A Shakespeare Happening Series Returns to Avondale Estates with the Bard Appearing in Real Life

A Shakespeare Happening Spring Series 2026 by The Atlanta Shakespeare Company at Avondale Estates, featuring free performance
A Shakespeare Happening Spring Series 2026 by The Atlanta Shakespeare Company at Avondale Estates, featuring free performance

Event Highlights

Each performance includes:

• Live music at 2 p.m.
• Interactive children’s programming at 2:30 p.m.
• Headline performance at 4 p.m.
• Audience Q&A following the performance

Admission is free and open to the public, rain or shine. Chairs and picnics are welcome.

Event Details

Avondale Estates Town Green | 64 N Avondale Rd, Avondale Estates, GA 30002
March 21, April 18 and May 23
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Free and open to the public

2026 Spring Series Schedule

March 21 — Much Ado About Nothing | Wit, romance and mischief

April 18 — A Midsummer Night’s Dream | Love potions, fairies and moonlit mayhem

May 23 — Romeo and Juliet | Young love, fate and family brought to life

AVONDALE ESTATES, GA (March 7, 2026) Free, outdoor Shakespeare returns to the Avondale Estates Town Green on March 21 with the expansion of A Shakespeare Happening Series. Presented by DeKalb County Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry and the City of Avondale Estates, the 2026 season is produced by Bard x Sage PR and introduces a bold new element for audiences.

This spring, a live actor portraying William Shakespeare will narrate, guide and interact with audiences throughout each performance. The immersive format invites children and families directly into the world of Shakespeare through storytelling, audience participation and theatrical highlights performed by the acclaimed Atlanta Shakespeare Company.

The series blends music, performance and interactive education, transforming classical theatre into a dynamic community experience that makes Shakespeare accessible and engaging for modern audiences.

“Cultural arts play a crucial role in preserving and promoting the heritage of communities around the world,” said Commissioner Terry. “Through music, dance, visual arts and theater, the arts help maintain our traditions while giving young people and families opportunities to explore, learn and express their creativity. That is why I strongly advocated for both a spring and fall season so programs like A Shakespeare Happening Series can serve our community year round.”

Nicole Sage, longtime DeKalb County resident and founder of Sage PR Consulting, developed the initiative under her creative moniker Bard x Sage PR and partnered with Commissioner Terry to bring cultural educational enrichment and family friendly programming to Avondale Estates.

“We live in a digital world where so much of life happens through screens,” said Sage. “Bringing Shakespeare to life in real time with a living, breathing Shakespeare walking among the audience transforms the experience. When children can ask questions, laugh and interact directly with Shakespeare, it stops being literature on a page and becomes something alive and personal. The City of Avondale Estates provides a space where people can experience the magic of Shakespeare together outside and for free.”

Atlanta Shakespeare Company leadership, Associate Managing Director Katie Grace Kirby and Associate Producer and Community Engagement Manager O’Neil Delapenha, say they are excited to bring the performances outdoors in a more interactive format.

“We are honored and enthusiastic that the Atlanta Shakespeare Company will once again share the genius of William Shakespeare with the residents of Avondale Estates, this time featuring the Bard himself live and direct from Verona,” said Delapenha. “Shakespeare’s work resonates across generations because it speaks to the full spectrum of human experience. Bringing these works to Avondale Estates is a celebration of community, education and the transformative power of live performance.”

City Manager Patrick Bryant said the series reflects the city’s commitment to accessible arts programming.

“Cultural events like the Shakespeare series enrich the quality of life in Avondale Estates and draw visitors to experience our city. Hosting this production on the Town Green highlights both our Stratford on Avon roots and our commitment to community centered arts.”

Resilient DeKalb Launches a New Chapter for Environmental Justice in DeKalb County!

Resilient DeKalb" text with sunflower and wildflowers emphasizing local sustainability and environmental resilience.
Resilient DeKalb" text with sunflower and wildflowers emphasizing local sustainability and environmental resilience.

On Saturday, March 14, DeKalb County residents joined the Super District 6 team at the Gresham Park Recreation Center for the introduction of Resilient DeKalb, a renewed effort by Commissioner Ted Terry to strengthen environmental justice and civic engagement across DeKalb County. Resilient DeKalb builds on the foundation of the DeKalb Green New Deal while reshaping the focus to emphasize community resilience, transparency, and stronger collaboration between residents and county leadership.

Why Resilient DeKalb?

Candidly, some of DeKalb’s greatest issues stem from environmental injustices, including failing water and sewer infrastructure, repeated sewage overflows into creeks and neighborhoods, rising utility costs, and the loss of safe green space, problems that disproportionately affect lower-income and historically marginalized communities. 

Environmental justice means every resident, regardless of race, income, or background, deserves affordable energy, clean water, safe neighborhoods, and a voice in environmental decisions. It acknowledges that some communities have faced greater pollution burdens, higher utility bills, and fewer resources for decades, resulting in inequitable health outcomes. Building a Resilient DeKalb means creating healthier, resilient neighborhoods for all residents

Road with colorful wildflowers, surrounded by trees, with text promoting resilient neighborhoods in DeKalb.

What is Resilient DeKalb?

Resilient DeKalb is a people-powered initiative that aims to correct these imbalances to reduce environmental injustices by 

  1. advancing sustainable land-use practices including protecting green spaces, improving zoning and development practices, and promoting land use that supports healthy neighborhoods and long term environmental resilience.
  2. advocating for clean, affordable, and reliable utilities and services to reduce energy burdens caused by environmental injustices
  3. building community power for environmental justice by expanding access to county programs and resources that make it easier for residents to participate in critical decision making processes
Resilient DeKalb initiative highlights sustainable land use, clean energy, and community building for environmental justice.

How Can We Work Together to Achieve a More Resilient DeKalb?

The County Commissioner’s office plays a central role in addressing environmental justice challenges by setting local policies, allocating resources, and advocating for programs that protect residents’ health and the environment. By engaging with the office through attending town halls, submitting public comments, or joining community coalitions, residents can help guide decisions that reduce pollution, improve water and energy systems, and keep neighborhoods safe and resilient. To find out who represents you, visit the county’s website and enter your address in the Find My Commissioner tool. Your commissioner is your direct line to local policy that affects your home, your health, and your community.

Highlights From Our First Resilient DeKalb Meeting

Led by Commissioner Ted Terry, participants learned about how local government decisions affect environmental outcomes and why county policy plays such a critical role in shaping community resilience. To make the discussion interactive, attendees played a trivia game and created a world cloud describing what “Resilient DeKalb” meant to them. The responses highlighted themes like community, sustainability, equity, and long-term planning.

Participants raised several local concerns and ideas during the discussion portion of the event, including:

  • The need for clearer communication about BOC agendas and decisions, along with more accessible information to help residents stay informed and participate in county government. 
  • Requests for information about composting programs, environmental plans, and local sustainability resources
Community meeting in a gymnasium with a presentation on environmental justice, attendees seated in a circle.
Word cloud featuring "strong" and "sustainability" about "Resilient Dekalb".

What Happens Next?

We hope to address the concerns of residents collaboratively and with transparency. This begins with forming a Resilient DeKalb Steering Committee to help guide the progression of our initiative, followed by educational workshops and discussions. 

We encourage you to:

  1. Join the Resilient DeKalb Steering Committee
  2. Attend our upcoming events
  3. Fill out the Resilient DeKalb Interest form to stay updated and attend our important upcoming events

April 28 — Earth Day Proclamation at the Board of Commissioners Meeting

Celebrate Earth Day at the Board of Commissioners meeting on April 28! This year, we’re presenting a proclamation to the people of DeKalb for their tireless commitment to the Earth and environmental advocacy. We hope you can attend to be recognized and show DeKalb County residents want climate action now.

Click here to RSVP!

This is part of the Board of Commissioners regularly scheduled meetings and is open to the public.

May 1 — FREE Environmental Movie Night: The Tree Economy

Commissioner Terry and the Super District 6 Team are excited to present an environmental movie night featuring The Tree Economy directed by James Schroder.

Environmental films can turn complex issues into real stories that spark curiosity, build community, and invite us all to take action. We hope you will join us for this timely and thought-provoking film that explores local climate action and asks us to brainstorm next steps for DeKalb County.

The Tree Economy

The City of Atlanta has the largest urban tree canopy of any major city in North America. The Tree Economy follows the forces of development, economics, and politics threatening to erase the defining characteristic of one of America’s great cities.

Through the voices of tree activists, arborists, urban designers, elected officials, and developers, filmmaker James Schroeder documents a city at a crossroads.

The Resilient DeKalb Launch event marks the beginning of a broader engagement effort for Resilient DeKalb. With continued collaboration between residents and local government, Resilient DeKalb aims to build a stronger and more sustainable future for all communities across the county.

Click here to RSVP

Resources

County Line / Ellenwood Community Meeting Recap

Ellenwood County Line Mtg image

The first County Line / Ellenwood community meeting of 2026 was energizing, forward-looking, and a strong example of partnership in action. The meeting brought together residents, County leadership, educators, environmental experts, and community organizers to align priorities and set the tone for the year ahead.

The conversation centered on youth opportunity, long-term investment, and community vigilance, with clear momentum across multiple fronts.

Highlights and key outcomes

  • Youth engagement and awareness: Commissioner Bolton and Laveeza (Super District 7) emphasized improving outreach so youth are aware of existing programs, jobs, and activities. Commissioner Bolton also shared the District 7 calendar, including upcoming Q1 2026 town halls. Look for more information to come directly from District 7’s office.
  • Cross-district collaboration: Dr. Reggie Johnson publicly recognized and thanked both Commissioner Bolton and Commissioner Ted Terry for their continued support of Ellenwood’s County Line community.
  • Education and workforce access: Roger Young, DeKalb County Landfill Superintendent, reminded attendees that GED programs are available to residents of all ages across DeKalb County.
  • Parks and public space investment: Paige Singer, Director of DeKalb Parks and Recreation, provided updates on the Dr. Alice White Bussey Intergenerational Center and the seven-year effort to connect two parks by acquiring four properties.
  • Environmental awareness: Dr. Michael Paulus briefed the group on Interstate 14, a 1,000-mile congressionally designated corridor from Texas to Georgia, and the potential impacts of data centers and fiber infrastructure. Tommy Travis noted the data center moratorium has been extended through June.
  • Community literacy call to action: A strong discussion emerged around embedding books and reading access into youth programs to protect opportunity, history, and cultural legacy.
  • Community celebration: Margaret Jackson announced planning is underway for the 29th Annual County Line / Ellenwood Community Roundup and Parade on April 25, 2026, with expectations for the largest turnout yet.
  • Food access and support: Nadine (Team Ted Terry Fellow) shared updates on the mobile markets and available food boxes. Donations were also collected to support 2026 community activities.

The meeting closed with a group prayer and a shared sense of optimism. Overall, it was a clear reminder that Ellenwood’s County Line community is entering 2026 informed, engaged, and ready to build together.

Turning Service Into Legacy: Advancing Dr. King’s Dream at Gresham Park | South River

Gresham park clean up volunteers

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that “everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.” This past MLK Weekend, that truth came alive along the Michelle Obama Trail in Gresham Park, where residents, volunteers, youth, and County partners transformed service into tangible impact.

What began as a morning of planned litter pickup and invasive plant removal quickly became a powerful reminder of both the challenges our communities face and the extraordinary capacity, we have to address them together.

35 Volunteers arrived ready to work, representing a cross-section of DeKalb County’s civic fabric:

              • Girl Scouts

              • Gresham Park residents

              • Members of the Neighbors of Gresham Park Executive Board

              • The DeKalb Lawyers Group

              • A local church group

              • Two DeKalb County Parks & Rec employees

              • Broader community members who learned of the opportunity through word of mouth

Organized by Southwest DeKalb Naturalist Tasha alongside a dedicated Gresham Park resident, Camryn, the effort reflected the very essence of Dr. King’s vision people stepping forward not because they were asked, but because they cared.

The Reality Beneath the Surface

As volunteers moved deeper along the trail overlooking South River, the scope of the problem became clear. What appeared at first to be scattered litter revealed itself as intentional dumping, hidden in embankments, hillsides, and even the creek itself.

What we found large piles of consumer goods, school-served food items, plastic bottles and packaging, and waste that had been accumulating for years, not weeks.

This was not random. The volume, placement, and condition of the debris told a different story: one that raised serious questions about accountability, access, and enforcement.

Collective Action in Motion

Rather than turning away, volunteers leaned in. Five individuals carefully navigated down steep embankments and into the creek, using rakes, shovels, gloved hands, and determination to begin restoration work. We cleaned 4 distinct areas, in just over one hour, resulting in 12 large bags of trash.

This was service in action: uncomfortable, hands-on, and deeply meaningful.

What We Found Tells a Bigger Story

Among the most striking discoveries:

              • A pillow that had begun growing roots

              •  A partially decomposed tire, estimated to have been there 7+ years

              •  Full cans of soup, empty gallon chili cans, and bulletin board paper

              •  Uneaten fruit

These findings underscored a difficult truth: environmental neglect and social neglect often intersect. Later that day, volunteers discovered an overturned couch nearby and learned that someone had been living beneath it.

With compassion and care, volunteers connected the individual with resources, contact information, and DeKalb WorkSource, reinforcing that service must extend beyond cleanup to human dignity and opportunity.

Carrying Dr. King’s Dream Forward

Dr. King’s dream was rooted in action, community responsibility, and shared humanity.

Gresham Park was one powerful story, of many, that came out of this year’s MLK Day service weekend. Each bag of trash removed, each conversation held, and each resource shared pushed Dr. King’s vision forward moved beyond words and showed up in our work.

Moving From Service to Sustained Change

The progress made at Gresham Park proves what is possible when residents and government work side by side. It also reinforces the need for:

              •            Stronger dumping prevention and enforcement (See DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson’s $250k tire clean up initiative here)

              •            Continued environmental stewardship and advocacy

              •            Investment in upstream solutions that address both environmental and social challenges

Service is not a one-day act. It is a commitment.

And this weekend, DeKalb County showed what commitment looks like. Together, we honored Dr. King not only by remembering his dream but by living it.

MLK Jr. Day of Service Recap: Turning Dr. King’s Vision into Action

Commissioner Ted Terry with volunteers

This weekend’s MLK Jr. Day of Service was a powerful reminder that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision for the United States was never abstract. It is practical, collective, and rooted in action. He called for a nation where justice is lived out through service, where dignity is protected, and where communities take responsibility for one another. This weekend, that vision moves closer to an obtainable reality. 

In Super District 6, 900 volunteers came together to “pull up their sleeves” and make a difference to 27 homes of elderly neighbors residing in the City of Decatur, delivering repairs that will immediately improve comfort, safety, and long-term affordability for those who want to “age in place”. This was not symbolic service. It was direct, measurable, and transformative. 

At one home, a disabled elderly resident living on a fixed Social Security income faced a $600 power bill last month. Volunteer teams stepped in and completed critical weatherization work, including: 

  • Caulking leaky ducts and air returns 
  • Replacing 18 incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting 
  • Repairing a large hole in the wall that allowed cold air in and warm air out 

As a result, we estimate the resident’s monthly power bill will be cut nearly in half, creating important financial relief for someone living on a fixed income. 

This is the America Dr. King spoke of. One where collective action dismantles everyday inequities, where neighbors use their skills to reduce hardship, and where justice shows up in the form of improved quality of life, reflected through safer homes, lower bills, and greater stability. Each repair completed over the weekend represents more than a fix. It represents progress toward an America that works for everyone. 

The work completed on this weekend will continue to pay dividends long after MLK Day 2026. It reduced energy burden, strengthened housing stability, and demonstrates what is possible when communities act together with purpose. 

Thank you to every volunteer, organizer, and partner who helped turn service into lasting impact. 

In service and gratitude, 

Team Commissioner Ted Terry  

Greystone Park Delivers Big Results Through Community Action

Greystone Comm Meeting

Greystone Park Neighborhood Meeting Recap | Jan 14, 2026 | NH Scott Rec Center 

The community of Greystone Park is showing what’s possible when neighbors act together. At just its second neighborhood meeting, nearly 75 residents turned out to hear updates from Commissioner Terry, the DeKalb County Police Department (DKPD), and neighborhood leaders.

The progress since October has been striking. After experiencing 46 break-ins in six weeks, the community organized, received crime-prevention guidance from DKPD, and strengthened neighbor-to-neighbor communication. The result: only one car break-in reported from late October through January 1, 2026.

Ahead of the meeting, Team Terry knocked 200 doors to spread the word and connect with neighbors. Residents shared that they’re feeling safer and encouraged by the neighborhood’s collective response. That connection was on full display last night when neighbors Karen and Thelma, who met after knocking door-to-door, announced that they are planning a spring yard sale for the Greystone community.

Residents voted to meet quarterly, with the next meeting scheduled for April 2026.

Stay Engaged

• South River or Gresham Park Rec Center Clean Up: Jan 19, Register here. This event is led by our new Parks Naturalist Tasha Messer. 

• DKPD Town Hall: January 26, 6–8 PM, South Precinct (2067 Columbia Dr.)

• DeKalb Zoning Virtual Open House: January 27, 6–7:30 PM

Greystone Park’s momentum is clear. Organized neighbors, informed action, and consistent engagement are making the community safer and stronger—together.

Commissioner Terry Introduces Resolution That Allocates Tax Revenue Generated by Data Centers to Support Direct Resident Equity and Environmental Restoration

The resolution establishes a “DeKalb for the People AI Tech Dividend Fund,” the mechanism in which tax revenues can be captured and dedicated towards qualifying expenditures.

*media interviews available*

DEKALB COUNTY – On January 6, 2026, Commissioner Terry introduced a resolution to “Establish aDeKalb For The People AI Tech Dividend Fund and Fiscal Stability Policy” which if approved will allocate 50% of ad valorem tax revenue generated specifically by High-Technology Data Centers to support direct resident equity and environmental restoration, 25% to bolster the “human touch” of county government, including Libraries, Senior & Youth Services, and Beautification, to forestall residential tax increases, and 25% towards a General Fund Reserves “Rainy Day Fund” until the County achieves a fiscally prudent 90-day operating fund balance.

“Data centers are here and knocking on DeKalb County’s door. I am proud DeKalb County has committed to developing strong regulations that will ensure community protections if one may be built,” said Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry. “But we can’t stop at regulations. One data center is estimated to bring in millions of dollars of tax revenue into the county. We must ensure these funds go directly back into the community that may be the most burdened by these facilities. That these funds purchase greenspace, build sidewalks, assist with energy burden through weatherization projects, provide job training infrastructure, and so much more the community may need. That is environmental justice for our DeKalb residents.”

The resolution also indicates the “For the People AI Tech Dividend Fund” shall prioritize those most directly affected by industrial growth and outlines “Primary Impact Zones [as] neighborhoods within a 3-mile radius of a data center or heavy industrial cluster shall receive priority for “Greenway” connectivity and energy relief” as well as “Equity Priority Areas [where] funding shall be targeted toward census tracts meeting Justice40 criteria and having high Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) burdens, ensuring the dividend reaches those with the greatest need.” Further, the resolution highlights “Humanity First” pillars that emphasize qualifying expenditures for funding. These pillars include:

  • “The Energy Equity Pillar: Direct residential utility assistance and grants for home solar/weatherization to shield families from industrial-driven grid inflation.
  • The AI Workforce Transition Pillar: Scholarships and retraining via WorkSource DeKalb to “future-proof” residents against AI-driven economic shifts.
  • The Digital-to-Green Trust: Funding of the County-wide Green Infrastructure Network—comprised of trails and sidewalks and buffer land acquisition—connecting neighborhoods to parks and schools, with an emphasis on creating physical forest buffers in industrial zones.”

This resolution will be deferred to the Finance and Budget (FAB) Committee, which is the committee of jurisdiction to vet before it is returned to the Board of Commission for approval.  FAB meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month from 3:30pm to 5:00pm and can be viewed live or at a later time on the DCTV website.

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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 theGeorgia 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

Opinion: Campaign slogans promising ‘all-or-nothing’ property tax relief are reckless

couple reviewing paperwork

We can protect Georgia’s older residents without gutting public services for our communities. Let’s choose a targeted policy.

Re: “Stop using Georgia seniors as a piggy bank. Give them property tax relief.,” by state Rep. David Clark, R-Buford.

Rep. Clark and I agree on a fundamental truth: No Georgian who has spent a lifetime building a community should be forced out of it by a tax bill.

The anxiety of rising property assessments is real, and for seniors on fixed incomes, it is an existential threat to their ability to age in place.

However, acknowledging a problem is easy; solving it responsibly is the hard work of governance.


As a DeKalb County commissioner who must balance a nearly $2 billion budget every year — prioritizing public health, safety and core services — I know that catchy slogans like “taxes are un-American” do not pave roads, put out fires or staff ambulances.

Clark’s proposed “Seniors Security Act,” while well-intentioned, is a blunt instrument that threatens the very services our seniors rely on. We need a surgical approach, not a sledgehammer.

Clark’s plan to waive taxes on the first $500,000 of home value for all seniors, regardless of income, is fiscally reckless. Under his “all-or-nothing” approach, a wealthy retiree in a luxury estate would receive the same tax break as a retired teacher struggling to pay for groceries. Why should working families subsidize tax cuts for millionaires who can easily afford their fair share?

How DeKalb County helps older residents today


In DeKalb County, we already have a framework for senior exemptions — with escalators based on age and income up to 70 years old, that provide additional tax breaks.

Currently, our county-level exemptions — which apply to the maintenance and operations taxes that fund services like police, parks and roads — are tied to income limits that haven’t always kept pace with inflation.

Instead of abolishing this portion of the tax base entirely, we should aggressively expand targeted exemptions.

I’d suggest Clark focus first on raising the base income threshold for senior tax exemptions to $75,000 with increased income limits as residents age (in DeKalb, that is $110,568 federal adjusted gross for seniors age 70-plus). This would provide substantial relief to the working- and middle-class seniors who truly need it, ensuring they are not priced out of their homes, while maintaining the revenue necessary to run the county.

Clark tries to offset the massive cost of his plan by pointing to “waste,” citing $1.7 million in arts funding within a $37 billion state budget. This is a distraction.

That sum is a rounding error that wouldn’t cover a fraction of the deficit his plan would create. If we want to talk about “piggy banks,” let’s discuss the massive tax breaks Georgia hands out to billionaire tech giants and data centers that strain our power grid, and increase power bills while creating few permanent jobs.

Furthermore, if we truly want to help seniors’ pocketbooks, we must look beyond just property taxes to utility bills — often a senior’s second-largest expense. Many seniors live in older, poorly insulated homes. Yet, the state Legislature has dragged its feet on “energy freedom” policies that would allow homeowners to easily generate their own power via solar and invest in efficiency. Enabling seniors to lower their energy costs could save them thousands annually — permanent, structural relief that doesn’t bankrupt the local fire department.


Tackle housing and utility costs as a solution
We also cannot ignore the housing crisis itself. True “family values” means creating a housing cycle that works for every generation. Currently, restrictive state building codes and local zoning laws largely prevent the construction of “missing middle” housing — smaller cottages, duplexes and accessory dwelling units.

Many seniors want to downsize to more manageable, cost-efficient homes in their own neighborhoods, but those options simply don’t exist. By encouraging this type of housing, we allow seniors to cash out their equity and reduce their expenses, while freeing up larger family homes for young families just starting out. This is a free-market solution that supports aging in place without a government handout.

Finally, we must reject the cynical notion that funding our community is “un-American.” Investing in the places we live is the most American thing we do. Property taxes fund the “Core Four”: health, public safety, infrastructure and education. When a senior calls 911, they expect professionals to respond to their emergency with speed and care. When they drive to the pharmacy, they expect a safe road. These are not “government waste.” They are the bedrock of the freedom we cherish.

We can protect our seniors without gutting our communities. Let’s choose a targeted policy that supports the vulnerable, demands fairness from the wealthy, and embraces energy and housing freedom. That is how we deliver real security — not with a slogan, but with a plan.

See Commissioner Terry’s Atlanta Journal Constitution here.

Eye-Opening Property Tax Exemptions Explained During December 5 “Aging in Placers” Event

TAX-PRESENTATION-2TRAINERS-POINTING

Staff from the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Office delivered an eye-opening tax presentation hosted by Commissioner Terry’s Aging in Placers* on December 5, 2025.

The Tax Commissioner’s Office staff explained, line by line, the “DeKalb County Real Estate Tax Statement” (Property Tax Bill) and how Homestead Exemptions can provide significant savings on annual property taxes.

Applicants must own and reside at the property within the County, and the Basic Homestead Exemption is required before applying for Special Exemptions.

The 2026 Homestead Exemption Information** sheet provides more details. Please read every word on both sides of the sheet, including the asterisk (*) note at the end. Then make sure you have the Basic Homestead Exemption and all Special Exemptions for which you qualify. If you have questions, email, call, or make an appointment to go to the tax office and talk to a staff member to determine which exemptions apply and help you complete the application for those tax reductions. 

The Deadline to apply for exemptions is April 1st for the current tax year. Applications received after the deadline will be applied to the following year. Applications are accepted year-round in person, by mail, and by dropbox for basic and special exemptions. This includes exemptions for disabled veterans, disabled residents, and seniors ages 62 and older. Online applications can be submitted from January 1 to April 1. For eligibility requirements, required documents, city-related taxes, and more, visit the Tax Office website. 

Schedule an Appointment: https://dekalbtax.org/make-an-appointment/

Contact the Tax Commissioner’s Office:

*Aging in Placers is an initiative of Commissioner Ted Terry, DeKalb County Super District 6.

** Please note: this blog was originally posted with the 2025 Homestead Exemption Information Sheet. This has been updated as of 1/6/2026 to the 2026 Homestead Exemption Information Sheet as the 2025 is no longer available online. If you are viewing this after 2026, we recommend reaching out to the Tax Commissioner’s Office for the most up to date information.

Commissioner Terry Advocates for an Extension of the Data Center Moratorium for 12 Months- Calls for Independent Environmental and Public Health Study

Data Center image

The motion fails by a 3-4 vote. The final vote on the item extended the moratorium for six months, to June 23, 2026.

*media interviews available*

DEKALB COUNTY – On December 16, 2025, Agenda Item 2025-1694: “Application of the Director of Planning and Sustainability to extend a moratorium on the permitting or other authorization of any new data centers, or the expansion of any existing data centers, in Unincorporated DeKalb County” was discussed to extend the data center moratorium to March 26, 2026.

Commissioner Ted Terry advocated instead the moratorium be extended for 12 months, to the last meeting in December 2026, to allow for additional time for DeKalb County to conduct an independent Environmental and Public Health Study.

“Residents are worried about noise near homes, parks, and trails. They are worried about air quality and the health impacts of diesel generators and increased fossil-fuel generation. They are worried about water use, stormwater runoff, and potential impacts on local streams and drinking water systems. They are worried about grid reliability and whether massive energy users will strain neighborhood power systems. And they are worried about equity — about whether communities that have historically hosted landfills and heavy industrial uses are once again being asked to absorb the impacts of yet another speculative development with adverse outcomes.” Said Super District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry.

In a statement by Commissioner Terry, he indicated the study should examine but not be limited to noise, air quality, diesel emissions, water use, stormwater impacts, heat, grid strain, and climate implications. He also indicated it should evaluate how these impacts intersect with existing environmental burdens and health disparities across the county.

This motion failed by a 3-4 vote. The final vote on the item extended the moratorium for six months, to June 23, 2026, but did not include mention of the independent Environmental and Public Health Study.

Additionally, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted on Agenda Item 2025-0972 “Application of the Director of Planning and Sustainability to amend Chapter 27 to Establish a Definition, Regulatory Guidelines, and Development Standards for Data Centers in M (Industrial), M-2 (Heavy Industrial), O-I (Office-Institutional), and O-D (Office-Distribution) zoning districts. This text amendment is County-wide.” To better align with the moratorium and allow the regulations to include details from a possible independent Environmental and Public Health Study, Commissioner Terry advocated to defer to June. The final vote deferred the item to January 27, 2026.

A data center moratorium was originally introduced as Agenda Item 2025-0996 by Commissioner Ted Terry and approved on July 8, 2025. Agenda Item 2025-1694, voted on today, is the fourth data center moratorium introduced this year.

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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 theGeorgia 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.

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