Author: On Common Ground News

State Representatives Karen Bennett, Doreen Carter, Renitta Shannon, Matthew Wilson named from DeKalb County ATLANTA – Georgia House Minority Whip David Wilkerson (D-Powder Springs) today announced the appointment of the House Minority Caucus Deputy Whip Team for the 2021-2022 legislative term. “Each one of these Democratic legislators were carefully selected for their dedication to serving the caucus and its members, and I am confident in their leadership abilities,” said Minority Whip Wilkerson. “We are devoted to championing our ‘Healthy Georgia’ 2021 legislative agenda, which includes addressing the state’s response to COVID-19, fully funding our education formulas, closing the digital…

Money to help students with eligible expenses   DeKalb County has allocated $1 million to provide one-time grants of up to $1,500 for eligible students to cover living expenses, including mortgage assistance, food, transportation and utilities. In December 2020, DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced the Dislocated Workers’ Career Pathway Initiative funded with some of the county’s federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) monies. The redesigned program has been expanded to now provide one-time grants using a tiered system with three grant award amounts of $1,500, $1,000 or $500 for eligible students. The eligibility criteria have been expanded…

ATLANTA – State Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) will hold a press conference to discuss his proposed legislation that seeks to remove all Confederate memorials from Georgia, including Stone Mountain Park, on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 9 a.m. at the South Wing of the State Capitol. WHO:             Rep. Billy Mitchell (D-Stone Mountain) WHAT:          Press Conference on Removal of Confederate Memorials WHEN:          Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 9 a.m. WHERE:       Georgia State Capitol South Wing (second floor) 206 Washington St. SW Atlanta, GA 30334

ATLANTA – Members of the Georgia House Democratic Caucus (GHDC) will host a series of virtual town hall meetings to discuss the GHDC’s “Healthy Georgia” 2021 legislative agenda. To watch the virtual town hall meetings, contact Kimberly.Romaine@house.ga.gov. The virtual town hall meeting schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10,  5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m. Each meeting will be hosted by GHDC members who are experts in the areas of policy included in the “Healthy Georgia” 2021 legislative agenda, such as health, education,…

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct a board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 11, at noon. The meeting will be held via Zoom at https://dekalbcountyga.zoom.us/j/88137432677. Join by phone at 602-333-0032 or 888-270-9936 and use conference code 171493. Agenda Adoption of Agenda Administrative Items Welcome and Introduction of Board Members Discussion of Ethics Board’s Jurisdictional Powers including Board Officers Discussion and Nomination of Board Officers (Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary) Discussion of Ethics Office Responsibilities Discussion of Open Records Act and Open Meetings Act Approval of December 2, 2020 Minutes Approval of Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting Dates…

On Sunday, Feb. 7, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson will recognize National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by hosting a virtual panel discussion aimed at increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and education in DeKalb County. The event will be streamed on DCTV and Commissioner Davis Johnson’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/meredadjohnson) for the public to view. Congressman Hank Johnson and State Rep. Park Cannon will join the event as special guests. Panelists include State Sen. Kim Jackson, State Rep. Park Cannon, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel, Dr. Sherry, Darryl Richards and Jennifer Barnes-Balenciaga. The public will have an opportunity to submit questions during the…

Congressman John Lewis DECATUR, GA– Recently, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to designate a location for the future home of a memorial honoring Congressman John Lewis. The former site of the Lost Cause obelisk monument outside of the DeKalb History Center in Decatur was selected as the future site of the memorial honoring Congressman John Lewis. The site was recommended by the John Lewis Task Force, formed by a joint declaration of Commissioner Davis Johnson and Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett on April 21, 2020. “Because this location sits in DeKalb County, the City of Decatur,…

ATLANTA, GA—Today,  Gov. Brian P. Kemp announced his appointment of Nancy N. Bills to the Rockdale Judicial Circuit, Clarence Cuthpert as State Court Judge of Rockdale County, Jesse C. Stone to the Augusta Judicial Circuit, Dick Perryman to the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, Rosemary Greene to the Cherokee Judicial Circuit, and Carletta Sims Brown to the Richmond County Civil and Magistrate Court.  Nancy N. Bills will fill the vacancy of David B. Irwin, who resigned on  Oct. 31, 2020.  Bills  currently is the State Court Judge for the Rockdale Circuit Court and presides over a DUI court. Bills holds a bachelor’s…

Atlanta rapper “Silento” Ricky Hawk, 23, was arrested today (Feb. 1) for the murder of Frederick Rooks, 34. DeKalb County Police Department detectives identified Hawk as Rooks’ cousin. On Jan.21, at approximately 3:30 a.m., police investigated a shooting after Rooks was found on Jan. 21, at approximately 3:30 a.m. in the roadway on Deep Shoals Circle in the Panthersvile Road area, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene. The suspect at the time was unknown.  However, after a thorough investigation, DKPD detectives identified Hawk as the person responsible for Rooks’ murder. Investigators are still…

Decatur, GA—The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) DeKalb County Branch will host virtual events throughout February in observance of Black History Month. “This is a time for the black community to refocus and build upon what we have learned over the past years, that Black Lives Matter, Black Votes Matter, Our Voices Matter,” said NAACP DeKalb President Teresa Hardy. “It is now time for us to unite and demand freedom, justice and equality. We are more than 28 Days (the shortest month in the year)!” NAACP DeKalb and Community Social Justice of House of Hope ATL will kick off the celebration with…