Author: On Common Ground News

MARTA recently honored two veteran bus operators for driving more than a million miles without a preventable incident. Bus operators Arluther Deadwyler and Coy Dumas Jr. received MARTA’s Million Mile Safe Driver Award — earning an elite designation among their peers nationwide. For more than four decades, Deadwyler and Dumas navigated busy streets across MARTA’s service areas.  While Deadwyler and Dumas’ routes may have changed over the year, their commitment to safety never wavered. “I’m thankful to have been recognized,” said Deadwyler, who has driven more than 1,290,000 miles incident free. “We have a job to do and rules to…

Gov. Nathan Deal, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), presented 24 businesses with GLOBE (Georgia Launching Opportunities By Exporting) Awards at the 2017 Go Global reception. The state-led awards program recognizes companies that entered into a new international market in the previous year. “The Go Global event highlights innovative businesses and the enormous impact trade has on Georgia’s economy, while providing industry leaders an opportunity to network and strengthen relationships with international partners,” said Deal. “These businesses contribute heavily to Georgia’s success in exports and significantly bolster the state’s economy by reaching new markets. In 2016,…

TUCKER—The Kingdom Builders Gospel Awards will host its inaugural Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Restoration Church of deliverance, 4874 North Royal Atlanta Road, Tucker. The theme, “Activate Your Now Faith,” will equip, empower and enable men and women to pray with greater power. Evangelist Valerie Curtis of Open Door Outreach Center in Riverdale, Georgia will be the keynote speaker. Currently, she serves as an associate minister of the Open Door Outreach Center and a Ministerial Liaison to Apostle Mary…

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Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) says the Republicans ‘Pay More For Less’ repeal bill, also known as Trumpcare, would be disastrous, leaving millions of Americans without healthcare coverage. “After all of the Republicans’ hollow promises, the cruel reality of their wretched ‘Pay More For Less’ bill has been exposed for all to see,” said Rep. Johnson.  “Trumpcare will result in millions of hard-working families losing their coverage. Trump Care also reduces access to affordable healthcare by defunding Planned Parenthood, which will make it more difficult for women, expectant mothers and children to have their healthcare needs met. To make matters worse, Trump…

DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond has announced the appointment of Talisa R. Clark as the county’s chief procurement officer. Clark, who served as the county’s interim chief procurement officer since December 2015, began working for DeKalb County Purchasing and Contracting Department in 2005. “Through Ms. Clark’s leadership, the Purchasing and Contracting Department has leveraged the use of current and new technologies to continuously improve the procurement process and offer world-class service to internal and external stakeholders,” said Thurmond. During her tenure with DeKalb County, Clark has worked as buyer assistant, administrative operations supervisor, deputy chief procurement officer and procurement deputy director.…

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) is joining in a statewide celebration this week to salute the efforts of local school board members. The week of March 13-17 has been proclaimed School Board Appreciation Week in Georgia. The observance calls attention to the contributions of local boards of education. “For the second consecutive year, our board has earned the distinction of Exemplary Board, the highest possible recognition by the Georgia School Boards Association,” says Superintendent Autry. “To earn this distinction, our board members have gone above and beyond what is required of them for training, annual goals, and continuous improvement…

The Conyers Police Explorers Post #2222 will host a car wash on Saturday, March 18, noon to 3 p.m., 900 Dogwood Drive. Donations are appreciated and will help support the Explorer program. For more information about the car wash, or the Explorer Program contact Sergeant Peggy Franklin at(678) 374-5603 or email peggy.franklin@conyersga.gov

To celebrate the great achievements of DeKalb County’s Arabia Mountain High School and its students, the PTSA of Arabia Mountain is hosting its second annual Arabia Mountain Food Festival on Saturday, March 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will be packed with lots of things to do including: Local non-food vendors from our community Local food vendors with samples for tasting Food trucks Fish fry by Dad’s Initiative Entertainment Star performances from our fabulous students Booster club fundraising events Tasting tickets are $1 each or 12 for $10. Tasting tickets will be available to purchase on the…

ATLANTA— The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is going green with an electric bus pilot program. The 40-foot Proterra Catalyst bus is on loan to MARTA as the authority explores cleaner transportation options. MARTA’s General Manager/CEO Keith Parker will lead a tour of the new electric bus on March 17 at 10 a.m. at the Authority’s headquarters. Currently, MARTA’s bus fleet is inclusive of both diesel, hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. “MARTA continues to consider options to diversify our fleet by testing a range of alternative fuel innovations to greatly reduce our overall carbon footprint while…