Author: On Common Ground News

DECATUR—DeKalb DeKalb County Government is adding a fourth food distribution site in December because food insecurity is reaching crisis levels for many families. On Saturday, Dec. 19, the former K-Mart building parking lot in Doraville will be one of four locations where 3,700 DeKalb residents will receive one 20-pound box of fruit and vegetables and a bag of ground beef or 10-pound bag of chicken hindquarters. “We recognize that many families are struggling to keep food on their tables,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “The Buford Highway distribution site grew out of our partnership with nonprofit advocacy organizations and…

  John Lewis “Good Trouble” marches, xotercades  Set in cities across Georgia VARIOUS CITIES WILL STREAM LIVE VIA:  https://www.facebook.com/TJC.DC ATLANTA –Black and Brown voters in cities across Georgia are joining the Georgia Coalition for the Peoples’ Agenda, the Transformative Justice Coalition, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and community organizers for John Lewis “Good Trouble” Marches and Votercades, festive celebrations of voting rights that will lead voters to the polls for early voting for the U.S. Senate runoffs and Public Service Commission race on Jan 5. The motorcade and festivities will kick off in DeKalb County  today (Dec. 14), 11 a.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow…

https://youtu.be/WLKIXuha3UM

Rockdale County Board of Elections is working to ensure citizens can vote as conveniently as possible during the General Runoff Election on Jan. 5, 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Early voting begins Monday, Dec. 14. The options to vote include: Mail absentee ballots In-person early voting Saturday voting In-person Election Day voting Election Day voting will take place at the voters’ assigned Polling Place. For voters voting in person, due to social distancing, please wear your mask and be prepared to wait in possibly long lines. PRECINCT RELOCATIONS: Voters of the following precincts will continue to vote on Election Day,…

DECATUR—DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson is encouraging needy seniors in her district to apply for critical home infrastructure repairs. “No senior should have to live in a home that has a cracking roof, leaking pipes or a faulty HVAC system – especially during this winter,” Commissioner Davis Johnson said. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved $150,000 in funding, which was appropriated by Davis Johnson to provide roof, HVAC, plumbing or other critical infrastructure repairs to seniors in District 5. The program will offer forgivable loans to assist seniors. To be eligible, applicants must be at least…

DECATUR—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb has called on Gov. Brian Kemp to call a special election to fill the House District 90 seat left vacant by the resignation of former Georgia House of Representative Pam Stephenson.  Stephenson ran unopposed in the primary election in June 2020 and won her seat. However, her daughter, Taurene Stephenson, acting as her guardian with power of attorney, filed a resignation with the Georgia governor’s on Sept. 10, 2020. The upcoming 2021 General Assembly and the absence of a representative for House District 90 are of particular concern…

DECATUR– The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office released a statement today(Dec. 11) stating that DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox has tested positive for COVID-19.  Maddox received test results today after having revealed earlier this week that she and other newly- elected Georgia sheriffs had likely been exposed to the virus while attending a training session by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association in Pine Mountain, Georgia for the past several weeks. Other metro area sheriffs also tested positive. “Although the test results are positive, I am not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19,” said  Maddox. “I am, in fact, feeling well and hope to continue…

CLARKSTON–Clarkston’s former Mayor Lee Swaney, who served two terms from 2002 to 2009, passed awayON DEC. 10. In his 2001 first run for the mayoral seat on Clarkston’s City Council, Swaney touted himself as “a champion for Old Clarkston.”  During his tenure as Mayor, the City continued to welcome an increasing number of refugees—making Clarkston to become known as the “Ellis Island of the South.” “Former Mayor Swaney was truly dedicated to Clarkston. He took his civic responsibility to heart,” said current Clarkston Mayor, Beverly Burks. Swaney lived in and was in service to Clarkston for nearly 30 years. Fondly…

Join Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary and his wife, Debbie, for the city’s official Christmas Tree Lighting at the future Stonecrest City Centre on Friday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Santa will visit and there will be music, hot chocolate and apple cider. Be sure and for the free event.