Cobb DAR chapter to hold Constitution Day observance

Cobb DAR chapter to hold Constitution Day observance
Cobb DAR Fielding Lewis Chapter members and Commissioner JoAnn Birrell (right) at a Constitution Week recognition Tuesday.

The Fielding Lewis Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution will mark the 237th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution at an observance Tuesday at the Marietta Square.

The “Ringing the Bells” celebration begins at 3:30 p.m. Around the country, bells will ring for one minute at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17, marking the exact time the Constitution was officially signed in 1787.

During a recognition this week by the Cobb Board of Commissioners, chapter members announced their traditional practice during Constitution Week of delivering copies of the U.S. Constitution to fourth-graders in both the Cobb and Marietta public school districts.

According to the recognition, “the purpose of the Constitution Week celebration is to emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, inform people that this important document is the foundation of our way of life and encourage study of the historical events that led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.”

The Daughters of the American Revolution petitioned Congress in 1955 for Constitution Week, and it was signed into law in 1956 by President Eisenhower.

Constitution Day in Cobb began in 2010 via the Cobb Republican Women’s Club.

The Fielding Lewis Chapter was founded in 1904 and named after a merchant and trader and was a leader in the revolutionary movement.

More on Constitution Week can be found by clicking here.

 

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Marietta Educational Garden Center to hold fundraiser

Submitted information:

Join us at Fair Oaks at the Marietta Educational Garden Center on Saturday, November 2nd from 10am to 2pm for a day of education and activities, hosted by the Laurel District. This event is a fundraiser for the Garden Club of Georgia’s Historic Landscape Preservation Grant offered for restoration of historic landscapes, public or private.

We have two fabulous speakers and honored guests including Lisa Hall, GCG president. Plus a special guest appearance is expected! Before and after the scheduled program, you are encouraged to stroll the grounds and enjoy the many gardens at Fair Oaks, including the “Georgia’s First Ladies” named Camellias, The Founders Garden, the Gazebo meditation area and many more! ‘Plein Air’ painters will be working outdoors to incorporate the landscape into their creations. There will also be education exhibits, music, garden club merchandise and enchanting raffle baskets. Inside the Civil War era home, there will be docents on hand offering interesting tidbits about the home’s history.

Program speakers include Trevor Beemon, Executive Director of Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society, Inc. and the Chairman of the Acworth Historic Preservation Commission; along with Paul Pugliese, Bartow County Extension Coordinator/ANR Agent.

Tickets are $45 per person, including morning coffee, a boxed lunch (menu selections on form), and must be ordered by October 25th

https://mariettagardencenter.com/

Donations accepted. Checks should be payable to “GCG” and sent to Edna McClellan, 180 Pacer Court, #9044, Ellijay, GA 30540-9305. Confirmation is via email. EdnaMae@ellijay.com. The form can be found here:  HLP REGS 2024

 

 

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East Cobb Weather Update: A soggy weekend is in store

East Cobb Weather Update: A soggy weekend is in store
The National Weather Service is forecasting a strong chance of rain for most of Georgia on Friday and through the weekend.

A few outdoor activities this weekend in the East Cobb area have been called off or moved indoors due to a wet weather forecast.

Some light rain fell in the area on Thursday as the remnants of Hurricane Francine are expected to have an impact into early next week.

The storm reached the coast of Louisiana on Wednesday, fanning a weather system across the Deep South.

Tornado warnings have been issued in Alabama on Thursday afternoon as a weather system moves into Georgia.

A wind advisory has been issued to include Cobb County through early Friday morning, with wind gusts up to 30 mph.

On Friday, thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon, with a 60 percent chance of rain, and up to a half an inch possible in some areas.

The chance of rain Friday night is expected to be 80 percent, with up to three-quarters of an inch of new rain.

The forecast for Saturday morning—when the EAST COBBER parade is scheduled—includes showers and an 80 percent chance of rain, and continuing into Saturday night.

Sunday will be no different, with a 70 percent chance of rain all day.

High temperatures throughout that stretch are forecast to be in the 70s, with lows in the 60s.

The rain will taper off Monday and Tuesday with the sun finally returning by midweek.

The Blackwell Farmers Market on Canton Road has cancelled Saturday morning’s market and will return on Sept. 21.

Several school festivals also have been postponed or moved indoors.

If your organization is changing plans due to the weather, please let us know and we’ll update it here. Contact us: editor@eastcobbnews.com.

 

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Good Mews announces 2024 gala dinner and auction

The East Cobb-based Good Mews Animal Foundation said the theme of this year’s annual gala dinner and auction is “Over the Mewn.”Good Mews announces 2024 gala dinner and auction

The event takes place on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. at Salon San Francisco La Hacienda
(1906 South Cobb Drive).

The cost is $75 a person and the dress code is cocktail attire.

Tickets include dinner two complimentary drink tickets for beer, wine, soda, or a featured cocktail, and a cash bar will be available, along with non-alcoholic drinks. The program includes live and silent auctions.

The gala is the non-profit foundation’s main fundraiser. From Executive director Nikki Healey:

“Since 1988, Good Mews has been a cornerstone of feline rescue in Cobb County and the Atlanta Area. At our no-kill, cage-free shelter, we give about 600 cats each year the chance to find loving homes. Through our Community Cat Program, we tackle the feral and abandoned cat overpopulation issue head-on—providing critical medical care and surgeries to over 4,500 cats annually through our Trap, Vaccinate, Spay/Neuter, and Return Program.

“Our gala is vital in sustaining this work, raising much-needed funds and awareness to help us continue our lifesaving efforts. We invite your audience to join us at the gala for an unforgettable evening that not only supports a great cause but also strengthens the bond between animals and people in our community.”

Good Mews is also seeking sponsors for the event.

Good Mews operates an adoption and care shelter at 3805 Robinson Road, and offers several vaccination and microchip clinics a year, along with an annual book sale.

To purchase tickets and for sponsorship information, click here.

 

 

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Cobb Chamber opens registration for public safety luncheon

Submitted information:Cobb Chamber annual golf tournament

As part of the 29th annual Public Safety Appreciation Week (Oct.7-11), the Cobb Chamber will honor Cobb County’s finest during a special recognition program at the Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon event held at the Coca-Cola Roxy on October 7. The luncheon will kick off a weeklong effort to celebrate public safety personnel in Cobb County. The luncheon is presented by Marquee Sponsor Superior Plumbing and Superior Plumbing Cooling & Heating and includes the presentation of the 2024 Public Safety Awards.

2024 Public Safety Awards and Nominees

The Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon will honor the bravery and commitment to excellence for each of the 2024 nominees – 15 individuals and 10 units, representing 12 different public safety organizations. Each nominee is eligible to win the following awards: the Public Safety Employee of the Year Award, Medal of Valor, Award of Merit, Distinguished Achievement Award, and Outstanding Community Contribution Award. The 2024 Public Safety Committee Chairwoman is Melissa Alterio, Director of the Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications.

To learn more about each nominee, visit www.cobbchamber.org/publicsafety.

2024 Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon

Award winners will be announced and celebrated at the October 7 Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon at the Coca-Cola Roxy. Registration is now open at https://tinyurl.com/2ba98snc.

Sponsors include Marquee Sponsor, Superior Plumbing and Superior Plumbing Cooling & Heating; Platinum Sponsors, Cobb EMC and MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service; Awards Sponsor LoRusso Law Firm; Gold Sponsors Barrow Wrecker Services, Genuine Parts, and Marietta Wrecker; and Appreciation Week Sponsor Verizon.

2024 Public Safety Appreciation Week

The Public Safety Appreciation Luncheon kicks off a weeklong community effort to celebrate the efforts of our public safety personnel, known as Public Safety Appreciation Week. Led by the Cobb Chamber, the community is invited to show their gratitude by visiting the public safety agencies in their neighborhood, between Oct. 7 through Oct. 11.

To learn how you can contribute, visit https://cobbchamber.org/events/public-safety-appreciation-week/.

For more information on Public Safety Appreciation Week, visit www.cobbchamber.org/publicsafety or contact Katie Guice at 770-859-2334 or kguice@cobbchamber.org.

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Cobb PARKS Holiday Artisan Market accepting vendors

Submitted information:

Join us for the 2024 Holiday Artisan Market Friday, December 13 – Sunday, December 15 at Cobb County Civic Center! This festival will feature retailers and artists and will showcase handmade goods, fine arts, performing arts, and more!

Applications are open!

To apply for our Holiday Artisan Market, complete the application and email it, along with photo references, to holidaymarket@cobbcounty.org. Be sure to pay the vendor fee here. 

Vendors will need to complete the application and pay the fee for submissions to be considered complete. Applications will have a rolling acceptance until November 6th or until full.

To apply for our Merry Marketplace: Youth Market, a free entrepreneurial opportunity for ages 13-17., complete the following application and email it, along with photo references, to tonya.mccain@cobbcounty.org. Space is limited so apply today! 

Please email holidaymarket@cobbcounty.org if you have any questions.

 

 

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‘Kendra Give Back Event’ to include Avenue East Cobb store

'Kendra Give Back Event' to include Avenue East Cobb store

The Kendra Scott store at Avenue East Cobb is taking part in a “Kendra Give Back” event Friday to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders Center during Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease Month.

It’s part of the Kendra Cares charity, a creative arts program that “brings the magic and joy of Color Bar to pediatric hospitals across the country, giving patients and their caregivers a break from their everyday to design their own piece of customized jewelry at no cost.

“Patients are guided through creative activities consisting of multiple stations including choosing from colored stones and metal styles to create a custom piece of jewelry and reflecting on their experience through writing a note of gratitude to someone special in their life.

On Friday from 1-3 p.m., shoppers at the Avenue store who mention Children’s Healthcare at checkout will have 20 percent of their purchase to go to the cancer and blood disorders center.

You can also shop online Friday and Saturday use the code GIVEBACK-CHOA24 at checkout at www.kendrascott.com.

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Parade; festivals; Music in the Park; more

East Cobber parade
Unicyclists from Mt. Bethel Elementary School are a regular feature at the EAST COBBER parade.

Fall is in the air, but it may be something of a wet weekend greeting a slate full of activities in the East Cobb area (check our full listings for all the details).

The signature event is the 26th EAST COBBER magazine parade and festival, marching off from 10 a.m. Saturday at Mt. Bethel Elementary School, and down Johnson Ferry Road. More than 100 sets of bands, school and community groups, baton twirlers and even unicyclists are lining up for what’s being called “the candy parade”—bring plenty of bags to take home treats.

At 11 a.m., a community festival takes place at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road) until 3 p.m., featuring food, music, vendors and family fun (more details from our story last week).

Traffic alert: Johnson Ferry Road will be shut down between 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., so plan to arrive early and/or find an alternate route for parade parking.

Another community festival will be going on at the same time on Saturday, from 12-3 p.m. It’s the Auto Accident Attorneys Group Fall Kickoff Festival at the law firm’s offices at 1454 Johnson Ferry Road. The third annual event features food, music, and fun for all ages. RSVP by clicking here to reserve a wristband for free food and drinks.

The third annual Angels of Life Bake Sale returns Saturday to Three-13 Salon and Spa (2663 Canton Road). Stop by between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to purchase sweets, savories and crafts made by the staff, with proceeds benefit the Georgia Transplant Foundation.

The November election ballot includes a referendum on a proposed 30-year transit tax in Cobb County, and organizations are starting public meetings on both sides of the issue.

On Saturday, the Cobb Taxpayer Association will kick off its campaign to oppose the Cobb Mobility SPLOST from 12-2 p.m. at Grace Resurrection Methodist Church (1200 Indian Hills Parkway).

Political candidates and other local activists will be speaking and there will be sign-up sheets for volunteers.

On Sunday, the fall schedule of Music in the Park debuts at East Cobb Park. From 4-6, the sounds of local band Man Bites Dog will emanate from the concert pavilion. Depending on the weather, you can bring a blanket/chairs and food and drink to enjoy.

(And here’s the rest of the fall event schedule at East Cobb Park, up through Holiday Lights in December.)

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing for our community events calendar.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

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Glass recycling bin opens near Merchants Walk Whole Foods

Glass recycling bin opens near Merchants Walk Whole Foods

Reader Helen passed along this flyer and photo of a free community glass recycling spot in East Cobb.

It’s provided by Ripple Glass, a national recycling and waste management company, and the purple bin is hard not to notice.

It’s located next to Whole Foods at Merchants Walk (1311 Johnson Ferry Road), near the rear parking area.

The flyer below shows you what you can and can’t deposit there.

Basically, everyday items like glass food and beverage containers, drinking cups and glasses, general bottles, jars and glass containers and windows and shower doors are good to go.

But cardboard, ceramics, porcelain, mirrors, dishwares, lightbulbs and television sets are not accepted.

The Merchants Walk location is the third such “purple bin” in the East Cobb area, following Jackie’s Wine and Spirits (3140 Johnson Ferry Road) and Janice Overbeck Real Estate (2249 Roswell Road).

Here’s more on Atlanta operations, including places where you can pick up a purple Ripple Glass tote bag.

Ripple Glass says it collects more than 800 tons of glass every week from its bins around the country, and offers curbside service in its home market of Kansas City.

Glass recycling bin opens near Merchants Walk Whole Foods

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Dickerson MS student facing ‘criminal’ charges for threats

Dickerson MS

The Cobb County School District said Wednesday that a Dickerson Middle School student is facing criminal charges for “making threatening statements.”

A “Dickerson safety message” that was sent to the school community didn’t specify what those statements were, but said that the student is “not a threat to the school.”

The message said that the Cobb school district’s police department and administrators investigated the statements of the Dickerson student in the wake of last week’s fatal school shooting in Winder.

The Cobb school district said in response to a request for comment and further information from East Cobb News that the Dickerson administration learned of the threat “from one student to another.”

But “the details of those charges and the serious, disciplinary consequences are not publicly available,” according to a district spokeswoman, due to state and federal student privacy laws.

She said in a statement to East Cobb News that the district has received more than 50 reported threats in the last six days—since the deaths of two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder.

But all of them have “not been proven to be actual threats to a Cobb school,” the district said.

“All applicable policy, and the law, have been strongly enforced and we can confirm there is no active threat to Dickerson’s students or staff,” the spokeswoman said.

She also included a link to the district’s “A Parent’s Guide to School Safety.”

The message sent to Dickerson families urged them to help “by talking to your children” about the district’s Cobb Shield safety resource page and the district’s tipline to report incidents.

School districts around metro Atlanta and north Georgia have been pressing charges in similar incidents since the Apalachee incident. A 14-year-old student, Colt Gray, has been charged with four counts of murder, accused to taking an assault rifle to the Winder campus.

His father has been charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and child cruelty after Barrow County authorities said he bought an AR-15 rifle.

According to a family member, the boy’s mother called the school to warn a counselor less than an hour before the shooting about her son’s mental health issues, according to published reports.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Round Trip Brewing; Tin Lizzy’s; more

Round Trip Brewing Co. holds grand opening at Avenue East Cobb

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

Brazil Pizza
279 Powers Ferry Road, Suite B
September 11, 2024 Score: 84, Grade: B

Buddha Delight
2731 Sandy Plains Road, Suite A
September 12, 2024 Score: 90, Grade: A

Cafe Clement
1438 Canton Road
September 11, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Chick-Fil-A
1440 Terrell Mill Road
September 12, 2024 Score: 89, Grade: B

Chipotle Mexican Grill
1281 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 104
September 12, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Kell High School
4770 Lee Waters Road
September 9, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant
3101 Roswell Road, Suite 104
September 12, 2024 Score: 90, Grade: A

Mellow Mushroom
2000 Powers Ferry Road, Suite G-3
September 9, 2024 Score: 84, Grade: B

Night Life Pizza
562 Wylie Road, Suite 18
September 10, 2024 Score: 89, Grade: B

Panera Bread
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1530
September 9, 2024 Score: 96, Grade: A

Papa John’s Pizza
1325 Powers Ferry Road
September 10, 2024 Score: 96, Grade: A

Papa John’s Pizza
4811 Lower Roswell Road
September 11, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Planet Smoothie
2014 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 350
September 11, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Round Trip Brewing Company
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1600
September 9, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Subway
1860 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 301
September 13, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Taco Bell
4720 Alabama Road
September 12, 2024 Score: 100, Grade: A

Tin Lizzy’s
4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1510
September 9, 2024 Score: 89, Grade: B

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PHOTOS, VIDEO: Cobb remembers 9/11 attacks at fire stations

Cobb remembers 9/11 attacks at fire stations

At 10:05 a.m. on Wednesday, crew members of Cobb Fire Station 21 in East Cobb turned on their sirens.

It was at that precise moment 23 years ago that the South Tower at the World Trade Center collapsed.

Twenty-three minutes later, at 10:28, the sirens went off again, signifying the time the North Tower fell.

Before that, crews honored the memory of those on four planes that crashed that day with a moment of silence.

The commemorations that took place at Station 21, located at the East Cobb Government Service on Lower Roswell Road, also were held simultaneously at other Cobb fire stations on Wednesday.

A total of 343 members of the New York Fire Department lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks, after hijacked commercial airliners struck the World Trade Center.

Fire departments across America have held special observances since then.

Across the street from Station 21, students from Mt. Bethel Christian Academy watched as the sirens blared, with the front facade of Mt. Bethel Church by a massive American flag.

Fire crews stopped traffic on Lower Roswell for the students to cross, and then took them on a tour of Station 21.

At the Georgia State Capitol, Gov. Brian Kemp led a special ceremony featuring music and the appearance of first responders (you can watch a replay by clicking here).

“Twenty-three years ago today, in a moment that changed the very course of history, we were painfully reminded that freedom is not free,” Kemp said, “and that the principles we hold dear, and that make America the last best hope for the world, also make us a target for those with evil intentions.

“But in the face of that horror, and the terrorism our enemies hoped would break us, we all observed the unique spirit of patriotism, of strength and of courage that we must continue to drive us forward for this day.”

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Cobb Business Alliance to kick off pro-transit tax campaign

A consortium of local business interests called the Cobb Business Alliance will begin a campaign in favor of the proposed Cobb transit tax next week.Cobb Business Alliance to kick off pro-transit tax campaign

The kickoff event takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Glover Park Brewery (65 Atlanta St.), near the Marietta Square.

The event will feature “elected officials, community leaders, transit advocates and voters sharing more about the MSPLOST referendum and how it will decrease congestion, invest in transit, and move Cobb County forward,” according to a release.

The proposed 30-year, one-percent sales tax, if passed by Cobb voters in November, would collect $11 billion and fund a significant expansion of existing bus and transit services and build various transfer facilities.

Among the projects that would be funded with the transit tax is the construction of a bus transfer station in the Roswell-Johnson Ferry Road area and the restoration of two bus routes through East Cobb that were eliminated during recession budget cuts.

The Cobb Business Alliance includes a number of local companies, including Kimley-Horn, the Atlanta consulting firm that’s being paid $287,000 by Cobb government to conduct a public outreach drive ahead of the referendum.

That effort includes a series of open houses that also take place next Wednesday at various library branches.

Other members of the Alliance include the Council for Quality Growth, Georgia Power, Croy Engineering, CKL Engineers and CWM Contracting Co.

To RSVP for the Cobb Alliance event, click here. You can read more about the group by clicking here.

Transit tax opponents will have a campaign kickoff in East Cobb on Saturday. The Cobb Taxpayer Association will hold a town hall meeting from 12-2 p.m. at Grace Resurrection Methodist Church (1200 Indian Hills Parkway).

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2025 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists announced

Students from five high schools in East Cobb are among the more than 16,000 semifinalists for the 2025 National Merit Scholarships.East Cobb National Merit Scholarship Program

It’s the first phase of a multi-step process to award college scholarships to 6,870 high school seniors totalling more than $26 million.

According to a release, “semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

“To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.

“A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.”

JOHNSON FERRY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

  • Abigail Fisher

LASSITER H. S.

  • Ella Arnett, Elizabeth Ballenger, Obadia Cao, Wilson Coombs, Samuel Garrow, Elizabeth George, Jack Hansen, Isaac Hoshide, Andrea Joya; Annika Le, Vikram Sharma, Nanea Trask, Caroline Young

POPE H. S.

  • Aanchal Acharya, Elizabeth Jones, Ariel Sadan, Duncan Wilson, Anna Wright

WALTON H. S.

  • Vipul Bansal, Adam Bethea, Jack Brawner, Christopher Chen, Michelle Gu, Madeline Halloran, Nathan Hsu, Sean Jiao, Medha Krishna, Navya Kumar, Hung Le, Eugene Li, Spencer Lieth, Eric Mo, Owen Murphy, Madeline Painter, Chloe Park, Connor Park, Dhriti Raguram, Carter Ray, Riley Rice, Sanjeev Shankar, Yaocen Shen, Siddhant Singh, Grayson Snow, Tyler Sprague, Nikhil Srinivasan, Christina Strakes, Rashidul Sultan, Ryan Tan, Simon Teh, Rishab Thiyagarajan, Theodore Thomas; Ella Tse, Isha Varughese, Adam Wang, Owen Wu, Grace Xie, Edward Yao, Tiffany Yao, William Zhao

WHEELER H. S.

  • Declan Amerault, Adele N. Ballantyne, Chauhan Abhay, Jaden Choi, Shachi Deo, Aishi Dev, Prisha Dev, Dagmawi Fasika, Jackson Frangos, John Hovsepian, Nathan Kiesel, Prajna Malla, Sidhartha Malla, Dhriti Naik, Fiona Peterson, Kavin Prabhakar, Aarnav Sadaria, Akash Singh, Kaushik Valiveti, Arshiya Vyas, Fredrick Wu, Julia Yu, Ethan Zhang

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Cobb Commission seat declared vacant; Richardson to appeal

After three of her colleagues voted to declare her seat vacant on Tuesday, Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson said she would appeal the decision to Cobb Superior Court.

In an expected move, commissioners voted to declare District 2 vacant due to county residency rules, after adopting electoral maps in August that were passed by the Georgia legislature that drew Richardson out of her seat.

It was a re-do of a vote that ended in a 2-2 deadlock last week; Richardson recused herself from both votes.

The declaration means that the county is giving Richardson a 10-day notice of a vacancy (you can read it here). Richardson will continue to serve as a commissioner during the appeals process.

If she prevails, she will be allowed to keep her seat until her term expires on Dec. 31. If she loses, an interim commissioner who resides within the legally approved District 2 boundaries would be appointed to finish the term, or possibly longer, depending on a special election in 2025 to elect her successor.

On Tuesday, Richardson, the board’s vice chair this year, presided over the meeting with Chairwoman Lisa Cupid absent as she was with the Cobb Chamber of Commerce on its annual visit to Washington.

“I trust that we can find a way to consider the real legal questions that are at hand,” Richardson said near the end of the meeting, reading from prepared remarks (you can watch the video below at the 2:17:45 mark), calling the result of Tuesday’s vote “a forced vacancy.”

“Setting the precedent that any elected official could possibly be removed at any time is dangerous and now we are watching the process happen before our very eyes.”

Commissioners voted at their last meeting to adopt the state maps after the “home rule” maps the Democratic majority adopted in 2022 were ruled a violation of the Georgia Constitution by Cobb Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill.

The state maps placed most of East Cobb in District 3, represented by Republican JoAnn Birrell. The “home rule” maps would have kept some of East Cobb, including Richardson’s home off Post Oak Tritt Road, in District 2, similar to lines in which she was elected in 2020.

The Democrats used a novel legal theory of declaring home rule powers in challenging the state maps, but the Georgia Constitution specifically authorizes the legislature to conduct county reapportionment.

The legislature did not consider maps drawn by former Cobb delegation chairman Erick Allen that would have kept Richardson in her seat; instead it passed maps sponsored by Cobb Republican lawmakers, breaking with a long-standing courtesy with local lawmakers.

Hill also vacated May primaries in District 2 and District 4 under which the “home rule” maps were used; those special elections will take place in early 2025.

Disrict 2 now encompasses along I-75 and includes most of the Smyrna/Cumberland area, pushing as east as the western side of Powers Ferry Road, close to where Richardson formerly resided.

Last month, Birrell voted against a declaration of a vacancy, saying she didn’t think what happened to Richardson was fair and wanted her to complete her term.

But she said she changed her mind because under the state map, Richardson no longer lives in her district. For the last two years, Birrell said she’s “entered a statement that I will uphold the Constitution and follow the law.”

(The brief discussion begins at the 1:52:20 mark of the video below.)

“I thought I was doing the right thing by trying to keep her in office but I have to follow the law.”

Democratic commissioner Monique Sheffield said “this is the next step in the process.”

During her remarks, Richardson reflected on her one term in office—she didn’t seek re-election amid the map dispute—to emphasize her commitment to constituents she said have been harmed along the way.

“Knowing the consequences of today—voter nullification, forced vacancies, missing representation and long-term precendence—I will work to make sure my community receives the answers they deserve and that you are not forgotten.”

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Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance to hold Adopt-a-Mile cleanup

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance to hold Adopt-a-Mile Event

Submitted information and photo:

Seeking community volunteers for the Adopt-A-Mile Fall event from 9-10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 along Powers Ferry at Terrell Mill Road. Meet up and enjoy complimentary refreshments at 8:30 a.m. at the Kroger Fuel parking lot, 1310 Powers Ferry Rd., Marietta, GA 30067.

Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance is pleased to host this bi-annual event, in conjunction with Keep Cobb Beautiful, and supported by Kroger and Take 5 Oil Change. All supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.

Keep Cobb Beautiful’s Adopt-A-Mile program is a partnership that allows individuals and/or groups to improve the appearance of our community. In the event of inclement weather, an email will go out the night before to all registered participants. 

Sign up by clicking here. Email: volunteer@powersferryca.com Learn more: powersferryca.com.

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Cobb Fall Break camps at Fullers Rec Center, The Art Place

Cobb PARKS is offering two fall break camps in the East Cobb area from M0nday, Sept. 23 through Friday, Sept 27 at the following locations:The Art Place
Fullers Recreation Center Fall Break Camp:
Monday – Friday, Sept. 23 – 27, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
for ages 6 – 12 (Activity Code #41678).

The Art Place Fall Break Mixed Media Art Camp:
Monday – Friday, Sept 23 – 27, 1 – 4 p.m.
for ages 8 – 11 (Activity code #38756).The cost for each camp is $125 per child (Cobb residents) and $187 for non-residents.

Register for arts and rec camps here.

Find more activities in the PARK Fall 2024 Activity Guide.

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NE Cobb restaurant owner withdraws liquor store appeal

NE Cobb restaurant owner withdraws liquor store appeal

Following up last week’s story about the possible conversion of the Bay Breeze seafood restaurant on Canton Road into a liquor store:

The applicant has withdrawn his request to appeal two denials of a retail liquor permit.

During a Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Parks Huff, an attorney for restaurant owner Steve Constantinou, said his client wished to withdraw with prejudice.

That means that the case cannot come back up again. Huff did not explain why his client is withdrawing.

Commissioners were scheduled to hear the appeal on Tuesday, which followed months of attempts to get a liquor permit and after substantial community opposition.

The he Cobb Business License Division Manager and agency’s review board both turned down the application by BSC Packing LLC to operate a liquor store at the Bay Breeze site at 2418 Canton Road.

The 10,000–square-foot building is 177 feet from a residential property line. The county code allows denial of an alcoholic beverage license if a location is within 300 feet.

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Catholics4Habitat raise walls on 50th home in Cobb County

Submitted information and photos:

On Saturday, the Catholics4Habitat raised the first walls on their 50th Habitat home in the City of Austell. Kevin Reilly serves as Coalition Chairman and says the Coalition is incredibly proud to reach this landmark. “This group of Catholic churches has remained together to faithfully raise the money and build a Habitat home every year, he says. “We are proud to live out our faith through building affordable homes for deserving families.”

Life will soon be improved for future homeowner, Emmanuel and his four-year-old daughter, who currently live in a one-bedroom apartment in Mableton. Emmanuel has been working as a Lyft driver for six years and desires to own a home with more space for them in a safe neighborhood. When asked what he would like to say to the sponsors and volunteers that make homeownership possible for families like his, Emmanuel said, “God bless you for improving the lives of individuals, families, communities, and the needy by providing affordable homes.” ​<

The churches represented in the Coalition include: Holy Family Catholic Church, Catholic Church of St. Ann, St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church and Catholic Church of the Transfiguration. Long time Coalition leader Jim Nee will be serving as house lead.

“This amazing coalition is our longest running coalition and I could not be prouder to see them reach this important milestone,” says Jessica Gill of the Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. “Fifty families have achieved financial stability and provided a decent home for the next generation because of their dedication.”

Catholics4Habitat raise walls on 50th home in Cobb County
NW Metro Atlanta Habitat director Jessica Gill and Catholics4Habitat coordinator Kevin Reilly.

All Cobb fire stations to commemorate Sept. 11 anniversary

All Cobb fire stations to commemorate Sept. 11 anniversary

Wednesday is the 23rd anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, and the Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services Department will be holding simultaneous commemorations to match the exact timetable of the events at the World Trade Center in New York.

That’s where commercial airliners struck both towers after being hijacked by terrorists. After firefighters and other first responders climbed up the more than 100-story buildings, they collapsed.

The Fire Department of New York estimates that 343 firefighters and paramedics died as a result, as well as 60 police officers from various departments. A total of 2,753 people were killed in the Twin Tower attacks, according to The Encyclopedia of 9/11.

Cobb government said in a release Monday that at the fire stations, sirens will sound for one minute at 10:05 a.m. and 10:28 a.m. to mark the collapse of each tower, followed by church bells. Here’s the full schedule:

  • 8:46 a.m. Moment of silence for American Airlines Flight 11 crash victims.
  • 9:03 a.m. Moment of silence for United Airlines Flight 175 crash victims.
  • 9:37 a.m. Moment of silence for American Airlines Flight 77 crash victims.
  • 10:03 a.m. Moment of silence for United Airlines Flight 93 crash victims.
  • 10:05 a.m. Sirens sound for one minute; church bells ring.
  • 10:06 a.m. Lower station flag to half-mast.
  • 10:28 a.m. Sirens sound for one minute; church bells ring.

There are eight fire stations in the East Cobb area, and you can find all locations by clicking here.

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