Author: On Common Ground News

SOCIAL CIRCLE, GA- The Georgia Association of Tax Officials (GATO) mourns the death of Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Tiffany Porter. Porter was elected in 2020 and was the first African American to serve in the position in Gwinnett County. “I will always remember Tiffany as being vibrant, energetic and outgoing,” said GATO President and Walton County Tax Commissioner Derry Boyd. “She was an ambitious leader who strived to and accomplished many distinguished and professional successes.” Porter joined GATO in 2021 and served in District 19. “The loss of our colleague is felt by many,” said District 19 Leader and…

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA– Gwinnett Tax Commissioner Tiffany P. Porter, Esquire, passed away peacefully today surrounded by family, friends and loved ones. She died after twice battling breast cancer, officials said. Porter, 43, is the devoted mother of four children, Tori, 15, Zoe, 17, Nia, 20, and Brandon, 23. She was known for achieving many firsts in her life. She was also known for surviving multiple hard-fought battles against breast cancer, to which in the end she ultimately succumbed. During her 16 months as Tax Commissioner, Ms. Porter implemented a number of service advancements for Gwinnett citizens, including the ability to…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host the official grand opening of the Rainbow Park Amphitheater on Saturday, May 14, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Rainbow Park, 1831 Rainbow Park, Decatur GA. The historical event will feature award-winning musician Jennifer Holliday as well as live music from other various recording artists and food vendors. Patrons must pick up free tickets from the Porter Sandford III Performing Arts Center’s box office beginning May 9, Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets will be available on a first come, first serve basis with a maximum…

ROCKDALE COUNTY,GA – ACCG, Georgia’s County Association, recently awarded Rockdale County Commissioner Post 2, Doreen Williams, with a certificate for successfully completing the core requirements in the Lifelong Learning Academy. Commissioner Williams was honored during the 2022 ACCG Annual Conference at the Savannah Convention Center. ACCG and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia have collaborated for more than two decades to provide county officials with supplemental training and educational tools in the Lifelong Learning Academy. With abundant courses to choose from, every county official has a tailor-made learning experience that allows them to excel…

DECATUR, GA–DeKalb County Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting on Monday, May 9, at 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be conducted via teleconference (Zoom). The Finance Committee will meet at 3:45 p.m. To listen in on the meeting, please request the link from weissingera@dekalblibrary.org no later than noon on the date of the meeting. For more details on the agenda and about listening in, click here or visit www.dekalblibrary.org.

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–NFL All-Pro defensive back Kevin Byard is being honored for his athletic and monetary contributions at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in DeKalb County as the school renames its update athletic facilities in his honor with a ceremony on Friday, May 6, beginning at 4 p.m. Byard was rated a two-star prospect coming out of King in 2011, despite being named Class 5A All-State by the Atlanta Journal Constitution as a two-way standout for the Lions. That 2010 football season he had 94 tackles, two interceptions, two block punts and two fumble recoveries on defense while…

DECATUR, GA–The second of two men charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in Brookhaven has been convicted and sentenced to two life sentences, plus 29 years in prison.   Jurors returned guilty verdicts on Friday, April 29, 2022, against Kelvin Jermain Armstrong, 43, on charges of Aggravated Child Molestation (two counts), Child Molestation, and Reckless Conduct.   The charges against Armstrong and Co-Defendant Kevin Walker, 51, stem from an incident on Jan. 29, 2018.  According to the investigation, the victim was walking home after missing his school bus when he encountered Defendant Walker, who then lured the child into…

The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold the following meeting on Monday, May 9, 2022, in the J. David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. BOARD MEETING 11:30am       Executive Session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters and Work Session 5:45pm         Community Input Session and Business Meeting The meeting agenda is attached and can be accessed online by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on Leadership, go to Simbli (formally known as eBoard) Home Page and click on the date for the meeting agenda/information.  The meeting can be viewed at…