Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY—DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections (VRE) announced advance voting and drop box locations for the upcoming Dec. 6, General Election runoff. Advance voting for the runoff will take place Nov. 23 through Dec. 2. With the Thanksgiving holiday, voters are encouraged to carefully review the hours and locations prior to heading to vote. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Memorial Drive location ONLY No voting Thursday, Nov. 24 – Saturday, Nov. 26. Sunday, Nov. 27, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. at all locations Monday, Nov. 28 through Friday, Dec. 2, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.…

STONECREST, GA – The Stonecrest City Council voted to adopt the Fiscal Year (FY) 23 budget at its Special Called Meeting on Nov. 14. The balanced budget includes many of the Council’s priorities such as improving Browns Mill Recreation Center, park upgrades, and an expanded list of community engagement activities and events, the city stated in a news release. The budget also highlights the City’s desire to serve residents through a largely in-house staffing model. As a result, the Leisure Services Department plans to hire up to 29 additional personnel to oversee day-to-day operations, including landscape, janitorial, aquatics and right-of-way…

STONECREST, GA – The Stonecrest City Council has awarded $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC). The grant will be used to support continuing education and workforce training at GPTC’s Regional Transportation Training Center, which is undergoing renovations and construction in Stonecrest. Mayor Jazzmin Cobble presented the funds to the College’s staff during GPTC’s annual Grateful Gathering program. “Today is a great day for Stonecrest. I am thrilled to announce our financial pledge to Georgia Piedmont Technical College. This grant will create more jobs and expand educational opportunities,” said Mayor Cobble. “I want…

ATLANTA—Mayor Andre Dickens announced the appointment of Southwest Atlanta native Solomon Caviness, IV, to serve as the second permanent Commissioner of the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT). Caviness will lead the department effective Jan. 3, 2023, assuming the role currently held by Interim ATLDOT Commissioner Marsha Anderson-Bomar. “What I envisioned for ATLDOT back in 2017 was a centralized, cohesive hub for Atlanta’s transportation initiatives that a growing city needs, and that residents and businesses deserve,” said Mayor Dickens. “Solomon shares our Administration’s vision for smarter, more efficient government that delivers transportation projects—large, small and in between—in a manner that ensures…

ATLANTA, GA – Attorney General Chris Carr and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of North Georgia are recognizing Nov. 16 as Utility Scam Awareness Day by warning consumers and businesses to watch out for scammers posing as utility company representatives in an attempt to steal your money. “Criminals will often use scare tactics in an attempt to pressure consumers into turning over their hard-earned money before they have a chance to think things through or verify the supposed claims,” said Carr. “Unfortunately, since utilities are such an essential service, these tactics are often successful. Knowledge is key, and we encourage…

DECATUR, GA – The DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office announces its operating schedule for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays. Customers are reminded that online service and kiosk options are available after business hours and on weekends year-round. Holiday schedule: Nov. 23, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Nov. 24-25 Dec. 23, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Dec. 26 Dec. 30, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., closed Jan. 2 “With the holiday season upon us, we are reminding customers that most property tax and motor vehicle services are available online daily,” said Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson. “Taxpayers…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– The DeKalb County Board of Health will hold its regularly scheduled meeting via teleconference on Nov. 17, beginning at 3 p.m. Public access to the video conference can be established through the following methods: Zoom Video: https://zoom.us/join | Meeting ID: 815 0858 4721 / Passcode: 248661 Zoom Audio: 301-715-8592 | Meeting ID: 815 0858 4721 / Passcode: 248661 Agenda items for the meeting include: Call to Order Approval of Minutes Regular Board Meeting Minutes of September 22, 2022 COVID-19 and Monkeypox Presentation District Health Director’s Report for September 2022 – October 2022 Financial Status Report Public Comments Board Comments Adjournment Anyone who would like to bring an issue before…

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Department of Transportation is holding a ribbon cutting for the newly replaced Rockbridge Road/Lake Capri Bridge. The ribbon cutting will take place on Dec. 9, 10 a.m. on Rockbridge Road and Lake Capri Bridge. The Lake Capri Bridge project used SPLOST dollars for its completion; approximately $1.8 million of SPLOST funds went to completing the bridge. “Rockdale Department of Transportation is proud to celebrate the completion of this eagerly anticipated project,.”  Director of Transportation Brian Kelley said. “The reopening of the Rockbridge Road Bridge is a great example of “Your SPLOST Dollar at Work”…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Today, DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond’s plan to provide a one-time, $1,500 retention bonus for non-sworn frontline employees was unanimously approved by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. The $1,500 retention bonus will be provided to frontline employees in multiple departments, including, but not limited to, Watershed Management, Sanitation, Library, Parks and Roads and Drainage. All other employees will receive a $1,000 retention bonus. “I would like to thank the Board of Commissioners for their unanimous approval of these incentive bonuses that will help us retain our most loyal and valuable employees,” Thurmond said. In April 2022, Public Safety…

STONECREST, GA—During a special-called meeting on Nov. 14, the City Council approved the appointment of the city’s Chief Financial Officer Gia Scruggs to serve as acting city manager. The council deadlocked on the vote 2-2, but Mayor Jazzmin Cobble used her authority under Georgia’s Senate Bill 21, which changed the city’s charter to permit the mayor to vote when there is a tie. The deadlock broke tradition. The City Council, under Cobble’s leadership, has rarely departed from voting unanimously on issues. Councilmembers Tammy Grimes and Tara Graves cast the dissenting votes . Neither stated during the meeting why they made…