Newspaper Page Text
LOCAL
THURSDAY, MAY 24 - 30, 2018 • Page 12
Sen. Tonya Anderson, center, is presented the 2018 Champion of Georgia’s Cities award by GMA R ep . Michele Henson received the 2018 Champion of Georgia’s Cities award at the Tucker City Council meeting.
Governmental Relations Associate Michael McPherson, right.
Anderson, Henson receive ‘Champion of Georgia Cities’ awards
BY CARLA PARKER
carla@dekalbchamp.com
Two DeKalb County state legislators
were honored with the 2018 Champion
of Georgias Cities award from the
Georgia Municipal Association (GMA)
May 14, the organization announced.
The award is given at the end of
every two-year legislative term to state
legislators who actively support major
GMA initiatives and goals. Sen. Tonya
Anderson (D-Lithonia) was presented
with her award at the Mall at Stonecrest
and Rep. Michele Henson (D-Stone
Mountain) received her award at a
Tucker City Council meeting.
Anderson received the award for
her work on Senate Bill 333, which
allows state or local government
employers to pay the cost of their
employee participating in a deferred
compensation plan and allows
employee contributions to be
established in an automatic enrollment
arrangement. GMA officials said
studies show that roughly 85-90 percent
of employees who are automatically
enrolled into a deferred compensation
plan continue contributions toward
their retirement.
“In contrast, studies show that
participation in plans without
automatic enrollment is, on average,
less than 50 percent,” Kelli Bennett of
GMA said.
The bill passed in the general
assembly and was signed by Gov.
Nathan Deal on May 8.
“It is truly humbling to be
recognized by GMA and their
membership,” said Anderson in a
released statement. “This legislation
will help so many by allowing the cost
of their deferred compensation plan
to be covered by their employer. I am
thankful for GMA’s support of this bill
and look forward to working with them
in the future to ensure that legislation
that champions Georgias cities is
supported in the Senate.”
“We greatly appreciate Sen.
Anderson’s strong support for city
government and her willingness to
listen to our issues and concerns,” GMA
Executive Director Larry Hanson
said. “Due to her strong leadership, the
citizens of all of Georgias cities will
benefit.”
GMA officials said Henson was
recognized for her leadership shown in
defending home rule, fighting against
Senate Bill 2. The bill was known as the
“FAST Act—Fairness, Accountability,
Simplification, and Transparency.”
“We greatly appreciate Rep. Hensons
strong support for city government and
her willingness to listen to our issues
and concerns,” Hanson said. “Due to
her strong leadership, the citizens of all
of Georgias cities will benefit.”
GMA is a voluntary, nonprofit
organization in Atlanta that provides
legislative advocacy, educational,
employee benefit and consulting
services to its 521-member cities.
DUO Continued From Page 8A
an illegal alien who should have never been in our country,”
Williams said.
Williams claimed protesters would not allow the bus to leave
its Decatur stop at a Burger King on N. Decatur Road.
The DeKalb County Police Department was called but
according to a police report, no violence occured.
“There was an anonymous 911 call made that stated protesters
were getting violent,’” the report said. “Upon a police supervisor
and officers’ arrival at the scene, they did not observe any
violence or criminal activity.”
Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry said Williams is welcome in
Clarkston any time he wants to visit. Terry said the protesters
were showing support for its large immigrant population.
“Clarkston has been very diverse for a very long time and I
think in a lot of ways [Clarkston] is the future of what America
will look like,” Terry said. “The reality is our American way of life
hasn’t been wiped out by foreign invaders as some would have
you believe.”
Decatur officials have gone through a “sanctuary city” debate
with another Republican candidate for governor.
Casey Cagle accused Decatur of being a sanctuary city and
filed a complaint with the Georgia Immigration Enforcement
Review Board Nov 6. Decatur officials have denied Cagle’s claims.
“As I reflect on the conference and our own city’s efforts to
cultivate a diverse and inclusive community, I am perplexed and
saddened that the It. governor has chosen to characterize Decatur
in this seemingly self-serving and inflammatory way, accusing
Decatur of harboring dangerous criminals when he knows
that is simply not true,” Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett said in a
statement.
Proposed Substantial Amendment to the 2014-2018
Consolidated Plan, including the
2016 Annual Action Plan
“DeKalb County Small Business Loan Fund”
DeKalb County is proposing to amend to the 2014-2018 Consolidated Plan,
including the 2016 loan fund for DeKalb County small businesses. Specifically,
the Community Development Department seeks to add an additional $250,000
of CDBG funding to the existing contract amount of $450,000; with Access to
Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE) increasing the contract amount to $700,000
and extend the contract term date to August 26, 2019.
This action will enhance the department’s ability to better serve the
entrepreneurial community of DeKalb County and allow loans to be made with
no interruption of service.
All citizens are invited to view the proposed substantial amendment to
this programs from May 24, 2018 to June 8, 2018 on the DeKalb County
Community Development website, https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/community-
development/public-notice.
DeKalb County Community Development Department
750 Commerce Drive, Suite 401, Decatur, Georgia 30030
(404) 371-2727
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Comment forms may be obtained and completed at the above listed location. Comments
may also be faxed or emailed to the Community Development Department.
Fax: (404) 371-2742
Email: bbwilliams@dekalbcountyga.gov
F ollow us on Social M edia @Dekaibchampnews