Author: On Common Ground News

LITHONIA, GA—The Lithonia Market on Main is extending a special invitation to grandparents to check out local African American farmers and artisans this Saturday, Sept. 11, noon to 4 p.m.,6980 Main St., Lithonia.   The outdoor Market on Main is celebrating grandparents this weekend and all grandparents will receive free gifts while supplies last.  The market, where visitors will find an array of fresh produce and other items for sale, offers half price on EBT purchases. Free masks and hand sanitizer are also provided to customers. The market will be held every Saturday, except Oct. 2, through Dec. 4.

Pointing to many ways it would help their local priorities, county leaders from across the country pushed for the House of Representatives to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which the Senate passed on a bipartisan vote Aug. 10. The legislation would provide $973 billion over five years from FY 2022 – FY 2026, including $550 billion in new investments for all modes of transportation, water, power and energy, environmental remediation, public lands, broadband and resilience. Learn More Legislative analysis for counties: The Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act  “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will support counties…

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–Embattled DeKalb County Elections Director Erica Hamilton will be on extended leave of absence effective Sept. 9 and new leadership will take the helm to oversee the upcoming Nov. 2 General Elections, officials said in a statement today (Sept. 8). The announcement of Hamilton’s leave comes as the county prepares for advance voting for the General Election. Hamilton, and Sam Tillman, former Board Chairman of the DeKalb County Board of Elections, came under fire following the June 2020 primary concerning a number of issues including long lines, insufficient equipment and their failure to follow through on…

Advance Voting Oct. 12-29, General Election Nov. 2 DECATUR GA—DeKalb’s Board of Registration and Elections recently approved changes to four polling locations ahead of the Nov. 2 General Election. Due to various issues including ongoing construction at previous polling locations, some voters in Chamblee, Doraville and Stonecrest may be assigned a new polling location this election cycle. DeKalb Voter Registration and Election also announced that impacted voters will receive correspondence in the mail with information regarding their new polling location. Previous Polling Location New Polling Location Chamblee Civic Center 3540 Broad Street Chamblee 30341 Chamblee Public Safety/Municipal Court, 4445…

By Andrew Wells, Stonecrest  Resident There is an old parable about a man who planted a fig tree in a vineyard and appointed a keeper to tend to the tree. He went to the tree one day wanting figs but found none. He asked the keeper of his vineyard, “Why does this fig tree cumbereth (use up/provide a troublesome obstruction to) the ground?” The man made a deal with the vineyard keeper to allow the keeper to dress and fertilize the ground around the fig tree. And, after a period of time, he would come back to check…