Metro briefs for Thursday

By Bob Howard

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

DeKalb County notified 82 firefighters they would be laid off, a second time in as many weeks.

The move is to help meet budget cuts, DeKalb spokesman Burke Brennan said.

In February, the county commission rejected a tax increase and cut $33.6 million from the budget, including about $7 million from the fire department.

Recruits were informed March 28 they would be laid off, but were reinstated by the end of the week, according to Audrey Starace, the wife of one of the recruits.

DeKalb Fire Chief Eddie O'Brien hoped to find an alternative source of funding to keep the recruits, bur was unable to do so, Brennan said.

The group was notified Thursday their last day would be April 15.

"This is such a yo-yo," Starace said. "To have this happen again so soon is just unsettling."

MICHELLE SHAW

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For 2 1/2 months, Rhonda Williams of Fairburn carried around a winning lottery ticket without knowing it.

"I found the ticket this weekend while cleaning out my purse," said Williams, 55. "I went online to check the ticket, and I just sat there for a moment."

Turns out Williams matched all five numbers in the Jan. 17 Fantasy 5 drawing for a take of $189,302.

Williams, who bought the ticket at Stop N Go on Broad Street in Fairburn, said she'll pay off bills and maybe take a cruise.

"I'm still shocked but very grateful," she said. LARRY HARTSTEIN

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Two taxpayer advocates have asked the Fulton County Commission to demand the resignation of Board of Assessors member Rick Kenny, who was revealed in an AJC article to have been disciplined by state last year for being "negligent" in over-appraising a duplex for $210,000 in 2005.

During public comments Wednesday, Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation Executive Director Barbara Payne said the board doesn't need a blemish when assessment values are "upside down." Georgia Property Taxpayers Committee president R.J. Morris read a letter demanding Kenny quit.

JOHNNY EDWARDS

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County by county

Three of a Kind

Smile! Even if you can't afford it, you can have access to a healthy smile. B5

Restaurant Inspections

How does your favorite eatery rate with the health department? B4