County by county news for Thursday

Boyce said he began considering running for office about three months ago when the commission approved a millage rate increase. Boyce would have found other ways to balance the budget without raising taxes, he said.

He joins former commission chairman Bill Byrne in trying to unseat incumbent Tim Lee next year.

Janel Davis

Douglasville man suspected of murder

Cobb County police on Thursday named a suspect in the fatal shooting of a Powder Springs man outside Cumberland Mall.

Police spokesman Dana Pierce asked for the public’s help in finding Rosano Wensly Bundel, 28, of Douglasville.

Bundel is wanted in connection with the shooting death of George Tabetando, 29.

Tabetando was shot multiple times Saturday night near the Cobb Community Transit station near the mall after he and another man got into a fight in the Macy’s parking lot, police said.

Police believe the getaway car, a brown, charcoal or gray BMW, may have been driven by a woman. Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or Cobb police at 770-499-3945.

Christian Boone

Marietta councilman to run for judgeship

Marietta councilman Van Pearlberg said Wednesday he plans to resign April 20 in order to run for the Cobb County Superior Court judge position held by Dorothy Robinson. Robinson plans to retire at the end of 2012. Pearlberg, who is also the deputy chief assistant district attorney in Cobb, is in his second council term ending in 2013. A special election to fill his post is tentatively planned for July 31.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Holiday donations needed for Austell group

Christian Aid Mission Partnership (CAMP) in Austell is seeking donations for its Christmas Toy Program. Last year, the clothing and food pantry helped almost 900 children through its toy program.

Volunteers are also needed to help in CAMP’s Christmas Room or by sponsoring an “Angel Tree” at their business or church.

New, unwrapped toys are needed for children from birth to 11 years old. For information: Special Projects Coordinator Belinda Thomas at 770-819-0662, ext. 27 or svcamp.org.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

Business groups to merge in Cobb

The Powder Springs and South Cobb Business Associations will merge in 2012.

Felicia Jones, vice president of the Powder Springs group, said the PSBA has around 35 members compared to SCBA’s membership of about 200.

The merger will allow for better networking opportunities, leaving Cobb with 10 business associations.

PSBA’s final luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Ford Center behind the library at 4181 Atlanta St.

The cost is $10 for members and $15 for guests. For information: powderspringsassoc.com.

Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC

DeKalb

Emory nursing school receives five-year grant

Emory University’s School of Nursing has received a five-year, $2.9 million federal grant to study the effects of health literacy on medication compliance among African Americans with HIV/AIDS.

The goal is to determine if African Americans with HIV/AIDS are more likely to misunderstand medication instructions because of poor health literacy skills – putting them at greater risk for advanced disease, said study leader Drenna Waldrop-Valverde. This is the fourth National Institutes of Health grant Waldrop-Valverde has received to study the issue.

Misty Williams

Bike trail segment opens in Gresham Park

Another segment of a bike trail in DeKalb has been completed and will officially open Saturday with a ribbon cutting in Gresham Park Saturday.

The trail is part of a system being developed by the PATH Foundation as the biking community grows and there is an increased interest in active and healthy living.

DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis and representatives from PATH will cut the ribbon at 11 a.m. at the large bridge near Cottonwood Drive SE and Will Rogers Place.

Rhonda Cook

Decatur High hosts garden dig Saturday

The Decatur High Community Garden will hold a “Big Dig” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the corner of West Howard and Commerce Streets. Garden volunteers will learn about Hugelkultur, an old eastern European method of burying plant materials to improve poor soils. Workers will help dig a hugelbed, or two-foot deep trench approximately 10 feet long and four-feet wide, in which potatoes, squash, melons and some berries thrive. Volunteers are welcome.

Bill Banks for the AJC

Chamblee hires development director

Chamblee has hired a new development director to help the city retain existing businesses and lure new ones.

Vicki Coleman, most recently the business relations manager for Fulton County’s Economic Development and Business Services, began the job in late October. She will earn $75,000 a year in the role, which also calls for her to oversee planning, zoning and development review for Chamblee.

Coleman has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia and a master of public administration degree from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies from Georgia State University. April Hunt

DeKalb veterans get helping hand

Pitching in has paid off for veterans across DeKalb County. About 80 bags of personal hygiene products were distributed to veterans as a result of a joint effort of the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension, DeKalb County Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, Master Gardener Extension volunteers, and 4-H clubs. The federal VASH program provides permanent housing and ongoing treatment services to the hard-to-serve homeless, mentally-ill veterans and those suffering from substance abuse disorders. VASH participants were also offered healthy cooking classes.

Nancy Badertscher

Gwinnett

Couple donates $250,000 to Tech school

Philanthropists Clyde and Sandra Strickland have donated $250,000 to Gwinnett Technical College.

The money will be used to establish scholarships for students in programs ranging from health sciences to public safety. It also will be used to help students prepare for General Educational Development tests.

For information on Gwinnett Tech programs, visit www.gwinnetttech.edu or call 770-962-7580.

David Wickert

Parents can review curriculum materials

Parents and community members can share their views on proposed changes to the Gwinnett County School’s curriculum this month.

The district’s curriculum review will continue through Dec. 9. The public is being asked to consider changes that were made to correspond with state Common Core Standards . Feedback is also being sought on additions and deletions in the curriculum.

Review forms are available at www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us.

A committee will discuss the suggestions in March 2012 before making recommendations to the superintendent.

D. Aileen Dodd

Schrader seeks Superior Court judgeship

Kathy Schrader held a kickoff Thursday for her campaign to succeed the retiring Judge Dawson Jackson to the Gwinnett County Superior Court.

Schrader has served as a Municipal Court Judge in Duluth and Sugar Hill, and is past president of the Gwinnett County Bar Association.

Andria Simmons

County rings in holidays at historic courthouse

Gwinnett County will host a holiday celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. The event will feature self-guided tours of the courthouse, holiday music and visits with Santa. Kids can make holiday crafts at a cost of $1 per child. A visit and photo with Santa is $5 per child.

David Wickert

Duluth holds tree lighting Saturday

Duluth Fall Festival will present the 29th Annual Lighting of the Tree event at 6:30 p.m. at 3167 Main Street Saturday.

Children will receive a candy cane and special visit with Santa. Caroling and holiday treats will be in City Hall beginning at 5 p.m. Information: 770-476-3434.

Kenneth Musisi

Northside

Automotive class seeking junk cars

Junk and unwanted cars can find a home and a good use in the automotive training program at Fulton County’s Chattahoochee High School. The vehicles will be used to teach young automotive technicians, and they don’t need to be able to run or drive, said Jeff Shmanske, ASE master certified technician and automotive technology instructor at Chattahoochee. Contact: ShmanskeJ@fulton.k12.ga.us or call 770-521-7600, ext. 178

Nancy Badertscher

Sandy Springs to present new flood maps

Sandy Springs residents can review new flood risk maps from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. The maps include flood insurance rate maps used to help establish insurance premiums.

The maps show the extent to which parcels are at risk for flooding, taking into account changes in topography, land use and drainage patterns.

The meeting is at Sandy Springs City Hall Council Chambers, 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500. Information: www.sandyspringsga.org, or 770-730-5600. Patrick Fox

Parade will shut down State Bridge Road

Final plans are in the works for Saturday’s 2011 Founders Day Parade in Johns Creek.

The parade celebrates the founding of Johns Creek 5 years ago.

Motorists should avoid State Bridge Road along the 1.4-mile route between Morton and Kimball Bridge roads from about 8 a.m. to noon.

The parade will be followed by “Santa Jam,” a community party at Johns Creek High School that features music, food, race cars, and other entertainment until 1 p.m.

Patrick Fox

Event to honor veterans at Cherokee cemetery

The Wreaths across America program, honoring deceased veterans, will be Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Georgia National Cemetery in Cherokee County. Volunteers will place wreaths at 10:30 a.m. The program follows at noon. Information: 770-479-9300.

Kenneth Musisi

Annual tree lighting in Roswell Saturday

Roswell’s annual lighting of the historic town square tree begins at 5 p.m. Saturday. The event includes performances by the Hillside Elementary singers, the River Eves Choir, Esther Jackson Chorus and Roswell Ramblers Almost Singers, followed by a reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas with Mayor Jere Wood.

Nancy Badertscher

Southside

Peachtree City seeking board volunteers

Peachtree City residents wishing to fill vacancies on several local boards have until Dec. 9 to submit applications. Volunteer positions are open on the Peachtree City Airport Authority, Water & Sewerage Authority, Recreation & Special Events Advisory Board and the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Terms vary, and the CVB specifically seeks local business owners or managers. Details and forms are at www.peachtree-city.org/jobs under Volunteers.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Fayette schools hosts recruiting program

The Fayette County School System will present a program on “The Realities of College Athletic Recruiting” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City.

Former college coach and recruiting expert Jack Renkens will offer advice to parents and students about evaluations, scholarships, marketing and myths about how recruiting works.

The program is free and geared toward athletes in all sports.

Jill Howard Church for the AJC

Virtual town hall meeting in East Point

The city of East Point will hold another virtual town hall meeting Wednesday to address controversy caused by water and electric bill hikes. The meeting, accessible by Internet and hosted by East Point Customer Care, lasts from 7 to 8 p.m. and will include a question and answer session.

It’s part of a campaign called “What’s Up With My Utilities,” created for the city by Kwarren Advertising & Public Relations. The effort includes booklets and video vignettes that will air on Comcast channel 22.

For virtual seat reservations: www.eastpointcity.org.

Johnny Edwards

Locust Grove seeking new city manager

The Locust Grove City Council voted in a special called meeting Nov. 28 not to renew city manager Don McKenzie’s contract, which expires Dec. 31. A new city manager will not be named before the first of the year, when two new members will take their seats on the council. McKenzie terminated police chief Jesse Patton and city clerk Theresa Breedlove in October, but both of them appealed and were reinstated by the council within a few weeks.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Workshop on downtown improvements Tuesday

With the recent news that the city of McDonough will receive a $1.3 million grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission for downtown improvements, officials there have scheduled a “Visioning Workshop” that will include a public presentation Tuesday at City Hall. A new city ordinance is in the works that is aimed at “maximizing McDonough’s opportunities to attract mixed-use and quality in-fill development; improve connections to recreational amenities near the Town Square; and enhance street and sidewalk appearance, safety and connectivity,” according to a news release.

Monroe Roark for the AJC

Atlanta

New leader to focus on customer service

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed hired Kristin Canavan Wilson to lead the city’s new Innovation Delivery Team, funded by a $3.3 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Wilson’s will focus on improving customer service for city residents and reducing street homelessness by finding housing and jobs for the homeless. Wilson was previously vice president of market planning at LexisNexis in Alpharetta.

Jeremiah McWilliams

Clark Atlanta spreads Christmas cheer

About 600 students, professors and other employees of Clark Atlanta University brought an early Christmas to 400 children in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The grown ups donated gifts for each child at Atlanta Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free K-7 charter school for Atlanta students. They also sang carols. The kids performed, too.

“It was mutual entertainment,” said CAU spokesman Larry Calhoun. The “Christmas at CAU” is an annual tradition. It took place Thursday at CAU’s Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center multipurpose room.

Ty Tagami

City Hall goes red for HIV/AIDS awareness

In observance of World AIDS Day, Atlanta’s City Hall will be illuminated red for the entire month of December. For the second consecutive year, Atlanta will join over 30 cities around the world to illuminate landmarks red to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

Jeremiah McWilliams

Atlanta hires new sustainability director

Denise Quarles has been hired to lead Atlanta’s sustainability efforts, the office of Mayor Kasim Reed announced Thursday. Quarles previously served for three years as vice president of environmental affairs and director of business development in the energy division of Southwire, a Georgia-based manufacturer of electric wiring and cabling. Before that, she worked for DaimlerChrysler for 12 years.

Jeremiah McWilliams