Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) has appointed Lisa Chester as its Constituent Services liaison. The constituent services liaison reports directly to the Chief of Staff and handles initiatives and tasks affiliated/related to Post 1 and Post 2 Commissioners. Chester has served as a community and business development leader with expertise in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, business strategy and integrated marketing communications. She champions innovation, mentoring, and initiatives that improve the lives of those in need. Chester has served as a director of operations as well as a corporate development and partnerships director. Her professional experience spans over 15 years…

Three candidates are in the upcoming special election for Rockdale County Probate Court Judge. When the three-day qualifying period ended at noon on Friday, May 14, the race included Democratic incumbent Gary Washington; Kathy Harvey, a counselor, and Justin Kenney, a Conyers attorney. Neither Harvey nor Kenney listed their party affiliations on qualifying papers. Washington became the judge in the Probate Court on March 1 after then Probate Court Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. was appointed to the State Court. Washington previously served as the first ever Associate Judge of the Probate Court and has more than 30 years of experience as…

DECATUR–The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb County Branch is continuing to push its “Ask 400 Membership Campaign” through the end of the year. “We want NAACP DeKalb County Branch to be the leader for the state of Georgia in getting the most memberships for the largest civil rights organization in the world,” said DeKalb NAACP Branch President Teresa Hardy. Thele Moore, membership chair, said the campaign will mobilize the DeKalb community to advocate for social justice initiatives. Moore said active and new members will have a chance to win prizes and membership perks during…

Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner Tiffany P. Porter announces that Gwinnett residents now have the option to set appointments for in-person visits at all tag offices.   “Customers no longer have to wait in line when they need to visit a tag office,” Porter said. “They can use our website to set an in-person appointment at the office most convenient for them and avoid the wait entirely.”    The ability to make an appointment has been the most-requested service over the past few years. The tax commissioner tested this feature during the past month and launched it gradually before making a…

–The DeKalb County Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will hold a virtual community meeting to discuss the expansion of the Zonolite property, located at 1634 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30306. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 26, at 6 p.m. The meeting to discuss current park improvements and connectivity will be conducted via  https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/82515879827. To join the meeting by phone, dial 888-270-9936, and use conference code 399422. For more information, contact LaShanda Davis, public relations specialist, at 404-710-6331 or lsdavis@dekalbcountyga.gov.

ATLANTA – Gov.Brian P. Kemp on May 14 issued a new Executive Order extending the State of Emergency for Petroleum Shortage until Saturday, May 22, 2021. On Monday, May 10, Kemp temporarily suspended the gas tax in Georgia in light of the Colonial Pipeline cyber attack. The Governor also announced that Georgia would increase the weight limits for trucks transporting fuel, providing more supply for stations as they received deliveries. The order further prohibited price gouging by bad actors looking to exploit the fuel shortage. “While Colonial Pipeline is now operational, the company has informed the public that it will be…

Photos by Kelly Jordan  Today (May 13), DeKalb County Schools Board Chair Vickie B. Turner and City Schools of Decatur Board Chair Tasha White hosted a joint press conference with DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and leaders of the DeKalb County House and Senate Delegation to celebrate the passing of Senate Bill 293. The annexation legislation was recently signed by Gov. Brian Kemp after several years of negotiations. The bill new law preserves funds for the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) and the City Schools of Decatur(CSD). “Thanks to the collaboration and communication between our two school systems, our students will…

DECATUR, GA –Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is urging families in Georgia’s Fourth District to file their taxes before the upcoming May 17 tax deadline to ensure they receive the accurate amount in new advance monthly Child Tax Credit payments they are entitled to as soon as possible. Johnson said the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit could help the families of more than 14,000 children in Georgia’s Fourth District. As part of the American Rescue Plan, Rep. Johnson helped pass, families could get monthly payments of up to $300 per child beginning as soon as July. Johnson said the best…

DECATUR, GA—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb County Branch announces the names of its newly-elected officers for the 2021-2022 Youth Council. The new youth officers are: Deymon Fleming, Jr., president; Khaliyah Reynolds, 1st vice president; Mekeala Watkins, 2nd vice president; Chastity Singleton, 3rd vice president; Trinyty Turner, secretary; Evelyn Raphael, assistant secretary; Kya Clanton, treasurer; and Jada Smith, assistant treasurer. The Youth Council meets on the third Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. via Zoom. The primary function of the unit is to focus on issues facing youths throughout the nation on local, state,…

Front, L-R: Amy McCoy, Teresa Hardy(center) and Dar’shun Kendrick; Back L-R: Stacey Thibodeaux and Edwina Clanton ATLANTA— “It’s time for us to start investing in our communities again—even during a pandemic,” says Attorney Dar’shun Kendrick.   “There are those that don’t have high prospects for black wealth in the coming years but the Dollar Empowered Community or the D.E.C. will provide an opportunity for Georgia residents to change that trajectory…” The opener is one that Kendrick is pitching in a video for the Dollar Empowered Community, LLC, a new company that she and four other black women have formed to…