Author: On Common Ground News

State Senator Nikema Williams, DNC Member The Democratic Party of Georgia announced Georgia’s full delegation to the 2020 Democratic National Convention, which will be held on Aug. 17 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.   “I am incredibly proud to serve with these incredible convention delegates as we build our party’s platform and nominate Joe Biden as the next President of the United States,” said Nikema Williams, Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Georgia. “This group of leaders truly looks like Georgia and represents the diversity and strength of our state and…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has appointed Cathryn G. Horner the permanent chief procurement officer and head of the county’s Purchasing and Contracting Department. Horner had been serving as interim chief procurement officer since November 2019. “Cathryn Horner has worked in the Purchasing and Contracting Department for over 15 years,” Thurmond said. “Her wealth of knowledge and steady leadership over the last seven months has led to the reorganization of a department that has labored under the perception of dysfunction and corruption.” As chief procurement officer, Horner manages a department of 40 employees, an annual budget of $3 million and…

Who: DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black DeKalb Board of Commissioners What: DeKalb County Government is working to mitigate food insecurity in the county by distributing 2,400 boxes of fresh produce and frozen chicken to families and residents who have limited access to healthy food. The distribution of 3,000 COVID-19 Care Kits containing two face masks and hand sanitizer in hard-hit areas of the county. Approximately 20,000 kits already have been distributed to residents. When: Saturday, June 27, 2020, 10 a.m. Locations: COVID-19 Care Baskets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at three locations:…

https://vimeo.com/432986610 Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt has produced a video in response to the growing debate over a towering Confederate monument outside of the Rockdale County Courthouse. A number of citizens have called for the removal of the monument, saying it represents hate, white supremacy and that it glorifies slavery and the Civil War. Gary Washington, an attorney who lives in Rockdale, petitioned the Board of Commissioners on June 23 to remove the Confederate monument, calling it “repugnant” and declaring that it must come down. Chairman Nesbitt said the county was listening intently and would look…

Pictured: Attorney Mawuli Davis, chairman Beacon Hill Black Alliance ATLANTA–On Saturday, June 27, 11 a.m., the Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights will lead the “March Against the Myth from the Eastside.” Protestors will be leaving from the Inman Park MARTA Station to march to Troy Davis Park (Woodruff Park). “We will be highlighting those who were killed by police, vigilantes, or in custody in the Eastside of the Atlanta metro and state. These include: Kevin Davis, Shali Tilson, Moore’s Ford Bridge, Anthony Hill, Troy Robinson, Jayvis Benjamin,” the Alliance said in a statement. Beacon Hill is a…

Rockdale County Government is implementing a furlough of personnel, officials have announced.  The decision comes after the county experienced a decline in activities, services and cancellations of rentals and weddings at county facilities. Revenues have fallen since March due to the COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place Orders implemented by state, city and county governments, officials said in a news release. The county shut down several of its parks and recreation facilities because of the coronavirus. With fewer people using services, fewer staff members have been needed to operate. Changes are being made now to address the services that were discontinued during this time, officials…

STONECREST— Tonight’s Public Hearing regarding the Proposed Property Tax Increase has been canceled and rescheduled to Monday, July 6, 2020, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Friday, July 10, 2020, at 6 p.m. A Special Called Meeting will be held after the July 10 hearing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) chaired his Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet’s hearing on the Federal Courts During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Best Practices, Opportunities for Innovation, and Lessons for the Future. The hearing examined how the federal courts have responded to the historic disruption caused by the coronavirus and the steps they are taking to make sure that access to justice continues to operate as safely and smoothly as possible under these circumstances. The Subcommittee also considered the novel ways that courts have used technology to allow some court proceedings to continue in…

The NAACP DeKalb and members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will host a “March for Justice” to Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, June 27. The march will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Wade Walker Park, 5585 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain. NAACP DeKalb President Teresa Hardy is urging community activists, faith leaders, elected officials, social organizations and youths to participate. The NAACP’s Youth & College Division will participate in the march. The march comes in the wake of weeks of widespread protests against police brutality, racial injustices, and the removal of Confederate monuments across the country. Stone Mountain Park was purchased…

The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office is in mourning today (June 25) following the passing away of Deputy Steven A. Minor. Deputy Minor died on Wednesday (June 24) evening at Rockdale Piedmont Hospital. Deputy Minor was an 18-year veteran with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office. He started at the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 18, 2001 as a Detention Deputy within the Jail Division. Deputy Minor was promoted to a Certified Sheriff’s Deputy on Sept. 21, 2004 after successfully completion of
the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) mandate academy. Deputy Minor served in the Uniform Patrol Division…