IN BRIEF: The city of Conyers received the pre-clearance green light from the Department of Justice on the proposed redistricted map for the city council districts after the 2010 Census, according to City Manager Tony Lucas. The Elections Supervisor's office has been working on identifying and notifying the approximately 2800 residents whose council districts have changed, said Elections Supervisor Cynthia Welch.

The qualifying period for the 2011 city council election is Aug. 29 - Sept. 4, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at City Hall on Scott Street. The qualifying fee is $27 and candidates are required to have lived in their district for at least a year. For more information, call City Clerk Pat Smith at 770-483-4411.

Official clearance from the DOJ is expected "soon," said Lucas.

 Three city council seats are up for election this fall: Councilmen Marty Jones (District 4), Gerald Hinesly (District 3) and Vince Evans (District 2 Post 2).

- The city council voted to table a rezoning application to open a Meineke muffler shop in the building at 1162 West Avenue, at the intersection with Dogwood Drive, next to Waffle House and across from Mrs. Winners, until the next city council meeting in September. The city staff had recommended denying the application, partly due to concerns of sufficient parking. The Planning and Zoning Commission had reportedly tabled the application when it came before them, also after questions were raised about parking. A representative of the Meineke company reported a national average of 10 vehicles a day coming into their shops. Applicant James Anderson said the tennants on his adjoining property, Waffle House, agreed to let Meineke customers use parking spaces in the Waffle House lot.

City Councilmen Vince Evans and Marty Jones expressed support for the shop opening. Councilman Cleveland Stroud as well as Jones said there should be an up or down vote when the issue comes before the city council next month.

The building was formerly the site of a Goodyear Tire shop, the distribution point for Dolly Madison snacks, and was recently painted with a mural of a park.

- The city and Conyers Police also received a $21,350 grant from the Georgia Emergency Management Association for the purchase of six mobile biometric units that would allow officers in the field to see if the fingerprints of suspects match any existing in the database, to verify the identity of a person.