VOLUME 21 NUMBER 49
FREE
MARCH 12, 2016
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
Stonecrest cityhood bill advances
DeKalb’s ICEO Lee May vows to chart a course “onward and upward” By Valerie J. Morgan
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Jason Lary President Stonecrest City Alliance
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he Stonecrest cityhood bill moved another step forward with House Bill 208 unanimously passing the House Governmental Affairs Committee recently. State Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler, who is the primary sponsor of the bill, has been hosting a series of community meetings to gather citizen input for the proposal. “The citizens of South DeKalb deserve the opportunity to vote on whether or not they want to create a new city just like other cities have been afforded the opportunity and have thus formed cities in North DeKalb over the past 10 years,” Haigler said. Last year, the Senate passed the bill 45-1. The bill must clear the House Rules Committee, full House of Representatives and be signed by the governor in order for a referendum to be on the ballot in May.
eKalb County’s Interim CEO Lee May said he plans to finish his term this year by moving forward with a number of improvements to make DeKalb better. May, who isn’t running for election, said in his final State of the County address that he would push to repave the county’s worn roads, provide competitive salaries for public safety employees, revitalize Memorial Drive and launch a free afterschool program for middle school students. He said although the county already has witnessed significant improvements under his leadership, more work remains to be done as he charts a course to restore DeKalb. “The notion of good government is incumbent upon us all as we chart a course onward and upward. I know that we can get there as we forge ahead to a better DeKalb,” said May. In discussing the county’s achievements in terms of the quality of life for residents, May pointed out the increase in the number of code enforcement officers.
“Since I was appointed by the governor to this post two and a half years ago, the quality of life in our communities has been my top priority,” said May. “ I am happy to report we have made significant progress with more in store. We have increased the number of code enforcement staff from 28 to 52. We have made substantial headway on key gateway interchanges throughout DeKalb County.” May urged citizens to approve a referendum for a one percent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which will help generate $100 million a year over 5 years to continue improving the county’s aging infrastructure. “Your voice and your
ICEO Lee May
vote in November will allow this county the ability to proactively address our capital and infrastructure needs,” May said during his March 10 speech at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center in South DeKalb. Earlier during the day, May addressed the business community during a luncheon. May said he would make competitive salaries for county employees, especially first responders a priority. “Fair and equitable compensation for the DeKalb County employees is paramount,” said May. “The overwhelming majority of our workforce who are dedicated, honest and hard –working, deserve fair compensation. May discussed the
investment that he wants to make in DeKalb’s youths. His administration is working in partnership with the school system, faith-based organizations and nonprofits to launch a pilot afterschool program for middle school students. “Collectively, we will wrap our arms around one of the most vulnerable segments in our school system - our middle schoolers. By piloting this initiative, we plan to grow this into a universal afterschool program, county-wide, free of charge,” said May. May also said he is moving ahead with plans to relocate county government operations to Memorial Drive near the DeKalb County Jail. The site was See Lee May , page 10
Pack of candidates qualify for DeKalb and Rockdale elections
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s of March 10, dozens of candidates had qualified for races in DeKalb County and 16 had qualified in neighboring Rockdale County. Qualifying ends on March 11 at noon. The DeKalb CEO race had three candidates at On Common Ground News’ Thursday deadline. Here is a look at who is running for some of the top positions: Joe Bembry, who listed his occupation as automated services, former DeKalb Commissioner and State Representative Connie Stokes and former DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Michael Thurmond (all Democrats) are in the race for DeKalb CEO. The DeKalb’s Sheriff’s race has five Democrats and one Republican so far: Incumbent Jeffrey Mann, Geraldine Champion, Kyle Jones, Michael Williams, Ted Golden, all Democrats; and Republican Harold Dennis.
Two people are running for DeKalb Tax Commissioner: Irwin Johnson, who is in the position now, and Susannah Scott. Qualifying for DeKalb Clerk of Courts: Incumbent Debra Dewberry In Rockdale’s race for Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, three candidates are running:
Incumbent Richard Oden, Commissioner Oz Nesbitt and Tax Commissioner RJ Hadley, all Democrats. Two had qualified for the Rockdale’s Sheriff’s race: Incumbent Eric Levett and Donald Ferguson, both Democrats. Only one person had qualified for Rockdale Tax Commissioner: Tisa Smart Washington, who is currently the deputy tax commissioner. Qualifying for Rockdale Clerk of Courts: Incumbent Ruth Wilson and Janice Morris. Qualifying for Rockdale Probate Judge: Incumbent Charles Mays, Attorney Clarence Cuthpert,Jr. and Tolbert Morris. To find out who else has qualified for the 2016 elections, go to page 9.