DeKalb commissioners honor Ismaili community and proclaim Global Recycling Day, launch Great American Cleanup season

At its March 11 meeting the DeKalb Board of Commissioners issued proclamations acknowledging the Ismaili community's contributions to the county and designating March 18 as Global Recycling Day and March 20–June 21 as DeKalb—ounty's Great American Cleanup season.

The board recognized the life and legacy of the late His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and congratulated His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V on his accession as the 50th hereditary imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community. Dr. Rosina Merchant, president of the Ismaili Council for the Southeastern United States, accepted remarks and thanked the county for recent community infrastructure work cited in her remarks, including a traffic signal installation at Way and Millscott Drive that the Ismaili community had requested.

Commissioner Ladina Bolton and Commissioner Ted Terry led a proclamation launching DeKalb's participation in the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation's Great American Cleanup. County Director of Sanitation and Beautification Tracy Hutchison described county cleanup, recycling and distribution resources available to volunteers, including roll carts, litter sticks, safety vests and trash bags supplied by the department.

Why it matters: Proclamations are ceremonial but communicate county priorities and recognize community groups and volunteer contributions. The Ismaili proclamation highlights civic and voluntary service; the Great American Cleanup proclamation signals an active county campaign to encourage litter removal, recycling and pollinator plantings across neighborhoods.

Notable points - The Ismaili proclamation referenced decades of community involvement and cited the first purpose-built Ismaili Jamatkhana in the U.S., located in DeKalb County since 1989. - The Great American Cleanup proclamation sets a public-engagement season from March 20 through June 21 and tied local events (household hazardous waste day and recycling day) to volunteer registration and resources.

Next steps: County staff said volunteer resources and registration information would be available and that commissioners would host kickoff events and community cleanups through the spring and early summer.

Ending: Proclamations were read into the record and photo opportunities followed; community leaders and commissioners thanked volunteers and emphasized participation in cleanup and recycling efforts.