Author: On Common Ground News

Mayor Jason Lary attended an African American Churches Transforming Society (AACTS) conference on Wednesday at Salem Bible Church and presented a proclamation to the Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr., pastor emeritus and conference host. AACTS was founded by Williams in 2014 after the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, Missouri.  The organization was founded to address the breakdown in the African American family, according to Williams, who told conference attendees, mostly clergy, that he intends to provide socio-economic and spiritual support to revive black families and restore their position in society. Williams referred to research indicating that more black men have been…

Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) re-introduced the bipartisan Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act of 2019 – H.R. 1714 – that would place restrictions and transparency measures on the Department of Defense (DOD) Program that transfers excess military equipment to federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement agencies. “Before another small town is transformed into a warzone with gifts of grenade launchers and high-caliber rifles, we must rein in this program and revisit our view of the future safety of American cities and towns,” said Johnson. Johnson said there is something fundamentally flawed with local law enforcement departments bypassing their local governing authority –…

Jordan Walton, a senior at DeKalb High School of Technology South and an audio/video technology and film student of Stacia Rhoades, is the winner of the Solicitor General’s 2019 Stop Teen Dating Violence PSA Contest. Walton was awarded a prom prize package, which included dinner for two, a gift certificate from Fit For a Queen and a custom tuxedo from the Bello Mo Group for attire for himself and a guest, and makeup services courtesy of Lynette Clove of Mary Kay. Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling partnered with Fit For a Queen Boutique, Charlo Riney of The Bello Mo Group and…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond today announced that the county has begun a national search to select an ambulance transport provider. “DeKalb County has worked with our stakeholders to create an ambulance transport request for proposal that will better serve the needs of DeKalb citizens and residents,’” said CEO Thurmond. “The new proposal will improve patient care and countywide ambulance response times. The RFP also gives municipal leaders within DeKalb County the flexibility to enhance levels of service by creating designated service areas within their jurisdictions.” The county hired a consultant to evaluate ambulance transport services and make recommendations for…

Attorney Dwight Thomas (far left) stands on the front row as the audience prepares for a prayer led by Pastor Lee May, former DeKalb By Valerie J. Morgan Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary moved for an executive session on Monday night after the City Council heard public comments that included several people who spoke in opposition to the cell tower that recently went up in Stonecrest. Larry called on three city staff members—City Auditor Joel Thibodeaux, Assistant City Manager Plez Joyner and Communications Director Adrion Bell—along with Attorney Dwight L. Thomas, who was sitting on the front row, to…

By Valerie J. Morgan The bickering among the Stonecrest City Council reached a new plateau on Monday night as council members voted 5-1 to authorize City Attorney Winston Denmark to draft a 60-day moratorium on the construction of cell phone towers in the city. Mayor Jason Lary made the motion after several residents voiced opposition to the 199-foot cell phone tower that Vertical Bridge recently constructed off of Evans Mill Road. Lary called city officials, the city attorney and Attorney Dwight Thomas. For every action, there is a reaction. Because I don’t want the same people to coe Councilwoman Diane…

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Debra DeBerry and Sheriff Jeffrey Mann are hosting the Third Annual VOICES, a free Women’s History Month Event on Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive,  Decatur. The theme is “Champions of Peace & Nonviolence.” The guest speaker will be Attorney Robyn A. Crittenden, former Interim Georgia Secretary of State and current Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHR). Also, U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath will receive the X-Factor Award. This year, a Women’s History Edition of the popular game show, Family Feud,…

The DeKalb County State Court Traffic Division is launching a citation amnesty program. “The goal of our citation amnesty program is to provide individuals with open or delinquent citations an opportunity to efficiently resolve their matters and restore their driving records,” said Presiding Judge Shondeana Morris. Individuals who previously failed to appear in court, resulting in delinquent traffic tickets, will have their failure to appear fees waived if they dispose of their cases through this program. The registration period for this program ends on May 17, 2019, and is available to any individual with delinquent citations from January 2010 to December…

The Rockdale Board of Elections & Voter Registration Office is moving to a new location effective Thursday, March 14, at 1261 Commercial Drive, S.W., Suite B, Conyers.  The 14,500-square-foot building is located in the Parker Professional Center. The office will be closed for business on Wednesday, March 13,) to allow for the move. The new office will open on Thursday at 8 a.m. The Board of Elections & Voter Registration Office, which will be located on the top level, is sharing the building with the Rockdale Cooperative Extension/4-H, which is located on the ground level.  Both are moving because the building at Parker…

A new exhibit showcasing the history of Flat Rock, one of the oldest African-American communities in Georgia and a part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, is now open at the DeKalb History Center. Developed in partnership with the Flat Rock Archives, this exhibit displays artifacts gathered and preserved by the Archives from the 150+ years of the community’s existence. On display in the historic DeKalb County Courthouse, where African-Americans were once unwelcome, Deep Roots in DeKalb reveals a story of strength and ingenuity that continues to this day. From the days of enslavement to its rise as a…