East Cobb News Archives

Cobb schools WiFi bus hotspots include Wheeler cluster

September 15, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Cobb school bus safety

Starting Wednesday the Cobb County School District will roll out 27 buses equipped with WiFi hotspots to assist students who need Internet connectivity while all-remote learning continues.

Those buses will be going to 23 separate locations and the buses will be available for Internet use 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The district said in an announcement Tuesday that funding is coming from the Georgia Department of Education.

The locations include the following apartment complexes in the Wheeler High School cluster:

Westminster Square (2401 Windy Hill Road)—Wheeler, East Cobb MS, Brumby ES;
Riverstone (899 Powers Ferry Road)—Wheeler, East Cobb MS, Eastvalley ES;
Cumberland Crossing (1981 Hidden Glen Drive)—Wheeler, East Cobb MS, Powers Ferry ES;
The Villas at East Cobb (1049 Powers Ferry Road)—Wheeler, East Cobb MS, Eastvalley ES;
Landry at East Cobb dog park (2575 Delk Road)—Wheeler, East Cobb MS, Eastvalley ES;
Stratford Ridge (2560 Delk Road)—Wheeler, East Cobb MS, Eastvalley ES.

See the full list of bus locations here.

The district said that “the goal of the bus wifi program is to serve the maximum number of students who currently may not be participating in remote classes due to limited or no internet connectivity. Ideal locations around the county were determined by examining CTLS use and access.”

The district said it has distributed more than 300 WiFi hotspots to families and nearly 40,000 devices, with 38,000 requests for devices in the current school year alone

About 35,000 of those devices have been picked up.

The district has provided connectivity instructions for Windows 10 laptops, Chromebooks, and Apple tablets and phones.

Cobb schools reporting 216 total COVID-19 cases since July 1

September 14, 2020 by Wendy Parker

As students, parents, teachers and staff in the Cobb County School District prepare for a return to classroom learning starting in October, the district is providing COVID-19 case updates on a weekly basis.

The district reported that as of Friday, a total of 216 people have tested positive for the virus since July 1.

That’s a little more than double since “approximately 100” cases were confirmed in early August, also dating back to July 1.

As was the case last month, the district said it can’t be more specific about that information, including indicating how many staff and students have tested positive, or school locations where people have had cases of the virus confirmed by Cobb and Douglas Public Health.

The district is citing medical privacy laws “based on instruction provided by the Cobb and Douglas Public Health Department” for not saying more.

The weekly case figures will be updated every Friday through the end of the school year.

Cobb schools started all-remote on Aug. 17 due to what Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said was guidance from public health officials about “high community spread” of COVID-19.

Some staff and students have been on campuses and at district facilities, including athletes and others picking up textbooks and other class materials.

The district is the second-largest in Georgia with more than 112,000 students, and is Cobb County’s largest employer with more than 13,000 front office staff, principals, teachers, and support workers on the payroll.

Students will be able to return for in-person classes on Oct. 5, starting with K-5 and special education, followed by middle school on Oct. 19 and high school on Nov. 5.

School district staff members are also returning to schools on phased-in basis: elementary, Sept. 21; middle school Oct. 5 and high school Oct. 22.

As of Monday afternoon, there were 18,505 overall COVID-19 cases in Cobb County, the fourth-highest total in the state, with 1,520 coming in the last two weeks.

A total of 2,263 cases have been confirmed between ages 0-20 in Cobb, the fourth-highest of any age group.

But after a summer spike, Cobb’s average cases per 100,000 over the last two weeks has dropped to just under 200. One-hundred cases per 100,000 is considered high community spread, but Ragsdale said he was looking at getting that metric between 100-200 in order to reopen schools.

At one point, that figure was well over 400 cases per 100,000. Cobb has 413 deaths, second only to Fulton County, and 1,670 overall hospitalizations.

After the reopening announcement, the Cobb school district outlined health and safety protocols that include mask requirements for everyone and deep cleaning procedures.

The district said that anyone testing positive for COVID-19 will self-isolate for 10 consecutive days from the date of a positive test and is asymptomatic.

Students and staff also will have to go into quarantine if they have a suspected case and symptoms of the virus or were within close contact with someone who’s positive.

All schools will have designated isolation areas for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms.

Parents are in the process of choosing whether to let their students return to school or to remain all-remote through the end of the fall semester.

That deadline is this Sunday, Sept. 20. Once parents choose an option, they cannot change their minds before the end of the semester. More information can be found by clicking here.

Sewell Mill Library added as absentee ballot dropbox location

September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Cobb Absentee Ballot Envelope

On Tuesday the first batch of absentee ballots requested by voters in Cobb County and Georgia will be mailed out, 50 days before election day on Nov. 3.

As noted here previously, absentee ballot dropboxes have been placed at various locations throughout the county by the Cobb Board of Elections and Registration.

The elections office said on Monday that those dropboxes, which were to have been opened on Wednesday, will now open starting Saturday, Sept. 19, and will be available 24/7 until 7 p.m. on election day.

They include the East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road) and the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road).

The latter location is a late addition and will be one of 10 dropbox locations.

You can also mail in your absentee ballot to:

Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration
P.O. Box 649
Marietta, GA 30061-0649

Those ballots must be postmarked by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Absentee ballot applications can be requested from Cobb Elections by clicking here, and you can also get a prompt to a customized application that will be mailed to you.

The deadline for registering to vote is Oct. 5, and you can do that and check your registration status, polling location and get sample ballots by clicking here. More information about registering can be found here.

The Cobb County Public Library System and the Cobb Collaborative are holding a voter registration drive, and there are two upcoming dates to register at branches in East Cobb.

There will be sign-up periods this Friday, Sept. 18, from 12-5 p.m. at the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road), and next Monday, Sept. 21, from 3-6 p.m. at the East Cobb Library (4880 Lower Roswell Road).

For more about that click here.

Here’s a list of the local and state candidates on the ballot for East Cobb voters

As they did during the primaries, Cobb Elections officials are strongly encouraging voters to send in absentee ballots. That’s how the vast majority of Cobb voters cast their votes this summer in primary and runoff elections.

Heavy voter turnout is expected with a presidential race and competitive local races on the ballot, social-distancing measures will be enforced and there is a shortage of poll workers.

More absentee ballot information in Cobb can be found here and Cobb Elections is seeking poll workers.

Advance voting will start on Oct. 12, and there will be several East Cobb locations to cast ballots in-person before election day.

They include:

East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road) from Oct. 12-Oct. 30, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.; Oct. 17 and 24 (both Saturdays), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Art Place-Mountain View Black Box Theater (3330 Sandy Plains Road) from Oct. 12-Oct. 30, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.; Oct. 17 and 24 (both Saturdays), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Noonday Baptist Church East Campus (4120 Canton Road) from Oct. 26-30, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on advance voting click here.

On Election Day voters will go to the polls in their assigned location. If you’re unsure of your precinct, you can check by clicking here.

Cobb Chamber of Commerce chairman’s term extended through 2021

September 14, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information: John Loud, Cobb Chamber of Commerce

Today, the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors announced they will extend the terms of their 2020 Board of Directors chair leadership.

As the 2020 Chairman of the Board, John Loud, President of LOUD Security Systems, will now remain Board Chairman until the end of 2021. Loud will be succeeded by Britt Fleck, Regional Director of the Metro West Region of Georgia Power, who will continue as Chair-Elect in 2021 and will begin her term as Chairwoman in 2022. Greg Teague, President of Croy Engineering, will now begin his role as Chair-Elect in 2022 and will become Chairman of the Board in 2023.

“In order to help the Cobb Chamber best navigate the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Board of Directors held a special vote to extend the term for its board chair leadership,” said Mitch Rhoden, Immediate Past Chairman of the Cobb Chamber Board of Directors. “During these uncertain times, the board wants to provide consistent leadership for the Chamber.”

“This consistency of our board chair leadership will enable our chamber to continue focusing on leading this community’s needed economic recovery,” said Sharon Mason, President and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “John Loud, Britt Fleck, Greg Teague, Mitch Rhoden, our entire board and team have been instrumental working together through this crisis and it is a blessing to work with each of them.”

The Cobb Chamber’s Board of Directors is the organization’s governing body. The Board of Directors consists of 91 voting board members, including a 21-member Executive Committee, representing the county’s diverse populations, geographies, and industries.

Ott reflects on time as commissioner to East Cobb business group

September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Bob Ott

As he spends his last few months in office, Cobb commissioner Bob Ott is getting invited to speak about his 12-year tenure.

Ott addressed the East Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce last week, reviewing business and economic development, zoning and land use issues, infrastructure, health care, libraries, parks and more.

(You can watch his full presentation at this link).

“Indeed it has been a ride,” said Ott, who announced in January he would not be seeking a fourth term.

Ott is a former president of the East Cobb Civic Association and served on the Cobb Planning Commission. In 2008, he defeated commissioner Joe Thompson, who had appointed him to that board.

The Republican who lives in the Powers Ferry-Terrell Mill area has represented District 2, which includes most of East Cobb as well as the Cumberland-Smyrna-Vinings area.

Ott said the biggest economic driver was the construction of the Atlanta Braves stadium, now called Truist Park, that he said has generated 22,000 jobs in the district.

“We didn’t just get a stadium” he said, referencing the adjacent The Battery Atlanta development and the 22-story Thyssen-Krupp tower that’s opening soon.

Another major development that he steered is the MarketPlace Terrell mixed-use project that’s underway at Powers Ferry and Terrell Mill.

It’s the centerpiece of the Powers Ferry corridor that was the subject of the first of four master plans that have been developed in District 2.

“If we get certain things to go, everything else will follow,” he said, referring to nearby businesses that have upgraded, including a BP station across the road.

A Wendy’s restaurant has opened at the MarketPlace Terrell Mill, with other restaurants and eateries coming on line soon, as well as an apartment complex. The anchor will be a Kroger superstore.

Ott said that in his time in office, 5,000 apartments have been built in District 2, with around 3,500 of them in the Cumberland/Battery area, “where they should be.”

The other master plans included Vinings, design guidelines for the Johnson Ferry corridor and last week, when commissioners approved one for the Johnson Ferry-Shallowford area.

He said those plans include 60 percent of land in District 2, and give developers a solid guideline for developers.

For the most part, Ott said, “if they develop according to the master plan, the community is going to support it.”

In November, District 2 voters will choose his successor. Republican Fitz Johnson, a Vinings resident who serves on the board of the WellStar Health System, will face Democrat Jerica Richardson, a first-time candidate who lives in the Delk Road area.

Police: Construction worker killed on I-75 near Delk Road

September 13, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Marietta Police are looking for a vehicle they say struck a road construction worker on Interstate 75 near Delk Road Saturday night.

The construction worker, identified as Martin Rivera, 30, of Chicago, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to Marietta Police.

They said Rivera was placing signage on the shoulder of I-75 northbound, just north of Delk Road, around 8:53 p.m. when he was hit by two vehicles.

Police said the first vehicle, which may be a black Volkswagen Golf GTI, fled the scene. The driver of the second vehicle did stop and is cooperating with the investigation, according to police.

Marietta Police are asking for the public’s help finding the first vehicle, which they said “abruptly” exited I-75 north on the South Marietta Parkway exit ramps.

Police said anyone who may have seen the incident or who has information should call STEP Investigator C. Henry at 770-794-5364.

Cobb Foodie Week participants include East Cobb restaurants

September 12, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Cobb Chamber business reopening guidelines — *Marlow’s Tavern at Merchant’s Walk put up special signs when it reopened after COVID closures in the spring.*

The Cobb Travel & Tourism office is rebranding what it’s called Cobb Restaurant Week into Cobb Foodie Week, which gets underway on Saturday.

Several East Cobb restaurants are taking place as the promotion focuses on helping eateries recover from COVID-19 closures.

Each restaurant has special items, prices and discounts that are described at the link above, as well as links to each participating restaurant. Here’s which East Cobb establishments are taking part, and the specials continue through Sept. 19:

Camps Kitchen & Bar (Paper Mill Village, 225 Village Parkway, Suite 310)
Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar (The Avenue East Cobb, 4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1410)
Grand Champion BBQ (Shallowford Corners, 4401 Shallowford Road, Suite 168)
J. Christopher’s East Lake (2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2116)
Kale Me Crazy (The Avenue East Cobb, 4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1620)
Marlow’s Tavern Merchant’s Walk (1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 208)
McCray’s Tavern (Parkaire Landing, 4880 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 850)
Seed Kitchen & Bar (Merchant’s Walk, 1311 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 504)
Stockyard Burgers & Bones (The Avenue, 4475 Roswell Road, Suite 1700)
Taqueria Tsunami (1275 Johnson Ferry Road)
Williamson Bros. BBQ (1425 Roswell Road).

East Cobb food scores: Fuji Hana; Ming’s; Longhorn; more

September 11, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Fuji Hana East Cobb

The following East Cobb food scores for the week of Sept. 7-11 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for details of the inspection:

Chick-fil-A Sprayberry Square
2530 Sandy Plains Road
September 9, 2020 Score: 90, Grade: A

Fuji Hana Steak & Sushi
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 1
September 11, 2020 Score: 91, Grade: A

JJ’s Pizzeria
2211 Roswell Road, Suite 116
September 10, 2020 Score: 91, Grade: A

Longhorn Steakhouse
4721 Lower Roswell Road
September 8, 2020 Score: 90, Grade: A

Minas Emporium
2555 Delk Road, Suite B4
September 8, 2020 Score: 79, Grade: C

Ming’s Asian Kitchen
4665 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 101
September 8, 2020 Score: 80, Grade: B

Smoothie King
1271 Johnson Ferry Road
September 11, 2020 Score: 83, Grade: B

Wendy’s
1312 Johnson Ferry Road
September 9, 2020 Score: 83, Grade: B

East Cobb Biz Update: Lululemon store to open at The Avenue

September 11, 2020September 11, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Lululemon The Avenue East Cobb
A pop-up version of the Lululemon Athletica women’s yoga and exercise apparel store is opening Saturday, with special hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12-6 p.m.

It’s located between the Sephora and Versona stores, and to celebrate the opening, Lululemon is giving away a $100 gift card. Customers should text “FITNESS” TO 444222 and reply YES! The winner will be notified on Monday.

The store is the 12th in Georgia for Lululemon and the first in Cobb County.

Grand opening

The grand opening and ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the Anytime Fitness location at Parkaire Landing is Oct. 1 at 11 a.m.

As we noted previously, it’s run by Durran Dunn, “The Freeze” from Atlanta Braves games, who’s an elite-level sprinter. The celebration lasts until 6 p.m. and includes food, door prizes, giveaways and more.

It’s located next to the East Cobb Library.

For info: 678-909-5095; Facebook and Instagram.

Chamber launches COVID school response

Submitted information:

The Cobb Chamber’s Partners in Education program is launching an effort to connect local businesses with Cobb’s public school systems to provide specific items and support to help each school meet the needs of students during the coronavirus pandemic.

“In responding to the coronavirus pandemic, our local public schools have faced unprecedented challenges, all while continuing to provide the world-class education that sets Cobb County apart,” said Dana Johnson, COO of the Cobb Chamber and Executive Director of SelectCobb. “Every year Partners in Education brings businesses and schools together, bringing valuable resources to classrooms across the county.”

This year, the Cobb Chamber is partnering with Cobb County School District and Marietta City Schools through the Partners in Education COVID-19 Response program to address specific equipment, financial, and additional support needs for local schools.

Each district has shared that schools have needs in the following areas:

Financial Donations: Supporting needs like childcare, food security, and digital/distance learning equipment;

In-Kind Donations: Especially impactful donations include, but are not limited to, school supplies, computers and tech accessories (ear buds, headphones, etc.), mobile hotspots, and services such as preparing donated computers for student use;

Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers may be helpful for a variety of needs;

Social, Emotional, and Academic Support: Providing services and experiences that support the social, emotional, and academic development of students, such as stress management classes, internet safety classes, internships, virtual business tours, and virtual “day in the life of” experiences.

Businesses can visit www.cobbchamber.org/pie to join the Partners in Education COVID-19 Response program. For more information about Partners in Education, contact Nate Futrell, Workforce Initiatives Senior Manager at [email protected] or (770) 859-2374.

Kell-Hillgrove football game cancelled due to COVID case

September 11, 2020September 11, 2020 by Wendy Parker

The Kell-Hillgrove football game won’t be played Friday after a positive COVID-19 case was reported on the Hillgrove team.

Kell athletic director Richard Norman sent a message to the “Kell Family” Thursday night saying that the school’s administration was told of the confirmed positive case earlier in the day:

“While this outcome is undesirable, our highest priority is the health and safety of our students and staff. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and continued support. Tickets purchases will be refunded from GoFan.”

GoFan is an online ticket sales hub that many high schools have been using to sell limited tickets for sports (here’s the Kell link).

The Longhorns, who are 0-1 after a season-opening loss to Walton last week, are the second East Cobb football team to have a game cancelled due to COVID.

Wheeler was to have played North Atlanta last weekend, but that opponent backed out for similar reasons. Instead, the Wildcats played Marietta, which also had an opponent cancel, and the Blue Devils prevailed 35-14.

In other games tonight, Wheeler plays at home against Dutchtown, Pope is at Walton, Sprayberry at Collins Hill and Lassiter is at Lambert.

Kell’s next game is next Friday at Pope.

East Cobb Events Update: Major holiday craft shows cancelled

September 10, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Lassiter Craft Fair, East Cobb Weekend Events

Three major holiday-season shopping events in East Cobb are a no-go for 2020.

The organizers of the Lassiter Craft Fair are the latest to announce that the event has been cancelled.

It’s typically one of the earliest events on the holiday shopping calendar, and was to have taken place on Nov. 7-8 at Lassiter High School.

The fair is a fundraiser for the Lassiter band programs, and here’s the message that was sent out Wednesday:

“All vendors who submitted an application for the 2020 craft fair should have received an email regarding the event cancellation. Thank you for supporting Lassiter Marching Band! Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions.”

The 40th annual Apple Annie Arts & Crafts Show at the Catholic Church of St. Ann also has been cancelled. That was to have taken place in early December, with proceeds supporting projects of the church’s women’s ministry:

If you are interested in applying for the 2021 show, applications will be posted at https://st-ann.org/apple-annie in early November 2020 with a deadline of March 31, 2021.

Also slated for mid-November was the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Craft Show. The tentative dates for 2021 are Nov.12-13.

Cancellations relating to COVID-19 have affected nearly all major events in East Cobb since March. Saturday was to have been the EAST COBBER magazine’s 25th annual parade and festival, but that is not taking place.

Those behind another big holiday shopping event, the Sprayberry PTSA Arts and Crafts Show, have indicated their long-running arts and crafts show scheduled for Nov. 21-22 may also be cancelled.

They’ve organized a virtual fundraiser in partnership with Panda Express on Sept. 18, and plans are to have future monthly virtual fundraisers; you can find more information here.

As Census deadline nears, East Cobb response rate is high

September 10, 2020 by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Census reponse rate

With just a couple weeks remaining until the deadline for completing 2020 U.S. Census forms, the response rate in East Cobb is among the highest in Cobb County.

According to a Cobb County government GIS map seen above, all but one Census tract in East Cobb are reporting response rates of 75 percent or higher.

That’s of Sept. 2, and that’s just the self-response rate. The Census Bureau has listings for all states in that category, and follow-up response rates that it adds to its cumulative total, that you can find here.

The Census bureau also has interactive maps that show the most recent updates for every Census tract (a screen grab is shown below), and some East Cobb census tracts have total response rates of higher than 80 percent and in some cases as high as 88 percent.

You can click this hover map to get more details by Census tract.

Georgia’s self-response rate is 60.8 percent as of Wednesday, and combined with the follow-up response rate now stands at 80.2 percent.

The states with the highest overall rates for the moment are Idaho (98.5 percent), West Virginia (97.7 percent), Washington (96.5 percent), Hawaii (96.1 percent) and Kansas (95.6 percent).

Cobb GIS has more Census information here, including a link to complete a form; you can also visit the Census website here to fill out a form.

East Cobb Census response rate — *To view details by Census tract, **click here**.*

Walton marching band holding recycling fundraiser Saturday

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Walton Band Garage Sale

Submitted information:

Leaders of the Walton Marching Raider Band have announced that their biannual recycling event – known for accepting metal, electronics and paint – will be held this Saturday. Proceeds support the marching band program and help provide a high-quality experience for East Cobb students attending George H. Walton Comprehensive High School.

The recycling event will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walton High School, 1590 Bill Murdock Rd, Marietta, GA 30062.

Support of the event is especially needed this year due to the novel coronavirus and its impact on regular band fundraising activities.

All residents and businesses are welcome to donate and support this Walton Marching Raider Band event. People who have cleaned their homes during the pandemic and don’t know what to do with the metal, electronics and paint they want to dispose of and local businesses who are in the same situation are all welcome to support the event.

The Walton Marching Raider Band is participating in a limited number of school events and following stringent protocols including wearing masks and being physically distanced during outside performances.

Johnson Ferry-Shallowford master plan gets commission OK

September 9, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Johnson Ferry-Shallowford master plan adopted — *A conceptualized possibility for the redevelopment of a corner of the Johnson Ferry-Shallowford intersection includes restoring a lake (No. 3).*

A master plan for the Johnson Ferry-Shallowford area that involved citizen input over the last two years reflects strong local desires to maintain a community dominated by single-family neighborhoods.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 Tuesday to adopt the recommended master plan, which will guide not only future development and land use, but also traffic, parks, stormwater issues and a sense of place.

The Johnson Ferry-Shallowford Small Area Plan recommendations were subject to public hearings over the last month, including the Cobb Planning Commission. Earlier this month the advisory board suggested removing a proposal in the final master plan to restore a lake near the “JOSH” intersection.

That’s known to some as “Maddox Lake,” behind the now-demolished home of former Gov. Lester Maddox on Johnson Ferry Road, and that has been dry for some years.

The area around the lake was part of a 30-acre assemblage for rezoning that went before commissioners as a proposed townhome and single-family residential development before the request was withdrawn in early 2017.

The JOSH recommendations include several potential mixed-use development scenarios that Commissioner Bob Ott of East Cobb said are meant only to guide possible future uses, not mandate them.

“I’m not going to take out” the recommendation the Planning Commission wanted deleted.

The JOSH master plan process (you can view all developments here) included several community meetings and other input that began in 2018.

“This is what the community said they wanted,” Ott said. “There was not a consultant who came in and did it. These are simply possibilities to consider.”

The JOSH master plan area (boundary map here) includes the following demographics:

Population: 26,600
Employment: 4,400
Median Age: 44.9 years (Cobb median: 36.5)
Median household income: $119K (Cobb: $72K)
Median per capita income: $51K (Cobb: 36K)
Housing: 9.4K units; 98.2% owner-occupied; 99.5% single-family residential detached (Cobb: 66.2%)
Median home value: $347K (Cobb: $219.7K)

JOSH master plan adopted — *The adopted JOSH master plan calls for the preservation of an area dominated by single-family neighborhoods.*

The options presented in the JOSH final draft include redevelopment as a community park and stormwater management facility, with multi-family residential and some retail and restaurant space.

The transportation recommendations call for improving intersections in a number of places, including Johnson Ferry-Shallowford, Shallowford-Wesley Chapel, Shallowford-Mabry and creating a roundabout at Hembree Road and Lassiter Road.

The “sense of place” suggestions include design guidelines along Johnson Ferry and Shallowford that would include streetscape amenities including decorative street lights and pedestrian lights, unified landscaped medians, wider sidewalks and street furniture.

The study also suggests the creation of a “community based stakeholder association” that would consider citizen ideas and collaboration on new development and design.

The JOSH master plan was the fourth authorized by Ott, who is retiring at the end of the year after 12 years in office.

The others include the Vinings Vision Plan, Powers Ferry Corridor Plan and Johnson Ferry Design Guidelines, the latter of which pertained to future aesthetics in the mostly-commercial area between Roswell Road and the Chattahoochee River.

The JOSH area was placed in the District 2 area Ott serves in 2017. He said this plan is similar to the Vinings plan in that it’s a “preservation” plan.

Residents of the JOSH area, he said, were very clear during the master plan process about maintaining the single-family feel of the community, which has no rental developments and limited commercial areas.

“The purpose of these master plans was to give the community a say about what they want,” Ott said, saying the JOSH plan “will be a useful tool for my successor.”

Johnson Ferry-Shallowford community — *Citizens of the JOSH area look over maps during a Jan. 2019 community meeting.*

Cobb schools to provide free student meals starting Sept. 14

September 9, 2020September 9, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

Following Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s July 16 announcement that the 2020-2021 school year would start with a fully remote learning model, the Cobb Schools Food and Nutrition Services began preparing to provide breakfast and lunches to students in a way that best supports the remote environment.

Starting on September 14, parents will be able to pick-up free meal kits for the entirety of the week. Meal kits are available to all students ages 0-18 and children do not need to be enrolled in Cobb County School District.

Most Cobb schools will schedule meal kit pick-ups. Specific times and dates can be found on the Cobb Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) website. Families do not need to pre-order meal kits.

Food-Distribution Pricing

Meal kits are free for students, but family dinners and adult-only kits can still be ordered through the MyPaymentsPlus.com website. Families that would like to order more kits than they have students are also eligible to use their Free or Reduced-Priced benefits when ordering at MyPaymentsPlus.com.

Families who have not already applied should submit an application here to determine if they qualify for Free or Reduced-Priced benefits.

The to-go meal kits will include items that can be reheated at home. Reheating instructions and a menu will be provided in meal kits.

Food-Distribution Pickup

On the day of pickup, parents should plan to arrive at the school of their choosing at the designated time and date and let the Cobb FNS staff know how many meal kits are needed for children ages 0-18. Meal kits with breakfast and lunch meals will be provided and placed in the trunk or backseat of the car by Cobb FNS staff.

East Cobb students named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

September 9, 2020September 9, 2020 by Wendy Parker

The first round of the National Merit Scholarship process for a new school year is underway, and a number of students from East Cobb high schools have been named semifinalists.

They’re among 16,000 nationwide vying for a variety of college scholarships whose recipients will be announced in the spring:

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and write an essay.

From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notifi ed of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

LASSITER H. S.
Victoria Dutkiewicz
Aidan Payne
William Shutt

POPE H. S.
Allison D. Gentry
Ryan J. Meredith
Greg K. Park.
William G. Whitaker

SPRAYBERRY H. S.
Allison D. Mawn

WALTON H. S.
Sai Anoop Avunuri
Avi Balakirsky
Vedika Bhatnagar
Eric Brewster
Caroline Brooks
Tia Chacko
Jamison Clark
Emily Feren
Joseph Fisher
Cole Francis
Michael Fu
Nicholas Ge
Kathryn Gilk
Kamen Iliev
Alexander Krupp
Steven Liberman
Taneecia Natarajan Thirulokac
Aditya Palliyil
Emory Paul
Ronak Rana
Manuel Roglan
Shveta Shah
Banglue Wei
Grace Yan
Emily Yang

WHEELER H. S.
Vishaal Ganesh
Matthew House
Caroline Hugh
Anushka Jain
Vishaal Kareti
Dmitry Kozhanov
Oliver Long
David MacDonald
Samuel Maloney
Alexander Mena
Aryaman Mukherji
Michelle Namgoong
Nikki Nobari
Adetomi Oderinde
Elijah Reyelts
Manav Shah
Sanjay Srihari
Wesley Swanson
Aniketh Tadepalli
Rachel Toole
Erica Wu
Julie Yan
Charles Yu

Cobb commissioners adopt major changes to sex shop ordinance

September 8, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Cobb sex shop changes — *A mobile sign in front of the new Tokyo Valentino store on Johnson Ferry Road has been removed.*

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved major changes to the county code governing the operation of sexually oriented businesses.

Commissioners adopted the new ordinance provisions on its consent agenda, and after a second required public hearing attracted no speakers.

The code amendments would limit sex shops and other adult businesses to two industrial zoning categories. All such businesses would be required to obtain a special license and employees would have to be issued a special permit.

(You can read through the code amendments here. Reader discretion is advised, since there are some explicit descriptions of sexual acts, body parts and devices.)

The aim is to combat what a lawyer consulting with the Cobb County Attorney’s office calls the “adverse secondary effects” of sexually oriented businesses, including crime and loitering, to nearby areas.

The changes come after Tokyo Valentino, an Atlanta-based adult retail chain, opened a store on Johnson Ferry Road in the former Mattress Firm location across from Merchant’s Walk.

The store was granted a business license as a general retail operation under the name 1290 Clothing Co., but opened as Tokyo Valentino.

Another Tokyo Valentino store opened in Sandy Springs last year under similar circumstances.

The ordinance changes also prohibit sexually oriented businesses from operating within 750 feet of residentially zoned land, within 1,500 feet of a school, religious facility, government-owned or run building, 1,000 feet of another sexually oriented business and 500 feet of another business licensed to sell alcohol, either on premises or a package store.

While nobody spoke in favor of or against the code amendments during the public hearings, Daniel White, who began an online petition against Tokyo Valentino, told East Cobb News he was sending a written statement in support of the measures.

Here’s what he submitted for the record:

“Based on the short notice and change to live public comments vs. online comments, I am submitting this on behalf of the 2,906 people who have signed the change.org petition to reject the sex shop on Johnson Ferry. I believe good can come from this for all Cobb County residents and not just the residents of East Cobb. The well researched common sense changes to the ordinance have our support to—as well outlined—establish reasonable and uniform regulations that prevent the secondary deleterious effects of these businesses in residential areas.

“These regulations are limiting and not prohibitive. They allow for the rights to operate these businesses and take into consideration common sense conditions for operating. Since the shop has opened it has installed outdoor color changing strobe like dance lights on the front and parked a large explicit mobile sign in front as well. We are certain that these ‘near legal tactics’ will continue. The sexually oriented permanent sign is tragedy to the progress we have made in the awareness of sexualizing and exploiting women. It’s tasteless and taunting. If the owner wanted to work with the community he would not continue to lie and hide.

“In thIs meeting of Cobb County commissioners, we support the affirmative vote on the sweeping changes to the Cobb County sexually oriented business ordinances effectively putting these businesses where they belong—not out of business as it is their right—but out of our neighborhoods by effectively banning their operations near schools, residences, and churches.

“This means that the 2,906 people who have signed this that represent nearly 9,000 east cobb residents will have had a positive voice in government. In today’s day, you should not have to show up to a specific meeting to have your voices heard. There are so many listening avenues and I’m glad you have heard us, worked hard and found ways to balance business and resident input. The well researched 30 page document outlines the blight these businesses cause and the trouble they bring. It is naive and insulting to say that opponents of this ordinance are ‘just a bunch of moms.’ Because it is not a bunch of ‘moms’ that keep these places open and frequent them enough to stay open. It is people who go often. It’s the rule of any business and if you’re in a sex shop often you don’t need to be 3/10’s of a mile from a school or within a few hundred yards of kids walking to school, a Chick-fil-A or a Starbucks or for that matter directly across the street from an Old Navy.

“The changes make good sense.”

Woman dies in crash near Johnson Ferry-Shallowford intersection

September 8, 2020September 8, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Johnson Ferry-Shallowford intersection closed

Cobb Police said a woman died Tuesday morning when her car collided with a dump truck near the Johnson Ferry-Shallowford intersection.

Police said Janet Muse, 62 of Roswell, was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was driving a 2010 Lincoln around 10:40 a.m. and was attempting to turn left from Chimney Lake Drive on to Shallowford Road eastbound when her car was hit by a dump truck heading west on Shallowford, according to police.

Police said the truck, driven by Keith Rosado, 50, of Cartersville, had a green light, and struck the driver’s side of the Lincoln in the intersection.

Police said Rosado was unhurt. The crash investigation is continuing and anyone with information is asked to call Cobb Police at 770-499-3987.

The Johnson Ferry-Shallowford intersection and surrounding areas were closed for a time after the accident but traffic reopened by mid-afternoon.

ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:30 P.M.

The busy intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Shallowford Road is closed due to a fatal crash Tuesday.

According to a Cobb government message posted around 1:20 p.m., the accident vehicles have been cleared, but Cobb police and fire units are conducting an investigation into the crash. The closure is expected to last for several hours.

No other information about the incident is immediately available. Officer Shenise McDonald, a Cobb Police public information officer, said more details will be coming.

Cobb commissioners argue over COVID rental relief programs

September 12, 2020September 8, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Lisa Cupid, Cobb Board of Commissioners — *Cobb commissioner Lisa Cupid*

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday rejected a proposal to spend $2 million in federal CARES Act funding for renters facing eviction because of what some said was a lack of accountability.

But the board did pass a substitute motion to provide the same amount of rental assistance through a previously approved program that helps homeowners adversely affected by COVID-19 in making mortgage payments.

The measure turned down by a 3-2 vote was proposed by South Cobb commissioner Lisa Cupid, and would have designated three non-profit organizations—MUST Ministries, the Center for Family Resources and Sweetwater Mission—to screen applicants who could receive up to $4,800 in funding.

Those eligible for the help can earn no more than 80 percent of the area media income, and they can include renters in apartments and single-family homes.

Cupid said later in the meeting that commissioners who voted against her proposal supported the substitute that was proposed on Friday, before a long holiday weekend, without being vetted.

The proposals were considered after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a moratorium on COVID-related evictions nationwide through the end of the year.

The mortgage assistance program, called the Cobb Home Saver Program, earmarks $4.8 million. A $1.5 million rental relief program sponsored by East Cobb commissioner Bob Ott was approved in May, but it’s restricted to apartment dwellers.

“We are trying to keep people off the streets,” Cupid said. “We are trying to keep people in homes. . . All of these programs are about keeping people in housing during this pandemic.”

During a lengthy discussion, commissioner JoAnn Birrell of Northeast Cobb said she preferred only one service provider to be designated to approve applications under Cupid’s proposal.

“I know there’s a need and time is of the essence,” she said. “I still have reservations. We just can’t give away money without accountability.”

Ott said that Cupid improved the proposals but he still objects to what he he sees as tenants not having “some skin in the game.” His rental relief program requires renters to pay at least 20 percent of whatever amount they can negotiate with a landlord.

Cupid’s plan includes no such mandates, but applicants must have pursued assistance elsewhere first.

Commissioner Keli Gambrill of North Cobb claimed the memoranda of understanding (MUST, CFR, Sweetwater) lacked safeguards to prevent applicants who’ve received CARES Act funding in Ott’s rental assistance program from getting additional funds.

Cupid replied that each of the organizations would have spreadsheets indicating who’s come to them for assistance, but Ott said that’s not a guarantee.

She also said that when commissioners voted in July to approve an $8.1 million request by the Cobb County School District for online instructional content, “you said it was hands off.”

The three non-profits chosen for Cupid’s program, she said, all have strong reputations in the community.

Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce was the only other vote in favor of Cupid’s proposal, saying it’s “trying to cover a gap that’s complex and layered. I’m going to support it because the need is there.”

Ott’s substitute motion to provide $2 million in rental assistance through the Cobb Home Saver program was approved 4-1, with Cupid voting against.

Cupid, who is challenging Boyce in the November general election, said near the end of the meeting that “this is not the first time there has been a double standard” in her eight years as a commissioner.

She accused her colleagues of “underhanded” tactics, said she will continue to work with them and treat them the way she’d want to be treated, “despite today’s disappointment.”

Cobb was allotted $132 million in CARES Act funding, and has spent the largest portion—$50 million—on small business relief grants that are in a second round of applications.

After the meeting, Shari Martin, head of the Cobb Community Foundation, another leading county non-profit, said it “was a very disheartening morning for organizations that have long served this community.”

Chattahoochee Plantation resident gets 99th birthday surprise

September 8, 2020 by Wendy Parker

Chattahoochee Plantation resident 99tj birthday, Jane Agati

Thanks to Marsha Brenner for the photos and the note below about Jane Agati, a longtime resident of Chattahoochee Plantation known to many there as the “Ole Soft Shoe Lady” and who got an incredible surprise for her 99th birthday on Aug. 31:

“Over 70 friends stopped by at staggered times, masked and socially distanced, to wish one of our communities sharpest and happiest senior citizens a ‘Happy Birthday.’

Jane served in WW2 as a Navy Wave, is known for her ‘Ole Soft Shoe’ Tap Dancing and her GORGEOUS flower gardens.

Jane and her now deceased husband Nick proudly made home made Italian sausages and served a special annual, Atlanta Country Club members gourmet Spaghetti dinner, for 54 years! Sadly COVID-19 prevented her this year from continuing this tradition—but she was ready, willing and amazingly able . . . had the pandemic not happened.

Jane’s ‘Stop by’ Birthday celebration also included a surprised visit by both Cobb County Police and Firefighters. At first she thought she was being arrested! But soon realized the wonderful men and women of our local Police and Fire departments were there to congratulate her. And, in truest form—she tap danced to say thank you for their kind well wishes!

Jane is truly an icon in East Cobb. She is blessed with amazingly good health and LOTS of great FRIENDS!

Chattahoochee Plantation resident 99tj birthday, Jane Agati

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More East Cobb people

As East Cobb man turns 100, ‘I never worry about tomorrow’

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