Author: On Common Ground News

Today (Aug. 21), the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved a legal settlement that will replace 47,500 iPerl water meters within the next two years. Kendall Supply Inc. and Sensus USA Inc., pursuant to the meter warranty provision, also agreed to deliver and install 30,000 radio devices that transmit real-time customer water consumption data and reprogram 17,500 previously installed radio transmitters. The total value of the negotiated settlement amounts to approximately $8.64 million in equipment, installation and reprogramming services. The cost breakdown follows: Delivery and installation of 47,000 new Accustream meters: $4.75 million  Delivery and installation of 30,000 radio transmitters:…

State Rep. Vernon Jones (D-Lithonia) has been appointed by Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) to the House Study Committee on Risks Associated with Kratom. Advocates say kraton offers relief from pain, depression and anxiety. However, the FDA and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have been moving to ban the sale of kraton, citing the herbal drug’s potential for abuse saying it is an “imminent hazard to public safety,” according to reports. Jones questioned the accuracy of the statements made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb about kratom, and is asking the study committeesto review the reports.…

Anyone who needs a bag of food is welcome to get help from the Sankofa House Community Food Bank, 1240 Sigman Road N.W., Suite 106, Conyers. Residents from surrounding counties are welcome. The food bank will be open on the third Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  ID is required. Appointments are available for special cases and emergencies. Call 678-517-2538.  

Here is a partial calendar for the school system:  Monday, Sept. 3 Labor Day holiday September 3, 2018, schools and Rockdale County Public Schools district offices, including Student Registration, closed for Labor Day holiday; www.rockdaleschools.org/calendars Saturday, Sept. 8 Youth Mental Health First Aid Class 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. September 8, 2018 at RCPS Central Office Board meeting room, 954 N. Main St., Conyers, GA; free and open to community; Register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/YMHFAFW18 or visit www.rockdaleschools.org/ymhfa for more information. Saturday, Sept. 8 Free SAT Prep 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. September 8, 2018, at Memorial Middle…

By Valerie J. Morgan The Georgia Black Legislative Caucus kicked off its 2018 conference, “Let Freedom Ring,” with a fiery AME preacher who served as the event’s first keynote speaker. The two-day conference, Aug. 10-11, was held at the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute, located in the new city of Stonecrest. Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Prelate Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, told attendees that black voters have the power to be the game changer when they go to the polls in November. Bishop Jackson laid out the groundwork needed not only to elect Georgia’s first Democratic governor…

By Valerie J. Morgan  Lecester L. “Bill” Allen, founder and CEO of the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute,  discussed the importance of promoting entrepreneurship and ownership, especially among young African Americans.  He told state lawmakers attending the Leroy Johnson Civil Rights Dinner at the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus(GLBC) that they must do more to provide financial literacy to the black community in order for it to prosper.    “I find it so unfortunate that too many of us in our community are financially illiterate. We don’t understand money. It is time that we understand the finances and how it works in this…

By Valerie J. Morgan DeKalb County Superior Court Judge J.P. Boulee has rejected former DeKalb Police Officer Robert Olsen’s motion to drop all charges against him in the shooting death of Anthony Hill. The unarmed and naked Air Force veteran was roaming outside the Chamblee apartment complex where he lived when Olsen was dispatched to a possible signal 22(demented person) on March 9, 2015. Hill’s family said he was dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Judge Boulee’s Aug. 14 ruling paves the way for the case to move forward to trial, although no date has been set yet.  Olsen is…

DeKalb Medical and Emory Healthcare system are expected to become one healthcare system on Sept. 1.  The Georgia Attorney General’s Office announced the final regulatory approval of the integration on Aug. 10, paving the way for the merger.    Jonathan S. Lewin, MD, president and CEO of Emory Healthcare, expressed excitement over the partnership.  “By combining a community health system and an academic health system, the communities and patients cared for by Emory Healthcare and DeKalb Medical will experience an even stronger quality of care with more accessibility to providers and specialty care,” Lewin said. The two health systems initiated…

Mayor Jason Lary and the City Council held a special call meeting on Aug. 15 to vote on resolutions that would give the city clerk authorization to publicize proposed ordinances that would amend the city charter.      Normally, an ordinance is read twice and then voted on by the council. Resolutions aren’t usually necessary. Because these proposed ordinances involve changes to the city charter, however, the city clerk must publicize each amended ordinance three times during a 60-day period, said Adrion Bell, the city’s Communications Director.  After the 60 days, the council can hold public meetings and then vote…

Many DeKalb County property owners who qualified for the homestead exemption received lower tax bills in the mail this week. “DeKalb has delivered on providing tax relief to county property owners,” said DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. “Thanks to the passage of two historic measures in November, the county is revolutionizing the process of extending tax relief and improved services to DeKalb citizens.”  Tax bills mailed to county property owners included a new column indicating cuts based on the EHOST. The column shows a dollar amount of the Equalized Homestead Option Sales Tax (EHOST) credit for each eligible millage rate…