Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry says he will abandon his effort to run for the U.S. Senate and will instead seek election to the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.
Taylor told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he will resign as mayor of Clarkston in March so that he can run for the District 6 seat now held by Kathie Gannon, who represents the western half of DeKalb County. Gannon announced earlier this month that she would not seek re-election.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
DeKalb County dollar-store moratorium vote Tuesday
The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will Tuesday consider an extension of the current 45-day moratorium on zoning applications for "small box discount stores."
The county has issued conflicting information on when there will be public hearings on extending the moratorium, making it unclear when citizens can comment on the proposal and when commissioners will vote on it.
It now appears that the Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. But they won't vote on it at that meeting. Apparently, commissioners will vote on the moratorium extension at their evening zoning meeting. It will be the last item on the lengthy zoning agenda Tuesday evening and it appears that the public will not be able to comment on the proposal.
The county has issued conflicting information on when there will be public hearings on extending the moratorium, making it unclear when citizens can comment on the proposal and when commissioners will vote on it.
It now appears that the Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. But they won't vote on it at that meeting. Apparently, commissioners will vote on the moratorium extension at their evening zoning meeting. It will be the last item on the lengthy zoning agenda Tuesday evening and it appears that the public will not be able to comment on the proposal.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Renovation begins of Stone Mountain library after delays
Asbestos abatement work has begun at the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library, more than six months after the downtown Stone Mountain library was closed for a $1.5 million renovation.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Clarkston to consider Baptist expansion plans
A public hearing has been scheduled at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, by the City of Clarkston on a proposal by the Southern Baptist Convention to build athletic fields and facilities at 961 Rowland St. and 3673 Hill St.
The application by the denomination's North American Mission Board asks for a conditional use permit in support of the church's mission and church-related activities.
A DeKalb Superior Court judge ruled last month that the North American Mission Board had the right to request demolition of two historic homes. NAMB President Kevin Ezell said the homes were "generic houses that are vacant and uninhabitable."
The application by the denomination's North American Mission Board asks for a conditional use permit in support of the church's mission and church-related activities.
A DeKalb Superior Court judge ruled last month that the North American Mission Board had the right to request demolition of two historic homes. NAMB President Kevin Ezell said the homes were "generic houses that are vacant and uninhabitable."
DeKalb state legislator urges hair discrimination protection
A state Senator from Lithonia has proposed legislation to protect people with "braids, locks, twists or other textured hairdressing historically associated with an individual's race," the Associated Press reports.
Senate Bill 286, filed by State Sen. Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia), has the support of State Sen. Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta), who says she was told last year by another legislator that she looked better without her braids.
"No individual shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of such individual's protective hairstyle," unless it interferes with their work, the proposal says.
Senate Bill 286, filed by State Sen. Tonya Anderson (D-Lithonia), has the support of State Sen. Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta), who says she was told last year by another legislator that she looked better without her braids.
"No individual shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of such individual's protective hairstyle," unless it interferes with their work, the proposal says.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
$148,000 settlement in DeKalb County excessive force case
DeKalb County has agreed to pay $148,000 to settle a federal lawsuit that claimed sheriff's deputies used excessive force in July 2013 when they served a warrant over a $1,000 fee in the middle of the night at an Ellenwood home.
After a two-hour executive session that included another matter, DeKalb County commissioners voted on Tuesday to approve the settlement of remaining claims by Donovan Hall and others against Sgt. Dan McGhee and others in return for a dismissal with prejudice of the lawsuit that they filed (15-CV-00428).
After a two-hour executive session that included another matter, DeKalb County commissioners voted on Tuesday to approve the settlement of remaining claims by Donovan Hall and others against Sgt. Dan McGhee and others in return for a dismissal with prejudice of the lawsuit that they filed (15-CV-00428).
Clarkston plans Jan. 27 annexation hearing
The City of Clarkston has scheduled a public meeting on Jan. 27 on its proposal to annex 620 acres that include two neighborhoods south of the city
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the city has scaled back an earlier proposal that would have annexed a broader area that included North DeKalb Mall and DeKalb County's 40-acre Little Creek Horse Farm.
The city says the town hall meeting will take place on Monday, Jan. 27, at the Clarkston Community Center at 7 p.m.
The annexation can only take place if approved by the General Assembly and a referendum involving residents in the proposed annexation area.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the city has scaled back an earlier proposal that would have annexed a broader area that included North DeKalb Mall and DeKalb County's 40-acre Little Creek Horse Farm.
The city says the town hall meeting will take place on Monday, Jan. 27, at the Clarkston Community Center at 7 p.m.
The annexation can only take place if approved by the General Assembly and a referendum involving residents in the proposed annexation area.
Friday, January 17, 2020
Commissioner Kathie Gannon won't seek re-election
District 6 Commissioner Kathie Gannon, who was first elected in 2004, does not plan to seek another term in office.
A written statement from Gannon says it is time "for the next generation to move on up, to provide the energy, initiative and new ideas to build upon what we have started to continue progressive movement forward in DeKalb County."
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Clarkston halts curbside recycling because of rising costs
Clarkston has ended curbside recycling in the city and plans to open a temporary recycling location before the end of January.
The city says Waste Management, which handles the city's trash collections, wanted a 20 percent fee increase to continue to provide curbside recycling collection.
"Waste Management advis[es] the City that a very large percentage of recycling collected ends up in the landfill due to contamination," a statement from the city says.
The city says Waste Management, which handles the city's trash collections, wanted a 20 percent fee increase to continue to provide curbside recycling collection.
"Waste Management advis[es] the City that a very large percentage of recycling collected ends up in the landfill due to contamination," a statement from the city says.
Ten percent increase in Stone Mountain City budget
The City of Stone Mountain has posted the adopted version of its $4.696 million FY2020 budget, which is 10 percent larger than its 2019 budget. Approximately $80,000 was added to the budget during the budget process, with the money coming from taxes and "other financing sources."
The city's Downtown Development Authority accounts for 10 percent of the city's budget. It will receive more than $465,000 from the city, a figure that represents more than 99 percent of the DDA's budget.
The city's Downtown Development Authority accounts for 10 percent of the city's budget. It will receive more than $465,000 from the city, a figure that represents more than 99 percent of the DDA's budget.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Bradshaw chosen to preside over DeKalb County Board of Commissioners
DeKalb County Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously voted to name Commissioner Steve Bradshaw as their Presiding Officer for the next two years. Commissioners voted 7-0-0 in favor of Bradshaw, whose nomination by Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson was seconded by Commissioner Larry Johnson.
Commissioner Jeff Rader, who has been the Presiding Officer for the last two years, said he was looking forward to voting for Bradshaw. "He has served as deputy for the past two years. I believe he will serve admirably in the role of presiding officer," Rader said.
Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson was elected Deputy Presiding Officer of the BOC by a 6-0-1 vote. Cochran-Johnson was nominated by Mereda Davis Johnson. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nancy Jester.
Commissioner Larry Johnson, who was the Presiding Officer from 2009 through 2013 and again from 2014 through January 2017, abstained from voting for Cochran-Johnson on Tuesday but offered no explanation as to why. He also did not vote when Rader was elected as presiding officer in 2018.
Commissioner Jeff Rader, who has been the Presiding Officer for the last two years, said he was looking forward to voting for Bradshaw. "He has served as deputy for the past two years. I believe he will serve admirably in the role of presiding officer," Rader said.
Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson was elected Deputy Presiding Officer of the BOC by a 6-0-1 vote. Cochran-Johnson was nominated by Mereda Davis Johnson. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Nancy Jester.
Commissioner Larry Johnson, who was the Presiding Officer from 2009 through 2013 and again from 2014 through January 2017, abstained from voting for Cochran-Johnson on Tuesday but offered no explanation as to why. He also did not vote when Rader was elected as presiding officer in 2018.
King Day ceremony for Stone Mountain street renaming
The City of Stone Mountain will celebrate the renaming of a street in the city's Shermantown neighborhood on the Martin Luther King, Jr. national holiday on Monday.
A commemorative service is planned at the St. Paul AME Church, 821 3rd St., at 10 a.m.
After the service, there will be a march from the church for the unveiling of the street sign for Eva Mamie Lane, replacing the former Venable St. name. After the unveiling, a ceremony will be held to ring the Freedom Bell on the city's Main St.
A commemorative service is planned at the St. Paul AME Church, 821 3rd St., at 10 a.m.
After the service, there will be a march from the church for the unveiling of the street sign for Eva Mamie Lane, replacing the former Venable St. name. After the unveiling, a ceremony will be held to ring the Freedom Bell on the city's Main St.
Monday, January 13, 2020
DeKalb Elections Board is pressed on outside audit
The DeKalb Board of Registration & Elections voted Thursday to cooperate with outside consultants hired by the county's Board of Commissioners to assess the operations of the election board.
After hearing complaints about irregularities during the 2018 general election, county commissioners voted unanimously in March asking the county's "Chief Audit Executive to Add an Operational Review to Include a Fiscal and Performance Audit of the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Department."
Commissioners said the audit should include a review of how voter registration applications are handled and the procedures for handling voter irregularities.
After hearing complaints about irregularities during the 2018 general election, county commissioners voted unanimously in March asking the county's "Chief Audit Executive to Add an Operational Review to Include a Fiscal and Performance Audit of the DeKalb County Voter Registration and Elections Department."
Commissioners said the audit should include a review of how voter registration applications are handled and the procedures for handling voter irregularities.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
New year starts with a dozen DeKalb County sewer spills
There were 12 sanitary sewer overflows reported in DeKalb County during the first 10 days of 2020, according to a list included in Commissioner Nancy Jester's weekly newsletter.
Two of the spills were described as major spills, both occuring on Friday, Jan. 3. One was at 2171 Carson Valley Dr. in Tucker. The other was at 1707 Childerlee Lane in Atlanta.
In the Tucker incident, 12,300 gallons spilled from an 8-inch sewer main because of an unknown blockage. The other spill was of 74,100 gallons from a manhole getting into North Fork Peachtree Creek because of rainfall. More than an inch of rain was recorded at Peachtree DeKalb Airport on Jan. 3.
Two of the spills were described as major spills, both occuring on Friday, Jan. 3. One was at 2171 Carson Valley Dr. in Tucker. The other was at 1707 Childerlee Lane in Atlanta.
In the Tucker incident, 12,300 gallons spilled from an 8-inch sewer main because of an unknown blockage. The other spill was of 74,100 gallons from a manhole getting into North Fork Peachtree Creek because of rainfall. More than an inch of rain was recorded at Peachtree DeKalb Airport on Jan. 3.
Stone Mountain seeks zoning, historic preservation panel members
The City of Stone Mountain is calling for volunteers to serve on the city's Planning & Zoning Committee and its Historic Preservation Commission.
The city has posted notices asking for letters and/or resumes from those interested in serving on either panel. They should be sent by Wednesday, Jan. 15, to Mayor Patricia Wheeler, Stone Mountain City Hall, 875 Main St., Stone Mountain GA 30083.
While Historic Preservation Commission members must have lived in the city for one year before taking office, there is no requirement that Planning & Zoning Committee members be residents of the City of Stone Mountain.
The posted notice says appointments to the Planning & Zoning Committee require a nomination by the mayor. However, the Stone Mountain city code says "all members of boards, commissions, and authorities of the city shall be appointed by the city council." No mention is made of the mayor nominating Planning & Zoning Committee members.
The city has posted notices asking for letters and/or resumes from those interested in serving on either panel. They should be sent by Wednesday, Jan. 15, to Mayor Patricia Wheeler, Stone Mountain City Hall, 875 Main St., Stone Mountain GA 30083.
While Historic Preservation Commission members must have lived in the city for one year before taking office, there is no requirement that Planning & Zoning Committee members be residents of the City of Stone Mountain.
The posted notice says appointments to the Planning & Zoning Committee require a nomination by the mayor. However, the Stone Mountain city code says "all members of boards, commissions, and authorities of the city shall be appointed by the city council." No mention is made of the mayor nominating Planning & Zoning Committee members.
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