Author: On Common Ground News

Rockdale County residents are invited to dine and meet their local candidates at Politics After Dark on Monday, March 9, 7 to 9 p.m. at Coaxum’s Low Country Cuisine, 1300 Iris Drive SW, Conyers. Rockdale County Board of Elections will be presenting live demonstrations on how to use the new voting machines and will give attendees the opportunity to practice using the new machines by casting a sample ballot. Early voting for the Presidential Primary has begun and the local board of elections is encouraging residents to see how to use the new machines as well…

A $1.9 million investment will continue DeKalb County’s ongoing deployment of automated side loader (ASL) trucks. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond proposed the funding for the Sanitation Division in the Fiscal Year 2020 budget, which was unanimously approved by the Board of Commissioners on March 3. The upgrade to ASL garbage trucks was initially proposed as part of DeKalb’s 2015 “Rolling Forward to One” initiative. The plan was to consolidate collection to once per week, avoid a near-term rate increase, reduce pollution and reallocate staff. While collection days were consolidated and standard 65-gallon roll carts were issued, ASL purchasing progress…

State senators who represent the city of Stonecrest—Emanuel Jones, Tonya Anderson and Gloria Butler—are proposing a bill that would change the current structure of the city of Stonecrest’s government, prompting an outcry from residents. Under the proposal, the mayor would be removed from the City Council, the office of council president would be created and the council would become the governing authority of the city. The mayor would serve as a  “ceremonial head.” The Senate Delegation faced opposition at a community meeting on March 5 with several angry citizens demanding to know why the community at large was not notified…

Artist’s rendering provided by the City of Stonecrest The city of Stonecrest has closed on its purchase of the 131,000-square-foot Sam’s Club building and property, slated to become Stonecrest’s new City Hall and municipal complex. The city completed the $3 million acquisition with Sam’s Real Estate Business Trust of Benton, Arkansas at 3:56 p.m. on Monday, March 2, Deputy City Manager Plez Joyner said today. Mayor Jason Lary called the deal “monumental.” “This was a monumental move for the city. We will have a…

DeKalb CountyCommissioner Larry Johnson, in partnership with DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond and Chairperson, Dr. Alice White Bussey, will host the 3rd annual Historic Celebration of Black Businesses.  This year’s theme is “Partnering for Success.” The event will be held March 10, 6 p.m., at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The purpose of this celebration is to present a “Black Business Showcase” of 100 diverse black-owned and operated businesses throughout Metropolitan Atlanta. In addition, a list of these preferred businesses will be documented and marketed throughout…

The resignation of Katrina Young, chairwoman of the Rockdale County Board of Education, has created an opening on the school board. Officials are seeking candidates interested in filling the unexpired term of Young, who is running for chairman of the Board of Commissioners against incumbent Oz Nesbitt, Sr. The school board position shall be filled by appointment pursuant to local amendment to the Georgia Constitution, No. 18, Section 1, which states … ” Should a vacancyoccurintheofficeofanymemberthuselected,asuccessorshallbeappointedby the judge of Rockdale County Superior Court for the unexpiredterm.” Anypersonwhoisinterested inbeingappointedtoservetheunexpiredtermof KatrinaYoungshallsubmitalettertoChiefJudgeDavidB.Irwin,RockdaleSuperior Court,922CourtStreet,Room200A,Conyers,GA30012nolaterthanMarch20.

Lilly, an attorney, entrepreneur and political activist, was recognized during national Women’s History Month. “I am honored and humbled by this recognition,” said Lilly. “My siblings and I learned to be servant leaders from our parents who never missed an opportunity to help those in need.” “Meredith will tell you the truth and is a powerful advocate,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, who attended the event. “She is one of the great women in DeKalb County and the State of Georgia.” Other speakers at the ceremony included a…

  DeKalb Cultural Exchange breakfast to host candidate meet and greet The DeKalb Cultural Exchange is hosting its monthly breakfast on March 14, 9 a.m., at the Greater Travelers Rest/House of Hope, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. The meeting will provide attendees the opportunity to interact with candidates, as well as learn how to use the new voting machines. A representative from the Secretary of State’s office will be offering a live demonstration on how to use the new voting machines and will be answering questions.     Stonecrest Citizens Coalition to host BOE…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is urging agencies serving as camp sites to apply for the Summer Food Service Program. The program, which will be held June 1–July 24, ensures school children have nutritious meals during the summer. To qualify as a site, 50 percent of children served must meet the income guidelines for free- and reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program. Children who are members of households that receive food stamp benefits or Aid for Dependent Children (AFDC) assistance automatically qualify. Funding for the Summer Food Service Program is provided…

Since honoring Miss Nigeria in 2019 with a key to the City of Stonecrest after the Miss Universe pageant in Atlanta, Nigeria’s interest in Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary has grown. The mayor has been tapped to serve as a keynote speaker for the upcoming “Unleashing the Power of African Female Entrepreneurs” business conference. Lary will be in Nigeria March 24-April 1 to attend the Startups Africa Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, where he will also visit state governors and other leaders to discuss  building cultural exchange…