Author: On Common Ground News

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.

Stonecrest City Councilmember George Turner, District 4, invites the community to his Town Hall meeting on March 28, at 6:30 p.m., Salem-Panola Library, 5137 Salem Road, Stonecrest. Topics to be discussed include a quarterly status report on the city, land use and zoning; code enforcement; and SPLOST. A Q&A also will be held.

The monthly DeKalb Cultural Exchange Community Breakfast (DCE) meeting hosted by Stonecrest City Councilmember Rob Turner and his wife, DeKalb School Board member Vickie Turner, will be held on April 7 (the first Saturday) instead of the usual time of month in order to support the DeKalb NAACP Unity Breakfast, which will be held on April 14 (2nd Saturday), 8:30 a.m., Greenforest Baptist Church Early Learning Center, 3250 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. The focus of (DCE) April’s meeting will be a Political Candidate Forum, for those running for office.  “Many of the candidates have already confirmed and we expect a great…

By Dave Marcus I’ve got a number of thoughts following tonight’s (March 20) slightly raucous town hall meeting with the three senators representing Stonecrest in the Georgia Senate. None of the three senators support HB 1060 and I am guessing that it has little chance of passing. There were four mistakes made in this episode and I hope we learn from them. Number one mistake.  The council packaged all their requests – including the controversial mayoral pay increase and part-time to full-time change – in a bill that ended up being 54 pages.  There are a LOT of different subjects…

By Calvin E. Sims, Sr. In reference to State Sen. Fran Millar challenging DeKalb County commissioners’ 60 percent pay raise, I don’t support the pay increase either because commissioners are not working hard enough for the good of DeKalb. In South and South East County for instance, crime rates are high, litter is every where (inspite of a DeKalb Litter Control Ordinance which is not being enforced), retail stores are closing and jobs are being lost, adding to a community already plagued with home mortgages under water. In contrast North and Central DeKalb appear to be thriving with new developments…

By Mark Brock DeKalb County School District Athletics Southwest DeKalb High School’s Tennis Program is hosting the 2018 Panther Invitational Tennis Tournament this weekend. This GHSA-sanctioned tournament is the first of what Coach Lance Davenport hopes will be many such events where some of the top Atlanta-Area high school players will compete in this setting. Girls and boys team matches will be played at Sugar Creek Golf and Tennis Club, 2706 Bouldercrest Road, S.E., Atlanta. First round matches begin on Friday, March 23, 3 p.m. Match play will continue on Saturday, March 24, 9 a.m., with the championship round is…

by Mark Brock – DeKalb County Athletics The Chamblee Lady Bulldogs retained their DCSD Middle School Track title with a convincing 96 to 56 win over the Lithonia Lady Bulldogs on Tuesday at Godfrey Stadium. It is Chamblee’s fifth title in the past 10 seasons (2009, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2018) as Jordyn Parker won the Most Valuable Girls’ Track Athlete Award by contributing 23.5 points to the team’s cause and Coach Terrance Jett was named Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. Chamblee trailed Cedar Grove by one point after the field events and 1600 meter run on…