Author: On Common Ground News

Gov. Brian P. Kemp has issued Executive Order 03.14.20.02 authorizing Adjutant General Tom Carden – at the request of Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Homer Bryson – to call up as many as 2,000 Georgia National Guard troops to State Active Duty to address novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Georgia. “Through extensive emergency preparedness training, the brave men and women in the Georgia National Guard stand ready to serve above and beyond their traditional military duties. In states of emergency, they are equipped to take necessary action to protect the health and safety of Georgia families in every region,” said…

The State of Georgia’s Price Gouging Statutes were activated after Gov.Brian Kemp’s signing  of the State of Emergency declaration today (March 14 “Those who commit price gouging during this pandemic are not only being exploitive, they are interfering with consumers’ ability to obtain products that could help protect them from becoming ill or spreading the virus,” said Attorney General Chris Carr, “Our office will not tolerate this and will hold them accountable.” While the State of Emergency remains in effect, businesses may not charge more for products and services identified by the Governor than they charged before the declaration of the state of emergency, unless the increased prices accurately reflect an increase in the cost of new…

             DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has directed all county departments to activate their emergency operations plans to protect the public and employees while ensuring the continuation of essential services. “Our government will continue to serve the people of DeKalb County,” CEO Thurmond said. “We are taking every precaution to limit the spread of the virus in our community.” The following protocols are in place: Water If needed, the Department of Watershed Management has identified a supplemental certified workforce to ensure continued operations of the water treatment facility. The county has reviewed its mutual aid agreements…

The Executive Committee of the DeKalb County Public Library Board (DCPL) of Trustees voted to close all branch libraries at the end of regular operating hours on Saturday, March 14, until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. DCPL will continue to monitor the situation and update services accordingly. For patrons with physical materials currently checked out, the library system will adjust the due dates so that fines will not be incurred. The hold expiration date of any item not picked up by Saturday will be adjusted to maintain customers’ places in the queue. Outdoor book…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) is hosting a telephone town hall on the coronavirus on Monday, March 16 from 6:15-7:15 p.m.. He’s calling more than 75,000 people in Georgia’s Fourth District to answer their questions and listen to their concerns about the coronavirus. Joining the Congressman will be experts from Emory University, the DeKalb County Board of Health and Oakhurst Medical Center to address participants questions and discuss the best way for callers to protect themselves and their families and help prevent the spread of the disease. Guests include Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, District Health Director of the DeKalb County Board…

With Independent Learning Days at RCPS and school closures throughout the country related to COVID-19 precaution taking place, nutrition for students who depend on school meals is top of mind. RCPS will begin mobile meal delivery routes in Rockdale on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, for children under the age of 18; more information is at www.rockdaleschools.org/COVID19 . If you would like to talk with our Exec. Director of School Nutrition Peggy Lawrence about this, please contact her at plawrence@rockdale.k12.ga.us.

City of Conyers officials met late Thursday to create an action plan for its departments related to the COVID-19 virus. The city will utilize all resources at its disposal to ensure normal operations and services continue for citizens without interruption as long as possible. If the spread of COVID-19 makes its way to Rockdale County and Conyers, essential employees for the city of Conyers will continue to report to work in an effort to minimize any disruption in services. As the situation develops, the city will determine the best course of action to continue providing services while protecting the public…

Due to the closing of Brookhaven Briarwood Recreation Center until at least April 3, the recreation center will not serve as an advance voting polling location for the March 24 presidential preference primary and special election. Advance locations and time can be found by visiting www.dekalbvotes.com. Absentee ballot applications can be obtained by visiting www.DeKalbvotes.com, emailing Absenteeballot@dekalbcountyga.gov, or calling the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 404-298-4020. For more information, contact the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Office at 404-298-4020.

Applications to vote absentee by mail in the March 24 presidential preference primary and special election must be submitted no later than Friday, March 20. All absentee ballots must be received by the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Office no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2020, with the exception of Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters.  UOCAVA voters’ ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 24, 2020, and received by the elections office no later than Friday, March 27, 2020. Absentee ballot applications can be obtained by visiting www.DeKalbvotes.com, emailing Absenteeballot@dekalbcountyga.gov, or calling the…