Month: August 2017

Despite protests, Birrell defends proposal to close East Cobb Library

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JoAnn Birrell, Cobb Commissioners
JoAnn Birrell—speaking here to a business group last week—says closing the East Cobb Library would reduce duplication of services. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

After several East Cobb residents objected to the possibility of closing the East Cobb Library on Tuesday, the Cobb commissioner making the proposal strongly defended her position, and laid out a detailed set of numbers in making her case.

JoAnn Birrell, who represents Northeast Cobb, said at the end of a long Board of Commissioners meeting that “this has never been a personal agenda” but instead addresses what she terms as an issue of duplication of services.

She said she’s proposing the East Cobb Library closure because of the new Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center that will open before the end of the year, replacing the adjacent East Marietta Library.

The two libraries are located five miles apart on Lower Roswell Road, and carry some expensive operating costs, Birrell said. (That’s also about the same distance between the two East Cobb-area libraries in her district, the Mountain View Regional Library on Sandy Plains Road, and the Gritters branch off Canton Road.)

The East Cobb Library opened in the Parkaire Landing Shopping Center in 2010, after being previously known as the Merchants Walk Library and relocated when that shopping center was redeveloped.

“This is about being a responsible steward of the taxpayers’ money,” Birrell said, reading from a written statement, adding that budget decisions will be made by the board, not one commissioner.

The East Cobb Library closure plans were first made public last Thursday, at a town hall meeting held by East Cobb commissioner Bob Ott, who said Birrell “has been relentless” in proposing the move (East Cobb News coverage here).

Birrell said her proposal “was just one” cost-saving suggestion as the commission was presented last week with a proposed FY 2018 budget of $890 million, including $21.5 million in one-time reserve funding to avoid a property tax increase.

After hearing protests to the closure plan earlier Tuesday at the first formal public hearing on the budget, Birrell said the consolidation of Cobb libraries has been “years in the making,” and referenced the 2011 budget crunch. In the wake of the recession and a steep decline in the Cobb tax digest, then-commission Chairman Tim Lee proposed permanently closing 13 of the 17 county library branches, including East Cobb and East Marietta.

But he backed down after vocal public opposition. While no branches were closed, library hours and staffing levels were reduced.

Most of the funding for the new 8,600-square-foot Sewell Mill library complex, which will include an amphitheater and other cultural arts space, comes from the 2016 Cobb government SPLOST (special local option sales tax) approved by county voters.

Birrell said the new library will have annual staffing and operating costs of roughly $732,000. The East Marietta Library currently costs around $524,000 a year to run, according to her figures.

The East Cobb Library, she said, not only has annual staffing and operating costs estimated at $771,000 a year, but another $263,000 a year, ($21,961 a month) is paid out in lease costs at Parkaire Landing.

For that kind of money, Birrell said, the county “could hire three police officers” as part of a larger recommendation in a recent police chiefs’ report that Cobb add 60 more officers to meet current public safety needs.

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Handel talks Charlottesville, health care and more at East Cobb town hall

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U.S. Rep. Karen Handel
U.S. Rep. Karen Handel called the Charlottesville violence an “evil, evil attack” but didn’t mention President Trump at an East Cobb town hall meeting last week. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

Newly elected Georgia Congresswoman Karen Handel got the biggest applause—a standing ovation from some in the audience—at Cobb commissioner Bob Ott’s town hall meeting last Thursday at the East Cobb Library.

Handel, a Roswell Republican who defeated Democrat Jon Ossoff in a June 20 runoff, said she’s made several trips to East Cobb, which gave her strong margins in the most expensive House race in history.

Before Ott spoke to a couple hundred constituents on the county budget and other local items, including the proposed closing of the East Cobb Library (East Cobb News coverage here), he turned the microphone over to Handel, whom he campaigned for extensively.

She immediately condemned the racially-inspired violence in Charlottesville, Va., earlier this month that left one person dead and injured dozens of others, calling it an “evil, evil attack.” Of racism, anti-Semitism and bigotry, Handel said, “It is wrong. It is evil. It has no place in society and this country.”

The few hundred whites who showed up to protest the proposed removal of a Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville “are not representative of this country,” she added.

Without mentioning President Donald Trump—who came under fire for his post-Charlottesville remarks—Handel issued a call for fairness, respect and civility, “some basic kindness,” as Americans confront racial and other cultural issues that have flared up in recent weeks and months.

Less than two months since taking office, Handel also defended Congress—or at least her chamber, the House—against criticisms that it’s not getting much done.

She said more than 250 pieces of legislation have been passed in the House, including a repeal of the Dodd-Frank financial reform law passed in the wake of the recession. Some in the audience voiced displeasure, but Handel said the rollback was necessary.

She also said she was bewildered that the Republican-led U.S. Senate failed to pass a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, after it passed the House.

“I would have supported it,” Handel said of the ACA repeal, which was approved in the House before her election. Of the continuation of Obamacare, she said that “the status quo is unsustainable,” a reference to the rising costs of premiums on the ACA exchanges.

Many insurers are seeking significant hikes or withdrawing altogether (here’s a projected 2018 summary from the Kaiser Family Foundation which includes an anticipated seven-percent increase in Georgia for one of the lowest-cost plans, and a 34-percent boost in subsidies).

“The rubber will hit the road when the open enrollment period begins in fall,” Handel said.

Handel has been assigned to the House committees on Judiciary and Education and the Workforce.

Her district office is in the same location at her predecessor, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price: 85-C Mill Street, Suite 300, Roswell.

The district phone number is 770-998-0049.

PHOTOS: Partial solar eclipse passes over East Cobb Park

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solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

The parking lot was full and so was East Cobb Park on an atypical Monday. The first solar eclipse to pass over the United States in nearly 100 years could be spotted—at least partially—in sunny, clear skies over East Cobb, and many took off from work and school to take in the spectacle.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

While some schools allowed their students to witness the event outside, some cancelled plans late, unable to verify the safety standards of special viewing glasses purchased for the occasion.

Down the street on Roswell Road, at least one East Cobb business closed early due to the eclipse.

solar eclipse, Cactus Car Wash

At the park, spectators tested out their glasses beforehand, and got a little excited when some clouds covered the sky minutes before the arrival of the moon.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

The front quad of East Cobb Park looked like it was a weekend, with picnickers and sun-gazers scattered about in anticipation.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

Right around 2:35, with the eclipse only a minute away, nearly all heads in the park craned skyward, as the moon partially passed over the sun, momentarily darkening an otherwise bright day over East Cobb.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

With metro Atlanta not located in the eclipse’s “Path of Totality,” there weren’t many “oohs” and “aahs” coming from spectators at the park. But their attention was totally focused on the sun for the two or three minutes of partial eclipse visibility.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

Moments after the eclipse had moved on, streaking toward its final U.S. destination near Charleston, S.C., East Cobb Park returned to its usual Monday afternoon look.

solar eclipse, East Cobb Park

(East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

Cobb schools taking extra precautions for outdoor eclipse activities

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We’re just a couple hours from solar eclipse visibility in north Georgia, and the Cobb County School District is taking extra safety precautions.

Some schools that had planned outdoor eclipse sightings will be observing on television indoors instead if their glasses haven’t met safety standards.

It’s a school-by-school issue, depending on whether the glasses ordered or bought by students there have been approved; there’s a lot of chatter this morning on a Facebook page. According to one poster, some schools found out very late that they didn’t have the proper glasses; keep in mind these reports are not official information coming from CCSD.

The following message was included in a note to parents of Simpson Middle School students this morning:

“. . . our students will have to view the eclipse from inside our building on the TV due to the inability of the solar eclipse glasses company to confirm their safety.”

If you’re an East Cobb parent, what’s the latest you’ve heard about your child’s school? Let us know: editor@eastcobbnews.com or call/text 404-219-4278.

In our area, the moon will begin to cover the sun at 1:05 p.m.; maximum coverage is expected around 2:36 p.m. The sun will be fully visible again around 4:01 p.m.

The 45-minute delayed release plan for Cobb schools announced earlier is still in place.

PHOTOS: Mt. Zion UMC celebrates 125th birthday

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Mt. Zion UMC
Staying cool in the dunk tank at the Mt. Zion celebration. (East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

After an inspiring sermon message and a picnic lunch, members of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church dived into an old-style summer carnival Sunday afternoon as they celebrated the 125th anniversary of the church’s founding.

Mt. Zion UMC

Mt. Zion UMC

The carnival atmosphere included cotton candy, snow cones and hitting the bell.

Mt. Zion UMC

That’s where long-time Mt. Zion member Dayle Thompson was volunteering.

Mt. Zion UMC

Thompson said she and her family began attending Mt. Zion around 30 years ago, when her children were young, because of the church’s strong youth programs.

They had come from a bigger church where they felt they didn’t quite fit in, and found that for them, Mt. Zion “was the right size.

“They really try for a family appeal,” she said. “Especially as you get older, you find your church family becomes as important as your own family.”

She is involved in the adult Sunday School program and has been a part of Mt. Zion’s participation in the Family Promise of Cobb County outreach program, which includes 13 faith communities in the county.

Mt. Zion UMC

Mt. Zion’s first service took place on Aug. 19, 1892. The congregation moved to its present location on donated farm land at 1770 Johnson Ferry Road in 1964. Historical messages were pinned to the walls of the gymnasium, with deeply-researched answers underneath.

Mt. Zion UMC

The church’s original location was on Post Oak Tritt Road near Johnson Ferry and where the Mt. Zion Cemetery is still located. The current sanctuary was opened in 1976, and the Family Ministries building opened in 1985. More renovations were made in 1997, not long after Mt. Zion marked its 100th anniversary.

Mt. Zion UMC

East Cobb assisted living center worker charged in death of 91-year-old resident

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Sunrise at East Cobb

An employee at the Sunrise at East Cobb assisted living facility has been charged with murder after a 91-year-old resident there died on Friday.

Landon Terrel, of Powder Springs, has been charged with felony murder, aggravated battery of a person age 65 or older and neglect of a senior care resident. According to Cobb Sheriff’s Office records, he was arrested late Wednesday.

Cobb Police said Adam Bennett, 91, died on Friday at WellStar Kennestone Hospital where he was taken Tuesday via ambulance due to injuries suffered at the facility. Sunrise at East Cobb is located at 1551 Johnson Ferry Road, just north of Roswell Road.

Cobb Police said detectives concluded Bennett had been assaulted at the assisted living facility by someone on staff. (Here’s the information police have released.)

According to a Fox 5 report, the victim suffered broken ribs, a lacerated kidney, and a punctured lung.

Nail Design relocates within East Lake Pavilions Shopping Center

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Nail Design, East Lake Pavilions

The Nail Design salon that’s been located at the East Lake Pavilions Shopping Center (2100 Roswell Road) is moving, but staying within the same shopping center.

A sign went up recently at Suite 2176, near the T-Mobile store and the Mezza Luna restaurant, and that’s easily visible to foot and car traffic coming in the Roswell Road entrance.

Know of a business that’s coming or going in East Cobb? Moving? Changing key personnel or making other changes to its business? Let us know, and send photos if you like, to: editor@eastcobbnews.com.

EAST COBB FOOTBALL: Lassiter wins, Wheeler trounced as season begins

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Some good news and bad news on the East Cobb prep football scene Friday, as the 2017 season got underway:

  • Lassiter 45, Johns Creek 21;
  • Marietta 52, Wheeler 0.

Two more East Cobb teams are in action today, at the Corky Kell Classic in Atlanta:

  • Kell vs. Tucker, 9 a.m.;
  • Walton vs. North Gwinnett, 8:45 p.m.

Pope and Sprayberry open their seasons next week.

EAST COBB TOWN HALL MEETING: Commissioner Bob Ott talks budget, libraries, pipeline and more

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Cobb commissioner Bob Ott

Just a few days after seeing the proposed fiscal year 2018 Cobb County budget for the first time, commissioner Bob Ott briefed East Cobb constituents on the numbers Thursday night and offered some suggestions that could punctuate budget discussions over the next few weeks.

At a packed town hall meeting in the community room of the East Cobb Library, Ott outlined the $890 million spending plan proposed by commission chairman Mike Boyce, including using $21.5 million in one-time reserve funding.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners will hold the first of two public hearings on the budget on Tuesday before approval on Sept. 12. That’s not much time to absorb a proposed spending package that’s 3.79 percent higher than the FY 2017 budget, and only weeks after a heated battle over the property tax millage rate.

Cobb County Government proposed FY 2018 budget
Click the graphic to view and download the budget proposal. 

The budget document also was released this week [there’s a downloadable PDF here] as Cobb homeowners were mailed their property tax bills for 2017. As Ott reminded them, “the tax bill you just got is to pay for [the last fiscal] year.”

The proposed budget is based on the current millage rate established by commissioners last month. Ott and fellow East Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell prevailed in their refusal to raise the millage rate by 0.13, as Boyce had wanted.

The inclusion of the proposed reserve funding to help balance the budget is a dramatic one. A total of $10.4 million would come from the reserve for a county employees pay and classification implementation study; $5.7 million would come from the Title Ad Valorem Tax Reserve; and the $5.3 million would come from the county economic development contingency.

“The board has to decide what are the critical needs,” Ott said. “The bottom line is, it’s your money.”

Specifically regarding the reserve money, Ott, an ardent opponent of tax increases, repeated himself: “It is my belief that it’s your money,” and that there’s “no reason” for it to remain unspent and raise taxes instead.

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East Cobb high school football coaches: game has never been safer

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Jep Irwin, East Cobb high school football
Lassiter head football coach Jep Irwin. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

As they prepare for a new football season that begins tonight, high school coaches in East Cobb and around the nation have been answering familiar questions about the safety of the sport.

Concussions and other crippling injuries involving former NFL stars continue to make the news. In late July, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study showing that 110 of 111 now-deceased professional players whose brains had been examined had been diagnosed for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

That’s a degenerative brain disease that’s been connected to concussions, and is discovered only in brains donated after death. The names of NFL legends with CTE is a long and sobering one: Dave Duerson, Frank Gifford, Junior Seau, Bubba Smith, Ken Stabler and many more. Some, like Duerson and Seau, have committed suicide.

Some living former NFL players have serious memory loss, also associated with concussions and linked to CTE. The physician and researcher credited with discovering CTE says any parent who lets their child play football is committing child abuse.

Walton football
(East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

Some have called for the termination of youth football altogether, or at least seriously limiting contact for young players before high- and middle school age.

But coaches asked about the subject at last week’s East Cobb Pigskin Preview breakfast (ECN coverage here) say their sport is being unfairly characterized.

“High school football is not what you see on ESPN,” said coach Jep Irwin of Lassiter, whose Trojans play at Johns Creek tonight in their season opener. “There’s never been a safer, better time to play high school football.”

He was referring to how the media has reported about CTE and professional players. Irwin said that technology, equipment, officiating and medical intervention all have improved vastly in his eight years at Lassiter, including concussion protocols.

“Is it [completely] safe? No,” Irwin said. “There’s risk in everything that humans do.

“What you see in the NFL is not the case at the high school level. We’re not about win-at-all-costs” when it comes to the welfare of players.

Daniel Brunner, the first-year coach at Walton, pointed out that concussion rates for girls soccer are also high, “but nobody’s talking about shutting down girls soccer.”

Brett Sloan, the new coach at Kell and a former Walton assistant, said what he stresses with his staff, players and their parents is an education process at the youth level.

Other coaches say they also limit the amount of contact that takes place in practice. The East Cobb coaches said they weren’t trying to dismiss the severity of the CTE issue, and they understand parental and player concerns.

Concussion and CTE research at the high school level is not as extensive, but coaches say they’ve never been more committed to ensuring the safest environment for their kids.

Including Irwin, whose son is a sophomore at Lassiter and plays football.

“I love my son more than I love football,” he said. “If I didn’t think it was safe . . . then why play at all?”

EAST COBB IN PICTURES: Photos from the first 6 weeks of East Cobb News

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East Cobb News has been online for about six weeks, and already we’ve covered quite a few events in the community that you may not have seen—averaging about two a week, sometimes more.

Since we’re new, and picking up new readers all the time, we thought we’d serve up a “best of” photo gallery from these events. Because we launched in the middle of the summer, we have a lot of outdoors and sports-related pictures, but they’re all popular community events we enjoyed attending. As we continue to grow, we plan to cover all kinds of events that capture the essence of the East Cobb community, and the spirit of the people who live here.

That’s why we’re asking for your help. If you know of a community event you’d like for East Cobb News to cover in the future, or have photos of an event that’s taken place that you’d like to share, please contact: editor@eastcobbnews.com.

East Cobb News is practicing the community-collaborative approach to local news, and reader/organization contributions are always welcome! When you submit your news and photos, you’re helping us serve our readers better. East Cobb is a big place with so much going on, and we want to earn your trust and become this community’s leading source of real-time news, events and information.

To see more photos and read stories about these events, please click the links below.

EAST COBB WEEKEND: Brass band concert; consignment sales; high school football; Mt. Zion UMC celebration

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Wasted Potential Brass Band
The Wasted Potential Brass Band, in concert Saturday as part of the The Art Place-Mountain View’s Summer Stars Concert Series.

The weather may still feel like Dog Days, but the calendar of events in East Cobb for this weekend is filling up with a fall-like flair.

All kinds of school events, including the return of high school football, grace the weekend slate of activities. Here’s a sampling, with links for more details:

  • The Kell and Walton football squads will be playing Saturday in the Corky Kell Classic at the Georgia State Stadium—formerly known as Turner Field—in downtown Atlanta, while the Lassiter Trojans also hit the road on Friday, opening their season at Johns Creek;
  • The Wheeler Wildcats are the only East Cobb team playing at home, and that’s on Friday at 7:30 against their ancient rivals, the Marietta Blue Devils. After some fierce online voting, WSB-TV announced that its Sports Zone crew will be on at Corky Kell Stadium (375 Holt Road) as its very first game of the week;
  • Pope and Sprayberry fans—sit tight, your season openers are next week;
  • Bargain clothes hunters will have a big weekend, too, with children’s consignment sales going on at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (4385 Lower Roswell Road) and the NOWAMOM sale at Sandy Plains Baptist Church (2825 Sandy Plains Road);
  • If you’ve got unwanted electronics and metal objects, the Pope High School Band will gladly take them at the school (3001 Hembree Road) from 9-4 Saturday. It’s the band’s annual recycling event, and there’s a flyer to download at the link for a list of accepted items;
  • The next-to-last Summer Stars Concert Series event of the season takes Saturday at The Art Place-Mountain View (3330 Sandy Plains Road), and the entertainment is from the Wasted Potential Bass Brand. It’s a New Orleans-style band based in Atlanta. The gates open at 7 p.m., with the band revving up at 7:30. Bring a blanket and relax on the lawn for free, or buy a table for 8 for $40. Either way, bring your own food (but as always, alcohol is not allowed);
  • On Sunday, one of East Cobb’s most venerable faith communities is having a birthday. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (1770 Johnson Ferry Road) is turning 125 years old, and the public is invited to celebrate. There will be only one service, at 10 a.m., followed by a festival of food, games, and more, lasting until 2 p.m. (and perhaps longer).

Click the East Cobb News calendar page for more events this weekend, and beyond. Help us make the calendar even better by sending your items to: calendar@eastcobbnews.com.

Please stay in touch, and have a great weekend!

Northeast Cobb Business Association luncheon celebrates back-to-school

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Northeast Cobb Business Association
From left, Northeast Cobb elementary school principals Debbie Blake (Kincaid), Kristin Erbskorn (Davis) and Felicia Angelle (Shallowford Falls). Blake and Erbskorn are in their first year at their schools.

Principals from a number of East Cobb and Northeast Cobb public schools were recognized Tuesday at the Northeast Cobb Business Association luncheon at Piedmont Church.

It was the first teach appreciation luncheon since the school year began in the Cobb County School District July 31.

School partnership programs, including a high school senior internship program are a major part of the NCBA’s community outreach efforts.

Robin Lattizori, a Cobb assistant superintendent for elementary schools, serves on the NCBA board.

The NCBA’s upcoming Upbeat event is an appreciation for school volunteers in the Northeast Cobb community. On Oct. 21, NCBA is holding a Casino Night to benefit the STEM initiative in Cobb County schools, and tickets and sponsorships are still available.

The guest speaker was Cobb County Manager Rob Hosack, an East Cobb resident (more about his remarks in a separate post) who succeeded David Hankerson earlier this year.

Northeast Cobb Business Association

Northeast Cobb Business Association
(East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

East Cobb Business Association presents donation to Cobb Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs

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East Cobb Business Association

Littie Brown, left, current president, and Rosan Hall of the East Cobb Business Association present a $250 donation check to Jimmy Gisi, director the Cobb Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, at Tuesday’s monthly ECBA luncheon at Indian Hills Country Club.

The donation was part of the ECBA’s community outreach project. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

Walton HS teacher named national state-fish art educator of the year

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Kathleen Petka, Walton High School
(Cobb County School District photo)

Information submitted by the Cobb County School District:

Wildlife Forever named Walton High School art teacher, Kathleen Petka, the 2017 State-Fish Art Educator of the Year.

Along with her award, the 13-year veteran teacher earned a $500 gift card for classroom art supplies from the award’s sponsor, Triarco Arts & Crafts. The national award, which supports Wildlife Forever’s mission of conservation education, preservation of habitat, and management of fish and wildlife, is given to educators who communicate the spirit of conservation to students through excellence in visual arts education.

Petka educates her students about the importance of safeguarding natural resource through their annual participation in the State-Fish Art Contest, supported by the U.S. Forestry Service, among other preservation organizations.

Since her students started participating in the State-Fish Art Contest, they have won numerous state awards.

“The contest is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn, care, share, teach, and create,” Petka explained. “They take ownership of their works [of art] and get to select the state fish of their desire, write with meaning, create art with a message, and they get to share their works, all while learning how important it is to be mindful of our environment.”

Here’s more on the Wildlife Forever state-fish art program.

Accident closes Roswell Road between Timber Ridge and Bishop Lake roads

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A Cobb Police cruiser prevents westbound traffic onto Roswell Road from Bishop Lake Road so power crews could make repairs. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

Cobb Police shut down a short stretch of Roswell Road east of Johnson Ferry Road Tuesday afternoon due to an accident, but it caused plenty of traffic headaches.

A dump truck struck a power pole and traffic in both directions was shut down between Timber Ridge Road and Bishop Lake Drive for a couple of hours.

The shutdown took place approximately between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., with major backups on Timber Ridge and Bishop Lake during that period, with some after-school bus and related traffic also affected.

Shortly before Roswell was re-opened, the Catholic Church of St. Ann—located at the Roswell-Bishop Lake intersection—sent out a notice on its Facebook page for parishioners to build in more time for tonight’s 7 p.m. Feast of the Assumption mass.

Power crews were still working on the side of the road once Roswell was re-opened to traffic.

 

East Marietta Library slated to close in mid-Oct., reopen in mid-Nov. as Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center

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Sewell Mill Library

The Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center under construction on Lower Roswell has an updated projection for its opening: mid-November, according to District 2 commissioner Bob Ott.

The adjacent East Marietta Library that’s been open since 1966 will close in mid-October, as the transition of moving materials into the new facility begins. Here’s more from what Ott’s office issued via email on Friday:

Construction of the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center is moving forward steadily, with only limited interruptions due to rainy days, said Cobb County Library Director Helen Poyer. Progress on the project includes ongoing interior painting, landscaping nearing completion and paving is scheduled for late summer. . . .

The construction project is now ahead of schedule, Poyer said, with officials expecting to re-open library service in new facility around mid-November.
 
“Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center will serve not only the immediate community, but the entire Cobb community,” Poyer said. “The special library and PARKS services will draw citizens from across Cobb County. It will be a destination for people who want to be engaged in traditional library service as well as in technology and the arts.”

Reminder: Ott is having a town hall meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at the East Cobb Library (Parkaire Landing Shopping Center, 4880 Lower Roswell Road).

East Marietta Library
(East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)

Wheeler is first Georgia high school to receive STEAM certification

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Wheeler High School, STEAM program

Word’s just come in from the Cobb County School District that Georgia Superintendent of Schools Richard Woods will be on hand Tuesday as Wheeler High School will be recognized as a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) school, adding to its longstanding designation as a STEM school.

Wheeler becomes the first high school in Georgia to earn STEAM certification, and it’s a process that’s been a couple years in the making, starting with STEAM symposia and including a trip to Barcelona, Paris and London in June as part of the STEAM International Tour.

Here’s the rest of the CCSD release with details about Tuesday’s events:

Mableton is the first entire school in Cobb County to earn STEAM certification, which means 100% of the student population is involved in STEAM learning.

Wheeler is the first program in Cobb County to achieve STEAM certification. Program certification requires a designated group of students that are representative of the overall demographics of the school to complete a STEAM program. Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale will attend the Wheeler High School STEAM certification ceremony.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 15 (The STEAM certification and banner ceremonies will take place separately at each school.)

  • Mableton Elementary School – 9:00 a.m.
  • Wheeler High School – 1 p.m.

WHERE:

  • Mableton Elementary School: 5220 Church Street, Mableton, Ga. 30126
  • Wheeler High School: 375 Holt Rd NE, Marietta, GA 30068

WHY: To document the first state-level STEAM certifications in Cobb County and what the certifications mean for the success of CCSD students.

Here’s more about the Georgia Department of Ed’s STEAM program, which certified Henderson Mill Elementary School in DeKalb County as its first STEAM school this spring.

East Cobb zoning cases to be heard by Cobb commissioners

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What follows is a summary of the individual East Cobb cases coming before the Cobb Board of Commissioners Tuesday in their monthly zoning hearing. Here’s an overview of what’s on the agenda and the status of other active cases, including what’s being continued, withdrawn, etc.

Four of the six East Cobb cases are on the consent agenda, which is considered at the start of the meeting.

Two high-profile East Cobb cases listed near the top of the longer agenda summary have been continued to September, and we have mentioned them before: SSP Blue Ridge LLC’s application for a major mixed-use development at Powers Ferry and Terrell Mill Road (Z-12) and Lidl Grocery’s application (OB-016) to turn the Park 12 cinema on Gordy Parkway into a grocery store. Cobb County Government logo

In the case of the latter, Lidl attorney Parks Huff is asking for more time to conduct a traffic study requested by Cobb DOT and that includes school-related traffic counts.

A case that you may see on zoning documents but that was withdrawn without prejudice after the Aug. 3 Planning Commission meeting is the Z-40 application by Saleh Uddin to rezone 0.94 acres on the east side of Terrell Mill Road north of Brookview Road from R-40 to R-20 for two single-family homes.

Here’s what will come before the BOC Tuesday morning, starting at 9 a.m., with links to the individual packet items with the case number:

  • Z-41: JOM Holdings, LLC, seeks rezoning from PSC to CRC for a specialized contractor’s office at 811 Lecroy Drive, near Robinson Road (consent item; staff recommends deletion to NRC with conditions);
  • Z-46: CSP Development, LLC, seeks rezoning from R-30 to R-15 of 8.92 acres at 4494 Wesley Chapel Road, on the south side of Sandy Plains Road (consent item; staff recommends approval with some stipulations);
  • OB-030: Poag Shopping Centers, LLC, seeks a site plan amendment for The Avenue at East Cobb Shopping Center (4475 Roswell Road), for hardscape and landscaping improvements (consent item; staff recommends approval with minor conditions);
  • OB-034: Narden Kaldani seeks a special exception for reduction of lot size at R-20 zoned site at 2650 Roswell Road, east of Hood Road, from 20,000 square feet to 16,401 square feet (consent item);
  • LUP-13: Esther J. Kim and Sung Min Brian Ryu seek a special land use permit for R-20 zoned site at 3746 Wesley Chapel Road, south of Beacon Street, to allow seven chickens. The applicants intend to house the hens in a coop that’s at least 30 feet from all property lines, and are filing due to a code enforcement complaint. The nearby Wesley Hills Homeowners Association has consented to the application, but the staff is recommending denial;
  • OB-028: S & B Investments, Inc., is seeking a site plan and stipulation amendment to build a drivethru window for the Starbucks Coffee location at 31-A Johnson Ferry Road, in front of Paper Mill VIllage, and that would be located on the Paper Mill Road side of the building.

The zoning hearing can be seen on CobbTV (Comcast Channel 23) or streamed live on the Cobb government website