Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR, GA—DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson announced a $10.43 million initiative to enhance police recruitment and retention, positioning the department to become among the highest-paid law enforcement agencies in metro Atlanta. This investment, fully funded through a strategic reallocation of existing resources, strengthens DeKalb County’s law enforcement workforce without additional taxpayer costs. “Public safety is a priority, and our budget should reflect that,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “This plan allows us to invest in our officers in a fiscally responsible way by making better use of existing resources. We are not raising taxes—we are simply ensuring our budget aligns with the needs of our community.” Unincorporated…

DECATUR, GA – On Wednesday, Feb.19, at 4:30 p.m. ET, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is holding an IG Live with former Young Democrats of Georgia president, public policy analyst and social media influencer Parker Short in a conversation about the impact of the Trump-Musk administration’s first month on Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District.  In 2024, Short gained national attention when a clip of him rapping along to Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us at a Kamala Harris campaign rally at Georgia State went viral. He leveraged his newfound visibility to advocate for Democratic policies and later made headlines again after debating Make America Great Again (MAGA)…

By Jamal-Harrison Bryant In the struggle for justice and equity, it is not enough to only demand change from our elected officials—we must also hold corporations accountable. When companies profit from our communities, they have a responsibility to reflect our values, invest in our people, and honor their commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This is why for Lent, I am calling for a 40-day fast of Target, a corporation that once stood as a leader in DEI but has since caved to political pressure, abandoning both the very principles they claimed to champion as well as specific promises they…

DECATUR, GA– Rainbow Park Baptist Church will host local government officials, education leaders, public safety representatives, business professionals, and members of the judiciary for a critical conversation about the future of DeKalb County. The Voices of DeKalb Town Hall will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., at Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur. The town hall, moderated by Pastor Micah K. Dial aims to foster a solutions-driven discussion on key issues impacting DeKalb including public safety, education, economic development, and civic engagement. The event will feature a panel of leaders from various sectors: Government: DeKalb District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah; State…

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA– Gwinnett County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to opt out of the new Statewide Adjusted Base Year Homestead Exemption introduced in House Bill 581. The vote means Gwinnett homeowners’ assessments will stay the same, regardless of inflation, officials stated.  Three public hearings were held at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in January and February – while cities and schools are hosting their own hearings. The County has an existing Value Offset Exemption (VOE) that protects homeowners from tax increases due to increased property market values. Compared to the new Statewide Adjusted Base Year Homestead Exemption, the VOE protects against…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA– Due to forecasted cold weather, DeKalb County will open three warming centers for residents 24 hours a day beginning 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, until 8 a.m., Saturday, Feb.  22. DeKalb Couty has activated the following warming centers in anticipation of freezing temperatures: Frontline Response International, 2585 Gresham Road, Decatur Mason Mill Recreation Center, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur (see pickup schedule below for transportation to Frontline)  N.H. Scott Recreation Center, 2230 Tilson Road, Decatur 30032  DeKalb County’s overnight only warming center, North DeKalb Senior/Community Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, also will remain open. Special transportation will be provided each morning to one of the 24-hour warming…