Author: On Common Ground News

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…

DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies made 19 arrests in a county-wide operation four days before Christmas aimed at men and women who were wanted for failure to meet court-ordered financial obligations to their children and some who are accused of cruelty to children. The operation to find “deadbeat” parents involved a day-long sweep of the county that executed 174 warrants.  While warrants are endeavored year-round for these misdemeanors, a special effort is frequently made during the holiday season. “The offending parent is already aware of the obligation and is rarely surprised when we show up with an arrest warrant,” says Sheriff…

Church fires are a serious problem in America.  There are measures that can be taken to prevent fires in places of worship.  When churches burn, the contents and valuables that are lost are priceless articles that cannot be replaced.  Reducing a church vulnerability to arson or fire is important. The DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department is hosting “Faith in Fire Safety: Preventing Fires in Church and Worship Centers Forum” on Jan. 24, 10 am – 3 p.m., at the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Headquarters, 5th floor Conference Room, 1950 West Exchange Place, Tucker. Fire rescue personnel will provide information on…

The Henry County NAACP is sponsoring its 4th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m., Shiloh Baptist Church Education Center, 253 Macon Street, McDonough. The guest speaker will be the Rev.. William E. Flippin, Sr., senior pastor of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, Atlanta. Tickets and information on all events are available at henrycountyganaacp.com. The MLK Parade/Peace March will be held on Monday, Jan. 16. The parade will start at 10 a.m. at the Henry County Performing Arts Center, 37 Lemon Street and travel through historic downtown McDonough. The event is free and…

State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia), along with Rep. Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain) and the Upsilon Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will co-sponsor a discussion concerning the national popular vote on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the Centerville Community Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville. Kendrick will moderate as Rep. Brad Raffensperger (R-Johns Creek) and national expert Scott Drexel discuss the national popular vote effort and Georgia’s involvement in the movement. The objectives of this discussion are: To learn what the Electoral College is and dispel myths To learn how the interstate compact will…

A Pre-Legislative Town Hall Meeting will be held on Jan. 5, 6:30 p.m., at the Doraville Civic Center, 3770 Central Ave. ,Doraville. The purpose of the meeting is to give constituents an opportunity to meet their representatives and to voice their concerns about their communities and the state prior to the beginning of the 2017 Legislative Session. No sign-up is necessary. For more information, constituents can contact the office of Rep. Karen Bennett, District 94, at 404-656-0202.