Author: On Common Ground News

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) and Flock Safety are hosting a virtual community safety event on Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m. The event is being held to discuss how Flock Safety cameras and local residents can work with RSCO to help deter and solve crime in the Rockdale area. Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based startup, offers vehicle fingerprinting technology designed for neighborhoods and businesses. These cameras capture make, model, color, aesthetics, license plates (full, partial, or missing), with a state and a timestamp and have helped areas across Atlanta working with neighborhoods and police agencies. Rockdale residents are welcomed to attend…

Panel discussion highlights history of voting rights in Black America   Tonight, on Feb. 23, 2021, at 7 p.m., DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will host a virtual Black History Panel Discussion titled, “The Evolution of Voting Rights in Black America: From Picking Cotton to Picking Presidents and Senators.” The event will be streamed on all DeKalb County Television (DCTV23) platforms and Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson’s Facebook page for the public to view. Panelists include Commissioner Larry Johnson; Commissioner Ted Terry; Attorney Mawuli Davis; Attorney Nia Weeks, Founder of Citizen SHE United; Ms. Hillary Hall, of National Vote at…

ATLANTA – Members of the DeKalb House and Senate Delegation, co-chaired by State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and State Senator Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur), will host a “Protect Your Voting Rights” virtual forum on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, 6:30 p.m.   During the virtual forum, members of the delegation will discuss proposed legislation that may impact state and local elections.The forum will be available via Zoom and Facebook live stream. Registration via Zoom is strongly encouraged. To register for the Zoom meeting, please click here.  Zoom: https://bit.ly/3auUSj4

The DeKalb County Board of Education will hold the following meetings on Monday, February 8, 2021 in the J. David Williamson Board Room, Robert R. Freeman Administrative Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083. 11:30am       Virtual Community Input Meeting 1:00pm         BOARD MEETING Executive Session for the purpose of discussing permitted matters. Combined Work Session & Business Meeting The board meetings are in-person, but due to social distancing requirements, members of the public are asked to view the live stream and/or broadcast. The meeting agendas are attached and can be accessed online by going to: www.dekalbschoolsga.org, click on Leadership,…

New superintendent ‘doesn’t yet know what she’s doing’      By Deborah Jones President, Organization of DeKalb Educators(ODE) The DeKalb County School District is not being honest with the public. In doing so, the superintendent and the board are risking the lives of all DeKalb families. You won’t find newsletters or tweets or videos announcing the new ventilation equipment or kn95 masks it has purchased for students and employees. However, the district has celebrated its $10 million budget surplus. The district should make good on its commitment ” to keep the health and safety of our employees a number one…

Join AARP Atlanta and the legendary Freddie Jackson for “Jam Tonight,” a free “couch concert” on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m. Throughout the evening, Jackson will serenade viewers with some of his famous ballads. Viewers also will learn about guarding their hearts and finances.Registration is required for the free virtual eventl at www.aarp.org/atlanta.

Rockdale County and the Citizens Progressive Club will host a virtual town hall, “Dispelling the Myths, Fears and Phobias,” to address issues about COVID-19 on Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Viewers can expect to hear presentations from Dr. Alvin Griffin, MD of Conyers, GA; Dr. Bonnie Word, MD of Texas, specializing in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine; and Dr. Kenneston Carr, MD of California. The virtual discussion will be available to view at www.facebook.com/rockdalegov, the Rockdale County website at www.rockdalecountyga.gov, and the Rockdale 23 YouTube page. Questions to the speakers can be submitted…

DeKalb announces advance voting times for two special elections   The DeKalb Board of Voter Registration and Elections approved changes to advance voting times for two upcoming elections. The board voted to adjust all available advance voting times to begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 4:30 p.m. to align the Georgia House District 90 runoff election and Clarkston City Council special election. Advance voting for the House District 90 race takes place Feb. 24 through March 5. The runoff election is scheduled March 9. Advance Voting for a special election to fill a seat on Clarkston’s City…

ATLANTA – Members of the DeKalb House and Senate Delegation, co-chaired by State Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) and State Senator Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur), will host a “Protect Your Voting Rights” virtual forum on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, 6:30 p.m.   During the virtual forum, members of the delegation will discuss proposed legislation that may impact state and local elections.The forum will be available via Zoom and Facebook live stream. Registration via Zoom is strongly encouraged. To register for the Zoom meeting, please click here.  Zoom: https://bit.ly/3auUSj4

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…