Author: On Common Ground News

The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is seeking a highly energized, self-motivated Membership Development Director. The Membership Development Director will be responsible for recruiting new members; retaining existing members; generating revenue through sponsorship sales; managing Small Business Council and Member Engagement Committee; and facilitating member-related programming. For a full job description, click here. Application review begins June 2017. Position will remain open until filled. Interested applicants should email their resume, references and cover letter to Kim Childs at kchilds@dekalbchamber.org. ABOUT DEKALB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE  The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization with the mission to support, promote and…

The DeKalb County Human Services Department will host a meeting for organizations seeking information on the 2017-18 grants application process on June 28, 10 a.m., at the DeKalb County Extension Office Auditorium, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Eligible nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply for the opportunity to be awarded a grant funded by the county general fund and Victim Assistance fund. Designed to supplement existing programs and activities, the grant program provides opportunities for partnerships with local organizations that can successfully address identified needs of DeKalb County residents. The Human Services Grant Program is competitive and the total amount of…

CONYERS–Katrina McCollum Young, a member of the Rockdale County Board of Education, was recently elected as President of the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) for the 2018-2019 term. During the upcoming year, she will serve as President-Elect. Representatives from 133 school boards in Georgia met June 9-10 in Savannah to approve the legislative positions of the association and to elect GSBA’s officers. “We congratulate Katrina Young on her selection as upcoming President of the Georgia School Boards Association,” said Jim McBrayer, Chairman of the Rockdale County Board of Education. “Mrs. Young has served on the Rockdale County Board of…

CONYERS – Rockdale Tax Commissioner Tisa Smart-Washington and the Rockdale Tax Office have been recognized with a 2017 Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) in the category of Civic Education and Public Information. The Tax Office’s TextConnect service, which launched in January, allows residents to communicate directly with staff via smartphone text messaging. “I am so proud of my staff for earning this special recognition and for the dedication they show every day in serving Rockdale County,” said Commissioner Smart-Washington. “This is our third NACo award and we will continue to strive for the highest levels of…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) recently celebrated the graduation of 14 members of the 2017 LEAD Academy Aspiring Leaders program. The LEAD Academy participants are RCPS teachers, coaches, and support personnel who complete hours of workshops, assessments, assignments, independent online courses, and shadow administrators during the school year in order to prepare themselves to apply for school leadership positions. The 2017 graduates are: Aja Camp – Sims Elementary; Rachel Carvalho – Heritage High; Kimberley Donaldson – Rockdale Career Academy; Kelli Dozier – Sims Elementary; Ailia Gilbert – C.J. Hicks Elementary; Antoinette Johnson – Rockdale County High; Sherea Johnson – Conyers…

ATLANTA—MARTA passengers soon will be able to enjoy the visual arts and performances at the public transit’s stations throughout the year. MARTA Authority kicked off the initiative, Artbound, with an inaugural event today featuring dance troupe performances by “Moving in the Spirit, GLOW in Motion and Men in Motion, and cellist Jenn Cornell who was accompanied by Emrah Kotzn. The event took place at 2 p.m. at the Five Points MARTA Station “From mosaics to murals, we are redefining the ridership experience here at MARTA by intentionally integrating art throughout the entire system,” said MARTA’s GM/CEO Keith Parker. “This new…

Smith Meach, who recently graduated from Heritage High School in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) as part of the Class of 2017, earned not just one but two Associate degrees with honors from Middle Georgia State University along with his high school diploma as part of the Move On When Ready (formerly Dual Enrollment) program. Meach was recognized at Middle Georgia State University for Outstanding Academic Excellence in his Modern Language Associate’s of Arts degree and as a graduate of the Honors Program for his Associate’s of Science degree in Natural Science. Meach was also named the STAR Student by…

From the Desk of Stonecrest City Councilman George Turner, District 4 gturner@stonecrestga.gov Thank you to the 50 plus dedicated citizens who braved the heavy rainstorm and came out to support and participate in our first town hall meeting for District 4 on June 15. There was an extremely heavy rainstorm from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. causing loss of power and several downed trees. Greetings and Welcome                                        7:07 p.m. Prayer                                                                       Rotary Club Chaplin, Willie Hinton Acknowledgement of elected officials                Mayor Jason Lary, Councilman Jimmy Clanton, Judge Ronald Ramsey. We also acknowledged two of the…

The Stonecrest City Council unanimously approved a $650 monthly vehicle allowance for the city’s mayor and an agreement to enter into a financial services contract with Ed Wall of Piper Jaffray & Co. to help cover the city’s expenses. The council approved both on June 19. The allowance for Mayor Jason Lary, not to exceed $7,800 annually, was approved for two years—the duration of his first term. Although the allowance would start this month, payments wouldn’t be issued until the city’s funds become available. “This is not a blank check,” said Councilwoman Diane Adoma, who introduced the motion for the…

ATLANTA — MARTA is launching an ongoing initiative to overhaul its  elevators and escalators beginning with West Lake Station elevators on June 19. Elevator upgrades will continue at Hamilton E. Holmes Station on June 21 and West End on June 26.  Also, on June 26, two escalators at Peachtree Center will be closed for upgrades.  During renovations, elevators will be out for up to eight weeks and escalators up to 16 weeks. Customers can use the escalators or stairs instead of the elevators. Customers requiring the use of an elevator, such as those using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, strollers, or traveling…