Politics

Gov. Deal names leader to Office of Child Advocate

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014, 12:56pm

Gov. Deal names leader to Office of Child Advocate

ATLANTA -- Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has appointed an attorney as director of the state Office of the Child Advocate.

Ashley Willcott will begin her new job on Feb. 1.

Willcott has worked as a lawyer in various juvenile courts since 1992. In addition to running her own private practice, she is a Special Assistant Attorney General representing the Department of Family and Children Services in Dawson and Rockdale counties. Willcott has also worked as Juvenile Court Judge Pro Tem in DeKalb and Fulton counties.

She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and English from Newcomb College at Tulane University and a law degree from Emory University.

The Office of the Child Advocate "will work proactively and steadily to improve the way our state helps families in need," according to its website.

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Submitted by 11Alive News Staff

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013, 11:17am

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, July 22nd, 2013, 5:50am

Lee May begins first week as DeKalb interim CEO

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- On Monday, Lee May kicks off his first full week as interim CEO of DeKalb County.

May was sworn in last Tuesday after Gov. Nathan Deal followed a panel's recommendation to suspend Burrell Ellis from office. Ellis faces extortion charges after being accused of using his position to force county vendors to contribute to his reelection campaign.

May will hold the position through Ellis' term, which runs through 2016, unless Ellis is acquitted.

May told 11Alive News that he plans to begin winning back DeKalb residents' trust by performing "the basic things that people pay their taxes for," such as filling potholes, picking up trash and making sure police respond when they are called.

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Submitted by Arit Essien, 11Alive Contributing Blogger

Sunday, May 19th, 2013, 1:17pm

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Submitted by Eden Godbee, Where U Live Producer

Wednesday, October 31st, 2012, 11:00am

DECATUR, Ga. -- Commissioner Stan Watson will be hosting his 4th Annual DeKalb County Neighborhood Summit on November 3.

The summit will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott Decatur and if free to all who want to attend. The summit will be held between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

At the summit, the commissioner will be speaking about Legislative updates, how to work with your elected officials, annexations and cityhood.

According to the Office of Stan Watson:

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Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Tuesday, August 28th, 2012, 7:57am

Ga. School Superintendent looking for student advisors

ATLANTA -- Georgia's Student Advisory Council is now accepting applications for the 2012-13 school year.

The Student Advisory Council reports to State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge to discuss how decisions made at the state level affect students throughout Georgia, according to Georgia Department of Education spokesman Matt Cardoza.

The council will meet twice during the school year -- Wednesday, Nov. 7 and Wednesday, Mar. 6. Applicants must be available to meet on both days.

All Georgia students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to apply.

"I am looking forward to getting to know a new group of student advisors and discuss how our policies affect them on a daily basis," Barge said in a statement. "We want to make education work for all Georgia's students and hearing directly from them is the best way to ensure that happens."

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Submitted by Marilyn Pearlman, Public Relations Specialist

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012, 1:16pm

'Lincoln & Obama' book launch at Decatur Book Festival August 31-September 2

DECATUR, Ga. -- Local author Dr. Gene Griessman, a seasoned Abraham Lincoln actor and keynote speaker, will launch his new book, “Lincoln and Obama” at the Decatur Book Festival, August 31-September 2 and also at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC, September 4-6.