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LOCAL
DeKalb County IGA a
split decision in Doraville
Pittman O’Connor Fleming
Mayor forced to cast tiebreaking vote
for approval
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
An intergovernmental
agreement (IGA) making
rounds throughout DeKalb
County was discussed at the
Doraville city council meeting
on July 18.
The IGA preemptively
supports a future penny
sales tax and a one-year
expansion on that tax. It
also updates municipalities’
populations from the 2010
November ballot.
Every DeKalb County
city has signed the
IGA except Dunwoody.
In Doraville, it took a
tiebreaking vote from Mayor
Donna Pittman for it to be
signed.
“Passing the IGA tonight
allows for the county to
vote for a six-year special
purpose local option sales
tax (SPLOST) rather than
a five-year SPLOST,” said
Doraville city manager
'I hate to say I don't trust
DeKalb County in getting
us the money meant for us,
but based on their track
record, I don't think they'll
be on the up-and-up.'
- Doraville city council member Pam Fleming
U.S. Census to the 2015
U.S. population estimates,
allowing for a higher
percentage of county funds
in addition to providing a
rough outline of capital
projects to county officials.
HB 596, the SPLOST
referendum, was recently
exposed as having
miswritten information
that suggests eliminating
a property tax freeze in
DeKalb County. Doubts
have since arisen in cities
throughout the county and
officials are having a difficult
time deciphering what
they’re agreeing upon.
On July 19, DeKalb
County commissioners
voted 5-0 to take the
SPLOST referendum off the
Shawn Gillen. “Not passing
the IGA, the county can still
put the SPLOST in place.”
Gillen said the IGA
ultimately means Doraville
will receive a little more
money per year assuming
the tax is passed.
Issues arose from
Doraville city council
members Dawn O’Connor,
Pam Fleming and Sharon
Spangler regarding the
reception of tax funds,
the way the legislation
surrounding the SPLOST
has been handled.
“I hate to say I don’t trust
DeKalb County in getting us
the money meant for us, but
based on their track record, I
See IGA on Page 13A
CHAMPION!
July 28 - Aug. 3, 2016 • Page 10A
AM in
Nominated ‘LifeChanger’ and Decatur teacher fully
committed to changing lives of students, colleagues
by R. Scott Belzer
sbelzer@dekalbchamp.com
On any given weekday
during the school year,
there’s a good chance
Artesha Chaney is
changing hearts and minds
at Oakhurst Elementary.
On any given weekend
or evening, there’s a good
chance she still hasn’t
stopped.
Chaney, an intervention
paraprofessional for City
Schools of Decatur, was
recently nominated for
the 2016-2017 National
LifeChanger of the Year
Award.
According to sponsor
National Life Group
Foundation, the annual
program “recognizes and
rewards the very best K-12
public and private school
educators and employees
across the United States
who are making a
difference in the lives of
students by exemplifying
excellence, positive
influence and leadership.”
Chaney has the chance
to win prize amounts
ranging from $3,000 to
$10,000 based on her
placement among 15
winners with half of the
winnings going to Oakhurst
Elementary. The top five
winners, announced Spring
2017, will also take part
in an awards ceremony in
Naples, Fla.
“I was very shocked
when I was first
nominated,” Chaney said.
“Just to learn that this is
how your colleagues see
you, how they see the
things you do, I’m very
thankful. I work with some
amazing kids and some
amazing people.”
According to colleague
Debbie Lester, who
nominated Chaney, there is
no one more deserving.
“Artesha Chaney
works every day to change
the lives of those in her
community,” Lester wrote
in her formal nomination.
“She has been a fixture
in the Decatur community
Artesha Chaney, an intervention
paraprofessional for City
Schools of Decatur at Oakhurst
Elementary, was recently
nominated for the 2016-2017
National LifeChanger of the
Year Award.
for years, and her positive
impact on the lives of
others is constant.”
Chaney’s profession
allows her to work with
general education students
and students with special
needs at Oakhurst. On a
daily basis, she implements
individualized education
plans, keeps a positive
attitude and ensures that
every child she comes into
contact with knows they
matter.
Chaney said her goal
every day is to make sure
children feel connected,
wanted and able to learn.
See LifeChanger on Page 12A
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