Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA–On Tuesday, Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners’ Chief of Staff, Kwasi Obeng, presented an Honorary Citizen Award to the 2022 Mandela Washington Fellows, Ruth Arreygang Abunaw Besong (Cameroon) and Menfret Melk (Namibia). The Mandela Washington Fellowship was founded by President Barack Obama and is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), which empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities and local community engagement. Created in 2010, YALI supports young Africans as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and…

DECATUR, GA– Efforts to improve water service capacity throughout DeKalb County continue on Saturday, Aug. 20, with the launch of the Wawona Drive Emergency Water Line Replacement Project. Crews will replace 20 linear feet of failing water line with new 16-inch-diameter coated steel pipe near Buford Highway. This overnight line repair project is expected to last approximately 12 hours (Aug. 20, 10 p.m., to Sunday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m.), barring any weather delays.  During this time, residents in the area will experience low to no water pressure.  To learn more about the Wawona Drive Emergency Water Line Replacement Project call…

DECATUR, GA—The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections will host a special called meeting on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 10 a.m. This meeting will be conducted in person at the Porter Sanford III Preforming Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur 30034. This meeting is open to the public.  

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–Despite public outcry at three separate public hearings, the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners approved an 18.69 percent millage rate increase on Aug. 12. Commissioner Doreen Williams defended the increase from 16.69 percent, saying the additional 2 mill was needed to build a new courthouse. Said Williams: “The millage rate last year has been 16.69. As we have looked at the needs of the court, judicial complex and courthouse and administration building, we really cannot postpone that anymore. It’s been postponed for so many years…” Williams said dedicating the 2 mill would allow the county “to go to…

By Mark Brock DECATUR, GA—Southwest DeKalb High School junior golfer Ethan Quitman’s year-long dream came true when he was selected to hit the Hope First Tee Ceremonial Tee Shot to kick off the 2022 Tour Championship on August 25 at East Lake Golf Club. “I didn’t know about the tee shot until we went to the tournament last year,” said Quitman. “I knew then I wanted to get the opportunity.” He also picked up a $5,000 Hope First Tee scholarship to help with his college tuition. He had to apply for the opportunity, write an essay, and play a…

DECATUR, GA— Today, DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond announced a 6.5-percent starting salary increase for all sworn police officers, making them the highest paid among large local governments in the state. “Protecting the lives and well-being of our residents and businesses is our top priority,” CEO Thurmond said. “Our Keep DeKalb Safe plan focuses on retention, recruitment, hiring and violence interruption.” Effective Oct. 1, 2022, the starting annual salaries for new hires will be as follows: $50,500 for police recruits, up from $47,000. $3,000 hiring incentive. $52,000 for POST-certified police officers, up from $50,931. To help increase the applicant pool for…

DECATUR, GA –– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said that two inmates have died this week in unrelated incidents while in custody of the DeKalb County Jail. College Park resident Michael Assevero, 65, was found hanging in his jail cell and unresponsive on Sunday, Aug. 14, and was pronounced deceased following unsuccessful emergency medical treatment by on-site inmate health services and DeKalb EMS. Preliminary reports indicate suicide as the apparent cause of death. Assevero had been in custody of DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office since Aug. 11, 2022 after being arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear in court on…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA—Gwinnett County soon will have a new Housing and Community Development Division operating within its Department of Planning and Development. This division was created as a response to one of the recommendations in a housing study requested by the Board of Commissioners. Matt Elder has been named as the division’s director. He has nearly a decade of experience in housing and community development and served the last four years as the director of HomeFirst Gwinnett. Elder will join the County on Aug. 22. “Matt played a pivotal role into the creation of the County’s first homeless shelter for women and…