Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb Medical Board Member Robert “Bob” E. Wilson was awarded the prestigious Georgia Hospital Heroes Award at the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) Annual Meeting on Nov. 11. Wilson, who was one of only 10 individuals statewide to receive the award, was recognized for sharing his time and talents in community service to DeKalb County. As a former district attorney, commitment to public safety and better health for women and children are common threads in Wilson’s legal service. For more than 25 years, he has dedicated much of his time to improving the DeKalb community, particularly its hospitals and community health…

Blogger Leslie E. Royal has unveiled her new book, “Leslie’s Lane, The Book,” a one-stop resource guide to free stuff, discounts, travel tips, scholarships, helpful internet sites and more. The book is a reflection of Royal’s money-saving lifestyle and her blog, “Leslie’s Lane.” Royal held the unveiling, dedication and book signing for a special group of guests who attended a celebration on Nov. 6 at Don Janelle Hair Salon in Stone Mountain. Each guest received a copy of the book and swag bags filled with goodies. On Common Ground News Publishers Glenn and Valerie Morgan had the pleasure of attending…

By Mackenzie N. Morgan Democrat Michael Thurmond swept the race for DeKalb County’s Chief Executive Officer on election night, becoming the new leader of more than 700,000 residents. Supporters gave Thurmond 80 percent of the vote, just as they did with the re-election of Sheriff Jeff Mann. Thurmond defeated Republican challenger, Jack Lovelace, a retired business manager, in the Nov. 8 election. A veteran politician and attorney who most recently served as DeKalb County’s School Superintendent, Thurmond is credited with putting DeKalb’s troubled school system back on track. Thurmond campaigned for this election on a promise to restore trust…

United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS), a package delivery company, will create 1,250 jobs and invest more than $400 million to establish a regional sorting and distribution hub in Atlanta by the end of 2018. “I am very pleased to see that UPS, a Fortune 500 company and mainstay in Atlanta for many years, will plant deeper roots in our city with this new hub of operations,” said Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “This investment in southwest Atlanta will not only create 1,250 new jobs, but strengthen our position as an international hub for logistics supported by the world’s busiest passenger airport…

The new city of Stonecrest in east DeKalb County will now go on maps everywhere. Residents in the Stonecrest footprint passed the referendum with 59.42 percent of the vote in a special election, which was held on Nov. 8 during the General Election. The city of 50,000 residents will become the largest municipality in DeKalb and the ninth city to join metro Atlanta’s growing cityhood movement. Stonecrest initially will offer its residents three government services: code enforcement, parks and recreation, and planning and zoning. Jason Lary, who led the campaign to incorporate the city, said he was thrilled the referendum…

  Oz Nesbitt won the seat for Rockdale County Chairman, defeating write-in challenger Courtney Dillard, in a long, hard-fought campaign. Nesbitt received 92.23 percent of the vote, while Dillard received 7.62 percent, according to unofficial returns. Although Nesbitt had defeated incumbent Richard Oden in the three-way primary in May, his campaign was stretched out an additional five months after Dillard first tried to challenge him as an Independent then as a write-in candidate. Dillard sought to run as a write-in candidate after elections officials notified him hat he did not receive enough valid signatures on petition to run as an…

Tonya P. Anderson regained the State Senate District 43 seat, declaring a victory for Democrats on election night. Anderson defeated Republican JaNice VanNess, capturing 70.42 percent of the vote, to win back the district, which includes parts of DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties. VanNess was first elected to the seat in December 2015 in a special election in which she defeated Anderson. The seat had become vacant following the July 25, 2015 resignation of Ronald Ramsey, a Democrat who was appointed as a judge on the DeKalb County traffic court. In the Nov. 8 election, Anderson led all three counties…

Democrat Vernon Jones is the new State Representative for the House District 91 seat. The former DeKalb County CEO will represent constituents in parts of DeKalb and Rockdale counties in his new assignment. Jones cruised to victory on election night, earning 72.25 percent of the vote over Republican challenger Carl Anuszczyk, according to early returns. Jones served as DeKalb’s CEO from 2001 to 2008 and in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1993 to 2000. He was a member of the Appropriations Committee, the Insurance Committee, the Health and Ecology Committee, Banking Committee, and a special Judiciary Committee. Jones also…

Lithonia Democratic Congressman Hank Johnson overwhelmingly defeated Republican opponent Victor Armendariz on election night, winning a sixth-term as the representative of the Fourth District. Johnson received 75.69 percent of the vote (the second-highest among peers who had opponents), while Armendariz received 24.31 percent. Only Atlanta Democratic Congressman John Lewis, who represents the Fifth District, earned a higher percentage of the vote among Congressional candidates who had no opposition. Lewis, who was first elected in 1986 and is the lonest-serving member of the Georgia delegation, won a 16th term with 84.41 percent of the vote. Johnson’s victory was bittersweet. “While I’m…

Democratic candidates Gregory Adams and Randal Mangham are headed for a run-off on Dec. 6 in the special election to fill the vacant DeKalb County Board of Commissioners Super District 7 seat. Adams received 26.01 percent of the vote, while Mangham received 16.27 percent, according to unofficial election results. Since neither received more than 50 percent of the vote, the runoff will be held. The winner will represent 350,000 residents in the eastern half of DeKalb. The Super District covers Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Pine Lake, Tucker, Doraville and incorporated areas. The seat became open after Commissioner Stan Watson resigned in…