City Council Plans Back-to-School Event, Paver Sales

Stone Mountain's city council on Tuesday approved a back-to-school event that will be funded by private and corporate donations. The aim is to get at least $5,000 in contributions to help children get the supplies they need ahead of the new school year. 

The event will be held in July, City Manager Barry Amos said ahead of Tuesday's meeting.

The council also amended its agreement with Main Street Stone Mountain to contract the nonprofit to sell engraved pavers for the second phase of the streetscape.

The council tabled a decision on providing dog-specific drinking fountains at Red Dog Park. The body will do a review of all the parks to get an overview of what needs to be done at each before making a decision, Mayor Pro Tem Chakira Sallee said after the meeting.

The council approved two parade permits to the Georgia Caribbean Carnival, Inc., with the stipulation that the group first receive a permit from DeKalb County for the part of the parade that is outside the city limits. The children's parade is scheduled for May 21 and the adults' parade for may 28. 

State Rep. Billy Mitchell attended Tuesday night's meeting and spoke about the new legislation that will allow cities and counties in Georgia to hold a referendum on allowing alcohol to be sold on Sundays. Mitchell said that although he doesn't drink alcohol, he thought it's ridiculous that you can drive to certain restaurants and athletic venues and drink and then drive home, but you can't buy alcohol at a package store and then consume it at home. 

Susan Coletti, reporting for the community affairs committee, reminded the community that there will be a citywide yard sale May 28, and dumpsters will be placed around the city from May 27 to June 3.

Kim Cumbie of the Visitor Center reported that there were 459 visitors from 31 states and Washington D.C. and from 13 countries. The center is still looking for volunteers. Contact Kim Cumbie at 770-879-4971 or email: kcumbie@comcast.net for more information on volunteering for the center.

Jack Sartain, co-founder of the DeKalb Council for the Arts, said the organization won Georgia Assembly of Community Art Agencies' annual stART award for its efforts in establishing Stone Mountain's art incubator project. Click here to read an article about the award.