Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – Georgia is rolling out a statwide program to assist landlords and tenants who are behind on rent and utility payments due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Brian Kemp announced that the State of Georgia has received more than $552 million in stimulus funds through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Congress appropriated $25 billion to provide relief to landlords and tenants who are behind on rent and utility payments due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The effects of COVID-19 have hit many Georgians hard financially,” Gov. Kemp said in a statement. “In addition to protecting lives, we have…

The Rockdale County Department of Stormwater Management will now manage Land Disturbance Permitting (LDP) processes due to new state mandates. Effective March 29, 2021, all LDP applications, including fees, are to be submitted directly to Rockdale County Stormwater Management. This function was previously managed by the Rockdale County Planning and Development Department. Any project where land disturbance is involved, a Land Disturbance Permit application must first be submitted to Stormwater Management to determine if the project is viable before the project can move forward. Included as a part of this process, inspection requests for Erosion Control…

The Rockdale County Democratic Party recently held its virtual swearing-In ceremony announcing its newly elected and appointed officers. Rosalyn Ridgeway is the new chair of  the Rockdale Democratic Party. The swearing-In seremony was performed by the Honorable Phinia Aten, Chief Magistrate Judge of Rockdale County and the keynote speaker was State Sen. Tonya P. Anderson, District 43 and Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. “I am looking forward to serving as Chair of the Rockdale County Democratic Party. The newly-elected and appointed leadership team will work diligently in serving this organization,” said Ridgeway. The other elected…

ATLANTA, GA – As tax season is approaching, a number of Georgians are discovering that they may be the victims of unemployment insurance fraud. Consumers say they received 1099-G forms from the Department of Labor indicating that they owe taxes on unemployment compensation they received in 2020. However, the benefits actually went to identity thieves who used the consumers’ names and Social Security numbers to file phony unemployment claims and collect the benefit money. “These scams are not only hurting struggling Georgians, they are also putting additional strain on the Department of Labor at a time when it is…

7,000 tenants and landlords apply for financial relief   DECATUR,GA.– Monday, Feb. 22, will be the last day that tenants and landlords can apply for financial help through the DeKalb Tenant-Landlord Assistance Coalition (TLAC) program. The online application will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22. “Due to the overwhelming response to the TLAC program, we will be closing applications at the close of business on Monday. This has been a huge illustration of the need caused by the ongoing pandemic,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “Tenants and landlords alike are suffering because of the financial and…

By Mark Brock, DCSD Athletics Specialist DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) Columbia High School won the Region 6-2A high school girls’ basketball championship, defeating South Atlanta High School 59-48 at Greater Atlanta Christian High School (GAC) on Feb. 19. The Columbia Boys’ team also won the consolation game against KIPP , 67-48. Columbia and South Atlanta were facing off for the third time this season as they took the court for the girls’ title game having split the regular season series. Columbia broke the tie on the year with a 59-48 victory for the title. The two…

Cornelius Stafford, a former president of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, Inc., passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Members of the organization said they did not yet have details from Stafford’s wife, Patricia, about his death or plans for his homegoing service. A survivor of kidney failure and end stage renal disease, Stafford often discussed the personal battles that he overcame to inspire others to success. Stafford received one of his greatest honors for his community work when he was named “Mentor of the Year” by the 100 Black Men of America at its…

The Rockdale County Department of Stormwater Management will now manage Land Disturbance Permitting (LDP) processes due to new state mandates. Effective March 29, 2021, all LDP applications, including fees, are to be submitted directly to Rockdale County Stormwater Management. This function was previously managed by the Rockdale County Planning and Development Department. Any project where land disturbance is involved, a Land Disturbance Permit application must first be submitted to Stormwater Management to determine if the project is viable before the project can move forward. Included as a part of this process, inspection requests for Erosion Control are to be scheduled…

ATLANTA – Georgia is rolling out a statwide program to assist landlords and tenants who are behind on rent and utility payments due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Brian Kemp announced that the State of Georgia has received more than $552 million in stimulus funds through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Congress appropriated $25 billion to provide relief to landlords and tenants who are behind on rent and utility payments due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The effects of COVID-19 have hit many Georgians hard financially,” Gov. Kemp said in a statement. “In addition to protecting lives, we have to protect…