VOLUME 22 NUMBER 41
FREE
JANUARY 21, 2017
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
DeKalb CEO Thurmond proposes $1.3 billion budget
Homegoing service set for Bishop Eddie L. Long
B
ishop Eddie L. Long will be remembered with a homeDeKalb County CEO Migoing celebration set for chael Thurmond released his first Wednesday, proposed operating budget of Jan. 25, 11 $1.3 billion for fiscal year 2017, promising to also address chron- a.m., at New ic issues in the county including Birth Missionary Bapinaccurate water billing, blight tist Church, and unemployment. “This budget provides a 6400 Woodframework for strengthening row Road, the government’s fiscal condiLithonia. tion, improving public safety, The public annualizing the fiscal year 2016 viewing will pay and compensation increases be held on and funding various infrastrucMay 12,1953 - January 15,2017 ture and capital improvements,” Tuesday, Jan. Thurmond said. “By proactively 24, 11 a.m. to managing our resources, we will 7 p.m. at the church. be able to maintain a projected Organizers say the public may arrive $50.1 million fund balance, as early as 8 a.m. to attend the funeral which equals one month’s oper- and will be allowed in as space permits. ating revenue.” No cameras or cell phone pictures or Prior to the official adoption video recording will be allowed inside of the budget, the administration will submit funding proposals to the church or on the campus, except authorized news media. Fox 5 News will address inaccurate water billing; residential and commercial provide pool news coverage for all television media. At On Common Ground blight; and unemployment, the News’ deadline, organizers were working administration said in a news release. on a plan for radio and print media. The meeting regularly on Bishop Long, senior pastor of New that… Birth, died before dawn on Jan. 15 after a long battle with an aggressive form of “We will inform the Board cancer. He was 63. of Commissioners and the public During a visit with On Common of the results of our internal evaluations and analysis of cur- Ground News Publishers Glenn and Valrent and past efforts,” Thurmond erie Morgan, Elder Vanessa Long, Bishsaid. Included in the fiscal year 2017 proposed budget is: • $17.2 million to fully fund the pay raises approved last year. • $2.1 million to fund 20 additional police positions and 36 more fire rescue personnel and $600,000 for police body cameras. • $4 million to fund road resurfacing efforts. • $5.4 million to fund the second phase of the Tobie Grant Intergenerational Center, $400,000 for Ellenwood Park and $100,000 for the Lou Walker Senior Center. • $1.4 million to start payments on bonds for the new animal services facility. • $983,000 to contribute toward overdue park maintenance. The Board of Commissioners must approve the budget by the end of February. Two public hearings have been set: Feb. 14 and Feb. 28. Additional public hearings and town halls on the budget will be announced.
Bishop Long speaks to his congregation about spiritual warfare in 2008. OCG News archives
op Long’s wife of 27 years, expressed gratitude for supporters. “She smiled and she looked beautiful as she always does. She was very kind,” the Morgans stated. Elder Long issued the following statement regarding her husband’s death: “I am confidant through my belief in God that my husband is now resting in a better place. Although his transition leaves a void for those of us who loved him dearly, we can celebrate and be happy for him knowing he’s at peace.” Deeply committed to his church, even in his last days, Bishop Long delivered his final message and helped usher in the New Year with his congregation. Bishop Long was known as one of
Homeless surveys in metro Atlanta set
Volunteers will hit the streets to count the homeless living under bridges, on the streets, in shelters and in other places in the city of Atlanta as part of an annual report for the U.S. Census. The count in Atlanta will take place during a 24-hour period on Jan. 23 that will last overnight. DeKalb County also is participating in the count to determine its number of homeless. DeKalb’s count will take place Thursday, Jan. 26, lasting overnight. The surveys, which will include demographics for individuals living in shelters as well as those who are unsheltered, will help local officials to obtain federal funding to continue assistance and establish programs for homelessness. Last year, Partners for HOME, the Atlanta Homeless Continuum-of-Care and more than 300 volunteers identified a total population of 4,063 homeless individuals, a six percent decrease in the homeless population from 2015 and a 26 percent decrease from 2013 overall. “The Point-In-Time Homeless Count is a vital initiative that the City of Atlanta undertakes annually to determine the state of our homeless population and to determine additional resources and partnerships of value to end homeless- See Homeless surveys, page 10 ness,” said Mayor Kasim Reed.
the most influential faith leaders in the world. He stood strong as a pioneering leader and revolutionary mind changer. Through his global ministry, Long inspired thousands of believers around the world. In addition to his wife, Vanessa Long, Bishop Long is survived by four children: Eric, Edward, Jared and Taylor and three grandchildren. Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes is handling the homegoing service. Those who would like to leave messages of condolences for the Long family may do so during visitation or by visiting the web site: levettfuneralhome.com.
Volunteers needed for DeKalb homeless count DeKalb County Community Development Department is seeking 100 volunteers to sign up for a street count and survey of the county’s homeless. The count will take place Thursday, Jan. 26, at 9 p.m., lasting overnight. “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires each community to conduct a biennial pointin-time homeless count,” said Allen Mitchell, director of Community Development. “For the past five years, DeKalb has conducted an annual count in order to identify the scope of homelessness, document the impact of actions to address homelessness and identify any additional resources that are required.” Volunteers will meet at their designated deployment locations for training and enumeration team assignments. Teams will be comprised of three to four community volunteers: a driver, navigator, recorder and surveyor. Utilizing a See Volunteers, page 10