Author: On Common Ground News

Dear On Common Ground News: My name is Sundiata Washington and I am a local activist here in Rockdale County. I am writing to you in regards to a Confederate statue that is located in front of the Conyers courthouse. My peers and I have set up a protest as a way to voice our anger towards the monument and to act as our first step in getting it taken down. The protest will be held on July 2nd at 4 P.M.. I apologize for the short notice, but we must host this before the end of the week as House…

Gov. Brian Kemp and Rev. James Woodall, State President of the Georgia NAACP ATLANTA–The Georgia NAACP and the mother of Ahmaud Arbery are condemning Gov. Brian Kemp for signing into law HB838, also referred to as the “Police Hate Crimes Bill.” Kemp signed the hate-crimes legislation into law on Friday, June 26. The bill is a compromise that state lawmakers brokered with bipartisan support after years of debate. “It’s a sign of progress and it’s a milestone worth applauding,” said Kemp “Frankly, it’s the silver lining in these difficult times…

Mayor Jason Lary and Deputy City Manager Plez Joyner   Bond sales stalled in March due to corona virus pandemic The City of Stonecrest’s Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) re-approved a resolution on June 24 to issue $5,410,000 in revenue bonds to finance the city’s acquisition of the Sears and Sam’s Clubs buildings. The city was scheduled to sell the bonds on March 30, but the closings had to be rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “When the pandemic hit in March, we could not get a judge to validate the sales date for the bonds. We had to…

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.