The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, January 07, 2016, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Text2015 SEE PAGE 9A The Official Legal Organ of DeKaib County, GA. Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dun woody, Lithonia, Pine Lake, Tucker and Stone Mountain. Social ao thechampionnewspaper.com TheCHAMPION 1ST Place General excellence Award winner Georgia Press Association ‘Better Newspaper Contest’ 2007, 2009-2015 SECTION A: VOL 25 NO. 28 JANUARY 7-13,2016 500 Ernst sworn in as Brookhaven mayor by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com John Ernst was sworn in Jan. 4 as the new mayor of Brookhaven. Ernst, the former DeKaib Coun ty Board of Ethics chairman, is the third mayor in the city’s three years of existence. He succeeds Rebecca Chase Williams, who was appointed mayor by the city council after J. Max Davis resigned as mayor to run for Georgia House District 80 in June. After he was sworn in by DeKaib State Court Judge Mike Jacobs, Ernst told Brookhaven residents that there is “much work to be done.” “There will be many hills to climb and I’m sure there will be many valleys to climb out of,” he said. “Cities, much like buildings, are built from the bottom up. We’ve accomplished many great things but there is much more to be done. We have to take time to do a complete inventory of what we’re doing right. “My pledge to you is to always listen to all perspectives and to do my best every day to make well-in formed choices for the goal of com munity and making Brookhaven the best it can be,” he said. Ernst said his first day as mayor is the start of a long process of trying to build the “best Brookhaven pos sible.” “We just really need to worry See Brookhaven on Page 15A John Ernst is sworn in as Brookhaven mayor by Judge Mike Jacobs as his wife Monica looks on. Photos by Travis Hudgons Bates Mattison is sworn in into his second term as councilman. Linley Jones is sworn in as councilmember. Lithonia City Councilman Fred Reynolds recites the oath of office. Councilmember Shameka Reynolds is sworn in by Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson recites the oath of office. Judge Gregory A. Adams. Lithonia swears in mayor, two council members by Carla Parker carla@dekalbchamp.com Lithonia Mayor Deborah Jackson and City Councilmembers Shameka Reynolds and Fred Reynolds were sworn in by DeKaib County Supe rior Court Judge Gregory A. Adams Jan. 4. Jackson and Shameka Reynolds were sworn in for a second term for their respective positions, while Fred Reynolds—Shameka’s cousin—was sworn in for his first term. Fred Reynolds pulled out a close win Nov. 3 over former councilmem ber Darold Honore. Fred Reynolds asked residents to pray for the mayor and city council. “Everything is built on a spiritual foundation, and if we can get that right 99 percent of the other stuff will begin to fall in place,” he said. We’ll do our best.” Shameka Reynolds expressed her cousin’s sen timents as well. “Please pray for us,” she said. “We need your help, we need your input, and we need your com mitment to the city as well. We cannot do this by ourselves.” Jackson said her first four years as mayor has been an incredible journey. See Lithonia on Page 15A 6A1 16 OOOQ1 ^CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER CHAMPIONNEWS ^CHAMPIONNEWSPAPER

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The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, January 07, 2016, Image 1