Wendy Parker, Author at East Cobb News

East Cobb food scores: Taqueria Tsunami; schools; more

May 22, 2021 2:45 PMMay 19, 2021 1:34 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Taqueria Tsunami restaurant

The following East Cobb food scores for the weeks of May 10-17 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Addison Elementary School
3055 Ebenezer Road
May 14, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Arbor Terrace of East Cobb
886 Johnson Ferry Road
May 21, 2021 Score: 96, Grade: A

Garrison Mill Elementary School
4111 Wesley Chapel Road
May 20, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Keheley Elementary School
1985 Kemp Road
May 20, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Lassiter High School
2601 Shallowford Road
May 20, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Mabry Middle School
2700 Jims Road
May 18, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

McCleskey Middle School
4080 Maybreeze Road
View inspections:
May 18, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Nicholson Elementary School
1599 Shallowford Road
May 21, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Papa John’s Pizza
3165 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite B
May 12, 2021 Score: 90, Grade: A

Powers Ferry Elementary School
403 Powers Ferry Road
May 17, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Simpson Middle School
3340 Trickum Road
May 13, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Sprayberry High School
2525 Sandy Plains Road
May 20, 2021 Score: 96, Grade: A

Taqueria Tsunami
1275 Johnson Ferry Road
May 20, 2021 Score: 93, Grade: A

Timber Ridge Elementary School
5000 Timber Ridge Road
May 11, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Waffle House
550 N. Greenbriar Parkway
May 18, 2021 Score: 96, Grade: A

Cobb Commissioner Birrell recognized for 10 years of service

May 18, 2021 4:38 PM by Wendy Parker

Commissioner Birrell recognized

At the end of the Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting on May 11 the elder stateswoman of the all-female body got a surprise recognition.

JoAnn Birrell, who is in her third term representing District 3 that includes most of northeast Cobb, was recognized in remarks by board chairwoman Lisa Cupid.

Cupid said she could “no longer keep the cat out of the bag” when Birrell’s husband David was spotted in attendance in the socially-distanced audience, and he later joined her at the front of the board meeting room.

This year Birrell is marking her 10th anniversary as a member of the board, and in showing a photo montage Cupid said she is “a tireless advocate in representing her constituents in District 3.

“She’s just been a friend and advocate to so many of us here.”

Birrell (full bio here) was first elected in 2010 to succeed then-chairman Tim Lee, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.

She moved to the top of the board’s seniority list when former commissioner Bob Ott of East Cobb retired in December, after serving three terms.

Among Birrell’s key priorities as commissioner includes advocating for public safety, Keep Cobb Beautiful, the Keep It In Cobb program for doing business with the county.

She also supports Superior Pets for Patriotic Vets, in which military veterans adopt animals at the Cobb Animal Services Shelter, with the fees paid by Superior Plumbing.

“I can’t thank you enough for surprising me,” Birrell said.

East Cobb Cityhood group to hold virtual town hall with Milton mayor

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Wheeler HS to hold free football and cheer camp on Sunday

May 18, 2021 3:08 PMMay 18, 2021 10:32 AM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information and graphic:

Wheeler High School football head coach Bryan Love is hosting a free football and cheer camp this Sunday May 23 from 4-6 p.m. at the Wheeler football stadium for current youths pre-K to 5th grade.

No equipment needed just shorts, cleats or tennis shoes and bring a water bottle with your name on it.

You can pre-register via email at WheelerYFB@gmail.com.

Cumberland CID launches new bike station at Galleria Gardens

May 16, 2021 2:49 PM by Wendy Parker

Cumberland CID bike station Galleria Gardens

Submitted information and photo:

The Cumberland Community Improvement District (CID) launched a new bike share station on Tuesday at the Galleria Gardens. The station located in the Galleria Office Park Complex now brings the Cumberland Bike Share to seven stations. The launch showcased bike test rides, information about the Cumberland Bike Share, giveaways, and featured trails in Cumberland using the Cumberland CID’s website cumberlandtrails.org.

“We are thrilled to feature this bike station within one of the largest most bustling office centers in the region,” said Kim Menefee, executive director of the Cumberland CID. “We appreciate the partnership with Piedmont Office Realty Trust and Childress Klein to bring bike share to their tenants and the surrounding Cumberland community. The CID Bike Share program is designed to provide a viable transportation alternative to explore and discover the best of what Cumberland has to offer.”

Because of the Cumberland CID’s strategic investments in trails and connectivity, Cumberland has evolved into a hub of greenway and regional trail connections that attracts walkers, joggers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts. The Cumberland Bike Share and the Cumberland Trails Network connect visitors and residents to Cumberland’s vibrant core area, including The Battery Atlanta, Truist Park, Cobb Galleria Centre and more.

To find out more about station locations, visit Cumberland Bike Share webpage (https://www.cumberlandtrails.org/cumberland-bike-share/.) To rent a bike, download the Movatic app on your smartphone and follow the registration guide.

Related stories

Chattahoochee RiverLands project would include bridge to Hyde Farm

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Cobb County COVID-19 update: ‘We are on the right track’

May 15, 2021 3:49 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb COVID update — *Combined PCR and Antigen cases for Cobb County. Source: Georgia Department of Public Health. For more information **click here**.*

The day after the Centers for Disease Control offered major guidance for vaccinated people, the head of Cobb and Douglas Public Health issued encouraging words about local COVID-19 metrics.

In her weekly message on Friday, Dr. Janet Memark said trends over the last two weeks “have been the most optimistic that we’ve had in a long while.”

While case numbers in Cobb are still in what’s called “high transmission”—a 14-day average of 100 cases or less per 100,000 people, for both PCR and Antigen tests combined—”they are heading in the right direction. We also see percentage positive rates that are also very promising. Hospitalizations also remain at lower levels and do not seem to be trending upwards at this time.”

As of Saturday, that number in Cobb has was 139, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health, which publishes a daily status report.

Another key indicator she mentioned is the test positivity rate, and earlier this week Memark told the Cobb Board of Commissioners that number has fallen to around 3 percent, well below the 5 percent threshold that concerns public health officials.

She also said 31 percent of Cobb County residents—by total population— are “fully vaccinated,” meaning they have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

“We continue to be under the national statistics and need to keep going with vaccinations to ensure that this pandemic remains controlled,” she said, adding that “We are on the right track.”

On Thursday, the CDC guidance said that “fully vaccinated” people do not have to wear masks indoors, and the Cobb County School District quickly dropped its mandate.

Those developments came as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12-15. Georgians 16 and older have been eligible for vaccinations, and Memark said Friday that “we urge all citizens 12 years and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Cobb and Douglas Public Health is administering the Pfizer vaccine at Jim Miller Park (2245 Callaway Road) at the following times:

Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Walk-ups accepted until 2:00 p.m.)
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – Noon (Walk-ups accepted until 11:00 a.m.)

You can set up an appointment by clicking here or search for other vaccine locations by clicking here.

Cobb and Douglas Public Health is also continuing to provide free COVID-19 testing; details can be found here.

As of Saturday, there have been 78,824 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Cobb County since the pandemic began in March 2020, and 1,057 confirmed and probable deaths.

Cobb and Douglas Public health noted this week that people 70 and older represent 8 percent of Cobb’s overall population but they account for 72 percent of the deaths. Those 80 and older comprise 42 percent of all the deaths in Cobb.

Cobb libraries kick off outdoor summer adventure challenge

May 15, 2021 3:10 PMMay 15, 2021 12:04 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb libraries outdoor summer adventure challenge

Submitted information:

Summer Adventure Challenge Kickoff celebrations presented by the Cobb County Public Library System will be staged outdoors at four libraries in the early evening Friday, May 21.

The all-ages Kickoff celebrations will be 6 pm to 8 pm at:

Switzer Library, 266 Roswell Street, Marietta 30060. 770-528-2320.

South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton 30126. 678-398-5828

West Cobb Regional Library, 1750 Dennis Kemp Ln NW, Kennesaw 30152. 770-528-4699.

Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta 30068. 770-509-2711.

The Summer Adventure Challenge designed to encourage reading through the season runs June 1-July 31. “Tails & Tales” is the 2021 summer reading theme with Cobb libraries highlighting animal stories and habitats from across the globe. Supporters for the local program include Georgia Public Library Service and Cobb Library Foundation.

The Kickoff events will be a celebration of summer reading – and everyone is encouraged to wear animal costumes and plan to be engaged in the festive atmosphere, organizers say.

“Each of the four Kickoff events will be unique,” said Mary Wood, Community Engagement Manager. “This will be fun, family events.”

For information on each of the Summer Adventure Challenge events, visit www.cobbcounty.org/library.

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NW Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity marks 35th anniversary

May 15, 2021 3:03 PMMay 15, 2021 8:54 AM by Wendy Parker

NW Metro Atlanta Habitat Humanity anniversary — *Construction begins on the first Habitat home in Cobb County in 1987.*

Submitted information and photo:

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta is celebrating its 35^thAnniversary this month. From humble beginnings born out of Marietta resident Chrys Street’s idea to bring the Habitat model to Cobb County in 1986; to today, the mission to provide a hand up to those in need of decent shelter has remained the same.

Since its humble founding in the basement of a local church, the affiliate has built, renovated, or repaired more than 600 homes in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding counties.

In 2020, the affiliate embarked on a $2.5 million Sweetwater Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative in Austell, Georgia. The project includes the construction of eight new homes, the rehabilitation of eight existing homes and critical repairs of 12 homes. In 2021, the non-profit built and dedicated its first two-story house in the neighborhood.

“We celebrate this milestone because 600 families in our community overcame generational poverty and raised children in secure homes because of the work of our donors, sponsors and volunteers over the last 35 years. Below are just a few of our milestones through the years,” said Jessica Gill, CEO.

1986 – Affiliate incorporates, and becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

1987 – First two houses are built, by the building and construction classes of Marietta and South Cobb High Schools

1988 – Two houses are dedicated

1990 – Original Habitat Thrift Store opens

1993 – First subdivision is built, in Powder Springs and named “Chrys Street,” and the “Riverside Revival” happens, the first remodeling of six homes

1996 – First Neighborhood Revitalization Project happens, on Roosevelt Circle in Marietta

2008 – Service area expands to Douglas and Paulding counties

2014 – Affiliate reaches 40 sponsors, 3,000 volunteers, and 15 houses in one year

2016 – Habitat ReStore has grand opening in Smyrn

2018 – All-military neighborhood, Veterans Place, breaks ground in Douglasville, and first Women’s Build takes place

2020– The next Neighborhood Revitalization Project begins in the Sweetwater neighborhood in Austell, GA

2021 – First two-story house is dedicated, sponsored by the Cobb Catholic Coalition

Cobb Collaborative gets $100K to expand mental health initiative

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East Cobb Cityhood group to hold town hall with Milton mayor

May 14, 2021 4:25 PM by Wendy Parker

Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood, East Cobb Cityhood town hall — *Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood*

The East Cobb Cityhood Committee is holding its second virtual town hall meeting next week, with Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood as the featured guest.

The town hall is next Thursday, May 20, starting at 6 p.m., and you can register by clicking here. You can read more about Lockwood by clicking here.

The event will focus on the proposed services for the proposed city of East Cobb—planning and zoning, code enforcement and parks and recreation.

There will be a Q and A session and participants can submit questions when they sign up.

The City of Milton was formed out of part of unincorporated North Fulton in 2006 and has 39,000 residents.

During 2019, East Cobb Cityhood leaders often referred to Milton as a model for what it was proposing at the time—primarily police and fire services—in a community with similar levels of affluence and demographics.

Milton also provides public works, community development (zoning and code enforcement), and parks and recreation.

The previous East Cobb Cityhood effort also pointed to Milton for its steady millage rate, which has been slightly lowered in each of the last two years.

The revived East Cobb group this week posted a “case study” about Milton’s tax surplus and financial status, as well as its provision of services (and another for Peachtree Corners, which became a city in Gwinnett County in 2017 and has a zero millage rate).

Lockwood was re-elected in 2020 to his fourth and final two-year term as Mayor of Milton.

Cobb schools drop mask mandate for the fully vaccinated

May 24, 2021 5:51 PMMay 13, 2021 7:25 PM by Wendy Parker

The Cobb County School District announced late Thursday afternoon that fully vaccinated students and staff no longer have to wear masks or practice social distancing.

The district announcement came after the Centers for Disease Control updated its guidance for people who have been fully vaccinated.

The Cobb schools announcement states the following:

Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance;

Fully vaccinated people can refrain from testing following a known exposure unless they are residents or employees of a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter.

The announcement didn’t state whether people not wearing masks on Cobb school campuses or for related activities would have to show a proof of vaccination.

The current academic year ends in the Cobb school district on May 26.

This week the Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use for the Pfizer vaccine for ages 12-15.

The Cobb school district said that students and staff who wish to continue wearing masks may still do so, and that as “our cases are continuing to trend down and vaccinations are trending up, we fully expect to start the 2021-2022 school year with masks as optional.”

The first day of school is Aug. 2.

The Cobb school district imposed a mask mandate for all students and staff when in-person instruction began in October.

In March, several parents sued the district to drop the mask mandate, but their request for a temporary restraining order was denied last week in federal court. The lawsuit remains pending, according to Robert Madayag, one of the parent group’s attorneys.

Hightower Trail MS named Georgia winner of Vocabulary Bowl

May 13, 2021 3:11 PM by Wendy Parker

Hightower Trail MS Vocabulary Bowl

Hightower Trail Middle School was recently crowned Georgia champion of the 7th annual Vocabulary Bowl, which tested more than 1.3 million students across the country.

The contest is sponsored by Vocabulary.com, which will recognize all 50 U.S. state and 9 Canadian provincial winners with championship banners.

Hightower Trail, which came in 35th in the overall competition, was fourth last year in Georgia.

This year Pope High School of East Cobb was the Georgia runner-up after being the 2019-20 state champion.

Hightower Trail also finished 10th overall among middle schools. Here’s principal Laura Montgomery on how her students improved their Vocabulary Bowl prowess while improving their literacy skills:

“Increasing vocabulary, which aids in effective communication, is part of our daily goal of addressing 21st Century Skills as a STEM school. The students at HTMS worked hard this year to practice their vocabulary using Vocabulary.com. Throughout the year, teachers assigned practice lists related to the books we read and things we study in other classes. Students answered a variety of questions for practices involving context, definitions, and even pictures. Some students even explored and practiced additional lists related to their interests—astronomy, civil rights, and even baseball. In the end, HTMS students mastered over 113,000 words on the program! It’s impressive, mind-boggling, staggering, and awesome!”

Here’s more about the 2020-2021 Vocabulary Bowl:

Total students participating: 1,300,000+ million students
Total schools participating: 43,500+
Total words mastered: 36,600,000+
K-12 students from 50 U.S. states, U.S. territories and 9 Canadian provinces participated
Students earn points for their school by mastering words on Vocabulary.com
See the full results of this season’s Vocabulary Bowl here.

National Merit $2,500 scholarships go to 7 East Cobb students

May 12, 2021 3:13 PM by Wendy Parker

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced winners of its $2,500 Merit Scholar program, part of a continuing series of announcements this spring.

The recipients included seven high school seniors from East Cobb, and the winners from each state are judged to have “the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies.”

According to the NMSC, “the number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.”

They were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors who examined academic records, including difficulty level of subjects studied

and grades earned, scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, contributions and leadership in school and community activities, an essay written by the Finalist, and a recommendation from a high school official.

The East Cobb recipients have each been awarded $2,500 scholarships from the organization’s funds:

Avi Balakirsky, Walton HS. Probable career field: Mechanical Engineering;
Shourya Jasti, Fulton Science Academy. Probable career field: Business;
David P. MacDonald, Wheeler HS. Probable career field: International Relations;
Ryan J. Meredith, Pope HS. Probable career field: Mechanical Engineering;
Cecelia E. Pumpelly, Campbell HS. Probable career field: Public Health;
William M. Shutt, Lassiter HS. Probable career field: Engineering;
Sanjay Srihari, Wheeler HS. Probable career field: Computer Science.

Aloha to Aging to hold fundraising concert and gameday event

May 12, 2021 2:55 PMMay 12, 2021 12:45 PM by Wendy Parker

On Sunday the East Cobb-based Aloha to Aging, a non-profit serving seniors and their caregivers, is holding an outdoor fundraiser at the Burnt Hickory Brewery (260 Moon Station Court, Kennesaw) from 2-6 p.m.

The “Getting Better With Age” event will help support Aloha to Aging programs:

Impactful, hands-on Educational and Simulation Programs for the community dealing with age-related health or cognitive changes.
Support groups for families dealing with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Age-related illnesses.
Specialty Programs virtual and in-person like Game Days, Staying Sharp, Technology Training, Caregivers and Chronic Disease Management, “Getting Better With Age” Educational Classes.
Aloha Day Club, our therapeutically structured program for those 50+ who have mainly stopped driving. Re-starting soon both virtually and in-person.

For Details go to ConcertandCornholeForACause.

Aloha to Aging fundraiser

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Cracker Barrel to hold hiring event Saturday at The Avenue East Cobb

May 12, 2021 2:41 PMMay 12, 2021 9:36 AM by Wendy Parker

Cracker Barrel hiring event Avenue East Cobb

Submitted information and photo:

Cracker Barrel is bringing its “Tiny Home Away from Home” to Atlanta to invite people to join their team. The restaurant, known for homestyle food and its unique retail store, plans to hire more than 700 employees – both full-time and part-time – with all levels of experience. Open positions include everything from servers and hosts to retail associates, kitchen staff and even management positions. Cracker Barrel offers employees competitive pay, extensive training, opportunities for advancement and a culture where employees care for each other like family.

WHEN: Friday, May 14, from 4 – 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 15, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

WHERE: Friday, May 14: Coolray Field – 2500 Buford Dr, Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Saturday, May 15: The Avenue East Cobb – 4475 Roswell Rd Ste 1520, Marietta, GA 30062

Christos restaurant reopening soon on Johnson Ferry Road

May 10, 2021 2:08 PM by Wendy Parker

Christos restaurant farewell — *Kouzina Christos closed in the Terrell Mill Village shopping center in December.*

After closing his doors to a 40-year family restaurant in the Powers Ferry Road area last December, owner Christos Giannes is reopening the Greek-style eatery in East Cobb in the Johnson Ferry Road area.

The successor to Kouzina Christos will occupy the former space of Aurelio’s restaurant in the Market Plaza Shopping Center (1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 22) when it opens in late May or early June, according to the restaurant’s social media postings.

Christos received a business license for the relocated restaurant on April 26, according to Cobb Business License Division records.

Christos Pizza, founded by his father, opened at Terrell Mill Junction in 1979, then moved to the Delk Spectrum Shopping Center before relocating next to L.A. Fitness at the redeveloped Terrell Mill Village in 2012.

When he closed Kouzina Christos in December, Giannes cited difficulty working out terms of a lease with the landlord following a months-long closure due to COVID-19 restrictions.

He said he was interested in looking at possible other “options to re-imagine the next chapter of Kouzina Christos.”

East Cobb house fire ‘a total loss;’ residents escaped

May 10, 2021 3:05 PMMay 10, 2021 12:41 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb house fire

Reader Lori Seyfried sends in the photos and information about a house fire overnight on New Bedford Drive in the New Bedford subdivision, located off Lower Roswell Road near Hyde Road.

It’s her son’s house, and she lives nearby, and reports that a neighbor’s video showed that the fire started after midnight Monday on the back porch, and that the blaze likely hit a propane tank from the grass grill.

She said the fire “got fast around 2:30 a.m. Homeowners and their dog got out. It’s a total loss.”

Nicholas Danz, a spokesman for Cobb Fire, said the fire is still under investigation but did not have more information.

East Cobb house fire

East Cobb apartment fire destroys unit; pets rescued

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Cupid to hold voting town hall with Cobb Elections director

May 10, 2021 2:29 PMMay 10, 2021 9:24 AM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information and flyer:

Town halls are excellent opportunities to hear directly from your county leadership, get your questions answered and share your input. Cobb Elections Director Janine Eveler will join me to host a town hall on voting and recent election law changes 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, May 18. It will be held at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, Cobb Civic Center, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta.

Participants will hear a recap of the 2020 elections, review Senate Bill 202 and its potential impact, ask questions and share their input. You can submit your questions to comments@cobbcounty.org.

On site voter registration will also be available. Masks are required for the in-person town hall. You can also watch live and participate via facebook.com/cobbcountygovernment or youtube.com/cobbcountygovt.

New East Cobb Cityhood committee leadership team detailed

May 8, 2021 9:19 PMMay 8, 2021 5:19 PM by Wendy Parker

Scott Sweeney, Cobb school board, Cobb school calendar — *Scott Sweeney.*

The reconstituted East Cobb Cityhood effort includes some holdover members from the 2019 campaign and new members who have joined in since a new cityhood bill was filed near the end of the 2021 Georgia legislative session.

On Friday Cityhood group released further details about those individuals—some of whom have previously been identified.

You can read all about them by clicking here.

The chairman is Craig Chapin, a technology entrepreneur who was raised in the Walton High School cluster. He took part in an April virtual town hall meeting held by the Cityhood group that featured the bills two co-sponsors, State Reps. Matt Dollar and Sharon Cooper.

Other newcomers include former Cobb school board member Scott Sweeney, who is currently chairman of the Georgia Board of Education, and who’s been front and center since the renewed Cityhood pushed was announced in late March.

Mitch Rhoden is the CEO of Futren Hospitality, which oversees Indian Hills, and is a former chairman of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. He was named the 2020 East Cobb Citizen of the Year.

Amy Henry moved to East Cobb two years ago and is a sales professional, fitness instructor, nutritionist, and mother of four children in the Walton cluster. Henry was involved in an effort to get Cobb schools to go to in-person instruction last fall, and more recently, she urged the school district to end its mask mandate.

Two people involved in the 2019 effort remain, including Jerry Quan, a former captain in the Cobb Police Department who was in charge of Precinct 4 in East Cobb. He’s currently a resource officer for the Cobb County School District Police Department, assigned to Lassiter High School.

Joe Gavalis is a a retired federal agent and the original Cityhood group president. He’s a longtime resident of the Chattahoochee Plantation area and a member of the Cobb Neighborhood Safety Commission and the Cobb Elder Abuse Task Force.

Gavalis was reluctant to make public appearances during that 2019 Cityhood effort, which began in late 2018. He stayed in the background during several town hall meetings, and it was nearly a year before that Cityhood committee voluntarily revealed its full listing of those involved.

In late 2018, Gavalis was interviewed by East Cobb News by e-mail, but deflected on a number of questions, including the identity of Cityhood leaders.

He asked several prominent East Cobb citizens to serve on an advisory board to examine a financial feasibility study. When one of them asked who else was involved in the Cityhood effort, Gavalis declined to reveal them and that individual quit, citing a lack of transparency.

In its release on Friday, the Citybood group included a photo of Gavalis receiving an award from State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick of East Cobb upon being named the “Distinguished Older Georgian 2021” by the legislature.

The Cityhood bill filed by Dollar (read our Q and A with him here) and to be taken up in 2022 needs a local sponsor in the State Senate. Kirkpatrick, who represents the proposed East Cobb city, did not co-sponsor the initial bill, saying she received plenty of negative feedback.

The current Cityhood group sought public feedback in the form of an online survey. The April town hall took selected public questions on Cityhood topics, but didn’t provide for direct interaction with citizens.

Cobb Transportation Plan virtual meetings, town halls scheduled

May 12, 2021 3:08 PMMay 8, 2021 12:17 PM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information: Cobb Transportation Plan town halls

Cobb County last completed a Comprehensive Transportation Plan in 2015 — and much has changed since then. Our population has increased and transportation needs and opinions have shifted within the county and region. New technologies and transportation solutions are also available that can enhance and transform Cobb’s future transportation system. To leverage these new tools and strategies, Cobb County and our cities are embarking on CobbForward, the county’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan for 2050. Your feedback and participation in CobbForward will help shape the future of transportation investments in Cobb for the next 30 years.

CobbForward is gathering public input on a series of surface transportation (pedestrian, bicycling and trail) and transit projects. Cobb Department of Transportation staff has many ways for you to be involved:

ATTEND VIRTUAL MEETING

5-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 11
Click here to register

9-11:30 a.m., Saturday, May 15
Click here to register

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday, May 19
Click here to register

ATTEND TOWN HALL MEETING
Each district commissioner is also hosting an in-person town hall with Cobb DOT to discuss the CTP:

District Three Commissioner JoAnn K. Birrell
6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 12
Cobb County Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta

District Four Commissioner Monique Sheffield
6:30-8 p.m., Wednesday, May 19
Cobb Public Safety Police Training Academy, 2435 East West Connector, Austell

District One Commissioner Keli Gambrill
6-8 p.m., Thursday, May 20
Lost Mountain Park, 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs

District Two Commissioner Jerica Richardson
5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 27
East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta

STOP BY INFORMATION STATION POP-UP
Materials and information will be made available prior to the Board of Commissioners meeting. There will be no formal presentation.5-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 25
100 Cherokee St., Marietta

For more information, visit cobbforward.org.

Related stories

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Cobb Collaborative gets $100K to expand mental health initiative

May 8, 2021 12:30 PMMay 8, 2021 9:25 AM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

Cobb Collaborative, a local partner of the Georgia Family Connection Partnership that provides support, training and organizational development services to Cobb County nonprofits and affiliated agencies, is pleased to announce the expansion of its Mind Your Mind mental health initiative, after receiving a $100,000 grant from Resilient Georgia. The initiative helps to raise awareness, promote resiliency and reduce stigma around mental health issues, particularly in light of the burdens created by COVID-19 as it continues to impact children and families.

“We are honored to be awarded this grant to support the vital trauma-informed training, resources and programming to expand our Mind Your Mind initiative that launched in late 2019,” said Irene Barton, Cobb Collaborative Executive Director. “Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Americans, and yet so many individuals are hesitant to get help or are unaware of available resources. Now more than ever, it is critical to connect our community with knowledge and resources to help improve positive outcomes for Cobb county children and families,” she continued.

The two-year Trauma-Informed Community Grant from Resilient Georgia will fund resources that have a regional emphasis on trauma-informed awareness, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and child sexual abuse prevention training as a basis to transform systems and procedures crossing both public and private sectors.

Since its inception in 2019, the Mind Your Mind mental health initiative has continued to receive support from agencies like CareSource Foundation, Cobb & Douglas Public Health and Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. The partnership with Resilient Georgia will help ensure that mental health resources are continuing to be provided in Cobb County.

For more information about the mental health initiative and other work at Cobb Collaborative, visit cobbcollaborative.com or contact Irene Barton at ibarton@cobbcollaborative.org.

Kettle Krush 5K to benefit Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary

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East Cobb food scores: Straight ‘A’ grades for school cafeterias

May 8, 2021 12:21 PMMay 6, 2021 1:52 PM by Wendy Parker

New East Cobb Middle School

The following East Cobb food scores for the week of May 3 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Blackwell Elementary School
3470 Canton Road
May 4, 2021 Score: 96, Grade: A

Brumby Elementary School
815 Terrell Mill Road
May 4, 2021 Score: 96, Grade: A

Davis Elementary School
2433 Jamerson Road
May 4, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Dodgen Middle School
1725 Bill Murdock Road
May 7, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

East Cobb Middle School
825 Terrell Mill Road
May 4, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Hightower Trail Middle School
3905 Post Oak Tritt Road
May 3, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

J.J. Daniell Middle School
2950 Scott Drive
May 4, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Murdock Elementary School
2320 Murdock Road
May 4, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Planet Smoothie
2014 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 350
May 7, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Tritt Elementary School
4435 Post Oak Tritt Road
May 3, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

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