What is the difference between rightsizing & downsizing? Modifying to prevent moving. Where do you begin? Why senior moves are different. What assistance is available? What role does the family play in a senior move? BRING A FAMILY MEMBER!
Plan on attending this free, informational meeting on ‘Downsizing, Decluttering & Home Safety’ July 23!
Our speakers will be Roxie Hernandez, a relocation specialist, and Linda Kaplan from Changing Spaces, a consultant who has been awarded the highest distinction in Senior Move Management from NASMM, the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers.
Together they will give valuable advice on downsizing, particularly for those moving from a residence of 20+ years, and also on rightsizing and decluttering for those who are planning to remain in their homes.
A man crossing Woodlawn Drive Sunday afternoon was seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle, Cobb Police said.
Officer Joseph Wilson said William Cahill, 32, of Marietta, was taken to Kennestone Hospital after being struck by a maroon 2005 Rav 4 heading south near the intersection of Woodlawn Parkway around 12:54 p.m.
That’s just below Johnson Ferry Road, at an entrance to Woodlawn Square Shopping Center.
Police said Cahill was attempting to cross Woodlawn Drive from the west, outside of a designated crosswalk, when he was hit.
Wilson said the driver of the Rav 4, Vickie Morrissett, 69, of Marietta, was not injured.
Police said anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Cobb County Police Department STEP Unit at 770-499- 3987.
The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records. They include the street address, subdivision name, high school attendance zone and sales price:
June 24
1435 Hilltop Overlook Drive, 30066 (Summit at Piedmont, Sprayberry): $963,000
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Cobb Police said this week that three people—including two men living on Powers Ferry Road—have been charged in the death of a woman last seen in the East Cobb area last fall.
Police said that Allen Kerr, 32, and Sean Deshazer, 26, have been charged with concealing the death of Maury-Ange Faith Martinez, 20, of Alpharetta. She was reported missing in Gwinnett County last summer and her skeletal remains were identified in January near Chattanooga, Tenn.
A third suspect, Jasmine Craig, 27, was arrested in Wichita, Kan., and is awaiting extradition, Cobb Police said in a release.
The release said that their arrest warrants were issued on June 27, following a request for assistance in investigating Martinez’ death.
Police said on May 31 that Martinez was last seen in the Powers Ferry Road area, but they haven’t offered more details.
According to an indictment in Cobb Superior Court, Kerr, Deshazer and Craig “did unlawfully conceal the death” of Martinez on or near Aug. 21, 2023, hindering the discovery of her body months later in another state.
According to Cobb Sheriff’s Office booking reports, Kerr and Deshazer both reside at the Rockledge Apartments on Powers Ferry Road, near Akers Mill Road.
They have been in custody in the Cobb Adult Detention Center since last November on unrelated drug and weapons charges, according to the booking reports, and they are being held without bond.
Police did not explain how they came to arrest those individuals, but said in the release this week that “our detectives are still working diligently on this case as part of an ongoing investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Cobb Police Crimes Against Persons unit at 770-499-3945 or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 770-577-TIPS (8477).
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The Georgia Symphony Orchestra was awarded a $14,400 Bridge Grant from Georgia Council for the Arts, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, for fiscal year 2025. The Bridge Grant provides funding for operating support to nonprofit arts organizations, many of which were negatively affected by COVID-19. As part of this year’s Bridge awards, 204 entities in 44 counties will receive more than $2.6 million in funding.
“These grant dollars will allow arts organizations in Georgia to focus on their primary mission to bring art and cultural events to their communities by relieving the burden of certain operating expenses,”said GCA Executive Director Tina Lilly. “Georgia Council for the Arts is excited to help our arts organizations continue to foster economic and cultural vitality in their communities.”
Georgia Council for the Arts received applications from arts organizations from across the state, including performing arts centers, museums, galleries, amphitheaters, and music festivals. Bridge Grants are available to arts organizations for eligible operating expenses like rent, utilities, programming expenses and marketing.
“We are so grateful to have the support of the GCA as we begin our 74th season serving Marietta, Cobb County and the greater metro Atlanta area,” said GSO Executive Director Suzanne Tucker. “These funds will allow us to bring music into schools, senior centers and veteran’s homes, and to continue our special concerts for those on the autism spectrum or with other special needs. It means we can have a positive impact on our community beyond the concert stage.”
Funding for these grants is provided through appropriations from the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
GCA uses Peer Review Panels to judge and review applications following standard practices set by the National Endowment for the Arts. Panelists are GCA Council members and fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of grant being reviewed, or are citizens with a record of arts activities, experience and knowledge.
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Judges, elected officials, community members, court staff, attorneys, family members, and friends packed the Cobb Superior Court Jury Assembly Room to congratulate the two newest Cobb County Drug Treatment Court graduates. The graduates, staff, family, and friends shared moments of tears and laughter as they detailed their journey. The overriding theme was a sense of accomplishment, hope, and excitement for the next chapter of their lives.
The Drug Treatment Court is an alternative to incarceration for individuals involved in the justice system with a substance use disorder. The 18–24-month program uses a combination of close supervision, individualized, evidence-based treatment, and recovery support to hold offenders accountable for their actions and teach them to be productive members of the community.
One of the graduates shared, “Drug Treatment Court has changed my way of thinking to allow me to make better choices, stay sober, and move forward with my life to be a productive member of society.”
Superior Court Judge Kimberly A. Childs presides over the Drug Treatment Court and the multi-disciplinary team administering the program. After the graduation ceremony, she reflected that “these graduates exemplify the need for and importance of an evidence-based recovery and treatment program in our criminal justice system. Our community should be proud of the commitment Cobb County has to helping those with substance use disorder transform their lives. Through our dedicated team’s efforts and our stakeholders’ continued efforts, these six graduates are now sober, independent, and productive members of our society.”
For more information about Cobb County Drug Treatment Court, including how to become involved or support the program, please contact Porsha Middlebrook, DTC Coordinator, at 770.528.1933, Porsha.middlebrook@cobbcounty.org.
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While a number of American cities and colleges campuses have had pro-Palestinian protests in recent months, we haven’t seen any of that in East Cobb.
But while waiting at the Roswell-Johnson Ferry Road intersection Friday afternoon, we spotted a man waving a joint Palestinian-Black Lives Matter flag as traffic rolled by.
That’s just across the street from where pro-BLM rallies took place this time four years ago, not long after the George Floyd death that sparked protests around the country.
The East Cobb rallies then consisted of holding up signs asking for those supporting BLM to honk their horns. Many did, and there were other pro-BLM rallies at Lassiter High School and elsewhere in East Cobb that followed.
On Friday, however, the one-man protester repeatedly waved his two-in-one flag without much fanfare.
East Cobb is the home of three synagogues, including Chabad at Cobb, which in May held a “Great Jewish Parade” and community fair in wake of the violence in Israel and Gaza that broke out last October.
Pardon the audio on the video below; we forgot to turn down the radio!
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From the office of Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell:
As part of the County’s 2022 SPLOST resurfacing program, contractors are scheduled to begin roadway resurfacing of East Piedmont Road on Monday, July 15. Nightly resurfacing will take place between 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. from Piedmont Forest Court to Sandy Plains Road and is expected to last through the end of July, weather permitting.
The work will be completed in two phases. The initial phase will consist of milling and patching of the existing pavement of the road. The second phase will be installing new roadway surface and will commence shortly after phase one is completed.
Please expect minor traffic delays during construction. Traffic control measures will be in place along the corridor. Please obey all posted signage and be careful if driving in the area.
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The Rotary Club of East Cobb is the sponsor of the Dog Days Run, which starts and finishes at the MeCleskey Family-East Cobb YMCA (1055 East Piedmont Road).
The Lutzie 43 Road Race, organized by the Lutzie 43 Foundation, takes place at Lassiter High School (2601 Shallowford Road).
Both are major fundraisers for their sponsoring organizations. For the first time last year, the Rotary Club of East Cobb raised more than $100,000 from the run to benefit more than 20 community organizations.
Rotary Club past president Butch Carter said they’re still asking for sponsors, and Monday is the deadline for sponsors to get on the printed materials, including race shirts and programs.
The Lutzie 43 Foundation is named after Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Lassiter and Auburn football star who was killed in a 2014 car crash. The organization works to educate young people about better decisions as drivers and as people.
Both are 5K races with numerous age- and sex-based categories that include post-race honors and recognitions.
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A Cobb PARKS fishing rodeos for children 16 and under that was scheduled for next Saturday, July 20, at Ebenezer Downs Park in Northeast Cobb has been postponed.
The county said that the postponement was due to low water levels at the park. Another rodeo scheduled for the Furr Family Park in Powder Springs on July 27 was postponed for the same reason.
A rodeo Saturday at Lost Mountain Park is still on, with a cost of $5 per child.
The event lasts from 9-11 a.m. and you must bring your own gear, bait, water, snacks, etc.
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It’s been a while since we dug seriously into some population numbers about East Cobb, noting back in 2017 (not long after the launch of East Cobb News) that the community had nearly eclipsed the 200,000 mark.
Following the release of some updated numbers this week by the Atlanta Regional Commission, we thought we’d revisit those figures, and they show the same levels of modest growth that’s been seen around the county.
The four East Cobb-area ZIP codes totaled 211,829 people, according to official data from the U.S. Census Bureau, which is expected to release a mid-decade update sometime in 2025.
Those figures do not include the Cobb County portion of 30075, which is estimated at around 8,500 people. The population of more than 56,000 lives mostly in the City of Roswell.
With that 30075 estimate, East Cobb’s population comes to around 220,000.
According to the ARC, Cobb County’s population is approaching 800,000, clocking in at 792,049. That’s the third-largest jurisdiction in metro Atlanta, behind Fulton County and Gwinnett County, with the later surpassing a population of one million for the first time.
The ARC estimates Cobb’s population will hit that same seven-figure threshold by 2050, although the county’s growth is slower than other areas, including Forsyth and Cherokee counties.
Here are the U.S. Census Bureau figures for the ZIP Codes in East Cobb—the links are for detailed profiles of each:
ZIP Code 30075: 56,161 (roughly 8,500 in East Cobb; the rest in the City of Roswell)
All of those numbers are up from our 2021 look, but the biggest jump is in 30066, which three years ago had a population of 55,937.
That’s in Northeast Cobb as well as the areas that include Town Center and Kennesaw State University.
You can look through specific ZIP Code data in the East Cobb area at this link; there is a wide range of data about demography, employment, education, housing, business and the economy, health and race and ethnicity.
A few tidbits to share about what’s in those profiles:
The average age across all East Cobb-area ZIP Codes is around 40 years old.
But East Cobb’s population also tends to be older than other parts of the county. Roughly 20 percent of those living in ZIP Code 30068 are 65 and older.
The median household income in those ZIP Codes averages out to be $111,000. The percentage of those with at least a bachelor’s degree averages out to be 59 percent, with 73 percent holding a college degree who live in ZIP Code 30068.
ZIP Codes 30062, 30066 and 30068 have roughly 17 percent of their populations speaking a language other than English at home. In ZIP Code 30067, that figure is nearly 30 percent.
The ARC updates its figures in April based on the previous year and releases them in July. The metro population now stands at more than 5,2 million people.
A couple interesting findings: In 2023, the metro employment base has grown 6.4 percent since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in 2020, seventh highest in the nation.
But building permits in the 11-county region fell by 21 percent last year, with only 28,595 new residential units built.
“Current building permit activity remains lower than pre-Great Recession permit levels and fell below the 1980-2023 average annual level of 33,430,” the ARC concluded.
For more about the latest Atlanta Regional Commission snapshot figures, click here.
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Streetside parking will be prohibited during the weekdays along a portion of Clubland Drive in the Indian Hills subdivision, near East Side Elementary School, when the new school year begins in August.
The Cobb Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday on their consent agenda to create a “No Parking” zone on either side of Clubland Drive east of Indian Hills Parkway to its terminus on a cul-de-sac (see street in blue on map, bookended by blue stars).
Cobb DOT said that it received complaints of parking on that short portion of Clubland Drive, which is a two-lane street that’s 20 feet wide and has curbing and gutters along both sides.
“Department staff has observed that on-street parking is a near-constant issue during school days and school extracurricular activity times, and the locations of the parking were determined to create a nuisance for both homeowners and motorists,” according to an agenda item from Tuesday’s meeting.
The “No Parking” zone will be in effect Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The action stemmed from a residential complaint in March, and was followed up by signatures from 95 percent of other affected neighbors in the area.
According to Cobb County code, property owners can request a “No Parking” zone if “75 percent of the eligible lot owners on both sides of the affected street to sign the petition in favor. “
That petition is then forwarded to the commissioners, who make the final decision.
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The Marietta Campmeeting—a revival dating back to 1837, shortly after the creation of Cobb County—is back for its 186th rendition.
The Marietta Campground (2325 Roswell Road, across from East Cobb United Methodist Church). once again will hold a variety of worship services, socials and other events from Friday through July 21, with a variety of local faith communities taking part
A kickoff picnic is Friday from 6-7 p.m. (you’re asked to bring a side dish to share), followed by a worship service at 7:30 p.m. featuring music from the East Cobb Baptist Church Choir and a sermon from that church’s pastor, Rev. Johnny Foster.
Daily services will be held daily at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. featuring guest speakers and musicians, as well as many other events during the week for children and adults.
You can view the full schedule by clicking here. The public is invited to most of those events, although there are special tentholders meetings for long-time attendees.
The host church is East Cobb UMC, but the Campmeeting has become multi-denominational.
Other congregations involved this year include Mt. Bethel Church, Eastwood Baptist Church, Norcross First Global Methodist Church, Eastside Baptist Church, Piedmont Church and Hope Church.
Music guests include the Sounds of Jericho Gospel Quartet, Norcross First Global Methodist Church Gospel Hymnsing, East Cobb UMC Choir, Stonebridge Worship, Travis Cottle and Gospel Singers, Hope Church Worship Team, Riverstone Worship Team, The Nelons, Barry Lancaster and the Campmeeting Trio.<
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Dogden Middle School student Akshadha Mehta was named among the recipients of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
The 8th grader was the only merit winner from Georgia and one of 30 nationwide honored for “exemplifying a passion for using science to solve everyday problems and improve the world around her,” according to a Cobb County School District release.
“The innovative idea she pitched to the judges is FAP-BRIX: A Practical solution to lessen plastic pollution.”
She submitted a one-to-two minute video explaining an original idea using science to help solve an everyday problem.
Other topics in the challenge include robotics, home improvement, automotive safety, AR/VR and climate technology.
The release said that the entries were evaluated “on their creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills.”
The 3M Young Scientist Challenge is in its 17th year and is offered to students in grades 5-8. Each state merit winner receives special recognition on the challenge website and a prize pack.
“The projects submitted to the 3M Young Scientist Challenge showcase how science is critical to driving progress and delivering sustainable solutions. All these students are already making the world a better place through science, and we applaud each for their innovations,” said Torie Clarke, EVP & Chief Public Affairs Officer at 3M.
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After months of fiery public meetings and contentious public comments over a proposed stormwater fee, the Cobb Board of Commissioners decided Tuesday to table consideration of the measure indefinitely.
Commissioners voted unanimously (5-0) to hold off action to impose a fee based on impervious surface amounts after being unable to find consensus on such a proposal, which would have involved code amendment changes.
But during a brief discussion Tuesday, Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid conceded there’s plenty of division on the board about the issue.
“We were very close to bringing this in August but there are some minor details we’re still looking to get some consensus on,” she said before the vote, but didn’t specify what they might be.
“Taking care of our infrastructure is very important and that includes our water infrastructure.”
She had been leading the charge for a fee, saying the Cobb County Water System doesn’t have adequate funding and staffing to handle stormwater issues as it is.
The fee would have changed how stormwater services are charged to customers, who currently are billed based on water usage.
The other two Democrats on the commission have been generally supportive of making such a change, saying Cobb cannot handle stormwater management with $8.4 million currently allotted annually in the water system budget.
The board’s two Republicans have been opposed to the proposal, including JoAnn Birrell of District 3 in East Cobb.
She held a town hall meeting on the stormwater fee proposal in March, and it drew a full house of citizens opposed to what they have decried as a “rain tax.”
But those three Democratic-held seats are up for re-election this year. Cupid and District 4 commissioner Monique Sheffield are seeking re-election (the latter is unopposed in November).
District 2 commissioner Jerica Richardson of East Cobb is stepping down after one term after a redistricting dispute that’s still in the courts and her unsuccessful run for the U.S. Congress.
Also on the Nov. 5 general election ballot is a transit tax referendum that would impose a one-percent sales tax for 30 years that has drawn some public opposition.
The vote to place that referendum on the ballot also split 3-2 along the same partisan lines.
The stormwater fee proposal crafted by the Cobb Water System included a fee schedule that ranged from charging $2 to $12 a month for most residential customers, in addition to their existing water and sewer charges.
The motion to table the measure had been on the commissioners’ consent agenda, but was moved to the regular agenda.
Birrell asked how it might come up again.
“They could be brought to the board in the future if directed by the board,” Cobb Water System director Judy Jones said.
“But there is not a target date for bringing this up. Unfortunately we couldn’t come to a meeting of the minds.”
Sheffield thanked Jones for her agency’s work putting together a comprehensive approach to addressing long-term stormwater needs.
Jones said that “we’ve put a lot of time in the office on this and our personal staff put a lot of time into this.”
Cupid told her colleagues that additional funding for stormwater could come up in the upcoming fiscal year 2025 budget that’s set to be adopted by the end of the month, because “there will be a need to fund stormwater and we’ll have to figure out how.”
But in reference to tabling the measure, Cupid said “this was a wise decision,” It is important that we have consensus of the board in order to move forward.”
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In an effort to promote environmental health and support community well-being, Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) is excited to announce the launch of a new Septic Tank Pumping Incentive Program. This initiative aims to encourage regular septic tank maintenance among primary homeowners, thereby preventing system failures, protecting water quality, and ensuring a cleaner, healthier environment for all.
Proper septic tank maintenance is essential for the efficient operation of septic systems, which are vital for managing household wastewater in many Cobb County households. Without regular pumping (recommended every 3-5 years), septic systems can prematurely fail, leading to costly repairs and potential environmental hazards. The Septic Tank Pumping Incentive Program is designed to help homeowners reduce these risks by providing a financial incentive for routine septic tank pumping and maintenance.
Primary homeowners who participate in the program will receive a credit of up to $250 (based on actual cost of service) after having their septic tank pumped by a state approved provider. Eligible services must be completed between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2026, or until grant funds are exhausted (whichever occurs first).
Homeowners interested in the Septic Tank Pumping Incentive Program can enroll by following these simple steps:
1) Visit our website for more details, for a list of state approved septic tank pumping companies, and to review the water bill credit request process.
2) Schedule Service: Contact a state approved septic tank pumping company to schedule a septic tank pumping appointment.
3) Submit Water Bill Credit Request: After the service is completed, submit your receipt/proof of septic tank pumping service through our online portal or mail the request application and supporting documents to Cobb Environmental Health, Water Bill Credit Request, 1650 County Services Parkway, Marietta, GA 30008
4) Receive Water Bill Credit: Once approved, your credit of up to $250 should appear on your Cobb County or City Water Bill within 90 days.
“Cobb & Douglas Public Health is committed to supporting our community’s environmental health,” said Dr. Janet Memark, CDPH District Health Director. “This program not only provides financial relief for homeowners but also emphasizes the importance of maintaining septic systems to prevent environmental contamination.”
For more information about the Septic Tank Pumping Incentive Program, click here or email us at cdph.environmentalhealth@dph.ga.govor call 770-435-7815.
This project is made possible through Cobb County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
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East Cobb’s Congregation Etz Chaim (1190 Indian Hills Parkway, Marietta) welcomes the community to a popular returning program called, People of the Book, on Sunday, August 11th from 2-4 pm. Two authors that will be featured are Harry Stern, discussing his recently released book, The Insider; and Alex Sinclair presenting his newest book, Perfect Enemy. The program will be moderated by East CobberRoni Robbins, award-winning author and journalist. For more information, call 770.973.0137 or visit Congregation Etz Chaim.
“We are so pleased to host Harry Stern and Alex Sinclair for our People of the Book program,” said Rabbi Daniel Dorsch, Congregation Etz Chaim. “Both novels, ‘The Insider’ and ‘Perfect Enemy,’ are fast-paced thrillers that touch on many aspects of Israeli society and military — all with the same objective: the desire for peace in the Middle East and security for Jews worldwide. Although fiction, both books portray many current scenarios and pose real-world questions.”
ABOUT ‘THE INSIDER’
The Insider, a page-turning tale of vengeance and duplicity, is Harry Stern’s second novel in the Bargal/Canaan series, the first being, My Brothers’ Keeper. An international terror plot targeting New York City, The Insider becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse with Iran’s secret service. Leora Bargal and Joshua Canaan, two top Mossad counterterrorism operatives, are enlisted to work with Detective Alex Ramirez and FBI agents to thwart Iran’s plan to attack a New York cultural hub, the 92nd Street Y during a national convention attended by 200 Jewish philanthropists and nonprofit executives. Its goal is to inflict maximum casualties on Jews worldwide.The Insider is available on Amazon.
Alex Sinclair
ABOUT ‘PERFECT ENEMY’
In a covert laboratory under the streets of Tel Aviv, Akiva Cohen, an Israeli scientist, clones Hitler from old samples of his DNA. Akiva wants to change the world for the good; but he is betrayed by those who want to use this new Hitler for unimaginable terror. Akiva is plunged into a desperate struggle to stay alive and salvage his dream, leading to a trail of murders across the country, collaboration with Hamas terrorists, and the uncovering of a devastating conspiracy at the highest levels of Israeli society. Perfect Enemy is an exciting, suspenseful thriller that poses uncomfortable questions about trauma and revenge, the desire for peace, religious extremism, and the schisms of the Middle East. Perfect Enemy is available on Amazon.
ABOUT AUTHOR HARRY STERN
Harry Stern has written and lectured on Middle Eastern affairs and their impact on Israel’s military challenges. Upon receiving his M.A. and doctorate from Columbia University, Stern moved to Israel, where he assumed the role of Director of Community Organization for Southern Tel Aviv and held a faculty position at Hebrew University, in Jerusalem. When Stern returned to the United States, he held the position of CEO of several Jewish organizations, including the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta and the Lawrence Family JCC of San Diego. He launched the Bargal-Canaan series of espionage novels in 2020 with My Brothers’ Keeper and The Insider. Stern lives in Atlanta with his wife, Aviva. They have three children and six grandchildren.
ABOUT AUTHOR ALEX SINCLAIR
Alex Sinclair is Chief Content Officer at Educating for Impact, and an adjunct lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He has written and spoken widely on Jewish education, Israel-Diaspora relations, and Israeli politics. He has worked or consulted for many of the finest Jewish educational and communal institutions in North America, Europe and Israel, including the Hartman Institute, the Schechter Institute, Hebrew Union College, Hebrew College, and as a full-time or adjunct member of faculty for almost two decades at the Jewish Theological Seminary. His first book, published in 2013, Loving the Real Israel: An Educational Agenda for Liberal Zionism, was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award, and his debut novel, Perfect Enemy, was published in November 2023. He holds an M.A. (Oxon) and M.St. from Balliol College, Oxford, and a Ph.D. from Hebrew University. He lives with his wife and three children in Modi’in, Israel.
Rabbi Dorsch added, “Congregation Etz Chaim is proud to provide meaningful educational, social, and cultural activities, serving multi-generational needs, such as this upcoming People of the Book program. I am looking forward to the conversations with both authors.”
THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK PROGRAM – AUG 11
2:00 pm – Harry Stern will be in person at Etz Chaim, with a presentation and Q&A.
3:00 pm – Alex Sinclair will discuss his book, via zoom from Israel, also with a presentation and Q&A.
There will be a short break between the two authors’ presentations for refreshments.
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Watching the Funds-Cobb last month released renderings of a $50M special events facility that the Cobb County School District had not previously detailed.
After hearing public criticism for months, the Cobb Board of Education on Tuesday voted to cancel plans for a $50 million special events facility for the Cobb County School District.
During a special-called meeting, the board voted 6-0 to halt the project, less than a month after blueprints and other details were publicly revealed by a watchdog group opposed to it.
The decision also comes two days before the school board conducts legally required hearings on the millage rate for the fiscal year 2025 budget.
While the millage rate is projected to hold at 18.7 mills, the new $1.8 billion budget technically includes a tax increase because the spending total is 8.73 percent higher than last year. The board will formally adopt the millage rate next week, following a third public hearing.
Superintendent Chris Ragsdale cited economic concerns for pulling the plug on the special events center, including inflationary costs and the possibility of a recession.
“For the last five years, as we have been planning for the multipurpose center, the economy across the country was growing,” Ragsdale said. “Fast forward to the middle of 2024, and the economy has slowed to a crawl.”
He said “this recommendation does not negate the dire need for this facility, but a facility can never take priority over our employees.”
There was little discussion during the brief meeting, which was announced Monday afternoon, ostensibly “to discuss strengthening fund balance.”
“This is a good day for taxpayers in Cobb County,” said Heather Tolley-Bauer of Watching the Funds-Cobb.
But that turned out not to be the case. The meeting was not live-streamed and there was not a public comment session, as is usual at school board public meetings.
While the funding for the center would not have come from the district’s general fund budget—the sources were from special-purpose local-option sales tax revenues and the sale of other school properties—financial critics were vocal from the start.
Members of that group and others had spoken at board meetings for several months, claiming that the special events center wasn’t needed, and that the $50 million represented skewed priorities.
The board voted last fall to approve what was to have been a 190,000-square-foot building housing an 8,000-seat arena for graduations and other major events, as well as conference and banquet space and 1,500 parking spaces.
In March, the board approved the hiring of a construction manager for the facility, which was to have been located adjacent to the Cobb school district headquarters on Glover Street in Marietta.
There was very little public discussion among board members during those meetings, except from Post 2 Democrat Becky Sayler, who said she wasn’t getting many details about the project.
Following Tuesday’s meeting, Heather Tolley-Bauer, a leader of Watching the Funds-Cobb and an East Cobb resident, issued a brief video response delighted with the reversal from the school board.
“This is a good day,” she said. “This is a good day for taxpayers in Cobb County.
“We don’t care what their motivation is. We have our ideas, we have our theories, but we are going to take this win.”
East Cobb resident Stacy Efrat was a founding member of Watching the Funds-Cobb founding member and is now a member of the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration, appointed by the Cobb Democratic Party.
She said in response to a Facebook post on Tuesday’s school board decision that “they figured out that raising the millage rate and planning an unnecessary $50 million event center while ignoring the public outcry is a bad look going into elections.”
In a release issued by the district after the meeting Tuesday, board member Brad Wheeler echoed Ragsdale’s remarks about the economy.
“The real cost of buying groceries, paying for gasoline, and paying for necessary living items made this decision a wise one for all Cobb families,” Wheeler said.
“I will always present a budget that prioritizes our people over facilities,” Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale said. “Nothing is more important.”
He is one of two Republican incumbents up for re-election in November, and who have Democratic challengers. The GOP holds a 4-3 majority and three of its four currently held seats expire at the end of the year.
Another is in Post 5 in East Cobb, where four-term Republican vice chairman David Banks is retiring.
Republican John Cristadoro, who is seeking the open Post 5 seat, also referenced economic issues in response to a request for comment from East Cobb News about Tuesday’s board decision.
“The fact is that inflation has increased, our purchasing power has gone down and and our students families and teachers are struggling more to put food on the table,” he said.
“We need to be willing to make choices that are in the district’s best interest and not lock into a decision made in better economic times.”
Cristadoro’s Democratic opponent, Laura Judge, said on her social media platforms that “this decision highlights the importance of community involvement and transparency.
“Thank you to everyone who spoke up and shared their views—this victory is yours. Let’s keep this momentum going. Stay engaged and informed about the decisions affecting our district.”
Before launching her candidacy, Judge was a member of Watching the Funds-Cobb, which formed in 2021 (our profile of the group here) over concerns about COVID-related spending.
Watching the Funds-Cobb has been critical of the district’s purchase of hand-washing machines and UV lights that malfunctioned, leading the district to cancel a vendor contract in 2021.
Watching the Funds-Cobb also questioned the district’s purchase of AlertPoint, an emergency alert system, that was accidentally set off at all schools in the spring of 2021 and prompted a brief lockdown.
The special events center dispute emerged after the board initially voted to remove the project from the SPLOST VI list, citing more pressing priorities.
Ragsdale brought the project back before the board last year, declining to provide Sayler with details she asked about feasibility, cost savings, budget impact, maintenance and staffing costs, saying that “all that information was covered.”
He said the need for an expanded, dedicated venue for graduation was a high priority that would ultimately save money.
The Cobb school district pays Kennesaw State University to hold graduations at its Convocation Center, which has a capacity of 4,500.
That’s not enough for extended family to attend graduations, Ragsdale has said.
“For far too long, we have had families that cannot have grandparents on both sides attend a once-in-a-lifetime event,” he said in March 2023.
“I think it’s very pressing. Literally, we owe this to the parents. We have tried to find a solution for this for years.”
An open-records request by a citizen revealed that Cobb spent $45,000 to rent out the KSU facility last year.
Tolley-Bauer claimed at a board meeting last month that the special events facility the Cobb school district was planning could be a money-loser.
“Are you here to educate our kids or run an events management business? Because one has a high return on our investment and the other will cost us and our children millions in tax dollars for years to come.”
In the district’s release after Tuesday’s meeting, Ragsdale said that “I will always present a budget that prioritizes our people over facilities. Nothing is more important.”
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The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday revoked a health spa license for a business on Canton Road following complaints that it didn’t have properly licensed therapists and for other violations stemming back nearly two years.
During a special hearing at the end of a regular business meeting Tuesday afternoon, Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, whose District 3 includes the Canton Road area, said the allegations are very serious and have not been corrected since initial citations were issued in 2022.
“To me, they’re not minor violations,” she said. “They’re serious. We’re concerned about a hardship putting somebody out of business, but when you don’t follow our code and our laws we have no choice.”
The vote to uphold the recommendation of denial by the Cobb Business License Review Board was 4-0, with Chairwoman Lisa Cupid leaving the hearing early.
The Asian Wellness Massage (3372 Canton Road, Suite 110), which is owned by Lingxia Zhang, had its health spa license revoked and must close. although it can reapply in 12 months. Cobb is currently observing a six-month moratorium on issuing new health spa licenses, following requests from county officials to review those regulations.
The board voted 4-0 to continue a similar hearing to Aug. 13 for V Massage (2800 Canton Road, Suite 1200), at the request of the business’ attorney, citing family obligations.
A third health spa in East Cobb, Peace Spa at 4994 Lower Roswell Road, decided not to appeal the license review board’s decision to issue a two-week suspension earlier this year.
The hearing Tuesday for the Asian Wellness appeal lasted nearly three hours and was complicated by interpretations from English to Mandarin for the benefit of the owner.
Ellisia Webb, the Cobb Business License Division manager, said the issue of alleged violations there first came to the county’s attention when she was contacted by the Georgia Attorney General’s Office, which said it had reason to believe Asian Wellness Massage was advertising on various adult websites.
Asian Wellness was denied a renewal in April after a compliance check found that an employee on premises didn’t have a required health spa permit and another was not listed as an employee of the business.
Agency officials said that during a police compliance check in late 2022, an investigator noticed that people were living on the premises, with a bed in a hallway, as well as hot plates, suitcases, non-work clothing and several pairs of shoes.
In testimony Tuesday, Zhang denied the business was being used for illicit purposes, and said the bed, which was new, belonged to an employee.
V Massage was denied a renewal of its health spa license in April. During a February compliance check, two employees were on-site, and neither could produce a require health spa permit. There also were no records of massage treatments provided, and the business did not post its operating hours, also violations of county code.
Meng Lim, an attorney for both health spas, pleaded for other correctional measures that did not involve the revocation of licenses.
“Do we use this opportunity to make sure that they don’t have a livelihood?” he asked commissioners in the hearing for Asian Wellness. “We all know that the board has a lot of discretion. . . .
“All businesses have minor infractions, and there are remedies for that.”
Sam Hensley, attorney for the Cobb Business License Division, said “we are looking for people who can follow the rules. They are the last line of defense for bad things happening in our community.”
He said there’s concern in the community for the potential for illicit activities, “including trafficking and sexual conduct occurring at businesses providing massages.”
Hensley said two years after the initial 2022 citations issued to Asian Wellness, “we’re still having the same problems. . . . We’re here to protect the community, not that individual.”
Commissioner Monique Sheffield said in reference to the Asian Wellness ads on adult websites that “they’ve taken additional steps to market their illicit massage, and that’s concerning to me.”
She referenced a bed in the back of the business that “I find it to be a stretch that it was just taken out of the packaging and left there. That doesn’t make sense to me. A lot of things are just not adding up to me.
“I have a difficult time accepting some of the testimony as being truthful.”
Cobb County Attorney Bill Rowling said V Massage will be able to stay open until commissioners hear its appeal.
“We cannot force her to close,” he said, in reference to the owner.
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Asian Wellness was denied a renewal in April after a compliance check found that an employee on premises didn’t have a required health spa permit and another was not listed as an employee of the business.