Author: On Common Ground News

Those interested in uniting school communities while increasing student achievement and performance are invited to participate in DeKalb County School District’s (DCSD) Principal Advisory Councils. Principal Advisory Councils are coalitions of parents, guardians, and teachers that serve their school communities at 112 DCSD schools. Councils act as a link between the school and the community, encouraging engagement with stakeholders, increasing transparency, monitoring progress, and participating in the selection of a school’s principal. Those interested in joining a 2018-2019 Principal Advisory Council can declare their candidacy now until August 31. Applicants are required to complete a candidate declaration form, which can…

An argument outside a grocery store is what police say may have led to the shooting death of Jeremiah Flemister on Aug. 7.  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit investigators, Field K9 Unit and SWAT team members arrested 27-year-old Dra James of Decatur on Aug. 9 on a warrant charging him with felony murder in the incident. According to the warrant, an altercation that allegedly began inside the Kroger at 3479 Memorial Drive in Decatur spilled out onto the parking lot where Flemister, a Decatur resident, was shot and killed. Video surveillance captured the incident law enforcement officials said.…

DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Dr. R. Stephen Green went door-to-door greeting parents and students during the annual Knock, Walk & Talk event. Green, accompanied by his wife and DCSD support staff, went door-to-door  Aug. 4 at the Clifton Glen Apartments in Stone Mountain. “We are continuing a dialogue with our local communities to hear what they wish to achieve over the course of the year,” Green said in a press release. “We will share the wonderful new things our school district has to offer, as well as the goals we have for the oncoming months. We welcome our…

ATLANTA – Attorney General Chris Carr is warning the public about a new scam where con artists pose as government officials in an attempt to add credibility to their schemes. Specifically, citizens are reporting that the names and titles of Attorney General Chris Carr and Chief Deputy Dennis Dunn are being used illegitimately. “We are hoping this alert serves as a warning that no one is immune from scammers who are now using intricate schemes in order to gain the confidence of their victims,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “The best way to fight back against them is to understand…

On Tuesday, August 14th, the RCDP will hold elections for Delegates who will represent us at the convention and we need every registered Democrat in Rockdale County to be present and vote. According to our Charter (C3.3.4), each county can elect up to twice as many delegates as the number of state committee members allowed and the county is allowed to elect the same number of alternates as state committee members. Thus, the RCDP will elect 4 Delegates and 2 Alternates. One half of these Delegates must be elected from among the Postholders and one half shall be elected by…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has appointed a county attorney subject to confirmation by the county’s Board of Commissioners and has hired a new code enforcement director. Viviane H. Ernstes, the interim county attorney in the DeKalb County Law Department since January 2018, has been appointed by CEO Thurmond to serve as the county attorney, providing legal advice to the county’s elected officials, including the CEO and commissioners. Ernstes, who has practiced law for over 30 years, came to DeKalb as a staff attorney in the DeKalb County State Court in 1998. Prior to that she worked for the Office…

By Valerie J. Morgan Cori Renee Bostic, a Southwest DeKalb High School alumna (2016), has made history as the first female drum major in the 72-year legacy of Florida A&M University.  Bostic, a junior who is a broadcast journalism and honors major, was named among the three newest drum majors of the university’s world-renowned “Marching 100 Band.” FAMU Director of Bands Shelby Chipman, Ph.D., announced the other two new drum majors: Marquel Bowen, a public relations scholar, and Joshua Honore, a music education scholar, both of whom are from Miami Gardens, Florida.   “Our band leaders represent the diversity, dedication…

By Valerie J. Morgan Construction crews are clearing a 92-acre tract for a 1 million-square-foot technology park that will be built along Dogwood Drive on the northern side of I-20 in Rockdale County. Ackerman & Co. of Atlanta is developing the Rockdale Technology Park. The $50 million project will include four buildings that will be suitable for manufacturers, distribution/warehouse industries, administrative offices, recycling companies and others, said     Marty Jones, executive director of the Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council. “This is an absolutely good fit for Rockdale County,” Jones said. “It is going to bring industries and jobs. Ackerman…

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners passed a landmark ordinance that prohibits forced arbitration clauses in agreements between prime and subcontractors doing business with DeKalb County.   Prior to the passage of the legislation, prime contractors were able to use their unequal bargaining power to force small businesses to sign away their right to pursue a claim in a court of law if a dispute arose. “This legislation levels the playing field between prime and subcontractors and helps ensure that small businesses doing business with DeKalb County are treated fairly. A small business should not be forced to give up…

State Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia), in partnership with the Beverly Cunningham Outreach Program, will host the Back-to-School Supply Drive in celebration of her 36th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 25, 3 to 5 p.m., at Canaan Land Church International, 3755 Centerville Highway, Snellville. Attendees are encouraged to donate school supplies or $36, and all school supplies and proceeds will benefit students at Partee Elementary School in Snellville. Snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy and other items will be available for purchase at the event. To download a list of needed school supplies or to register for the event, go to eventbrite…