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VOLUME 25 NUMBER 10
JUNE 7, 2019 Stay connected
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Marian McDaniel Deputy Fire Chief
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Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
KC Krizic Planning and Development Dir.
Sue Sanders Parks and Maintenance Dir.
Roselyn Miller Finance Dir.
Jennifer Rutledge County Clerk/Legislative Dir.
Toni Holmes Talent Management Dir.
ROCKDALE’S ‘EXTREME MAKEOVER’ County government pushes to recruit more women
By Valerie J. Morgan Women and minorities are increasingly breaking barriers in Rockdale County, filling top-tier and other positions that historically have lacked diversity. Currently, six women serve among the county’s 12 directors and five serve among Rockdale’s 12 deputy directors. Add in Rockdale’s 12 deputy directors, the number of women in leadership roles rises to 8, comprising one third of the county’s 24 directors and deputy directors. Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt says that while workforce diversity remains a work in progress, he is proud of the gains Rockdale has made since he launched what he calls an “extreme
makeover” in the county’s government. Nesbitt said he decided to make workforce diversity one of his top priorities after his election as Chairman in Nov. 2016. He had served two, four-year terms on the Board of Commissioners before he took the reigns as the county’s top official. “The No. 1 thing that I saw lacking was effective communication, accountability, follow-up and follow-through,” said Nesbitt. “That’s when I knew Rockdale County government needed an extreme makeover. ” Marian McDaniel, who serves as deputy chief of administration at Rockdale County’s Fire Department and is known as “Chief Mac,” is part of the “extreme makeover” in Rockdale. The Fire Department is Rockdale’s second-largest depart-
ment after the Sheriff’s Office. McDaniel said for the first time in Rockdale’s history, a woman recently achieved the rank of lieutenant in the Fire Department. McDaniel announced Lt. Melissa Chirello during the May 7 Board of Commissioners meeting. “With Lt. Chirello’s promotion, we currently have a female sergeant, a captain in training and myself as deputy chief,” McDaniel said. McDaniel said job fairs have made a big difference in the county’s workforce transformation. In January 2018, she worked with Rockdale’s Chief of Staff Corey Hambrick to host a job fair, hiring her first group of firefighters. “We had 100 interested applicants at the job fair. From that group, I recruited 24 firefighters, the
SEE MAKEOVER page 10
THIS OLD HOUSE
DeKalb officials dedicate historic Lyon farmhouse
By Sarita Mason OCG News Intern
D
enise Williams instantly recalled the rich wood scent that filled the Lyon home where she grew up. “The house still smells just like it did when I was a little girl,” said Williams. Williams, the niece of George and Betty Lyon, the couple who lived in the house for over 20 years, traveled back in time as she walked through the house for the first time in years. Williams was among several descendants of the Lyon family who visited on May 31 to witness the dedication of the 150-year-old home located in what is now the city of Stonecrest. The historic home is one of DeKalb’s oldest homesteads. Williams said she was pleased to be a part of the celebration. The dedication marked the culmination of the first phase of preservation efforts of the property, a collaboration between various partners including the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance and Flat Rock Archives, among others. In 2003, DeKalb County’s
Department of Watershed Management (DWM) purchased the Lyon Farm, over 100 acres, as greenspace to buffer the Pole Bridge Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant and Sprayfields in the area. In 2016, the house was placed on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Places in Peril” list due to advanced structural damage, potential for imminent loss, and its historic significance, officials said. Last fall, DWM kicked off work on the historic structure, spending a total of
$225,000 to start the preservation. Now, after months of careful repairs, the home has been stabilized by contractor F.H. Paschen. The work included jacking and leveling the entire structure, stabilizing the foundation, rebuilding part of one of the chimneys and replacing the roof and siding. “We reused most of the same structure that was already on the house,” said Wayne Thompson of F.H. Paschen. “All the material had to match the historic blend we still
needed to have. We used modern versions of the old material to do that.” Kelly Jordan, co-founder of the Arabia Mountain Heritage Alliance, praised the project, saying it would be a treasure for local residents and tourists to explore. “The Alliance has been working with DeKalb County and other partners for nearly two decades now to preserve numerous historic structures, including the Lyon home, which is one of our most special projects,” said Jordan. According to the Alliance, a log cabin was likely the first structure built on the property in the 1820s. The footprint was expanded in 1853 and again in 1893, creating the house that stands today. Congressman Hank Johnson, who attended the dedication with his wife, DeKalb’s District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, said the preservation is an important aspect of DeKalb’s history. The congressman noted that the black community of Flat Rock was birthed from the Lyon farm after slavery in the U.S. ended in 1865. “This is our history and I’m so happy that a history of black people is in the Lyon family history and property,” said Congressman John-
SEE HOUSE page 10
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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.
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JUNE 7, 2019 • PAGE 3
Plans unveiled for new Stone Mountain senior center DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw will host a community meeting on the proposed District 4 senior center on Monday, June 17, 6 to 8 p.m., at Antioch AME Church, 785 S. Hairston Road Stone Mountain. The public is DeKalb Commissioner encouraged to attend Steve Bradshaw and provide feedback about the design of the building and programming services. The senior center will be located on a 2.7-acre, county-owned parcel at 4875 Elam Road, Stone Mountain. Wood Inc., the architect of record, will be present to discuss initial design ideas, get feedback and answer questions. “This new senior center, with the added amenity of a swimming pool, is long overdue in Districts 4 and 7,” Commissioner Bradshaw said. The energy-efficient and sustainable 21,000-square-foot proposed senior center will be a modern and functional facility that is aesthetically pleasing to the community and meets the need of seniors in Districts 4 and 7. The site will feature approximately 100 parking spaces, a covered, main entrance drop-off area, service entrance, landscaping and pedestrian plaza. “I am pleased with the progress that is being made on the soon-to-come senior center. Constituents deserve a great place where they can meet, greet and enjoy themselves,” said Commissioner Bradshaw.
Grady Smith fields questions from attendees at the open house that was held at the Stoncrest Library. Photos by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News
South DeKalb residents view three proposed MARTA transit options South DeKalb County residents had a chance to view three potential MARTA transit options at the June 5 open house, which was held at the Stonecrest Library branch. The meeting was one of several being held across the county as the public provides input for DeKalb’s comprehensive transit plan. Grady Smith, principal of vhb, the consulting firm DeKalb County government has hired to develop the county’s comprehensive transit plan, told attendees that he will spend the month of June presenting the transit scenarios to city councils and others in DeKalb to get as much feedback as possible. Smith said the final plan would be presented to the Board of Commissioners by the end of July. The board will then decide if a voter referendum will be held to increase the county’s sales taxes, which is currently 8 percent, to fund the transit improvements, he said. In March, Gwinnett County voters rejected a referendum in a special election to expand MARTA services, despite a push by advo-
Grady Smith, Principal of vhb
cates such as Go Gwinnett and the New Georgia Project Action Fund who deployed their crews to knock on doors. Anti-MARTA robo calls went out suggesting that MARTA planned to put thousands of apartments in Gwinnett if it expanded services in the county. Smith said he could not speculate on how Gwinnett’s rejection of its referendum might impact DeKalb’s transit plans, but he said that businesses and corporations want the transit improvements and
SEE TRANSIT page 11
DeKalb Cultural Exchange cancels June meeting The DeKalb Cultural Exchange (DCE) community breakfast meeting hosted by Stonecrest City Councilmember Rob Turner and his wife, DeKalb School Board Member Vicki B. Turner, will not have a June meeting due to vacation plans. The DCE will resume its meeting on Saturday, July 13 at Greater Traveler’s Rest Baptist Church (House of Hope), 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur.
Rockdale County opens its first dog park Rockdale County rolled out the red carpet for pooches. Officials celebrated the opening of its first dog park on Saturday, June 1, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. and a red carpet event at the new Richardson Park. Following the ceremony, dogs and their owners enjoyed a canine etiquette session, raffle drawings, and plenty of doggie treats. “I am extremely pleased to be opening the first official dog park in Rockdale County that allows our residents to have an open space for their dogs to socialize and exercise,” say Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr. “Adding a dog park
SEE PARK page 11
CITY OF STONECREST BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS, PUBLIC HEARING: TUESDAY, JUNE 18TH 2019 AT 6:00 P.M. STONECREST CITY HALL, 3120 STONECREST BLVD LITHONIA, GA 30038 The following Variance Petition located within the City of Stonecrest is scheduled for Public Hearings as stated above. LAND USE PETITION: PETITIONER: LOCATION: CURRENT ZONING: PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT:
V-19-002 Colin Jones 3585 River Rock Road RSM (Small Lot Residential Mix) District To encroach into the rear yard setback for the construction of a deck. *Applicant was administratively held from May BZA hearing.
*****CORRECTION**** Per the City Charter, the Council has staggered four-year terms. The terms for the Mayor and Council Districts 1 and 3 will expire at the administration of office of his or her successor elected in the General Municipal Election on November, 5, 2019 as provided in Section 2.01 of the City Charter. The qualifying fees for Council Districts 2 and 4 are set at $600 and for Mayor at $450. The fees are 3% of the total gross salary of the preceding year (Georgia Election Code 21-2-131 (a) (1) (A). Qualifying for the November 5, 2019 General Municipal Election will be held at the Stonecrest City Hall, 3120 Stonecrest Boulevard, Stonecrest, GA 30038 on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, Thursday, August 22, and Friday, August 23, 2019. The hours of qualifying shall be between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Georgia Election Code 21-2-132 (d)(3). Each candidate shall file a notice of candidacy in the office of the City Clerk of Stonecrest and must meet the qualifications of the Charter and Code of the City of Stonecrest, as well as all applicable state and constitutional laws.
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TALKIN’ TRASH DeKalb volunteers spread anti-litter messages with creative costumes, colorful signs
Members of the Greater Hidden Hills Community Development Corporation (GHHCDC), in partnership with DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, elevated their anti-litter campaign by sporting trash costumes during their June 1 cleanup. The Saturday cleanup marked the culmination of the “Your Community, Your Litter—Pick It Up! campaign, which was launched in March by GHHCDC and Cochran-Johnson. Volunteers who donned the costumes waved and held up colorful signs with anti-litter messages to get the attention of motorists and pedestrians at the intersection of Covington Highway and South Hairston Road in South DeKalb. The goal was to call attention to the negative impact that litter can have on communities and businesses and encourage residents keep their communities clean. “We hope our efforts have inspired people to show respect for our homes, parks and businesses,” said GHHCDC president Jan Costello. “We encourage all communities to join us daily by cleaning up our streets and putting an end to littering.” Approximately 60 volunteers participated in the Saturday cleanup and were provided trash bags, gloves, pick-up sticks and safety vests by Keep DeKalb Beautiful for the event. The volunteers collect-
ed nearly 50 bags of trash and two tires. Organizers said the volunteers worked approximately four hours and covered approximately five miles each, with the exception of areas along Commissioner Cochran-Johnson’s Adopt-A-Road locations, which covered two miles. “I believe our effort may have been among the largest countywide cleanups undertaken in a single day,” said Commissioner Cochran-Johnson. “I was very inspired by the dedication our site captains displayed in organizing their cleanup locations, and want to especially thank Jan Costello, Phyllis Frierson, Nadine Rivers-Johnson, Mary Gude, and Stacey Harris for mobilizing their communities.” As part of the campaign included jingle and video contests to build litter awareness and promote community pride. DeKalb students were invited to develop original content supporting the campaign theme. The winning jingle, “Stop, Drop, Pick It Up,” was created by Victoria Waterman and Mieya Moore, students at Eldridge L. Miller Elementary School. The winning video, “Pick It Up: Video 2,” was created by De’Ziya White, a senior at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School. Cochran-Johnson’s office urges individuals who wish to organize a cleanup in their community to email amslocum@ dekalbcountyga.gov or call 404-371-3681.
Stone Mountain Sue-Kellogg Library to close for renovations June 15 The Stone Mountain Sue-Kellogg Library will close for renovation on June 15. The renovation will include an updated floor plan, updated finishes, new furniture and restrooms. The work will be completed by C.T. Darnell Construction and is expected to take six to nine months. The Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg branch is the first of three libraries in District 4 that will get an upgrade. Clarkston and Covington branch renovations are pending for scheduling, officials said. DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, who represents District 4, said the county has allocated $1.5 million for the Sue Kellogg branch renovation. “I am eager for constituents to have a new and improved Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library with a portion of the $4 million that I reprogrammed from District 4 Capital Improvement Funds for library renovations,” said Bradshaw. During the renovation period, patrons can visit these nearby branches: Tucker-Reid H. Cofer, Hairston Crossing, Redan-Trotti and Clarkston.
Congratulations Andrea C. White-Ramey Class of 2019 On your Achievement! Life Solutions for Health Georgia Nurse’s Aide Training & State Certification
Love, Mommy, Alton, Dad, Falcoe, Nicholas And Family We love you!
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JUNE 7, 2019 • PAGE 5
ChurchesNow.org isina June, digital display ChurchesNow.org is coming Churches Now is a digital displayfor network for Churches. network Churches. For info on Churches Now call 678-770-7851. For more more info on Churches Now call 678-770-7851. Rockdale County
PAGE 6 • JUNE 7, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
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JUNE 7, 2019 • PAGE 7
.org Welcome to churchesnow.org, a digital display network for churches. We are providing outstanding digital services to houses of worship in Metro Atlanta area communities. Let us help you design the right strategy for your church that will expose your ministry to transplants, millennials, visitors, out-of-town guests and others who are seeking a church home where they may worship and grow in God’s Kingdom. Through churchesnow.org, we can help you share your unique Sunday worship experiences, Bible Study, Vacation Bible Study, special events such as your anniversaries, revivals, conferences, concerts, missionary trips, Men’s and Women’s Day, etc. The churchesnow.org web site is the source where people look inside to see your Church before they see your Church. ChurchesNow.org offers our visitors the chance to see your church before they visit your church. They can meet the pastor, congregation and see a host of other activities that are going on in your Church through photos, videos and news stories that are online.
SPRINGFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH
Hillcrest Church of Christ
1939 Snapfinger Rd, Decatur, Ga 30035 Hillcrestcoc.net
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES 7:30AM: WORSHIP SERVICE 9:30AM: SUNDAY SCHOOL 11:00AM: WORSHIP SERVICE 1877 IRIS DRIVE, SE, CONYERS GA 30013 PHONE: 770.929.1111
VOICES OF FAITH MINISTRIES
WORSHIP SERVICE TIMES: Sunday Mornings 10am to 12pm Sunday Evenings 5pm to 6pm
PASTOR ERIC WENDEL LEE, SR.
Antioch-Lithonia Baptist Church
BIBLE CLASSES: Sunday Mornings 9am to 9:45am Wednesday Nights 7pm to 8pm Thursday mornings 10 am to 11am
Come join us in celebrating our 74th Anniversary on Saturday June 22nd from 3 to 6 pm for an Acapella Concert featuring The Hillcrest Singers.
STONE MOUNTAIN CAMPUS SUNDAY @ 8AM & 11:30AM WEDNESDAY @ 7:30PM 2500 ROCKBRIDGE RD SW STONE MOUNTAIN, GA 30087 770-498-5850 ROCKDALE CAMPUS SUNDAY @ 9:30 WEDNESDAY @ 6PM 1290 SIGMAN RD CONYERS, GA 30012 678-374-5040
BISHOP GRAY HAWKINS, SR./ FOUNDER & OVERSEER
Join Us For
Worship Sundays 10AM Thursdays 7PM
James C. Ward, Pastor First Lady Idell Clark Ward Sunday morning Services 7:30AM & 10:30AM Bible Study Wednesday 12 Noon & 7:00PM
2152 Rock Chapel • Lithonia, GA 30058 • 770-482-1277
“Where the Spirit of God Lives”
Founder & Senior Pastor Vincent Harris, Sr. First Lady LaTonya K. Harris
1140 Reynolds Street 2nd Floor Covington, GA 30014 770-362-6178 | houseofbethelcc.org
Your ChurCh Ad here!
PAGE 8 • JUNE 7, 2019 WWW.OCGNEWS.COM
Advertising online is a costeffective and highly visible way of promoting your Church. Through churchesnow.org, we can help you share your unique Sunday worship experiences, Bible Study, Vacation Bible Study, special events such as your anniversaries, revivals, conferences, concerts, missionary trips, Men’s and Women’s Day, etc. All packages include slide presentation, video and ad in Churches Now. BONUS: 3x3 print ad runs for a month; Web ad displays for a month.
FOR MORE INFO CALL: 678-770-7851
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DeKalb to replace aging water mains in Briarcliff, North Decatur area
D
eKalb County crews will begin work in July on a $20 million project that will replace seven miles of 60-to-100-year-old water pipes in the Briarcliff and North Decatur areas. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said replacing the old infrastructure would resolve reported low water pressure issues in the areas. “Resolving water pressure issues in the Briarcliff and North Decatur area is a DeKalb CEO top priority for DeKalb County governMichael Thurmond ment,” Thurmond said. “DeKalb County is committed to fixing these longstanding problems and has directed significant resources to get the job done.” The project will include the installation of more than one mile of high-capacity, 12-inch diameter water mains along Briarcliff Road. DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management has assessed water consumption trends and the condition of water system infrastructure. Crews also have checked area water mains for leaks and obstructions. Several mitigation measures are being deployed to ensure adequate water supply and pressure. These include consulting with large water use customers about their needs, reactivating an elevated water storage tower on Clairmont Road, and verifying proper water system operations. Until the low water pressure issues are resolved, customers in the affected area are asked to voluntarily refrain from outdoor water use such as filling swimming pools, landscape irrigation and washing cars from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. DeKalb County Fire Rescue will deploy additional resources to all fire calls in the area. Thurmond’s office has been in discussions with Georgia Department of Transportation officials to seek the state’s assistance in expediting permitting and traffic control measures on Briarcliff Road, which is a state route. Customers who continue to experience low water pressure issues are asked to contact the Department of Watershed Management at 770-270-6243 or dekalbwaterops@dekalbcountyga.gov
JUNE 7, 2019 • PAGE 9
Rockdale Constitutional Corner
What is the process for granting an agent power of attorney for a minor?
In 2018, the Georgia Legislature enacted legislation entitled the Strengthening Families Act. Pursuant to this Act, by executing a Power of Attorney for Temporary Delegation of Caregiving Authority to an Agent (“power of attorney”), a parent of a minor child may place the child with a grandparent, great-grandparent, stepparent or former stepparent, step-grandparent, aunt or uncle, great aunt or uncle, cousin, sibling, or a nonrelative who is approved as an agent by a child-placing agency or a non-profit entity or faithbased organization. If the parents are not married, the non-custodial parent must also consent to the power of attorney. If it is not consented to by both parents, the power of attorney will be ineffective. The agent must be an adult who resides in Georgia and each parties’ signatures must be notarized. The power of attorney must include language stating that it is being executed due to: (a) death, serious illness, or terminal illness of a parent; (b)
By Judge Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. Probate Judge
the physical or mental condition of the parent or the child is such that the proper care and supervision of the child cannot be provided by the parent; (c) the loss or uninhabitability of the child’s home as a result of a natural disaster; (d) the incarceration of a parent; or (e) a period of active military duty of a parent. The power of attorney may be used to grant an agent powers over the minor child’s enrollment in school and extracurricular activities, as well as access to school, medical, dental, and mental health records. The agent may also make decisions regarding food, lodging, recreation and travel for the minor, and any addi-
tional powers as specified by the parent. However, the power of attorney may be limited to exclude any powers not intended to be relinquished by the parent as well. The Probate Court does not bear any responsibility for enforcing the power of attorney. However, the party executing it must file a copy with the probate court in the county where the minor resides within 10 days of its execution, and the Court is required to keep a docket of the same. A suggested format for the power of attorney can be found at O.C.G.A. § 19-9-134. The information included herein is only intended to provide a basic understanding of the Power of Attorney for Delegation of Caregiving Authority to an Agent. This information is not all inclusive and should not be used as or considered to be legal advice. Throughout each month, the clerk of courts, tax commissioner, sheriff and probate judge—Rockdale’s elected constitutional officers—discuss topics relevant to their respective roles.
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MAKEOVER continued from page 1 majority of whom were African Americans. Of the 24, 13 passed background checks and went through the training to become firefighters. Three of them were women,” said McDaniel. “Prior to hiring that class, there were only five African Americans out of 131 personnel.” McDaniel, who was appointed by the Board of Commissioners, which is comprised of Chairman Nesbitt and Post 1 Commissioner Sherri L. Washington and Post 2 Commissioner Doreen Williams, began working for the county on Oct. 2, 2017. Nesbitt’s administration recruited McDaniel out of retirement from the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, where she had worked her way up the ranks as a lieutenant, captain, section chief and departed as assistant fire chief. “It’s been a great ride and I’m glad that I did it,” McDaniel said of her decision to accept the position in Rockdale. “I feel that I’m here not for myself but for the community—to try and make a difference.” McDaniel’s first recruit class was sworn in on April 6. Her second recruit class is underway with a tentative graduation scheduled for August. In total, McDaniel has hired 26 firefighter recruits; 20 are African American, four of which are women, and one Hispanic. Washington said she believes Chief Mac has been an inspiration to women and minorities. “With a concerted effort, we are now recruiting more African-American fire personnel,” said Washington. “Just by being in that position, I have to believe that Chief Mac is inspiring others who may never have considered firefighting as a career. Kc Krizic, director of planning and development, is another newcomer and part of Rockdale’s extreme makeover. She has been on the job for about a year and four months and Commissioner Williams is singing her praises as a “forward thinker.” Williams said, for example, that Krizic was already working on measures to deal with short-term vacation rentals before Rockdale citizens brought up the issue. Williams also applauded Krizic for her thorough research on proposed projects, citing the work she recently did on a proposal for an Autism Crisis Unit that would serve children throughout the state of Georgia. “All of our directors are very detailed, thoughtful and careful in what they do—each one of them. I think having as many women as we have as directors has increased not only commitment to the county but to excellence as well,” said Williams. Williams and Washington also said they consider Sue Sanders, director of Parks and Recreation and Facilities and Maintenance, and Roselyn Miller, Rockdale’s finance director, success stories. “That’s not a job that women typically hold,” Washington said of Sanders. “And she does it in heels just about every day.” Sanders, who is celebrating her 18th-year anniversary with the county this month, became a director in August 2016 after serving eight years as deputy director. In addition to Parks and Recreation and Maintenance, Sanders is responsible for
Animal Control, Senior Services, Capital Projects, SPLOST Project Oversight, Fleet, and Recycling. She oversees an $8.6 million operating budget and 120 employees. her department, 54 are women. She said 54 women work in her department, 13 of them in leadership positions. “A very rewarding part of what I do is comprised of solving problems and helping people— both citizens and co-workers,” said Sanders. “The best part of my job, though, is the people I work with—from the supportive Board, to the best group of Directors this County has ever seen, to all of the front line people and everyone in between. I'm also extremely proud to work with the highly professional team of individuals that comprise my department. There is absolutely no way I could handle such a large department, with so many different areas and demands, without my team of over achievers.” Roselyn Miller, who has served as finance director since 2009, heads a staff of 14 employees, 12 of whom are women. Miller’s department is comprised of one Hispanic, six whites and six African Americans. She served as deputy director five years before becoming director and leading the department with distinction. Miller said the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Rockdale in 2017. “This was the tenth consecutive year that the government has achieved this prestigious award. In order to be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report,” Miller said. Jennifer Rutledge is another longtime employee who has climbed the county’s corporate ladder. Rutledge, who has served as county clerk for more than 20 years, was appointed director of legislative affairs by the Board of Commissioners in 2017 after Nesbitt suggested expanding her responsibilities and pay. “It’s been challenging but I really love it,” Rutledge said of her new role. “I never thought that I would be somewhere for so long, but this administration has allowed me to grow right here in Rockdale.” Rutledge, who began her career with the county in 1996 as an administrative secretary in Rockdale’s Public Works Department, became county clerk in 1998, serving through six administrations in the position. Rutledge said as legislative director, she monitors local, state and federal legislation concerning Rockdale. Currently, she is seeking funding for transportation projects for the county. Rutledge said Rockdale has come a long way in terms of workforce diversity in the more than two decades she has spent at the county. “I appreciate the diversity this board has brought—not just in terms of men and women and race. I look at our team and it is reflective of the population we serve. We have well-educated peo-
PARK continued from page 3 to the community is just one more amenity that enhances the quality of life for our residents.” The .05 acre dog park features perimeter fencing, double-gate entry, separation between large and small dog areas, a drinking fountain, a dog waste station, and agility equipment. The park was built at Richardson Park located at 3779 Union Church Road, Stockbridge, Ga 30281. The dog park will be open from 9:00 am – 8:00 pm from April to October and 9:00 am – 6:00 pm from November to March. All dogs must be vaccinated. Dogs under 4 months of age and aggressive dogs are not permitted in the park. The County asks that dog owners follow all the posted rules of the dog park to ensure a fun, safe environment for all. For the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests are asked to park their vehicles at the Union United Methodist Church, 4600 Highway 138 SW. Stockbridge, GA 30281 (located across the street from the Park). A shuttle bus will be available to transport guests and their dogs to the Park. For more information, contact Sharon Newsom, Marketing, Communications and Tourism Manager, at 770-278-7225 or sharon. newsom@rockdalecountyga.gov
ple serving,” said Rutledge. “It’s a very exciting time to be here.” No one, perhaps, is more in tune with the county’s workforce diversity than Toni Holmes, who was appointed by the Board of Commissioners in 2017. Holmes serves as director for Rockdale’s Department of Talent Management (Human Resources). Holmes said Rockdale currently has approximately 1,000 employees, of which approximately 50 percent are female. Holmes, who has worked in Human Resources and Business Management and Operations for more than 25 years for companies such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Kmart Corporation, Iron Mountain and Carter Brothers, said implementing recruiting action plans that include pathways for employees to grow and developing partnerships with the Rockdale School System and others is helping the county to reach a more diverse and qualified candidate pool. “We’re focused on building relationships with community partners such as the Rockdale County School System to provide internships,” said Holmes, adding that female students have the chance through internships and job shadowing, for example, to explore careers historically held by men. Some of the jobs, she said, include code enforcement officer; equipment operator; building maintenance; Fire & Rescue; and the Sheriff’s Office. Holmes said the Rockdale County Institute, which offers county workers training and development courses, is another tool Rockdale is using to help employees move up the corporate ladder. Last year, more than 60 percent of county employees participated in training classes offered by the county. Holmes said the county also is working on completing a market survey examining salaries and re-branding the county’s compensation philosophy. “Our focus is on providing a fair wage along with a competitive benefits program for our employees here at Rockdale County,” said Holmes.
Rockdale to host Employment Summit June 7 Rockdale will host the 2019 Rockdale Employment Summit on Friday, June 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Salem High School, 3551 Underwood Road, S.E., Conyers. The job fair will include a mobile career lab that will assist with resume building and job training. The event also will have services for veterans as well as training and employment information concerning Rockdale Works. The summit will offer record restriction services. Persons who have been arrested in Rockdale but were not convicted may be eligible to have their arrest record restricted and potentially sealed by the courts for free. Applications for record restriction should be submitted online by visiting www.rockdaleclerk. com/restriction
DeKalb libraries offer kids “Fine-Free Summer” DeKalb County Public Library (DCPL) is waiving overdue fines for materials in the children’s and teens’ collections during “Fine-Free Summer.” The initiative runs June 1 to Aug. 31 and is designed to encourage reading and remove any barriers so children will read more during the summer months. The DCPL Board of Trustees approved Fine-Free Summer for the second year after a successful summer in 2018. Fees will still be assessed on lost or damaged items and normal checkout periods will still apply.
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JUNE 7, 2019 • PAGE 11
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son, who, as a commissioner in 2002 approved the allocation of funds to preserve the property as greenspace. Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson considers the homestead a jewel. “I’m from a freed slave town in Tennessee, so I have great appreciation for the preservation of this home,” said Johnson. According to historians, about 17 slaves lived and worked on the farm in 1860. Some were field hands while others worked as house servants and lived in the basement of the home with only a small window and a hand built fireplace. Even after slavery, the farm was used by many generations of the Lyon family all the way up until 2007, according to historians. Caleb and Christina Cook, also descendants of the Lyon family, were dating when they last lived in the house around 2007. The now married couple said they couldn’t believe how much has been done on the home. Stonecrest Mayor Jason Lary, who attended the dedication, said he believes the preservation project will be a big draw for anyone interested in Georgia history. The city of Stonecrest, he said, made history when residents in the area voted to incorporate in 2016, making Stonecrest the largest city in DeKalb with a current population of about 54,000. “It (the Lyon homestead) adds to our history. Even though we’re only 2 years old, we’re adding history that is now 150 years old,” said Lary. Johnny Waites, a black descendant of the Flat Rock community, has been sharing the history of Flat Rock and the Lyon family farm for years. “My family bought many agricultural goods, like syrup from the Lyon family farm many years ago,” said Waits, who is president and co-founder of the Flat Rock Archives. Waites leads tours of the Flat Rock Archives and the Lyon family farm, which are in close proxmity to one another. Executive Director of Arabia Mountain Heritage Alliance Mera Cardenas said the Arabia Mountain Heritage Alliance plans to continue working with DeKalb County and others to
voiced their support. Smith said while all of the proposals would bring improved transit services throughout DeKalb, some would require a half penny or a full one-cent sales tax increase, depending on the plan that is approved. One scenario, “Existing MARTA Penny Scenario,” focuses on a penny tax increase for the maintenance, sustained capital and operations of existing systems with no additional transit expansion projects. The “Half-Penny System Scenario,” features 15 projects to be funded: One Light Rail Transit (LRT); Five Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); and Nine Arterial Rapid Transit (ART). This plan would include 139 project miles of development for transportation. The “Full Penny System Scenario,” features 16 projects: Four LRT, Four BRT, and Eight ART projects, all on 180 project miles of transportation development. Dele Lowman Smith, president of the Stonecrest Citizens Coalition, said the citizens’ group has asked the Board of Commissioners to support rail as the long-term option to serving South DeKalb residents. Lowman Smith said South DeKalb has waited long enough for rail. “Recognizing that DeKalb County residents have paid a one-cent sales tax to fund MARTA operations since its inception, it is clear that South DeKalb has received an inequitable return on this investment as our residents have extremely limited access to MARTA rail,” the coalition said in a news release. The coalition further stated: “While we do not support bus rapid transit (BRT) as a sole transit alternative, we would support a dedicated lane along the I-20 corridor to provide short-term relief for growing traffic congestion.” Officials have estimated that Heavy Rail would cost approximately $250 million per mile in capitol dollars while light rail would cost $120 million per mile. Bus Rapid Transit would cost approximately $25 million per mile, according documents in DeKalb’s preliminary transit plan. MARTA has announced a number of upgrades for the aging public transit system, which was formed in 1971. In January, MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker said there would be a multi-year effort to renovate all 38 MARTA rail stations. Parker has called for a $100 billion investment in the transit system.
continue improving the Lyon property. “I feel a sense of relief and gratification to have this tremendous project that has been advocated for so long, finally executed,” said Cardenas. “With all of this, we are at the beginning of this project, not the end.” Plans are under way for guided tours and interpretive signage detailing the stories of the Lyon family, the community of Flat Rock and rural life in Georgia. Sign installation is planned for this summer.
Congressman Hank Johnson to host Twitter Town Hall June 14 Join Congressman Hank Johnson, who represents Georgia’s Fourth District, for a Twitter Town Hall on Friday, June 14, 2 p.m., on twitter.com. The virtual town hall meeting will allow community stakeholders an opportunity to tweet in their concerns regarding a variety of issues ranging from healthcare to student loans. Tune into the town hall discussion by following @RepHankJohnson and tweet your questions to #AskHank.
Congressman Hank Johnson
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