by Robin Kemp
UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: CLARIFICATION that Elections and Registration public comment link is not broken but goes live at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12
Good morning from the Gold Dome, where members of the Clayton County Legislative Delegation join their colleagues for the opening day of the new legislative session. Perhaps the biggest story out of the State Capitol today is Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s push to change the way Georgians vote in the wake of the “blue wave” that swept the state. Among those proposed changes: getting rid of county ballot boxes and ending mail-in advance voting.
As Clayton County moves toward providing its own medical examiner’s services (we’ll have a more in-depth story on this shortly), Rep. Sandra Scott (D-76) has prefiled HB 20, which would “provide for a right of action against coroners or medical examiners for negligence in certain death investigations involving persons killed by a peace officer.“
We’ll have more legislative updates later today. Here’s a look at what’s happening this week in Clayton County:
- Today at 2 p.m., the Lake City City Council will hold a public hearing at City Hall, 5455 Jonesboro Road, on the proposed FY 2021 budget. The Council meets tonight at 6 p.m. to vote on the budget.
- On Tuesday, January 12, the Clayton County Board of Elections and Registration will hold a special called session at 4 p.m. to certify the January 5 Senate and Public Service Commission runoffs, followed by the regular meeting at 4:30 p.m. Elections officials say the link for submitting public comments in advance will be available at 8 a.m. Tuesday; the main link for the Elections and Registration Board’s homepage, which lists members’ e-mail addresses and minutes of previous meetings, is https://www.claytoncountyga.gov/government/board-of-commissioners/county-boards/elections-and-registration-board.
- Also on Tuesday, January 12, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners holds a work session at 5:30 p.m. at 112 Smith Street. Two agenda items of particular note are a presentation by Probate Court Judge Pam Ferguson on concealed weapons and an ongoing effort to establish a Code of Conduct for BOC members. See the full agenda packet with supporting materials at http://claytoncountyga.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1254&Inline=True
- Also on January 12, the City of Morrow will hold a work session followed by the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. The City of Morrow continues its work session after the regular meeting. On the agenda:
- Approval of previous meetings’ agendas (attached to the Jan. 12 agenda)
- Authorizing a residential lease agreement for 5854 Jonesboro Road, a house right next to the entrance to Clayton State University
- reappointment of Judge Crandall Bray
- authorize a memorandum of understanding between Clayton State University Health Services and Morrow Fire Department “to receive, stage, and store COVID-19 vaccines”
- to set fees of $345.60 for council primary and runoff elections
- a resolution asking to appoint a member to the Clayton County Land Bank Board
- updates to the Public Works Supervisor’s job description and pay
- On Wednesday, January 13 at 6 p.m., Forest Park will hold an online community meeting for residents to give their input on proposed zoning changes. The city hired a consultant to review and suggest updates for the city’s zoning ordinances. If you live in Forest Park, and especially if you own a home there, you’ll want to take part. Visit https://bit.ly/3nG3VB6 to register for this Zoom meeting.
- On Thursday, January 14 at 10 a.m., Clayton County HUD Programs will present a webinar on “How to Save Your Home/Mortgage During COVID-19.” Register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cIhnjevSSDCGRKFC2t3gDQ .
Did we miss something? Let us know and we’ll add it to the calendar!
