Author: On Common Ground News

By Amos King I am outraged over the mid-term elections that we just finished voting for. As far as I’m concerned, we get what we deserve.  There is no way that Brian Kemp should have been allowed to run for governor while he continued to hold his position as Secretary of State. That is a clear conflict of interest. He should have been forced to step down as soon as he threw his name in the hat. There were many organizations that knew about his voter suppression tactics but waited until it was too late to sue him. I’m also…

The Housing Authority of DeKalb County (HADC) is opening its Housing Choice Voucher Program Tenant-Based (commonly known as Section 8) Waiting List. The program provides rental assistance to eligible low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities. Interested persons must apply by completing an online application at www.dekalbhousing.org. The waiting list will open Tuesday, Dec. 11, and will close Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. Applications will be online only, and not be in paper form. Only one application per applicant will be accepted. To submit an application, interested persons must have a valid email address. Instructions for establishing an email address…

DeKalb residents can place old furniture, appliances curbside with garbage through Dec. 22   The tattered old recliner that’s been sitting in the garage or refrigerator that stopped working years ago can move to the curb this holiday season. The DeKalb County Sanitation Division is offering free residential bulky item curbside collection every Friday and Saturday from Nov. 30 through Dec. 22, as part of DeKalb’s Operation Holiday Clean Sweep 2018 campaign. DeKalb residents will have an opportunity to place bulky items, including furniture and large appliances, curbside for collection by the Sanitation Division. Weekly collection schedules will be based…

More than 300 people attended the DeKalb Entertainment Commission’s second Entertainment Expo on Nov. 3. The event featured resources and information for residents, companies, and professionals seeking to build their presence in the entertainment industry. The Expo offered panel sessions, hands-on workshops, pitch opportunities, one-on-one meetings with industry professionals, industry-related vendors and information on the latest industry trends. Industry experts gave guidance on how to get into the entertainment business in Georgia—from  seasoned professionals to those just starting out in the industry to Atlantans looking to make a career change. “This year’s Entertainment Expo gave attendees the opportunity connect with…

As required by the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Local Workforce Development Board in DeKalb County (Workforce Region 5) has prepared updates to the regional workforce plan. The document is available for review and comment on the WorkSource DeKalb (WSD) website at www.dekalbcountyga.gov/worksource-dekalb/localregional-plan. A hard copy of the local workforce plan is available for review at the WorkSource DeKalb office located at 774 Jordan Lane, Building #4, Decatur, GA 30033. Contact the WSD at 404-687-3400 if you are interested in reviewing the document at WSD. Comments will be accepted during a 30-day period of Nov. 6 – Dec. 6.  …

District 1 Atlanta City Council Member Carla Smith will sponsor the 2018 Veterans Resources Expo on Saturday, Nov. 17, in partnership with the City of Atlanta Commission on Veterans Affairs. The free event will take place in the old Council Chamber from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 68 Mitchell St., S.W.  (Participants may also enter the building at 55 Trinity Ave., S.W. Commemorating Veterans Day, the expo will provide veterans access to a broad range of services, including housing assistance, education, jobs and job training, health screenings and benefits counseling. “Our veterans have answered the call to defend our…

By Ruth A. Wilson Rockdale Clerk of Courts Rockdale’s very first Sheriff was I. W. Almand. There is a street in Olde Town Conyers named for him. Under his watch, there was a rampant spate of bad guys doing bad stuff. The first Rockdale Clerk of Superior Court was F. J.  Treadwell. Drawn from his records, here are just a few examples of the depravity and debauchery of the time: May 1870, William Murphy was arrested for Larceny. Court costs were $4.10, Constable fee was $2.33 and the Jailor charged $3.30. He was charged with taking two bushels of wheat…

The Conyers Police Department is seeking cash, checks and Wal-mart gift cards to support its 11th Annual Shop With A Cop to buy Christmas presents for needy children in Rockdale County. The Conyers Police Department (CPD) works with the Conyers Wal-Mart, along with the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Public Safety work on the annual project. Law enforcement personnel accompany children from families experiencing financial hardship to the Conyers Wal-Mart to shop for Christmas gifts. “The Conyers Wal-Mart has been an excellent community partner to assist the Conyers Police in spearheading this effort. Officers interact with…

Democrats tried hard on election night to turn the state blue urging voters to go to the polls, but Georgia stayed true to its color—red—giving the GOP the state’s top seats. Here’s a look at how the top races stacked up: Lt. Governor Republican Geoff Duncan was elected lieutenant governor, defeating Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico with 52% of the vote (1,946,233 votes). Amico received 1,815, 510 votes (48%). Insurance Commissioner Republican Jim Beck held the lead over Democrat Janice Laws, receiving 1,939,665 votes (50%) for state insurance commissioner. Laws garnered 1,801825 votes (47 %). Libertarian Donnie Foster placed third with…