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: 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.
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!
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The applicant has withdrawn his request to appeal two denials of a retail liquor permit.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.
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!
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.”
NW Metro Atlanta Habitat director Jessica Gill and Catholics4Habitat coordinator Kevin Reilly.
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!
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.
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!
The Cobb Board of Elections meeting on Monday was adjourned prematurely after someone in the audience shouted “Heil Hitler” during a public comment period.
The board had just heard a comment from citizen Hugh Norris, who was critical of an elections board member who does not stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at board meetings.
His comments were directed at board member Jennifer Mosbacher of East Cobb, whom Norris called a “closeted Communist” who wasn’t demonstrating proper loyalty to her duties and who should be replaced.
After he was finished, some applause broke out, followed by the “Heil Hitler” remark.
Mosbacher, who is Jewish, immediately began waving her arms in protest.
“Who said that?” she said.
“That is extremely unacceptable,” board chairwoman Tori Silas said. “It’s completely out of order.”
Board attorney Daniel White said that commenters can speak out what they like, even if it’s “ugly,” but they can’t proceed in a way that disrupts the flow of the meeting. He thought that comment fit the latter description, since it amounted to hate speech.
“We’re going to calm it down, and let people have a chance to take a pause, don’t make it personal, people can say what they want and we’ll move forward,” he said.
But Mosbacher said that “anti-Semitic rhetoric, not acceptable. I’m won’t continue to sit in this seat if that person is in this room.”
Silas agreed, and said it is not “a matter of what can happen, it is a matter of what will not happen. . . . We can just stop this meeting.”
White looked at the audience and asked whomever the commenter was to leave the room.
When no one did, Silas said, “So you’re going to hide behind the statement?”
Elections board member Stacy Efrat, also of East Cobb, said “we cannot allow this person to stay in this room. It is hate speech and it is unacceptable.
“We can all disagree with each other’s political views, but we cannot allow hate speech.”
As county staff tried to locate commenter, Mosbacher made a reference to Leo Frank, a Jew who was lynched in Marietta in 1915.
Board member Debbie Fisher of East Cobb said it should be “standard duty” for the board not to engage with the audience. “I just think we may be adding a little fuel to the fire.”
Silas replied that “unfortunately, we are in uncharted territory with that type of hate speech being hurled at this board.”
When the “Heil Hitler” commenter could not be located, the board voted 4-0-1 to adjourn, with Fisher abstaining.
It was unclear when the elections board, which holds monthly regular meetings, would resume this one.
You can watch the sequence at the 1:02-hour mark in the video below.
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!
We got a lot of interest in last week’s post about the Matt Hobby Classic, the Pope High School football fundraiser to honor a late Greyhounds player and benefit pediatric cancer research.
Volunteer Jennifer Dunaway tells us that more than $29,000 was raised from sales from the special T-shirt (a new one is designed each year) for the Rally Foundation.
The check shows $23K, but she said an additional $6 was raised after that. Since the Matt Hobby Classic began, more than $400,000 has been raised for the Rally Foundation.
The co-chairs for the event this year are Rylee Johnson and Lisa Aldridge.
And to top off the evening, the Pope football team defeated Sprayberry to run its record this season to 2-2.
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!
It’s feeling a bit more like fall these days, with lower temps and dropping humidity continuing, ideal for hanging out at the park, as above, or just getting out in general.
The East Cobb area also will be getting some rain toward the end of the week.
Sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid-80s are in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.
On Thursday, there’s a 40 percent chance of rain, with highs in the mid-70s, and by Thursday night the chance of rain is expected to be 80 percent, with lows in the mid-60s.
Friday’s forecast has more rain projected, with a 70 percent chance, and highs also in the mid-70s.
Saturday morning is the EAST COBBER parade, and the rain is expected to hold off during that time.
But there’s a 30 percent chance of rain Saturday afternoon, and the same is forecast on Sunday and Monday.
Highs will return back to the low-80s by then and into next week, with lows in the mid-60s.
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
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!
The League of Women Voters of Marietta-Cobb has invited candidates in three contested Cobb Board of Education general election races to a forum.
The forums for posts 1, 5 and 7 are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 1 from 6-8 p.m. at the Switzer Library (266 Roswell Street, Marietta) and also will be livestreamed on YouTube.
The moderator is Chesley McNeil of 11Alive.
The three races are Post 1 in North Cobb, Post 5 in East Cobb and Post 7 in West Cobb. Republicans hold all three seats, and there are Democrats entered in each one.
The Post 5 seat, which includes the Walton, Pope and some of the Wheeler attendance zones, is open. Four-term Republican David Banks is retiring, and his successor will be one of two newcomers.
GOP hopeful John Cristadoro and Democrat Laura Judge, parents in he Walton area, both announced their candidacies more than a year ago.
Post 1 Republican incumbent Randy Scamihorn is facing Democrat Vickie Benson in a rematch from the 2020 election, and in Post 7, two-term GOP member Brad Wheeler is being opposed by Democrat Andrew Cole, a first-time candidate.
The term in Post 3 in South Cobb also expires at the end of the year, but first-term Democrat Tre’ Hutchins did not draw any opposition in either party.
School board races this year have drawn increased attention. Republicans hold a 4-3 edge, and partisan squabbling has been a regular feature at meetings in recent years. Democrats hold the majority on the Cobb Board of Commissioners and the county’s legislative delegation in what had been a GOP stronghold.
The Post 5 and 7 races were close four years ago, as Banks and Wheeler were narrowly re-elected.
But the Post 5 lines have been changed since then due to reapportionment, to include most areas south of Sandy Plains and Shallowford Road and north of Lower Roswell Road.
(The school board post boundaries, which are drawn by the Georgia legislature, are not the same has school attendance zones, which are drawn administratively by the Cobb County School District).
The forum, which is free and open to the public, includes partnerships with Cobb Collaborative Vote Your Voice, Cobb Democracy Center, Marietta-Roswell Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Mi Familia en Acción, and redefinED Atlanta.
To register for in-person or virtual attendance click here; you can find the Spanish-language version by clicking here.
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!
Diane Spencer, co-founder of Frameworks Gallery, which is marking its 50th anniversary.
Thursday will be a special day at Frameworks Gallery.
The East Cobb art gallery and frame shop is marking the start of its 50th anniversary in business with a new exhibition, “Symphony of Colors,” that will run through Oct. 18.
The opening reception on Thursday lasts from 6-8 p.m. (1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 110).
The special show features the work of four artists who’ve had their work displayed at Frameworks in the pas: Pat Fiorello, Marsha Savage, Barbara Royal, and Judie Jacobs.
Founded by sisters Diane Spencer and the late Sunny Walker, Frameworks Gallery is a fixture not just in the local art and business scene, but also the larger civic community.
In April we spoke to Spencer about her initiative to raise funds for a special garden at East Cobb Park to honor Walker, a leading figure in the creation of the park.
What’s to be called “Sunny’s Butterfly Garden” is getting underway under the auspices of the East Cobb Garden Club, part of the all-volunteer Friends for the East Cobb Park.
Frameworks has been in East Cobb all along, and moved into its present space in the Woodlawn Square Shopping Center 20 years ago.
Walker passed away in 2019, and Spencer has kept the business in the family, with her son running the framing operation.
The artists featured in “Symphony of Colors” have distinguished backgrounds in the local arts scene.
Fiorello’s work was selected as Best Floral in the April 2023 PleinAir Salon competition sponsored by PleinAir Magazine, and she’s the author of a book, “Bella Italia, Italy Through the Eyes of an Artist.”
Savage has been an artist for more than 50 years, specializing in landscape painting. Her work has been displayed at the Georgia State Capitol and she has been entered in many local and regional art shows.
Royal paints landscapes and abstract works, and is a member of the High Museum of Art of Atlanta.
A member of the metro Atlanta artist community for more than 40 years, Jacob is a painter, ceramic sculptor and mixed media specialist.
Parading around
Saturday’s EAST COBBER parade and festival (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) includes some local businesses. Here’s a partial list of who you’ll see stepping down Johnson Ferry Road and/or having booths at the festival afterwards at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church:
Aqua-Tots East Cobb; Auto Accident Attorneys; Custom Disposal; Dance Stop Company; Just Fences Inc.; My Best Friend’s Vet; Neighborhood Tire Pros & Auto Service; Prime IV Hydration & Wellness; Sparkles Family Fun Center; Stretch Zone East Cobb; Ted’s Montana Grill; Willow Orthodontics.
The chief sponsor for the second year in a row is CertaPro Painters.
Festival x 2
Saturday’s going to be extra busy for The Auto Accident Attorneys Group. In addition to being a sponsor of the EAST COBBER event, AAA is holding its third annual Fall Kickoff Festival from 12-3 Saturday at its offices (1454 Johnson Ferry Road).
Admission is free, and the event features a live band, face painting, a petting zoo, bounce houses, shaved ice and food vendors. The sponsor is Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy.
Managing partner Jamie Salimi said it’s a community give-back event. Food and drinks are complimentary with a wristband while supplies last, and you’re asked to register online.
Started by former East Cobb Business Association president Brian Kramer and other experienced local business leaders, the CCBB provides free start-up assistance to qualified applicants, with a focus on sales, marketing, operations, finance/legal, human resources and entrepreneurial evolution.
On Tuesday there will be a free workshop to go over the bootcamp program details to those interested.
It’s from 5-7 at the North Cobb Regional Library (3535 Old 41 Highway, Kennesaw) and is free to attend. You’re asked to RSVP in advance at https://bit.ly/CCBBIdeaWorkshop9102024.
Since officially opening in March, CCBB has accepted more than 100 business owners as member participants. The goal is to have more than 300 owners on board by the end of the year.
Selected participants will have their scholarships paid for with funding from an American Recovery Program Act small- and minority-owned business grant through Cobb County government.
According to the CCBB website, “this membership covers all aspects of the program such as our online courses, peer-to-peer roundtables, access to our live events and the done-with-you services provided by our partners.”
“We want any minority small business owner in Cobb County to know we’re open, our services are free, and we are eager to help them succeed,” Kramer said in a release.
“One of our key differentiators is that CCBB is set up to help many types of businesses, from mom-and-pop startups in a home office or kitchen to retail businesses or franchises across the community.”
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!
The entrance to the Johnson Ferry North trails of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area will close for about a month starting on Monday due to the construction of a culvert.
The National Park Service said in a social media posting Friday that there will be heavy machinery and cranes in the area and that there “will be no access to the trails at JFN from this entrance while this work is being done.”
The entrance is located at 301 Johnson Ferry Road, just north of the Chattahoochee River, and across from the entrance to Columns Drive (see blue star on map above).
The parking lot for the trails and a nearby boat ramp will remain open, and hikers can access the Johnson Ferry North trails via Hyde Farm.
Completion of the culvert work is expected to be finished by Oct. 9, according to the NPS, which has posted signs at the entrance explaining the closure.
The Johnson Ferry North portion of the Chattahoochee NRA has nine separate trails that stretch north along the river to Mulberry Creek, and connects with the Gold Branch Unit that’s located off Lower Roswell Road to the north and the Johnson Ferry South trails along Columns Drive.
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!
After a five-year hiatus, the Make-A-Wish Georgia 5K is back, promising a fun-filled, family-friendly event on Oct. 5that supports granting wishes for critically ill children in Cobb County.
Currently, 15 critically ill children in Cobb are waiting for their wishes, which range from travel experiences and medical equipment to meeting celebrities.
“We are thrilled to partner with Cobb County once again with the return of the Make-A-Wish Georgia 5K,” said Tim Earley, CEO of Make-A-Wish Georgia. “This event not only helps fund life-changing wishes but also brings our community together in a fun and meaningful way.”
This year’s race will feature a shirt design by Sneha Shastri, the winner of the road race design contest. Participants can choose from seven different sponsor levels, as well as options for individual and team entries in both timed and untimed categories. The Make-A-Wish 5K is also a qualifying event for the Peachtree Road Race.
The race will start and finish at the Marietta Square, offering runners and walkers the chance to experience the scenic beauty of historic Marietta.
Participants can join for a memorable day of fun and fitness, and help make wishes come true for children in Cobb County.
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!
The owner of the Bay Breeze seafood restaurant in Northeast Cobb wants to operate a liquor store at that location.
But after the Cobb Business License Division Manager and the agency’s review board denied that request earlier this year, the matter will be going to the Cobb Board of Commissioners next week.
An agenda item for Tuesday’s meeting indicates that there will be a public hearing after Bay Breeze appealed the denials, which were issued due to distance requirements to nearby homeowners.
More than a dozen citizens also sent e-mails to the Cobb Business License office opposing a liquor store.
Documents filed for Tuesday’s meeting indicate that the building at 2418 Canton Road 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.
Some businesses, especially restaurants, often appeal those decisions to get waivers that are typically approved on a routine basis.
But retail liquor stores can be a different matter.
BSC Packing LLC and owner Steve Constantinou said in the appeal that it is seeking a license to operate a daily package store at the current Bay Breeze site, which is just under 10,000 square feet.
The building sits in front of the Chimney Cottage neighborhoood, where much of the opposition has come from.
In July, the license review board upheld the initial denial for an alcohol license. BSC Packing has retained attorney Parks Huff of the Sams Larkin Huff law firm to represent it at Tuesday’s hearing, which is conducted like a court proceeding.
But opposition to a liquor store has been brewing for months.
Agenda item documents include e-mails from last November to the business license agency from nearby residents, who said there are other liquor stores in the area and another such business would be detrimental to the community.
They include Carol Brown of Canton Road Neighbors, a civic association, who said that there are safety concerns because of more frequent vehicular traffic stemming from a liquor store.
She noted that the Bay Breeze property was zoned neighborhood retail commercial (NRC) in 2007 “and therefore may escape close scrutiny” for the final plans,
Another resident counted seven package stores and 11 gas stations selling alcohol in a two-mile radius. Bay Breeze is located on Canton Road just below a busy intersection with Piedmont Road.
A Chimney Cottage resident wrote to the license review board that a liquor store “would attract an undesirable element and detract from an otherwise wholesome family environment. With everything going on in today’s society, this is just not something I want to worry about.”
East Cobb News has left a message with Huff seeking comment.
In its notice of appeal, BSC Packing said the store would start with three employees who would be trained on proper alcohol sales policy and would be subject to termination for sales to minors.
The applicant also said that a video recording, storage and retrieval system would be established that is “commensurate with the size and layout of the store and parking lot after converting from a restaurant.”
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!
The Cobb Department of Transportation has announced the first public information meetings for the Cobb Mobility SPLOST, the proposed 30-year transit tax that’s up for a referendum vote in November.
What it’s calling “MSPLOST talks” will take place at four Cobb library branches on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 5-7 p.m.
The locations include the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road).
Cobb DOT said the meetings are open houses and will have no formal presentations. Other locations will be at the Smyrna, North Cobb and Stratton library branches at the same time.
“Drop in to learn about the proposed initiatives, ask questions, and share your thoughts on how MSPLOST funds will be utilized to benefit our community,” Cobb DOT said Thursday in a social media posting.
Under state law, government agencies cannot advocate a position on a referendum vote.
But Cobb commissioners have approved a $287,000 contract with Kimley-Horn, an Atlanta consulting firm, to provide what’s called “educational” information and resources about the proposed tax, including holding public meetings.
Last week, Cobb DOT unveiled its MSPLOST website and is expected to hold further public meetings to be announced.
The tax, if approved by voters in the Nov. 5 general election, would collect one percent of sales tax to fund expanded bus services, transfer stations and related services and facilities, for a total of $11 billion.
Currently Cobb consumers pay six cents’ worth of sales taxes, including SPLOSTs (Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax) for Cobb government and schools.
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.
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!
3rd Act Productions, an Alpharetta-based community theatre organization, is staging “Final Audition, Last Chance for the Role of a Lifetime,” a comedy that opens Friday at 8 p.m. at The Art Place Theatre (3330 Sandy Plains Road).
According to promotional information, “this is a heartfelt and hilarious play about pursuing a dream.”
The comedy is set in 1993 in Chicago, and opens with the “voice of legendary Chicago TV & radio host, Bob Sirott, informing all about the big news of the year while playing the greatest hits of 1993, one of the best musical years of the 90s.
“FINAL AUDITION centers on the story of Sally Cochrane, whom after 30 years of heartache and struggle trying to make it as an actress in Chicago, is ready to give up on her dream and go back to Normal (Illinois). But when she learns that famous director, Nick Michaels, is returning to his hometown to cast his next Broadway play with Chicago actors, Sally is torn between doing one final audition or just going back to Normal.”
The play will run in 10 performances from Sept. 6 through Sept. 14. For more information and tickets visit Finalaudition.net.
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!
The 26th annual EAST COBBER Magazine parade and festival returns on Saturday, Sept. 14.
As in the past, the parade starts at 10 a.m. at Mt. Bethel Elementary School, then marches down Johnson Ferry Road to Olde Towne Parkway.
The event’s community festival takes place at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Laren Brown, the magazine’s owner, said that more than 60 local groups are expected, totaling 3,000 participants, with an audience expected of more than 10,000 attendees.
The participants include scout troops, marching bands, local businesses and civic organizations and more.
A special feature is the VIP treatment for teacher of the year honorees at local schools. “We know many families move to East Cobb for the excellent schools, and this is a unique way to celebrate and recognize our outstanding educators,” Brown said.
The festival includes entertainment, arts and crafts, concessions, carnival games, and local businesses. The presenting sponsor is CertaPro Painters returns, along with Custom Disposal and The Auto Accident Attorney as additional sponsors.
A traffic reminder that we’ll be repeating as the date gets closer—police will be shutting down north- and southbound lanes of Johnson Ferry Road between Roswell and Lower Roswell between 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. See route below.
Woodlawn Drive will be open, but traffic will be affected. For information, contact Laren Brown at 770-640-7070 or laren@eastcobber.com.
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
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!
A coalition opposed to the Cobb transit tax referendum in November will kick off its campaign next weekend in East Cobb.
The Cobb Taxpayers Association announced Tuesday that a number of elected officials and others will be in attendance at the event on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 12-2 p.m. at Grace Resurrection Methodist Church (1200 Indian Hills Parkway).
The group is leading efforts against a 30-year, one-percent sales tax that, if approved by voters, is expected to collect more than $11 billion to expand bus service in Cobb.
Among the projects that would be funded with the 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
Guest speakers at the kickoff event include:
Yashica Marshall, candidate for Board of Commissioners, District 4
Ed Setzler, State Senator
Bob Barr, former US Congressman, current president of the NRA
Alicia Adams, candidate for BOC, District 2
Jim Jess, chairman emeritus, Franklin Roundtable (formerly the Georgia Tea Party)
Salleigh Grubbs, chair of the Cobb County GOP
Pam Reardon, candidate for BOC, District 2
Denny Wilson, South Cobb local political activist
According to the CTA, the event is designed to “get YOU fired up and ready to roll up your sleeves to volunteer in our campaign to defeat this odious tax.”
There will be sign-up sheets for phone-banking, canvassing, distributing leaflets, waving signs at major intersections and putting up yard signs.
“It will give you the opportunity to experience the fact that you are not alone in this fight to save our county,” CTA said in its announcement Tuesday.
Last week, Cobb government unveiled an education page about the referendum that was produced by Kimley-Horn, an Atlanta consulting firm the county is paying $287,000 for outreach efforts, including town halls this fall.
Cobb commissioners voted 3-2 to put the proposed sales tax to a referendum, with three Democratic commissioners voting in favor, and two Republicans opposed.
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!
Senior Sam Mitchell is wearing Matt Hobby’s jersey No. 70 this season in his honor.
The Pope High School football team is playing host to Sprayberry on Friday in a key region game and East Cobb rivalry matchup.
Friday’s game also has been designated as the “Matt Hobby Classic,” a fundraising event honoring the late Greyhounds player and to benefit the Rally Foundation, which raises funds for research and treatments for childhood cancer.
Hobby was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in 2003 and died in 2006, shortly after graduating. The foundation was being formed at the same time by a Pope parent, and each season a home game serves as a fundraiser.
Buckets will be passed around the stands during the fame Friday in the “4Quarters4Research” for fans to fill with loose change. More than $300,000 has been raised for the Rally Foundation since its inception.
You can learn more about Matt hereand the annual fundraiser here. Special T-shirts also are on sale with proceeds going to the Rally Foundatin.
The varsity football player who is wearing Hobby’s No. 70 jersey this season is senior offensive lineman Sam Mitchell.
He was chosen over the summer for embodying Hobby’s spirit.
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
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!
Cobb Schools’ Athlete of the Week (AOW) program is a weekly recognition of male and female student-athletes performing at high levels in their sport, classroom, and school communities. The program is made possible by support from BSN Sports.
This week’s winners are seniors from Kell and Pope. Mary Babcock plays volleyball for the Longhorns, and John Stuetzer plays football for the Greyhounds.
Mary Babcock, Volleyball, Kell
A four-year starter for the Longhorns, Mary recently logged 1500 career assists, a Kell school record. She also has a 94% serve percentage. She has helped lead the team to the Sweet 16 in 2022 and final 4 in 2023. Mary has been playing volleyball for 6 years and started in the 7th grade. She has also played Club Volleyball with several local teams.
“Mary has been an integral part of our team’s success for the last 3 seasons,” said her coach Joseph Auriemma. “She is a player every coach would want on their team. She has a fast instinct and plays with high intensity.”
“She also balances responsibilities between family, volleyball, work, and school. She is a role model for others and is well-respected by her teammates, coaches, teachers and friends. This is a well-deserved honor for this young lady,” Coach Auriemma said enthusiastically about his Athlete of the Week.
“She is an outstanding student both on and off the court,” agreed Kell Athletic Director Oneisha Young. “She excels in the classroom and always has a smile on her face, no matter what challenges come her way.”
John Stuetzer, Football, Pope
In last week’s home win over Dunwoody, John had an exceptional game with five touchdowns. He scored three on receptions and two on the ground, contributing 30 points to the Greyhounds’ first victory of the season, 41-27. He tallied more than 300 total yards with 266 through the air and 35 rushing. John is committed to Florida State next year to play baseball for the Seminoles.
“He is a top-tier talent and a spirited student-athlete who plays with great passion,” said Pope AD Josh Mathews. “A lot of people are excited to see him compete in football and baseball and the fact that he is wearing a Pope jersey exemplifies the great talent that we have here.”
AD Mathews mentioned that John also demonstrates his great passion for Pope by showing up as a fan to support his classmates. “He treats others with great respect and constantly exhibits humility and appreciation for others,” he said proudly.
In the classroom, John is a solid student who balances a rigorous academic load while playing multiple sports, which is uncommon in today’s world of specialization in high school sports.
“He is very deserving of this award after his spectacular effort last week, but we are most proud of the growth he has shown in his career at Pope. We look forward to watching him reap the success he has earned through hard work and commitment to his crafts,” AD Mathews concluded proudly.
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!
