Author: On Common Ground News

ATLANTA – Gatherings at all 117 worshiping locations of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta will remain online until health experts advise that in person worship services and meetings are “reasonably safe,” Bishop Robert C. Wright announced on Wednesday. In response to an announcement on Monday by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp that worship services could resume April 27, Bishop Wright communicated his decision Wednesday during an online meeting with Diocesan clergy. Wright stated rather than reopening worship spaces, services will remain online and asked that clergy “bring imagination to how we care for one another, new power to our proclamation of God’s…

The Atlanta City Council will join Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on a conference call Thursday, April 23, 11:30 a.m., to discuss updates related to the city’s response to COVID-19. The public can join the meeting by dialing (877) 579-6743 and entering Conference ID: 8315991256. The call will also be simulcast on the Council’s website and Facebook and Twitter at @atlcouncil.

Rockdale County Board of Commissioners Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will host a conference call with local clergy and local funeral directors on Thursday, April 23, 3:30 p.m. Clergy and funeral directors should call (701) 802-5410. Participants should enter in the Access Code: 4042664. After announcing their first and last name, participants should mute their phone to prevent feedback and background noise. For more information, contact Jorge Diez at jorge.diez@rockdalecountyga.gov.

State Rep. Vernon Jones announced on April 22 that he plans to resign and will not seek re-election. The Democrat said that he is “sick and tired of me and family being attacked and harassed by the Democrat Party for putting my country before my party.” The Democratic Party and others blasted Jones last week after he announced his endorsement of Republican President Donald Trump. The announcement touched off an avalanche of criticism across the nation. Jones is facing a complaint with the Secretary of State by community activist Faye Coffield, alleging that he does not live in the district for which…

Mayor Jason Lary and Adrion Bell, Stonecrest Communications Director give COVID-19 updates and a tribute to community activist Kenneth Saunders, III who died last weekend due to complications from the coronavirus. View this video here. https://youtu.be/0iOcWJ61MY0

Rockdale Supervisor of Elections Cynthia Willingham said her office began mailing  absentee ballots April 21 for the June  9 elections. State officials announced on April 9 that Georgia’s May 19 elections were pushed to June 9 due to health risks concerning COVID-19. Officials said many poll workers across the state had quitand elections officials needed more time to assess and prepare for in-person voting. Willingham said her office is encouraging voters to mail in ballots. She said voters who have already requested an absentee ballot do not need to make another request because of the new election date. The…

DECATUR- In a livestream news conference today (April 21), DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox reported that 13 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, eight remain in custody and are in isolation under the care of medical services. Maddox said the confirmed cases represent 1 percent of the jail’s population, which is a little over 1,200. Maddox said there are 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff members, who are quarantined at home and/or in treatment. “We are in touch with them and they tell us that they are doing well,” she said. Maddox said her administration has…

There will be a special-called Executive Session of the Stonecrest City Council on Wednesday, April 22, at 5 p.m. to discuss real estate matters. The virtual meeting will be held via the City of Stonecrest’s YouTube Live Channel. Executive Sessions are held to discuss real estate, personnel and litigation matters and are not open to the public.  However, if the council must vote on any matter, the public will have access to that portion of the meeting through the live stream. The meeting also will be uploaded on the city’s web site at stonecrestga.gov.

Dr. Lisa Herring The Atlanta Board of Education has announced Lisa Herring, Ed.D. as finalist for the position of Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools (APS). In October, the Board launched a nationwide search with an extensive community engagement period, interviewing a diverse group of candidates before advancing Herring as the finalist. A Georgia native and Spelman College graduate, Herring brings more than 25 years of progress and achievement in urban public-school systems across the Southeast. She has a proven track record of success in school turnaround and academic achievement along with building strong partnerships across the entire community. “Over the…