Author: On Common Ground News

New phone number (770) 572-2026 City of Conyers Councilwoman Valyncia Smith invites residents of the city and Rockdale County to join her in working to make it a warmer winter for those in need. Smith has joined forces with Lowe’s and Rockdale Women United to collect and distribute new or gently-used winter coats during the months of November and December. “This coat drive is not only a way for the community to help others in need of a coat, but it is to also show that we are still united—no matter the times we live in,” Smith said.  “I challenge…

DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections (DeKalb VRE) completed the state-mandated audit on Sunday evening. The final data transmission to the Secretary of State will be completed on Monday morning, Nov. 15. More than 370,000 ballots were hand-counted by 300 DeKalb VRE personnel over two eight-hour shifts per day that began on Saturday, Nov. 14. “This audit was essentially seamless and I’m grateful for the hard work and collaboration of all involved,” said DeKalb VRE Director Erica Hamilton. “Our team worked tirelessly, while under a spotlight, and we’re proud of our collaborative efforts across the county and with the City of…

Nancy Guinn Memorial Library has begun repairs to the failed drainage system located on the park side of the property. The site under renovation is where several library events have been held including the Summer Reading Program.  Library officials say this section of the grounds has long been plagued with widening sinkholes jeopardizing the safety of patrons and posing potential liability exposure. Despite numerous mitigation efforts, the century old drainage pipes are in dire need of replacement. The rectification project is being funded in part with State Grant funds through the Georgia Public Library Services (GPLS). While COVID-19 has adversely…

As the year winds down, the fight against food insecurity continues as DeKalb County Government hosts its monthly food distribution event ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Since May 2020, DeKalb County has provided fruit, vegetables, and protein to over 20,000 DeKalb County families. On Saturday, Nov. 21, the county will host three drive-through food distribution events during which 2,500 DeKalb residents will receive one 20-pound box of fruit and vegetables and a ham or turkey. Beginning at 10 a.m., COVID-19 Care Baskets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, at three locations: Buck Godfrey Stadium, 2817 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur, GA…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) will host the “Strong Communities, Stronger Families” virtual education roundtable event on Monday, November 16, 2020, 6 p.m. via Zoom. To register for Zoom access, please click here to watch a live stream via Facebook, please contact doreen.carter@house.ga.gov. “Educating our children should be our highest priority,” said Rep. Carter. “Georgia allocates 38.9 percent of its annual budget to K-12 education. I believe that education is the number one defense against poverty. There are so many unknowns in our society today. Educating our children should not be one of them. Our new normal is causing us to…

ATLANTA – The House Democratic Caucus elected State Representative Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) as the House Minority Caucus Chairman during caucus elections on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. “I do consider it an honor to be elected by my peers – some of whom are among the best public servants this state has ever known – to chair the House Minority Caucus,” said Chairman Mitchell. “Even during these pandemic times and on the horizon of reapportionment and other legislative challenges, I look forward to working with every member of the House of Representatives in fashioning policy that…

ATLANTA – The House Democratic Caucus met and elected its key leaders on Nov. 10. The Minority Caucus elected the following caucus members for leadership positions: State Rep. James Beverly (D-Macon), House Minority Leader State Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain), House Minority Caucus Chairman State Rep. Erica Thomas (D-Austell); House Minority Caucus Vice-Chairman State Rep. David Wilkerson (D-Powder Springs), House Minority Whip State Rep. Deborah Bazemore (D-South Fulton), House Minority Chief Deputy Whip State Rep. Park Cannon (D-Atlanta), House Minority Caucus Secretary State Rep. Mary Robichaux (D-Roswell), House Minority Caucus Treasurer  Representative James Beverly represents the citizens of District…

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – DeKalb County School District (DCSD) kicked off the re-launch of its My Brother’s Keeper Program Nov. 11. Former President Barack Obama launched My Brother’s Keeper in February 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color and to ensure all youth can reach their full potential. In 2015, the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK Alliance) was launched, inspired by My Brother’s Keeper, to scale and sustain this mission. The mission of DCSD’s My Brother’s Keeper Program is to ensure student success by supporting academic achievement, service and mentorship for young men…

Today, DeKalb Voter Registration and Elections began the state-mandated process of counting the ballots by hand. Two shifts of approximately 150 tabulators (total of 300) will count the ballots at the future home of rhe Stonecrest City Hall, which is located in the former Sam’s Club at 2994 Turner Hill Road, Stonecrest. Shift 1 will work from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Shift 2 will work from 3:30 to 11 p.m.   The teams will hand count more than 373,000 votes by the state-mandated timeline of Nov. 18.   DeKalb VRE’s ‘Count on DeKalb’ risk limiting audit plan prioritizes…