Daylight hours have been getting a little bit shorter as the fall has arrived.
On Sunday morning, the window will get shorter still
Eastern Standard Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, so you know what that means: set your clock back an hour before going to bed Saturday night.
While daylight will arrive earlier in the morning—around 6 a.m.—it’s going to get dark around 6 p.m. most days as the middle of autumn continues.
The weather, however, will feel more like Indian summer for the next week. High temperatures are expected in the 60s through the middle of next week, with highs reaching 70 by the end of the week.
And sunny skies are in the forecast all throughout the week.
Georgia is among the states that has considered making legislative changes to stay on Daylight Saving Time year-round, or at least to stop the clock-changing every six months, but no bill have passed.
Eastern Standard Time continues through March 6.
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We went from Indian summer to an early winter within the span of a week or so.
The National Weather Service in Peachtree City has issued a frost advisory for Saturday morning for much of NorthG Georgia, including Cobb County.
The advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Saturday, as temperatures are expected to hover around the freezing mark.
“Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation,” according to the advisory. “Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. Some counties in the Advisory may only have frost in isolated, sheltered locales.”
Friday’s overnight low is expected to be in the low 30s, as clear weather moves into the East Cobb area after some rain earlier this week.
Friday’s high is around 60, and similar highs will be in effect through the weekend, all with sunny skies.
Overnight lows Saturday-Monday will be around 40.
By Tuesday, warmer weather will return, with sunny skies and highs in the high 60s, warming up to near 70 by Thursday of next week.
Lows through the end of next week are expected to be in the mid 40s.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Grace Resurrection is seeking to build a 15,000-square-foot building and a 286-space parking lot on 6.5 acres of undeveloped land surrounded by subdivisions.
The land, owned by the Barkis Family Revocable Trust, is located near the intersection of Oak Lane, Casteel Road and Bill Murdock Road. It contains a single-family home and like surrounding property is zoned R-30.
Grace Resurrection doesn’t need rezoning since houses of worship are zoned in residential categories.
But the Cobb County code requires that worship facilities in residential areas have “primary access” to and from major or arterial roads.
The point of access would be on Oak Lane, which is considered by the county to be a collector or neighborhood road.
The church will be requesting a waiver from that requirement at a Cobb Board of Zoning Appeals hearing on Dec. 10 (you can read the filing here).
The BZA is a five-member appointed body that hears such matters as zoning variances and appeals for waivers to county zoning ordinances.
The church also is requesting a variance to reduce a required 50-foot setback to eight feet for an accessory structure, a 6,200-square-foot playground.
In a statement, Grace Resurrection told East Cobb News that it is “exploring long-term options for a permanent church home to support its growing congregation. One of the properties under evaluation is a nearly seven-acre parcel on Oak Lane in East Cobb. This location is one of several being considered, and no decisions have been made regarding its future use.”
The statement didn’t identify any other properties, and indicated that its application before the BZA is a “request for clarification” as it does due diligence in the zoning process.
Grace Resurrection has hired noted Cobb zoning attorney Kevin Moore to handle the case. There’s been some concern expressed on social media channels, especially over traffic and environmental issues.
Applicants before the BZA are asked to “state what hardship would be created by following the normal terms of the ordinance.”
In its response, Grace Resurrection said that “to grant the requested variance and allow the development of the Church campus would in minimal impact upon adjacent properties and residences as the surrounding roads are arterials.”
The northwestern part of Barkis property is located at the curved intersection of the three roads, and is bordered on the south by the Blake Ford subdivision and on the east by the Greyfield neighborhood.
There is no other non-residential use of property in the area, and there are a number of other nearby larger parcels along Oak Lane that are also owned by family trusts.
Grace Resurrection initially was leasing the former Lutheran Church of the Incarnation site on Indian Hills Parkway from the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
In April 2023, the synod sold that property to the adjacent Congregation Etz Chaim synagogue for $1.1 million.
In its statement to East Cobb News, Grace Resurrection said it “remains committed to transparency, responsible planning, and being a good neighbor in the East Cobb community. We will continue to provide updates as our evaluation process moves forward and as additional information becomes available.”
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Cobb libraries will be destinations Friday for children seeking Halloween events and activities. Costumes are encouraged – not required – for the Oct. 31 daytime programs.
Costume Storytime, a program for babies, toddlers and preschoolers with their caregivers, is 10:30 a.m. at Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta 30068.
Creepy Carnival begins 10:30 a.m. at Switzer Library, 266 Roswell Street, Marietta 30060, with a special storytime in the Children’s Department followed by a parade through the library, and crafts and activities for all ages.
(Not-So) Spooky Storytime is a 10:30 a.m. event organized for children ages two through five and caregivers at Gritters Library, 880 Shaw Park Road, Marietta 30066, with stories and trick-or-treating around the library.
The Costume Parade at Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta Street, will feature a special storytime starting at 11 a.m. and a trick-or-treat parade through the library, crafts and a bubble dance.
Spine-Tingling Tales, a 3:30 p.m. program designed for children age 6 and up at Gritters Library is a gathering of “chilling tales of haunted houses, creepy creatures, and things that go bump in the night” along with trick-or-treating in the library.
Halloween Face Painting for children ages 3 and up is 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at East Cobb Library, 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta 30068, in the Parkaire Landing Shopping Center. The design options include “a spooky or magical look.”
For information on programs at Cobb County Public Library locations, visit cobbcounty.gov/library or call 770-528-2326.
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The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) has partnered with the University System of Georgia (USG), the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), and private institutions to provide application fee waivers to Georgia high school seniors through the Apply to College Month initiative. Over 60 Georgia colleges and universities have agreed to waive their application fees for high school seniors between November 1 and 30.
“As the home of many top-ranking higher education institutions, Georgia has a program for any Georgian looking to advance their education and career,” said Governor Kemp. “Whether at a USG, TCSG, or private institution, we want Georgia students to know that they can receive a great education that will set them up for success without having to leave this state. I’m grateful that so many Georgia colleges and universities are waiving application fees during Apply to College Month, adding to the work of GEORGIA MATCH to make it easier for families to navigate the college admissions process.”
This is the fifth year GSFC has promoted application fee waivers in November. There is no limit on the number of schools a student may apply to using the application fee waivers. While application fees vary by institution, cost savings to high school seniors applying to multiple colleges can be significant.
“Our mission is to make it easy for Georgia seniors to continue their higher education in the Top State for Talent,” said Georgia Student Finance Commission President Chris Green. “Through the incredible support of our postsecondary partners—the University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, and the Georgia Independent College Association—thousands of high school seniors can now apply to college for free. Apply to College Month empowers students to take full advantage of GEORGIA MATCH, fee waivers, and the more than $1 billion in scholarships and grants available each year to help them succeed.”
Students who apply through the GEORGIA MATCH direct admissions dashboard in November will automatically have their application fees waived. The full list of participating schools and information on how to access the application fee waivers may be found at GAfutures.org.
The mission of the Georgia Student Finance Commission is to help students pursue higher education with the least out-of-pocket costs possible. Students interested in learning more about application fee waivers, GEORGIA MATCH, scholarships, and grants can schedule a meeting with their regional GSFC Outreach representative by visiting gafutures.org/outreach.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!
Town Center Community held its fourth annual State of the District at the Governors Gun Club in Town Center, Ga. on Oct. 28. The event, hosted by Town Center’s Community Improvement District (CID) and its non-profit placemaking partner, the Alliance, brought together industry leaders, community members and key stakeholders to discuss the district’s 2026 vision and celebrate the winners of the 2025 Townie Awards.
This year’s program explored how the strategic reinvention of retail and commercial properties can strengthen neighborhoods, drive innovation and foster more resilient, inclusive communities. Key topics included the role of partnership and collaboration in redevelopment, how underutilized large-scale properties can become transformational assets, and national and regional trends in placemaking, mixed-use, and adaptive reuse.
2025 Townie Award Honorees
This year’s awards program honored leaders who have been a part of Town Center Community’s rich history and have made significant contributions to Town Center’s success, including:
Townie Award Honorees
Town Center Champion – Cobb County Precinct Commander Major W.A. Mitchell and his team of officers at Precinct 1
Commercial Champion – Ecologie Vintage
“Our event this year underscores the importance of redevelopment for the long-term success of our community,” said Tracy Styf, executive director of the Town Center Community Improvement District. “As we look to the year ahead, we’re eager to position the district as a regional destination for mixed-use development and look forward to working with all partners to make our vision a reality.”
Highlights of this year’s program included a fireside chat featuring Ellen Dunham-Jones, professor and director of the Urban Design Program at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Sarah Nurmela, Mayor Pro Tem from the City of Westminster, Colorado, and director of planning and development for the Town of Erie, Colorado, along with a community update from Tracy Styf.“Town Center proves what’s possible when collaboration meets commitment.
As we move into 2026, updating our Master Plan will be a key step in shaping how we grow and thrive over the next decade, ensuring Town Center continues to evolve as a place where people want to live, work and connect,” noted Britt Fleck, vice chair of the CID board of directors.
During the event, Town Center Community announced more than $130,000 has been raised for the Lanie Ship Hoover Fund, which supports future trail, park, and greenspace projects in the Town Center area.
This year’s Presenting Sponsor was:
Kennesaw State University
This year’s Gold Sponsors included:
Capital City Public Affairs
Council for Quality Growth
Croy Engineering
Kimley Horn
Son & Son’s
This year’s Silver Sponsors included:
Brightview Landscapes
Cobb Chamber
Cooper Carry
Croft & Associates
Dentons
Denyse
LGE Credit Union
Pond & Company
Rainey & Vaughan LLC
Vulcan Materials Company
About the Town Center Community
Town Center Community is comprised of the Town Center Community Improvement District (CID) and its nonprofit partner, the Town Center Community Alliance.
The Town Center CID, established in 1997, is focused on safety, beautification, economic growth, and infrastructure improvements within the district. For larger infrastructure projects, the CID leverages its funding to complete the critical first steps like planning, studies, and initial concept design that make projects more competitive for federal, state, and local funding.
Established in 2015, the Town Center Community Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on bringing quality-of-life improvements and programs to the Town Center Community. The Alliance is run by a board of directors and relies on donations from the public, community partners, corporate sponsors, and the Town Center CID to fully fund and develop projects and programs. From public art and aesthetic fixtures to small parks and bikeshare, the Alliance helps attract businesses and residents to the area, boost economic development and shape a sense of community.
Together, the Town Center CID and the Alliance work to make Town Center Community one of the most accessible, prosperous and exciting areas in Metro Atlanta.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Eastside Christian School’s fifth through seventh grade chorus students performed Disney’s The Lion King Jr. last weekend. A true community event, the cast was supported by Eastside’s high school theater students who served as stage crew, Jake Dalton, an eighth grade student who designed all 280 light cues, and a myriad of staff and parents who worked behind the scenes. The show, originally cast and scheduled for a Spring 2020 release at Eastside, was cancelled due to COVID-19 safety concerns.
“That 2020 cast, and the stage magic that was left unmade, is a group that I’ve held close to my heart. They left an indelible mark on the show, and I didn’t want to revisit it for years,” said Ashleigh Lucas, Eastside’s Director of Performing Arts. “The time came this fall, and here we are again, with a new group of performers stepping in to bring these characters to life.”
Eastside’s stage was transformed into an African savanna and rainforest in a stunning display of artistry. The large-scale set pieces and light displays were the perfect backdrop for the costuming. Inspired by the vision of Julie Taymor, the director and designer of the Broadway show, Lucas utilized masks and movement to create an imaginative experience. Students transformed into lions, hyenas, and even grasslands with flowing skirts and moving choreography.
The musical theater program at Eastside draws audiences from the community, with alumni of the school regularly returning to experience the magic that Lucas puts on stage and the talent that she brings out of her students each year.
“I am so proud of the excellence that is displayed every time our students take the stage. Mrs. Lucas does a phenomenal job not only teaching songs and dances, but also teaching life skills along the way,” said Dr. Tiffany Stark, Eastside’s Head of School. Eastside’s next musical is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and will be performed December 12-14, 2025. Tickets will be available at EastsideChristianSchool.com.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
Historian Brad Quinlin will speak on his research in Unsung Heroes: African American Soldiers in William T. Sherman’s Army, a program of The Georgia Room, at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta 30066, on Monday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.
A traveling exhibit on Unsung Heroes will be on display in the library Oct. 30 through Nov. 26. It was previously on display at the Switzer, South Cobb and West Cobb libraries.
The Unsung Heroes project is supported by Georgia Humanities, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, through appropriations made by the Georgia General Assembly.
Quinlin has extensive experience researching the overlooked contributions of African Americans during the Civil War. This research dispels the myth that none served under Union General William T. Sherman during the 1864 Atlanta Campaign.
Among Quinlin’s findings is identifying 1,397 African American men who served in Sherman’s Army, 1,287 in the Atlanta Campaign alone. The soldiers served in such challenging roles as stretcher bearers for the wounded while under intense fire.
For information on Cobb County Public Library programs and resources, visit cobbcounty.gov/library or call 770-528-2326.
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Kevin Redmon, an East Cobb resident who ran for the Cobb Board of Commissioners in 2024, will be trying again in 2026.
Redmon announced last week that he will be a Democratic candidate for District 3, which covers most of East Cobb. That seat is held by Republican JoAnn Birrell, who is in her fourth term.
But that election was overturned by a Cobb judge and a special election was held last fall that was won by Democrat Erick Allen.
In making his announcement last week, Redmon said that “this District and County deserve leadership that will show up and be present, one that is responsive, and someone who has a vision to carry us into a future that is already here. And I’m honored to have the opportunity to step up and lead us down this path.”
No other candidates have announced for the District 3 race.
Redmon has lived in East Cobb for 20 years, and served as a member of the “community cabinet” of former Commissioner Jerica Richardson. In response to a request for details from East Cobb News about his campaign, here’s what Redmon told us:
“My priorities will be to help our county become even more proactive than reactive in its services, drive innovative ways to create efficiencies where needed, and help make Cobb a more competitive place to work to fill any existing gaps—especially within Cobb’s Public Safety organization.
“One of the fundamental foundations of this job that I learned from serving on former-Commissioner Richardson’s Cabinet is that there is an opportunity here to create real, sustainable programs that will outlive any specific person who sits in this seat.
“Yes, there are basic parts to this job, like keeping taxes low. Will I commit to keeping our taxes low? Of course. I live here, too. But this job is so much more than this. It’s about leveraging the resources we have to create programs that lift all of our residents and businesses.”
He also referenced a recent controversy in which Cobb commissioners declined to provide additional funding for a Cobb veterans memorial. Birrell proposed the additional funding but couldn’t get her colleagues to support it.
Redmon didn’t mention her by name, but said that “it’s not just about building memorials for our veterans who deserve to be remembered and honored; they also deserve our help in housing the unhoused vets in our community.”
Also:
“It’s not just about feeding the hungry, but about helping our seniors and even young people learn new skills to compete in today’s AI-driven job market, so they can gain employment and keep food on their tables.
“It’s not just about filling potholes, but designing safer streets so we can prevent more needless injuries and deaths of our students who are just trying to walk to school.”
Moving into the future does not mean to leave anyone behind. We will build our future here together, and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead us there.”
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Cobb Community Development Agency director Jessica Guinn
The Cobb Community Development Agency will be holding open house sessions in November about the long-proposed Unified Development Code.
The UDC was proposed in 2022 to update and unify existing zoning, land use and development regulations and to make “the code clearer, easier to use, and better aligned with Cobb’s vision for the future,” according to county officials.
The open houses are designed to provide information and solicit public feedback. They will take place at the following locations and dates around the county:
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6:30–8 p.m.
Ron Anderson Community Center
3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs
Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30–8 p.m.
North Cobb Regional Library
3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw
Monday, Nov. 17, 6:30–8 p.m.
Windy Hill Community Center
1885 Roswell Street, Smyrna
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 6:30–8 p.m.
Mountain View Community Center
3400 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta
The last time there was an update on the UDC was in February, when Cobb commissioners were briefed about a proposed planned development category, for large-scale mixed-use projects.
That didn’t require any action, and the county has been silent on the subject of the UDC for the last few months.
There were to have been public meetings this spring on the UDC initial draft that was released in November 2024, but those were not scheduled.
The draft is a 97-page document that includes general provisions, transitional provisions, definitions, terms of construction and related topics. Related documents can be found by clicking here.
The primary updates for the first installment cover administrative articles that establish procedures for the review of all development applications, including applications for rezoning, special land-use permits, for subdivisions and for zoning variances.
Some citizens have objected to the UDC, calling it “a war on the suburbs.” But county officials say an overhaul is long overdue, more than a half-century after Cobb first adopted a zoning code.
At that February work session, Commissioner Keli Gambrill complained that she and her colleagues didn’t have much time to absorb a significant amount of information, and further said that “we have a lot of animosity out there about this whole process and how it’s being handled.”
Cobb Community Development Agency director Jessica Guinn said at that work session that “ultimately, the document is adopted as a whole, as one big code amendment. We want to be sure that before we do that we’ve got something that the board will be comfortable adopting.”
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As October drew to a close, we were having some terrific traffic and engagement from readers at East Cobb News.
You could say we’re smashing pumpkins, but we wouldn’t want to confuse you with an alt-rock band with the same name.
What we mean to say is that we had a smashing month in October, with some of our best metrics in quite a while, in terms of pageviews, unique visitors, social media engagement and newsletter subscribers.
And while we don’t like to report on bad news—a fatal accident and the death of a longtime educator and community leader—we know how important these stories matter to the people who live here.
It’s part of being the only daily, general-interest news site serving East Cobb. And that’s the real reason East Cobb News is enjoying the kind of readership growth and involvement that makes us proud.
We’ve become a go-to source for all kinds of news that offers more than a glimpse of what’s happening in East Cobb—they reveal quite a bit about what makes this community tick.
Whether it’s stories featuring our original reporting, or passing along news about local events from others, East Cobb News is focused on what’s valued the most by readers in this community.
It’s our stock-in-trade, and for eight-plus years we’ve been building that community trust, one story at a time.
Local business advertising is how we pay most of the bills at East Cobb News, which like our competitors is a for-profit business.
These days, many news outlets, including those that are much bigger, also ask their readers for support.
But unlike some of our competitors, we don’t hide our reporting behind a paywall.
We believe high-quality local journalism is the bedrock of a healthy community, and it should be available to everyone, regardless of a person’s current financial situation.
In order to keep local news free, however, we need your help.
You rely on us to stay informed and we depend on you to make our work possible.
We’re asking our readers to help support us financially, but it’s entirely voluntarily.
If you value what you get from East Cobb News—what we post every day to our site, as well as our weekly newsletter, and our connections with readers and community on social media–please consider making a financial donation today.
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The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority has announced a new name for Georgia’s premier mid-size convention venue for tradeshows, meetings and special events: Cobb Convention Center-Atlanta.
Formerly Cobb Galleria Centre, the venue is rebranding in the midst of a transformational, $190 million renovation and expansion project. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in early 2027.
‘While the Galleria name served us well for more than 30 years, we feel this new name better reflects our location and purpose,” said Jerry Nix, Chairman of the Authority, owner and operator of the convention center. “As we modernize to better serve our customers and guests, our name has been updated as well.”
By incorporating both Cobb and Atlanta into the new name, the Center will clarify its geographic identity as a prominent landmark in Cobb but also a premier venue for visitors who identify with the Atlanta location. This clarity in market positioning also extends to adding the word convention into the name, which clearly identifies the venue’s primary function of hosting conventions, trade shows and large-scale events.
The renovation and expansion will happen in phases. While the convention center is currently closed, it will reopen for business in January 2026 in the exhibit halls and ballroom.
Cobb Convention Center will be open throughout 2026 and will continue to host trade shows, expos, meetings, conventions and social events in the exhibit halls and ballroom. The expansion project will continue until early 2027.
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Cobb Police said that a portion of Lower Roswell Road in the vicinity of Holy Family Catholic Church will be closed until Monday evening to repair downed power lines.
A social media posting around noon Monday said the road will be closed between Pinehurst Lane and Cross Gate Drive for at least 8 hours for the repairs, which are due to a single vehicle colliding with a utility pole. There were no injuries.
“Please avoid the area and seek alternate routes.”
Those alternates include Old Canton Road to the west of the closure area and Shadowlawn Drive and Indian Hills Parkway to the east.
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The organizers of the Sprayberry Craft Show are cancelling this year’s event due to the ongoing reconstruction project at Sprayberry High School.
The event that first began in the 1980s is typically held in November, just as the holiday shopping season gets underway.
It’s the primary fundraiser for the Sprayberry PTSA, and draws hundreds of vendors each year and thousands of shoppers.
But a social media posting over the weekend referenced the construction project, and said the show “is being postponed until renovations at Sprayberry High School are complete.”
That could be until 2028, but the message was uncertain about when the show would return. Last year it took place at Daniell Middle School, and preliminary plans were to have it there again this year.
But the social media posting said that “with the ongoing demolition, and the high Facility Use fees now charged by Cobb County School District to host at another location, we are unable to hold the show at this time.”
Organizers said vendors have been notified of the cancellation and are in the process of being reimbursed.
East Cobb News has left messages with the Sprayberry PTSA seeking more information.
The $71.9 million Sprayberry reconstruction project is in its second academic year, and is expected to be finished by the summer of 2026.
The new main classroom building is going up where the original building once stood, with portable classrooms filling the parking lot. Numerous events that take place at Sprayberry have been affected.
That has included the Southern Invitational, a high school marching band competition, which took place last weekend and has been relocated temporarily to Kell High School.
That event is organized by Sprayberry band boosters.
In their message for the craft show, the Sprayberry PTSA said that while “while we fought hard for many years to have a new school built, and while we are proud that this vision is finally coming to life, it also means we will be without a home for the craft show during construction.”
Holiday craft shows in the East Cobb area begin Nov. 8-9 with the Lassiter Craft Fair.
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Kids chasing a soccer ball at East Cobb Park Sunday, dancing between some raindrops along the way. ECN photo.
That chill in the air that came through last weekend in the East Cobb area is going to stay for a while.
So will the chance of rain before Halloween arrives on Friday.
We had steady rain overnight Monday and it’s in the forecast for the rest of the day today, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.
Light rain and a mist are forecast for much of the day Monday, with high temperatures expected only in the low 50s.
Showers are likely to continue into Monday evening, with lows dipping into the high 40s.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be a bit warmer, with highs in the high 50s, with a reduced chance of rain and lows also in the high 40s.
The rain is expected to clear through by Friday, as the sun returns for trick-or-treat. Highs are expected near 60 on Friday, and it’s going to get colder still, with lows dropping into the high 30s.
Warmer temperatures are in the forecast for the weekend, sunny and highs in the low 60s Saturday and Sunday, and lows in the 40s.
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Flooding along Columns Drive in East Cobb, which is routine after heavy rains.
A year and a half since dropping a proposed stormwater fee, Cobb commissioners on Tuesday will be formally presented with a revised plan to impose a dedicated charge for all customers.
Currently customers are charged through their water and sewer bills based on the amount of impervious surfaces on their properties.
Commercial and institutional customers would also be billed $4.75 month per 3,700 square feet of impervious surface.
The fee would apply to customers in unincorporated Cobb and the City of Mableton, whose stormwater management is handled by the county. Five of Cobb’s six other cities charge their own stormwater fees; Marietta does not.
The Cobb water system also has prepared a stormwater credit manual to further break down how it’s intending to charge for stormwater management
The initial stormwater fee plan, first presented in late 2023, would have imposed a charge for residential customers ranging between $2 and $12 a month, based on the amount of impervious surfaces on their properties.
Cobb water officials have been asking for a separate stormwater fee for years, saying they can’t manage an aging, overextended stormwater system, which has been budgeted $9.5 million in the current Cobb fiscal year 2026 budget.
The request was accelerated by severe floods in the fall of 2021 that badly damaged many homes and yards in East Cobb.
Citizens protested a proposed stormwater fee at an East Cobb town hall meeting in March 2024.
But when the county introduced a fee proposal, citizens protested en masse, at public comment sessions and other events, including a fiery town hall meeting in East Cobb.
They blasted the proposal as a “rain tax,” and said it wouldn’t help those affected by the flood damage.
At that town hall, Cobb Water System director Judy Jones said that “the way we’re charging now, residential customers are paying more than commercial customers. I’m trying to fix that. But I have to have more money to do that. The way we do it now is not equitable.”
Cobb’s two Republican commissioners, JoAnn Birrell of East Cobb and Keli Gambrill of West Cobb, opposed that fee.
Former Commissioner Jerica Richardson of East Cobb, whose constituents were affected by the 2021 floods, called for the initial motion to table the proposal in March of 2024, saying that stakeholders sessions should be conducted to go over what she called “a big issue . . . but it’s complex.”
Commissioners will hold public hearings on the proposed stormwater fee in November.
The work session on Tuesday will not include public comments, but there is a public comment session scheduled for the Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday night.
That meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.
You also can watch the hearing on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
One more week of early voting will take place through Friday of this coming week in 2025 elections for two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission and municipal races in Marietta and other Cobb cities.
Voters in Cobb County can go to any of seven locations to cast their votes, including the East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road).
Early voting takes place from 12-6 Sunday, and from Monday-Friday from 7-7 (see all locations, dates and times in the flyer below).
You can check your voting status and get a personalized sample ballot by visiting the GA My Voter Page from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
The elections will conclude on Tuesday, Nov. 4, when voters will go their assigned precincts.
The elections include all seven Cobb municipalities, as well as a special election for Georgia State Senate District 35, which includes some of South Cobb.
Some voters in East Cobb also will be eligible to vote in several races in the City of Marietta—Mayor, Ward 5, 6 and 7 City Council, and Ward 5, 6 and 7 Marietta Board of Education.
All voters in East Cobb will be voting for two seats on the Georgia PSC, which are elected statewide and whose members regulate electricity and utility rates across the state. Both are contested races.
Republican incumbent Fitz Johnson of Vinings (website) is being challenged by Democrat Peter Hubbard (website).
Another Republican incumbent, Tim Echols (website) is opposed by Democrat Alicia Johnson (website).
Here’s a PSC primer from WABE; more from the Associated Press from earlier this week.
In Marietta, 16-year Mayor “Thunder” Tumlin is seeking another term from 24-year-old Sam Foster in a non-partisan race that has drawn some attention.
Tumlin has been a legislator and served as chair of the Marietta school board, while Foster, a recent Kennesaw State graduate, is part of A Better Cobb, which advocates for increased transit and mobility and affordable housing options.
Ward 5 includes most of East Marietta, and the election this year features the two men who have held that seat in recent years. Incumbent Carlyle Kent (website) is seeking a second four-year term. In 2022 he unseated Reggie Copeland, who is trying to win back his old seat (website).
In City Council seats for Ward 6 and Ward 7, only the incumbents qualified—Andre Sims and Joseph Goldstein, respectively.
In the Ward 5 Marietta school board race, incumbent Angela Orange (website) is seeking re-election, and is facing first-time candidate Jessie Bonner Jr. (website).
The Ward 6 school board race is an open seat, and the candidates are Christina Rogers (website) and Tony Viola (website).
In Ward 7, school board member Irene Holly Berens is running unopposed.
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!
