Author: On Common Ground News

After two years of discussions, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) and DeKalb County government completed the process to exchange properties at three locations, paving the way for the construction of a new elementary school and parks. “We are pleased to work out a deal that’s beneficial to all residents of DeKalb County,” said Superintendent R. Stephen Green. “The school district receives land upon which it can build a first-class campus for students, and the citizens receive new park land. Cooperation and collaboration will always lead to great results, and this exchange is proof of that.” The organizations concluded the…

After receiving a tip, Rockdale County Sheriff’s deputies intercepted a fight gang members had planned to take place at Heritage High School’s parking lot. Investigators arrested one student and Lenny Mejias, who was carrying a loaded pistol. No fights occurred on campus and Heritage students were not placed in danger, law enforcement officials said. Investigators moved quickly after the high school’s resource officer received information on March 16 that gang members were planning an after-school fight in the parking lot. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit patrolled the area of the nearby Sugar Hill subdivision and Heritage High…

March 27 DeKalb County Board of Commissioners regular meeting, 9 a.m., Manuel J. Maloof Auditorium, 1300 Commerce Drive, Decatur. Rockdale Board of Commissioners voting meeting, 10 a.m., Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers March 19 DeKalb Board of Education’s Executive Session, Work Session and Committee of the Whole, 2 to 4:30 p.m., Robert R. Freeman l Complex , 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain DeKalb Board of Education Community Input Meeting, 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., Robert R. Freeman Administrative and Instructional Complex DeKalb Board of Education Business Meeting, 7 to 9 p.m., Robert R. Freeman Complex April 2-6 Spring Break…

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has selected professional engineer, Richard Lemke as the county’s director of Public Works, effective March 26.  Lemke will oversee the Department of Watershed Management, and the divisions of Fleet Maintenance, Roads and Drainage, Transportation and Sanitation. Lemke will manage the Department of Public Work’s 1,600 full- and part-time employees and a budget of $460 million. Lemke has more than 20 years of government service that includes implementing one of the first comprehensive citywide street improvement programs that repaired potholes, cracked pavement and roadways in Green River, Wyoming. Additionally, he has managed a variety of public…

Six schools in Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) – one-third of schools in the district – have been named on the Georgia Department of Education Reward Schools list, an honor given to top-performing Title I schools. Barksdale Elementary and Lorraine Elementary are listed as “Highest Performing” schools. C. J. Hicks Elementary, Flat Shoals Elementary, Pine Street Elementary and General Ray Davis Middle School are listed as “Highest Progress” schools. Most of these schools have been named Reward Schools for multiple consecutive years. “I am extremely proud of our 2017-18 Reward Schools,” says Interim Superintendent Shirley Chesser. “To have a third…

Rockdale County Clerk of Courts Ruth A. Wilson, in collaboration with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA), will offer free Notary Public training for individuals who are already notaries and those interested in becoming a notary. The training will address basic notary procedures and legal guidelines for fulfilling the duties of a Notary Public in the State of Georgia. The training for the evening session will be held on Thursday, May 3, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  The morning session will be held on Thursday, May 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m.  Both sessions will be held at the JP…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced the opening of this year’s Congressional Art Competition for all high school students who reside or attend a school in Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District. “Each year, we gain a new appreciation for every piece of art entered for our annual competition because no matter what colors they use, no matter their interpretation, this is their art,” said Johnson. “Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are rights we hold dear, and I’m sure all of the pieces submitted will speak to us in some way.” Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school…

The city of Stonecrest honored Joe Coleman, owner of CS Truck and Trailer, at the March 19 City Council meeting. Mayor Jason Lary presented Coleman with a proclamation recognizing CS Truck and Trailer as one of the top companies in the metro Atlanta area recognized by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). The AJC recently honored CS Truck and Trailer as a “Workplace Achiever,” citing employee feedback scores that exceeded national standards. CS Truck and Trailer, which has 101 employees and is located in the industrial park within the city of Stonecrest, was among 32 companies named in the “Workplace Achiever” category.…

This month, Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary celebrated his 56th birthday and marked his one-year anniversary of becoming mayor. Voters elected Lary on March 21, 2017 as the first mayor of the new city of Stonecrest, giving him 52.2 percent of the vote in a three-way race. Lary celebrated his birthday on March 22 and said his victory was the best birthday present ever. Lary spent four years championing the effort to create the city of Stonecrest.

Stonecrest City Councilmember Diane Adoma, District 5, will host Coffee and Conversation, on March 24, 9 a.m., at the Stonecrest Hilton Garden Inn, 7890 Mall Ring Road. Get updates on the city, ask questions about city issues. Councilmember Adoman also will host her inaugural District 5 Women’s Empowerment Recognition Breakfast on March 31, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the Stonecrest Hilton Garden Inn. Rockdale Chief Magistrate Judge Phinia Aten will be the keynote speaker. Juanita Baranco will be the special honoree.  Additional seats have been added to the sold-out event.  For more information, call 470-223-6039.