Author: On Common Ground News

Congressman Hank Johnson is re-introducing the “Inclusive Campuses Act of 2017” (H.R.4699) after gaining support to authorize the use of Title III funds to establish to establish on-campus resource centers for LGBTQ students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority institutions. “We should be doing all we can to help everyone feel welcomed and included,” said Johnson, a graduate of Clark Atlanta University and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston. “As a proud graduate of two HBCUs, I feel this legislation is crucial in continuing the legacy of community and inclusion I felt as a…

The Stonecrest City Council passed an ordinance on Dec. 18 granting Georgia Power permission to use the city’s property for constructing, maintaining and operating all necessary equipment for the distribution of electricity. In exchange, the city will receive 4 percent of the revenue generated from electricity sales to Stonecrest commercial, residential and industrial customers. Currently, Georgia Power customers are charged a 2.1 percent fee that is labeled “municipal franchise fee.” Georgia Power will raise this rate to 2.6 percent, instead of the entire 4 percent. The average residential customer will see a rate increase of less than 10…

The barbershop is an important cultural place for African-American boys, who not only get haircuts there, but also learn life lessons from the men in this male-centered space. Now, DeKalb County Public Library is using the influence of the barbershop to encourage young, black boys to read more. In partnership with a nonprofit program called Barbershop Books, the Library kicked off a new outreach program at the ITNOJ (In the Name of Jesus) Barbershop in Scottdale, Georgia on Dec. 16. The shop now hosts a rack of books aimed at boys ages 4 to eight years old. Teresa Totten, the…

Rockdale County Parks and Recreation will take over the management of the Rockdale Tennis Center effective Jan. 1. The tennis center, located at Wheeler Park, 1370 Parker Road, had been under the management of a county vendor. County officials made the decision to bring the operation in-house as part of a restructuring to enhance services. The tennis center is home to more than 150 ALTA, USTA and EMTA teams. The community is invited to attend a meeting to address any questions with county staff on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 6 p.m., at Johnson Park, 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers. “With the addition of…

The public is invited to a candidates’ forum for Senate District 17 and House District 111  Special Elections, which are underway. The forum will be held on Thursday, Dec. 28, 7 – 9 p.m., at Emmanuel Community Church, 1400 Highway 212, Conyers. Early voting is scheduled Dec. 18 to Jan. 5. Election Day is Jan. 9. Special Elections are under way  to fill the unexpired term of Republican Rick Jeffares, who stepped down from Senate District 17 to devote more time to his bid for lieutenant governor.  The Senate District covers parts of Rockdale, Newton and Henry counties. The House…

Pastor Lee May and his congregation at Transforming Faith Church in South DeKalb are opening their wallets to demonstrate what the bible says about generosity. May, who formerly served as CEO of DeKalb County, has gone into ministry full time and recently, he has been preaching on generosity from the biblical scriptures, Acts: 4:32. May said even a small congregation like his with about 50 members can make a difference in the community and demonstrate the meaning of generosity—not just talk about it. He said Transforming Faith Church is giving away 50 bicycles and toys to children in the community…

DeKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson’s 19th annual Tree of Love provided Christmas presents to more than 600 children from low-income families this year. The public “adopted” the children by picking a name from the Christmas tree at the Gallery at South DeKalb mall and went shopping for the kids. Johnson and volunteers collected the gifts and passed them out during a holiday program on Dec. 16 that included performances by the Lou Walker Senior Center and the Chapel Hill Middle School Steppers. Miss DeKalb County Sweetheart Addyson Riley also made an appearance at the program, which was held at the…

Crawfordville Baptist Church in Conyers hosted a holiday party for children in the community on Dec. 16. The nonprofit, Women of Royalty, Class & Integrity, Inc., a benefactor of the Toys for Tots program, presented the giveaway. The mission of the women’s organization is to promote empowerment and enrichment of young firls and women from all walks of life. Volunteers donned Santa caps as they helped with the giveaway.

Rockdale County government offices will be closed on the following holidays: Christmas – Monday, Dec. 25, 2017 Christmas – Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017 New Year’s Day – Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Monday, Jan. 15

In observance of Christmas Day on Monday, Dec. 25, garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection for residential customers will be based on a revised collection schedule as follows: Monday, Dec. 25 – Christmas Day observed; no collection service. Tuesday, Dec. 26 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Monday, Dec. 25, will be serviced on Tuesday, Dec. 26.  Wednesday, Dec. 27 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Tuesday, Dec. 26, will be serviced on Wednesday, Dec. 27. Thursday, Dec. 28 – Residential customers whose regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, Dec. 27, will be serviced…