.

Adeshigbin, a freshman forward, won the National Junior College Athletic Association honor after scoring six goals in a three-game span from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4.

She tallied three scores in the Lady Jaguars’ 4-0 win over Spartanburg Methodist at the start of the season, and then nailed two more goals in the Lady Jaguars’ 3-0 win over Oxford College on Sept. 1. In the third contest, Ad-eshigbin scored GPC’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to No. 3 ranked Polk State College.

A former star at Central Gwinnett High in Lawrenceville, Adeshigbin said she was shocked to be named player of the week.

“But I’ve had great coaching support and great support from my teammates,” she said.

Head coach Bruno Kalonji said winning the award is a big honor.

“It hasn’t happened here at GPC with women’s soccer in a long time,” he said, “and Taiwo deserves it because she’s a hard worker. You’ll see her staying after practices and games shooting at the goal on her own.”

While in high school, Adeshigbin was a four-year starter on the soccer team and made the Gwinnett All-County team three times. She was a three-time team MVP and two-time Offensive Player of the Year at Central Gwinnett.

Adeshigbin has also played soccer for the Atlanta Fire United Soccer Club, a Duluth-based travel team; Tophats Soccer Club, an Atlanta area recreational soccer club; and the Gwinnett Soccer Association, a soccer league.

Freshman forward Taiwo Adeshigbin scored six goals in a three-game span from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4.

high schools and is based on a point system compiled by athletic specialist Chris Chilton, including countywide competitions such as wrestling, cross-country and gymnastics and playoff advancement.

Dunwoody finished first in the rankings with 315.5 points, followed by Lakeside with 295.5. Rounding out the top 10 were Tucker, 289; Chamblee, 286.5; Southwest DeKalb, 253; Redan, 227; Stephenson, 218; Miller Grove, 199.5; and Columbia,181.

Marcus Ball

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tor Lori Brooks said they are ex-pecting 250 paid participants.

Workshops for the two-day conference in-clude children a n d y o u t h , church leader-

ship, outreach, church administration, min-istry enhancement and pastoral leadership.

Participants will get to pick from classes ranging from “Activating a New Members Ministry” and “Creating a Culture of Hos-pitality Within Your Church” to “Making People a Priority.”

Berean Pastor Kerwin Lee and his wife, Yolanda, are conference hosts. Registration is $79 and is available \ at www.bereanchris-tianchurch.org/registration. Five or more can register at the group rate of $59 each.

The church is at 2201 Young Road in Stone Mountain. For more information call 770-593-4421.

Bishop Eddie L. Long and Pastor E. Dewey Smith will be preaching at the 2009 Pastors and Leaders Con-ference at Berean Christian Church in October.

The two will deliver the sermons at the nightly worship services that will be open to people who are attending the conference.

Long, who is the pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, will take the pulpit on Oct. 7. Smith, the pastor at Greater Travelers Rest Church in Decatur, will preach on Oct. 8.

Both services start at 7:30 p.m. and will feature performances by the 200-member Berean Sanctuary Choir.

The conference for pastors and church and ministry leaders is in its fourth year. Last year, participants came from Missouri and across the Southeast. Conference coordina-

miniStrY “We are committed to embracing diversity and we continue to seek opportunities to reach out to each group.”

Ethiopian Orthodox Church opens new cathedral in Lithonia

Single life eyed from biblical view

Gay nominated for gospel award

The Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Church plans to offer classes in health promotion, anti-crime, youth activities, disease prevention, English language training and other activities.

Conference targets church leaders

Kerwin Lee

Reggie Gay

Eddie Long E. Dewey Smith

Single adults can “Take a Look Within” at a Sept. 25-26 Singles Conference hosted by Elder Dane Cunning-ham, CEO of Embrace Relationships Seminars Inc.

The seminar is based on Cunningham’s book of the same name. The book and Cunning-ham’s nonprofit ministry address relation-ships from a biblical perspective.

The two-day seminar at Peace Bap-tist Church in Decatur will explore overcoming the pressures of being a single Christian in today’s society and about the importance of building a stronger relationship with God.

A performance by gospel recording

artist Javen will kick off the conference at 7 p.m. on Sept. 25. Conference classes will be 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the 26th.

Speakers include Cunningham, Tyrone Barnette, senior pastor of Peace Baptist Church; Paul Brewer and Phyllis

Churn, ministers at the church; Vincent Watson, pastor of New Christian Center; and Reginald Sharpe, a minister at Greater Travelers Rest in Decatur.

Conference registration is $30. To reg-ister or for more information, visit www.peacebaptistchurch.org.

The church is at 1399 Austin Drive in Decatur. For more information, call 404-288-1750.

D. Cunningham Tyrone Barnette

DeKalb is now home to the Ki-dist Mariam (St. Mary) Ethiopian Church, the largest Ethiopian Or-thodox Church ever built outside of Ethiopia.

The ribbon-cutting for the 32,000-square-foot Lithonia ca-thedral, which will serve DeKalb County, was held on Aug. 29.

The church, which was founded in metro Atlanta in 1987, initially held services in a chapel rented from Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta before moving to 266 Robin St. in Decatur in 1995.

As it outgrew that location, the church bought the 5.5 acres in Lithonia that is now home to the cathedral.

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis, who delivered the keynote address at the dedication ceremony, praised DeKalb’s diversity and said the cathedral will serve as a sanctuary for all citizens of DeKalb.

“When you come to DeKalb County, you get a global snapshot,” he said. “We are committed to em-bracing diversity and we continue to seek opportunities to reach out to each group.”

Abuna Yakob, Archbishop of Georgia and Tennessee Ethiopian Orthodox Churches, is pastor of the Lithonia church. He was joined at the ceremony by Ethiopian Ortho-dox Church leader Abune Merkori-ous and Abate Zewdie, the Patriarch

of Ethiopia Kidist Mariam Church board president.

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church dates back to the fourth century A.D. when the Christian church broke into its two main branches – Orthodox and Roman

From left, Abuna Yakob, Kidist Mariam Church pastor and Archbishop of Georgia and Tennessee Ethiopian Orthodox Churches; Abune Merkorios, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarch; Abate Zewdie, Board President Kidist Mariam Church; and DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis cut the ribbon on the new cathedral. Catholic.

With expanded space, the church now has adequate space for worship and community outreach and will serve metro Atlanta Ethio-pians and community residents.

From its new home, the church plans to offer classes in health promotion, anti-crime, youth ac-

tivities, disease prevention, English language training, senior citizen activities and educational and em-ployment referrals.

The church is at 1152 South Stone Mountain Road in Lithonia. For more information, visit www.kmariam.org or call 404-377-2238.

Reggie Gay, host of the “Reg-gie Gay Gospel Show,” has been nominated for the “Best in Media” award for the 2009 Gospel Choice Awards.

Gay, who lives in Ellenwood, made his name in gospel music in metro Atlanta on KISS 104 FM.

A 27-year radio veteran, he is also an associate minister at Second Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta.

The 15th annual Gospel Choice Awards will be Sept. 28 at the Georgia World Congress Center. It will include 10 Cho-sen Awards Pastors, including Pastor Kerwin Lee of Berean Christian Church

in Stone Mountain and Pastor Karl D. Moore of Clarkston First Baptist Church in Clarkston; 100 Most Influential Pastors and their church representatives; corporate sponsors, presenters, politicians, promoters, produc-ers, gospel music artists and nominees.

Fans can vote for Gay at www.TheGospelChoiceAwards.com.

Round-the-clock gospel music is avail-able at www.ReggieGay.com and his show is “live” weekdays 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Saturday noon to 3 p.m. For information, call 404-214-7117.

Workshops to offer mortgage adviceHomeowners looking to restructure

their mortgages can get help at a Sept. 19 seminar at Greater Travelers Rest Church in Decatur.

The church’s Center for Community Empowerment is hosting the event with the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) Home Save Program.

The day will consist of workshops for ex-isting and prospective homeowners at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Torri Durham Jones, Center for Com-munity Empowerment coordinator, said the workshops are going to be very helpful.

“Our goal is to serve as the liaison be-tween the church and the community by offering opportunities that will empower and motivate persons to excel in life,” she said.

Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church is at 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway. For more infor-mation or to register, visit www.naca.com or call 1-888-302-6222.

Friday, Sept. 25, 20097 p.m.

Kick-Off Session• Guest Artist Javen

• Minister Reginald Sharpe Jr.

Saturday, Sept. 26, 20098 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.Praise & Worship

Breakout SessionsElder Dane Cunningham

Conference LocationPeace Baptist Church

1399 Austin Dr.Decatur, GA 30032404.288.1750 Office404.288.5209 Fax

www.peacebaptistchurch.org

REGISTRATION $30/person

$110 for 6 people


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17819-MCFO (9-19) crossroads 9/17/09 10:01 AM Page 1


crossroadsnews, september 19, 2009

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