Author: On Common Ground News

The  Atlanta City Council and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will host an audio conference call to discuss the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The call will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 11:30 a.m. The public can tune into the meeting by dialing (877) 579-6743 and entering Conference ID: 8315991256. The call will be simulcast on the Council’s website, YouTube channel, and Facebook and Twitter pages at @atlcouncil, and on Channel 26.

ATLANTA – State Rep. Vernon Jones (D-Lithonia) today announced that he will introduce the Jones Amendment when the 2020 Legislative Session resumes that will accompany other hate crime legislation to make it punishable by law to commit a crime based on a person’s political party affiliation or ideology. The Jones Amendment will be modeled after legislation that Rep. Jones previously introduced, House Bill 1120, before the 2020 legislative session was suspended due to COVID-19. “Americans are being attacked nationwide because of their party affiliation and political ideology. I have personally been subjected to hate speech and threats because of my…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced on June 8 that Newton County would receive nearly $100,000 from the Department of Justice’s Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program (CESF). The (CESF) program allows states, U.S. territories, the District of Columbia, units of local government, and federally-recognized tribal governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. “The funding is a by-product of the CARES Act, which included $850 million for coronavirus relief funding. Newton County will now have additional funding to purchase more PPE(Personal Protective Equipment) and do what they need to keep…

The Rockdale County Recycling Center, 1200 Sigman Road, Conyers, is expanding its days of operation and services. Beginning on June 9, the center will increase operations from two to three days per week – on Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to household garbage, residents can begin dropping off recyclables and yard debris on June 9— at no cost to Rockdale residents. Bulk waste will not be accepted during this time. Effective Wednesday, July 1, the center will reopen to full services and hours – Tuesday,…

Gov. Brian P. Kemp issued the following statement regarding the use of Georgia National Guard troops to assist law enforcement with public safety and peaceful protests: “I greatly appreciate the men and women of the Georgia National Guard, state and local law enforcement, and all first responders who kept Georgians safe and ensured peaceful demonstrations across our great state. This coordinated team worked tirelessly to protect communities, businesses, and everyone exercising their Constitutional rights. Given the success of this partnership and after several discussions with public safety officials and community leaders, my executive orders authorizing a…

As a part of addressing health disparities and high numbers of COVID-19 cases in identified DeKalb County ZIP Codes, the DeKalb County Board will deploy an additional community testing team. On June 10, the additional team will be stationed at Salem Bible Church,
5460 Hillandale Drive, Stonecrest, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Three other teams, are stationed at the following locations from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday: Beulah Missionary Baptist Church
2340 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church
1879 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta Rehoboth Baptist Church
2997 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker COVID-19 testing also continues at…

Construction set to repair aging sewer pipe   On Wednesday, June 10, a single-lane closure is set to begin along Glenwood Road, between Moseri Road and Danrich Drive, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. while crews work to rehabilitate approximately 290 linear feet of aging, ductile-iron sewer pipe. This section of Glenwood Road will reopen on Thursday, June 11. The DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has initiated this construction project as a part of ongoing maintenance to repair approximately 100,000 linear feet of sewer pipe to improve sewer service county-wide. Motorists and MARTA passengers should expect traffic delays stemming…

Peaceful demonstrators call for change  DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson joined a peaceful protest today, June 7, in remembrance of George Floyd at The Rebirth Church of Atlanta, located at 2218 Candler Road, Decatur. The church, which is under the leadership of Pastor Maria Stafford, was one of many peaceful demonstrations held this weekend across the country, after days of protests turned to rioting and looting. Pastor Alexis Brookins organized the event, along with Pastor Quincy Carwswell II, The Covenant Church, Decatur; Pastor Darrel Hall, Elizabeth Baptist Church, Conyers; and Pastor David Kennebrew of Freedom Fellowship Church in Atlanta, to…

“For many days now, I have been at a loss for words— unable to adequately articulate the pain, hurt, outrage, and frustration so many of us are feeling in the wake of the physical and emotional unrest in our country right now.  But even as I tried to suppress and compartmentalize my emotions so that I might accomplish the many professional and personal tasks in front of me, I was confronted with this reality: now is not the time for silence, but for bold and vocal opposition to the racial atrocities and criminal justice inequities plaguing our nation. This week,…