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VOLUME 25 NUMBER 16
JULY 19, 2019 Stay connected
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Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary joins Red Cross in push for emergency blood drive
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tonecrest Mayor Jason Lary became one of the first area mayors to broadcast a public service announcement for the American Red Cross this week. The mayor joined American Red Cross Communications Manager Ronnika McFall at the Midtown Blood Center to encourage area residents to donate blood either at the city’s upcoming blood drive or by visiting a donation center. The Stonecrest Blood Drive will be held at City Hall on July 30 from 1 to 6 p.m. “We really want people to come out and support the Red Cross blood drive. It is critical that we all pitch in and do our part to save lives,” said Lary. McFall said during her interview with the mayor that the Red Cross is in emergency need for blood donations with less than a three-day supply of blood. McFall said the agency only has a two-day supply of Type O blood. The shortage is nationwide. The urgent call comes after a drop in blood and platelet donations over the Fourth of July holiday. Red Cross officials say about 450 fewer blood drives were organized by businesses and other community groups that week compared to a typical week, resulting in 17,000 fewer blood donations than needed for patients in a single week.
SEE RED CROSS page 11
Rep. Hank Johnson
Rep. Jesús G. García
Reps. Johnson, Garcia propose mandatory emergency braking system for commercial trucks
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City of Conyers breaks ground on new City Hall By Sarita Mason For On Common Ground News The city of Conyers held a groundbreaking ceremony on July 18 for its new City Hall, which will be built at 901 O’Kelly Street. Conyers Mayor Vince Evans, former Mayor Randy Mills, and council members attended the historic event. Mayor Evans said the new City Hall represents a new beginning for the city of Conyers.
“It was past time for this to happen… Things are about to get better. I believe the new City Hall is the beginning of the transformation of this area. What we hope to see over a period of time are multiple housing options amidst of office and retail space, lots of green space, and trails and parks that complement Olde Towne,” Evans said. The 38,000-square-foot City Hall, which will have two stories and a parking garage, will cost $13.5 million. The project is being funded by a bond passed by city voters last
SEE GROUNDBREAK page 11
ASHINGTON, D.C. – Seeking to make highways around the nation safer for drivers, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), along with his colleague, Rep. Jesús G. "Chuy" García of Illinois, introduced the “Safe Roads Act of 2019” (H.R. 3773), which would direct the Department of Transportation to require all new commercial motor vehicles to be equipped with an automatic emergency braking system. Johnson and Garcia announced the bill at a Capitol Hill news conference flanked by safety advocates and commercial trucking stakeholders. Johnson first introduced the bill in 2011 and again in 2015 after five Georgia nursing students were killed and three others seriously injured when a tractor-trailer failed to stop and plowed into traffic that had stopped on I-16 in Georgia. A few weeks later, in May 2015, five more people died when another tractor-trailer smashed into two cars and burst into flames on the same section of highway. “Tragically, the simple installation of automatic braking systems on all commercial motor vehicles might have prevented these deaths and countless others across the country,” said Johnson. “America’s roads and highways should be safe for all drivers. Taking full advantage of technologies that are available and proven to anticipate and prevent crashes will save lives.”
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PUBLISHER Glenn L. Morgan
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EDITOR Valerie J. Morgan
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ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill
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STAFF WRITER Mackenzie Morgan
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On Common Ground News is published weekly by On Common Ground, Inc. The newspaper serves DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Henry counties. The opinions expressed by writers and contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher or the newspaper’s advertisers. No portion of this newspaper may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. We reserve the right to reject material and advertisements we deem inappropriate.
On Common Ground News P.O. Box 904 Lithonia, GA 30058 (678) 526-1910 www.ocgnews.com
JULY 19, 2019 • PAGE 3
DeKalb Sheriff’s Office, U.S. customs arrest rape suspect Marc Brooks A Lithonia man suspected of sexual assaults against his girlfriend’s minor child has been arrested at Atlanta HartsfieldJackson International Airport by the Sex Offender Unit of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office working in conjunction with U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Office of Homeland Security. Marc Brooks Investigators took 29-year-old Marc Andrew Brooks of Lithonia into custody without incident at the airport on July 15 when U.S. Customs authorities were alerted of outstanding arrest warrants out of DeKalb County. Brooks is accused of two counts of felony aggravated child molestation and one count of felony rape. Brooks was transported to the DeKalb County Jail.
CONYERS CVS BOLO On July 10, 2019 at approximately 0110 hours, the subject pictured entered 1541 GA 20 NE, CVS, and attempted to purchase an item with a $100 bill. When given change for the bill, he took both the $100 and the change and left the location. Tipsters will remain anonymous and are asked to contact Crime Stoppers with any information: Call: 404.577.TIPS (8477) Click: www.CrimeStoppersAtlanta. org
Grand opening set for Lithonia Woman’s Club Pocket Park
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oin DeKalb County, the City of Lithonia and the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance on Friday, July 26, 9:30 a.m., for the grand opening of the Lithonia Woman’s Club Pocket Park. The event will be held at 2564 Wiggins St., Lithonia. The new park celebrates Lithonia’s history – from the Woman’s Club to civic leaders such as Luscious Sanders to the growth of the quarry industry – and serves as a historic gateway to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA). Located next to the historic Lithonia Woman’s Club and in the heart of the historic downtown, the new park offers space for visitors to reflect on the area’s rich history. The AMNHA is a federally-designated National Park Service affiliate that includes the entirety of downtown Lithonia. The new Pocket Park is a key part of ongoing efforts to tell the world about this historically significant place and community. Lithonia was a hub for the quarry industry, shipping granite to build structures such as the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, as well as the scene of civil rights and woman’s movements. Visitors to the Pocket Park will be able to discover the stories of Lithonia and the AMNHA as they enjoy the new greenspace. Hosted by DeKalb County, the City of Lithonia and the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, speakers will commemorate this historically important site, celebrate the history of Lithonia and open the new Pocket Park to the public. Speakers will also announce upcoming improvements to the AMNHA paved trail system in downtown Lithonia.
Dr. Naim Shaheed urges community to support 100 Black Men of DeKalb’s scholarship gala Dr. Naim G. Shaheed, DPM, is excited to return for the fourth consecutive year as chair of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County’s 2019 Casino Royale Scholarship Gala, and he’s inviting the community to join him in supporting the black-tie event. The gala, which raises scholarships for high school graduates of the organization’s Leadership Academy mentoring program, will be held on Aug. 10, 6 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 265 Peachtree St., Atlanta. “I’ve been coming back year after year to serve as chair because I enjoy building on our Leadership Academy’s success and I believe that it is critical for our community,
Dr. Naim G. Shaheed
particularly, our businesses to support our youths,” said Shaheed. Shaheed has a long history
CITY OF STONECREST PLANNING COMMISSION, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, AUG 6TH 2019 AT 6:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD STONECREST, GA 30038 CITY OF STONECREST MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, PUBLIC HEARING: MONDAY, AUG 26TH 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. CITY OF STONECREST, 3120 STONECREST BLVD STONECREST, GA 30038 The following petition(s)/amendment(s) within the City of Stonecrest is scheduled for Public Hearings as stated above. LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
RZ-19-006 Halpern Enterprises. Inc c/o Battle Law 6024 Covington Highway MR-2 (Med Density) Conditional Zoning District Applicant is requesting to rezone 3.0 acres to C-1 (Local Commercial) for future commercial development.
LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
RZ-19-007 Rocklyn Homes c/o Battle Law 1794 Phillips Road R-100 (Residential Med Lot) Zoning District Applicant is requesting to rezone 30 acres to RSM (Small Lot Residential Mix) Zoning District for the development of 240 fee simple single attached units at a density of 8 units per acre.
of community service and a distinguished career as one of metroAtlanta’s leading podiatrists. During the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, he served on the physicians committee, where he was assigned to the foot and ankle divisions and was responsible for the care of athletes from all over the world. Today, Shaheed serves as the troupe physician for Atlanta’s Ballethnic Dance Co. His appointments include serving as chief of staff at Emory Hillandale Hospital and serving on the Emory Healthcare Board of Directors. Through his private practice, Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia, he treats several collegiate and professional athletes at his offices
located at Emory Hillandale Hospital, 6000 Hillandale Drive, Suite 125, Lithonia/Stonecrest; and at the Emory University campus, 550 Peachtree St., Suite 1615, Atlanta. Shaheed said he prides his volunteer work with the 100 Black Men of DeKalb. The group’s Leadership Academy, he said, has a 97 percent success rate with students in the program matriculating to the nation’s top colleges. “A large majority of the students who participate in our Leadership Academy are from single-family households and they need that extra hand to help with college expenses,” Shaheed said.
SEE GALA page 11
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Zakiya Harmony musical performance set Aug. 13
Rockdale sets Backto-School bonfire for high school juniors and seniors
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ockdale County Government and Rockdale County Public Schools are hosting a back-to-school bonfire for high school juniors and seniors on Aug. 2, 6 – 9 p.m., on the field at 1400 Parker Road. The event will feature athletic teams, cheer teams and bands from Heritage, Salem and Rockdale County high schools. Students will have the opportunity to show school pride and fellowship with their peers, county officials and community leaders. Rockdale County Fire-Rescue and the Rockdale Sheriff’s Office will be on site to share opportunities in public safety with the youths. Students of all ages are welcome, however, those who are below high school freshmen must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The event will not be held if there is inclement weather.
Zakiya Harmony
DeKalb Cooperative Extension announces tree diagnostics workshop DeKalb County Cooperative Extension will host a tree diagnostics class on Aug. 13, 6:45 to 8:30 p.m., at the DeKalb County Extension Office Auditorium, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Attendees will learn signs to make sure trees are thriving. The class is $10 per person. To register, call the DeKalb County Cooperative Extension Office at 404-298-4080 or visit the main office.
FREE FAMILY REUNION PLANNING WORKSHOP
Saturday, August 10, 2019 Atlanta Marriott Northeast/Emory Area Discover DeKalb’s workshops offer planning tips, expert advice, and are complimentary. Call 770-492-5018 or pre-register online at discoverdekalb.com. #DISCOVERDEKALB
Join local musician Zakiya Harmony for a free performance on Tuesday Aug. 13, 7 to 8 p.m., at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur. Harmony is a singer, songwriter, and musician with a soulful, sultry musical style. She began her journey with music at the tender age of 9 as a saxophone player in her school band. She went on to express herself by learning guitar and writing her own songs. Harmony has performed at many venues around the Atlanta area. Her unique style of music and her life story set her apart. “I just want to impact the world through positive music and music that has helped me get through so many obstacles in life”, says Zakiya. “Everyone has a purpose in life and I believe my purpose is to inspire others through music.” Funding for the program is provided by the Friends of the Decatur Library.
NOTICE OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASE The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) has tentatively adopted a 2019 millage rate which will require an increase in property taxes by 7.14 percent. All concerned citizens are invited to the public hearing on this tax increase to be held in the Assembly Hall located at 901 Main Street, Conyers, Georgia 30012 on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. This tentative increase will result in a millage rate of 20.19 mills, an increase of 1.345 mills. Without this tentative tax increase, the millage rate will be no more than 18.845 mills. The proposed tax increase for a home with a fair market value of $100,000 is approximately $33.63 and the proposed tax increase for non-homestead property with a fair market value of $300,000 is approximately $161.40. Further, the BOC will hold a Called Meeting on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Assembly Hall, 901 Main Street, Conyers, 30012, for the purpose of setting the 2019 Millage Rate.
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CHURCHESNOW.ORG
2019 Courageous Conversations Panelists Greater Piney Grove Church, 1921 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, will host “Courageous Conversations” on Aug. 1-2. Courageous Conversations pairs black voices trained in both conservative and progressive spaces to discuss topics that are relevant for the church and culture. The conference will feature 28 prominent black scholars and pastors from different theological positions who will discuss topics such as hell, biblical interpretation, sin and sexual ethics. For details, visit www.courageousconvos.org.
Rockdale County
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Faith & Spirit Community Calendar Strong Tower Christian Life Ministries to offer firsttime homebuyer workshop, backpack giveaway Strong Tower Christian Life Ministries, 5478 Memorial Drive, Suite C, Stone Mountain, will present the First-Time Homebuyer Workshop and Backpack Giveaway Community Event on Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by Citizens Trust Bank and Willis Mitchell & Associates Realty and will offer: • Education: Attendees will participate in a workshop that provides information on first time homebuyer programs and how to qualify. • Counseling: Attendees who bring a credit report can get specific advice for pre-approval. • Community activities and service: Games and food will be provided. Additionally, backpacks and school supplies will be distributed. To register for the event, visit: http://bit.ly/hbbtse
Women’s Prayer & Picnics in the Park set There is strength in numbers. Halaveshia S. Hall, author of “Hey Sister, I’m Praying With You!” hosts the Women’s Prayer & Picnics in the park at Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive Northeast on Saturday, July 27, and Aug. 24. Sisters of all walks of life meet up for prayer and fellowship at the 12th Street entrance in front of Willy’s between 11 to 11:30 a.m. to give everyone a chance to arrive. Bring your favorite food item. Go to eventbrite.com and search for “Women’s Prayer & Picnics in the Park.” Select a date to attend. The event is free.
King Center to host “Beloved Community” International EXPO The King Center’s second annual “Beloved Community International EXPO” is Saturday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. -7 p.m. The expo is free and open to the public. In collaboration with the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Atlanta Consulate Corps and other key partners, the Expo will transform The King Center’s campus and the adjacent street into a “World House” of celebration, fun, music, dance, performances, and activities. For more information, go to thekingcenter.org.
Chi Tau Omega hosts Summer Reading Program 2019 at Bethlehem Baptist Church For the ninth consecutive year, the Chi Tau Omega Chapter welcomed children ages 4-12 to its June 2019 Summer Reading Room at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Covington, GA. Volunteers for the program focused on sharing the love of reading with activities aligned with the early childhood standards and the English Language Arts standards for grades 1 – 6. The program also provided reading activities geared toward college and career readiness standards for listening, writing and speaking. Chi Tau Omega’s Reading Committee partners with other community organizations to ensure that children who attend the CTO Summer Reading Program have a well-rounded experience. The 2019 partners for the program include Bethlehem Baptist Church, Newton County Sherriff’s Department, Newton County Book Mobile and Newton County School District.
YOUR CHURCH FLOW Coming Aug. 2 to Churchesnow.org Digital Magazine Whether you like dressing up or down, Your Church Flow is your very own unique expression and celebration of your faith walk. E-mail us a picture wearing an outfit that reflects your style and we will share it with our readers in churchesnow.org digital magazine. Send the photo, your name and house of worship to: editor@ocgnews.com. We will launch the new feature on Aug. 2
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JULY 19, 2019 • PAGE 7
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MARTA hires Collie Greenwood as new chief of bus operations Collie Greenwood, formerly the chief service officer with the Toronto Transit Commission, has joined MARTA as chief of bus operations. In his role, Greenwood will be responsible for daily operations and maintenance of MARTA’s bus system, which includes a fleet of 532 buses and paratransit vans. With 32 years in the transit industry, Greenwood has experience in operations, administration and service delivery, giving him an appreciation for longstanding transit principles that he will rely on to improve service delivery and reliability. Collie Green “When you turn on the faucet, you expect water; when you flip the switch, you expect lights. You don’t think about it until you don’t get it,” says Greenwood. “That’s what I’m aiming for with MARTA’s bus service – being on time and in good repair so our customers don’t have to think about it. It will take employee buy-in and some time, but getting the basics right every day is at the core of customer service.” General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker said that buses are a critical part of MARTA’s service provision, representing nearly 42 percent of average daily ridership – roughly 152,400 people per day. “MARTA fully recognizes the importance of bus service, and we are committed to improving our service, with the ultimate goal of a world-class user experience,” Parker says. “Collie Greenwood has demonstrated that he has the imagination, creativity and pragmatism necessary to lead a collaborative transformation of our bus service.” As part of MARTA’s commitment to bus operations, the fiscal year 2020 budget includes funding for “The Year of the Bus (YOTB),” a longterm initiative aimed at ensuring high quality service. The Bus Operators Task Force, part of the YOB initiative, is a team tasked with developing solutions that address recruitment, hiring and retention of appropriately skilled bus operators to serve MARTA’s customers. Greenwood, who began his career as a bus operator, will assume leadership of the task force and plans to have productive conversations with operators and stakeholders to help him make assessments that will lead to revitalization. Greenwood, who earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, started work on July 3.
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DeKalb Commissioner Larry Johnson elected 2nd vice president of NACo
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eKalb County Commissioner Larry Johnson has been elected 2nd Vice President of the National Association of Counties (NACo). “I am honored to be elected as NACo’s next 2nd Vice President,” said Johnson, who has more than 17 years of government experience. “I will bring my public health knowledge, depth of experience, solid leadership, dedication and commitment to help continue to move NACo forward.” Johnson’s platform included world-class infrastructure, entrepreneurship, innovation Larry Johnson and prevention. He has worked with former President Jimmy Carter on a local project in Atlanta that focused on building communities. Additionally, he has been appointed by nine NACo presidents, serving as chairman of the Health Committee, International Economic Development Committee, Large Urban County Caucus, Healthy Counties and Health Disparities Committee. Founded in 1935, NACo’s goal is to strengthen America’s counties, including nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees through advocacy.
Ten DCSD students named National Merit Scholars
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he DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is pleased to announce that ten graduating seniors in the Class of 2019 have received National Merit Scholarships. Following three announcements from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), students from Chamblee Charter, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, and Lakeside high schools have been named among 7,600 winners nationwide. DCSD students are represented in all three categories—CorporateSponsored, National Merit $2,500 and College-Sponsored—with each offering a distinct blend of benefits. Each student was required to write a personal essay, provide information about extracurricular activities, list awards, and describe any leadership positions held. The winners are considered to have the strongest combination of academic skills and achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and potential for success in a rigorous college environment. The following student received a Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship, courtesy of a gracious community partner as well as NMSC: • Oliver Hewett – Lakeside High School – Southern Company Hewett is one of 1,000 distinguished high school scholars to be awarded a Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship. As a selectee, he is eligible for renewable funds ranging from $500 to $10,000 per year while pursuing his undergraduate degree, with some students receiving a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000. The following students received $2,500 National Merit Scholarships: • Alyssa Wu – Chamblee Charter High School • Rohan Misra – Chamblee Charter High School • Noah Covey – Dunwoody High School • Lydia Fletcher – Dunwoody High School • Zoe Weiss – Lakeside High School DCSD students who received the $2,500 National Merit Scholarship were chosen among 2,500 others in a pool numbering more than 15,000 nationwide. Each will receive a one-time payment of $2,500. The following students received College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships, courtesy of the accompanying higher education institution as well as NMSC: • Hailey Maxwell – Chamblee Charter High School – University of Georgia • Brian Hazelwood – Chamblee Charter High School – University of Georgia • Maxwell Mueller – Druid Hills High School – University of Georgia • Josie Douglas-Brown – Lakeside High School – Emory University The winners are among 3,500 selected nationwide. Each student is eligible for funds ranging between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution sponsoring the scholarship. NMSC is a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance. NMSC was established in 1955 to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. The majority of National Merit Scholarships offered each year are underwritten by some 400 independent corporate and college sponsors that support NMSC’s efforts to honor the nation’s scholastically talented youth and encourage academic excellence at all levels of education. By the conclusion of the 2019 competition, about 7,600 finalists will have been selected to receive National Merit Scholarships totaling over $31 million.
State Sen. Emanuel Jones appointed to Senate Study Committee on the Financial Efficiency Star Rating State Sen. Emanuel Jones (D – Decatur) was recently appointed to the Senate Study Committee on the Financial Efficiency Star Rating by Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan. “The Financial Efficiency Star Rating system is an important measurement of how school districts allocate their funds on a per-student basis and how that relates to academic performance,” said Jones, who said he hopes to help find solutions where disparities exist. The Senate Study Committee on the Financial Efficiency Star Rating was created through the passage State Sen. Emanuel Jones of Senate Resolution 452, sponsored by Jones during the 2019 Legislative Session. The five-member committee will study the state’s Star Rating process and suggest any potential changes. The committee must submit its findings by Dec. 1, 2019.
State Sen. Gloria Butler appointed to physicians, RN oversight committee State Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain) has been appointed by Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan to serve as a member of the Senate Study Committee on Evaluating and Simplifying Physician Oversight of Physician Assistants and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. “I am honored to be chosen to sit on this study committee and hear from all interested parties on the current regulations surrounding physician assistants and APRNs,” said Butler. “I’ve been a member on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee State Sen. Gloria Butler for a number of legislative sessions and this is a topic that continually is brought up by advocates.” The five-member study committee, created by the passage of Senate Resolution 202 during the 2019 Legislative Session, will review the current regulations surrounding physician oversight, the various state licensing boards that govern the parties and the realities of implementing the regulations in practice. The committee must report its findings by Dec. 1, 2019.
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JULY 19, 2019 • PAGE 11
GROUNDBREAK continued from page 1
year. Construction will begin in August and is set to be completed in Fall 2020. Reeves Young and Precision Planning Inc. was awarded the architectural and design contract for the building. Former Conyers Mayor Randy Mills described the new City Hall as a “game changer” for the city. “We started talking about redevelopment and how to bring people to the area about eight years ago. Redesigning a new city hall and using that as a catalyst is what we would do,” Mills said during his remarks at the ceremony. “Eight years later, this is where we are. There are some major things happening here and it will be the best for all of Rockdale County.” Liz Hudson, an architect with Precision
Planning Inc., thanked council members for the opportunity to work with Conyers on the project. “This a dream job for us. We feel like we’re going to be giving you a more secure and functional building that’s versatile and also that is welcoming to the community,” said Hudson. The existing City Hall at 1184 Scott Street was established in 1965 and served citizens for 23 years before expansion was required in 1988, city officials said. Since then, the population has doubled along with the number of city employees. The original city hall building used to be an old gas company and had a limited amount of space for employees. Sharon Morgan, who has worked in the city’s Human Resources Department for over 33 years,
said the staff members are excited about the move to a new facility. They will not have to go through a maze of smaller buildings and offices to perform their jobs. “We had to walk outside of our building to get to City Hall and other departments in rain, sleet, snow or hail,” said Morgan. “We’re just happy this is happening, and we don’t have to worry if it is 100 degrees outside or 20 degrees outside to get to each other.” Officials say the new building will help consolidate a number of city departments under one roof: Administration and Finance, Human Resources, IT, Public Relations and Tourism, and Planning and Inspections departments.
Donors who attend the city of Stonecrest’s upcoming blood drive should bring a valid photo ID. Donors are urged to drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in iron (green, leafy vegetables, beans, broccoli, tofu, eggs, beef, chicken) before donating. People who are unable to participate in
the Stonecrest blood drive may visit www. redcrossblood.org and enter their ZIP code to find a nearby donation center. Information on hosting a blood drive can be found at redcrossblood.org/hostadrive. To view Mayor Lary’s PSA for the Red Cross, go to: https://youtu.be/lU7aqmOpmg0.
programs for students,” said Shaheed. Tracye Hutchins, co-anchor of CBS Morning News, and radio personality Jarard J, of 107.5/97.5(WAMS), will co-host the Casino Royale Scholarship Gala. Guests attending the event will be entertained by the smooth sensations of Atlanta-based R&B
group SILK. Violinist Brianna Robinson will perform as guests arrive to enjoy Las Vegas-style casino games, raffles with fabulous prizes, and a live and silent auctions. For more information, visit the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, Inc. at 100bmod.org.
RED CROSS continued from page 1 African Americans are especially encouraged to give because they are underrepresented as donors. Officials say with African American donors’ help, the Red Cross is able to provide patients of the same racial background blood that is more genetically similar and a more likely match.
GALA continued from page 3 Last year, the nonprofit mentoring organization, which is open to students in grades 6-12, provided six of its graduates with scholarships. This year, 10 students will receive scholarships at the gala, Shaheed said. “Our goal is to provide not only scholarships but to expand the Leadership Academy’s
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