Two women were arrested on Tuesday night on drug-related charges near Keheley Elementary School in Northeast Cobb.
According to Cobb Sheriff’s Office records, Brenda Craver, 63, and Latricia Patton, 40, were taken into custody at 4263 Keheley Road, located around the corner from the school on Keheley Drive.
Craver, of an Acworth address, is facing three felonies, including possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 yards of an elementary school. Her bond is $27,720, according to jail records.
Patton, of a Keheley Road address, is charged with possession of methamphetamine and several misdemeanor drug counts, and her bond is $6,820.
Both women are charged with a misdemeanor count of prowling, according to jail records, which indicate they are still in custody.
WSB-TV, which first reported the arrests, said neighbors notified the police after noticing an unfamiliar and suspicious truck at a nearby building.
East Cobb News does not publish photographs of crime suspects before their cases have gone through the legal system, and then only if they are convicted or plead guilty and are sentenced.
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Leaders of the Walton High School Marching Raider Band have announced the location of the 2019 garage sale donations site. Now through Friday, March 8, 2019, donations may be brought to 1290 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The 2019 garage sale will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walton High School, 1590 Bill Murdock Rd, Marietta, GA 30062.
The annual garage sale is one of the largest fundraisers for the 150-member marching band. Proceeds support the marching band program and help provide a high-quality experience for East Cobb students attending George H. Walton Comprehensive High School.
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Boyce offered a “State of the County” address to the East Cobb Business Association members at their January luncheon Tuesday. (ECN photo: Wendy Parker)
In sharpening his fiscal year 2020 budget proposal he’ll take around the county starting this spring, Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce said Tuesday that he’s adamant he won’t be asking for a tax increase.
He also wants to give all county employees a pay raise, open all library branches on Sunday, begin drawing down the amount of money transferred from Cobb water system revenues and eliminate senior fees that were imposed during a contentious budget process in 2018.
And how to pay for all this without raising taxes?
“The county is on fire,” Boyce told East Cobb News Tuesday afternoon after addressing the East Cobb Business Association monthly luncheon at the Olde Towne Athletic Club.
That was a reference to a growing tax digest—2018 was a record year for that, at $36.7 billion—and what he said was the beginning of restoring some county services that had been cut back since the recession.
In order to do that, however, Boyce got an increase of 1.7 mills for the general fund, which pays for most county government expenses.
It was a grueling process, as he conducted a number of town hall meetings and got his $454 million general fund budget, but only by a 3-2 margin. His fellow East Cobb residents, commissioners Bob Ott and JoAnn Birrelll, voted against him.
But the additional funding closed what he said was a $30 million deficit and enabled the hiring of more police officers and road work crews, and the opening of regional libraries on Sunday.
His remarks were similar to those he made last week to the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Boyce doesn’t have a formal budget proposal yet, and some details—such as how big an employee pay raise may be—also haven’t been included.
But he said he’s confident growth in the tax digest in 2019 would enable the county to continue adding services without a millage hike.
“I made a promise last year that I wouldn’t do it [in 2020],” he said, adding that the county is still finding other budget savings.
He received applause for that sentiment, as well as expanding library hours, additional nature trail acquisitions and the purchase of greenspace (including part of the Tritt property next to East Cobb Park).
Boyce also outlined for the ECBA audience of around 100 members and guests a number of business developments, including development around SunTrust Park, which will open its third season as the Atlanta Braves home venue in April.
The stadium, partly financed by the county—and with an annual general fund cost of $8.6 million—has been the magnet for so much more than that. The Battery Atlanta mixed-use project developed by the Braves has become a year-round hub of commercial, retail, restaurant and entertainment activity that’s attracting more business growth.
“Forget the stadium, it’s The Battery that’s driving development,” Boyce said. “It’s sparked a halo effect in the Cumberland CID area and beyond.”
He also predicted that the county would begin recouping that $8.6 million budget investment “sooner than I thought,” but didn’t offer a prediction of when that might be.
Looking ahead to 2019, Boyce said transit and transportation issues will loom larger. The county conducted a transit survey that was released in December that indicated that nearly 60 percent of respondents would support a sales tax for new projects.
Before any transit options are decided, there will be town hall meetings and a likely referendum in 2021.
As for the next Cobb budget, Boyce said a total of 16 town halls coming in March and April—including two a day in some cases—will seek taxpayer feedback as was done last year.
“I just want you to enjoy your life,” Boyce said. “Cobb is in as good a place as it’s ever been.”
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CobbWorks staff is hosting a free workshop series this month, presented by employment expert Leeza Byers. The two-hour classes will provide participants with the tools and techniques needed to conduct effective job campaigns in today’s competitive market.
Creating a Rock Solid Career Marketing Kit 9-11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 18 Learn how to get noticed and have your resume read.
Creating a Web Presence and Maximizing LinkedIn 9-11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 25 Learn how to use the Internet to your advantage.
Mastering Interviews and Maintaining Focus 9-11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 1 Learn how to sell yourself and negotiate your salary. Develop a plan of action and stay connected.
All of the workshops will be held at the CobbWorks Workforce Development Center, 463 Commerce Park Drive, Suite 100, Marietta. Registration is required. To register, call 770-528-4300 or email information@cobbworks.org.
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Mike Collins of Wheeler, at left, and Jep Irwin of Lassiter were the deans of East Cobb football coaches. Photo: ECN file
Principal Peter Giles announced this afternoon that Mike Collins, the Wheeler football coach, has resigned to accept another position.
Giles released the letter at the bottom to the Wheeler community. He did not indicate where Collins is going.
Collins was 37-56 in his time with the Wildcats, and had two winning seasons. Wheeler made three trips to the state playoffs in his tenure, in 2012, 2015 and 2016.
In 2018, Wheeler started out with a promising 5-0 record. The Wildcats also returned to the state rankings for the first time in 27 years, but missed the state playoffs after losing four of their last five games to finish 6-4.
In their final two games, the Wildcats gave up 76 points to Westlake, then surrendered a 14-point lead to Pebblebrook in a win-or-go-home playoff setting in losing their season finale.
The Wildcats were flying high in the first half of the 2018 season. Photo: ECN file
Collins is the second East Cobb football coach to leave his position since the end of last season.
In December, Jep Irwin stepped down after nine seasons at Lassiter. The Trojans were 1-9 in his final year. His successor has not been named.
The other four East Cobb high schools have named new coaches in the last two years. Walton’s Daniel Brunner has taken the Raiders to the state playoffs in both of his seasons, as has Brett Sloan of Kell, a former Walton assistant.
Former Pope player Tab Griffin also has guided the Greyhounds to a playoff berth, while Sprayberry’s Brett Vavra continues rebuilding the Yellow Jackets at his alma mater.
Collins, who previously coached at Chamblee and Pebblebrook, was hired at Wheeler in late 2009 to succeed Tom Flugum, who is now the Pope High School principal. Wheeler’s football fortunes had long faded from its days when Corky Kell presided in the 1970s, and as the school became better known for its basketball success.
In his letter, Giles thanked Collins, saying he has “done a tremendous job in improving the facilities, building a supportive and well-organized booster club, and developing the football program.”
Giles said Wheeler athletics director Troy Jones is accepting applications for Collins’ replacement.
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They’re having a “reunion” dance there on Friday, and it’s open to anyone 55 and older, whether they’ve been a member of the club or not.
The attire is formal/dressy, and a live band will be playing from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
The cost is $10, and participants are asked to bring a sweat or savory treat for the buffet table.
East Cobb Senior Center is located at 3332 Sandy Plains Road. Here’s what else is going on there the rest of January, and for information, call 770-509-4900:
Cooking Class with Pampered Chef
CSS membership required
Wednesday, January 16
11:30 a.m.
Registration required
$8 supply fee payable to the instructor
History Corner: “Forgotten Ellis Island”
CSS membership required
Tuesday, January 22
1-2p.m.
This is the first film about the once abandoned immigrant hospital on Ellis Island. In the era before antibiotics, tens of thousands of immigrant patients were separated from family, detained in the hospital, and healed from illness before becoming citizens.
Dine-a-Round
No CSS membership required
Wednesday, January 23
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Stockyard Burgers & Bones 26 Mill St, Marietta
Separate checks for lunch; Registration required. Everyone meets at the restaurant.
Couponing Seminar
CSS membership required
Wednesday, January 30
1-2 p.m.
Free/Registration required
Couponing is great way to save money and even get a little cash back. It is a popular hobby and even a TV show. Join us and learn how to not only clip paper coupons but move into the digital age with your mobile device. You can now use coupons right from your phone.
AARP Smart Driver
No CSS membership requiredJanuary 24
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
$15 AARP members / $20 Non-members
Check with your insurance agent about a possible discount. Bring a lunch.
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With the longest government shutdown in U.S. history entering its fourth week, members of the U.S. Senate, including Georgia’s Johnny Isakson, have reintroduced legislation that would prohibit them in the future.
On Friday Isakson announced he has co-sponsored the End Government Shutdowns Act, which would permanently ban shutdowns. The bill, which was introduced on Thursday, is being sponsored by several Republican senators.
Isakson, an East Cobb Republican, has co-sponsored the bill each year since 2012. It has never passed. Isakson said in a statement:
“It is wrong to continue the constant threat of a government shutdown, and Americans should expect their government to function and budget responsibly. Too often, last-minute omnibus bills do little to address out-of-control spending, while shutdowns cut off essential federal government services and force Americans to bear the burden of Congress’ dysfunction. This is the one proposal in Washington that will work to end these irresponsible shutdowns that harm Georgians and Americans.”
The bill would would automatically continue funding for discretionary programs that haven’t had a budget approved by the Oct. 1 deadline for each fiscal year.
If spending bills haven’t been approved for 120 days after the Oct. 1 deadline, budgets for those programs would be reduced by one percent.
Funding would further reduced by one percent every 90 days thereafter until appropriations are approved by Congress.
The current shutdown came about when Congress did not include $5.7 billion demanded by President Donald Trump for the construction of a wall across the entire U.S. border with Mexico.
Both the House and the Senate approved stopgap spending measures before Christmas to keep the government open, but Trump indicated he wouldn’t sign.
This week the president spoke on national television to make his case for border funding.
Georgia’s junior senator, David Perdue, one of Trump’s most vocal supporters, defended the president this week, saying the border funding is about national security.
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Earlier this week new 6th District Congresswoman Lucy McBath announced she is co-sponsoring legislation expanding background checks for firearms sales.
U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath
The Marietta Democrat spoke from the House floor and at a press conference for H.R. 8, called the “Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019.” It would require background checks for every purchase of a gun, including those sold by private vendors.
She is one of 173 co-sponsors, most of them Democrats, who have made gun-control efforts one of their top priorities since taking control of the House in November elections.
McBath defeated Republican incumbent Karen Handel as part of that electoral surge.
The bill was introduced on Tuesday, the 8th anniversary of the shooting of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. She was one of 13 people injured in a rampage that killed six others.
McBath’s 17-year-old son, a former student at Marietta High School, was killed at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a gunman upset at loud music coming from his car. She became nationally prominent in gun-control advocacy after that.
“Too often gun sales without background checks have allowed guns to end up in the hands of violent criminals,” McBath said at a Democratic press conference in Washington that included Giffords. “By closing these loopholes and expanding background checks, we will make our communities safer. . . Quite simply, background checks save lives.”
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Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that BioIQ, a health IT company, will create 500 jobs and invest more than $5 million in Cobb County through the location of its new headquarters. New jobs will include positions in technology, sales and operations.
“BioIQ has significant reach across the nation and has proven itself to be a leader in health care innovation,” said Deal. “By locating its headquarters in Cobb County, BioIQ will join Georgia’s thriving technology innovation sector and enjoy the benefits of our deep talent pool. I am confident BioIQ will find quick and lasting success with the help of Georgia’s low-tax, top-ranked business climate. We are proud to welcome BioIQ to the No. 1 state for business and we look forward to the growth of this partnership in the years to come.”
BioIQ simplifies health testing and immunization programs for health plans, employers and government organizations, and empowers people to take action to improve their health. BioIQ’s platform provides a single-source solution to drive health plan quality, cost savings and value-based care initiatives. The platform configures and connects national laboratories, diagnostics companies, digital health solutions and other stakeholders through underlying engagement, analytics and interoperability technology.
“We selected Atlanta as BioIQ’s headquarters because of the city’s exceptional talent pool, forward-thinking business community, and convenient access to our growing client base,” said BioIQ CEO Justin Bellante. “Our Cobb County headquarters is a reflection of BioIQ’s investment in its employees and commitment to bringing together talent, technology and innovation to achieve our mission of positively impacting 100 million lives.”
BioIQ works with more than 35 leading health plans, including seven of the nation’s ten largest health plans. BioIQ enables individuals to conveniently access care at more than 16,000 locations, including leading retail pharmacies and lab testing centers across the county.
“Cobb County has proven to be a top site for corporate relocation and expansion,” said Sharon Mason, president and CEO of the Cobb Chamber. “We’re excited for BioIQ to expand their presence and relocate their global corporate headquarters in our community. BioIQ’s investment in our county represents a collaborative effort between our regional and statewide partners to establish a pipeline of skilled workers ready to meet the needs of today’s industry leaders.”
Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Project Manager Sunny Anderson represented the Global Commerce Division in partnership with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Development Authority of Cobb County, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Georgia EMC.
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They’re being affected by major development changes all around them, and wonder what will happen to their community in transition, as higher-density commercial and residential projects are being approved or are being earmarked that way for the future.
The linchpin of the evolving corridor, the forthcoming MarketPlace Terrell Mill mixed-use development, was among those properties up for consideration Tuesday by the Cobb Planning Commission.
The board voted 3-1 to recommend amending the Cobb future land use map for the 24-acre tract at Powers Ferry and Terrell Mill roads for the Regional Activity Center with a high-density residential node that county commissioners approved last year.
Changing the future land use plan is typically a formality after rezoning, but some citizens who spoke Tuesday weren’t sure what the amendments meant.
“My area has gone through a lot of change,” said resident Kim Strickland, who got emotional as she spoke. “I would like to know how you’re going to change my community again.”
That was a reference to how she says the area has changed since SunTrust Park opened nearby two years ago.
Apartments and a self-storage facility will be abutting the Salem Ridge condominiums in the back of MarketPlace Terrell Mill.
The MarketPlace Terrell Mill project includes a Kroger superstore on the former site of Brumby Elementary School, as well as shops, restaurants, a nearly 300-unit apartment complex and a self-storage facility.
“Another storage unit in my backyard,” Strickland said. “I’ve got more storage units than Waffle Houses right now. We need to keep low- and medium-density homes that we love.”
That’s a concern that’s been echoed by other residents in the Powers Ferry corridor.
But the area, which includes some single-family homes among a wide array of condominium and apartment complexes, is being eyed for higher-density development, especially of the residential variety.
Just down Powers Ferry, on land known as Restaurant Row, commissioners also last year voted to rezone that property for a mixed-use development, also with multi-family and senior housing, shops and restaurant space.
Planning Commission member Andy Smith, whose District 2 includes the Powers Ferry area, said that the amendment process is simply “looking at matching the future land use to what the zoning already is.”
“We’re not zoning any property here,” added Planning Commission chairwoman Judy Williams.
The 370 acres eyed for future Regional Activity Center zoning is in brown, with the MarketPlace Terrell property noted at ZD-12.
Another proposed amendment by District 2 Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott, would change the future land use of 370 acres in the Windy Hill-Terrell Mill-Powers Ferry area from Community Activity Center, High Density Residential and Park/Recreation/Conservation (PRC) to Regional Activity Center/retail service, Regional Activity Center/high density residential, and Regional Activity Center/open space and recreation.
Dan Davids, who said he has lived in the area in a single-family home “for an extended period,” understands that “change is inevitable. But we ask the question: Where do we fit in? We’d like to continue to live in the area.”
Another resident, Nick Johnson, wanted to know why RAC designation was being sought: “What are the plans?”
Smith explained that there’s not a development proposal now, but “there is a vision for that area that it’s going to be developed in a denser way. What it does is allow a more unified development” in the future.
The community also is being affected by the planned Windy Hill-Terrell Mill Connector. A number of apartment and condo units have already being condemned, and commissioners on Tuesday approved a measure to allow Cobb DOT to condemn four more if negotiations with property owners fall through.
A woman wondered if the amendments would prompt her to move, but Planning Commission member Galt Porter said “this doesn’t mean anybody is going to be kicked out of their house.”
Strickland later apologized for the confusion and acknowledged efforts to “better our area” and “not tear down our homes.”
The Planning Commission voted 3-1 to recommend approval of Ott’s proposed land use change, with Fred Beloin, the appointee of new commissioner Keli Gambrill, opposed.
Cobb commissioners will have the final say, voting on the land use plan amendment proposals next Tuesday.
The former Brumby Elementary School site is being cleared on Powers Ferry Road.
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Cobb Sheriff Neil Warren, a Republican like the president, wrote a letter that was released Tuesday afternoon, saying “I am, like most Americans, fed up with Congress’ refusal to do their jobs and fund the border wall.
“This is not about party affiliation. This is about threats to the residents of our communities. . . . For more than 20 years, we have been asking Congress to provide funding to stop the flow of illegal immigration and the carnage, trauma and suffering it brings to our neighborhoods.”
He referenced violent crimes committed by suspected illegal immigrants in other states, but nothing in Cobb County.
In an Oval Office speech, Trump reiterated his demands for $5.7 billion to construct the wall along the entire southern U.S. border with Mexico. He called the issue “a crisis for the soul,” and mentioned the grisly murder of a Georgia man who was beheaded and dismembered. His illegal immigrant neighbor has been charged with the killing.
The U.S. government has been partially shut down for nearly three weeks after Trump said he would not sign a spending bill without border wall funding. Congressional Democrats are opposed, saying it’s ineffective and doesn’t solve other immigration problems.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer offered a brief response to Trump’s speech, saying they’ll discuss border security only after the shutdown is ended. “We don’t govern by temper tantrum,” Schumer said.
After the speech, U.S. Sen. David Perdue, a Georgia Republican and one of Trump’s most vocal supporters in Congress, hailed the president’s remarks.
Trump, Perdue said, “is right: The only reason the government is still shut down is because Democrats refuse to fund border security. Enough is enough. Focus on the national interest, not political self-interest.”
The president “showed leadership by speaking directly to the American people. The situation at our southern border is a national security crisis. We need a solution now.”
According to the Georgia political publication Insider Advantage, Warren, who was first elected Cobb sheriff in 2004, is planning on running for a fifth term in 2020.
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Once again the AARP is offering free tax preparation services for low and moderate income earners in Cobb County, including three library branches in East Cobb.
The sessions begin on Feb. 1 and end on April 15. Here are the specific dates and times at East Cobb library branches:
No appointments are necessary, and you don’t have to be an AARP member. Services are free and confidential, and electronic filing also is available. Returns are prepared by IRS-certified tax counselors.
Bring your 2017 tax returns and 2018 tax forms, a social security card and identification and a valid check for any direct deposit refunds.
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Cobb Police said around 1 p.m. that a portion of Davidson Road near Lower Roswell Road is closed, and could be for a while, after a semi truck knocked out a power pole.
The police alert said Georgia Power crews were on the scene to make repairs to the pole and electrical lines, which are located near the Goodwill store.
That’s on Davidson Road, right behind Parkaire Landing Shopping Center, and a number of businesses there and in the surrounding area are without power for now.
Police said the closure could last as long as eight hours, and traffic is being diverted through parking lots.
UPDATED, 3:33 P.M.: Cobb DOT says Davidson Road will be closed through the Tuesday afternoon rush hour. They’ve got the area of the road around the truck blocked off by cones and barricades.
This story will be updated.
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After four votes, Northeast Cobb Republican David Chastain was elected by a 4-3 vote over Democratic newcomer Charisse Davis, who represents part of East Cobb.
Voting with Chastain were the other Republicans on the board: David Banks of East Cobb, Randy Scamihorn of North Cobb and Brad Wheeler of West Cobb.
Davis defeated Republican incumbent Scott Sweeney in November in the Post 6 election (Walton and Wheeler). She was joined by fellow Democrats David Morgan and Jaha Howard of South Cobb.
Cobb school board policy calls for members to choose a chair and vice chair each year at their organizational meeting in January. Republicans have held a 6-1 majority in recent years, and partisan voting lines have made such a proceeding uneventful.
Chastain and Davis were deadlocked at 3-3, with two votes for Scamihorn, after the first round of voting.
Banks (Pope and Lassiter), who initially nominated Chastain, wanted to retain Wheeler, last year’s chairman, which goes against board policy. He wanted to change the policy but got no support.
The board went into recess for around 20 minutes and after reconvening, Chastain again was nominated for chairman, this time getting the other three Republican votes.
Davis was nominated by Howard, who also is newly elected. He then nominated her for vice chairman, but Wheeler was chosen by a 4-3 partisan vote.
Chastain, who represents the Kell and Sprayberry clusters, served as chairman once before during his first term. He was vice chairman last year.
The board also adopted its meeting calendar for the rest of the year. Work sessions take place at 2 p.m. and regular meetings at 7 p.m. on the same day:
Jan. 17
Feb. 13
March 21
April 24
May 16
June 20
July 18
Aug. 22
Sept. 19
Oct. 24
Nov. 14
Dec. 12
Jan. 16, 2020
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Taking the oath of office: Jaha Howard (L), David Chastain (second L) and Charisse Davis (R), with Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton presiding.
Surrounded by two new members of the Cobb Board of Education, David Chastain was sworn in for his second term Monday night anticipating the next few years to come.
“I feel very good about the last four years,” said Chastain, who represents the Kell and Sprayberry clusters, “and I’m very optimistic about the next four.”
As he spoke, he was looking around a meeting room at the Cobb County School District central office that was packed with well-wishers for the three individuals elected in November.
Many turned out to greet the newcomers, including Charisse Davis of Post 6, which includes the Walton and Wheeler clusters. Also joining the board Monday was Jaha Howard, who represents the Osborne and Campbell clusters.
They were sworn in by Harold Melton, the Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court and a 1984 graduate of Wheeler High School.
With the additions of Democrats Davis and Howard, who succeed Republicans, the Cobb school board has a 4-3 Republican majority.
Post 6 also includes a sliver of the Campbell High School area, where Davis lives. She defeated two-term incumbent Scott Sweeney and said she’s been meeting with parents and school groups in East Cobb for the last two months.
“We have a lot of work to do board,” said Davis, a former teacher who’s a librarian in Fulton County. “I want people to know that I’ve been listening to them.”
She’s having another open meeting session at Dickerson Middle School Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. It’s not a formal town hall format, she said, but a chance for parents to discuss their education concerns with her.
Chastain said he recalls that as he first joined the board four years ago, he didn’t quite understand how much of a learning curve it would entail. He said he’s been impressed with his new colleagues thus far.
“We’re a new team and bring our own diversity to the challenges we face,” Chastain said. “They’re engaged already, and as we move forward we be facing them together.”
He said he feels good about where the school district stands in terms the budget. The current fiscal year 2019 budget of $1.2 billion includes additional pay raises for employees.
“Right now we’re looking good,” he said, and felt confident the district could handle any issues that may come if interest rates go up or other financial matters arise.
Changes in the Cobb legislative delegation (now majority Democrat), as well as a new governor also will bear watching.
Getting to know her new constituents and school communities is an admittedly sizable task for Davis, but when asked if she feels overwhelmed, she smiled and said, “I’ve been a teacher.”
The board will meet Tuesday morning to elect a chair and a vice chair for the 2019 calendar year. That starts at 9 at 514 Glover St., Marietta.
“I want people to know that I’ve been listening to them,” said new school board member Charisse Davis. (East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)
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Cobb seniors gave Mike Boyce an earful last year for his proposals to impose fees at county senior centers. (ECN file)
As we posted yesterday, Cobb Commission chairman Mike Boyce is outlining his priorities for the county’s fiscal year 2020 budget.
At his State of the County remarks Monday morning at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce breakfast, Boyce offered his general priorities, but didn’t offer many specifics.
Among them is no tax increase, following last year’s hike of 1.7 mills in the current $454 million FY 2019 budget that runs through October.
He also wants to offer all county employees a pay raise and to reduce the amount of Cobb Water Department revenues transferred to the county general fund budget from 10 percent to nine percent.
Also on his wish list is expanding Sunday public library hours to all branches and eliminating membership and user fees for senior services that were imposed in 2018.
Another proposal will call for additional public health spending to address opioid addiction and neo-natal deaths.
In his remarks to the Chamber, which he previewed in this video presentation, Boyce explained what additional services county government provided in what he called a “restoration budget.” (His remarks about the budget come around the 15:20 mark).
Boyce didn’t indicate how much his priorities would cost, or how they would be paid for without another tax increase.
Town hall meetings about the budget will take place in June and July, with final adoption expected in late July.
“I’m very optimistic about the future of Cobb,” he said in the video. “Yes, we have challenges, but they’re ones that can be confidently addressed by our county staff and board of commissioners.”
Boyce will be speaking to the East Cobb Business Association on Jan. 15 and to the East Cobb Civic Association on Jan. 30.
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Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church will feature a guest speaker this weekend on the subject of human trafficking.
Mary Frances Bowley is the president and founder of Wellspring Living, which fights childhood sexual abuse and exploitation. The event, “You Can Help: Combat Human Trafficking,” takes place Saturday from 7-9:30 p.m. at the church (4385 Lower Roswell Road).
Last week we noted efforts by the Cobb District Attorney’s office to get a Windy Hill Road motel to address concerns about sex trafficking, with the threat of forfeiting its property.
Bowley is a member of the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force, and other related organizations will be onhand at the Mt. Bethel event with information on how the public can help.
Also next Tuesday, Jan. 15, the East Cobb Middle School PTSA is holding a forum on similar topics for middle school and high school students and their parents.
“Hidden Dangers” will explore trafficking issues, social media, “sexting” and pornography. Guest speakers include Susan Norris of Rescuing Hope and Jeff Shaw of Out of Darkness.
The title comes from a U.S. Department of Justice statistic that for 76 percent of predators, their most common first encounter is online.
Last month a Canadian man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a Cobb girl he contacted online, and whom he arranged to meet in person. He was arrested at the Atlanta airport.
The event takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. at East Cobb Middle School (825 Terrell Mill Road), and there are separate events for students and parents. Click here to register.
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The first meeting next Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m., at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church (2663 Johnson Ferry Road). Additional meetings are scheduled for Feb. 12 and March 12, at the same time and venue.
Representatives from the Cobb Community Development Department and other county government agencies will be on hand, and this first meeting will include a presentation to “re-familiarize” the public with the master plan scope and process, followed by breakout sessions.
Topics include land use, parks and recreation, transportation and stormwater management.
The master plan concept that is developed from the JOSH meetings will be incorporated into the Cobb 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
The master plan process is similar to others done in the county at the behest of district commissioners. District 2 commissioner Bob Ott, whose constituency now includes the Johnson Ferry-Shallowford area, has had previous master plans conducted for the Powers Ferry and Johnson Ferry corridors and Vinings.
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I got really lucky Sunday afternoon finding a parking space in front of East Cobb Park, which was packed with people walking their dogs, tossing around a football, having cookouts, riding swings and just enjoying a sunny January afternoon that nearly reached 70 degrees.
It was the last day of an otherwise soggy and cold holiday season. The sun and warmth will stick around for the first part of the week as Cobb students head back to school, with highs in the 60s.
Toward the end of the week it will start to get colder, with highs in the 40s and lows in the 30s and 20s. The rain returns next weekend.
Before leaving I took a look at the free library box near the front of the park. I had seen it from a distance but for some reason had not been curious to see what books had been left there. You can drop off books for others too.
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