Author: On Common Ground News

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” – John Ruskin How do you like to spend rainy days? Leave a comment below!

The DeKalb County Police Department is receiving customized training that county officials hope will build trust between citizens and the police, thanks to a new partnership with Dale Carnegie of Georgia training program. DeKalb leaders, including Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Public Safety Cedric Alexander, DeKalb Police Chief James Conroy and Interim CEO Lee May, discussed the new training program at a press conference held on Aug. 18. Alexander, who was selected by President Obama for the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, helped developed the “pillars” for the training program. The President’s task force was established to strengthen…

The City of Decatur Municipal Court is offering amnesty to those who have past due traffic citations or active bench warrants for failure to appear in court. The city’s amnesty program runs Aug. 15 through Oct. 15. It is important to note that a failure to appear in court may have resulted 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 individuals…

State lawmakers will explore ways to encourage minority participation in Georgia’s film and television production industry with the appointment of a new House study committee. Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) has appointed the following members to the House Study Committee on Georgia Minority Participation in the Film & Television Production Industry: Rep. “Able” Mable Thomas – Chair (D-Atlanta) Rep. Patty Bentley (D-Butler) Rep. James Beverly (D-Macon) Rep. Pam Dickerson (D-Conyers) Rep. Brett Harrell (R-Snellville) Rep. Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus) Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) The study committee was created by House Resolution 1577.  

DeKalb Workforce Development won $17,000 during a recent contest by the AT&T Aspire initiative to promote careers in digital media. DeKalb Workforce Development was one of the eight finalists which were awarded $12,000 from the initiative. With the assistance of various DeKalb County departments, partnering agencies and the DeKalb community at large, DeKalb Workforce Development won an additional $5,000 in the #MakeDeKalbSocial #20Kfor2020 Community Outreach Event. The $17,000 received from the initiative enabled DeKalb Workforce Development to launch the Go Digitize DeKalb introductory career pathway program within the field of digital media. In partnership with various DeKalb County School District…

New Bethel AME Church, 8350 Rockbridge Road, Lithonia, is hosting a voter registration/education event, “Social Action–A Commitment to Our Community,” on Sept. 10, 11 a.m. Local, state and community leaders will provide information, answer questions, and discuss your concerns. They will address issues many of us share about voting irregularities, youths, seniors, and the working poor. This is a critical election year, which demands our attention and action not only on the national stage but also on “down-ballot” candidates such as senators, judges, county boards, and school boards. Please save the date.

Attorney Dayna Thomas specializes in entertainment and entrepreneurship law. In this exclusive On Common Ground News Q&A, Attorney Thomas offers a look into the intricate world of business law and a legal perspective to business owners and entrepreneurs on how to best manage their businesses. “Entertainment and entrepreneurship are exciting areas of law for me because my clients are driven by passion – passion for their art or their business. As a creative business person, this provides a good foundation for a close attorney-client relationship.” The Emory Law graduate said she was inspired to start her own practice after a…

Live music, horse rides, face painting and free school bags were all part of DeKalb County Interim CEO Lee May’s Seventh Annual DeKalb Family Fun Day. “I am pleased with the turnout and support for this event which gave residents a chance to have one more family-friendly event before the summer is over,” said Interim CEO May. Musician JFly, V-103 and the DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs partnered with Interim CEO May for the event held at Bransby Outdoor YMCA in Lithonia. Approximately 800 book bags filled with school supplies were passed out to local students…

The Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections Division needs dedicated citizens to serve as paid poll officials. Successful poll officials are detailed oriented, demonstrate patience, enjoy working with people, do well with taking direction, and possess basic computer skills. Interested applicants should visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gwinnett/jobs/1498759/elections-poll-official and select the “Elections Poll Official” position. Positions are available for the November 2016 election.

Democratic candidate Courtney Dillard has been certified by Rockdale County Board of Elections Supervisor Cynthia Welch as a write-in candidate for the office of Rockdale County Commission Chairman in the Nov. 8 general election. Dillard had petitioned to run as an Independent but failed to get the required 2,534 verifiable signatures for his name to go on the ballot in November. Dillard then published a notice of his intention to run as a write-in candidate in the county’s legal organ on Aug. 17. He officially kicked off his new campaign on Thursday, Aug. 18. Dillard is challenging Oz Nesbitt, who…