Annexation hearings scheduled in Lithonia
May 24, 2021 Jay Phillips 0 Comments City of Lithonia, Councilman Ric Dodd, Mayor Shameka Reynolds
City of Lithonia officials scheduled public meetings from May through October to discuss annexation efforts.

According to a news release, the dates for annexation meetings are May 26, June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Oct. 27, and each meeting will last from 7 – 8 p.m.

City officials said the meetings will be accessible through Zoom with the meeting ID of 828 3277 6521 and 637984 as the password.

In March, Lithonia Mayor Shameka Reynolds and Councilman Ric Dodd said they are spearheading the annexation effort and—if approved by voters—the annexation would add about 340 people to the city.

According to annexation documents, the first step of a three-part annexation plan will expand Lithonia’s city limits to Highway 124, to Rock Chapel Road to the north and to Covington Highway to the south.

In March, city officials said the annexation study showed up to a 5.9 percent increase in taxes in the considered areas, and city officials said they distributed pamphlets to homes in the considered area.

Reynolds said the increased taxes and smaller jurisdiction—compared to being in unincorporated DeKalb County—lets Lithonia officials focus more attention on residents.

“It makes sense for us to grow,” Reynolds said. “If we have more people, we receive more funding and more help. There are also services we can offer people outside of the city that they don’t have.”

Officials break ground on East DeKalb senior center
Officials from DeKalb County and the state of Georgia celebrated the groundbreaking of the new East DeKalb Community and Senior Center Aug. 28 at 2449 Bruce Street in Lithonia.

County officials said the center is expected to open in December 2021.
“We made a commitment to the seniors here on Bruce Street and we’re keeping our commitment,” said Director of DeKalb Community Development Allen Mitchell. “My commitment is that this will be one of the best senior centers you’ve seen in DeKalb County.”

DeKalb County District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson said local seniors pushed for this center and help from current DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and his predecessor Lee May were keys to the groundbreaking.

Davis Johnson also said the county acquired a bus for the seniors’ transportation needs, and thanked Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance Treasurer Kelly Jordan and Director Revonda Cosby for helping with the center and other initiatives in the Bruce Street area.

District 7 Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said she and Davis Johnson fought tirelessly to make sure the new center would come to the area.

“I’d like to thank our former CEO Lee May for his vision,” said Cochran-Johnson. “This center is long overdue and it’s with great honor that we stand here and move forward with this project.”

Cochran-Johnson and several other speakers thanked the seniors at the current East DeKalb Senior Center for their input, stating it is important for the center to reflect their needs.

“Our seniors are very important to us,” said a District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw. “That we are here today to break ground on [the new East DeKalb Senior Center] is a testament to how important our seniors are to us.”

Bradshaw said he expects his district to have a similar groundbreaking soon.

Georgia Sen. Tonya Anderson said as a former mayor and council member from Lithonia, she is happy to see the progress being made in the city
“I’m so excited about the new facility and where this is taking us as a district and as a region,” said Anderson. “I look forward to coming to your Christmas parties and all your gatherings.”

Lithonia Mayor Shameka Reynolds said the new senior center is another positive step for the city of Lithonia.

“Our seniors, like [Allene] Harper, thank you for your drive,” said Reynolds. “It means a lot to me and the citizens of Lithonia, and I thank you.”

The center will stand near the site of the old Bruce Street School. Harper said she is a lifelong resident of the area, attended the Bruce Street School and is excited to use the new senior center on Bruce Street.

“This new center will be a much-needed asset to our beautiful Lithonia community,” said Harper. “Despite all we’ve endured in our lives this year … Aug. 28, 2020 is a blessed day.”

County officials said the new center will provide art, computer and exercise classes, group trips and other services for seniors.

Lithonia community paints Black Lives Matter on Main Street

Lithonia Mayor Shameka Reynolds and community members paint one of the letters. Photo by Jay Phillips.
Thompkins outlined the proposed painting with tape, and then community members painted in the outlines.

According to Thompkins, the street painting was a way for the city and community members to show their pride and show their love for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Lithonia Mayor Shameka Reynolds and Councilmember Diane Howard were among the city and county officials participating in the street painting.

“Businesses on Main came to the city and had this idea. They wanted to do something to show the city of Lithonia was in support of this movement,” said Reynolds. “We’ve been going through this a long time. It hurts. But at the same time, this is what we need. We’re not up for all of this injustice going on in our country.”

Douglas Thompkins, who organized the street painting, outlining one of the letters. Photo by Jay Phillips.
Reynolds said the Black Lives Matter movement resonates with her, not only as a Black woman but also as a parent.

“I’m a single Black woman, and I have two Black boys who are young,” said Reynolds. “It hurts me because I’m afraid. My heart goes out to all the families. All of this has to stop.”

The street painting can be seen on Main Street in Lithonia, northeast of the intersection with Johnson Street.