Author: On Common Ground News

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rockdale County Board of Assessors has launched an online homestead exemption  application, which will eliminate the need for residents to file for an exemption in person. Homeowners can file for an exemption by visiting rockdalecountyga.gov and going to  the “County Departments”  tab. Hover over “Board of Assessors” and click on “Homestead Exemptions.” From there, they should click on the link “Online Homestead Application.” Full instructions of how to file for the exemption online can be seen in the video: https://vimeo.com/488191246 The deadline to file for exemption is April 1 of each taxable…

DECATUR—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb County branch is launching the Georgia NAACP’s “#DoItAgain” voter outreach campaign. Through the initiative, the organization plans to safely conduct voter registration, provide voter information and encourage all eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote. “Voting in the Jan. 5th runoff election is so critical for everyone to do. Georgia voters were highly motivated for the general election and made their voices heard. The same kind of enthusiasm and dedication are needed for the runoff elections,” said NAACP DeKalb Political Action Chair Nadine Ali. “…We did it…

Updated information: The City of Stonecrest Development Authority will meet on Dec. 10, 2020, 8:30 a.m. The meeting will be available via Stonecrest YouTube.

AARP Atlanta is hosting for an evening of music and inspiration, “His Voice, Your Vote: An AARP Atlanta Couch Concert Featuring Kenny Lattimore.” The Get Out The Vote (GOTV) free live concert is Wednesday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m. via Intrado Studios, and will be available on-demand soon after the original broadcast.  Kenny Lattimore is known for his 1996 breakthrough single “Never Too Busy” and the wedding staple “For You.” He earned Grammy and Soul Train Award nominations, Top 10 singles, Top 20 R&B albums, and an NAACP Image Award for Best New Artist. Lattimore is a humanitarian who uses his life…

CONYERS—Mayor Vince Evans, the Conyers City Council, staff and employees of the city of Conyers invite the public to a drop-in open house and official ribbon cutting of the new Conyers City Hall, 901 O’Kelly St., on Monday, Dec. 21 between the hours of 4 and 7 p.m. Those attending the event will be required to wear a mask or face covering. Mayor Evans will make brief remarks and cut the ceremonial ribbon at 5:30 p.m.  Holiday refreshments will be served and employees will offer guided tours of the building. The new City Hall is a 38,000-square-foot, two-story building…

$200,000 of District 7 CARES ACT funding allocated for program  DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has allocated $200,000 in District 7 Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to Operation HOPE to assist DeKalb County small business owners and entrepreneurs who have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, lost their business, or have reduced wages as a result of the crisis. The appropriation will be used to create the DeKalb Entrepreneurship Training Program, an 8-week course free to DeKalb County residents that will guide business owners through the necessary steps of operating a business through a pandemic. The…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) and Kids’-Doc-On-Wheels (KDOW) held a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 4 to mark the partnership to provide school-based telehealth and mobile medical services for RCPS students. School officials say the comprehensive pediatric services, which are available to all RCPS families on a voluntary basis, will supplement existing school-based clinic services and will help to reduce missed instructional time for students and missed work time for parents. Pictured left to right:  KDOW Board Member Yahrasiel Colbert, parent Natalie Jones and her daughter Ana Cruz, KDOW Executive Director Winston Myers, Heritage High School (HHS) / Rockdale Career Academy…

DECATUR–North Decatur Road, between East Rock Springs Road NE and Villa Drive NE, will be closed to through-traffic Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to facilitate the removal of a tree at 1209 North Decatur Road NE, Atlanta. Road closure and detour signs will be placed in the area during the road closure period advising motorists of construction work in the area and of local traffic restrictions.

L-R: Congressman Hank Johnson, State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick, and Atlanta School Board Chairman Jason Esteves  Atlanta — Today(Dec. 7), the Democratic Party of Georgia hosted a virtual press conference with Congressman Hank Johnson, Atlanta School Board Chairman Jason Esteves, and State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick on the last day of voter registration in Georgia. Speakers stressed the importance of ensuring every eligible Georgian is registered to vote ahead of the crucial Jan. 5 runoff election, and encouraged them to go to IWillVote.com to check their registration status and make sure they are registered to vote by midnight tonight, December 7. Any…

Erica Hamilton, Director of DeKalb County’s Voter Registration and Elections  Advance Voting in DeKalb: Dec. 14 – Dec. 31   The DeKalb County Board of Voter Registration and Elections has announced the locations and operating hours of the advance voting locations for the Jan. 5, 2021 runoff election. Advance Voting in DeKalb County begins Dec. 14 and ends Dec. 31. The complete list of locations can be viewed online at www.dekalbvotes.com. “DeKalb is proud to announce our initial 13 advance voting locations across the county,” said Erica Hamilton, director of DeKalb County’s Voter Registration and Elections. “We are working to…