Earth Month and Support of the Unhoused discussed at DeKalb Board of Commissioners Meeting
DeKalb County residents gathered at the bimonthly board of commissioners meeting to express public concerns and requests, celebrate Earth Day, and honor Kathy Register, while Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley was awarded the inaugural DeKalb County Climate Champions award for his environmental justice advocacy. The post Earth Month and Support of the Unhoused discussed at DeKalb Board of Commissioners Meeting appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
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DeKalb County residents gathered at the county’s bimonthly board of commissioners meeting to express public concerns and requests. Outside of public comments, the meeting focused on celebrating Earth Day and honoring Kathy Register, district director to Congressman Hank Johnson and the lifelong best friend of DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda David Johnson, who died in October 2025.
During the meeting, April 28 was declared DeKalb County Climate Champion Day. The committee awarded Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley as the inaugural recipient of the DeKalb County Climate Champions award for leading with faith, courage, and conviction while advocating for environmental justice.
“Never quit, never give up, never bow, never break, never back up. This is your time. This is your moment,” Durley said as he accepted his award. “Follow the leadership of a deity greater than yourself, and you’ll always be successful.”
Residents expressed a range of concerns and requests, from concerns about data centers to requests for speed humps in a DeKalb County neighborhood after a fatal accident and for summer camp funding for performing arts students. Many audience members wore yellow shirts with the phrase “Lead with compassion, act with collaboration, and serve with kindness” printed on the back. They called for more to be done in support of their unhoused neighbors.
“The time is now, and it’s also extremely important that there’s a plan in place,” said Sue Sullivan, director of Park 500, DeKalb County’s new transitional housing project that is a key initiative in battling homelessness.
The post Earth Month and Support of the Unhoused discussed at DeKalb Board of Commissioners Meeting appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.
