Author: On Common Ground News

By Ed Williams, Ed.D. Chair Concerned Citizens For Effective Government Today, the Confederate carving on Stone Mountain is rebranded with lasers, animated with colored beams of lights to glorify the image as if it is coming back to life. None of these men in the carving were from Georgia, there was no battle at Stone Mountain, and there is no one buried at Stone Mountain. So why is it called a Confederate Memorial? I do not seek to destroy history but to tell the true story.  The defenders seek to rebrand the symbolism of oppression and terrorism as art…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) honors 119 students recently named 2017 Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars, including two National AP Scholars, for their outstanding performance on the 2017 exams. Each year, thousands of high school students across the world take AP exams. The College Board recognizes the hard work of top students through the awarding of several distinctions: AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, AP Scholar with Distinction, and National AP Scholar. Two RCPS students received the prestigious honor of being named National AP Scholars – Andrew Bonar and Dahlia Walters. These two students, both recent graduates from the Rockdale Magnet…

WASHINGTON – The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is heartbroken over the deaths of Ms. Heather Hayer, Lt. H. Jay Cullen, a 20-year veteran of the Virginia State Police, and Trooper Berke M. M. Bates in Charlottesville, VA. NCNW expresses its sincere sympathy and condolences to the wounded and deceased, their families and friends. Fringe groups who seek to terrorize and take innocent lives discredit their cause, their country and themselves. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees every American the right to peacefully express his/her views on matters of policy and principle, no matter how extreme…

The Ludacris Foundation and State Rep. Valencia Stovall (D-Forrest Park) are gearing up to host LUDAFAMDAY on the Labor Day weekend at Turner Field in Atlanta. The free community event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 2, during the 2017 LUDADAY Charity Weekend. Rep. Stovall will unveil details of the event at a news conference set for Thursday, Aug. 17, at the State Capitol. “As a native of Southeast Atlanta, I’m excited to be a part of the LUDADAY Charity Weekend and to partner with the Ludacris Foundation and AmbitiousX,” said Stovall. “This event will bring awareness to…

OP/ED: By DeKalb County Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader Clifton Corridor institutions, led by Emory University, have petitioned to annex their isolated property into Atlanta across a 65-foot wide “land bridge” that Emory purchased last year.  They urge stakeholders to look at the Big Picture when judging their unilateral action and ask Atlanta to reflexively approve their incorporation into the City.  The Atlanta City Council and Atlanta voters should carefully assess the implications and mitigate impacts before they grant the request. DeKalb has petitioned the State to arbitrate these issues. The institutions seek to expedite a transit extension to…

Councilwoman Diane Adoma will host a Town Hall meeting that will feature a discussion on public safety. Please come prepared to share your ideas for improving public safety in Stonecrest which has been dealing with increasing reports of crime and public safety issues. Let’s Talk! Date: Aug. 22, 2017 Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Location: Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road Special Guest: Officer E. Jenkins, DeKalb County Police Officer East Precinct Public Education Specialist

Atlanta remembered the victims of the deadly racial violence that took place over the weekend during a protest in Charlottesville, Virginia. The violence erupted after hundreds of white supremacists staged a “take America back” demonstration and clashed with counter protestors. A car plowed into the crowd killing one woman and injuring several more. Two state troopers responding to the scene were killed in a helicopter crash One woman was killed and 19 others were injured when a car driven by a 20-year-old Alex Fields, Jr. plowed into the group, according to news reports. Fields  was arrested and charged with one…

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics will conduct its regular board meeting on Thursday, Aug. 17, 4 p.m., at Emory University Center for Ethics, Rita Anne Rollins Building, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta. The agenda is as follows: I. Call to Order II. Welcome and Introductions III.       Adoption of Agenda IV. Review and Approve Meeting Minutes from August 1, 2017 V. Unfinished Business    A. Discussion – Business pending appeal      B. Reports Viola Davis/Joel Edwards/Rhea Johnson against Sharon Barnes Sutton – Tabled William Perry against Sharon Barnes Sutton – Tabled Sandra Kaye Bowen against Sharon Barnes Sutton – Tabled Viola…

The National Association of Counties and the Center for Digital Government recognized DeKalb County Government for utilizing technology solutions that enable and empower citizens, businesses and the government. The county won ninth place for counties with 500,000 to 999,999 citizens in the 15th annual Digital Counties Survey. “DeKalb has made and will continue to make significant investments in new technologies,” said DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. “Efficient technology allows us to provide our residents and businesses with enhanced customer service, however they choose to interact with the county.” The national survey measures county technology-driven performance and innovation. It evaluates counties on…

The Rockdale Youth Leadership (RYL) program is now accepting applications until Sept. 1, 2017 from high school sophomores aspiring to leadership with a passion for serving the community. The eight-month program, a collaboration of the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce and Rockdale County Public Schools, provides leadership development and community awareness training for 10th grade students in Rockdale County. For applications, please go to www.rockdaleschools.org/ryl. Aspiring youth leaders will have the opportunity during the program to interact with community leaders, local elected officials, and school administrators to enhance their awareness of community needs and resources. Through interactive workshops, special tours, and…