Author: On Common Ground News

By Larry Johnson DeKalb County Commissioner Middle-class homeowners have reason to be skeptical of Washington’s latest promise of tax cuts for the middle class.  As you may have heard, a group of leaders in Washington known as the “Big 6” recently unveiled its framework for tax reform, and their No. 1 promise was tax cuts for the middle class.  Unfortunately, it appears that many middle-income homeowners will see their taxes go up, not down, under the Big 6 plan.  A big reason why is that this plan takes away the most popular – and one of the most valuable –…

By Clarence Cuthpert Rockdale Probate Judge A birth certificate is an official recording of a birth that occurred in the state of Georgia. It may be used for a number of reasons including to establish one’s identity, enroll children in school, and to apply for a driver’s license. Certified copies of birth certificates may be obtained from the State Office of Vital Records, or any County vital records office in Georgia. In Rockdale County, birth certificates are issued by the Probate Court. Birth certificates are only issued to applicants having a direct and tangible interest, primary immediate family members, or…

Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District, released the following statement after learning that, according to the Associated Press, a computer server at the center of a lawsuit against Georgia election officials was quietly wiped clean just after the suit was filed: “What appears to be a willful and premeditated destruction of evidence by Georgia election officials heightens my suspicion that there was manipulation of the election results in the April 18th Sixth District congressional primary, in which Jon Ossoff came only 3,200 votes shy of winning outright without a runoff. The apparent deliberate destruction of evidence that could…

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler says the unemployment rate in Rockdale County fell in September as the number of employed residents increased and unemployment insurance claims declined. The September unemployment rate, at 4.7 percent, was down from 5.4 percent in August. The September rate compares favorably to last September when the rate was 5.9 percent. “The combination of a falling unemployment rate and an increase in the number of employed residents shows a county on the rise,” Butler said. “Seeing the number of jobs increase is always a good indicator. However, seeing the number of employed Georgians increase is the…

World of Coca Cola offers discount military tickets World of Coca-Cola grants complimentary admission to all military members (active duty, reserves and retirees) year-round, but to show gratitude on Veterans Day to the men and women who serve our country, the attraction is extending a special offer to their loved ones as well. From Thursday, Nov. 2 to Sunday, Nov. 12, members of the Armed Forces may purchase up to four half-price general admission tickets for their friends and family to join them in visiting the attraction. Tickets may be purchased with a valid Armed Forces ID card at the…

Volunteers fanned out around Rockdale County recently to clean up during the annual Rivers Alive campaign. The effort resulted into the collection of 10,420 pounds of litter. Keep Conyers-Rockdale Beautiful (KCRB) hosted the annual event on Saturday, Oct. 14, drawing more than 200 volunteers, including 96 youths from local schools, civic organizations and scout troops. This year’s cleanup removed hundreds of bags of garbage and 117 tires amounting to nearly 5.2 tons from local parks, roadways and waterways, Randy Poynter Lake and other locations. As a thank you, volunteers received a free T-shirt from Rivers Alive. The event ended with…

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In an effort to make room for Restoration Storehouse, Rockdale County Government is holding a public surplus day on Friday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Government Annex Building at 1400 Parker Road, Conyers. The County will be offering surplus equipment including office furniture, electronic devices, etc. for low prices. All items will be available for pickup on site and must be removed by 3 p.m. on the day of sale. Those who plan to make purchases should have a vehicle they can load. Transactions can be made by cash, cashier’s check or money orders only. Checks…

Today, former DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson was sentenced to a misdemeanor after pleading guilty to misappropriating about $3,000 in county funds intended for business travel. Watson, 63,was supposed to start his pre-trial this morning but entered the plea instead. He was sentenced to 12 months probation as a first-time offender, rather than as a felon. Watson’s attorney, Robert James, said he and Watson were pleased with DeKalb Superior Court Judge Asha Jackson’s ruling. “Our intention was never to escape accountability. We wanted him to be treated fairly as others in similar situations,” said James, DeKalb County’s former District Attorney.…

By Valerie J. Morgan A trail of shoes graced the front door of Zam Tuang and San Thang’s small apartment in Clarkston. Inside, family and friends gathered to try and pick up the pieces of the Burmese couple’s lives, shattered after the Thangs’ 4-year-old daughter, Lun, was struck by a hit-and-run driver. As some women cooked in the kitchen, silence filled the apartment, broken by a small child crying. Lun Thang, a pre-K student, was killed on Oct. 18 around 6:45 a.m. as she walked to Indian Creek Elementary School accompanied by her aunt, 7-year-old sister and cousin. “She…