Month: March 2024

Several Cobb political incumbents facing primary opposition

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U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk

Qualifying for the 2024 primaries in Georgia ended Friday, and several incumbents in Cobb will be facing challengers in those May elections.

They include members of the U.S. House and Georgia legislature and countywide officials.

In East Cobb, there will be contested primaries for the Republican nomination for the 11th Congressional District as well as two state Senate seats.

In the 11th, GOP incumbent Barry Loudermilk is being opposed by Michael Pons of Woodstock and Lori Pesta, head of the Republican Women of Cherokee County.

The Democrats to qualify are Antonio Daza of Atlanta, whom Loudermilk easily defeated in the 2022 general election, and Woodstock attorney Katy Stamper.

Loudermilk, of Bartow County, has been in office since 2015. The 11th was redrawn by the Georgia legislature earlier this year under a court order, and includes most of East Cobb.

Cobb commissioner Jerica Richardson on Friday qualified for the 6th Congressional District, which includes some of South Cobb, in a field of Democrats that 7th District incumbent Lucy McBath.

Although she lives in East Cobb, Richardson opted to run for Congress after sbe was redrawn out of her commission seat, and as a legal dispute over that action continues.

Ga. State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick

State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick of East Cobb has Republican opposition in District 32. Her challenger is Ben Fremer, a first-time candidate from Cherokee County.

In District 33, which includes some of the East Cobb area, longtime Democratic Sen. “Doc” Rhett will face Euriel Hemmerly of south Cobb, a member of the Cobb school board’s facilities and technology oversight committee, in the Democratic primary.

Rhett defeated her in the Democratic primary two years ago with 68 percent of the vote.

Five Cobb countywide office holders, all Democrats, also have primary opponents.

They include Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, a Democrat who is seeking a second term in that office.

On Friday, Shelia Edwards of South Cobb, who unsuccessfully tried to succeed Cupid as District 4 commissioner in 2022, qualified in the Democratic primary.

The sole Republican qualifier for chairwoman is realtor Kay Morgan of West Cobb.

Edwards, who lost to current District 4 incumbent Monique Sheffield in a Democratic runoff, is the publisher of a news site covering the South Cobb area, and has been highly critical of Cupid in that publication.

Sheffield is facing a challenge from Yashica Marshall, a former candidate for Mableton City Council.

Democratic District Attorney Flynn Broady is being challenged by Sonya Allen, an assistant prosecutor in Fulton County who lives in Cobb.

Cobb transportation sales tax consultants
Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid

Greg Gilstrap, who has run unsuccessfully for Cobb Sheriff five previous times, qualified for the Democratic primary along with incumbent Craig Owens.

The Republican qualifiers are David Cavender, a Cobb police officer; Ricci Mason, a candidate for Cobb Commission Chair in 2020; and Antaney Hogan.

Cobb Tax Commissioner Carla Jackson, elected twice previously as a Republican, switched to the Democratic Party, and is facing opposition from Jan Becker, a former director in the tax commissioner’s office who retired in 2021.

Democratic incumbent Cobb Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor, who has come under fire for fire for personally pocketing passport fees far exceeding her salary, has drawn three primary opponents: Brunessa Drayton, a former aide to Cupid; Nick Simpson, a candidate for the clerk’s office in 2020; and Carole Melton, an assistant to Cobb Superior Court judges.

Deborah Dance, a former Cobb County Attorney currently serving as a member of the Cobb Planning Commission, qualified for Cobb Superior Court Clerk as a Republican.

No Republicans qualified for District Attorney or Tax Commissioner.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners qualifying was marked by controversy when two Democrats who attempted to qualify in District 2 were ruled ineligible due to residency issues.

Former Marietta City Council member Reggie Copeland and Don Barth, a resident of East Marietta, were told they did not live within the District 2 boundaries that are being observed by the Cobb Board of Elections.

State of Cobb address
Pam Reardon, GOP Candidate for Cobb Commission District 2

The “home rule” maps approved by Commission Democrats are being challenged in court, with some of District 2 in the East Cobb area.

Five Democrats qualified. They include Kevin Redmon of East Cobb, a former Richardson community advisor; former Cobb school board member Jaha Howard; and former State Rep. Erick Allen, who as Cobb legislative delegation chairman drew the home rule maps.

A Cobb judge ruled the use of the home rule maps violates the Georgia Constitution since they were not approved by the legislature. But the county is appealing that to the Georgia Supreme Court, which will hold oral arguments on April 17.

Two Republicans have qualified in District 2: Pam Reardon, an East Cobb realtor and GOP activist, and Alicia Adams of the Cobb Republican Women’s Club.

There will be no contested primaries in four Cobb Board of Education races on the ballot this year, but three of them will be highly watched in the general election in November.

Those three offices are held by Republicans, who hold a 4-3 majority.

In Post 5 in East Cobb, the qualifiers are Democrat Laura Judge and Republican John Cristadoro, both Walton zone parents. The winner of that general election campaign will succeed retiring four-term GOP member David Banks.

In Post 7 in West Cobb, Republican Brad Wheeler has qualified to seek a third term, as has Democrat Andrew Cole, who has been a critic of GOP leadership on the school board.

Deborah Dance reappointed Cobb Planning Commission
Deborah Dance, candidate for Cobb Superior Court Clerk

In Post 1 in North Cobb, Republican chairman Randy Scamihorn also is seeking a third term, and his Democratic opponent once again is Vickie Benson, whom he defeated in 2020. She has been a teacher and is a technology entrepreneur.

Democratic incumbent Tre’ Hutchins of South Cobb was the only candidate to qualify in Post 3 and is seeking a second term.

In State House races, all incumbents with East Cobb districts qualified, but none will have primary opponents.

Democratic Rep. Mary Frances Williams (District 36), and GOP House members Don Parsons (44), Sharon Cooper (45) and John Carson (46) will have November general-election opponents.

Democratic Rep. Solomon Adesayna of District 43 was the only candidate of any party to qualify for that race.

In District 56, which includes some of East Cobb, Republican Sen. John Albers will face Democrat J.D. Jordan, a designer from Roswell, in the general election.

A separate post will detail the candidates who have qualified for non-partisan judicial races in Cobb County.

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Spring forward: Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday morning

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Before going to bed Saturday night, remember you’ll lose an hour of sleep due to the return of Daylight Saving Time.

So set your clocks ahead an hour, and get ready to enjoy eight months of later sunsets.

DST officially begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, and lasts through Nov. 3, with sunrises beginning an hour later, and sunsets an hour later accordingly.

Standard Time is still the norm in 48 states from November-March—Arizona and Hawaii observe it year-round.

But a bill in Congress would make DST an annual thing.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is the sponsor of the Sunshine Protection Act, would make DST “the new, permanent standard time” except in states where it’s exempt.

His bill passed the Senate in 2022 but hasn’t been up for a vote in the House.

Rubio renewed his call for passage this week, in light of 45 states—including Georgia—considering similar legislation.

“We’re ‘springing forward’ but should have never ‘fallen back,’ ” he said.

 

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Flood watch in effect in Cobb through Sunday morning

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Flood watch in effect in Cobb through Sunday morning

Cobb, metro Atlanta and much of north and central Georgia will be getting heavy doses of rain from Friday night through most of Saturday.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a flood watch for those areas from 7 p.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Sunday.

The advisory states that the affected areas could receive between 2 to 5 inches of rain during that period, especially overnight Friday into Saturday, with the possibility of flooding of roads, creeks and streams, lakes and other low-lying areas.

Early Friday, the NWS issued a flood warning for Sweetwater Creek in South Cobb for Sunday. Thus far, no advisories have been issued for the areas of the Chattahoochee River near East Cobb and for nearby streams and creeks.

High temperatures Saturday will reach into the high 60s with lows around 40.

The weather will get cooler on Sunday and Monday as the rain moves out, with sunny skies and highs from the mid-50s to the low 60s and low dropping to the mid 30s.

Similar weather is in the forecast for the middle of next week, with sun and highs around 70 and lows in the mid-40s.

 

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East Cobb Food Scores: Los Bravos; Chin Chin; Capozzis; more

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Los Bravos Johnson Ferry Road

The following food scores have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

American Deli
2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2194
March 6, 2024 Score: 95, Grade: A

Capozzi’s 
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 101
March 7, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant
617 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 1
March 6, 2024 Score: 92, Grade: A

Derek’s Cafe
1779 Canton Road
March 8, 2024 Score: 86, Grade: B

East Cobb Middle School
825 Terrell Mill Road
March 4, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Hoboken Bread & Bagel Co.
1033 Sandy Plains Road, Suite G
March 7, 2024 Score: 93, Grade: A

Jersey Mike’s Subs
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 106
March 6, 2024 Score: 95, Grade: A

Lassiter High School
2601 Shallowford Road
March 7, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Los Bravos Mexican Restaurant
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 42
March 6, 2024 Score: 86, Grade: B

Montana’s Bar and Grill
2995 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 330
March 7, 2024 Score: 92, Grade: A

Rocky Mount Elementary School
2400 Rocky Mountain Road.
March 5, 2024 Score: 99, Grade: A

Tropical Smoothie
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 102
March 7, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Twisted Taco Express
2960 Shallowford Road, Suite 303
March 7, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Waffle House
2805 Delk Road
March 7, 2024 Score: 95, Grade: A

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NE Cobb townhome proposal gets thumbs-down at first hearing

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The property owner of a 13-acre tract of land eyed for a high-density townhome development in Northeast Cobb didn’t appear for a first hearing before the Cobb Planning Commission Tuesday.

NE Cobb townhome proposal gets thumbs-down at first hearing

But the five-member zoning advisory body didn’t hesitate to recommend denial of the plans near the end of a long meeting.

Ashwani Kumar Kaura wants to rezone the undeveloped track at Alabama Road and Lindsey Way from single-family residential (R-20) to fee-simple townhome (FST).

The land is completely surrounded by detached single-family homes, and some neighbors turned out to oppose the request.

Kauna wasn’t in attendance due to what Cobb zoning staff said was an out-of-state medical emergency, but the planning board decided to hear the case since opponents were in attendance.

“There’s nothing like this in our area at all,” said one. “It’s completely out of place.”

Tom Ganschow, who lives next to the Kaura property on Fitts Drive in the Bernham Woods subdivision, said his neighborhood is diverse and is “a nice place to come and it’s quiet.”

He said Kauna proposed a 50-home subdivision on the land 20 years ago, and wondered how more than 70 homes would fit, especially since there isn’t sewer service in that area.

Zoning staff recommended denial on a number of fronts, including density, land-use, sewer and transportation.

Planning commissioner Deborah Dance quickly made a motion to recommend denial, and the vote was 5-0.

The case goes before the Cobb Board of Commissioners for the final say on March 19.

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Cobb school board Post 5 candidates qualify for primary

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Cobb school board candidate reports nearly $30K in fundraising

Two candidates who announced their campaigns for the Cobb Board of Education from East Cobb nearly a year ago qualified for the 2024 primary elections on Monday.

Republican John Cristadoro and Democrat Laura Judge filed qualifying paperwork and fees at their local party offices on Monday.

They’re both parents in the Walton attendance zones, and are seeking the Post 5 seat on the school board being vacated by David Banks, a four-term Republican who is not seeking re-election.

The primary election is on May 21.

Post 5, which includes the Walton, Pope and some of the Wheeler attendance zones, is one of four school board posts on the ballot this year.

Three of those seats are held by Republicans, who have a 4-3 majority on a Cobb school board that has been strongly divided along partisan lines in recent years.

In a statement released by his campaign, Cristadoro said that “I am honored to have the opportunity to represent Walton, Wheeler, and Pope High Schools. I believe that maintaining common sense leadership for Cobb schools is paramount to the continued success of all Cobb students.”

After qualifying, Judge announced that she will be holding a fundraiser Thursday hosted by Dr. Dahlia Levine of Dentistry at East Piedmont.

Here are the respective campaign websites for Cristadoro and Judge; and you can find our at-length interviews with both candidates from last spring here and here.

They are the only announced candidates to have qualified thus far. Qualifying continues through noon Friday for Congressional, legislative and local offices across Georgia.

In Cobb, there are three seats on the Board of Commissioners on the ballot—all three currently held by Democrats.

That includes District 2, where first-term Democrat Jerica Richardson has announced her candidacy for the 6th Congressional District.

The Cobb Board of Elections announced Friday it would be honoring “home rule” maps that include some of East Cobb in District 2 while a legal dispute is played out before the Georgia Supreme Court.

The legislature included most of East Cobb in District 3, represented by GOP member JoAnn Birrell. But the county is appealing a ruling by a Cobb judge that said the “home rule” maps preferred by Democrats violates the Georgia Constitution.

Oral arguments before the court are scheduled for April 17, but on Monday Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger blasted the Cobb Elections map decision.

“The Cobb County Commission’s irresponsible decision to proceed with commission-drawn maps jeopardizes candidate qualifying and puts Cobb County voters at risk for disenfranchisement,” Raffensperger said in a release. “The court has already ruled that the commission must use the maps enacted by the General Assembly. Their unilateral decision will add confusion, likely errors, and unnecessary burdens on election officials at the 11th hour. This decision does not serve the people of Georgia.”

On Monday, two previously announced Democratic candidates for District 2 qualified. They are former State Rep. Erick Allen, who drew up the home rule maps that the county is using, and former Cobb school board member Jaha Howard.

William Costa of the Kennesaw area also qualified as a Democrat for District 2.

The other seats up this year include District 4 in South Cobb and the countywide-elected chair.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, Feb. 12-16, 2024

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Rock Mill, East Cobb real estate sales
Rock Mill

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports. They include the subdivision name, high school attendance zone and sales price:

Feb. 12

589 Spring Creek Way, 30068 (Spring Creek, Wheeler): $455,000

1250 East Piedmont Road, 30066 (Sprayberry): $360,000

2620 Twin Lakes Way, 30062 (Twin Lakes, Pope): $660,000

2441 Old Forge Court, 30062 (Chimney Springs, Pope): $525,000

Feb. 13

459 Atlanta Country Club Drive, 30067 (Atlanta Country Club, Walton): $1.175 million

2797 Benson Drive, 30062 (Tall Pines, Walton): $450,000

117 Ann Place, 30062 (Heartwood, Pope): $500,000

2025 Brockton Close, 30068 (The Park at Papermill, Walton): $684,000

Feb. 14

1663 Terrell Ridge Drive Unit 1663, 30067 (Terrell Ridge, Wheeler): $325,000

4100 Riverlook Parkway Unit 16, 30067 (The Willows by the River, Walton): $272,000

3920 Riverlook Parkway Unit 2, 30067 (The Willows by the River, Walton): $307,000

1774 Holly Springs Road, 30062 (Pope): $850,000

2992 Octavia Circle, 30062 (Vestavia Estates, Walton): $420,000

3272 Timber Bluff Drive, 30062 (Timber Bluff, Pope): $495,000

1774 Millhouse Run, 30066 (Spencers Mill, Kell): $550,000

1611 Bryn Mawr Circle, 30068 (Princeton Lakes, Walton): $755,000

Feb. 15

56 Lakebrooke Lane, 30066 (The Village at Barrett Creek, Sprayberry): $407,500

2855 Gant Quarters Drive, 30068 (Gant Quarters, Wheeler): $550,000

879 High Green Court, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $1.934 million

3472 Princeton Corners Drive, 30062 (Princeton Corners, Walton): $785,000

2191 Lessie Maude Drive, 30066 (Wright Pines, Sprayberry): $349,000

2374 Forest Green Drive, 30062 (Piedmont Forest, Sprayberry): $527,000

3915 Rock Mill Parkway, 30062 (Rock Mill, Lassiter): $510,000

4492 Park Place Terrace, 30066 (Jefferson Township, Lassiter): $900,000

1244 Brixton Way, 30066 (Oxford Manor, Kell): $410,000

1475 Willow Point Cove, 30068 (Willow Point, Walton): $750,000

Feb. 16

32 Highoak Drive, 30066 (Ashford Oaks, Sprayberry): $284,000

3250 Hunterdon Way, 30067 (Somerset, Wheeler): $605,000

2440 Crockett Drive, 30067 (Red Oak Park, Wheeler): $455,000

2781 Dale Drive, 30068 (East Valley Estates, Wheeler): $665,000

2998 Clearbrook Drive, 30068 (Country Place East, Wheeler): $450,000

760 Summit Terrace, 30068 (Indian Hills, Walton): $2.19 million

1048 Plainview Drive, 30066 (Sprayberry): $295,000

3874 Easy Circle, 30066 (Trickum Heights, Lassiter): $470,000

4808 Woodspring Drive, 30068 (Tremont, Kell): $350,000

647 Serramonte Drive, 30068 (Villas at Parkaire, Walton): $360,000

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Townhomes proposed for vacant NE Cobb residential land

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Townhomes proposed for vacant NE Cobb residential land
For a larger view, click here.

A 13-acre parcel of land near the corner of Northeast Cobb where it meets Roswell and Cherokee C0unty is being proposed for a 74-unit townhome development.

The request by Ashwani Kumar Kaura to rezone the property from single-family residential (R-20) to fee-simple townhome (FST) is on the agenda of Tuesday’s Cobb Planning Commission meeting.

But the Cobb Zoning Office is recommending denial, saying the land at Alabama Road and Lindsey Way is completely surrounded by single-family detached homes.

The 13-acre parcel is located off Alabama Road, north of Sandy Plains Road.

“It is Staff’s opinion that the applicant’s rezoning proposal will not permit a use that is suitable in view of the use and development of adjacent and nearby properties,” the staff analysis concludes. “There are single–family uses on all four sides, developed at much lower densities. The proposed homes would be out of scale and out of character with the existing single–family houses in the area.”

According to the site plan for what’s being called “Kaura Village,” the density would be 5.72 units per acre. The homes would be developed on 11.75 acres, with the rest for amenities.

There’s also no room for guest parking, which was noted by the Cobb Fire Department in its comments on the case, and other remarks indicate that sewer service is not available.

Rezoning to FST also would defy the county’s Future Land Use Map designation for medium-density residential development, according to the zoning analysis.

“For these reasons, Staff believes it appropriate to deny the request rather than delete to a more appropriate zoning district until such time as these issues can be worked through,” the analysis stated.

(You can read the full analysis by clicking here.)

According to Cobb property tax records, Kauna, the property owner, is in California.

The Cobb Planning Commission is a five-member body appointed by the Cobb Board of Commissioners that makes recommendations on zoning cases.

Its decisions are advisory; the BOC has the final say on zoning cases.

The Planning Commission meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the Cobb government building (100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta), and the full agenda can be found by clicking here.

You also can watch on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.

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‘COVID burnout’ author to speak at Sewell Mill Library

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Dr. Dhaval Desai, author of “Burning Out on the COVID Front Lines: A Doctor’s Memoir of Fatherhood, Race and Perseverance in the Pandemic,” will speak about his memoir Tuesday at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road).

'COVID burnout' author to speak at Sewell Mill Library
Dr. Dhaval Desai

He will be in conversation from 6:30-8 p.m. with veteran broadcaster Jeff Hullinger about his book.

Desai, who is director of hospital medicine at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital and as a pediatric hospitalist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, writes about life during the pandemic.

“As a new father, frontline physician and healthcare leader on the brink of burnout, and a member of an ethnic minority in the South, his tale is marked by chaotic intersections,” the Cobb Public Library System said in a release. “Throughout, his commitment to fostering and advocating for caring and compassion in the practice of medicine shines as Desai shares his unique perspective.

The event is sponsored by Cobb County Public Library and Cobb Collaborative, which focuses on its Mind Your Mind mental health initiative, literacy and civic engagement.

Copies of the book will be available at for purchase from The Book Worm Bookstore and signing by the author. Dr. Desai will donate all proceeds to the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, which focuses on the de-stigmatization of mental health for healthcare workers and suicide awareness.

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East Cobb Quilters Club challenge quilts on exhibit in March

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Three locations in East Cobb are among the six venues from the Cobb County Public Library (CCPL) and Cultural Affairs Division of Cobb PARKS’ arts centers to feature quilt exhibits throughout the county in March.East Cobb Quilters Club challenge quilts on exhibit in March

They’re “challenge quilts” from an East Cobb Quilters’ Club competition, and they’ll be on exhibit from March 4-29.

The Sewell Mill Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road) will exhibit all of the challenge quilts which were created in this yearly competition among guild members. The theme for 2023 was “Musical Madness” that challenged members to choose a favorite musical selection or type of music and create a quilt inspired by their choice.

This year’s winner (in photo) is “Canyon Melody” by Janice Chiaffredo, which was inspired by Native American flute songs. For more visit https://ecqg.com/quilts-on-display/.

Quilts also are on exhibit at The Art Place (3330 Sandy Plains Road) and the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road).

From April 13-May 29 The Mable House Arts Center will present an exhibit as part of “Quilts on Display” that will feature award winning quilts from prior “Georgia Celebrates Quilts” shows.

“This is such an exciting year for the Guild,” East Cobb Quilters’ Guild president Devon Pfeif said.

“We are so appreciative of our strong relationships with both Cobb Libraries and Arts Centers and to have the opportunity to share our talents with the community through these exhibits. I am proud to be part of this amazing and talented group of women and men quilters.”

“Quilts On Display” exhibits lead up to Georgia’s largest continuing juried and judged quilt show, the East Cobb Quilters’ Guild “Georgia Celebrates Quilts” show with over 300 quilts by artists from all over Georgia. The show is held every other year and this year will occur June 6-8. For information visit https://www.georgiacelebratesquilts.com/.

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Cobb Elections to use disputed maps in primary qualifying

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When qualifying for May primary elections takes place next week, the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration will honor county-approved county commission redistricting maps at the heart of a continuing legal dispute.

Proposed Cobb commission redistricting map
District 2 lines (in pink) that Cobb commission Democrats approved will be used for primary qualifying next week.

The five-member appointed elections board announced Friday that the maps to be used for qualifying for commission races will be those that were approved by the three Democrats on the Cobb Board of Commissioners in October 2022.

They did that in claiming a “home rule” exemption that a Cobb judge last month ruled was unconstitutional, and that the county is appealing.

The Georgia Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case on April 17, but primary ballots have to be printed well before that.

In its announcement Friday, the Cobb elections board said that while candidates in partisan races qualify via their respective local political party offices, “parties and citizens have requested guidance from the Board as to which maps are to be used for qualifying at this time when multiple redistricting lawsuits are still pending in various stages of appeal.”

The board said the “home rule map” for commission districts “remains in place because the [Cobb Superior] Court’s ruling was stayed . . . ”

The board concluded after conferring with its legal counsel that, “out of an abundance of caution, the Home Rule Map should be used and that it ‘remains ready to implement any further direction from the courts on this matter.’ ”

That decision will affect potential candidates in East Cobb.

Three seats on the county commission—the countywide-elected chair, District 4 in South Cobb and District 2 in Smyrna and parts of East Cobb—are on the 2024 ballot.

Current commissioner Jerica Richardson, a first-term Democrat, was drawn out of her East Cobb home in District 2 in maps approved in 2022 by the Republican-led Georgia legislature, which placed most of East Cobb in District 3, represented by GOP member JoAnn Birrell.

Richardson has since announced her candidacy for the 6th Congressional District, which includes some of south Cobb.

Five Democrats, including former Cobb legislative delegation chairman State Rep. Erick Allen and former Cobb school board member Jaha Howard, have declared their intent to run in District 2 as Democrats.

Also among the Democratic hopefuls is Kevin Redmon, a former Richardson community advisor who lives in District 3 according to the legislative-approved maps. He has declared his intent to run in districts 2 and 3.

No Republicans have announced for District 2 thus far.

New Cobb school board maps shifted the lines for Post 5 (in purple) to include Pope and Walton attendance zones and exclude some of the Wheeler zone.

The Cobb elections board statement Friday said that for Cobb Board of Education qualifying, it will honor recently redrawn maps by the legislature that were ordered by a federal court, and since there is no pending challenge to it.

Those maps redrew part of East Cobb. Post 5, which is on the ballot this year, was redrawn to include most of the Walton and Pope attendance zones, while much of the Wheeler zone was placed in Post 6. Post 4, which includes most of the Kell, Lassiter and Sprayberry zones, was not affected.

Thus far, Democrat Laura Judge and Republican John Cristadoro, both parents in the Walton zone, have announced for Post 5, where four-term Republican incumbent David Banks is not seeking re-election.

Four of the seven school board posts are up for election this year, including two of the other three posts held by Republicans. The GOP has held a 4-3 majority since 2019, while Democrats control close majorities on the commission and the county legislative delegation.

The Cobb elections board also said Friday it will honor Congressional and legislative maps passed in January and that were ordered by a federal court.

The board appointments are 4-1 Democrats, with Debbie Fisher of East Cobb the appointee of the Cobb Republican Party.

Primary qualifying takes place Monday, March 4-Thursday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Partisan candidates will qualify at their local party office, and non-partisan candidates will qualify at the Cobb Elections office (955 Roswell St., Marietta).

More qualifying information can be found by clicking here.

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Cobb school board extends Ragsdale’s contract along party lines

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Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale received a one-year extension to his current contract Thursday to run through Feb. 28, 2027.

Cobb school board extends Ragsdale's contract
Cobb Superintendent Chris Ragsdale told his critics: “Do not come after my teachers, my principals or my team.”

The Cobb Board of Education voted 4-3 along party lines to offer the extension to a contract that will continue to pay Ragsdale, who has been superintendent since 2015, a salary of $350,000 a year.

The board’s four Republicans voted in favor, the three Democrats against, following an executive session, but didn’t discuss the matter at the voting meeting Thursday night.

Ragsdale thanked the board for the “vote of confidence” but didn’t elaborate. He later launched into scathing remarks against those critical of the district’s handling of a Feb. 1 shooting in the parking lot of McEachern High School that prompted two town hall meetings.

Two former students were shot and two current students were arrested during the incident, which didn’t extend into the school buildings.

Some citizens called for public meetings to be held on school safety plans, and others wanted the removal of McEachern principal Regina Montgomery.

But Ragsdale said that the details of those plans are discussed in executive session and are not allowed to be made public. He stood by Montgomery, and said there’s a safety plan for every school, including McEachern, and that it was followed on that day.

“I find it disturbing, but not surprising, that the same people and political groups who spoke against increased security measures in our schools . . . are now the very same people screaming the loudest about not having enough resource officers.”

At that point, some in the audience began interrupting, and one person was removed from the room.

“Please sit down and quit being rude and let us conduct our business,” board chairman Randy Scamihorn said.

Cobb school board extends Ragsdale's contract
Melissa Marten of the Cobb Community Care Coalition has been a vocal critic of Ragsdale’s leadership.

Ragsdale continued that “you can continue to come at me with all of your lies, but do not come after my teachers, my principals or my team. They’re all too far and work too high to stoop to your level.”

Before the vote, some critics—wearing shirts that read “No Confidence in Ragsdale”—spoke out against him, complaining mostly about the McEachern situation and efforts they allege the district made to restrict public commenters at the September board meetings and that created what they said was a chaotic situation.

“This was dangerous, and they are lucky no one was seriously injured,” said Melissa Marten, leader of a group called the Cobb Community Care Coalition, which has been critical of the district on a number of issues, including what it contends is an “acceleration of racism, bigotry, and censorship in Cobb County School District.”

“We demand accountability for putting our safety at risk and for district employees wasting our tax dollars and spending their time orchestrating potential violence.

“How can we have safe schools when our schools are run by people like this?” Marten said. “The problem is right here in this room looking at you right now.”

Also on Thursday, the Cobb school board voted to approve a “guaranteed maximum price” of $14.5 million for the Sprayberry High School main campus building replacement project, and to spend $9.328 million for renovations at Blackwell Elementary School on Canton Road.

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