Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved CEO Michael Thurmond’s proposed $1.4 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2020, which projects a $113.3 million rainy-day fund and prioritizes enhancements to public safety. “The FY2020 budget reaffirms our commitment to fiscal integrity, accountability and improved service delivery,” said CEO Thurmond. “I appreciate the support of Presiding Officer Steve Bradshaw, the Board of Commissioners and staff who worked to develop this budget, which is the result of prudent decision making and collaboration.” The FY2020 budget prioritizes public safety spending, including pay increases and enhancements…

Steve Paul, owner of the Lithonia Arts Center, has clashed with city officials over a mural that an army of volunteers helped to paint on the exterior of his building to express unity and welcome visitors to the city. Paul received a nuisance citation from the city on Feb. 15 stipulating that he had until Feb. 26 to get a permit for the mural or face fines, jail or community service. Paul received the citation a month after about 200 volunteers, organized by the Stone Mountain-Lithonia Graduate Chapter of…

The Atlanta Regional Commission Board has approved a major update to the Atlanta Region’s Plan that allocates $173 billion in federal, state, and local funding through 2050 to improve mobility and safety in metro Atlanta. Notable projects in Rockdale that will begin in the next decade include: Sigman Road–The widening of Sigman Road, currently under design, will be extended three miles to provide better access to Rockdale General Hospital and the Georgia International Horse Park. Funding is provided for engineering, with construction scheduled to start as soon as 2026. Courtesy Parkway– This road will…

The Community Interact Club of South DeKalb has earned the Rotary International’s Platinum Award for community service and leadership, the highest citation an Interact Club can receive. The 12-member student club is the first in the Southeast region—from Philadelphia to the Caribbean Islands—to receive the Platinum Award. There are over 500 Interact clubs in Zone 33/34(Southeast region). “We worked really hard to stay on task and we are very proud of the work we put in,” said Solomon Gaiters, a senior at DeKalb County’s Arabia Mountain High School who helped grow the club from six members to 11.…

Seminars will focus on resource, opportunities + incentives DeKalb County Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson is inviting entrepreneurs and small business owners to her DeKalb County Business Summit on Thursday, March 12, 2020, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, 2500 Clairmont Rd. NE, Atlanta. The DeKalb County Business Summit will provide attendees pertinent information on infrastructure, public safety, Tax Allocation Districts (TADs), overlay districts, Opportunity and Empowerment Zones, and more. In addition, attendees will learn how these resources can…

Sean DePalma director Parks and Recreation The City of Stonecrest plans to upgrade its security surveillance system at its six parks. New security cameras will be installed at Browns Mill Recreation and Aquatic Center and license plate readers will be installed at Browns Mill, Southeast, Everett, Fairington, Miner’s Creek/Panola Sholas Trailhead and Salem parks. The new surveillance system will replace an older, outdated system, said Sean DePalma, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The City Council approved spending $94,982 for the system-wide upgrades during the council’s Feb. 24 meeting. Under…

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry and DeKalb Sheriff Melody Maddox are hosting the fourth annual “VOICES, A Women’s History Month Event” on Saturday, March 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. The theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote.” The guest host will be Joyce Littel of V-103 and 1380 WAOK. This year, the Blue Table Talk  roundtable discussion facilitators will include: Maria Balais, executive director of Leadership DeKalb; Dior Brown, owner of Truth Honey; Kristy Fields, owner of KolorBar & Spa; DeKalb…

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry and the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority are hosting two free notary training sessions on March 20 at theMaloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. The first session is 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the second session is 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The training workshop is open to the public and recommended to anyone who is a notary public in the State of Georgia or would like to become one. A notary public is required to follow the law. Failure to do so could result in costly lawsuits and penalties.…

  The DeKalb County Sanitation Division will host a household hazardous waste recycling event Saturday, March 21, 8 a.m. – noon, at the Sanitation Division’s Central Transfer Station, 3720 Leroy Scott Drive, Decatur. DeKalb residents will have an opportunity to properly dispose of dangerous household items that are no longer in use. Hazardous materials such as aerosols, batteries, adhesives, flammables, lawn care products, fluorescent light bulbs, photo chemicals, paint, paint-related products and artist supplies will be accepted. Paint will be limited to 10 gallons per vehicle. Agricultural waste, ammunition, radioactive materials, pharmaceuticals, biohazardous…

The Rockdale County Board of Elections will host an event to educate residents on new voting machines the county will be using in upcoming elections. The demonstration will be held on Thursday, March 5, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Rockdale County Board of Elections Office, 1261 Commercial Drive SW Suite B, Conyers. The event is free and open to the public.