Aging in Placers: Advocacy 101

Agining in Placers meeting

On October 29th, Team Terry and the Aging in Placers hosted an “Advocacy 101” training. Attendees learned about some of the key decision-makers in DeKalb County government and how to advocate for aging in place. The Aging in Placers are just getting started. This training set the foundation for the powerful work to come!

The mission of Commissioner Terry’s “Aging in Place Initiative” is to drive the charge to shape how our community supports housing options for aging in place right here in DeKalb County! It is a citizen-powered initiative of adults 55+ and supportive generations called “Aging in Placers.”

DeKalb County Commissioners Ted Terry and Dr. LaDena Bolton Call for Extension of Community Programs to Cover the “SNAP- Gap”: Launches Mobile Farmer’s Market in DeKalb

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*media interviews available*

DEKALB COUNTY – DeKalb County Commissioner Ted Terry and Commissioner LaDena Bolton are calling on state leadership to cover the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program “SNAP” benefits during the federal shutdown, “Our state has 1.4 million people who rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Here in DeKalb, 14% of our residents use food stamps. That’s over 100,000 people. They’re seniors, grandparents, working moms and children who need that money to buy groceries,” Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry said. “Georgia has a $14.9 billion budget surplus – a HUGE amount of money – where some could be spared to make sure every Georgian has enough food in their belly. And other Republican governors have already committed to this! Virginia and Louisiana’s governors have already agreed to use state funds – Georgia can too!”

“Food insecurity is a public health crisis, and we cannot wait for federal solutions when our neighbors are going hungry. Georgia has the resources—and the moral obligation—to step in
and protect our most vulnerable residents,” said Super District 7 Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton.

The Commissioners will be joined at the 4pm October 30th press conference by DeKalb residents who receive SNAP benefits and by laid off federal workers, who say the field has been leveled for Georgians with high food prices, layoffs and furloughs, the federal shutdown now, the end of SNAP benefits – making it hard for everyone to make ends meet.

DeKalb County will also unveil a new project called “Mobile Market Mondays” where fresh farmer’s market produce will be available across DeKalb County, including 3 sites in South DeKalb that have been previously identified as food deserts. Through a new partnership with “Retaaza” a mobile farmer’s market will run on Mondays starting Nov. 3. The mobile market van will be on site at the press conference fully stocked with fresh fruit and veggies for DeKalb residents to purchase at a greatly affordable price.

Check out Atlanta First News’ Coverage of the event here.


PRESS CONFERENCE
4pm Thursday, October 30, 2025
Belvedere Shopping Plaza
3479 Memorial Dr, Decatur, GA 30032

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ABOUT DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry:


In 2020, Commissioner Ted Terry was elected to serve as the Super District 6 Commissioner of DeKalb County. His district includes half of the County with portions of South, Central, and North DeKalb, totaling approximately 350,000 residents. He successfully was reelected and began his second term in January 2025.

Commissioner Terry’s policy priorities include the DeKalb Green New Deal and former President Biden’s Justice 40 initiatives, affordable housing, transit equity, protecting voting rights for DeKalb residents, and criminal justice reform. Commissioner Terry serves as the Chair of Finance and Budget (FAB) and is a member of the Planning, Economic Development and Community Service (PECS) committee. He previously served as the Chair of the Employee Relations and Public Safety committee (ERPS) and Chair of the Operations Committee (OPS) and as a member of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee (PWI).

The Commissioner also serves as a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) as a member of the Healthy Counties Advisory Board, International Economic Development Task Force, Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) Member, Resilient Counties Advisory Board Member, and Environment, Energy, and Land Use (EELU) Policy Steering Committee. Locally serves on the Georgia Council for International Visitors Board of Trustees.

Prior to his election, Commissioner Terry served as the mayor of the most ethnically diverse square mile in America: Clarkston, Georgia from January 2014 – March 2020, where he was the youngest Mayor in Clarkston’s 135-year history.

He resides in DeKalb County with his wife Andrea and 4-legged fur-babies. To learn more about Commissioner Terry, his platforms and how to stay up to date on the latest from his
office, visit www.commissionertedterry.com.


Follow the Commissioner on social media:
Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn


ABOUT DeKalb County Super District 7 Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton


Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton — affectionately known throughout the community as Dr. B — is a dynamic leader, accomplished chemist, and lifelong advocate for equity, safety, and opportunity in DeKalb County. Elected to represent Super District 7 in December 2024, she brings a bold, compassionate, and collaborative approach to governance, rooted in her deep ties to the community she was raised in, is raising her family and continues to serve.


Under her leadership, District 7 has been proudly branded as the district of bee pollinators—a symbol of collective purpose, productivity, and care. Just as pollinators sustain ecosystems, Dr. B’s mission is to create an environment where every resident is valued, and every resident is healthy, safe, and thriving. She chairs the Employee Relations & Public Safety Committee, where she champions constituent services, crisis response, and interdepartmental coordination. Her district motto — “Growing Businesses. Empowering Families.”— guides her work to uplift legacy communities, support small businesses, and ensure equitable access to resources.


Dr. Bolton holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University and a B.S. from Savannah State University. Her global career as an analytical forensic chemist has supported national security, energy sustainability, and health equity across the county, state and world.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. B is a dedicated civic leader: She was elected Vice President of the DeKalb Young Democrats Benefit Corporation in 2021, Chair of the DeKalb Dems’ House District 85 in 2023, and served as a DeKalb County Poll Manager since 2020, recruiting over 50 fair election champions.


In 2017, together with her husband, Dr. Clement J. Bolton II, she co-founded Bolton Legacy, a scholarship and advocacy initiative supporting students pursuing college or technical careers with a focus on restoring underserved communities.


Commissioner Dr. LaDena Bolton leads with empathy, excellence, and a deep respect for the voices of DeKalb County. Her vision is clear: to build legacies from the inside out—where every family, every business, and every resident can flourish.

Community Engagement Shines at the Bouldercrest Corridor SAP Meeting in Cedar Grove

group of people meeting

The Bouldercrest Corridor Small Area Plan (SAP) meeting in Cedar Grove saw an exceptional turnout, reflecting the strong community interest in shaping the future of the Bouldercrest, Cedar Grove, and Moreland Corridor. Thanks to extensive outreach efforts, more than 250 residents attended to learn, engage, and share their vision for the area’s long term development.

The meeting was led by Dr. Juaney Lynn-Rigsby, head of the East Conley Zoning Commission, in partnership with Pat Culp, president of the Cedar Grove Neighborhood Association. They introduced the steering committee formed to guide the community-driven planning process for the corridor.

Commissioner Ted Terry and District 3 Commissioner Nicole Massiah provided opening remarks while emphasizing that residents would play a central role in determining what they want for their community and the broader future of South DeKalb.

Attendees heard from two master planning firms hired by DeKalb County:

Village Habitat Design, represented by Greg Ramsey, presented early concepts featuring village-style layouts with greenspaces, mixed-use developments, community gardens, walking trails, and improved river access along the South River and Blue Creek. Their approach prioritizes land conservation and sustainable design.

Signal Works shared plans focused on revitalizing aging or underutilized buildings by transforming existing structures into renewed community assets, and complementing the greenspaces and village-style layouts introduced by Village Habitat Design.

Residents were invited to complete surveys and join the steering committee to help shape next steps in the planning process. Their input will play a critical role as design concepts continue to develop.

We are very excited and grateful for such a strong turnout and the thoughtful engagement from Cedar Grove and South DeKalb residents in guiding sustainable development for their neighborhoods.

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Signal works archetect image
Commissioner Ted Terry
group of people meeting

Longdale Park Community Planning Begins

group of people in a meeting

On October 23rd, our District 6 team joined Longdale Park neighbors, DeKalb Parks & Rec, and the Foresite Group for the first of three community design meetings.

This kickoff meeting focused on creating ideas and outlining what’s possible within the park’s environmental limitations, such as protecting the creek, preventing downstream flooding, and maintaining the natural landscape. Community members also shared priorities like reducing the parking lot, discouraging unsafe driving near the pavilion, and creating a more passive, family friendly park.

The Foresite Group will use this feedback to draft a master plan that will be presented at the second meeting. Future meeting dates are still being finalized, and Parks & Rec is encouraging as much community input as possible before moving forward.

Thank you to all who showed up to help shape the future of Longdale Park. Your voices are guiding this process.

Greystone Park Community Meets to Address Neighborhood Safety Concerns

Greystone Park Community Meeting

On Wednesday, October 22, nearly 60 residents of the Greystone Park community and the DeKalb County Police Department’s South Precinct gathered at the NH Scott Recreation Center to discuss a recent increase in burglaries affecting the neighborhood.

Officers provided updates on ongoing investigations, including a report from Lt. Starnes that warrants had been served earlier that day, resulting in multiple arrests connected to the recent incidents.

To help residents protect their homes, officers encouraged neighbors to stay connected, document valuables and serial numbers, install exterior lighting, maintain clear landscaping, and use outdoor cameras. Public Education Specialist, Paula Tate also distributed updated contact numbers for each police shift. Building a strong communication network to share information quickly and support crime-prevention efforts was also mentioned.

During the Q&A, one resident asked how many attendees had been affected by theft. Nearly every hand in the room went up. This only emphasized the urgency of the meeting and the shared experiences within the neighborhood.

Residents expressed that the gathering was helpful in reaffirming they are not alone and that the neighborhood has the full attention of the South Precinct.

The meeting clearly had an impact on residents, many of whom later shared their appreciation and reflections in local online groups. The community is now moving toward a more coordinated, connected approach to neighborhood safety.

DeKalb County Super District 6 Commission Office Advocates for Clean Energy at Public Service Commission Public Hearing

Concerned additional electricity needs to power data centers across Georgia will be reliant on fossil fuels, despite municipalities’ 100% clean energy goals

DEKALB COUNTY – On October 21, 2025, DeKalb County Super District 6 Commission Office attended a Public Hearing by the Georgia Public Service Commission on Dockets 56298 and 56310, Georgia Power Company’s Application for the Certification of the 2029-2031 All-Source Capacity RFP and for the Certification of Supplemental Resources for 2028-2031 Capacity, respectively. The Super District 6 Commission office was present to advocate for clean energy use that aligns with the county’s clean energy goals established in 2021.

“Georgia Power is preparing to meet the energy needs of a growing Georgia. It is no secret that data centers are booming in Georgia, which will require significant amounts of energy,” said Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry. “In this moment, DeKalb County is balancing decreasing our carbon emissions to reach our 100% clean energy goals community wide by 2050 and developing our own data center regulations to protect community members. DeKalb County can’t require data centers to use clean energy, but the Public Service Commission can require Georgia Power use a specific energy mix. For DeKalb County to reach our goals, we all must work together and prioritize reducing Georgia’s reliance on fossil fuels.”

In 2021, Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry introduced the DeKalb County resolution committing the county to reaching 100% clean energy by 2050, which the Board passed that same year. This resolution launched a plan development process by the Southface Institute. The final plan was adopted by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners on Earth Day 2025.

“I ask that you consider the environmental effects of expanded use of methane gas and nuclear energy, in deciding whether or not you will approve these applications. Methane gas is a potent greenhouse gas that has 80 times more warming power than carbon dioxide during its first twenty years in the atmosphere. Burning methane gas also releases deadly fine particulate matter and smog-forming nitrogen oxides, as well as volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde that can cause cancer and respiratory problems,” stated the statement prepared by the Super District 6 office. “We serve many in communities that are already overly burdened with poor air quality and the addition of these toxins into the atmosphere would only serve to exacerbate already adverse health conditions. In addition, the Dekalb County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution adopting a Clean Energy Transition Plan, with the goal of 100% Clean Energy by 2050. In order for us to achieve that goal, we are counting on your partnership in prioritizing renewable energy use and acquisition.”

DeKalb County has intervened before in 2023 and 2025 alongside the city of Decatur, Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens Clarke-County to form the Local Government Coalition. This intervening took place during the Georgia Power Integrated Resource Plan process advocating, again, for polices that support the municipalities’ clean energy goals on behalf of residents.

Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Town Hall on Homelessness Brings Community Together for Action

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In recognition of World Homeless Day, Commissioner Ted Terry joined community leaders, advocates, and local organizations for Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness, an event hosted by the DeKalb County Behavioral Health Coalition focused on collaboration, innovation, and action to address the growing challenges faced by DeKalb’s unhoused and housing-insecure residents.

The town hall brought together more than 40 participants, including local officials, service providers, and nonprofit leaders, to discuss strategies for reducing homelessness and strengthening support services. Panelists, including Commissioner Ted Terry from DeKalb County Super District 6, Dr. Alan Ferguson, Sr., DeKalb County Chief of Housing, Joy Monroe from the Single Parent Alliance and Resource Center, Greg White from A Home For Everyone, and Lisa Regan from St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, shared lessons from a recent learning exchange in San Antonio, Texas, where DeKalb representatives observed successful community-based approaches to housing and behavioral health integration.

Attendees also received updates on the development of the DeKalb County Unhoused Support and Services Plan, a countywide initiative led by the Behavioral Health Coalition. Commissioner Terry emphasized the importance of local leadership and interagency cooperation in creating more equitable, long-term housing solutions.

This discussion was a reminder that county agencies, nonprofits, and community advocates must be aligned towards a shared goal for housing stability and dignity for county residents.

For more information on DeKalb County’s Unhoused Support and Services Plan and future community engagement opportunities, visit Engage DeKalb.

DeKalb Behavioral Health Coalition to Host Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness 

Honoring World Homeless Day and providing the public an opportunity to provide their input on the DeKalb County Unhoused Support and Services Plan.

DEKALB COUNTY – On October 11, 2025, the DeKalb County Behavioral Health Coalition will host Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness at 178 Sams St, Decatur, GA 30030 offering the public an opportunity to share their voice during the development of the DeKalb County Unhoused Support and Services Plan, a plan being developed through a collaborative effort among DeKalb County nonprofit organizations, county agencies, and community members.

Funding for the DeKalb County Unhoused Support and Services Plan was approved in 2024 by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.This nine-month initiative will conclude in January 2026 with the presentation of a comprehensive plan to the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. The plan will include recommendations for strengthening the County’s support systems and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness will feature a presentation highlighting the key recommendation areas currently in development. Resident input and feedback are encouraged.

“I was proud the Board of Commissioners took a meaningful step forward by approving funding to support this vital plan,” said DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry, who will be present on the program’s panel. “The experience of being unhoused varies greatly. It includes working community members, families living in extended-stay motels, and seniors who cannot afford housing throughout an entire month. This plan will provide DeKalb County with the tools to better understand where we stand today and how we can pursue solutions that reflect the diverse realities of our residents. By centering the voices and needs of our community, we can build a future where every DeKalb resident has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.”

The program will also include a presentation by DeKalb’s Texas Delegation Trip, a delegation of attendees from DeKalb County, Georgia, who traveled to Texas in July, visiting San Antonio and Houston to explore innovative approaches to homelessness, and a panel discussion with DeKalb County leaders. The DeKalb Texas Delegation Trip Presentation will outline the best practice findings and key learnings from the trip while the panel discussion will provide residents an opportunity to ask questions on the topic overall.

Those interested in attending can RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/g/GcmsU78Kdi

Pathways Forward: A DeKalb County Community Town Hall on Homelessness
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: 178 Sams Street, Decatur, GA 30030 (Multipurpose Room A1201)

Data Centers in DeKalb County

An update as of December 17, 2025:

At the final Board of Commissioner’s meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, December 16th, Commissioner Terry introduced a motion to extend the Data Center Moratorium for 1 year, to the last Board of Commissioner’s meeting in 2026, and to include an independent Environmental and Public Health Study funded in the FY2026 budget not to exceed $250,000 and ideally led by the DeKalb Public Health Department.

Click here to read his full remarks. 

This motion failed by a 3-4 vote. 

Instead, the Board voted to extend the moratorium by 6 months to June 23, 2026 without the independent Environmental and Public Health Study.

Next, the Board voted to defer the Data Center Regulations until the January 27, 2026 commission meeting WITH a public hearing. 

Finally, the Special Land Use Permit for the proposed 95.57-acre, one million square foot data center campus in Ellenwood has been deferred to the January 13th Board of Commissioner’s meeting. 

To provide further context and understanding, you may be curious where there is available industrial land in DeKalb County, possible locations where a data center could be built. These location do follow the draft regulations but is not yet updated for the new parks and trails buffers. Click here to view the entire map.

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On December 10, Commissioner Terry hosted a Data Center Town Hall

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An update as of November 21: Click here to read Commissioner Terry’s latest position and what he will look to advocate for to ensure stronger, greener data center regulations for DeKalb County.

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An update from Commissioner Terry’s November 9th Newsletter:

“DeKalb County has been considering options for data center regulations. The third draft regulations, prepared by the Planning and Sustainability Department, was approved by the Planning Commission this past week (November 6). This puts the vote on regulations in the Board of Commissioner’s court.

Regulations are crucial to protect our communities and ensure you have a voice in a decision that can impact DeKalb for years to come. And while this third draft regulations are some of the strongest, greenest, and quietest, in the country- I believe we can still do better. 

I will be advocating to defer the regulation item on the November 20 Zoning meeting to further advocate the following is implemented:

  • Requiring a buffer distance of 500 ft from a park or trail. This is currently the proposed regulation for residential. 
  • Every data center and data center expansion must require a Special Land Use Permit (SLUP). The SLUP process ensures a community process before a data center can be built. This is crucial to ensure transparency and allow ample time for the community to assess the proposal. 
  • A community benefits agreement for every data center through the SLUP process. Ensuring our communities are not only protected but invested in. 

Now that this decision is up to the commissioners, they need to hear from you.

Email your Commissioner

Attend the November Zoning Meeting

  • Date: Thursday, November 20
  • Time: 5:30 PM
  • Location: 178 Sam’s Street, Decatur, GA 30030 (Multipurpose Room A1201)”

Commissioner Terry

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A fact sheet by the Super District 6 Commission Office. Created on October 3, 2025:

The proposed Data Center regulations are being developed by the DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability Department. This fact sheet was developed by the Super District 6 Office.

Your voice is crucial throughout this process.

Upcoming Data Center Town Hall

CEO Cochran-Johnson, Commissioner Davis Johnson, and Commissioner Bolton are hosting a Data Center Town Hall on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center. Team Commissioner Terry is sharing details on this Town Hall from the CEO’s DeKalb County News Weekly Update below for reference.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

“This Town Hall will address key areas including energy and water use, infrastructure and power, cost and economics such as taxation and jobs, as well as scalability and the future of AI and computing demands.

You will hear directly from industry experts and leading authorities who have experience with data center development and infrastructure.

Our goal is to educate and inform, so that every resident has the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about data centers and their impact on our community.”