Author: On Common Ground News

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Rockdale County employees will earn a little more than expected this year, after the Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved a slight adjustment during its first meeting of 2017. In a 2-1 vote on Jan. 3, the board approved a 5 percent pay raise, rather than the 4.5 percent previously approved. The raise was pushed through after newly-elected Chairman Oz Nesbitt, who made the proposal while conducting his very first meeting, won support from Post 1 Commissioner Sherri Washington, who also is newly elected. Nesbitt had tried to get the raise last year when he was Post…

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday adopted a $1.56 billion budget for fiscal year 2017.The adopted budget is up about 5.6 percent from 2016 and includes a $1.18 billion operating budget plus another $384 million for capital improvements. “The budget upholds Gwinnett’s history of sustainable, conservative budgeting practices while looking ahead at future implications of our decisions. I appreciate the citizen review team members, County staff and elected offices for their hard work in developing this year’s budget,” Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash said. “The primary areas of focus for 2017 are retaining employees, supporting public…

By Valerie J. Morgan Families and friends filled the pews of the Rockdale County Auditorium on Dec. 29 to witness the installation ceremonies for Rockdale’s 11 newly-elected officials, six of whom were incumbents. Oz Nesbitt, who was sworn in to the county’s top position—that of Rockdale Chairman of the Board of Commissioners—was the last official installed. Nesbitt took the oath of office following a rousing gospel musical performance by Derrick Monk, a vocalist and songwriter who once produced for the late James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul.” Monk brought the house down, turning the program into a revival-style, foot-patting, hand-clapping…

Several inaugural events will be held in January as DeKalb CEO-elect Michael Thurmond takes the helm, ushering in a “New Day” for the county. Thurmond’s “New Day for DeKalb Inaugural Celebration 2017” steering committee, co-chaired by Greg and Betty Levett and Will and Virginia Reece, announced that Thurmond will honor DeKalb’s federal, state and local public servants as part of the celebration. In a joint statement, the co-chairs said, “We are honored and thrilled to lead this celebration of our new CEO and the dedicated men and women who serve our county. CEO-elect Thurmond will provide new leadership, new vision…

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis says his staff has been working to transition to the county’s new administration under Michael Thurmond, who will be sworn in as the new CEO on Jan. 13. “We have made ourselves readily available and provided information as requested. Our staff is putting briefing materials together for that team,” Ellis said during a meeting with the press on Dec. 29. Ellis met with reporters to field questions and provide updates as he prepares to exit office. Ellis returned in December with only about two weeks left to serve after the Georgia Supreme Court overturned his attempted…

Entrepreneur and longtime South DeKalb County resident Plez A. Joyner has announced that he plans to run for the Stonecrest City Council District 2 seat. A member of the team who helped to make the idea of Stonecrest a reality, Joyner wants to continue the work to see the new city grow. 
He said his goal is to establish and maintain an accessible and responsive city government, develop a civic identity that fosters community pride, and cultivate a unified City of Stonecrest culture through annual events that bring everyone together. “This is our chance to build a thriving city from…

Diane Daniels Adoma has announced she will run for the Stonecrest City Council District 5 seat. A veteran business woman and community leader, Adoma holds a doctorate degree in Leadership and Organization Management with an emphasis in Human Resource Management from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN. She received her master’s degree in business administration from Phoenix University and her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Kennesaw State University. With over 20 years of business experience, Dr. Adoma said she plans to use her background in marketing and sales to help foster economic development, jobs, and environmental efforts in the city. “I…

By Valerie Morgan Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt commended the work of his transition team, which included 30 citizens who spent several weeks interviewing county department heads and key administrators to develop strategies and goals to move the county forward under a new administration. Nesbitt takes the helm as the county’s top leader and will hold his first Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Jan. 3, 10 a.m., in the Rockdale Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers. Nesbitt said Corey Hambrick, who served as chief of the transition team, set the tone for a cohesive group focused on collaboration. “I want…

Rockdale County Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten has reappointed Magistrate Judges Cindy Stacey and Garland Moore to four-year terms starting January. Rockdale County Superior Court Judge Robert Mumford administered the oaths of office to Stacey and Moore on Dec. 20. “We make a great team and I couldn’t be more proud of each one of them individually as well for their committed judicial service and positive impact in our community as active volunteers and contributors beyond the courthouse steps,” said Aten. “Judge Stacey, who began serving on Feb. 1, 1998, is the county’s longest-serving sitting judge. I am grateful that…

Kwanzaa Ujamaafest set at Porter Sanford People who are new to Kwanzaa or who have celebrated Kwanzaa since its inception are invited to attend the sixth annual Ujamaafest Saturday, Dec. 31, 12 to 7 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, culture and African American heritage and is observed Dec. 26 – Jan. 1. The event will showcase various cultural performances such as African drumming, storytelling and will feature the Kuumba Marketplace, a ‘Black Money Matters’ financial literacy workshop, healthy cooking demonstrations, science/STEM and art activities in…