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Georgia small businesses honored during national ceremony

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Georgia small businesses honored during national ceremony


ATLANTA – Georgia small businesses were honored among others during the 2024 National Small Business Week Award Winners ceremony.

Release:

The SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses, announced the National Small Business Week (NSBW) 2024 Award Winners, including Georgia’s Small Business Person of the Year, and other business owners, leading partners, and advocates who embody the grit and determination that power our nation’s economy and ensure disaster-impacted communities can recover. This year’s NSBW will take place April 28 – May 4, 2024.

“Our 2024 National Small Business Week award winners exemplify excellence, innovation, and commitment, and the SBA is proud to showcase their incredible achievements and impact on their communities and our economy,” said Administrator Guzman. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, more Americans than ever before are pursuing the American dream of business ownership and able to access more opportunities, with historic investments in communities across America in local infrastructure, broadband, manufacturing, innovation, and clean energy. National Small Business Week is the nation’s opportunity to lift up the amazing entrepreneurs, small business advocates, local partners, advisors, lenders, and investors who support America’s entrepreneurial spirt and the historic Biden-Harris Small Business Boom.”

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Georgia Winners

Georgia’s Small Business Person of the Year is Eric Williams, President and CEO of Unified Defense and Prince Service & Manufacturing, two manufacturing companies Williams operates as a single entity in Middle Georgia. His companies manufacture and provide metal components to defense and commercial sectors. Williams received $2.2 million in SBA loans to help finance and expand his organization, including the acquisition of Prince Service & Manufacturing in 2022.

“Unified Defense and Prince Service & Manufacturing is a great example of a small business that is helping power the local economy in middle Georgia by creating and adding jobs to a rural area,” said Terri Denison. “Rural areas rely on small businesses to employ more than 54 percent of workers, and Eric’s personal mission is to help make his rural community a great place to both live and work.”

The SBA’s 2024 National Exporter of the Year is Oscar Felipe Arroyave, President and Founder of Atlanta-based Spectrum International Group, LLC. The company designs, manufactures and sells specialty contact lenses to over 65 countries around the world. Spectrum received an SBA COVID EIDL loan during the pandemic that provided working capital to reach new markets and invest in technology. Additionally, the company has worked with the Small Business Development International Trade Center for SBA loan assistance and received an SBA State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant funding in 2022 to help with exports.

“We are excited to congratulate Spectrum International Group’s Founder Oscar Felipe Arroyave for representing the state of Georgia and being named the SBA’s 2024 National Exporter of the Year. Georgia has experienced three consecutiverecord-breaking years for exports, with companies such as Spectrum exporting nearly $50 billion in goods to 215 unique countries and territories. Spectrum is a shining example of how leveraging SBA resource partners and programs can help small businesses expand their global footprint.

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Award Ceremonies

The NSBW Award Ceremonies will take place April 28 – 29, 2024 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Washington, D.C., where Administrator Guzman will recognize the national award winners and individual state winners, and also announce the top honor of National Small Business Person of the Year from among the individual state winners. Administrator Guzman will then launch a roadshow tour from April 30 – May 3, 2024, which will include stops in Manchester, N.H., Milwaukee, Wis., Denver, Colo., and Billings, Mont. Administrator Guzman will be joined by local leaders to honor award-winning small businesses and discuss SBA initiatives and opportunities for the small business community. The week-long National Small Business Week celebration will also feature a virtual summit co-hosted by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses.

In Georgia, an awards luncheon will be held in Metro Atlanta in early May honoring the Georgia Small Business Person of the Year, Georgia Exporter, and other local award winners from the state.

2024 State Small Business Persons of the Year:

State  Awardee(s)  Name of Business  City/State 
Alabama  Shanna Ullman, Timothy Ullman, Robert Prescott Transformation Partners LLC Tuscaloosa, AL
Alaska  Kali C Bennett The Waterworks Anchorage, AK
Arizona  Austin Tsosie/Dan Riggs Dine Development Corporation Scottsdale, AZ
Arkansas  Lynette West HealthWear Corp Jonesboro, AR
California  Carrie A. Schmidt B.C. Schmidt Construction, Inc. Colusa, CA
Colorado  Benjamin and Christine Herron Achieve Sports Center Denver, CO
Connecticut  Maria Miranda Miranda Creative Norwichtown, CT
Delaware  Amy Lord Hughes  Lord’s Landscaping, Inc. Millville, DE
District of Columbia  Manuel “Manny” Cosme CFO Service Group Washington, DC
Florida  Yanet Herrero KINGS Service Solutions Orlando, Florida
Georgia  Eric Williams Unified Defense and Prince Service & Manufacturing Byron, GA
Guam Jessica Leon Guerrero M80 Systems, Inc.  Asan, GU
Hawaii  Ronald B. Panzo Nalu’s South Shore Grill Kihei, HI
Idaho  Jeanne McFall RIVHAB Engineering Design Eagle, ID
Illinois  Jacqueline Jackson Kilwins Chicago, IL
Indiana  DuJuan McCoy Circle City Broadcasting Indianapolis, IN
Iowa  Cathy Bishop Aggie’s Inc. Sergeant Bluff, IA
Kansas  Dallas M. Haselhorst Treetop Security, LLC Hays, KS
Kentucky  Ines M. Rivas-Hutchins INTEC Group LLC Lexington, KY
Louisiana  Iam Tucker Integrated Logistical Support, Incorporated (ILSI, Inc.) New Orleans, LA
Maine  Matthew Polstein New England Outdoor Center Millinocket, ME
Maryland  Rose Maria Li Rose Li and Associates Bethesda, MD
Massachusetts  Stephanie Vanderbilt Coastal Windows & Exteriors Beverly, MA
Michigan  Tiffany Klingensmith Unconventional Solutions, Inc. Wixom, Mi
Minnesota  Micah Eveland; Kent Eveland Scamp Trailers Backus, MN
Mississippi  John Ruskey Quapaw Canoe Co. Clarksdale, MS
Missouri  Charlie M. Downs III Sugarfire Smokehouse St. Louis, MO
Montana  Loretta L. Bolyard, PHD Mountain West Psychological Resources Butte, MT
Nebraska  Michael Moravec, PT, DPT, OCS Bluffs Physical Therapy Scottsbluff, NE
Nevada  Wanda Luna Universal Furniture Design Las Vegas, NV
New Hampshire  Susan Borchert & Betsy Harrison Counseling Associates New London, NH
New Jersey  Isabelita “Lita” Marcelo Abele U.S. Lumber Inc. Woodbury Heights, NJ
New Mexico  Christopher J. Sweetin Triskelion Group of New Mexico, Inc. Albuquerque, NM
New York  Aneesa T. Waheed Bollywood Masala Corp dba Tara Kitchen Schenectady, NY
North Carolina  Dylan Reid Gehrken GREASECYCLE, LLC Raleigh, NC
North Dakota  Cherie Olson Harms Leonardite Products, LLC Williston, ND
Ohio  Ericka Adams Adams Dental Assisting Academy Gahanna, OH
Oklahoma  Angelene Wright Ida Red Tulsa, OK 
Oregon  McKean Banzer-Lausberg, Michael Branes, Colin Rath, and Eric Banzer-Lausberg. Migration Brewing, LLC Portland, OR
Pennsylvania Dorothea Spencer D Gillette Industrial Services Easton, PA
Puerto Rico  Eduardo Diaz-Argimon Baldwin Animal Hospital, PSC Guaynabo, PR
Rhode Island  Brian Goldman Big Blue Bug Solutions Providence, RI
South Carolina  Vickey Evans CORG Management Group LLC Columbia, SC
South Dakota  Nick & Greg Heineman Look’s Marketplace Sioux Falls, SD 
Tennessee  Craig Charles Crown Cutz Academy Johnson City, TN
Texas  Tamiko Bailey Bailey’s Premier Services, LLC Fort Worth, Texas
Utah  Autumn McGregor Zion’s Tiny Homes Hurricane, Utah
Vermont  Kerry Boyle Integrative Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Montpelier, VT
Virginia  Anil Boinapalli Sky Solutions, LLC Herndon, VA
Washington  Heather McDowell Seattle Green Earth Cleaning Seattle, WA
West Virginia  Lisa Fritsch, Peter Fritsch, Adam Leach and Chet Tobrey Agile5 Technologies, Inc Fairmont, WV
Wisconsin  Eric Rupert, Sam McDaniel, Jessica Benish Fortune Favors Cottage Grove, WI
Wyoming  Dr. Erica Higgins Empowered Chiropractic Casper, WY 

In addition to state-level recognition, national awards will also be presented in the following categories to the following:

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Small Business Exporter of the Year:

  • Spectrum International Group, LLC, Atlanta, GA

Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery: 

  • Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery: The Coffee Shoppe, Selma, AL
  • Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Public Official: Dirk Joseph Guidry, Chauvin, LA
  • Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Volunteer: Leanne Rogers Lovell, Wynne, AR

Federal Procurement Awards:  

  • Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year: Action Manufacturing Company, Bristol, PA
  • Small Business Subcontractor of the Year: Knowledge Based Systems, Inc., College Station, TX
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence – Services (for large prime contractors who use small businesses as suppliers and contractors): Jacobs, Greenwood Village, CO
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence – Construction (for large prime contractors who use small businesses as suppliers and contractors): Bechtel Corporation, New York, NY
  • 8(a) Graduate of the YearJohnson’s Consulting dba Cetechs, Mesa, AZ

Awards to SBA Resource Partners:  

  • SCORE Chapter of the Year Award: SCORE SE Wisconsin Chapter, Milwaukee, WI
  • Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award: Aurora-South Metro Small Business Development Center, Aurora, CO
  • Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award: Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, Southfield, MI
  • Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Year: Mississippi State University VBOC, Starkville, MS

Small Business Investment Company of the Year:

  • Emerging Manager:  Mizzen Capital, LP, Stamford, CT
  • Established Manger:  Argosy Private Equity, Wayne, PA

Surety Bond Agent of the Year:

  • KOG International, Inc., Enola, PA

For more information about National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov/NSBW. Media interested in scheduling interviews with Administrator Guzman should contact press_office@sba.gov.  

Cosponsorship Authorization # 24-1-C. SBA’s participation in this Cosponsored Activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any Cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. 



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Georgia

Georgia residents rally against new Chick-fil-A saying it will bring too much traffic

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Georgia residents rally against new Chick-fil-A saying it will bring too much traffic


Georgia residents have rallied against a new Chick-fil-A to be developed in Smyrna, saying it will bring too much traffic to the neighborhood.

Earlier this month, the Smyrna City Council approved the development of a Chick-fil-A and 45 townhomes at South Cobb Drive and Oakdale Road in a close 4-3 vote.

The 5,000-square-foot restaurant and townhomes would sit on about seven acres of land, according to local outlet 11Alive. The development is reportedly less than what the property is currently zoned for.

Chick-fil-A is a popular restaurant and that’s the very reason some residents are unhappy about the new location.

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“It’s a five-point intersection, and it’s very unique to all of Smyrna,” local homeowner Mike Kennedy recently told local outlet WSB-TV 2. “We just feel that the high intensity traffic generated, like a Chick-fil-A restaurant, is not suitable for the neighborhood or the land use itself.”

Georgia residents have rallied against a new Chick-fil-A to be developed in Smyrna, saying it will bring too much traffic to the neighborhood
Georgia residents have rallied against a new Chick-fil-A to be developed in Smyrna, saying it will bring too much traffic to the neighborhood (Getty Images)

Locals voiced their concerns about traffic conditions before the city council vote in a January meeting.

“Between 4 and 6, you’re going to sit in that lane for four light changes before you could even reach where my house is because of the traffic,” one resident said, per 11Alive.

“You start running people through there going to Chick-fil-A and believe me, they’re popular. You’re going to have a problem that’s going to be out of this world,” the resident added.

Chick-fil-A led its quick-service restaurant rivals for the 11th straight year in the American Customer Satisfaction Index Restaurant and Food Delivery Study 2025.

The Independent has reached out to Chick-fil-A for comment.

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Earlier this month, the Smyrna City Council approved the development of the Chick-fil-A and 45 townhomes
Earlier this month, the Smyrna City Council approved the development of the Chick-fil-A and 45 townhomes (Getty Images)

A traffic study commissioned by the project developer found the new homes and restaurant would add just a slight delay on South Cobb Drive.

“South Cobb Drive is already failing. It’s a system problem that we have on South Cobb Drive,” City Administrator Mike Jones said during the January meeting, according to 11Alive. “This would add about eight seconds of delay there.”

The new development project is not a done deal. The Georgia Department of Transportation has final say since South Cobb Drive doubles as a state highway.

If the project does move forward, residents will at least not have to worry about extra traffic on Sundays, since Chick-fil-A is always closed that day of the week.



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Georgia

Ahead of Atlanta visit, Cory Booker casts Georgia as key political battleground

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Ahead of Atlanta visit, Cory Booker casts Georgia as key political battleground


Politically Georgia

Your daily jolt of news and analysis from the AJC politics team.

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaks to a crowd during a visit to Atlanta in 2019. (Elissa Benzie/AJC)

Today’s newsletter highlights

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  • Rick Jackson claims fear of reprisals is keeping lawmakers from endorsing against Burt Jones.
  • Could there be a Sine Die stall?
  • Still no deal to pay TSA workers.

Battleground state

A 2017 file photo of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (left) and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who died in 2020. Booker invokes Lewis early in his new book,

A 2017 file photo of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (left) and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who died in 2020. Booker invokes Lewis early in his new book, “Stand.” (Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images 2017)

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Things to know

For his first campaign event as a Democratic candidate for governor, Geoff Duncan visited a Black-owned coffee shop in Atlanta. (Patricia Murphy/AJC)

For his first campaign event as a Democratic candidate for governor, Geoff Duncan visited a Black-owned coffee shop in Atlanta. (Patricia Murphy/AJC)

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  • While Geoff Duncan’s candidacy for governor might be naturally tailored to white, college-educated suburban voters, he still needs the support of Black voters to win the Democratic nomination, writes Greg Bluestein.
  • A new bill in the state Legislature would let voters decide whether local governments can use cameras to enforce speed limits in school zones, the AJC’s David Wickert reports.
  • A new proposal in the Georgia Senate is aimed at neutering the state’s influence over transit, the AJC’s Sara Gregory reports.

Legislative leverage

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (left) and health care executive Rick Jackson are among the Republican candidates for governor. (Arvin Temkar and Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (left) and health care executive Rick Jackson are among the Republican candidates for governor. (Arvin Temkar and Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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Sine Die stall?

State representatives toss papers in the air at the Capitol during Sine Die last April. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

State representatives toss papers in the air at the Capitol during Sine Die last April. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Not so fast

State Sen. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough, speaks on Senate Bill 482 during a House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee meeting this week. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

State Sen. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough, speaks on Senate Bill 482 during a House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee meeting this week. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Ad watch

Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his wife Tricia appear before filing paperwork to run for governor at the Capitol earlier this month. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and his wife Tricia appear before filing paperwork to run for governor at the Capitol earlier this month. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Airport politics

An image of the Democratic mobile billboard targeting U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter and other GOP contenders for U.S. Senate. (AJC File)

An image of the Democratic mobile billboard targeting U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter and other GOP contenders for U.S. Senate. (AJC File)

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Under the Gold Dome

The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee listens to a presentation on Senate Bill 482 on Tuesday. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

The House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee listens to a presentation on Senate Bill 482 on Tuesday. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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  • 10 a.m.: House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee meets to discuss Senate Bill 572, which would prohibit people from using force in self-defense against police officers if the officers properly identified themselves.
  • 10 a.m.: House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee meets to discuss Senate Bill 482, which would require people to identify individuals by name in police photos and videos when requesting copies of that footage.
  • 11 a.m.: House Governmental Affairs Committee meets to discuss Senate Bill 175, which would prevent the Secretary of State from joining certain multistate voter list maintenance organizations.
  • 1 p.m.: House Banks and Banking Committee meets to consider Senate Bill 424, which would make gold and silver legal tender in Georgia.

Listen up

State Rep. Saira Draper, D-Atlanta, at the Capitol in Atlanta earlier this month. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

State Rep. Saira Draper, D-Atlanta, at the Capitol in Atlanta earlier this month. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Make or break

Morning travelers wait in long lines on Thursday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport amid the ongoing partial government shutdown. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Morning travelers wait in long lines on Thursday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport amid the ongoing partial government shutdown. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

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Today in Washington

  • Trump will meet with his Cabinet and host a Greek Independence Day Celebration at the White House.
  • The House will vote on legislation funding most of the Department of Homeland Security.
  • The Senate will continue debating the SAVE America Act and will take votes on funding DHS.

Who is Jack Brian?

U.S. Rep. Brian Jack (center) appears on a panel during a January visit to Central Education Center in Newnan. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

U.S. Rep. Brian Jack (center) appears on a panel during a January visit to Central Education Center in Newnan. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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Shoutouts

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Before you go

Toi Cliatt, Trina Martin and her son, Gabe Watson, say they were traumatized when an FBI SWAT team raided their Atlanta home by mistake in 2017.

Toi Cliatt, Trina Martin and her son, Gabe Watson, say they were traumatized when an FBI SWAT team raided their Atlanta home by mistake in 2017.

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Greg Bluestein

Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.

Tia Mitchell

Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief and a co-host of the “Politically Georgia” podcast. She writes about Georgia’s congressional delegation, campaigns, elections and the impact that decisions made in D.C. have on residents of the Peach State.

Patricia  Murphy

Patricia Murphy is the AJC’s senior political columnist. She was previously a nationally syndicated columnist for CQ Roll Call, national political reporter for the Daily Beast and Politics Daily, and wrote for The Washington Post and Garden & Gun. She graduated from Vanderbilt and holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.

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Adam Beam

Adam Beam is the deputy politics editor.



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Georgia

Mother of bystander teen killed in police chase sues Georgia DPS

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Mother of bystander teen killed in police chase sues Georgia DPS


The mother of a metro Atlanta teenager killed as a bystander during a police chase is now taking her fight to court, hoping to change pursuit policies in Georgia.

What we know:

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Nearly a year after Cooper Schoenke died in Atlanta’s Little Five Points neighborhood, his mother, Kate Schoenke, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Georgia Department of Public Safety and Faduma Mohamed, the woman accused of causing the crash.

“This is about accountability,” Kate Schoenke said.

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The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, just weeks before the first anniversary of her son’s death.

Investigators say Mohamed led state troopers on a high-speed chase that began on Interstate 20, reaching speeds of more than 100 miles per hour before exiting onto Moreland Avenue.

According to investigators, dash camera video shows Mohamed running a red light at Moreland and McLendon avenues and crashing into Cooper Schoenke’s car, killing him.

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The lawsuit alleges a state trooper acted with reckless disregard by continuing the pursuit off the interstate and into congested city streets and busy intersections.

While Schoenke said the driver behind the wheel, who was out on bond at the time,  is largely to blame, she believes state troopers should also be held accountable.

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She is seeking $1 million in the lawsuit. 

Mohamed remains behind bars awaiting her day in court.

What we don’t know:

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It is currently unclear when the case will head to trial or if the Georgia Department of Public Safety will seek to have the lawsuit dismissed based on sovereign immunity. 

Mohamed remains in jail, but a specific date for her criminal trial has not been released.

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What they’re saying:

“What we want is a change, and if we’ve got to use the purse strings to do that, that’s what we’re doing,” Kate Schoenke said.

Before filing the lawsuit, Schoenke said the state was given a chance to come to the table but declined, saying it was not responsible for her son’s death.

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“To say that they have no responsibility whatsoever and a high-speed chase through a highly populated, dense community of Atlanta that ended in tragedy just does not make sense,” she said.

She said her goal is not the money, but to change how and when high-speed chases happen in Georgia.

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“I’m not saying don’t pursue, but to pursue it 100 miles an hour, 90 miles an hour, 80 miles an hour. No one’s even going to hear the siren coming at you,” she said.

The other side:

The Georgia Department of Public Safety said it does not comment on pending litigation.

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Mohamed’s attorney said he had no comment.

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The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the wrongful death lawsuit filed in DeKalb County, interviews with Kate Schoenke, and previous reporting on the March 2023 crash.

Little Five PointsNewsPolice ChasesCrime and Public Safety



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