Public comment sought for proposed Hyde Farm Corridor Trail

Hyde Farm
The pond at Hyde Farm, located off Lower Roswell Road near the Chattahoochee River. (ECN File)

Thanks to Morning Washburn, who lives near Hyde Farm, for letting us know that the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is seeking public input on a proposed trail connecting Hyde Farm in East Cobb with the park’s Johnson Ferry North Unit.

The proposal would be a two-mile trail for pedestrians and bike riding, and the planning is in the very early stages: “This trail connection would close a gap to the very popular Silver Comet trail from existing trails,” according to an environmental assessment newsletter sent out by the National Park Service (click here to read).

The project isn’t connected to a Cobb DOT Greenways and Trails Master Plan approved by Cobb commissioners last year that calls for a similar trail, 3.3 miles in length, and at an estimated cost between $4.3 million and $4.7 million.

None of that has been funded and the funding sources and amount for the Chattahoochee NRA proposal are to be determined.

There’s also not an estimated timetable for when the trail might be completed.

Cobb County owns Hyde Farm, which dates back to the 1830s, and the edge of its 95 acres along the Chattahoochee is just a couple miles from the Chattahoochee NRA Gold Branch Unit, which has 2.6 acres of trails accessible via Lower Roswell Road.

The National Park Service is considering alternative proposals for the trail routes (see map below, and click on to newsletter link for bigger map and more details). To offer your feedback, click this link.

The deadline on the document says the deadline for comment is May 2 but that has been extended to May 9.

Hyde Farm Corridor Trail

 

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Annie the Musical; Healthy Kids Festival; Sunday Funday and more

From our Events Calendar, which is brimming with all kinds of spring and get-outdoors kinds of events in East Cobb, we’ll lead off with a major indoor activity that runs the full weekend:Wheeler Theatre Annie

It’s Wheeler Theatre’s production of “Annie the Musical,” which kicks off Friday night and includes a Saturday night performance as well as Saturday and Sunday matinees at the school’s performing arts center (375 Holt Road).

Tonight’s sold-out dinner theatre involves the Wheeler Fresh Collaborative, who are students in the STEM magnet program helping provide food to those in need.

On Saturday from 9-12 they’ll be having a plant sale at the Wheeler greenhouse, featuring a wide variety of flowers, as well as fresh herbs, ranging from $1-$10;

From 10-1 Saturday the East Cobb YMCA (1050 E. Piedmont Road) is holding a free Healthy Kids Festival that includes a fun run, family stretch class and Zumba to get them ready for an active, positive summer; vouchers for free swimming lessons also will be given out;

The St. Baldrick Foundation is holding another childhood cancer fundraiser in East Cobb on Saturday, from 1-5 at The Wing Cafe and Tap House (2145 Roswell Road, in the East Lake Shopping Center), with those taking part getting their heads shaved; there also will be a kids’ table and other activities;

The latest Sunday Funday free, family-friendly concert at East Cobb Park (3322 Roswell Road) takes place from 4-6 Sunday. You’re invited to bring a picnic meal and blanket and chairs if you wish and take in the sounds of the Loose Shoes Band, a Sunday Funday regular;

For more formal music lovers, the final performance of the St. Catherine’s Concert Series 2018-19 is from 4-6 Sunday, featuring The Summit Trio. They’re three KSU musicians performing works for the piano, violin and cello. The concert is free in the sanctuary of St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (571 Holt Road), but donations are accepted.

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this weekend, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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Wheeler crosswalk improvements get go-ahead from Cobb commissioners

Wheeler crosswalk improvements, Wheeler High School

Updating a story from a couple weeks ago, following a pedestrian accident in front of Wheeler High School in March that seriously injured two students: the crosswalk improvement project was approved Tuesday by the Cobb Board of Commissioners.

Cobb DOT and the Cobb County School District are teaming up to finance the safety changes. Here’s a summary of what’s going to happen; the cost is $22,450, with the school district paying $9,758 for two rectangular rapid flashing signs within a raised median (similar to what’s on Lower Roswell Road at the Sewell Mill Library).

The other work includes creating a single crosswalk, closing off the parking lot at the former East Cobb Middle School from Holt Road access, improved street lighting and updated signs alerting drivers as they approach the crosswalk.

The students who were injured were struck as it was getting dark by a driver who was later cited, but not charged, by Cobb Police.

The crosswalk will be relocated to the intersection of Holt Road and Club Way, close to the Wheeler gym entrance, and combined with an existing crosswalk.

The county says the contractors will meet on May 1 to map out a construction schedule following the end of the school year. Wheeler holds its graduation at the gym on May 22.

The crosswalk area could be redone later, after Eastvalley Elementary School is relocated to the former ECMS site.

 

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East Cobb YMCA taking part in Healthy Kids Day event

Submitted information:

East Cobb YMCA Healthy Kids Day

On Saturday, April 27, the McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active at the annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. Healthy Kids Day is an opportunity to ignite children’s imaginations so that they can imagine what they’ll accomplish this summer. The event features activities such as a kids run, family stretch class and family Zumba to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home throughout the summer months.

Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at over 1,500 Ys across the country by over one million participants, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long.  When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day is a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days. Instead, the Y wants families to focus on helping children imagine what they can accomplish over the summer.

“When a child is healthy, happy, and supported they can make great things happen,” says Becky Shipley, Executive Director “We believe in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find that potential within themselves. A child’s development is never on vacation and Healthy Kids Day is a great opportunity to educate families and motivate kids to stay active in spirit, mind and body throughout the summer.”

Keeping Kids Healthy All Summer Long

In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits this summer that can have a lifetime effect:

  • High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings of fruits and veggies each day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend for healthy childhood development. And to keep kids’ taste buds evolving, have everyone in the family try at least one bite of a new fruit or vegetable at least once a month.
  • Read Together – The summer is a great time to enjoy books with summer program participants—and 30 minutes a day goes a long way! Take trips to the local library or create a family reading challenge to see who can log the most minutes of reading. Encourage youth to create their own stories as well.
  • Get Moving! – Activities that require movement also help kids flex their mental muscle. Use materials in unique ways: ask youth to build models, manipulate tools or develop their own theatrical scenes.
  • Play Together – Play may be the best way to prevent childhood obesity. By putting more play into your family’s day, you will soon find yourself getting the activity that will have your family feeling energized and strong.
  • Make sleep a priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, and learning.

McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at 1055 E. Piedmont from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities. This year, in partnership with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the YMCA will be offering vouchers for a session of FREE swimming lessons.

Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Life University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and many more.

For more information, contact McCleskey-East Cobb YMCA at 770-977-5991.

 

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New principals announced at East Cobb schools for 2019-20 year

Four public schools in East Cobb will have new principals for the next school year.

The first wave of principal moves for the 2019-20 school year were announced Wednesday by the Cobb Board of Education, after it came out of an executive session.

Peter Giles, East Cobb principals
Peter Giles

Two of the six East Cobb high schools have new new leadership. Peter Giles will move over from Wheeler High School to Kell High School, while the new principal at Wheeler will be Paul Gillihan, who has been the principal at Griffin Middle School.

Kell principal Andy Bristow has been appointed the new principal at Durham Middle School.

The new principal at Dodgen High School will be Patricia Alford, who’s been the principal at Durham. Loralee Hill moves from Dodgen to Griffin Middle School.

Patricia Alford, Dodgen, East Cobb teachers announced
Patricia Alford

At the elementary school level, Timber Ridge will be led by a familiar face in August. Shannon McGill, a former assistant principal there and at Powers Ferry Elementary School, is returning after serving as principal at Vaughan Elementary School. She succeeds Jeff Castle, who has resigned.

The new appointments will be effective July 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

The Cobb County School District also announced that key members of Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s cabinet have been reappointed, including chief of staff Kevin Daniel, deputy superintendent John Adams, chief financial officer Brad Johnson, chief leadership officer Sherri Hill, chief academic officer Jennifer Lawson, chief strategy and accountability officer John Floresta and several assistant superintendents.

Related story

 

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‘Historic’ Cobb school budget proposal calls for 8-12.6 percent pay raises

All Cobb County School District employees will get raises ranging between 8 and 12.6 percent in the fiscal year 2020 budget presented to school board members and the public on Wednesday.

Cobb school budget
Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale

Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said it’s the biggest raise in at least 25 years and may be the biggest ever for Georgia’s second-largest school district, with 112,000 students.

“We have truly maximized the dollars so we can do this,” he told board members at a Wednesday afternoon work session. The board was expected to tentatively approve the $1.17 billion budget propopsal, with final approval expected May 16.

The raises are across-the-board, and apply to all non-temporary employees, from teachers to administrators, and include custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, substitute teachers, social workers and counselors.

Ragsdale said the size and scope of the raises were enabled by the Georgia legislature’s approval of $3,000 pay raises for teachers.

The Cobb budget includes “step” increases for eligible employees and adds school nurses to the “step” ranks for the first time. Teacher allotments will increase by 90, and district public safety employees also will get a “competitive salary adjustment” in the budget, which maintains a property tax rate of 18.9 mills.

According to Brad Johnson, the district’s chief financial officer, the raises will account for $74 million in expenses. The additional teacher allotments, adjustments for public safety, school nurse “step” increases, a change in how bus drivers are compensated and 7.5 new custodial positions will cost another $9.6 million.

A total of $81 million in increased revenues, including $43 million in state Quality Basic Education funding as well as $30 million in additional property taxes due to an estimated 5.5 percent growth in the Cobb tax digest, has been worked into the budget proposal.

The proposed budget also calls for spending $18.3 million in reserves.

“I’m very pleased with the raise and the respect and consideration it shows for all employees,” said Connie Jackson of the Cobb County Association of Educators, which represents teachers and non-administrative employees. “I’m super ecstatic we got step raises for nurses. We can offer them an incentive to stay.”

Ragsdale said those teachers on the higher end of the proposed raises will be newer teachers, in large part to incentivize retention.

Deputy superintendent John Adams said Cobb has the highest retention rate of the six biggest school districts in Georgia and has the lowest rate of teachers leaving for other districts.

But Cobb is behind other districts in metro Atlanta in starting teacher pay, which is around $43,000 a year.

Last year most Cobb school employees received a 2.6-percent raise and a 1.1 percent bonus. The former became available only after the state ended education austerity cuts.

There will be no bonuses in this Cobb budget, Ragsdale said, because he wanted the additional pay for employees, especially teachers, to add to their retirement system calculations.

“There are a lot of teachers watching this meeting now who are a lot happier than they were this morning,” said school board member David Banks of East Cobb.

The full budget details will be posted soon on the CCSD’s budget page. Another public hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. on May 16, right before the board is scheduled to vote on final budget adoption.

The new budget will take effect on July 1, when the district’s fiscal year begins.

 

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Cobb public safety advocates say proposed pay raise not enough

As the Cobb Board of Commissioners approved the hiring of a new public safety director Tuesday night, many of those working for county public safety agencies and members of the public told them that a proposed five-percent pay increase isn’t sufficient.Susan Hampton, Cobb public safety advocates

That’s how much more Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce wants to pay them in his draft fiscal year 2020 budget proposal. The boost includes a three-percent hike for all county employees, plus another two percent for public safety personnel.

For several weeks those working for police, fire, sheriff’s office and 911/emergency agencies have told commissioners morale is deteriorating because of poor salary and benefits packages and retention rates, compared to other jurisdictions in metro Atlanta.

Among those speaking out was Susan Hampton (in photo), an East Cobb citizen who helps organize an annual public safety appreciation dinner for police officers in Precinct 4 and another for Cobb firefighters.

“I am begging you to fix it now,” she said as the last of a long line of public speakers demanding immediate action, and not later in the summer, during the budget process.

“Fix it now” was a message some brought to the meeting as they held up signs and wildly applauded what Hampton and others were saying.

Commissioners named Cobb Police Chief Mike Register the new public safety director, and he pledged to those in the audience to “make public safety a better place to work.”

The vote to approve Register was 4-1, with Commissioner Bob Ott of East Cobb opposed, saying he’d prefer the $300,000 or so budgeted for public safety director (half salary, the rest support staff) go to addressing staffing shortages.

Ott said he wasn’t opposed to Register, whom many praised during the evening, getting the job.

Related stories

Hampton, who’s been especially vocal about what she has called a public safety “crisis” in Cobb, said starting police officers in Cobb are paid around $40,000 a year, compared to $48,800 in Atlanta and Brookhaven.

After five years of service, that Cobb officer would get $44,000. A five-percent raise would result in a salary level of $46,000, she said. In Gwinnett, officers at the five-year level are paid around $53,000, while in Atlanta and Brookhaven it’s around $59,000.

“A five-percent increase will not make Cobb County competitive,” she said.

To fund the extra two percent raise, Boyce has proposed not funding an allotted 40 new police officer positions and another 40 new sheriff’s office positions.

In other words, Hampton concluded, “public safety has to fund their own increase.”

She suggested that the county use revenues from projected growth in the county tax digest this year to help pay for additional public safety spending.

Others urged the commissioners to address retirement and retention issues they say are getting worse.

Steven Gaynor of the Cobb Fraternal Order of Police said the savings from not funding a public safety director, as Ott prefers, “wouldn’t have helped us much.”

Gaynor requested a 10-percent raise and prefers a step and grade retirement system that Ott has suggested.

The most pressing issue, Gaynor said, is filling job openings that are continuing, as the county is conducting a hiring spree for public safety.

“We had eight [police academy] graduates last Thursday,” he said, “but we lost 13. We cannot keep this up. . . .

“Set in place a plan that will take us into the future.”

 

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East Cobb food scores: Bay Breeze, Chin Chin, Salata, What’s for Lunch and more

Salata East Cobb

 

The following East Cobb restaurant scores from April 15-26 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing to view details of the inspection:

Bay Breeze Seafood Restaurant
2418 Canton Road
April 17, 2019 Score: 91, Grade: A

Chick-fil-A Lassiter
3046 Shallowford Road
April 19, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant
617 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 1
April 17, 2019 Score: 90, Grade: A

Davis Elementary School
2433 Jamerson Road
April 17, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

J. Christopher’s
1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 113-114
April 25, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Marlow’s Tavern
1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 208
April 25, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Kincaid Elementary School
1410 Kincaid Road
April 16, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Lucia’s Italian Restaurant
4705 Woodstock Road, Roswell
April 19, 2019 Score: 90, Grade: A

Papa John’s Pizza
1860 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 105
April 18, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Salata
4101 Roswell Road, Suite 1100
April 22, 2019 Score: 100, Grade: A

Solana East Cobb
1032 Johnson Ferry Road
April 18, 2019 Score: 99, Grade: A

Subway
2872 Canton Road, Suite A
April 22, 2019 Score: 89, Grade: B

What’s For Lunch 
2995 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 440
April 22, 2019 Score: 96, Grade: A

 

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Aloha to Aging gala event to feature East Cobb author

Thanks to Cindy Theiler, board member of the East Cobb-based Aloha to Aging, for the information about its second annual gala fundraising event on Aug. 16. At the bottom of the post is sponsorship information:Sarah Stanley Fallaw, Aloha to Aging gala

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Aloha to Aging’s annual gala will focus on “Building Our Legacy” with special guest speaker: Sarah Stanley Fallaw, PhD, east Cobb resident, and co-author of “The Next Millionaire Next Door.” 

Proceeds from the event will fund programs and services to ensure enhanced quality of life for seniors, their care partners, and the community in metro Atlanta.

Reception and silent auction, 5 p.m.; banquet dining, live auction and program, 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person. Sponsorships are available. Olde Towne Athletic Club, 4950 Olde Towne Parkway NE, Marietta.

More info: https://alohatoaging.org/annual-aloha-gala-2019/ or info@alohatoaging.org.

 

Fallaw is the founder of and president of DataPoints, which provides analytic tools for financial advisors and is based at Parkaire Landing Shopping Center.

Aloha to Aging is soliciting sponsorships for the gala, and here are some the details and links to download forms and get other information:

Sponsorship/Ad or provide donation please click  AlohaGalaTicket/Sponsorship

Hibiscus Sponsor $10,000: Sponsor will be given credit as an Event Sponsor in all promotional materials; Full page ad in the auction catalog presented to each patron; announced during the event; on signage displayed at the event and on our website. Event Sponsor will also receive 16 complimentary tickets (2 tables) to the Gala.

Bird of Paradise Sponsor $5,000: Sponsor will receive 1/2 page ad in the auction catalog presented to each patron; Listed in all media and printed materials before and after event, on signage displayed at the event, and on our website. Sponsor will receive 8 complimentary tickets (1 table) to the Gala.

Orchid Sponsor $2,500: Sponsor will receive 1/4 page ad in the auction catalog presented to each patron. Listed in all media and printed materials before and after event; listed on sponsor board at event; 4 complimentary tickets to the Gala.

Pumeria Sponsor $1,250: Sponsor will receive mention in the auction catalog presented to each patron. Listed in all media and printed materials before and after event; listed on sponsor board at event; 2 complimentary tickets to the Gala.

Game Sponsors $1000:  Sponsor will receive mention in the auction catalog presented to each patron. Recognition at the event; listed on sponsor board at event.

If you would like to support us by providing a new item, service or get-a-way for our silent or live auction please contact us at 770-722-7641 or download  A2A 2019 Gala Donor Sponsor Forms pdf and send back to us.

 

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MUST Ministries issues urgent need for food items; drop-off spot in East Cobb

MUST Ministries urgent call food supplies

Submitted information and photo:

MUST Ministries has been a growing beacon in the local community for the homeless and families who need a hand up for the past 47 years.

Recently they have put out an urgent SOS for food items they are critically low on for their local Cobb County food pantries which serve an average of 345 families per month.

The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team with Keller Williams is holding an ongoing food drive for MUST at their office located at 2249 Roswell Road in East Cobb.

Items can be dropped off there or can be arranged for pick up by calling 404-585-8881.

The items they need include but are not limited to canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables and other non-perishable grocery items.

To learn more about the current food pantry needs or make a donation online visit bit.ly/MM-FOOD.

Photo: Janice Overbeck and Tom Gonter, MUST Ministries.

 

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Proposed Cobb school budget of $1.3 billion to be detailed Wednesday

Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale will publicly present his proposed fiscal year 2020 budget of $1.3 billion to the board of education Wednesday.Chris Ragsdale, Cobb school superintendent

The board has a work session scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Cobb County School District main office at 514 Glover Street in Marietta.

The board also will take up more budget discussions at its monthly meeting that starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday. The first of several public forums on the budget will take place right before that, at 6:30 p.m.

Here’s a summary of the meeting agenda that includes the budget item on the last page.

Tentative approval of the budget is required now for the district to advertise it and hold additional public hearings required by law. Final approval is slated for May 16; the district’s fiscal year runs July 1-June 30.

The full budget proposal is expected to detail Ragsdale’s previously stated priorities of employee pay raises and increased teacher allotments.

Georgia teachers will be getting a $3,000 raise from the state, but Ragsdale didn’t offer specifics last month because the district was waiting for legislative funding and the county tax digest to be finalized.

For the FY 2019 budget of $1.2 billion most district employees got a 2.6 percent raise to go with 1.1-percent bonuses after the state ended austerity cuts.

At the board’s Wednesday night meeting, several East Cobb athletes will be recognized, including Kell state wrestling champion Andrew Parlato and Walton state swimming relay champions Elizabeth Isakson, Anna Heisterberg, Abby Belinski and Jasmin Hoffman.

Lynn Hamblett of Murdock Elementary School will be recognized as the recipient of a lifetime services award from the Georgia Association of Gifted Children, and STEM and STEAM certifications will be presented to McCleskey and Simpson middle schools, respectively.

The board also is expected to take action on several high-level personnel openings. One was created following the resignation of Jeffrey Castle, the principal at Timber Ridge Elementary School the last three years.

 

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Walton team wins Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl state championship

Walton Reading Bowl team

Submitted information and photo:

Demonstrating their literary mastery, the Walton High School Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl team recently claimed the title of State Champions. 

Walton students competed against Loganville High School student in what was the team’s first appearance at the state reading bowl event in Athens, Georgia. 

The tournament was held during the annual University of Georgia Children’s Literature Conference. Walton’s Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Team was formed in 2011, but they didn’t start competing until 2012.  

Helen Ruffin, a library media specialist at Sky Haven Elementary School in DeKalb County, created the Reading Bowl in 1986. Her vision was to have teams, comprised of students from different schools, compete to test their knowledge of the selected books. 

In 2000, after Ruffin’s retirement, several library media specialists formed the DeKalb County Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl. Other school districts in Georgia heard about this unique reading initiative, and soon the Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl opened to students in fourth grade through 12th grade. The winning teams from the Divisional Bowls meet at the Annual Conference on Children’s Literature in March for the State Championship of the Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl.  

Last year, Shallowford Falls Elementary School students won the elementary level state Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl. 

 

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Cobb school superintendent honored by Georgia PTA group

Cobb school superintendent honored

Submitted information and photo:

On Thursday, April 18, the 9th District PTA surprised the Cobb County School District and Superintendent Chris Ragsdale with a “Lifetime Achievement Award.”

The surprise award recognized the Cobb County School District Superintendent for his long tenure of service and the important contributions he’s made to education. The 9th District recognized the broad impact Superintendent Ragsdale has made on over 500,000 students in the Atlanta-metro area since first being named interim Superintendent in 2014.

The surprise announcement was made during the District 9 Spring Conference, where PTA representatives from across the District and surrounding districts had gathered to honor Superintendent Ragsdale and to elect new officers. The 9th District PTA represents the schools in Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, Polk, Carroll, and Haralson counties.

Superintendent Ragsdale’s long career of public service began in the Technology department of Paulding County Schools where he served for over 18 years in various leadership roles. He has served first as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Superintendent in the Cobb County School District for the last decade and is one of the longest tenured superintendents in the metropolitan area.

Under his leadership, the District has reached record highs in graduation rates and various accountability measures, achieved and maintained a AAA credit rating, and has consistently recruited and retained the very best teachers in the state. The steady focus of the Superintendent since taking office has been, and continues to be, one team, with one goal, student success.

 

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East Cobb Cityhood group to hold town hall, appear at Powers Ferry meeting

East Cobb cityhood group

The leaders of a group promoting cityhood for East Cobb have switched the location for an April 29 town hall meeting.

Rob Eble, one of the leaders of the Committee for Cityhood in East Cobb, told East Cobb News Friday that the meeting will now take place in the theater at Walton High School (1590 Bill Murdock Road) due to capacity issues.

The meeting was originally slated for Chestnut Ridge Christian Church. More than 600 people showed up to to hear cityhood leader David Birdwelll at a March town hall meeting (above) at the Catholic Church of St. Ann.

Eble said the town hall at Walton will last from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will feature a moderated panel discussion and questions from citizens.

It’s the first of two public meetings cityhood leaders will be having in short order. They’re also slated to speak at a meeting of the the Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance next month.

The civic association is holding a community meeting May 8 from 7-9 p.m. at Brumby Elementary School (815 Terrell Mill Road) that also will include Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce and Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott.

Other topics of discussion include public safety staffing in Cobb, a transit update, issues in the Powers Ferry corridor and news on redevelopment projects that include the MarketPlace Terrell Mill and Restaurant Row.

The day after the March town hall, local legislation was filed that will be considered next year that calls for a referendum in March 2020, and if approved, mayor and city council elections would take place next November.

East Cobb News Cityhood Coverage

The cityhood forces have maintained that they want more local control of government, and would provide police, fire and zoning and planning services.

Birdwell, a real estate entrepreneur, joined the group in January, a couple of months after the group commissioned a financial feasibility study. Eble, a technology consultant, is the other new “face” of the cityhood movement

The city map that was drawn and introduced with the legislation includes a population of 96,000 and takes the East Cobb portion of Ott’s District 2 and the Powers Ferry area that is not in the Cumberland Community Improvement District.

Patti Rice, president of the PFCA, told East Cobb News after the town hall that the proposed map would split the community “right down the middle.”

She said while she lives just outside the proposed City of East Cobb, she’s keeping an open mind about cityhood but thinks the cityhood group “needs to organize their message.”

 

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Update: Weather cancels I-75 resurfacing work in Cobb this weekend

I-75 resurfacing in Cobb
I-75 at Delk Road Friday morning. (Georgia 511 photo)

UPDATE, 2:32 P.M.: Inclement weather has prompted Georgia DOT to cancel the resurfacing work this weekend. The forecast calls for rain all day Saturday with the sun to return on Sunday.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

From the Georgia Department of Transportation:

Contractors for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will implement daytime and nighttime lane and ramp closures in the Marietta area on I-75 in Cobb County this weekend to continue resurfacing activities.

Weather permitting, these are the scheduled closures:

  • Three left lanes will be closed on I-75 northbound from 9 p.m. on Friday, April 19 until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22 from the Windy Hill Road exit to the Delk Road exit;
  • One center lane will be closed on I-75 northbound from 9 p.m. on Friday, April 19 until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22 from the Terrell Mill exit to the Delk Road exit.
  • The right shoulder lane on I-75 at the South Marietta Parkway exit will be closed from 1 a.m. on Sunday, April 21 until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22; and
  • The on-ramp to I-75 southbound from South Marietta Parkway will be closed from 1 a.m. on Sunday, April 21 until 5:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22. Message boards in the area will direct drivers to Delk Road to access I-75 southbound.

Overhead signs and message boards in the Marietta area will alert drivers of the closures in advance and will direct drivers to the next open exit to access I-75.

These major closures reduce prolonged impacts to the traveling public by condensing the crews and equipment needed and ensuring safety for workers and drivers. The project is scheduled for completion in spring 2019. 

As always, motorists traveling in the area are reminded to reduce their speeds in the work zone. Motorists are also encouraged to wear seatbelts, eliminate distractions behind the wheel, and plan their routes before getting on the road by calling 511 for real-time information on work status and traffic conditions.

 

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Egg Drop; Easter and Passover services; Pope Band sale; and more

Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop; East Cobb Weekend Events

While there is the chance of rain on Saturday, sunny skies are in the forecast for Easter Sunday, and on tap this weekend are many events related to Easter and Passover.

On Saturday is the 10th annual Northeast Cobb Community Egg Drop (photo above from last year), which goes from 11-5 at the football stadium at Sprayberry High School (2525 Sandy Plains Road).

The highlight is the helicopter drop of thousands of eggs and ensuing scramble, but the event includes food, music, DJs, and all kinds of Easter-related activities. Admission is free, but what you spend there will be used for Shop with a Yellow Jacket and Shop with e Longhorn programs at Sprayberry and Kell High School.

Ninja Quest is having an Easter egg hunt Saturday from 10-2 at its facility at 3010 Canton Road, and it’s free and aimed at kids 4 and older. There will be games, prizes, a food truck, an obstacle course and tickets to its Easter Questival that follows.

Help out the Pope Band from 10-5 Saturday with its Mattress and Sheet Sale fundraiser at the school (3001 Hembree Road), with factory-direct prices and full warranties. Financing is available and Cobb County School District employees can get an additional 10 percent off purchases (excluding sheet and pillowcase sets).

Saturday also is National Tea Day in the United Kingdom, and from 4-5 The Basics of Tea will be presented at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road), with samples of many kinds of tea available.

It’s been Holy Week for Christians and Passover began Friday; we’ve compiled a Passover and Easter Sunday service schedule for East Cobb synagogues and churches, including special breakfasts, Easter egg hunts and other related activities.

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this weekend, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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Cobb police chief recommended to become new public safety director

Cobb Police Chief Mike Register has been tapped by County Manager Rob Hosack to become the county’s new public safety director.Mike Register, Cobb Police Chief

Hosack will formally present his recommendation Tuesday to the Cobb Board of Commissioners (read his letter to the board here).

Register, who has been police chief since May 2017, was recommended from a group of four individuals to succeed Sam Heaton, a former Cobb fire chief who retired last month.

Register, a retired military veteran who served with Cobb PD for 19 years and later was the the Clayton County Police Chief, is a doctoral candidate in public policy.

Among his initiatives since returning to Cobb include beefing up community-based policing, with a community officer in each of the five police precincts, and holding occasional meetings with faith and other community leaders in the county.

The change at the top of the department comes as commissioners have been pressed by public safety personnel and citizens to improve salary, benefits, retention and other initiatives to address staffing shortages some have said has reached crisis proportions.

Understaffed police and fire services also are among of the primary factors behind the ongoing East Cobb cityhood movement, and are two of the proposed three services included in a bill that will be taken up next year in the Georgia legislature.

At recent commissioners’ meetings, those pushing for more staffing have noted that all five Cobb police precincts have shortages on their patrol “beats.” East Cobb’s Precinct 4 has only eight of 10 beats fully staffed, the least-staffed of all, according to Cobb Fraternal Order of Police head Steven Gaynor.

Mike Register, Cobb Police Chief
Cobb Police Chief Mike Register speaking to the East Cobb Civic Association in Aug. 2017 (ECN file).

Cobb currently has 82 police officer openings, and is on pace to lose 100 officers this year. That’s how many applications come in every week, but only a quarter or so of them make the first cut.

Other shortages are in fire/EMS and sheriff’s deputies positions.

The public safety director oversees those functions, along with the county’s 911 dispatch service, emergency management agency and animal services.

In a draft fiscal year 2020 budget proposal released last week, Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce has included recruitment bonuses for public safety, but has decided against budgeting for 40 new police officer and 40 new sheriff’s deputy positions.

Commissioner Bob Ott of East Cobb told those gathered at a town hall meeting last month that he’s opposed to filling the public safety director’s post, and prefers each of those agency heads to report to the county manager, as has been done in the past.

Ott was the only commissioner voting against Register for police chief, saying he objected to the selection process and not the candidate.

Proponents of more public safety staffing and better salaries are planning to speak out again at Tuesday’s meeting. It starts at 7 p.m. in the second floor boardroom of the Cobb office building, 100 Cherokee St., in downtown Marietta.

 

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New Kennesaw State basketball coach is former Wheeler star

Submitted information and photo is below; the introductory press conference is Friday at 12:30 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center (590 Cobb Ave., Kennesaw):Amir Abdur-Rahim, Kennesaw State basketball

Director of Athletics Milton Overton and Kennesaw State University are pleased to announce the hiring of County’s own Amir Abdur-Rahim to a four-year contract as the seventh head coach in KSU men’s basketball history.
 
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Amir Abdur-Rahim and his family back home to Cobb County and Kennesaw State University,” said Director of Athletics Milton Overton. “We believe that Coach Abdur-Rahim is the best fit to build the Kennesaw State basketball program into Cobb County’s team because of the roots he has laid over the course of his life developing local basketball players into young men. He has the ability to raise the profile of KSU basketball both locally and nationally as someone who has proven to be very successful at identifying and acquiring great talent. We look forward to seeing Amir hit the ground running with the relationships he has already established in the community both at the high school level and with AAU coaches.”
 
Abdur-Rahim grew up just a stone’s throw away from KSU, playing his prep career at Wheeler High School. A standout guard at Wheeler, he has a proven track record of winning as a player and a coach with 13 years of experience developing and recruiting talented athletes out of the south.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Abdur-Rahim as the newest member of Owl Nation,” KSU President Pamela Whitten said. “He shares the University’s passion for building student-athletes into the leaders of tomorrow through an outstanding academic experience, and his confidence will undoubtedly translate to success on the court.”
 
Abdur-Rahim comes to Kennesaw State after a year-long stint at Georgia under head coach Tom Crean. Throughout his career, he has helped develop two NBA draft picks in Robert Williams III from Texas A&M and Isaiah Canaan out of Murray State.
 
“This is a job I’ve always had my eye on,” said Head Coach Abdur-Rahim. “When this position came open, I felt like the timing was perfect from a family, location, and opportunity standpoint. I felt that being a first time Head Coach, Kennesaw State provided a unique opportunity to build something special and something that could be built to sustain over time. It’s a growing university, an amazing campus, great facilities, close knit community, and then with the recruiting base that we have in Metro-Atlanta and the surrounding areas, this is a place that has all the ingredients to be successful. I feel blessed and fortunate to be the head coach at KSU and I’m excited to get to work with our guys and help them grow as men.”
 
Prior to UGA, he spent four years as an assistant at Texas A&M (2014-18), helping lead the Aggies to three NCAA Tournament bids, including two Sweet 16 appearances in 2016 and 2018. He helped orchestrate three 20-win seasons while at TAMU, helping the Aggies to a school record 28 wins in 2016. Texas A&M won a share of the SEC Regular Season Title during that record season, the first for the program in 30 years.
 
Before moving to College Station, Abdur-Rahim served at the College of Charleston as an assistant from 2012-13 before being promoted to associate head coach for the 2013-14 campaign. The Cougars recorded an overall record of 38-29 during his two seasons, earning a 2013 CBI bid.
 
Abdur-Rahim also spent a year as Georgia Tech’s Director of Player Development after five seasons at Murray State. While earning his masters in organizational communication, he spent two years as a graduate assistant on the Racers’ staff before being promoted to an assistant coach from 2008-11. During Abdur-Rahim’s tenure at Murray State, the Racers compiled a 73-26 overall record, earning two OVC Regular Season Championships and a 2010 OVC Tournament title. The Racers reached the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament, upsetting No. 4 seed Vanderbilt in the opening round before falling to eventual runner-up Butler.  
 
A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana, Abdur-Rahim was a three-time All-Southland Conference guard for the Lions, finishing his career ranked seventh in the career record books for points scored and second for three-pointers made and steals. As a freshman at Garden City (Kansas) Community College, he ranked No. 24 nationally in scoring, averaging 19.1 points per game.
 
Married to Arianne Buchanan, he and his wife have two daughters, Laila and Lana. He is one of 13 children born to Deborah Hester and William Abdur-Rahim and one of six brothers to play college basketball, including his older brother Shareef who was a 13-year NBA veteran and is now the President of the NBA’s G-League.
 
“For over 20 years Amir and his family have been invested in preparing kids for the opportunity to play college basketball,” said Overton. “Utilizing his brother’s foundation, he has helped shape youth in Cobb County through camps and clinics with a mission of helping young kids in the area grow in the game of basketball and in life.”

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Cobb County government offices closed for Good Friday

Just a reminder that Cobb County government will be closed for Good Friday, including public library branches.

The libraries will be open at their regular hours on Saturday, and those branches that have been open on Sunday (including Mountain View) will be closed on Easter Sunday.

 

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Keep Cobb Beautiful spring recycling event set for last Saturday in April

Submitted information:Keep Cobb Beautiful spring recycling

Just in time for spring cleaning this year, we will take your stuff at this year’s Community Recycling Event, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, April 27. It will be at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road in Marietta. This free biannual event is your opportunity to help our community.

Download flyer here: https://www.cobbcounty.org/keep-cobb-beautiful/news/2019-spring-community-recycling-event

Hefty® EnergyBag® Plastics Program

All items must be clean and dry. Accepting plastic shopping bags (any size), plastic straws, coffee stirrers, plastic bottle caps, foam egg cartons, foam peanuts, foam cups, foam plates, foam meat trays, plastic cutlery, bubble wrap, food storage bags, plastic dairy tubs & lids (such as yogurt, butter, cottage cheese containers), plastic food wrap, empty deodorant sticks, empty lotion bottles, plastic pet food/treat bags, and fruit/vegetable salad bags. No wax-coated containers.

On-site Paper Shredding

Please remove paper clips. Protect against identity theft by having your paperwork shredded by a locally-owned, licensed and bonded company.  Medical bills, statements, letters, checks, etc. is acceptable. No file folders, glossy paper, magazines, periodicals, newspaper, CDs, DVDs, binders, or books will be accepted.

Electronics (if it has a cord it is acceptable)

Computers (we recommend you remove the hard drive or have it wiped out), cell phones, VCRs, alarm clocks, treadmills, etc. There is a $10 cash-only fee for each CRT television or CRT monitor.

Household Textiles

Gently used shoes, sneakers (tennis shoes), purses, clothing, decorative pillows, blankets, towels, sheets, functional car and booster seats with liners and restraints intact, etc. No flip flops, rugs, carpeting, mattresses, or bed pillows.

Household Appliances

Stoves, microwaves, ovens, washer, dryers, water heaters, refrigerators, grills, toasters, blenders, etc.

Lawn/Outdoor Equipment

Lawn mowers, chainsaws, etc. Fuel must be removed and the tank must be dry.

Metals

Steel, aluminum, cast iron, etc.

Polystyrene

Clean items only. No size restriction. If you have “packing peanuts” bring those in a separate bag for the Hefty® EnergyBag® Plastics Program.

 

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