VOLUME 22 NUMBER 43
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FEBRUARY 4, 2017
Published Since April 1995 Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties • www.facebook.com/ocgnews
City of Decatur Municipal Court offers amnesty to drivers
DECATUR—The City of Decatur Municipal Court is offering amnesty to drivers who have outstanding violations. The amnesty program, which began Feb. 1 and goes through May 1, offers individuals the chance to resolve past-due traffic citations and active bench warrants for failure to appear in court. Failure to appear in court may result in a driver’s license suspension. The goal and purpose of the amnesty program is to help restore as many drivers as possible to legal status to drive on Georgia roadways and to avoid more harm to their driving history with additional charges and fines. Amnesty will save drivers money as well because warrant and other fees, if any, will be waived. Individuals with outstanding violations may walk in to the Decatur Municipal Court Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For those who are unable to go to the court during the week, the following Saturdays court options are available: Feb. 11 and 25, March 11 and 25 and April 8 and 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Additionally, on Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m., a full court session is scheduled for individuals with outstanding violations and warrants to resolve their outstanding violations without facing any additional charges or costs. Any person with a failure to appear warrant who pays the fine to resolve the original citation violation will receive documentation to submit to the Department of Drivers Services to have their driver’s license reinstated, if suspended. If the original violation such as DUI, suspended driver’s license or no insurance requires a mandatory court appearance, individuals should appear on Amnesty Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m., as well. The court encourages anyone who believes they may have an outstanding matter in the City of Decatur Municipal Court to take advantage of the Amnesty Program. The City of Decatur Municipal Court is located at 420 W. Trinity Place, Decatur. For more information, call 678-553-6655 or visit the city’s website at www. decaturga.com.
Falcons Fever
Atlanta fans celebrate 51st Super Bowl
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan /OCG News
S
tudents and faculty at Georgia Piedmont Technical College were among the fans who have shown their pride for the Atlanta Falcons’ NFC Championship win and the 2017 Super Bowl LI. Every since Atlanta learned the Falcons were going to the Super Bowl in Houston, the city has been
awash with red and black and happy fans cheering on the Dirty Birds to “Rise Up” in the big game against the New England Patriots. Even Gov. Nathan Deal has gotten in on the act. Deal proclaimed Feb. 3 as Falcons Friday at the state capitol. DeKalb County CEO Michael
Thurmond declared Atlanta Falcons Day in DeKalb. To celebrate, Thurmond scheduled a pep rally for Feb. 3 for county employees featuring food, music and special appearances from former Atlanta Falcons and the original Atlanta Falcons Bird Lady at the Manuel Maloof Auditorium in Decatur.
MEET THE STONECREST CANDIDATES Rep. Vernon Jones to moderate Stonecrest political forum
State Rep. Vernon Jones
STONECREST—The 20 candidates running for elections in the newly-created city of Stonecrest will square off in debates at their first political forum on Feb. 11. The forum will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road.
State Rep. Vernon Jones, who is co-sponsoring the political forum with On Common Ground News, will introduce the candidates. Three candidates are running for mayor and 17 are seeking one of five City Council seats. Jones, who will serve as moderator, will be joined by State Representatives Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) and Pam Stephenson (D-Decatur). “I am honored to be the moderator of this political forum,” said Jones. “Since Stonecrest cityhood won at the ballot box in November, folks in southeast DeKalb have been curious about who would step up as their next municipal leaders. I believe it’s prudent to bring the candidates together with their future constituents and allow them to address our issues and express their vision for the future of Stonecrest.”
Legislation allowing a referendum vote to decide Stonecrest’s existence was approved by the General Assembly last year and approved by voters in November. The DeKalb Board of Registration and Elections has scheduled a hearing on Feb. 9, 4:30 p.m., to determine if Mary-Pat Hector will be allowed to run for the Stonecrest City Council, Post 4 seat. One of the candidates in that race, George Turner, Jr., is challenging Hector ‘s qualifications—her age—to hold office. Hector is 19. The board must determine if Hector must be 21 to serve. Advance voting for the Stonecrest elections will be held Feb. 27-March 17 at DeKalb County’s main voting precinct, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur. Election Day is March 21 and voters may go to their assigned precincts on that day.
PAGE 2 •FEBRUARY 4, 2017 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
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FEBRUARY 4, 2017 • PAGE 3
Rockdale Chairman to deliver inaugural “State of the County” address
ADVERTISING MANAGER Richard S. Hill richardhill@ocgnews.com
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.
OZ Nesbitt
Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. will present his vision for 2017
in his inaugural address on Thursday, March 9. The State of the County breakfast, hosted by the Council for Quality Growth and Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, will be held at 8 a.m., at the Georgia International Horse Park Carriage Room, 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, Conyers. Nesbitt also will present an evening address for the community on March 9, 7 p.m., at the Rockdale County Auditorium, 983 Main St., Conyers.
Nesbitt plans to share information on administrative improvements, his goal of top-notch customer service at all levels of governments, his economic development vision and ways he plans to work with local government partners such as the City of Conyers. The business breakfast requires registration to attend. Admission is $25 per person. To register or for more information, visit www.councilforqualitygrowth.org or contact
Amanda Janaskie at aj@ councilforqualitygrowth.org or 770-813-3381. The evening address to the community does not require an RSVP or ticket. The winner of the 2016 Charles P. Cole-Lewis Belcher, Jr. Citizen Involvement Award will be presented to a citizen at this time. Chairman Nesbitt mainly selects this individual because of his or her dedication of time and energy in serving the Rockdale community.
Praying for Rockdale
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 News 24/7 @ www.ocgnews.com
DeKalb parks and rec hiring for summer DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs is accepting applications for numerous seasonal summer employment opportunities including summer food monitors, camp counselors, recreation assistants and bus drivers. The deadline is March 27. Applicants must be 18 or older, unless applying for lifeguard or pool manager positions. Lifeguards and pool managers, who must be 16 or older. Proof of current certification from American Red Cross or other nationally recognized aquatic training programs is required for all aquatic positions. All applicants selected will be required to successfully complete a drug and alcohol screening and criminal background check prior to employment. To view available positions or complete an application, visit DeKalb County’s job search portal here, or visit www.dekalbcountyga. gov, select “How Do I,” then “Apply” For Jobs.
Clergy in Rockdale County gathered on Jan. 30 to pray for newly-elected Chairman Oz Nesbitt and leaders of Rockdale to move the county forward. Pastor Eric W. Lee, Sr. of Springfield Baptist Church led the group of 17 clergy members off in the “hour of power” prayer. The prayer was held in Nesbitt’s office. Photos by Glenn Morgan | On Common Ground News
DeKalb school district accepting applications for E-SPLOST Advisory Committee The DeKalb County School District invites members of the public to volunteer for a 12-member E-SPLOST Advisory Committee. The committee provides citizen review of the voter-approved SPLOST project list. Qualified candidates must be citizens who reside within the boundaries of the DeKalb County School District, may not be members of the Board of Education or employees of the School District, and may not have any economic interest in any of the District’s projects. Experience in accounting, architecture, auditing, construction, engineering, finance, K-12 education,
legal, planning, project management and/or real estate is desired. Members must be volunteers who can dedicate at least two hours to monthly meetings, generally in the evenings. Members must pass a background check and sign a non-disclosure agreement. Interested DeKalb County residents who want to be considered for the committee can submit their information online at http://www.dekalbschoolsga.org/e-splost-advisory-committee/. Online applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10.
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DeKalb Tennis Center to celebrate new management
Coming Up
Compiled by Mackenzie N. Morgan.
DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs and AGAPE Tennis Academy will host an event to celebrate new management at the DeKalb Tennis Center on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., located at 1400 McConnell Drive, Decatur. The event will include entertainment, drills, games, food, tours and giveaways. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about parks and natural resources that are available in their community.
GWINNETT
Valentine’s Day Daddy-Daughter Dance set Fathers and daughters are invited to enjoy an evening celebrating Valentine’s Day together on Friday, Feb. 10, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Lucky Shoals Park Community Recreation Center, 4651 Britt Road, Norcross. Dress to impress and enjoy music, dancing, light refreshments and a keepsake photo emailed to you after the event. Space is limited. All ages welcome, $8 per person. Register by calling 678-277-0860.
Bethesda Park Aquatic Center turns 10
Party With the Past at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market
R
e-discover Atlanta and ride the Atlanta streetcar free of charge Tuesday, Jan. 31, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Celebrate and explore some of Atlanta’s most vibrant urban neighborhoods. Take a selfie on the Jackson Street Bridge or take a stroll through the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic district. The free fare program runs monthly on the last Tuesday of each. For more information, visit streetcar.atlantaga.gov.
ATLANTA
Interfaith community to celebrate faiths The Annual World Religion Day celebration is set for Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m., at the Dunwoody Public Library, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody. Since 2011, the city of Dunwoody Baha’i community, with the participation of many great friends in the interfaith community, gather to celebrate each other’s faiths and religious and spiritual traditions. Each community will present a form of art and/or a description/vignette of their respective faith. For more information, call (770) 512-4640. .DEKALB
Senior spa day set at Scott Candler Library Celebrate Valentine’s Day early and enjoy a relaxing mini massage by a licensed massage therapist on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Scott Candler Library, 1917 Candler Road, Decatur. The program is open to the first 15 participants. To register, please visit the branch or call 404-286-6986.
Black History marathon movie fest set Bring your snacks and enjoy a movie marathon fest revealing the stories behind prolific African-Americans in sports, music, and politics Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Scott Candler Library, 1917 Candler Road, Decatur. 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Race (Jesse Owens) 12:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m.: Get on Up (James Brown) 2:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. Southside with You (President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama)
Civic Engagement 101 set at Stonecrest Library Learn about civic engagement and how to bring changes to local issues such as traffic signals or state issues, like health care reform. Community organizers and county and state representatives will explain the structure of government and discuss best practices for communicating successfully with municipal, county and state representatives. The meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 to 3 p.m., Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road, Lithonia. 770-482-3828.
The public is invited to attend the 10-year anniversary celebration of the Bethesda Park Aquatic Center Friday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville. Bethes-day will include extended pool hours from 3 to 8 p.m. and hourly raffle drawings until 7 p.m. Must be present to win the raffle. All pool rules and fees apply. Call 678-277-0880 for more information.
ROCKDALE
Chef dishes out new recipes in free cooking class The public is invited to attend a free cooking demonstration on Friday, Feb. 17, 12 to 1:30 p.m., at the Nancy Guinn Memorial Library, 864 Green Street, Conyers. Join Chef Carlin Breinig and learn to cook new healthy dishes that are full of flavor and perfect for a fit, fresh New Year. For more information, call (770) 388-5040.
Rockdale to host Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your little princess at the Daddy-Daughter Sweetheart Dance Friday, Feb. 19, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Road, Conyers. Enjoy a memorable evening of music, dancing and light refreshments. The fee is $8 per person and attire is semi-formal. All ages are welcome. Preregister by Feb. 3. For more information, call 770-278-7529.
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Rockdale advocates support Mental Health Day at the Georgia Capitol
Pictured L-R: Shayne Nolden; State Rep. Vernon Jones; Rockdale County Commissioner Doreen Williams; Jennifer Wilds, care coordinator, Newton / Rockdale Suicide Prevention Coalition; and Mack Parnell, state and local government relations director for Congressman Loudermilk.
Rockdale Commissioner Doreen Williams was among several elected officials and mental health advocates who observed Mental Health Day at the Georgia Capitol on Jan. 31. “We heard some very compelling, inspiring stories of those who suffer from serious mental illness and substance abuse addictions but are now, because of services received, in recovery, furthering their education, working, paying taxes, and and finding great satisfaction in their personal lives,” said Williams. Williams and members of the View Point Health Board of Directors attended the meeting where they heard from Judy Fitzgerald, Commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, who spoke to a standing room-only crowd at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot. Williams said she met with State Representatives Vernon Jones and Doreen Carter regarding HB 77, which provides for mental health training materials to be provided to all elementary and secondary schools.
FEBRUARY 4, 2017 • PAGE 5
Rotary Club of Conyers honors oratorical winners
L-R Front: Seventh grader Morgan Gill, Eighth grader Hayley Sanders, Sixth Grader J R Insular, Rotary Club of Conyers President Dotti Bala Middle: Clerk of Courts Ruth Wilson, Davis Middle School teachers Lisa Tompkins and Stacy Arick, School Board Member Heather Duncan Back: School Board Member Katrina McCollum-Young, Chief Academic Officer Shirley Chesser
The Rotary Club of Conyers heard the winning speeches delivered by the first place winners of the annual Rockdale County Middle School Oratorical Competition held Nov. 5. This year, the winners for the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are all from Davis Middle School. Sixth grade speaker JR Insular spoke on The Right to Trial by Jury. Seventh grader Morgan Gill addressed “The Role of the U.S. in the World.” The eighth grade speaker, Hayley Sanders, made a case for “Why We Need Informed Voters.” All three have received cash prizes of $500 each and state they have started their college savings funds. The Rotary Club also recognized the contributions of Lisa Tompkins and Stacy Arick, the two teachers who coached the students. Each received a $75 Class Room Grant for their discretionary use in their class rooms. The Rockdale County Middle School Oratorical Competition is an annual academic enrichment program produced and funded by the collaborative efforts of Rockdale County Public Schools, Clerk of Courts Ruth Wilson, Lexicon Technologies, Evans Tool and Die, Snapping Shoals EMC and the Rotary Club of Conyers.
Conyers Rotary, Bank of North Georgia announce Rockdale STAR students The Rotary Club of Conyers and Earl Wise, vice president of the Bank of North Georgia, the local STAR student sponsor, have announced the STAR students and their STAR teachers, from the four Rockdale County high schools: • Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology High School senior Andrew Markham Bonar who selected Dr. Chuck Garner as his STAR Teacher. • Heritage High School senior Smith Meach, who selected Margie Talevski as his STAR Teacher. • Rockdale County High School senior Martin Augustine Murphy, who selected Tiffany Jones as his STAR Teacher. • Salem High School senior Manuel Omar Tapia, who selected Monique Brown as his STAR Teacher. All four students earned the recognition for academic achievement and performance on the SAT. The system-wide winner will be announced at the annual Rotary Club of Conyers STAR Student Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 16, at noon. The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) is sponsored, administered and promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). Since its inception in 1958, the STAR program has honored nearly 26,000 students and the teachers selected as the most influential to their academic achievement. High school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average to qualify for STAR nomination. STAR students who are selecte choose a STAR teacher to share in this recognition. The students and their teachers are honored by their schools and receive special recognition in their communities from one of the more than 165 statewide civic organizations and businesses that serve as local sponsors of the STAR program. Students then compete for school system recognition as the top STAR student recognition as the top STAR student, and those winners compete for region honors. Region winners contend for the honor of being named State STAR Student. STAR teachers continue on with their STAR students at every level of the program. “We are very proud of these students and teachers and the academic excellence they exemplify at our four Rockdale County High schools,” said Wise.
PAGE 6 •FEBRUARY 4, 2017 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Rockdale NAACP to present Black History Rainbow Park Baptist Church to celebrate 143rd anniversary & Heritage Celebration The Rockdale County NAACP will host its 2017 Black History & Heritage Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m., at the Rockdale County Auditorium, 903 Main Street, Conyers. “We invite all to come out and celebrate the cultural contributions that African Americans have made to this country”, said Rockdale NAACP President Thomas Brantley, Jr. “The Black History & Heritage Celebration committee, chaired by Dwight Wicks, has worked to bring extraordinary talent to our county.” The mistress of ceremonies will be media professional Carol Blackmon. The program will include performances by producer, singer and songwriter Derrick Monk; Tony, Emmy and Peabody Award winner Georgia Me; the Uhuru African Dance group; actress and comedian Mz. Wallstreet; gospel singer Monica Hoskins; Neo Soul/Smooth R&B group Corey Brown and the TCB Band; youth spoken word artist Chelsea Williams; Love & Hugs Christian Tabernacle’s dancers; and the Rainbow Park Baptist Church choir. There also be many surprises in store for the audience. Tickets are $10 and are available now. Call Jackie Johnson-Dickson at 410-960-1662 or email Lyn Gibson at clgibson@bellsouth.net.
100 Black Women Decatur/DeKalb to host community health fair The Decatur/DeKalb chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. invites the community to the “Living Healthier in 2017” community. The free event t will be held March 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p .m., at Welcome Friend Baptist Church, 3198 Bouldercrest Road, in Ellenwood, which is co-sponsor. The health fair will offer participants blood pressure, prostate and BMI screenings, and the opportunity to engage in discussions on heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and nutrition. There also will be exercise sessions for men and women, information on holistic remedies and a healthy meal demonstration. The health fair is free and open to the public.
Dr. Steven Dial and Rainbow Park Baptist Church, 2941 Columbia Drive, Decatur, invite the community to celebrate the church’s 143rd anniversary. On Saturday, Feb. 18, 5 p.m., a Musical Extravaganza will be held at the church, and on Sunday, Feb. 19, 10:30 a.m., a celebratory worship service with a dinner following the service will be held. Both events are free and all are welcome. For more information about the 143rd Church Anniversary, email sdialn64@gmail.com or contact the church office at 404-288-1910.
Dr. Steven Dial
Henson presents preparing for active shooter workshop State Rep. Michele Henson (D- Stone Mountain) and the DeKalb County Homeland Security Unit will host an active shooter response workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 to 8 p.m., at Peace Baptist Church, 4000 Covington Highway, Decatur. During the workshop, the DeKalb County Homeland Security Unit will discuss the importance of emergency preparedness through a whole community approach and provide products, resources and tools to help individuals prepare in the event of an active shooter incident. State Rep. Michele Henson Attendees will learn about the integral role that they and other bystanders can play in mitigating the impacts of an event involving an active shooter. Additionally, the workshop will provide information on the profile of an active shooter; appropriate responses to an active shooter or workplace violence situation; training for an active shooter situation; instructions for creating an emergency action plan; and tips for recognizing the signs of potential workplace violence.
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