Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR—The City of Decatur Municipal Court is offering amnesty to drivers who have outstanding violations. The amnesty program, which began Feb. 1 and goes through May 1, offers individuals the chance to resolve past-due traffic citations and active bench warrants for failure to appear in court. Failure to appear in court may result in a driver’s license suspension.  The goal and purpose of the amnesty program is to help restore as many drivers as possible to legal status to drive on Georgia roadways and to avoid more harm to their driving history with additional charges and fines. Amnesty will save…

The DeKalb Pastors Alliance is hosting a membership drive luncheon on Friday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Join in with a community of dedicated pastors seeking to be a voice in the community to help persons grow spiritually, educationally, socially, economically and politically. As pastors, we understand the spiritual and practical battles facing our community. Your involvement is crucial in combatting key issues facing the citizens of DeKalb County, GA. We are calling all pastors, elected officials, community activists to join us this evening as a unified voice,” said…

The Rotary Club of Conyers and Earl Wise, vice president of the Bank of North Georgia, the local STAR student sponsor, have announced the STAR students and their STAR teachers, from the four Rockdale County high schools: Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology High School senior Andrew Markham Bonar who selected Dr. Chuck Garner as his STAR Teacher. Heritage High School senior Smith Meach, who selected Margie Talevski as his STAR Teacher. Rockdale County High School senior Martin Augustine Murphy, who selected Tiffany Jones as his STAR Teacher. Salem High School senior Manuel Omar Tapia, who selected Monique Brown…

STONECREST—The 20 candidates running for elections in the newly-created city of Stonecrest will square off in debates at their first political forum on Feb. 11. The forum will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road. State Rep. Vernon Jones, who is co-sponsoring the political forum with On Common Ground News, will introduce the candidates. Three candidates are running for mayor and 17 are seeking one of five City Council seats. Jones, who will serve as moderator, will be joined by State Representatives Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) and Pam Stephenson (D-Decatur). “I am honored to…

Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will present his vision for 2017 in his inaugural address on Thursday, March 9. The State of the County breakfast, hosted by the Council for Quality Growth and Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, will be held at 8 a.m., at the Georgia International Horse Park Carriage Room, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers. Nesbitt also will present an evening address for the community on March 9, 7 p.m., at the Rockdale County Auditorium, 983 Main St., Conyers. Nesbitt plans to share information on administrative improvements, his goal of top-notch customer service at all levels of governments,…

The DeKalb County School District invites members of the public to volunteer for a 12-member E-SPLOST Advisory Committee. The committee provides citizen review of the voter-approved SPLOST project list. Qualified candidates must be citizens who reside within the boundaries of the DeKalb County School District, may not be members of the Board of Education or employees of the School District, and may not have any economic interest in any of the District’s projects. Experience in accounting, architecture, auditing, construction, engineering, finance, K-12 education, legal, planning, project management and/or real estate is desired. Members must be volunteers who can dedicate at least two hours to monthly meetings, generally…

ATLANTA Party With the Past at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market Come explore Atlanta’s past at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market “Party With the Past” on Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, 209 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta. A central gathering place since 1924, the Sweet Auburn Curb Market has many stories to tell. Come grab a bite to eat, a beer to drink, and learn some history about this historic community. Throughout the evening, explore the history of the Curb Market with pop-up displays as well as screenings of the documentary from Southern Foodways Alliance and filmmaker…

Rockdale Commissioner Doreen Williams was among several elected officials and mental health advocates who observed Mental Health Day at the Georgia Capitol on Jan. 31. “We heard some very compelling, inspiring stories of those who suffer from serious mental illness and substance abuse addictions but are now, because of services received, in recovery, furthering their education, working, paying taxes, and and finding great satisfaction in their personal lives,” said Williams. Williams and members of the View Point Health Board of Directors attended the meeting where they heard from Judy Fitzgerald, Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities,…

State Rep. Vernon Jones, elected as the new chairman of the Rockdale Delegation, will host a town hall with the delegation on Saturday, Feb. 4, 9 to 11 a.m. at the Johnson Park building, 1781 Ebenezer Road, S.W., Conyers. The delegation will discuss upcoming legislation and address constituents’ concerns and questions. Additionally, information on GeorgiaResists.com, a new political mobilization website from the Georgia House Democratic Caucus encouraging citizen activism at the state and federal levels, will be presented. The Rockdale Delegation includes Rep. Vernon Jones, Rep. Doreen Carter, Rep. Pamela Dickerson, Rep. Tom Kirby, Rep. Dale Rutledge, Rep. Pam Stephenson,…

The DeKalb County Democratic Party, which hosts its monthly Saturday breakfast on the fourth Saturday, will meet Feb. 25, 9 a.m., at Piccadilly Cafeteria, 2000 Crescent Centre Blvd., Tucker. The organization also hosts a meeting every first Thursday at the Clark Harrison Building, 330 West Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. Networking begins at 7 p.m. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.