Author: On Common Ground News

State Rep. Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) is encouraging citizens to “Go Red for Women” by wearing red on Feb. 1. “Go Red for Women” Day is celebrated by the American Heart Association and is designed to increase women’s awareness and research about cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for African American women, according to the CDC. “Fortunately, we can change that because 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education, healthy eating habits, and regular exercise,” said Carter.  “My grandmother died of a massive heart attack. My mother died in her sleep.  I was…

Newly-elected State Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) has been appointed to the Georgia House of Representatives Insurance, Interstate Cooperation and Science & Technology committees. Davis was sworn into office as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives on Jan. 14, marking her first day of the 2019-2020 legislative term. She represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. “I am proud to represent the taxpayers and voters of DeKalb County,” said Rep. Davis. “I will make every effort to focus on problems and solutions within my district.” The House Committee on Assignments, chaired by House…

Katerina Taylor, president and CEO of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, has been named a 2019 Notable Georgian by Georgia Trend. Taylor was recognized along with other Notable Georgians and Most Influential Georgians during a luncheon on Jan. 22 at the Georgia Aquarium. Taylor became the first female to lead the DeKalb Chamber in 2014. Under her leadership, she established the Women Executive Leaders of DeKalb (WELD), a resource group for women executives; helped to spearhead the Chamber’s educational efforts that helped to lead to the passing of the county-wide SPLOST in 2017; and strengthened collaborative partnerships between community partners,…

DeKalb County Police Officer Norman Larsen and K-9 Indi were presented the Award of Bravery for saving lives and for consistently serving the county with courage. The Award of Bravery was presented by the Animal Law Source, Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia, National Sherriff’s Association and Office of the District Attorney, Towaliga Judicial Circuit during the K-9 Handler Intensive at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center on Jan. 18. “DeKalb County is extremely proud of Officer Larsen and K-9 Indi,” said Public Safety Director Jack Lumpkin. “The county appreciates their unwavering dedication to keeping DeKalb safe while serving…

The city of Stonecrest has named Sean DePalma, formerly parks director of Fort Myers Beach, Florida, as its new Parks and Recreation Director. DePalma began his duties on Jan. 7, 2019. Mayor Jason Lary said DePalma is a good fit for the city. “We needed a person with varied skills in parks administration, personnel, facilities, green living, entertainment and sports. We felt he was the best fit overall for our needs for now and in the future,”  Lary said. DePalma has more than 20 years of municipal administration in parks and recreation. In his previous role in Fort Myers Beach, DePalma…

The city of Lithonia has narrowed its search for the position of City Administrator to four candidates.  Mayor Deborah A. Jackson and the City Council are pleased to announce the following as the final panel of candidates: Timothy E. O’Briant Alan C. Peterson Meschery Pollard Lathaydra L. Sands A decision will be made on the final candidate in February. There will be an opportunity for the community to meet the finalists on Feb. 4, 6 p.m., before the City Council meeting at City Hall, 6920 Main Street, Lithonia. “This is an important decision and we want to make sure we…

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is seeking substitutes to work in a variety of positions as needed throughout the district. The district’s Substitute Job Fair will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 1 to 4 p.m., at Elizabeth Andrews High School, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. Employee screenings and in-person interviews will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Candidates applying for substitute teacher are required to complete a minimum of six hours of non-paid initial substitute teacher training. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher from Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond announced today that he has made three high-level appointments to address the county’s consent decree regarding the sewer system, improving its watershed system and the county’s finances. “These appointments underline our commitment to repair and strengthen the county’s infrastructure while protecting our financial resources,” said Thurmond. Maria Houser has been appointed the county’s first director of consent decree and environmental compliance. Houser, both an attorney and a civil engineer, has more than 12 years of experience as a compliance expert in the utility sector and has practiced law at Troutman Sanders in the Environmental and…

Newly-elected State Rep. Viola Davis (D-Stone Mountain) has been appointed to the Georgia House of Representatives Insurance, Interstate Cooperation and Science & Technology committees. Davis was sworn into office as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives on Jan. 14,  marking her first day of the 2019-2020 legislative term. She represents the citizens of District 87, which includes portions of DeKalb County. “I am proud to represent the taxpayers and voters of DeKalb County,” said Rep. Davis. “I will make every effort to focus on problems and solutions within my district.” The House Committee on Assignments, chaired by House Speaker…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs377xtsgOs&nohtml5=1 Click to watch the video of the Jan. 22 town hall.