ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Feb. 26, 2025

Rockdale County BOC Announces Meeting Schedule to Foster Transparency and Engagement

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – The Board of Commissioners (BOC) is pleased to announce a significant enhancement to its meeting schedule aimed at increasing transparency and fostering greater interaction with the community. Starting in March, the BOC will introduce town halls into its regular meeting rotation and combine Work and Voting Sessions into a single comprehensive meeting.

Traditionally, the BOC Meetings have been pivotal in discussing and deciding on important matters affecting our community. With this revised schedule, BOC Meetings will now be held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. Additionally, on the 3rd Tuesday at 6 p.m., the BOC will host town halls, offering informational sessions and opportunities for community members to engage directly with commissioners through question-and-answer sessions.

This initiative reflects the BOC’s commitment to transparency, ensuring that community stakeholders have ample opportunities to participate in discussions, voice concerns, and gain insight into the decision-making processes that shape our county.

“We believe that by integrating town halls into our meeting schedule and consolidating Work and Voting Sessions, we can better serve our community by fostering open dialogue and collaboration,” said Chair Van Ness. “These changes are designed to make our meetings more accessible and informative for all residents.”

The BOC encourages all residents, stakeholders, and interested parties to mark their calendars and participate in these upcoming sessions. By working together, we can continue to build a stronger and more engaged community.

To remain informed about the Board of Commissioners Meeting Schedule, visit the BOC Agenda page at www.rockdalecountyga.gov or call Rockdale County Government at 770-278-7000.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Feb. 24, 2025

Rockdale County Parks & Recreation to Host GRPA State Tournament

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – The Rockdale County Parks & Recreation Department will be hosting the 2025 Georgia Recreation & Park Association (GRPA) 14-U and 17-U Boys Youth Basketball State Tournament. This marks the first time the department has hosted a statewide athletic tournament. Over the past two years, the department has also hosted several GRPA district tournaments, including the 14-U and 17-U boys youth basketball consecutively.

The GRPA has a history of basketball tournaments for boys and girls at various age levels. The GRPA Map is broken down into seven (7) districts comprised of all 159 counties in the state of Georgia. The district in which Rockdale County belongs to, District 6, has 22 counties. Participating at the state level and hosting is a special opportunity for the winners of each district age division tournament to represent their community at the state level. GRPA State tournaments have been going on for the past 60 years or so.

“It’s a positive opportunity to financially stimulate the local economy and expose visitors from across GA to all the great amenities, shops, accommodations, and diversity in Rockdale County,” Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation Tahira Wilson.

Tournaments will be held Sat., March 7 and Sun., March 8, at the Johnson Park Recreation Center, 1781 Ebenezer Rd., Conyers, 30094, and JP Carr Gymnasium, 1090 Hardin St., Conyers, 30012. Team trophies will be awarded to 1st and 2nd Place teams. The admission fee is $8 for adults 18 and older, $4 for children 6-17 years old, free for kids 5 and under, and adults over 60. Concessions will be provided throughout the tournament.

For more information, please contact Parks & Recreation at (770) 278-7529 or email jprec@rockdale26.soliademo.com.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Feb. 6, 2025

Weekend Road Closure for Roundabout Construction at SR 20, Chandler Road and West Hightower Trail

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Department of Transportation (RDOT), in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), will temporarily close the intersection of SR 20, Chandler Road, and West Hightower Trail in Conyers, GA, for planned roundabout construction the weekend of Fri., Feb. 14 through Mon., Feb. 17. The intersection will be closed for the entire weekend to facilitate construction.

During this closure, drivers should expect detours and plan for additional travel time. Detour signage will be in place to guide motorists along alternative routes.

Detour Routes:

• Bethel Rd NW (West Hightower Trail to SR-20/Loganville Hwy)
• SR-20 (Loganville Hwy) (Roebuck Rd NW to Pleasant Hill Rd)
• Day St NW (Bethel Rd NW to Pleasant Hill Rd)
• Pleasant Hill Rd NW (SR-20 to West Hightower Trail)
• Sheffield Rd NE (SR-20 to Haralson Mill Rd NE)
• Zingara Rd NE (Haralson Mill Rd NE to Peek Rd)
• Peek Rd NE (Zingara Rd NE to SR-20)

Drivers are urged to follow posted detour signs, allow extra travel time, and use caution when navigating the area. This roadwork is part of an ongoing effort to improve traffic flow and enhance safety at the intersection.

For more information, contact RDOT at 770-278-7200.

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ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Feb. 5, 2025

Judge Maureen E. Wood Makes History as Rockdale County’s First African American Superior Court Judge

 ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Judge Maureen E. Wood made history in May 2024 when she was elected as Rockdale County’s first African American Superior Court Judge. Her election marks a significant milestone for the community, not only for her personal achievement but also for the ongoing progress in the county’s judicial landscape. With this appointment, Rockdale County now has two women serving on the Superior Court bench for the first time in history.

Wood’s journey to the Superior Court began with an impressive educational and professional foundation. A proud graduate of Spelman College, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree before continuing her legal studies at the University of Tennessee College of Law. After law school, Wood went into private practice with her husband, David Wood, before being appointed by then-Chief Superior Court Judge David B. Irwin in 2016 to serve as the county’s first African American Juvenile Court Judge.

Reflecting on her legal career, Judge Wood has often described herself as a “public servant dedicated to serving the people in my own community.” Raised in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Wood comes from a family deeply rooted in the civil rights movement. Her grandfather, Robert W. Scales, made history as the first African American elected to the Murfreesboro City Council and the first African American Vice Mayor. Her grandmother, Mary C. Scales, also broke barriers as the first African American elected to the City Council and the first African American professor at Middle Tennessee State University.

“I was raised in a family where education and servant leadership were commonplace,” Judge Wood shared. “I am truly honored to be Rockdale County’s first African American Superior Court Judge, and I stand on the shoulders of my family and the many leaders who came before me.”

Wood joins a distinguished list of African Americans who have made their mark on the county’s courts. In 2012, Phinia Aten became the first African American Magistrate Court Judge, Charles Mays became the first African American Probate Court Judge, and in 2021, Clarence Cuthpert, Jr. was appointed as the County’s first African American State Court Judge.

On the federal level, Thurgood Marshall became the first African American Supreme Court Justice in 1967. More recently, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made history in 2022 as the first Black woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. As of recent data, black women comprise only 4% of the judiciary nationwide.

The significance of celebrating African Americans in the judiciary cannot be overstated. Diverse benches provide more inclusive representation and help ensure equitable outcomes for all citizens. When courts reflect the diversity of the people they serve, it fosters trust and confidence in the justice system.

As Judge Wood begins her term on the Superior Court bench, she reflects on the legacy she is building and the responsibility that comes with it. “It’s about standing for the community, making decisions that serve everyone fairly and justly,” she said. “And it’s about ensuring that the next generation sees that their dreams are possible, regardless of their background.”

Judge Maureen E. Wood’s historic election as Rockdale County’s first African American Superior Court Judge is a triumph for the community and a reminder of how far the legal profession has come. It also serves as an inspiration for future generations of African American leaders in law.

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