Author: On Common Ground News

Rockdale County government officials plan to dive into two critical subjects facing the county at upcoming events scheduled in October and November.   The public is invited to attend a Community Housing Forum on Thursday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m., at the J.P. Carr Community Center, 981 Taylor St., Conyers. The purpose of this event is to showcase the county’s commitment to exploring how everyone in Rockdale County can gain access to healthy lifestyle, high-quality and affordable housing. During the forum, several key members of the Rockdale County housing and real estate industry will be sharing presentations about what the county…

DeKalb County NAACP and Alliant Health Solutions are offering training on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) on Saturday, Oct. 6, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 3203 Glenwood Road, Decatur.  Mental Health First Aid is the help offered to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.  The first aid is given until appropriate treatment and support are received or until the crisis resolves.   The interactive 8-hour course that presents an overview of mental illness and substance use disorders including depression and anxiety and psychotic disorders.  It introduces participants to risk factors and warning…

By Ed Williams What do we do when the laws are not enforced?  I write this letter to all those who wonder why I filed a complaint against the DeKalb Board of Commissioners (BOC)  for their [vote] to increase their pay by 60 percent.  The simple fact of the matter is that the police complaint is not about the amount of the BOC [compensation], it is based on the fact that the DeKalb BOC did not have the authority to vote on their own compensation. In approving the compensation increase, the members of the BOC violated the Open Meeting law…

By Rockdale Probate Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. A Power of Attorney (“POA”) is a document in which one person often referred to as the principal grants authority to another person known as the attorney-in-fact or agent to act on behalf of the principal. The POA can be limited in scope to a specific purpose which would only grant certain authority the attorney-in-fact, or it can be general to allow the attorney-in-fact to handle all of the principal’s affairs. On July 1, 2017, a new Uniform Power of Attorney Act (the “UPOAA”) was enacted pertaining to most Powers of Attorneys (“POAs”) created…

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) will serve as the keynote speaker to mark Constitution Day and kick off a week of constitutional studies at Georgia State University (GSU). The Decatur Civic and Political Awareness Club, in conjunction with Partners in Education, will host Johnson on Sept.17 in the gymnasium at GSU’s Decatur Campus, 3251 Panthersville Rd. A meet-and-greet will be held at 9:30 a.m. The program will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Congressman Johnson will deliver the keynote speech and serve on a panel that will focus on: How can our federal immigration policy addresses liberty, equality and…

Gov. Nathan Deal has issued an emergency declaration for all 159 counties in Georgia in the wake of Hurricane Florence forecast by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS). “The state is mobilizing all available resources to ensure public safety ahead of Hurricane Florence,” said Deal. “In light of the storm’s forecasted southward track after making landfall, I encourage Georgians to be prepared for the inland effects of the storm as well as the ensuing storm surge in coastal areas. GEMA/HS continues to lead our preparedness efforts as we coordinate with federal, state and local officials to…

Attorney General Chris Carr is warning consumers to be on the lookout for scams and possible price gouging as Hurricane Florence approaches the East Coast. At 12:00 p.m. today, Gov. Nathan Deal enacted a State of Emergency for all 159 counties in Georgia. The State of Emergency shall be valid for a period of one week. “Sadly enough, con artists often exploit disasters by taking advantage of storm victims or preying on the sympathies of those who want to help out,” said Attorney General Carr. “The Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit is authorized to investigate scams and price…

As the East Coast prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Florence in the coming days, Georgia Power is actively monitoring the storm and coordinating with emergency partners, including GEMA and the Mutual Assistance Network. Georgia Power reminds customers to keep safety first during severe weather and offers the following storm tips: Before a Storm: Stay aware and check the weather forecast before heading outdoors. Turn off air conditioners as power surges can overload them and charge cell phones in case you lose power. During a Storm: Take safe shelter inside a sturdy building away from windows and doors. Avoid contact…

The DeKalb County Fire Rescue and Police Departments remembered the victims who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 during terror attacks. Victims of the tragedy, were remembered today during a memorial ceremony at the DeKalb County Police Department headquarters in Tucker. Today marked the 17th anniversary of 9/11.

The Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights plans to speak out tonight at the City Schools of Decatur meeting against the unfair disciplinary action against black students. The school board meeting will be held today at 6:30 p.m. at school board headquarters, 125 Electric Ave., Decatur. The group of parents and students organized by the Alliance are concerned about statistics concerning discipline and academic disparities, that were released by Superintendent David Dude. In 2015-16 black students represented 23.2% of the student body but received 73.9% of rude/disorderly conduct citations, according to Dude’s report, the Alliance said. In 2015-16, a…