East Cobb News

Nearly 200k have voted in Cobb after 2 weeks of early voting

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There are still Saturday and Sunday totals to be added, but Cobb Elections is saying that through Friday, a grand total of 197,.548 ballots have been cast in  the first two weeks of early voting for the 2024 general elections.cobb advance voting, Cobb voter registration deadline, Walton and Dickerson PTSA candidates forum

The Georgia Secretary of State’s office Election Data Hub reports that that’s nearly 40 percent of Cobb’s registered voters, with six more days of early voting plus election day on Nov. 5.

Voting continues from Sunday 12-5, but at limited locations. The East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road) will be among them.

That will be the last weekend day for early voting. Next week, early voting will be Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m at 12 locations, including the East Cobb Government Service Center and the Tim D. Lee Senior Center (3332 Sandy Plains Road).

You can also drop off an absentee ballot at the East Cobb Government Service Center during early voting hours.

Those are also record figures statewide, as Georgia remains in play in the presidential race. Both the Harris and Trump campaigns will continue to appear in the state and metro Atlanta in the final week.

Across the state, more than 2.5 million votes have been cast, reflecting a turnout of nearly 50 percent of registered voters in Georgia.

Cobb Elections figures show that of those early votes already cast, 7,750 are absentee ballots that have been mailed in, out of nearly 12,000 returned. More than 27,000 absentee ballots have been requested as of Friday, the deadline for doing so.

Here are the individual breakdowns through Friday at each of the early voting locations.

  • Tim D. Lee Senior Center: 26,953
  • Smyrna Community Center: 23,871
  • East Cobb Government Service Center: 21,261
  • Cobb Elections Office: 21,242
  • Ben Robertson Community Center: 17,098
  • South Cobb Community Center: 16,611
  • Boots Ward Recreation Center: 16,108
  • North Cobb Senior Center: 13,715
  • Ron Anderson Recreation Center: 12,202
  • West Cobb Regional Library: 11,411
  • Collar Park Community Center: 6,213
  • Fair Oaks Recreation Center: 5,112

For more early voting information in Cobb, click here. Voters must bring a valid photo ID with them to the polls (click here for details).

To check your voter registration status, and to get a customized sample ballot, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

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East Cobb church donates $20K for hurricane relief

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Lutheran Church of the Resurrection burglary arrests

Submitted information:

In response to the devastating impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton across the Southeast, Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (LCR) has launched a community-wide fundraiser, “Compassionate Community Response: A Fundraiser to Support Those Affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”

To jumpstart the campaign, LCR is seeding $20,000 from its mission fund and they are calling on the local community to join them in expanding the impact of this gift. After two weeks, a total of $25,490 has been raised with a goal of at least $40,000. Every donation will go directly to 3 trusted organizations providing on-the-ground relief for those affected by these natural disasters including Inspiritus, Lutheran Disaster Response, and the Southeastern Synod Disaster Ministry.

“This is a chance for us to come together and demonstrate the compassion and generosity of our local community. We’ve seen firsthand the destruction these storms have caused, and we want to extend tangible love and support to those who need it most,” said Andy Minard, one of the leaders of LCR.

How to Donate:
Visit lcrmarietta.org/compassion to make a secure contribution, mail a check with “Hurricane Relief” in the memo, or stop by our office at 4814 Paper Mill Road SE, Marietta, GA 30067. 

Together, we can extend love, support, and hope to our neighbors in their time of greatest need.

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Walton HS students, staff to be tested for tuberculosis

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More than 300 at Walton HS to be tested for tuberculosis

Cobb and Douglas Public Health said Friday that around 300 students and staff at Walton High School will have to undergo testing for tuberculosis next week.

Valerie Crow, director of communications for the agency, said in response to an inquiry by East Cobb News Friday afternoon that the testing will take place Tuesday at the school.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that is spread by germs through the air and attacks the lungs and other parts of the body.

Crow said there is one confirmed case of tuberculosis at Walton “and not an outbreak,” but she couldn’t provide more specifics due to federal student privacy laws.

Walton has an enrollment of nearly 2,700 students, one of the largest in the Cobb school district.

Crow said her agency and Cobb County School District staff  identified those who may have been exposed and will be administering a mandatory Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) on Tuesday.

She said that “even though the risk is very minimal, Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) is offering every precaution as recommended by the State of Georgia TB Guidelines.”

Cobb and Douglas Public Health is an agency of the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Crow said those individuals who need to be tested but don’t do so at school Tuesday will be required to get tested by a private doctor.

“They will be responsible to provide a written report on physician’s office letterhead verifying the test was completed, with the date, and test result before they will be permitted to return to school,” Crow said.

She said a positive test means someone has “been exposed to someone with active tuberculosis,” and that all of those who have a positive reaction “will have a chest x-ray to rule out active disease.”

Crow said that if the test x-ray is negative, “they will be offered preventative medication. If the chest x-ray is positive, they will be treated for the disease.”

She provided a link to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control that explains TB exposure in more detail, and “especially the ‘what to expect if you have been named as a contact of someone with active TB disease’ section.”

At least one private pediatric practice in East Cobb has notified patients about the matter, saying that “we understand that receiving this letter could be distressing for your family but want to reassure you that the Department of Public Health will be appropriately screening for any potential infection.

“We ask that you please cooperate with their efforts to make sure your student is properly monitored post-exposure.”

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Company ‘partnering’ with Cobb schools on safety identified

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Company 'partnering' with Cobb schools on safety identified
“Rob” speaking to the Cobb Board of Education on Oct 18, is the founder of an intelligence firm working with the Cobb County School District.

The Cobb County School District’s new partner on safety issues is an intelligence firm that wasn’t identified last week when making a presentation about the new plans before the Cobb Board of Education.

The AJC on Friday revealed the company is the Servius Group, and its CEO and founder is Rob Sarver, and also reported that the district has confirmed that information.

At the meeting last week, the district wouldn’t say how much money it’s spending, but Friday told the newspaper it has has spent less than $200,000 on a non-contractual basis.

At the Oct. 18 school board meeting, four intelligence officials, including a man who identified himself only as “Rob” (above) , who said he was a former Navy SEAL, broadly outlined services they’ll be provide in what Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said would be a long-term association.

They include scraping social media accounts and using a bevy of behavioral indicators to detect possible threats and risks before they happen.

Other efforts involve counterintelligence techniques as well as employing data science and machine-learning components.

While the new partnership came about in the wake of the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School, the new measures are also designed to address gang activity, cyberviolence and other safety threats.

The AJC reported Friday that “the district said Servius would only get basic school directory information such as what schools share with the companies that produce yearbooks, textbooks and diplomas.”

The company has conducted risk assessments at three unidentified schools in the Cobb district and will be conducting others on all campuses, according to Ragsdale’s remarks last week.

The AJC report said it identified Servius through Sarver’s LinkedIn credentials, which indicate he’s the author of an upcoming book, “Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero’s Journey.”

The report said Sarver confirmed that information and said that Servius has worked with schools “elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad.”

Servius Group is based in Florida but there’s little other public information available. A domain name tied to the company is parked with no additional content.

Ragsdale said last week that most of the funding for the intelligence firm will come from previously budgeted sources and a state school safety grant.

The Georgia legislature this year approved an amount of $47,124 per school in state funding to be used for security initiatives.

On Thursday, State Rep. Devan Seabaugh, a Republican from Marietta, issued a release saying that  after brainstorming with Ragsdale about the issue, “I was able to connect the superintendent with highly trained intelligence officials I’ve collaborated with on other projects to explore how cutting-edge technology might be utilized to proactively identify potential threats to school safety.”

“It is certainly a step in the right direction in helping keep our kids, teachers and staff safe, and along with the safety measures already in place I think this approach could serve as a model program for other school districts across the state.”

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Update: Johnson Ferry North trail entrance reopens

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Update: Johnson Ferry North trail entrance reopens
Screenshot

Here’s an update to our report from last month about the temporary closure of the entrance to the Johnson Ferry North trail, due to repairs.

The entrance is at 301 Johnson Ferry Road, just north of the Chattahoochee River, and across from the entrance to Columns Drive

Reader Bob sent us the following report and the map above:

With the closure of JF North, I started running the trail from the Hyde Farm side.  There was a point on the trail that linked back to the Johnson Ferry North parking lot that had been blocked off with netting to prevent anyone from using that section, but today when I ran, that netting no longer existed.  I noted the section below that had been blocked off previously that is now reopened.  At the point where I turned around, there was still work going on but I probably could have gotten all the way to the JF North parking lot if I had wanted to.

The closures lasted a little more than the month anticipated by the National Park Service and was to construct a new culvert.

 

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Cobb teachers of the year honored at Wheeler HS celebration

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Cobb teachers of the year honored at Wheeler HS celebration
Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale with teacher of the year recipients Jamiliah Weathersby (L) of East Cobb Middle School and Evan Howard of Mabry Middle School.

The Cobb County School District gathered school-level teacher of the year honorees this week at Wheeler High School for a celebration.

The event took place in Wildcat Arena, as students from some of the schools cheered on the teachers in a pep-rally format.

They included Karen Wright, the Cobb school district’s teacher of the year, from Big Shanty Elementary School.

Here are the individual teachers of the year from schools in East Cobb:

  • Addison ES, Michelle Sampson
  • Bells Ferry ES, Barbara Barrington
  • Blackwell ES, Courtney LaPonsey
  • Brumby ES, Krista Smith
  • Daniell MS, Kanika Nolasco
  • Davis ES, Melissa Bujnoch
  • Dickerson MS, Jenna Lawrence
  • Dodgen MS, David Gabel
  • East Cobb MS, Jamiliah Weathersby
  • East Side ES, Lisa Kiel
  • Eastvalley ES, Allyson Merritt
  • Garrison Mill ES, Colleen Crotty
  • Hightower Trail MS, Kati Stewart
  • Keheley ES, Katie Biello
  • Kell HS, Lauren Forbes
  • Kincaid ES, Brittney Billingslea
  • Lassiter HS, Erin Corbin
  • Mabry MS, Evan Howard
  • McCleskey MS, Samuel Foster
  • Mt. Bethel ES, Colleen Jankovich
  • Murdock ES, Jennifer Kelly
  • Nicholson ES, Andrea Vernon
  • Pope HS, Peter Trentacoste
  • Powers Feerry ES, Heather Conklin
  • Rocky Mount ES, Adrian Aumann
  • Sedalia Park ES, Emily Tongamoa
  • Sballowford Falls ES, Jamie Nichols
  • Simpson MS, Katey Crispo
  • Sope Creek ES, Kristy Roberts
  • Sprayberry HS, Emily Beatty
  • Timber Ridge ES, Ron Rabil
  • Tritt ES, Alison Friend
  • Walton HS, Rachel Cook
  • Wheeler HS, Will Dezern

Cobb teachers of the year honored at Wheeler HS celebration

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Water outages reported in East Cobb due to emergency repairs

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Water outages reported in East Cobb due to emergency repairs

Cobb government this afternoon said water service is out temporarily in some neighborhoods in East Cobb along Johnson Ferry Road due to emergency repairs.

The neighborhoods include River Hill, below Lower Roswell and near Powers Road.

There was no estimate for when water service may be restored to the area, but the message from the county said “water crews are working to make repairs as fast as possible.”

 

 

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First responders, veterans treated to appreciation lunch

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First responders, veterans treated to appreciation lunch

Submitted information and photos:

How many times has a first responder positively impacted your life without you even realizing it? Probably more times than you can count. Recently, the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team hosted three events in one week focused on the mental health of our local heroes to thank them for their services.

On October 9th, Janice opened her office’s front doors to all Firefighters, Police, Sheriff’s Deputy, Veterans, and local community heroes alike for the semi-annual First Responders Appreciation Lunch. These heroes were hungry for barbeque and appreciation, being the largest turnout of the semi-annual lunch in five years. Sitting down with officers who put their lives on the line every day, Janice heard their stories, laughed with them, and offered the well-deserved rest from protecting our community.

Leftover sweets from the event were not wasted, instead delivered to the Cherokee County 911 center, one of the first 911 Centers in the nation to create a foundation specifically for the mental health and overall nutritionment of the dispatchers.

The Cherokee County 911 Center has even adopted an office dog, named Ruby, to help lighten the emotional weight of the difficult conversations they face daily. Emergency operators are an often neglected aspect of crisis responding, but with this 501(c)(3) foundation, the community can give back to those on call for us 24/7. GA Senator John Albers explains that other public safety offices have established foundations for officers in times of need, which is revolutionary for the holistic health of first responders.

“Let’s say a dispatcher gets cancer, this is where we can help them out personally and internally.” The foundation acknowledges a budget gap hindering the ability to rightly serve our first responders in their times of need without additional tax burdens.

Janice also interviewed U.S. Congressman Rich McCormick about the lack of first responder mental health awareness that exists at the “Fireside Chat” on October 15th.

As an ER Doctor and a U.S. Marine, Congressman McCormick has a vital perspective on the physical and mental challenges first responders face on a daily basis. Working with community members, business owners like Janice Overbeck, and a U.S. Congressman was a great start to serve our local heroes and make lasting change in Metro Atlanta. This change can take form through policy initiative, supporting foundations, or simply saying thank you to a local hero.

For more information on community events at the Janice Overbeck Team office, visit The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/JaniceOverbeckRealEstateTeam/

First responders, veterans treated to appreciation lunch

First responders, veterans treated to appreciation lunch

First responders, veterans treated to appreciation lunch

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Boo Bash; Music in the Park; more

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Boo Bash Halloween fun

Halloween really is around the corner, even if the weather feels like late summer. This weekend’s events in and around East Cobb are celebrations of the season.

They are headlined by the Boo Bash at Avenue East Cobb (4475 Roswell Road) from 11-2 on Saturday. Family-oriented fun presented by the retail center and East Cobb Church includes live music, costume party, trick or treating and all kinds of roaming entertainment. It’s free to all.

If you still want more Halloween fun, there will be a Trunk or Treat from 3-5 Saturday at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (4814 Paper Mill Road) that’s also free and open to the public. In addition to decorated trunks, there will be games, candy, and kid-friendly spooky tunes on the church’s organ and piano.

On Friday, you’re invited to a Hispanic Heritage Festival from 4:30-6 in the courtyard at Walton High School (1590 Bill Murdock Road). Organized by the Walton Spanish Club, festivities include performances, cuisines, and booths, exhibiting different Hispanic countries. Admission is $5, payable in cash at the door.

Gorgeous weather is in store all weekend, including Sunday’s Music in the Park xoncert from 4-6 at East Cobb Park (3322 Roswell Road). It’s the last of the fall concert series, and features students from the Bach to Rock music school.

You can bring food and drink, a blanket and chairs and enjoy the sounds from the back concert shell.

Send Us Your News!

Let East Cobb News know what your organization is doing for our community events calendar.

Pass along your details to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file. Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

 

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Cobb Police identify victim of Northeast Cobb house fire

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Cobb Police said Tuesday said they’re continuing to investigate the death of a man in a house fire in Northeast Cobb last week.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Police said Kevin Huff, 66, was found deceased when first responders arrived at the scene of the fire in the 4700 block of Jamerson Forest Circle on Friday night.

According to police, Cobb Fire and Emergency Services arrived at the scene, as did the Cobb Medical Examiner’s Office, and investigators found “no obvious signs of foul play.”

But the police Major Crimes Investigation Unit is conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.

According to Cobb property tax records, Huff was the owner of the home in question, which was located in a neighborhood off Jamerson Road and near Kell High School.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Cobb Police at 770-499-3945.

 

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East Cobb Quilters’ Guild donates items for hurricane relief

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East Cobb Quilters' Guild donates items for hurricane relief
Linda Agnello dropping off donated quilts and other items at a quilting shop in North Carolina.

The East Cobb Quilters’ Guild is holding its annual community service meeting Friday at the Catholic Church of St. Ann (4905 Roswell Road), and will be announcing that more than 3,500 quilts and other items will be donated to local charities and organizations.

As this was being planned, Hurricane Helene swept through the North Carolina mountains, causing massive devastation.

Here’s how a local couple responded to help those in need in that hard-hit area, and in particular a sister quilting guild in Asheville:

“Imagine setting up our quilt show, expecting the show to open the next morning. Instead, you awake to widespread devastation for miles around. That was the reality for the Asheville Quilt Guild on September 26 when Hurricane Helene left its mark. 

“Steve and Linda Agnello have been in touch with the Asheville quilt show chair. Her request was not for donations for the Guild, which she believes will be fine. The guild wants contributions ‘to go to help the people in the area, NOT [the] guild.’

“The Asheville Guild extends thanks for your care and concern. Please remember that recovery will be an extended process for the region and the people living there.

“Help is also needed here in Georgia and in our surrounding states. There are many fine organizations delivering much-needed help. One organization with a wide reach is the United Way. Online donations can be made here. You can select the state to which your funds will be sent.

“Donations of finished quilts will be collected at the October meeting. Steve and Linda will collect and arrange delivery of quilts to a quilt store or other agency in the area that is distributing quilts to those people most affected by Helene.”

If you want to help, click here for information on how to donate to the Western North Carolina area. There are links for financial contributions and information on how to donate quilts.

Here’s a brief rundown of some of the local donations to be made at Friday’s event:

  • Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Bereavement Diapers, Scent Pads
  • Northside Hospital – Scent Pads
  • Cobb Schools Homeless Education Program – Flannel Blankets
  • Cobb County Meals on Wheels – Placemats
  • Ryan’s Case for Smiles – Pillowcases
  • Cobb Division of Family & Children Services – Quilts
  • Cobb Family Advocacy Center – Quilts
  • Barbara Crafton Center for Women at the Extension – Quilts
  • Quilts Across American with Tiny Stitches Quilt Shop – Quilts

For more on the East Cobb Quilters’ Guild community service work, click here.

East Cobb Quilters' Guild donates items for hurricane relief

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East Cobb-based non-profit to hold veterans resource fair

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Submitted information:East Cobb-based non-profit to hold veterans resource fair

Georgia’s largest Veteran Resource Fair will take place in less than ten days at the Cobb County Civic Center. Please take a moment and share this reminder with everyone you know.

Details: We CARE Vet Fair by United Military Care, Inc.

  • When: Friday, November 1, 2024 from 9 AM until 5 PM and Saturday, November 2, 9 AM – 3 PM
  • Where: Cobb County Civic Center (548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060)
  • What: Free benefit and resource fair for all currently and previously serving Veterans, families, National Guard, Reservists, Caregivers, and Survivors. Over 100 professional, vetted organizations will be on hand to answer questions and help get you the benefits you earned and the respect you deserve. The VA and GA Dept. of Veteran Services will be on hand to enroll you into VA healthcare, submit claims, file appeals, and more!

Frequently Asked Questions?

A. Admission and parking price?

  • Both admission and parking are free. All services are free to include free haircuts, eye exams, and lunch as supplies last. There is no selling or requests for donations.

B. Must the Veteran live in Cobb County?

  • All Veterans and service members regardless of where they live are invited to attend.

C. Do I need to make an appointment?

  • You do not need to make an appointment with any VA or GA Dept. of Veteran Services personnel. Veterans will be seen on a first come first served basis. You do need to make an appointment for legal assistance which can be done by clicking here for free estate planning (will, power of attorney, and advanced health care directive) and clicking here for an appointment with Veteran Attorneys to discuss appeals or denied claims.

D. Can families of service members or Veterans attend?

  • Absolutely! Join us to better understand what benefits your family or Veteran are eligible for to include aging benefits.

E. Is the Fair for current or recent Veterans only?

  • All Veterans who wore the cloth of the United States of America, regardless of wartime or peace time service are encouraged to attend to learn about the latest new benefits.

F. Is there anyone I can call if I have questions?

  • Yes! Please feel free to contact United Military Care at 770-973-0014 or email us at info@unitedmilitarycare.org – we are here to help.

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East Cobb physician completes National Guard duty in Kosovo

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East Cobb physician completes National Guard duty in Kosovo

Submitted information and photos:

To his patients in and around East Cobb, he’s Dr. Brian Nadolne. But in Kosovo this spring and summer, Lt. Col. Brian Nadolne served with the 48th Brigade of the Georgia National Guard.

Dr. Nadolne was part of a U.S.-led NATO group at Camp Bondsteel, teaching fellow medical professionals.

“It was overall a good experience, and I think I represented Northside really well,” he said. “I think the mission, which is basically to maintain peace there, was a huge success.”

Dr. Nadolne joined Northside in 2016 when East Cobb Family Medicine became part of the Northside network. After serving as president of the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, he looked for a new challenge and opportunity to serve.

“I said, ‘What else is there? What else can I do?’” He got his answer with the Georgia National Guard, where he found a leadership position that gave him the chance to represent fellow physicians.

“They needed family docs especially,” he said. “I joined and then in ’19 I was deployed to Iraq. I was in Camp Al Asad for three months and then a couple of years later, they needed me to go to Kosovo.”

While Dr. Nadolne was at Al Asad, the airbase sustained a ballistic missile strike in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike five days earlier that killed Iraq Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Quds force.

More than 100 troops were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries as a result.

“That was scary,” Dr. Nadolne said. “We always had our weapons with us. That was a much different deployment. We were always under threat of trauma.

“Even though it was a combat mission (to Kosovo), there was never really threat of combat.”

At Bondsteel, Dr. Nadolne taught search-and-rescue operations and the importance of speaking to patients.

“Don’t just jump to technology,” he said. “Technology’s important but I think there’s an overreliance on it.”

And he said there are lessons in return for the American medical professionals who go overseas with the military, like him.

“I think Army medical in general teaches you to think outside the box,” Dr. Nadolne said. “God forbid we have a major problem here, like a terrorist attack, you already have doctors in the Georgia National Guard that are already doing a lot of field medicine, how to deal with triaging.

“It kind of keeps you on your toes, with the importance of the true practice of medicine.”

Dr. Nadolne also served as the de facto brigade surgeon for troops in the Balkans.

“That was really nice,” he said. “Here, back at the 48th, I had been a battalion surgeon back in Cumming. Now I’m going to be the brigade surgeon out of Macon. My role’s going to change to be a little more operational.”

Outside his Guard service, Dr. Nadolne sees patients at the practice at 1121 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 100, in Marietta. He’s accepting new patients.

He thanked Dr. Amy Fallen and Rebecca Davis, CNP, for helping carry the load at home in his absence, as well as office manager Shalonda Burks and the East Cobb Family Medicine staff.

And Dr. Nadolne said Northside was supportive of his service.

“While I was gone, I nominated Steve Hudson (Northside’s director of physician and strategic development) for a Patriot Award,” Dr. Nadolne said. “I nominated him because I could not have done this without Steve Hudson. He supported me. He’s a former Marine. He supported me 100 percent, which means Northside supports me 100 percent.”

Dr. Nadolne said his work with the Guard is about more than seeing patients, but about serving Georgia.

“I feel like I represent Northside when I’m out there,” he said, “and I mean it.

“Because I treat patients like that, we’ve had a large influx of patients who’ve come because they’ve gotten to know me at the battalion level. I could not have done it without Northside and Steve Hudson.”

East Cobb physician completes National Guard duty in Kosovo

East Cobb physician completes National Guard duty in Kosovo

 

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Birrell calls accessory dwelling units proposal ‘a bad idea’

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Cobb commissioners on Tuesday heard about proposed code changes regarding secondary housing units on residential properties.

At a work session, Cobb officials presented language that would create accessory dwelling units (or ADUs) that could be built in a residential backyard (you can read the proposal here).

The small units—of up to 850 square feet, with a limi of one unit per lot—are seen as a way to provide more affordable housing.

Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said that ADUs wouldn’t be a “panacea,” but what’s been proposed, she added, “are lower-bar considerations for addressing housing affordability in Cobb County.”

The proposed code changes also would alter the definition of a family, permitting up to three unrelated adults (the current limit is two) and up to six children.

The proposed Cobb ordinance would require an ADU to be permanently structured and hooked up to utilities serving the primary home. It could be detached, but it must be in a backyard area only.

The property owner also must live on the premises and the smaller unit could not be used as a short-term rental. An ADU must meet existing setback and impervious surface limits

In addition, a homeowner wishing to add an ADU would have to obtain a special-land use permit from the county, according to a revision that went out to commissioners on Monday.

Another measure would increase the maximum parking for five cars (currently limited to four) in a driveway or garage and another vehicle off-street.

But Republican commissioners JoAnn Birrell and Keli Gambrill questioned much of the language in the proposal as well as the the number of unrelated adults and vehicles on a single property.

They reflected concerns that the single-family nature of many areas of the county would be dramatically altered with ADUs.

The current code allows for such home renovations as in-law suites and converting basements into separate living units that must be permitted by the county.

The proposed code amendments are set for public hearings and possible approval in November, but Gambrill wants the county to hold off for “at least the next year” to allow homeowners associations the time to sort through how restrictive covenants may for such purposes be conflict with ADUs.

There also are issues over whether a property with an ADU would be able to claim a second homestead exemption from property taxes.

Birrell, whose District 3 in East Cobb is heavily single-family residential, called the proposal “a bad idea to do, period. We’ve been flooded with e-mails in opposition. I’m glad we’re having this discussion today but I think a lot of the perception may be wore than it is. I’m not supporting this. It doesn’t make sense.

“If somebody wants to add on to their home, they can do that now,” she said. “We get zonings all the time that are way too dense, have 10 variances, and they could still get approved.”

Gambrill, who represents District 1 in north and west Cobb, added that “a statistic was given to me that 85 percent of eligible properties for these ADUs” are in Districts 1 and 3.

Commissioner Jerica Richardson of East Cobb, who recently had a baby, was not present at the work session.

Commissioner Monique Sheffield of South Cobb said that “I appreciate that we’re having this conversation” and she also has heard from constituents concerned about the proposal.

“The belief is that we’re going to create rental units behind single-family residences,” she said. “This is not that. Hopefully the perception and the understanding will be different.”

Cupid said that “I understand the concerns but I don’t perceive the need to wait for a whole year to get some answers on some things.

“The way that people are living is changing, and housing affordability is changing,” she said. “This is one tool and I don’t know how robust of a tool this is compared to other tools.

“You keep several tools available because at some point in time one of them may be helpful for us wanting to fix something. The thing we’re trying to fix is providing places for people to reasonably live in our county.”

The hearings for the proposed code amendments are scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 12 and 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, with tentative approval scheduled for the 7 p.m. voting meeting on Nov. 21.

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East Cobb Food Scores: First Watch; Chopt; Montana’s; more

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First Watch East Cobb opening TBA

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

101 Bagel Cafe
4811 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 112
October 15, 2024, Score: 93, Grade: A (re-inspection)

Apple Spice Atlanta
2020 Powers Ferry Road
October 22, 2024, Score: 91, Grade: A

Bells Ferry Elementary School
2600 Bells Ferry Road
October 21, 2024, Score: 100, Grade: A

Chopt
4250 Roswell Road, Suite 630
October 21, 2024, Score: 100, Grade A

Derek’s Cafe
1779 Canton Road
October 18, 2024, Score: 100, Grade: A

First Watch
1080 Johnson Ferry Road
October 21, 2024, Score: 99, Grade: A

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
2716 Sandy Plains Road
October 22, 2024, Score: 91, Grade: A

Marietta Fusion Pizza
3000 Windy Hill Road
October 18, 2024, Score: 97, Grade: A

McCray’s Tavern
4880 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 850
October 22, 2024, Score: 92, Grade: A

Montana’s Bar and Grill
2995 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 330
October 21, 2024, Score: 81, Grade: B

Pizza Hut
1386 Roswell Road
October 15, 2024, Score: 100, Grade: A

Spice on Wheels
3045 Gordy Parkway, Suite 108
October 21, 2024, Score: 80, Grade: B

Subway
2200 Roswell Road, Suite 110
October 22, 2024, Score: 97, Grade: A

Tandoor Tavern
3045 Gordy Parkway, Suite 108
October 21, 2024, Score: 80, Grade: B

Taquito Express
3065 Shallowford Road, Suite A
October 21, 2024, Score: 87, Grade: B

Waffle House
2805 Delk Road
October 17, 2024, Score: 92, Grade: A

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Former commissioner Ott opposing Cobb transit tax referendum

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Former Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott, who has rarely commented publicly on county government and politics since he left office in 2021, is speaking out against the proposed 30-year transit tax referendum.

Terrell Mill-Delk self-storage facility denied

Last week he said submitted a lengthy letter expressing his opposition to the tax to the Marietta Daily Journal, but released it elsewhere after he was told it wouldn’t be published until Saturday.

“That’s like 50,00 voters from now,” Ott told the East Cobb News on Monday, as the second week of early voting is underway in Cobb County for the 2024 general election.

East Cobb News separately obtained a copy of the letter (you can read it in full here), which closes with him saying that the tax is “a bad idea and needs to be defeated.”

A retired Delta Air Lines pilot, Ott said he’s contributed to a Vote No on M-SPLOST group started by former Cobb Chamber of Commerce leader John Loud.

Ott, a Republican from East Cobb who served District 2 from 2009-2020, said in the letter than in addition to the 30-year duration of what’s being called the Cobb Mobility SPLOST (“think about that for a moment; your middle schooler would be in their mid 40s at the end of the tax’), the tax isn’t a Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax, such as the county and Cobb County School District have for shorter periods for specific construction and maintenance purposes.

“Many will remember my numerous NO votes for previous SPLOST proposals because I felt that the project list was mostly wants and not needs,” Ott wrote. “In most cases there wasn’t anything special about the projects, they were just other ways to spend money. This proposal is a long way from the intent of a SPLOST.”

He said that one of the differences is that if the referendum is approved, a new regional transit authority, ATL, would have to approve transit projects in Cobb. “The majority of the ATL committee members are not from Cobb. So how are they going to know what is in the best interest for Cobb related to transit related projects?”

He said the biggest need in Cobb is transportation between the Cumberland area and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, but the transit tax “is silent on any links.”

Other needed transportation projects include widening Roswell Road east from Johnson Ferry Road to the Fulton County line, but it doesn’t “need a 30-year tax to be completed.

“A proper review of county needs vs wants is needed long before giving the county and the commissioners any more of our hard-earned money.”

Ott said it’s hard to look into a crystal ball and envision future needs for the current six-year Cobb SPLOST, which was approved two years in advance, much less three decades.

Like other transit tax opponents, Ott said the low ridership figures in general don’t warrant such a lengthy, broad-based solution to transportation issues.

“Here in East Cobb and many other suburban parts of the county, transit and transportation must compete with the car to be remotely successful,” he wrote. “This transit tax is just like many of the others; it can’t compete.”

The proposed transit tax would restore a little-used bus route in East Cobb that was axed by commissioners during the recession.

Ott told East Cobb News that he tried to get the bus stops along that route on Roswell Road removed, but they continue to generate local advertising revenue.

“I don’t think ridership will improve” if that route comes back, he said. “Transit in Cobb is all about will it compete with the car? It really doesn’t.”

Ott told East Cobb News that when he left office (see our Dec. 2020 interview), he was retiring from politics for good, and wanted to follow the example of former President George W. Bush by staying out of the public spotlight.

“I’ve been trying to do the same thing,” Ott said.

But in addition to his concerns about the tax, he said former constituents and others have been asking him about it.

“I’ve heard from a lot of people who say that they don’t know about it,” Ott said.

Ott, who lives in District 3, represented by Republican JoAnn Birrell, said he was approached about running for commission chair, but declined.

“I’m done with politics,” he said.

Since his departure, Cobb has gone from solidly Republican to having a 3-2 Democratic majority on the commission.

In addition, Cobb countywide office-holders are all Democrats, with one exception (State Court Clerk Robin Bishop).

When asked if a Republican can win countywide office anytime soon, Ott said “I’m not going to speculate.”

But he said that “our elections have turned away from the issues” and have become “character assassinations” that ignore what candidates stand for.

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Cobb commissioners to hear accessory dwelling units proposal

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Cobb FY 2025 budget adopted

The Cobb Board of Commissioners will hold a work session Tuesday on proposed code amendments that are scheduled for November hearings.

The last one is a proposal to allow small homes of up to 850 square feet in residential back yards.

They’re called accessory dwelling units (ADUs), that we noted a couple weeks back when the county had to advertise the hearings.

The ADUs as proposed (draft amendment here) could house up to three unrelated adults and up to six children, as well as maximum parking for five cars in a driveway or garage and another vehicle off-street.

Unlike “tiny houses,” which are mobile, the ADUs under the proposed Cobb ordinance would be required to be permanently structured and hooked up to utilities serving the primary home.

The property owner also must live on the premises and the smaller unit could not be used as a short-term rental.

The ADU proposal is meant to address housing affordability issues, but few local jurisdictions allow them, and

The work session begins at 1:30 Tuesday in the second floor board room of the Cobb government building (100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta).

There is no public comment period; the full agenda can be found by clicking here.

Other code amendments to be presented include proposed changes regarding film permits (economic development), alcoholic beverage licenses, the county plumbing code, land disturbance activities, door-to-door sales permits, subdivision plats and sewer and wastewater approvals.

The hearings are scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 12 and 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, with tentative approval scheduled for the 7 p.m. voting meeting on Nov. 21.

Commissioners typically hear code amendments in January and September, but the county hasn’t said why they’re coming up now.

You also can watch the work session on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.

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2024 Cobb Cybersecurity Day presented by Cobb County ITS

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Submitted information:2024 Cobb Cybersecurity Day presented by Cobb County ITS

Commissioner Richardson invites you to attend the 2024 Cobb Cybersecurity Day on October 25, 2024!

Cobb County Government is committed to serving the community, which is why we are hosting this event to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to protect themselves online. Ever heard of “social engineering”? It’s a tactic used by cybercriminals that exploits human psychology rather than technical hacking. Being aware of these tactics can help you recognize and avoid potential threats!

The 2024 Cobb Cybersecurity Day will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 from 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM at 1150 Powder Springs Street.

Cybersecurity awareness can save you money! A data breach can cost individuals thousands of dollars in recovery costs. Educating yourself about online safety can help you avoid these expenses.

This year’s event will feature industry-leading speakers, interactive presentations, and discussions on cyber safety for both organizations and individuals.

Click here for more information and to register today: https://www.cobbcounty.org/events/cybersecurity-day.

 

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 2024

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Spencers Mill, East Cobb real estate sales
Spencers Mill

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records.

They include the street address, subdivision name and sales price listed under their respective high school attendance zones:

Kell

4850 Tremont Drive, 30066 (Tremont): $549,000

2211 Northland Meadow Court, 30066 (North Landing): $365,000

Lassiter

2367 Timberbrook Trace, 30066 (Spencers Mill): $860,000

4509 North Slope Circle, 30066 (Highland Pointe): $685,000

Pope

1641 Canton Hills Circle, 30062 (Canton Hills): $460,000

1671 Canton Hills Circle, 30062 (Canton Hills): $415,000

10 Heartwood Drive, 30062 (Heartwood): $445,000

3032 Pathview Lane, 30062 (Wendwood): $400,000

4038 Jordan Lake Drive, 30062 (Walden): $999,900

4452 Huffman Drive, 30075 (Haven Ridge): $660,000

4474 Huffman Drive, 30076 (Haven Ridge): $927,500

1841 Beaver Dam Lane, 30062 (Beaver Brook Farms): $460,000

Sprayberry

2285 Nottley Drive, 30066 (Barrett Creek Condos): $325,000

2967 Harold Dean Drive, 30066 (Channon): $360,000

1221 Little Acres Place, 30066 (Philmont Estates): $494,800

2440 Irene Drive, 30066 (Covington Ridge): $440,000

3411 Sanford Drive, 30066 (Glendale): $330,000

2880 Carrollton Court, 30066 (Piedmont Hills): $418,500

3234 Vickery Drive, 30066 (Vickery Park): $550,000

1741 Hasty Road, 30062 (Hasty Acres): $280,000

Walton

3910 Timberwood Terrace, 30068 (Indian Hills): $2.425 million

846 Fairfield Drive, 30068 (Indian Hills): $915,000

5030 Lake Fjord Pass, 30068 (Lake Fjord): $725,000

3926 Stanton Trail, 30062 (Providence Place): $550,000

709 Park Ridge Circle, 30068 (Park Ridge Condos): $290,000

4613 Chattahoochee Crossing, 30067 (Chattahochee Plantation): $1 million

Wheeler

2626 Princess Lane, 30067 (Red Oak Park): $515,000

2170 Meadowbrook Lane, 30067 (Meadow Brook): $270,000

279 Sourwood Drive, 30062 (Briarwood Hills): $365,000

476 Sybil Lane, 30067 (Red Oak Park): $357,200

161 Daltree Court, 30068 (Sentinel Lake): $900,000

484 Guilford Circle, 30068 (Hanover Woods): $588,000

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More than 80K turn out in Cobb at start of early voting

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East Cobb Senior Center
The Tim D. Lee Senior Center has had the highest turnout in the first week of early voting in Cobb.

Saturday’s early voting is continuing as we write this, but according to Cobb Elections the first four days of early voting brought more than 80,000 people to the polls.

That’s coming as the Georgia Secretary of State’s office announced more than 1 million people have voted early in the first few days across the state.

(You can view the state Election Data Hub by clicking here.)

Voting continues from Sunday 12-5, but at limited locations. The East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road) will be among them.

All early voting spots will be open from 7-7 next Monday through Saturday; you can check estimated wait-times by clicking here.

The East Cobb Government Service Center also has a drop box for absentee ballots that is open during early voting hours.

According to the latest update, 84,234 votes have been cast in Cobb, most of them in-person. A total of 3,2100 or so absentee ballots have been returned, out of more than 24,000 issued and 1,000 or so have been accepted.

Here are the individual breakdowns through Friday at each of the early voting locations.

  • Tim D. Lee Senior Center: 11,636
  • Smyrna Community Center: 10,168
  • Cobb Elections Office: 8,793
  • East Cobb Government Service Center: 8,229
  • Ben Robertson Community Center: 7,287
  • Boots Ward Recreation Center: 6,830
  • South Cobb Community Center: 6,779
  • North Cobb Senior Center: 6,447
  • Ron Anderson Recreation Center: 5,992
  • West Cobb Regional Library: 5,120
  • Collar Park Community Center: 3132
  • Fair Oaks Recreation Center: 2,466

And here’s the rest of the early voting schedule:

  • Oct. 21-25, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 26, Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Oct. 27, Sunday, 12-5 p.m. (East Cobb Govt. Center)
  • Oct. 28-Nov. 1, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more early voting information in Cobb, click here. Voters must bring a valid photo ID with them to the polls (click here for details).

The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Oct. 25. You can get an application online from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office by clicking here.

To check your voter registration status, and to get a customized sample ballot, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

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