Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA –Conyers, GA City Councilwoman Connie Alsobrook received the prestigious Certificate of Achievement from the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Cities United Summit in Atlanta on Jan. 22.  The Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute, a cooperative effort of GMA and the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, provides a nationally- recognized series of training opportunities for city officials. “This is an outstanding achievement,” said GMA CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson. “We commend Conyers City Councilwoman Connie Alsobrook for this accomplishment and for the dedication shown in using this valuable…

ATLANTA – A statute of Xernona Clayton, Atlanta civil rights pioneer, will be unveiled on March 8, during International Women’s Day. International Woman’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The unveiling of Clayton’s bronze statue will stand as a beacon of her illustrious career and legacy as a media maven and civil rights activist. The 8-foot bronze statue, crafted by world-renowned sculptor, Ed Dwight of Denver, Colorado, will be located in downtown Atlanta in the heart of the city in Xernona Clayton Plaza at West Peachtree Street and Xernona Clayton Way. The statue…

Longtime DeKalb County resident and businessman Bill Leavell announces the death of his mother, Mrs. Louise Leavell, who passed away at the age of 90. For 25 years, Mrs. Leavell made her career driving Coweta County school buses. She was heralded as the first female school bus driver for Coweta and consequently, its first black female driver. A member of the South Fulton Retired Educators Association and an emeritus member in its state affiliate Georgia Retired Educator Association( GREA), Mrs. Leavell was honored with a commemorative brick in the Georgia Teaching Museum located in Flowey Branch, GA. In addition to…

DECATUR, GA– Canby Lane, between Wesley Chapel Road and the cul de sac, will be closed to through-traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, to facilitate the point repair on a sanitary sewer line at 4177 Canby Lane. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions. Questions regarding this road closure should be addressed to Gabe Cummings, project manager, SAK Construction, LLC at 615-852-0988.

Former Georgia Rep. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, civil rights activist and global humanitarian, celebrated her birthday with a host of friends on Jan. 31, 2023 at Sudo’s Bar and Grill in Ellenwood, GA. Happy times, a great celebration for an awesome trailblazer who continues to give back to the community! Thank you for allowing On Common Ground News to celebrate your special da, Dee!

DEKALB, GA—Transforming Faith Church (TFC) celebrated its new home for worship on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Pastor Lee May and his wife, Robin, welcomed worshipers to their new location at 5240 Panola Industrial Blvd., Stonecrest. The celebration included a Black History Month moment with youths sharing spotlights on unsung trailblazers.  Speaking of trailblazers, Pastor May is himself a trailblazer. Having served in 2013 as CEO of DeKalb County, he has been the youngest person to hold the position in the county’s history. May also is the former owner of an 8-screen movie theater in DeKalb County.  At age 29, he…

“Bo Legs,” the biographical documentary of Atlanta icon, Marvin S. Arrington, Sr., was presented on Saturday, Feb. 4, at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, located in the City of Stonecrest. The film screening was hosted by the City of Stonecrest and the Stonecrest Film & Entertainment Commission, headed by Stonecrest Councilman Rob Turner.  Bo Legs, so named for Arrington’s marked walking trait, takes viewers on the journey of one of Atlanta’s most transformative trailblazers. Arrington, a Fulton County Superior Court judge who formerly served as president of the Atlanta City Council  for 17 years, helped galvanize the city from a…

Gwinnett County government will celebrate Black History Month with a special event on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. The community is invited to come out for performances, soul food, and fellowship. A Black History Month display also will be available for viewing in the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center atrium throughout February To reserve your spot for this year’s celebration, visit GwinnettCounty.com/BHMCelebration. You can also pack a picnic lunch and explore the rich history of African American culture in Gwinnett on a Black History Month Bus Tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11. For…

ATLANTA—On Feb. 5, Georgia Sen. Elena Parent (D – Atlanta) will host a legislative town hall alongside Representatives Becky Evans (D – Atlanta) and Mary Margaret Oliver (D – Decatur).  The in-person town hall will take place at Glenn Memorial Church, where Sen. Parent and Reps. Evans and Oliver will answer questions and update constituents on the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session. To attend the town hall via Zoom, register here Questions may be submitted in advance here WHO:              Sen. Elena Parent (D – Atlanta) Rep. Becky Evans (D – Atlanta) Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D – Decatur) WHAT:            Legislative Town Hall WHEN:            Sunday,…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb-Peachtree Airport Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/84958022051.  The meeting can be joined by phone at 602-333-0032 or 1-888-270-9936 and using the conference code 482992. The meeting agenda follows: APPROVAL OF JANUARY 13, 2023, MINUTES INFORMATION/OLD BUSINESS DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Mario Evans Airport Master Plan Update –  www.pdkmasterplan.com NOISE REPORT – Korey Barnes January 2023 Annual Noise and Operations Report OTHER III.  NEW BUSINESS  PUBLIC COMMENTS