Author: On Common Ground News

The movie, “Hidden Figures,” isn’t just a movie on the big screen. It’s the inspiration for DeKalb County Commissioner Gregory Adams first awards program. The new commissioner honored 18 female trailblazers at his inaugural Hidden Figures of DeKalb” awards luncheon on March 23 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center in Decatur. Adams was joined by DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, DeKalb Commissioners Larry Johnson, Jeff Rader, Steve Bradshaw and actress Kim Fields (sitcom “Living Single” and “The Facts of Life.”) in presenting the awards during Women’s History Month. “It was such a great program. I am so…

Attorney Dwight Thomas has filed a lawsuit on behalf of former DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton against DeKalb Ethics Officer Stacey Kalberman and the DeKalb County Board of Ethics. The suit, filed on March 21 in DeKalb County Superior Court, alleges Kalberman and the board violated state law by directing her to lobby the DeKalb County Legislation Delegation. The suit comes amidst three ethics complaints now filed against Kalberman and the board. Amos King and Rhea Johnson filed complaints on March 23 concerning Kalberman lobbying. Last week, State Rep. Vernon Jones filed an ethics complaint against her with the…

Water and sewer utility rates would go up 6 percent per year over a five-year period under a proposal Rockdale County officials are considering. The rate hike would amount to about $3 per month on an average water bill for residential customers, county officials said. Rockdale Water Resources is working with a consulting firm to study water and sewer rates to support replacement of the county’s aging infrastructure. The $57.4 million Capital Improvement Program includes $18 million for a new 3 MGD Wastewater Plant. The 3 MGD wastewater plant to increase the county’s existing sewer capacity for growing business opportunities.…

Rockdale County’s Johnson Park Recreation Center, at 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers, is undergoing renovation that is expected to take three months to complete. The project, which began March 13, includes a facelift, new non-slip flooring, paint, and new carpet throughout the facility. It will also provide a new check-in counter in the reception area and a separation wall with controlled access to the gymnasium. The pool area will also be renovated with new windows, a new pool deck, and new drains and grates. The gymnasium will receive new ventilation fans and the public restrooms will be renovated to be ADA…

FEATURED EVENT: ATLANTA   Pillow fight in the park A free community pillow fight will take place on Saturday, April 1, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Grant Park, 840 Cherokee Ave. SE. Bring your best friend or worst enemy to join the rest of the world in International Pillow Fight Day. This is a free event for adults and kids, but donations are appreciated. Participants are asked to bring soft pillows without feathers and to avoid being too aggressive as this is a family friendly event. The event will take place on the corner of Cherokee Ave. SE…

DeKalb County Tax Commissioner Irvin J. Johnson is reminding residents that all homestead applications must be received by the April 3 deadline in order for the exemptions to be granted and applied to the 2017 annual property taxes. Although applications are accepted year round, any approved application received after the April 3 deadline will be granted for the 2018 tax year. DeKalb residents who owned and resided in their property on Jan. 1, 2017 may qualify for a basic homestead exemption. The homestead exemption, which provides a significant tax savings to homeowners, must be applied for in person, by mail…

DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will host the 31st Annual DeKalb County Senior Olympics, May 1-10, at venues across the county. Participant registration is available through April 15. Participants are encouraged to register as individuals or as teams and will compete in a variety of sports, including free-throw basketball, bowling, horseshoes, track and field, billiards, swimming, table tennis and water volleyball. Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each event. The DeKalb County Senior Olympic Games is open to all residents of DeKalb and surrounding counties. Online registration is available at…

Christopher Smith, a junior at Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County, is the new state president of the Future Business Leaders of America(FBLA). As president for 2017-2018, Smith will lead the largest chapter in the nation with over 25, 000 members. Smith was elected at the Georgia FBLA State Leadership Conference, which was held in Athens March 12-14. In addition to his election as president, Smith also received the Business Achievement Award-America Level and he placed ninth in “Website Design.“ His two teammates, Jayden Shepherd and Jeremiah Adeola, placed second in the “Emerging Business Issues” category, advancing to the national competition,…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is proud to announce two students from the International Entertainment and Business Leadership Academy at Salem High School (SHS) – senior Gradea Harris and junior Demetrious Sampson – will compete at the national Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competition in Anaheim, California this June. This is the first time RCPS students have advanced to the national FBLA stage in more than 14 years. Gradea Harris won first place in Healthcare Administration, beating out 206 students at the state competition. She previously placed fifth in the same category at the regional level. Demetrious Sampson won…

Ten DeKalb County 4-H members received honors in their project areas in the Northwest District Project Achievement competition held on March 10-12. Twenty-three students represented the DeKalb Cooperative Extension’s 4-H club at the district competition at Rock Eagle 4-H Center, which attracted 275 middle school and 378 high school 4-H members from 36 competing counties in the Northwest District. Senior District project winners include: Ansley Lockett, Nia Morrison, and Artis Trice of Arabia Mountain High School, first place, food safety and preservation, environmental, and fruits, nuts and vegetable categories. Quan Usher of Columbia High and Evans Bryn of Greater…