Author: On Common Ground News

The 7th Annual Race Against Violence (RAV) demonstrated why is it becoming a premier race in Rockdale County, drawing a record number of participants and sponsors, supporters say. The race raised approximately $25,000 to benefit the Rockdale County Task Force Against Family Violence and Project Renewal, the local shelter for victims of family violence. Rockdale State Court Judge Nancy Bills, chair of the Rockdale County Task Force, Against Family Violence said she is thrilled to see the event grow to more than 400 registrants and over 60 sponsors this fall. Craig McCullough, a member of the Olde Town Runners, said…

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted to extend a yearlong moratorium on certain special land use permits (SLUPs) to Feb. 28, 2017. The moratorium covers the acceptance, issuance or denial of SLUP applications for the establishment or expansion of alcohol outlets, gas stations, car repair and maintenance shops, automobile service stations, check cashing establishments, convenience stores, drive-through restaurants and pawn shops in commercial districts. Originally adopted on Jan. 26, 2016, the moratorium is intended to allow DeKalb officials additional time to review the county’s current ordinances “to ensure that its laws preserve the quality of life for citizens while…

In a special ceremony held Tuesday, Dec. 13, Rockdale Chairman Richard Oden was honored during the Board of Commissioners’ work session for his eight years of service to the county. During the meeting, Chairman-Elect Oz Nesbitt and Commissioner Doreen Williams presented Oden with a proclamation declaring Dec. 13, 2016 as “Chairman Richard A. Oden Appreciation Day.”  Oden’s term expires on Dec 31. “He’s been dedicated to the people of this community. We are appreciative of the service of Chairman Oden and as we move forward here, in Rockdale County, we will do it in the spirit of his memory and…

Gregory Adams says he plans to attend his first meeting as DeKalb County’s newly-elected Super District 7 commissioner on Dec. 13. Adams, an Emory University police officer who has never before held public office, received 3,539 votes (52.24 percent of the 6,790 total votes), beating his opponent, Randal Mangham, a former state legislator who received 3,236 votes (47.7 percent), according to unofficial results from the DeKalb Supervisor of Elections Office. Adams thanked his wife, family and supporters for their hard work on his campaign. “I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my wife of 36 years, Jacqueline Adams,…

State Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler is poised to do more to expand her role in spreading global networking and fostering economic development opportunities around the world. At the Capitol on March 7, Dawkins-Haigler honored Segun Ogunsanya, the CEO of one of the largest telecommunications companies in Nigera, as she announced the U.S. launch of the Organization of World Leaders (OWL). Dawkins-Haigler founded the consortium of global leaders in business, government, health and law last year while visiting Dubai and decided to expand OWL with its launch in the U.S. “Most people see me only in my legislative role and not for…

Rockdale County invites the public to the installation ceremony of 11 of its new and re-elected public officials on Thursday, Dec. 29, 6:30 p.m. in the Rockdale County Auditorium, 903 Main St., Conyers. The evening will honor four elected officials in new roles: Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Post 1 County Commissioner, Probate Court Judge and Tax Commissioner. Six re-elected officials will be honored: Superior Court Judge, State Court Judge, Magistrate Court Judge, Clerk of Courts, Sheriff and Coroner, and a newly appointed Juvenile Court Judge. Judge David Irwin, Chief Superior Court Judge, will administer the oaths of office.…

Rockdale County Juvenile Court Judge Maureen E. Wood performed a swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 7 for three new volunteers who will work with Rockdale’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. CASA is a non-profit organization that trains community volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in juvenile court proceedings. Rockdale currently has 55 volunteers in the program with 33 who are actively taking cases. Volunteers must go through a rigorous 10-week training process, which includes eight hours of court observation. Nationally, about 76,000 volunteers participate with CASA and serve more than 250,000 children each year,…

Abby Carter manages juries for Gwinnett County courts, so she knows that the phone calls some local residents have been getting are a scam. Typically, the caller says it’s the Gwinnett Sheriff’s Office calling to tell the victims that they didn’t show up for jury duty and that they now owe a fine of as much as $900, which can be paid over the phone with a pre-paid debit card. This is a scam, Carter says. “Law enforcement agencies do not call people and demand money. These callers often use names of people who really do work for the agency…

ATLANTA Children’s Museum of Atlanta offers free entry for kids Families are invited to attend the Children’s Museum of Atlanta free of charge on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 1 to 6 p.m., 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW. Free admission is made possible through the support of Target. Ignite your child’s imagination and inspire discovery during a day of play-based exploration. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta offers educational programs and exhibits designed for young children ages 8 and under. The museum features bright, creative, hands-on exhibits designed to promote inventive problem solving, creative thinking and artistic expression. For more information,…

The DeKalb NAACP is seeking participants for its upcoming MLK Parade. Groups or individuals who would like to participate in the parade may register online www.dekalbganaacp.org. The deadline to register is Dec. 31. The 15th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade will be held on the King Holiday, Monday, Jan. 16. The civil rights group’s 2017 theme is “Remembering the Dream, Honoring the Dreamer.” The grand marshal for the parade will be John Evans, former president of the DeKalb NAACP. Parade participants will line up at Green Pastures Ministries, 5455 Flatshoals Parkway, at 10 a.m. The parade starts at…