Author: On Common Ground News

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson, in his role as the 2nd vice president of the National Association of Counties Organization (NACo), recently represented the county on a national level. Johnson attended a leadership and executive directors meeting in Washington,D.C. and engaged with the Administration in a panel discussion on mental health, deregulation, immigration and community revitalization. Johnson raised an issue regarding the Community Mental Health Act of 1963. The act was the first of several federal policy changes that helped spark a major transformation of the public mental health system by shifting resources away from large institutions…

The Krystal Company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but said today it plans to keep its restaurants open. The Dunwoody-based restaurant chain cited debt of between $50 million and $100 million in its petition, which was filed in federal bankruptcy court in Atlanta on Sunday (Jan. 19).  Krystal owes food suppliers, and marketing and equipment companies among others. Officials said the fast-food chain, known for its small, square burgers with steamed buns and chopped onions, is seeking to restructure quickly and build a better brand. The company touts itself as the South’s oldest restaurant chain. “The actions we…

The City of Clarkston will hold a Town Hall meeting on Monday, Jan. 27,  7 p.m. at the Clarkston Community Center to discuss the proposed annexation of areas 3 and 4. These areas are mostly within the 30021 Clarkston ZIP code and represent two areas that are adjacent and to the south and southeast of the existing Clarkston city limits.      

State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia) will host the third annual “Tech for All” Day of Action on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 8a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Suite 514 18 Capitol Ave. Atlanta. The event will focus on cybersecurity and protecting Georgia citizens from cyber security crimes. The event includes breakfast and a guest panel discussion with area experts on cyber security. After the guest panel, participants will have an opportunity to view a 2020 legislative day in the House Chamber Gallery. Additionally, Rep. Kendrick and Attorney Roy E. Hadley, Jr. will be recognized on the…

ATLANTA– Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) delivered the following remarks at the 52nd annual MLK, Jr. Commemorative Service: “To deny a person the right to exercise their political freedom at the polls,” said Dr. King, “Is no less a dastardly act as to deny a Christian the right to petition God in prayer.” Standing here with you today in this sacred space, the wisdom of Dr. King’s words, ring true. And they carry special urgency in this all-important year. For we must speak the truth: in 2020, our political freedom – our democracy itself – is threatened in a way we…

Explore Georgia, the state tourism office within the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), joined Gov. Kemp and industry professionals from across the state today to recognize a record-breaking year in tourism at the annual Tourism, Hospitality and Arts Day at the Georgia State Capitol. The annual event highlights the importance of the tourism, hospitality, and arts industries in the state. Georgia welcomed 111.7 million international and domestic visitors in 2018, who collectively spent $36.9 billion in communities throughout the state and directly supported 478,000 jobs. Without the jobs created by the tourism industry, Georgia’s unemployment rate would be 10%,…

The Sankofa Community Food Pantry is hosting a drive-through food pantry on Saturday, Jan. 18, 12 to 3 p.m. at 1240 Sigman Road. The free food giveaway is open to the community and will feature fresh produce and other dry food items. Attendees are asked to drive their grocery-ready vehicles behind the building to pick up their items. No ID required. Event is rain or shine.

Martin Luther King, Jr. will not be honored with a parade in Rockdale County this year. Community activist Josie Dean, who organized the first-ever parade to honor the civil rights leader in Rockdale, says Conyers city officials have blocked her from having the annual event that she has coordinated for the last three years. Dean said the city is retaliating against her for being outspoken on community issues. “It’s sad that here it is 2020 and Conyers just elected the first two blacks to the City Council and there is no parade to honor Dr. King in the City of …

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) hosted his inaugural Unsung Hero Awards at the Black Box Theatre in Conyers on Jan. 12. Johnson honored 20 leaders from DeKalb, Rockdale Gwinnett and Newton counties who go above and beyond their job descriptions to give back to their communities and assist the constituents of Georgia’s Fourth District. On Common Ground Newswas one of five recipients honored with the Congressman’s inaugural “Diamonds of the District” award. The newspaper’s  publishers, Glenn and Valerie Morgan, thanked the Congressman for his support over the years, stating that receiving the award was especially significant as On…

DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox is in a crowded race to keep her job as DeKalb’s first female sheriff. Nine candidates, including Maddox, put their bid in for sheriff after the qualifying period ended on Jan. 8. Maddox, who served as the former Chief of Police for Georgia Piedmont Technical College, will join her competitors in a special election set for March 24 that will fill the unexpired term of Jeffrey Mann. The election will determine who serves the last nine months of Mann’s unexpired term, which ends in December 2020. Mann announced his retirement last November after unsuccessfully fighting the…