Wedding venue in Blue Ridge, GA for couples in Stonecrest, GA

STONECREST, Ga. — A former Stonecrest city official says she was fired for being a whistleblower.

She spoke up about an indoor petting zoo and aquarium not having the proper zoning to be inside Stonecrest Mall.

When the former mayor of Stonecrest was convicted of embezzling money from the city, there were many things he was involved in that came to light.

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The Deputy Director of Zoning says when she tried to make things right, she was fired.

And that was after she already filed a federal lawsuit against the city.

Artur Davis is the attorney representing Keedra Jackson, the former Deputy Director of Zoning for the city of Stonecrest.

“Keedra Jackson has worked in city and municipal and local government for a good chunk of her career. She’s a very respected member of the economic and community development community,” Davis said. “But when she raised those concerns she was told by the leadership in her community, ‘You need to find a way to make this work,’ and she did so.”

Bur according to Davis, it was too late.

His client was already receiving backlash for speaking up.

Davis says she was turned down for a promotion and mistreated by other city leaders, so she filed an EEOC complaint and then she was fired.

Jackson filed a total of three complaints.

She alleges wrongful termination under the whistleblower act, retaliation, and discrimination.

“All that Mrs. Jackson is trying to do is hold the city of Stonecrest accountable,” Davis said.

Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes got a statement from Stonecrest Mayor Jazzmin Cobble that says she’s aware of the lawsuit and that city officials deny any retaliation and any wrongdoing or unlawful conduct.

But she says they can’t speak about anything pertaining to the lawsuit specifically.

The city has until September 11 to officially respond to the EEOC complaints.

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IN OTHER NEWS:

The future of The Mall at Stonecrest just took a turn for the better. Developers of the east Atlanta shopping and entertainment complex recently announced the completion of Phase II renovations at Priví, a 143,000-square-foot lifestyle adaptive reuse of the former Sears department store. The $4.2 million investment adds several creative industry and wellness tenants, including Baldwin’s Literary Social Bookstore, Priví Art Gallery, The Exposure Hub co-working space, 101 TKO Radio, Priví Event Center, 3 Degrees Infrared Sauna Studio, Picasso’s Splat Room, The Lion’s Cage MMA & Fitness Gym, and Garden Life Juice Bar. The nine new tenants will join Phase I anchor SeaQuest on the mall’s lower level.

“By carefully curating the tenant mix and shaping the built environment, we’re diversifying what The Mall at Stonecrest offers by providing in-town amenities within our suburban framework,” said Vaughn Irons, principal of Stonecrest Resorts, the developer of the project in a statement. “New and previous visitors will be pleasantly surprised by what they discover at Priví; we are adding components that will create an elevated experience for our guests and become a place people will visit several times a week for much more than just shopping.”

Area residents and visitors alike will soon see new food and beverage options. Dallas-based Bay Mountain Capital recently provided an additional $8.3 million in financing that will continue the momentum of Priví, including building the new chef-driven food hall on the second level. “We’re excited to assist with financing the repositioning of a suburban mall into a lifestyle center,” said Rachel Jones, manager of commercial investments at Bay Mountain Capital. “Stonecrest Resorts’ experience and business plan provided us full confidence that this project would be a great success.”

Construction will begin on the interior portion of the 40,000-square-foot chef-driven food and beverage hall this quarter. It will include 13 unique concepts, such as Atlanta Breakfast Club, The Original Hot Dog Factory, Dope Coffee, a craft bar, golf simulator suites, a daiquiri bar, and a fine dining restaurant planned to open by spring 2024. “The goal is to offer a foodie paradise that will attract people eating on the go, family outings, meeting with friends, date nights for couples, or celebrating a special occasion,” said Osiris Ballard, co-owner of Good Food & Company, the hospitality group and curator of the food hall. Complementing the food hall will be a 10,000-square-foot history and cultural center designed to educate and stimulate visitors’ interest in African-American 20th-century business, civic, creative, health, and athletic achievements.

By redeveloping the mall’s vacant spaces, Stonecrest Resorts has increased the area’s economic viability, leading to new business partnerships and investments within the city. “Stonecrest Resorts has lived up to the promise they made when they purchased the Sears building from the Urban Redevelopment Authority,” said Mayor of Stonecrest, Jazzmin Cobble, “SeaQuest has been great, and now Privi gives us continued momentum as the Council and I establish the City of Stonecrest for a dynamic economic future.”

To celebrate the grand opening of the new tenants on the mall’s lower level, Privi created a variety of community events, which included a job fair on May 13th and a Mother’s Day Concert featuring Grammy-Nominated R&B Artist, Raheem DeVaughn on May 14th. Privi is closing out the month-long events with a 50 Years of Hip-Hop Day Party and Brunch, hosted by Hip-Hop legend, Chubb Rock on Saturday, May 20th from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. “I’m excited for what’s to come and to see how Priví is responding to the desires of our community,” said Patricia Edge, general manager of The Mall at Stonecrest, “The project has already generated an uptick in mall traffic thanks to SeaQuest, and these new additions will further enhance the existing offerings for Stonecrest and the East Metro area.”

The city of Stonecrest, Georgia on Monday decriminalized cannabis possession by adults following a unanimous vote to approve the reforms by the city council, FOX 5 reports. Those caught with an ounce or less of cannabis will only get a citation and a $100 fine.

Mayor Jazzmin Cobble said the new ordinance will reduce the number of people incarcerated for low-level cannabis possession. The Municipal Court of Stonecrest, which backed the reforms, said the enforcement of possession laws “has fallen disproportionately on certain subsets of the population.”

“The City of Stonecrest remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors. This ordinance does not legalize the possession of marijuana in Stonecrest. It eliminates jail time as the only option of penalty and reduces the fines for individuals found guilty of possessing one ounce or less of marijuana.” — Cobble via FOX 5

Earlier this month, Commissioners in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia approved an ordinance to reduce the penalty for possession of less than an ounce of cannabis to a $35 fine, which is the lowest in the state. Other municipalities, including Atlanta, Savannah, Macon-Bibb, Statesboro, Tybee Island, Clarkston, Chamblee, Forest Park, Kingsland, and South Fulton have also enacted measures to decriminalize cannabis possession, eschewing jail time for fines between $75 to $500.

In May, Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones said she will no longer prosecute cannabis possession cases dealing with less than one ounce or test small amounts of cannabis unless other felony charges are involved.

Cannabis possession remains outlawed under state law. The state does have a medical cannabis program.

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DeKalb County, GA — Early voting began on Oct. 16 in DeKalb County for the municipal and special elections. Polls are open Monday-Friday on Oct. 16-Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

Voters will also be able to vote on a few Saturdays and Sundays during the advanced voting period. Polls will be open on Oct. 21 and 28 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Oct. 22 and 29 from 12-5 p.m.

To check your voter registration, click here.

Decaturish has published candidate Q&As, hosted forums and provided information about referendum questions. To see all of our election coverage, click here. To see the composite sample ballot, click here.

Voters with a physical disability or who are 75 years and older do not need to wait in line. They can walk to the polling place entrance and a poll worker will assist them in casting their ballot.

The DeKalb Voter Registrations and Elections Department is encouraging voters to wear a mask and practice social distancing at all times.

Wondering what to bring when voting in-person? Here’s what DeKalb VRE recommends:

– A valid ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or voter identification card

– A mask to help ensure your safety and the safety of the poll workers and voters around you.

– Chair, water, and snacks if the location has a long wait line

– Your absentee ballot if you are wanting to vote in-person instead. If you do not have your absentee ballot, you will need to sign an affidavit stating that you are instead casting your ballot in-person

Some early voting sites are also drop box locations for absentee ballots. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 27. Absentee ballots must be turned in by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 7. For more information about absentee ballots, click here.

Voters can cast a ballot at any early voting location. The early voting locations are different from the polling locations on Election Day. If you vote on Election Day, you must go to the precinct listed on your voter registration.

Here are the early voting locations:

Note: the * indicates a polling place that also has a drop box for absentee ballots.

Berean Christian Church 2201 Young Rd Stone Mountain, GA 30088

Bessie Branham Recreation Center 2051 Delano Dr. NE Atlanta, GA 30317

Clarkston Library 951 N. Indian Creek Dr. Clarkston, GA 30021

County Line–Ellenwood Library 4331 River Rd. Ellenwood, GA 30294

DeKalb Voter Registration & Elections Office * 4380 Memorial Dr. Decatur, GA 30032

Dunwoody Library 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. * Dunwoody, GA 30338

Emory University 1599 Clifton Rd Atlanta, GA 30338

Lynwood Recreation Center * 3360 Osborne Rd. NE Atlanta, GA 30319

North DeKalb Senior Center 3393 Malone Dr. Chamblee, GA 30341

The Gallery at South DeKalb * 2801 Candler Rd. Decatur, GA 30034

Stonecrest (former Sam’s Club) * 2994 Turner Hill Rd. Lithonia, GA 30038

Tucker–Reid H. Cofer Library * 5234 Lavista Rd. Tucker, GA 30084

Wesley Chapel–William C. Brown Library 2861 Wesley Chapel Rd. Decatur, GA 30034

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General municipal and special elections will be held on November 7, 2023, but advanced voting is also an option in the state of Georgia.

This map has compiled early voting locations by metro Atlanta county; however, you may need to visit a specific early voting location that correlates with the municipality you are registered in.

To check your registration status or view a sample ballot, visit the Georgia My Voter Page. More details below.

Fulton County

October 16 – November 3, 2023Hours Include:Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.Saturday, October 21 and October 28: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.Sunday, October 22 and October 29: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

* These sites are also drop box locations

Buckhead Library *269 Buckhead Avenue NEAtlanta, GA 30305

Chattahoochee Hills City Hall6505 Rico RoadChattahoochee Hills, GA 30268

C.T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center *3201 M.L.K. Jr. Drive SWAtlanta, GA 30311

College Park Library3647 Main StreetCollege Park, GA 30337* Pending Board of Registration & Elections approval on meeting to be held October 12, 2023

East Point First Mallalieu United Methodist Church *2651 N Church StreetEast Point, GA 30344

East Roswell Library *2301 Holcomb Bridge RoadRoswell, GA 30076

Fairburn Annex40 Washington StreetFairburn, GA 30213

Fulton County Government Center (Office)141 Pryor Street SWAtlanta, GA 30331

Gladys S. Dennard Library at South Fulton *4055 Flat Shoals RoadSouth Fulton, GA 30291

Joan P. Garner at Ponce De Leon Library980 Ponce De Leon Avenue NEAtlanta, GA 30306

Robert F. Fulton Ocee Library5090 Abbotts Bridge RoadJohns Creek, GA 30005

Roswell Library115 Norcross StreetRoswell, GA 30075

South Fulton Service Center (Office)5600 Stonewall Tell RoadSouth Fulton, GA 30349

Southwest Arts Center915 New Hope Road SWSouth Fulton, GA 30331

DeKalb County

Monday–Friday (Oct. 16–Nov. 3) from 7 a.m.–7 p.m.Saturday (Oct. 21 & 28) from 9 a.m.–6 p.m.Sunday (Oct. 22 & 29) from 12 p.m.–5 p.m.

* These sites are also drop box locations

Berean Christian Church2201 Young RdStone Mountain, GA 30088

Bessie Branham Recreation Center2051 Delano Dr. NEAtlanta, GA 30317

Clarkston Library951 N. Indian Creek Dr. Clarkston, GA 30021

County Line–Ellenwood Library4331 River Rd.Ellenwood, GA 30294

DeKalb Voter Registration & Elections Office *4380 Memorial Dr.Decatur, GA 30032

Dunwoody Library5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. *Dunwoody, GA 30338

Emory University1599 Clifton RdAtlanta, GA 30338

Lynwood Recreation Center *3360 Osborne Rd. NEAtlanta, GA 30319

North DeKalb Senior Center3393 Malone Dr. Chamblee, GA 30341

The Gallery at South DeKalb *2801 Candler Rd.Decatur, GA 30034

Stonecrest (former Sam’s Club) *2994 Turner Hill Rd.Lithonia, GA 30038

Tucker–Reid H. Cofer Library *5234 Lavista Rd.Tucker, GA 30084

Wesley Chapel–William C. Brown Library2861 Wesley Chapel Rd.Decatur, GA 30034

Cobb County

October 16 – October 20 Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

October 21 Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

October 23 – October 27 Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

October 28 Saturday9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

October 30 – November 3 Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

*Drop boxes are located inside these Voting locations and open only during voting hours.

Eligible residents within City Limits may vote at any of the following locations:

ACWORTH *Roberts School Community & Education Center 4681 School St. Acworth, GA 30101

AUSTELL *Collar Park Community Center 2625 Joe Jerkins Blvd. Austell, GA 30168

KENNESAW *Ben Robertson Community Center 2753 Watts Dr. Kennesaw, GA 30144

SMYRNA *Smyrna Community Center 1250 Powder Springs St. SE Smyrna, GA 30080

POWDER SPRINGS *Ron Anderson Recreation Center 3820 Macedonia Rd. Powder Springs, GA 30127

Clayton County

OCT 16-20 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. OCT 219 a.m. – 5 p.m.

OCT 2212 p.m. – 5 p.m.

OCT 23-278 a.m. – 7 p.m.

OCT 289 a.m. – 5 p.m.

OCT 30 – NOV 38 a.m. – 7 p.m.

College Park Fire Station5131 W. Fayetteville Rd College Park, GA 30349

Lake Spivey Recreation Center 2300 Walt Stephens Rd Jonesboro, GA 30236

Elections & Registration 121 South McDonough St Jonesboro, GA 30236

South Clayton Recreation Center 1837 McDonough Rd Hampton, GA 30228

Forest Park Senior Center5087 Park Avenue Forest Park, GA 30297

Morrow Municipal Complex1500 Morrow Road Morrow, GA 30260

Virginia B. Gray Recreation Center1475 East Fayetteville Rd Riverdale, GA 30274

Gwinnett County