Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA –Georgia Rep. Imani Barnes (D-Tucker) recently introduced House Bill 510, or the “Healthy Start” bill, to provide free quality and healthy meals to all students enrolled in a public school in Georgia. “The ‘Healthy Start’ bill would ease the burden and stress on parents and guardians, and it would mirror the support these families received during the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency,” said Barnes. “Families were left scrambling after the pandemic-era federal meal program ended last fall, and this legislation would ensure that every student, regardless of their family’s income, would have access to two healthy meals a day.”…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— The DeKalb County Board of Registration and Elections will hold a Special Called Meeting on Wednesday, March 1, 1 p.m. This meeting will be conducted in-person at the Tobie Grant Recreation Center, 593 Parkdale Dr, Scottdale, GA Public comments may be made in person or submitted by sending an email of one page or less to electionspubliccmnt@dekalbcountyga.gov, which must be received between 1:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. The body of the email must include the first and last name, followed by the speaker’s address. Abusive, profane, or derogatory language will not be permitted. By…

ATLANTA—Georgia Sen. Emanuel Jones (D – Decatur) has been appointed to serve as a member of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Overview Committee (MARTOC) by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. “Thank you to Lt. Governor Burt Jones for giving me the opportunity to serve as a member of MARTOC,” said Sen. Jones. “I look forward to being able to serve the Metro Atlanta area in this new capacity. My fellow committee members and I will work to provide thoughtful insight on how we can better our trains, buses and other public systems. The Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is vital…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA– The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) will host a Career Fair on Feb.24, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Rockdale Regional Youth Detention Center, 2165 Chambers Drive N.W., Conyers. DJJ is looking to hire Juvenile Correctional Officers, Detention Counselors, Teachers, Mental Health Providers, Food Service Workers, Housekeepers, and General Support Staff. Individuals interested in applying should bring their social security card, valid driver’s license and proof of a high school diploma or GED. The Juvenile Correctional Officer position now has a new salary of $37,730. In addition, there is an opportunity for an additional pay increase of…

Important information regarding DeKalb County’s organizational governing structure and policies, as well as the role of the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Commissioners to be discussed DECATUR, GA –DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry are inviting the DeKalb County community to attend a special Town Hall designed to educate residents about the Charter Review process. The DeKalb County Charter Review Town Hall will take place February 23, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium (1300 Commerce Dr, Decatur, GA 30030) and will give attendees a better…

ATLANTA—Two longtime DeKalb County community activists—Leona Perry and District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson—have been selected to be the grand marshals for the East Lake Family YMCA’s Third Annual Black History Month parade. The event takes place on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2:30 to 4 p.m. with the parade line up at 1:45 p.m. at the YMCA, 275 E. Lake Blvd., SE, Atlanta. The parade will travel to the Lakeside Drive turn-around and return to the Y.    Perry said she is honored and humbled to participate in the Black History Month celebration. “I am honored and excited to be a grand…

STONECREST, GA– The City of Stonecrest is partnering with Emory University to host a career fair offering over 1,200 positions. The event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Browns Mill Recreation Center, 5101 Browns Mill Road, Stonecrest, 30038.   Officials say the event is an excellent opportunity for applicants to network with representatives from Emory and apply for campus-wide career positions and internships. The event is free and open to the public.   More than 60 recruiters will be onsite, Emory officials said. Attendees will have an opportunity to apply for positions in several…

ATLANTA – The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will hold a career fair for heavy leaners on Thursday, Feb. 23, noon until 4 p.m. at MARTA headquarters, located across from the Lindbergh Center rail station on Piedmont Road in Atlanta. WHAT:           Cleaners Career Fair – MARTA is Hiring: Heavy Cleaners Facilities Cleaners Railcar Cleaners Rail Station Cleaners WHEN:           Thursday, Feb. 23 Noon – 4 p.m. WHERE:        MARTA Headquarters 2424 Piedmont Rd. NE Atlanta, Ga. 30324 MARTA OFFERS: Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage Pension and Retirement Savings Plans Life Insurance and Long- and Short-Term Disability Applicants are encouraged to ride MARTA to the event. The…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has appointed Rockdale County Probate Court Judge Gary Washington to the Rockdale Judicial Circuit Public Defender Supervisory Council. As a member of the Supervisory Panel, Judge Washington will be responsible for evaluating the performance of the Rockdale County Circuit Public Defender on an annual basis and nominating candidates to be considered for appointment as the Rockdale Circuit Defender when the position is vacant. Judge Washington brings a wealth of legal experience to the role, having more than 30 years of litigation experience, which includes extensive work representing indigent clients while working with the Fulton…

STONECREST, GA –A new MARTA transit hub soon will be built in the city of Stonecrest, providing riders with covered waiting areas, restrooms, bike racks, and fare vending machines, among other amenities. Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA) announced the $1 million they secured for the project during a press conference that was held on Friday (Feb. 17) at City Hall. MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood unveiled plans for the project, saying that officials still are trying to determine the exact location where the hub will be built. Officials are considering a site either north or west of…