Author: On Common Ground News

The Stonecrest City Council will meet on Monday, May 15, 10 a.m. at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road. Council member Diane Adoma, District 5, will host a town hall meeting on May 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Stonecrest Library. Council member Rob Turner, District 2, will host a “Listen and Learn” community meeting on June 1, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lou Walker Senior Center, 2538 Panola Road, Lithonia. Council member Jazzmin Cobble is planning a community meeting for May 25. More information will be provided when a location is determined.

DeKalb County Sheriff Jeffrey Mann is facing misdemeanor charges of public indecency and obstruction after an Atlanta Police officer said he noticed him committing indecent acts in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park in an area known for sexual activity after dark. Mann was arrested on Saturday around 11 p.m. after running from a police officer who pursued him. Mann bonded out of the Atlanta City Jail early Sunday. The police officer said in his report he noticed Mann approaching him as he stood near a tree in the park: “The male was in an area known for sexual acts after dark. Therefore,…

About 100 people attended the city of Stonecrest’s inaugural meeting, which was held this morning (May 8) at the Stonecrest Library. The meeting, conducted by Mayor Jason Larry, started at 9 a.m. and lasted for about an hour with the City Council putting into place the structure needed to begin operations. In a 3-2 vote, the five-member City Council elected council member Diane Adoma, District 5, as mayor pro tem. Council member George Turner nominated Adoma. Council member Jazzmin Cobble was nominated for the position by Council member Rob Turner. Adoma and Cobble are the only two women on the…

Rockdale County government officials said today that the renovation of its administration services parking lot has been extended. The re-opening was scheduled for May 8, however, because of multiple days of rain, the new completion date for the project is now May 29. While the renovation is under way, officials said parking for the public is available across the street at the Courthouse or in Olde Town near the Whistle Post Tavern. Also during construction, the Rockdale Water Resources (RWR) bill payment box will be relocated to the Human Resources/Board of Assessors office on the corner of Milstead and Pine…

Rockdale County officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on May 2 for a $22 million, state-of-the-art facility that will soon replace Pine Street Elementary, the oldest existing public school in the county. The 60-year-old schoolhouse, which opened in 1957 at 1300 Pine Log Road in Conyers will become home to the central office for the Rockdale School System, Schools Superintendent Richard Autry announced at the ceremony. He said repurposing the current school would not only address the sentimental value that many place on the current school, but would allow the school system to “get out of the leasing business on West…

The first elected officials of Stonecrest, a new city of 50,000 residents in Southeast DeKalb County, took their oaths of office on May 1, giving birth to the municipality’s first government. A cheering crowd witnessed the historic event, which was held at the Mall at Stonecrest on the ground level near the Sears department store. Mayor Jason Lary and the five City Council members—Jimmy Clanton (District 1), Rob Turner (District 2), Jazzmin Cobble (District 3), George Turner (District 4) and Diane Daniels Adoma (District 5)—were administered the oaths of office by DeKalb Judge Ronald Ramsey. There were so many who…

MARTA officials will host a groundbreaking ceremony on May 10 for a $25 million Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Chamblee. MARTA GM/CEO Keith Parker will be joined by Chamblee Mayor Eric Clarkson and Larry Callahan of Patillo Industrial Real Estate at the Chamblee MARTA Station for the 3 p.m. ceremony. The groundbreaking commemorates the Authority’s latest Transit Oriented Development (TOD). Named ‘Trackside” for its proximity to the adjacent rail station, the project marks MARTA’s third TOD currently under construction. The 2.16-acre site, developed by Parkside Partners and Pattillo Industrial Real Estate, will include two buildings with approximately 70,000 square-feet of office…

In honor of National Small Business Week, Congressman Hank Johnson invited Lithonia resident Jerry Myers to the nation’s capitol on May 2 as his “Small Business of the Year” recipient for the 4th Congressional District. National Small Business Week pays homage to small businesses and entrepreneurs across the nation who work every day to promote industry in their communities and create new jobs. “Entrepreneurs have always been a cornerstone of our economy and the small businesses they oversee are vital for American prosperity,” said Johnson. “It gives me great pleasure to recognize Jerry for all the hard work he does…

Conyers attorney Justin T. Kenney of Lavigno & Kenney Attorneys at Law was honored recently as the “2016 Volunteer Attorney of the Year” for Rockdale County’s Family Law Information Center (FLIC), established by Rockdale Clerk of Courts Ruth A. Wilson. Kenney received a plaque and a $1,000 check to donate to the charity of his choice. The award and check were presented during a reception on April 28 at the Rockdale County Courthouse atrium. Kenney said he hadn’t determined where the money would go but is proud to have served as a volunteer. “I was born and raised in Rockdale…

Operation Clean Sweep removed almost six tons of debris in DeKalb County on April 29 along Redan Road. To date, Operation Clean Sweep crews have removed more than 190 tons of debris from county roads. The initiative is targeting arterial roadways before turning a focus to collector, then residential, streets. Crews clear grass, trash and debris from roadway drains and curbs, mow rights-of-way and remove litter. On Saturday, May 6, crews will continue Operation Clean Sweep on Wesley Chapel Road between Covington Highway and Flat Shoals Parkway. Motorists are reminded to drive with caution around employees and equipment. Find updates…