The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, July 06, 2023, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextJULY 6 - 12, 2023 www.THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.com VOL 34 • NO. 2 e CHAMPION The official legal organ of DeKalb County, EA. Serving East Atlanta, Avondale Estates, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, Doraville, Dunwoody, Uthonia, Pine Lake, Tucker, Stonecrest and Stone Mountain. 504 LOCAL New $5 million fire station opens in Decatur PAGE 3 LOCAL Play takes lighthearted look at seniors trying to live on fixed incomes PAGE 7 SPORTS Chamblee soccer star named Georgia Player of the Year PAGE12 LIFESTYLE Naples boutique hotel is a standout PAGE14 VISIT US ONLINE @ THECHAMPIONNEWSPAPER.COM lill l,, 641 1 6 00001 Devon Horton took his oath of office before assuming his role as DCSD’s new superintendent. Photos provided by DeKalb County School District Incoming superintendent takes office BY JAY PHILLIPS JAY@DEKALBCHAMP.COM DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Devon Horton took the oath of office at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Decatur on June 29 and began work on July 1, according to a news release. "I am thrilled to embark on this journey as the new superintendent of DeKalb County Schools," said Horton. "My family and I are excited to move into the county and become part of this remarkable community. I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead this team of dedicated educators, administrators, and staff as we serve the families who are entrusting their children's education to us." A district spokesperson said that Horton also expressed excitement for the incoming superintendent's concept of "Elevating Excellence," during the oath SEE HORTON ON PAGE 6 Horton comes to DeKalb from the Chicago-suburb school district known as Evanston/Skokie School District 65. Horton talked about his plan to “Elevate Excellence” for everyone at his oath of office ceremony. Horton is the district’s fourth superintendent in the last four years. Hundreds show up to ask questions, express concerns over proposed annexation at meetings BY CHRISTINE FONVILLE CHRISTINE@DEKALBCHAMP.COM H omeowners, business owners and others in and around a proposed annexation area that would include Toco Hill Shopping Center are asking Brookhaven officials for more time and answers before a vote scheduled in July that would incorporate approximately 462 total acres of unincorporated DeKalb County into the city of Brookhaven. At two separate meetings held June 27 and June 28 - one hosted by DeKalb County commissioners and the other hosted by Brookhaven City Council - multiple questions were raised by attendees about the annexation petition, which, according to DeKalb County officials, was delivered to the county earlier in June. Since that time, DeKalb County's Chief Legal Officer Viviane Ernstes said her department has been going through the approximately 1,700-page document to verify that it passes the 60 percent threshold required to proceed. According to Georgia's codes on annexation, "Authority is granted to the governing bodies of the several municipal corporations of (the) state to annex to the existing corporate limits upon the written and signed application of not less than 60 percent of the electors residing in the area included in any such application and of the owners of not less than 60 percent of the land area, by acreage, included in such application." Multiple public commenters at both meetings said there did not appear to be proper notarization SEE ANNEXATION ON PAGE 5 \jjti Mb Social @DEKALBCHAMPNEWS

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The champion newspaper. (Decatur, GA) 19??-current, July 06, 2023, Image 1