Author: On Common Ground News
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Georgia set a record in August for total jobs, surpassing 4.5 million for the first time. Butler said other key indicators such as new unemployment claims, increasing workforce and the total number of employed residents showed Georgia’s economy continues to be strong. “The August numbers show Georgia’s economy and outlook for employment remains healthy,” said Butler. “This is a great time to live, work and invest in Georgia.” The August unemployment rate was unchanged from July at 4.7 percent. That compares favorably to last August when the rate was 5.3 percent. From July to…
Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and the City Council have announced several scheduled community meetings to discuss the one-cent, Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) referendum slated to go before DeKalb County voters in November. The meetings will give residents and other stakeholders the opportunity to voice their support or opposition to the SPLOST. At the meetings, attendees also will be able to suggest capital improvements and projects for the city’s portion of the SPLOST proceeds. “It is really important that people attend so that they can be educated about the SPLOST referendum before they go to the polls,” said…
In response to Hurricane Irma, the U.S. Small Business Administration has openings for immediate positions. Experienced customer service representatives needed to work with a variety of financial statements and tax returns, respond to customer inquiries and operate Microsoft office programs such as Word, Outlook and Internet Explorer for SBA’s Disaster Loan Program. Bilingual skills are a plus. Pay is $15 to $30 per hour. Overtime is mandatory. Credit and background check are required. Must be a U.S. citizen. Required extended periods of travel. All positions are temporary and may last 30 to 180 days. Credit and background check are required.…
Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting the “Small Business Think Tank – Connecting Small Businesses with Government Resources” on Sept. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Georgia Piedmont Technical College, 495 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston. The roundtable is the fourth in a series held this summer throughout the Fourth District and is free and open to all small business leaders. Johnson said the goal of the roundtable were connecting small businesses with federal, state and local resources with the goal of helping businesses grow and creating jobs in the Fourth District. Johnson is sponsoring the series along with the…
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect in the Aug. 27 murder of a Decatur man. Arrest warrants were issued for 23-year-old Martin Clive Leahing of Covington. According to police, Leahing and an accomplice were committing an armed robbery with a handgun on Snapfinger Woods Drive in Decatur, when the robbery victim fired a weapon in self-defense and shot and killed the accomplice. Leahing is charged with murder for his participation in a crime that led ultimately to the death of his accomplice. Sheriff’s Fugitive Unit investigators located and arrested Leahing at his residence. He was taken to the…
State Rep. Doreen Carter, House District 92, will honor grandparents who have taken on the mission of raising their grandchildren. Additionally, the members who served on the Kinship Care Task Force from Rockdale County also will be recognized for their advocacy in the passing of the Kinship Care legislation in Georgia. Carter is hosting the House District 92 Grandparents Day Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 21, 5 to 6:30 p.m., at the Olivia Haydel Senior Center, 1240 Dogwood Drive, Conyers. The nation observed Grandparents Day on Sept. 10, but many local activities and events were postponed due to Hurricane Irma. “We…
Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) has appointed State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) to the House Study Committee on Distracted Driving. Carter will fill the position vacated by Rep. Keisha Waites, who submitted her resignation from the House of Representatives effective Sept. 18. The 10-member study committee, created by House Resolution 282, will examine whether further changes to state law should be implemented to restrict the uses of technologies such as cell phones while driving to reduce accidents. Statistics show that more than 220 million people in the United States subscribe to wireless services, and it is estimated that as many…
DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw’s proposed allocation of $35,000 for a covered pavilion at Wade Walker Park in Stone Mountain was approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 14. Bradshaw said the park, located at 5585 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain, is “a beautiful jewel in the heart of District 4” that is long overdue improvements. The park has 177 acres and features street hockey, baseball, softball, football, soccer, multi-use field, tennis courts, swimming pool, playgrounds, picnic areas, lake and trails. “The Wade Walker Park Friends Group members are key stakeholders and have been instrumental in bringing forth…
The Friends of Stonecrest will host its first Craft Expo, “Christmas in September,” on Saturday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road (in the upper parking lot). Vendors are invited to showcase their hand-made goods. For more information regarding set up, call 770-482-3828. Proceeds will support library programs.
Rockdale County Stormwater Utility is seeking volunteers to participate in the 2017 Storm Drain Stenciling Day on Saturday, Sept. 30, 8 a.m. to1 p.m., at Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers. Registration for the event ends Sept. 22. The event will educate the public about the significance of stormwater and the serious impact it has on water quality and aquatic life. Community residents will spend the day attaching markers to storm drains with the slogan: “No Dumping. Drains to Stream.” as a reminder to think twice before throwing an object down a storm drain. The Stormwater Utility invites…