Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA— The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Board on Aug. 3 approved a resolution to refund $250 million of its Series 2009A bonds, saving the Authority $41.6 million in future interest costs or 16.6%.  MARTA’s average interest savings is anticipated to reach $2.7 million per year. The new Series 2017C bonds, issued by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, reduced the average fixed bond interest rate from 5% to 3.4%. Over the last five years, MARTA’s improving financial condition resulted in bond ratings of AA+ from S&P and Aa2 from Moody’s. “This is a significant saving for the Authority as we…

As DeKalb County students prepare to head back to school, approximately 300 of them will return with work experience and extra income after completing the DeKalb summer youth employment initiative, DeKalb Works. Interns received more than a combined $175,000 in compensation and $40,000 in transportation assistance. DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved $250,000 requested by CEO Thurmond for DeKalb Works in the 2017 budget, the first time county funds were appropriated for a summer youth employment initiative. Administered by WorkSource DeKalb, approximately the youths were paired with more than 70 employers in private and public sector organizations to earn $9…

The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM) will host a Backflow Protection Program Workshop on Thursday, Aug. 17, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., at the Department of Watershed Management, 4572 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Backflow, the unwanted flow of water in the reverse direction, can cause contamination by drawing pollutants such as chemicals into the drinking water. DWM requires commercial businesses to install backflow prevention devices on connections to the county’s water system. The workshop will provide an overview of the program and will give attendees an opportunity to ask questions. The Backflow Protection Program Workshop is limited to 60 participants.…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs announces that select county pools and facilities will be open on a modified schedule through Sept. 4. The Browns Mill Family Aquatic Center, Exchange Splash Pad and the four pools listed below will be open only on Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The swim season ended on July 30 and all other pools will be closed. DeKalb Facilities open until Sept. 4 Browns Mill Family Aquatic Center, 4929 Browns Mill Road, Lithonia, GA 30038 Exchange Splash Pad, 2771 Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA…

Notice is hereby given that a General Election will be held in the City of Stonecrest, Georgia on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 for the election of three (3) City Council Members. One shall be elected in Districts 1, 3 & 5. Any person desiring to be a candidate shall qualify at Dekalb County Registrations and Elections at 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300 Decatur, GA 30032. Qualifying will begin on Monday, August 21, 2017 and ending Wednesday, August 23, 2017 between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. The qualifying fee for the position of City Council Member…

Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful will meet Tuesday, August 8 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held downstairs in the lower level meeting room of the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green Street, Conyers. The meeting is open to the public. 

CITY OF STONECREST, GEORGIA Honorable Mayor Jason Lary, Sr. Council Member Jimmy Clanton, Jr. – District 1 Council Member Rob Turner- District 2 Council Member Jazzmin Cobble – District 3 Council Member George Turner- District 4 Council Member Diane Adoma – District 5 WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA August 2, 2017  6:00p.m. Stonecrest Library 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia, Georgia CALL TO ORDER:    Mayor Lary ROLL CALL:  Interim City Clerk OPENING REMARKS:  Mayor Lary PRESENTATION:   Stonecrest Post Office AGENDA ITEMS: Discussion on the SPLOST Discussion on Appointments MAYOR AND COUNCIL REMARKS: ADJOURNMENT: EXECUTIVE SESSION: WHEN AN EXECUTIVE SESSION IS…

CITY OF STONECREST, GEORGIA Honorable Mayor Jason Lary, Sr. Council Member Jimmy Clanton, Jr. – District 1 Council Member Rob Turner- District 2 Council Member Jazzmin Cobble – District 3 Council Member George Turner- District 4 Council Member Diane Adoma – District 5  SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AGENDA August 2, 2017 5:30 P.M. Stonecrest Library 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia, Georgia CALL TO ORDER:    Mayor Jason Lary ROLL CALL:  Brenda B. James, Interim City Clerk ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA: AGENDA ITEMS: Ordinance for Permit Fee Schedules, Signs and Development Permits – First Read Resolution to Establish Qualifying Dates and Fees for…

DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond has approved the release of approximately 5,000 water and sewer bills that have been held for months due to “unverified billing data.” The bills will be mailed beginning Aug. 14. The July/August 2017 monthly or bi-monthly bills are based on actual meter readings. “We are making significant progress as we continue to work to restore trust and integrity to the water billing system by reducing the number of held bills,” Thurmond said in release this morning (Aug. 1). The upcoming mailing brings the total release of held bills to 13,000 since April 2017, when 8,000 customers…

The Conyers Police Department released a Youtube video todaywww.youtube.com/conyerspolicedept seeking the public’s help in locating a suspect who has burglarized several Acceptance Insurance locations in metro Atlanta. The suspect is a tall, slender and black male driving an older model red/maroon Ford Ranger truck. If you can ID him, call Crime Stoppers 404 577-TIPS www.crimestoppersatlanta.org.