East Cobb News

Anti-East Cobb Cityhood group calls renewed effort ‘Jaws 2’

April 2, 2021 10:25 AM by Wendy Parker

A week after a new push for East Cobb Cityhood was launched, a group that organized against the first effort in 2019 is again expressing opposition.

In an e-mail sent out Thursday night, the East Cobb Alliance said the new cityhood effort, which includes state legislation filed on Monday, is a “process [that] appears to be putting the cart before the horse.”

That was a reference to the cityhood group not having a financial feasibility study prepared before the bill was filed, as was the case in 2019.

The Committee for East Cobb Cityhood, which includes some individuals from two years ago, said it will be commissioning a study, which is required by law.

“How can one decide a city is financially feasible enough to justify a legislative action to file a bill to form a proposed city…when no feasibility study has been completed to see if the numbers will work?,” said the East Cobb Alliance message.

“What if the feasibility study comes back and it’s not financially feasible? Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?”

In 2019, advocates for cityhood in Mableton had legislation filed before a feasibility study was conducted; like the East Cobb bill it was eventually abandoned and has not been resurrected.

The East Cobb Alliance formed during 2019, after cityhood leaders began holding town hall meetings, and participated in an issues forum on the matter in November of that year, before cityhood leaders abandoned their effort.

There are also proposed new cities of Lost Mountain and Vinings with bills filed this year in the legislature that also will have feasibility studies done.

The East Cobb Alliance has nearly 1,000 followers for its Facebook page, where it has been announcing updates, as well as a petition to oppose the new cityhood effort.

East Cobb Alliance members have been against cityhood for several reasons, claiming it will add an extra layer of government that will cost citizens more in taxes.

In the Thursday e-mail, the East Cobb Alliance labeled the new cityhood effort as “Jaws 2,” making a reference to the popular movie series: “Those land sharks who put forth the Proposed City of East Cobb two years ago are back at it again, infesting the waters of East Cobb with their ‘this layer of government we’re adding is so paper-thin, you will hardly notice it,’ yet again!”

The new cityhood bill calls for “city light” services—planning and zoning, code enforcement and parks and recreation, instead of police and fire, the main services proposed two years ago.

The East Cobb Alliance message claims that “once a city forms, though, a city council and a mayor can do whatever they want including adding police, fire, a development authority (yeah, like we need another one of those in Cobb County), and whatever else a small group of elected politicians decide they want to do in secret on behalf of their friends and family.”

The East Cobb Alliance is inviting citizens to fill out an online survey to express their thoughts about the new cityhood movement, and says it will actively fight against the latest initiative.

State Rep. Matt Dollar’s bill, if passed by the legislature next year, would call for a November 2022 referendum and would include a smaller area of East Cobb than his 2019 legislation.

The proposed City of East Cobb would have around 55,000 residents and includes much of the Walton High School attendance zone.

Dropped from the 2019 proposed map are areas around Wheeler High School, as well as some of the Pope and Lassiter clusters.

Lassiter HS goes into code yellow status after off-campus incident

April 1, 2021 6:01 PM by Wendy Parker

Lassiter High School graduation rate

Lassiter High School went into code yellow status for a while on Thursday after a student reported seeing another student with a weapon in an off-campus situation, according to the Cobb County School District.

In a message that went out to Lassiter parents Thursday afternoon, principal Chris Richie said that “we stopped all movement and secured the building until we were able to verify the student was not in the vicinity of Lassiter.”

In a code yellow situation, the outside doors to a school are closed while classes and activities continue inside.

Richie further said that “there is no reason to believe that our campus, students, or staff are in any danger.”

He did not indicate where off-campus the incident occurred; a Cobb school district spokesman also would not elaborate when contacted by East Cobb News. She said the code yellow situation was in effect at Lassiter “for a period of time” and confirmed that the weapon was a handgun.

She added that “teachers continued to teach and students continued to learn with minimal interruption to the school day while both the Cobb School Police Department and Cobb Police investigated.”

Cupid: Biden All-Star Game remarks send ‘unfortunate message’

April 1, 2021 4:07 PM by Wendy Parker

While the Atlanta Braves were playing their 2021 season opener Thursday afternoon, Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid pushed back against calls from President Joe Biden to move the All-Star Game away from Truist Park.

The president said he “strongly supports” finding a new venue for the mid-July event because of the Georgia legislature’s recent changes to elections laws that have been sharply criticized by Democrats as voter suppression measures.

Cupid, the first black head of Cobb County government and its first Democratic chair in more than 35 years, has been among them. But she issued a statement that Biden’s comments send “an unfortunate message to those residents and businesses here who have supported him.”

Cupid met on Thursday with Tony Clark, head of the Major League Baseball Players Association, who last week suggested moving the game.

In an interview with ESPN Wednesday, Biden said that “I think today’s professional athletes are acting incredibly responsibly. I would strongly support them doing that. People look to them. They’re leaders.”

In previous comments, Biden decried the new elections law, signed quickly after passage in a Republican-controlled legislature last week by GOP Gov. Brian Kemp, as “Jim Crow on steroids.”

Kemp, who is up for re-election in 2022, lashed out at Biden, saying calls to move the All-Star Game are “ridiculous.”

In a statement issued by Cobb spokesman Ross Cavitt, Cupid said that “I would be open to a discussion with the President and others about alternative actions that would channel our frustration into an opportunity to use this event as a chance to openly discuss this legislation, voter participation, and inclusion and then find an applicable response.”

The statement didn’t specify what any alternate actions might be.

Cupid said last week that losing the All-Star Game could hurt Cobb’s economic recovery from business closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic (see video below).

Leaders of major Atlanta-based corporations, including Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola, have spoken out in recent days against the new elections law.

Last year’s shortened baseball season due to COVID-19 included no fans allowed in stadiums.

It was the fourth season at the Cobb County ballpark for the Braves, who reached the National League Championship Series and are among the contenders for the World Series this year.

The Braves have set a goal of allowing for full capacity—more than 40,000—by the time the All-Star Game rolls around. That event includes a homerun derby on Monday and the game between American League and National League all-stars on Tuesday.

The Braves will play their first homestand of the 2021 season next week with a 33 percent capacity, and said on Thursday that they will allow up to 50 percent capacity at Truist Park for the second homestand.

Zoning update: Sprayberry Crossing, East Cobb Church changes

April 1, 2021 11:40 AM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb zoning update, Sprayberry Crossing site plan — *The latest Sprayberry Crossing site plan expands green space around the Mayes family cemetery and includes a “town green.” For a larger view **click here**.*

With just a few days before their first public hearings, two major rezoning cases in East Cobb are getting some last-minute changes.

Kevin Moore, the attorney for the proposed redevelopment of the Sprayberry Crossing and the proposed East Cobb Church mixed-use development, filed stipulation letters in both cases on Wednesday.

He also filed a new site plan for Sprayberry Crossing, the latest of several renditions for a mixed-use plan to replace a long-blighted shopping center.

After several months of delays, they’re slated to be heard Tuesday by the Cobb Planning Commission.

We’re still reading through everything, but will summarize what’s new.

The Sprayberry Crossing plans have undergone many revisions, the latest being filed late Wednesday afternoon, shortly before Cobb commissioner JoAnn Birrell held a public information session.

You can read through the new changes by clicking here; there’s a new Cobb DOT traffic analysis here; and the full agenda packet is here.

Atlantic Realty hasn’t changed the details for the residential component—125 apartments, 125 senior apartments and 44 townhomes—nor a proposed grocery store space.

The developer is asking for a waiver from a requirement of the Redevelopment Overlay District zoning category for at least 10 percent of the residential units be dedicated for “workforce housing.”

In addition, Atlantic Realty is proposing a property owners association for the overall development.

More green space has been added back into the new site plan, with a “town green” proposed near the Mayes family cemetery. That green space will be open to the entire community, not just those living in the development.

In addition, the developer listed a number of businesses in the retail portion that would not be allowed, from video arcades to adult retail to several kinds of automotive services.

East Cobb Church site plan — *The townhome units proposed near what would be the East Cobb Church have been reduced from 125 to 110. For a larger view **click here**.*

North Point Ministries Inc. has altered its mixed-use proposal anchored by East Cobb Church to include more low-rise office space at the southwest corner of Johnson Ferry Road and Shallowford Road.

A new stipulation letter (you can read it here), also filed Wednesday, would reduce the number of proposed townhomes from 125 to 110. The applicant is also seeking a new zoning category, Fee Simple Townhomes, instead of a multifamily residential category.

Among the stipulations are to designate that no more than 10 of the townhomes could be rentals at any given time.

North Point Ministries’ plan is to sell that 18.11 acres (out of more than 33 overall) to Ashwood Development, an upscale builder with projects in the city of Atlanta and Florida.

*Residents near the blighted Sprayberry Crossing Shopping Center have differences about what should replace it.*

During Wednesday’s public information session about Sprayberry Crossing, Birrell said she and county staff had not had time to look through the changes.

They answered questions from the public submitted in advance.

Birrell stressed to viewers of the virtual meeting to e-mail their commissioner and members of the Cobb Planning Commission.

“It is in my district and I will take the lead in the discussions,” she said. “But there are five votes. So you need to e-mail all of us.”

She said of the e-mails she’s received thus far about Sprayberry Crossing, there are 83 e-mails against the project, and 21 in favor.

The opposition is mostly over traffic concerns and having any apartments at all.

It’s been three years since area residents held a town hall meeting at Sprayberry High School to jump-start a process that has led to a rezoning case of any kind.

“I know we’re all tired of looking at Sprayberry Crossing,” Birrell said of the retail center that’s been run-down for more than 20 years. “There’s nobody who wants to see this redeveloped than me.”

But she said it’s important to hear fully from the community to determine the best options.

The Cobb Planning Commission meets Tuesday at 9 a.m. in the 2nd floor board room of the Cobb Government Building at 100 Cherokee St., in downtown Marietta. You can read through the full agenda by clicking here.

There will be limited in-person attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions. The meeting can be seen on the Cobb County government’s Facebook and YouTube channels and Channel 23 on Comcast.

Richardson to hold virtual town hall, announce priorities

April 1, 2021 12:25 PMApril 1, 2021 8:24 AM by Wendy Parker

Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson is having a virtual town hall next week to announce her priorities and to introduce what she’s calling a “quarterly report” for her District 2 constituents.

The meeting takes place next Tuesday, April 6, starting at 6 p.m., and you can sign up by clicking here.

Up to 20 people who express a desire to attend in-person will be chosen from a drawing, as indicated on the sign-up form.

During her first three months in office, Richardson has undertaken what she calls a “priorities tour” around the district to hear from citizens about their priorities.

That’s part of what will be unveiled in the quarterly report.

Next Thursday, she’s holding another virtual town hall meeting about the North Point Ministries/East Cobb Church rezoning case that’s coming up in April.

She and Tony Waybright, the District 2 representative to the Cobb Planning Commission, held a town hall in February, but several changes have been made since then.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the case on Tuesday.

Waybright, of Vinings, is among the holdover appointees Richardson has kept who were initially named by her successor, Bob Ott, to various board and commissions.

Among the others staying on are Abby Shiffman of East Cobb, the chairwoman of the Cobb Library Board of Trustees, and Roger Phelps, also of East Cobb, to the Cobb Board of Tax Assessors.

Richardson also has appointed a “community cabinet” on various topics and to reflect the geography of District 2. Her East Cobb liaison is Cellie Cohen-Smith, a resident of Princeton Corners who was part of Richardson’s campaign.

East Cobb man gets life sentence for killing home contractor

March 30, 2021 5:33 PM by Wendy Parker

Larry Epstein, East Cobb man gets life sentence — *Larry Epstein has been in custody since the March 6, 2019 shootings at his home on Wellington Lane.*

An East Cobb homeowner set to go on trial next month for shooting a home contractor to death and seriously wounding another has been sentenced to life in prison.

During a plea hearing in Cobb Superior Court on Tuesday, Larry Epstein, 70, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon while committing a felony, according to the Cobb District Attorney’s office.

He has been in the Cobb County Adult Detention Center since March 2019 for shooting Jake Horne, then 21, and Gordon Montcalm, then 38, who were leaving his home after doing some electrical contracting work.

Horne was sitting in a van outside Epstein’s home on Wellington Lane off Johnson Ferry Road on March 6, 2019 when he was shot execution-style in the head with a .22-caliber handgun with a suppressor, according to the Cobb DA’s office.

According to statements at Tuesday’s hearing, Montcalm was getting ready to leave in another vehicle and tried to get away, but Epstein fired his gun at him several times.

According to testimony offered at Tuesday’s hearing, Epstein’s wife arrived at the home just before police arrived, and Montcalm screamed at her that Epstein had shot him and Horne.

The Cobb DA’s office said Montcalm escaped to a neighboring home and wounds to his face, back and arms were treated by a nurse living at that home and who called 911.

Horne was taken off life support the following day at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, where Montcalm was hospitalized with long recovery.

“Epstein executed Jake, robbing him of life’s most precious experiences—owning a home, getting married, having children—at the young age of 21. And even though Montcalm survived, he is forever scarred, both physically and emotionally,” said Jesse Evans, the Cobb deputy chief assistant district attorney.

Horne’s uncle John Savell told the court the loss of his nephew leaves an “unfillable void,” according to the Cobb DA’s office, which said Montcalm did not attend the hearing but supported the case being resolved without a trial.

Cobb jury trials are set to resume in April after nearly a year of backlogs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this month Epstein’s attorney tried to delay the trial until August, saying that his client wanted to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before having a trial. Cobb Superior Court Judge Ann Harris also had ordered a psychiatric evaluation of Epstein, whose attorney has said in court filings suffers from mental illness.

At Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutors said that after officers arrived at the Epstein home, they discovered a surveillance camera video that showed part of the murder.

Police blocked off the street, and the Cobb DA’s office said that after Epstein surrendered peacefully, he waived his Miranda rights.

Testimony introduced at the hearing said during a search warrant at Epstein’s home, officers found firearms, including the murder weapon and the suppressor hidden in the garage.

Prosecutors aid the handgun was “positively linked by ballistics testing to the shootings of Horne and Montcalm.”

The day after Epstein’s arrest, his wife filed for divorce.

Harris called the incident an “irreparable tragedy” as she issued the life sentence.

East Cobb Cityhood bill calls for Nov. 2022 referendum

April 5, 2021 6:44 PMMarch 30, 2021 2:27 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb candidates forum cityhood — *At a candidates forum last fall, State Rep. Matt Dollar said East Cobb Cityhood proponents initially “didn’t do a good job of explaining why it would be beneficial.”*

Here’s the first look at the new East Cobb Cityhood bill filed Monday by State Rep. Matt Dollar (you can read through it here).

As we reported on Thursday, this had to be done before the Georgia legislative session ends on Wednesday because cityhood bills must follow a two-year process.

Should the legislature pass the cityhood bill next year, there will be a Nov. 2022 referendum by eligible voters in the proposed City of East Cobb, which has been scaled down from the 2019 boundaries.

Here are the main components of how a City of East Cobb, with a proposed population of around 55,000, would work:

It would provide zoning and planning, code enforcement and parks and recreation services in what proponents are calling a preservation effort;
The East Cobb City Council would have six elected members from three posts, which would have two members each. One member from each post must be elected city-wide;
A special election would be held in March 2023 to elect council members;
A mayor would then be chosen by a council majority to serve a two-year term and could serve up to two consecutive terms;
There would be a city manager and a city clerk, an outsourced city attorney and a municipal court;
Property taxes would be capped at 1 mill, but the city would collect other revenues such as franchise fees, occupation and business taxes, licensing, permits, assessments and other fees;
Starting Dec. 1, 2023, the city would begin collecting taxes, fees and other revenues at the start of a transition period from county government that ends on Dec. 31, 2025.

What’s not in the bill are council district maps.

*State Rep. Sharon Cooper said cityhood was a “dead issue” but is co-sponsoring a new bill.*

The new city boundaries (you can view the map here) include areas south of Shallowford Road and east of Murdock Road and Old Canton Road, in much of the Walton High School attendance zone.

The 2019 proposed map included areas in the Wheeler High School cluster and was being expanded to include more of the Pope and Lassiter clusters when the cityhood group abandoned its effort.

Those areas have been removed; the 2019 bill called for police and fire services that are not part of the new legislation.

Three other cityhood bills have been filed by Cobb legislators in the 2021 session, including two new ones, for a City of Lost Mountain in West Cobb and a City of Vinings.

In 2019 a bill was filed for a City of Mableton and that was also re-introduced this year.

Dollar has a co-sponsor this time, something he didn’t have in 2019, in fellow East Cobb Republican State Rep. Sharon Cooper. She said at the time she was collecting information like other citizens; during a campaign forum late last year she said as far as she was concerned the cityhood matter is “a dead issue.”

The bill still needs a Senate sponsor, and State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, an East Cobb Republican, has been reluctant to add her name because of what she says has been a lot of negative response from constituents.

The bill is expected to be assigned to the House Governmental Affairs Committee, just like the 2019 legislation, where it will be taken up at the start of the 2022 legislative session.

The revamped East Cobb Cityhood group has said it will be conducting a new feasibility study, another requirement for a cityhood bill, but that process has not yet begun.

East Cobb Cityhood effort revived

Cobb libraries to resume Saturday hours starting April 10

March 30, 2021 1:28 PMMarch 30, 2021 12:24 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Library, Cobb budget crisis

Submitted information:

Saturday hours will return April 10 for Cobb County Public Library locations as a first step in renewing six days a week library hours throughout the county, library officials announced Tuesday.

Libraries will be open Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm. Weekday hours continue to be Mondays from 10 am to 8 pm and Tuesdays-Fridays from 10 am to 6 pm.

The first phase of this round of re-openings will add Saturday in-person hours for the seven libraries now offering limited services – East Cobb, Mountain View, North Cobb, Sewell Mill, South Cobb, Vinings and West Cobb. Libraries currently offering only curbside service – Gritters, Kemp and Sibley – will expand the service to include Saturdays starting April 10.

The Stratton and Powder Springs libraries will offer curbside service only on Saturday, April 10, before expanding public access to in-person limited services Monday-Saturday on Monday, April 12.

Limited services enable the public to browse, check-out items, and use a limited number of public computers and other services.

The schedule for expansion to curbside services at the Switzer Library will be announced at a later date as the facility in downtown Marietta is under renovation, officials said.

Cobb County officials put in place coronavirus safety and health protocols throughout the year of the pandemic, including phased closures and reopening of libraries and grab-and-go curbside library services.

For information on Cobb library hours, programs and services, visit www.cobbcounty.org/library.

3 East Cobb library branches reopening

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Kell HS programs get support from the Credit Union of Georgia

March 29, 2021 3:17 PMMarch 29, 2021 12:32 PM by Wendy Parker

Kell HS support Credit Union Georgia

Submitted information and photo:

Being founded by educators from Cobb County and Marietta City, the Credit Union loves to give back to local schools every year. After years of numerous sponsorships with Kell High School and their Athletics Program, the Credit Union of Georgia donated over $1,100 as a Featured Supporter of Kell High School this year. The donation will benefit students, faculty and the community through various Kell High School programs throughout the year. Some of these programs include a student awards/recognition program for good citizenship and academic performance, Academic Bootcamp Department Meal, Kell Teacher of the Month, providing free or discounted services for staff and much more.

Credit Union of Georgia was excited to partner with Kell High School and allow the school to create a better experience for students and staff alike. “Partnering with the Credit Union of Georgia was a natural fit for Kell High School. Both organizations have, at their core, a desire to serve their communities. I have had the opportunity to work with the Credit Union as a member over the past 10 years and being able to bring that same love for the community to Kell will be fantastic for both communities. The love they have for their employees is something that we try to model as well and we look forward to supporting each other.,” said Ben Needle, Kell High School Assistant Principal.

To learn more about the Kell High School’s upcoming programs visit www.Cobbk12.org/Kell.

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Cobb COVID-19 rental assistance applications open Thursday

March 29, 2021 3:21 PMMarch 29, 2021 9:17 AM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

To help explain Cobb’s latest $22.8 million COVID-19 rent/utility assistance effort and the end of the eviction moratorium, we held a virtual town hall this week. Guest speakers included Chief Magistrate Judge Brendan Murphy explaining the eviction process, Sheriff Craig Owens sharing his office’s response and representatives from five nonprofits explaining the new rent/utility assistance program. Residents also had their submitted questions answered.

These emergency federal rental assistance grants are designed to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic stay in their homes while struggling to recover. Assistance can be provided for rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears and other expenses related to housing.

To watch this informative town hall in its entirety, click here.

Applications will open on April 1. Please do not contact providers to apply until then. We are compiling and updating information on the Emergency Rental Assistance program at cobbcounty.org/era.

East Cobb Food Scores: Bagelicious; Mellow Mushroom; more

March 27, 2021 1:54 PM by Wendy Parker

Bagelicious, East Cobb food scores

The following East Cobb food scores for the week of March 22 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Bagelicious
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 37
March 22, 2021 Score: 96, Grade: A

Catfish Hox
2595 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 101
March 26, 2021 Score: 97, Grade: A

El Rin Con Salvadoreno Bakery
2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2104
March 23, 2021 Score: 98, Grade: A

Hoboken Bread & Bagel Company
1033 Sandy Plains Road, Suite G
March 22, 2021 Score: 99, Grade: A

Mellow Mushroom
1205 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 101
March 26, 2021 Score: 100, Grade: A

Waffle House
2642 Windy Hill Road
March 26, 2021 Score: 97, Grade: A

Cobb first responders treated to public safety appreciation lunch

March 27, 2021 2:16 PMMarch 27, 2021 9:14 AM by Wendy Parker

Cobb first responders appreciation lunch

Submitted information and photos:

On Thursday, March 25th, The Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team held an appreciation barbeque lunch to honor local police, firemen, EMT’s and military personnel. The Capital City Home Loans grilling food truck grilled up burgers and hotdogs with a variety of sides sponsored by other local partners.

Attendees were welcome to use the “social distancing patio” to enjoy their meal or take it on the road. Event sponsors and members of the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team were able to socialize and meet all of the local first responder and military attendees and thank them for what they do day-to-day. There were also puppies available for adoption at the event.

Additional sponsors for the event included: Arrow Exterminators, Amerispec Home Inspection, Straight Line Roofing and Restoration, JG Artisan Painting, Aroma Ridge Coffee, The Hathaway Agency Insurance, 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, Chick-fil-A East Lake, Panera Bread and Perrie & Associates.

Local Cobb County and surrounding area first responders, police, fire, detective units and military were all invited. Lunch was also packed up and delivered to Cobb County 911 dispatch by The Hathaway Agency Insurance. For more information on community events at the Janice Overbeck Team office, visit: www.JaniceOverbeck.com.

Cobb first responders appreciation lunch — *David Perrie of Perrie and Associates Law Firm, Nathalie Jegg of Cobb County Police, and Janice Overbeck of the Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team.*

Cobb schools report 147 new confirmed COVID-19 cases

March 26, 2021 3:29 PM by Wendy Parker

This week’s COVID-19 case count in the Cobb County School District is a slight drop from the week of March 19, as the rate of new infections continues to fall.

The district announced in its weekly update on Friday that there were 147 new confirmed cases, nine fewer than a week ago.

It’s the fourth straight week the case totals have been less than 200. The district does not break down the numbers for students and staff.

The district lists the number of active cases by school as well as cumulative totals since July 1, 2020.

Overall, there have been 4,501 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Cobb school district since that date.

This week there were fewer than 10 cases reported at schools with new active cases. They include the following at East Cobb schools:

Bells Ferry ES: 1
East Side ES: 1
Eastvalley ES: 1
Keheley ES: 1
Mt. Bethel ES: 6
Murdock ES: 1
Powers Ferry ES: 2
Sope Creek ES: 2
Timber Ridge ES: 1
Tritt ES: 1
Dickerson MS: 3
Dodgen MS: 1
East Cobb MS: 1
Hightower Trail MS: 1
McCleskey MS: 1
Lassiter HS: 1
Pope HS: 4
Walton HS: 5

In the nearly nine months the district has been compiling COVID data, Walton has the most cumulative cases with 130. Pope has 104, Lassiter 102 and Kell 101.

Dickerson has the most overall cases at the middle school level with 74, and McCleskey has 68.

Walton HS mock trial team finishes 3rd in state competition

March 26, 2021 3:31 PMMarch 26, 2021 11:25 AM by Wendy Parker

Walton HS Mock Trial team

Submitted information and photo:

The 2021 Georgia Mock Trial State Finals Tournament was held last weekend and Walton High School’s team made it to the final four, ultimately placing third in the state out of 99 teams. Co-led by Superior Court Judge Jason Marbutt and local attorney Bill Atkins, along with Chris Sprague, an administrative judge with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board and attorney Petal Walker, Walton’s team finished with a 9-1 record, only losing in its final round to the eventual champion.

“Mock trial is a great way for kids to learn about our court system,” Judge Marbutt said. “More importantly, it’s a great way for kids to learn about themselves. They have to stand their ground in legal disputes, control their emotions amidst disagreement and remain calm even when things don’t go how they expect. Being able to be in an actual courtroom enhances the experience for the kids, and I was happy I could offer a safe space for them.”

Teams are six-12 competing students who present one side of the case each round, being assigned to either the plaintiff or defense. Students on the Walton High School team are Jenny Krakowski, Elise Johnson, Grace Hardy, Piran Terlesky, Andrew Lee, Mika Dennerline, Sanya Kaushal, Gryffin Crowder-White, Collin Marbutt, Sarah Hardy and Omar Inan.

The 2021 mock trial season operated differently this year due to the pandemic. Instead of a single Saturday of competition, teams used Zoom to compete virtually in rounds held throughout the week and weekend over the course of seven weeks. Instead of competing the traditional way by regions, all teams competed in a statewide competition. Prelim rounds began the weekend of Jan. 30, followed by mid-level rounds in early March. The top 32 teams from the mid-level round then moved on to compete in the state finals tournament last weekend.

During the 10 rounds of competition, Jenny Krakowski won six Best Attorney awards, Elise Johnson won three Best Attorney awards, Gryffin Crowder-White won three Best Witness awards, Sarah Hardy won a Best Witness award and Omar Inan won a Best Witness award. Only one attorney and one witness can win an award each round.

This tournament is hosted by the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar.

Pope Band to hold recycling event Saturday at NE Cobb YMCA

March 26, 2021 1:01 PMMarch 26, 2021 8:56 AM by Wendy Parker

Pope Band recycling day

If you’ve got recyclables you want to get rid of, Saturday’s the day.

The location has been changed from the Pope High School parking lot due to COVID-19 restrictions and will take place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Northeast Cobb YMCA (3010 Johnson Ferry Road).

The hotlink can be found here, along with a complete list of what you can bring by—and what they’re not accepting. The per-car donation is $10, and there are additional fees for paint.

East Cobb cityhood effort revived; new services proposed

March 26, 2021 12:13 PMMarch 25, 2021 7:50 PM by Wendy Parker

Another effort to create a city out of East Cobb is being revived by the state lawmaker who introduced a bill in 2019.

But a group called the Committee for East Cobb Cityhood is proposing what it calls a “city lite” set of services.

State Rep. Matt Dollar will be proposing legislation to create a city of East Cobb not only with different services, but some new boundaries.

That bill has not yet been introduced, but Cindy Cooperman, a volunteer for the cityhood committee, told East Cobb News that Dollar will be doing so before the Georgia legislative session ends next week.

In the previous legislation in 2019, the proposed services were police, fire and community development.

For this legislation, the proposed services are zoning, code enforcement and parks and recreation.

Cooperman said the group includes some of the same individuals as the previous cityhood effort, including David Birdwell, Joe Gavalis, Owen Brown and Jerry Quan. Newcomers include former Cobb Board of Education member Scott Sweeney and Mitch Rhoden, CEO of Futren Hospitality, a real estate developer that oversees Indian Hills Country Club.

The group has a new website and will be conducting a new feasibility study, which is required for cityhood legislation.

The previous map included most of Cobb Commission District 2 in unincorporated areas of East Cobb, and was being expanded to include more than 100,000 people.

The proposed new map would include areas south of Shallowford Road and east of Old Canton Road and encompasses a population of 55,000.

The new bill, map and services reflect public feedback during the 2019 cityhood effort, which included several town halls and a debate, she said.

“East Cobb is a thriving suburban area. It is at risk of over-development as we have seen in neighboring communities,” states a message on the cityhood group’s homepage. “We want to preserve all the great parts of East Cobb and grow the community engagement and people, not grow the tax base.”

The touted benefits of cityhood are community control over land-use planning, preventing forced annexation and increasing home values.

East Cobb cityhood, the committee said in a release, “has the benefit of addressing residents’ primary concerns to preserve the positive attributes of East Cobb while protecting it from over-development, encroachment from urban sprawl, and the containment of unmanageable increases in traffic congestion. East Cobb residents are largely satisfied with Cobb County’s other core services.”

More FAQs on the new website can be found here.

The renewed East Cobb effort comes on the heels of legislation proposed to form a city of Lost Mountain in West Cobb, also with “city lite” services focused around land use and development.

But Cooperman said the West Cobb movement wasn’t what prompted another attempt to incorporate East Cobb. There’s “a lot of the same rationale” as the 2019 effort, but said the reconstituted cityhood committee will be seeking more public feedback and engagement.

“East Cobb residents can expect to be engaged in the process. Their feedback from 2019 is incorporated into the refreshed plans,” Sweeney was quoted as saying in the release. “We are committed to community engagement and transparency in the process to explore the merits and feasibility of forming a city.”

The initial cityhood leaders did not divulge the names of some of those involved and didn’t face the public before Dollar’s bill had been filed. They raised money to hire legislative lobbyists, but never revealed the funding sources.

After holding two contentious town hall meetings in the spring and fall of 2019 and a debate with a group in opposition, the cityhood group announced at the end of that year it would not pursue legislation.

Cityhood bills in Georgia must be introduced in the first year of a two-year legislative cycle before being considered in the second. The bills call for referendum to be voted on by voters within a proposed city boundary.

That legislation also needs a Senate sponsor. In 2019, State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick said she received plenty of negative feedback from citizens about cityhood, and other state and county elected officials also expressed opposition.

Cooperman said the engagement process this time around will involve contacting homeowners associations and other community groups.

“There’s going to be community engagement every step of the way,” she said.

East Cobb Republicans vote for Ga. elections overhaul bill

March 25, 2021 7:54 PMMarch 25, 2021 4:22 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb absentee ballots

UPDATED:

The Georgia Senate approved SB 202 in a 34-20 party line vote. Republican State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick voted in favor, and the bill has been signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The four Republicans representing East Cobb in the Georgia House voted in favor of a bill on Thursday that would make sweeping changes to state elections laws.

It’s one of two omnibus elections bills that were up for votes in the Georgia General Assembly, with the 2021 legislative session drawing to a close.

Both bills, written by Republican lawmakers, would add identification requirements for mailed ballots, restrict the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, require more advanced voting across the state and shorten runoff elections.

The legislature also has oversight of proposed changes to election rules by the Secretary of State and state elections board.

Provisions in initial bills to scrap no-excuse absentee voting and Sunday voting were taken out of the omnibus bills, called the Election Integrity Act of 2021.

The House vote on SB 202 Thursday (you can read it here) was 100-75, along mostly partisan lines. GOP Reps. John Carson, Sharon Cooper, Matt Dollar and Don Parsons, who represent East Cobb districts, voted with the majority.

The only Democrat with an East Cobb constituency, Mary Frances Williams, voted against.

In Cobb County, 16 drop boxes were located around the county for absentee ballots. But the legislation would limit those drop boxes to early voting locations only while the polls are open.

Also, anyone requesting an absentee ballot would have to do so no later than 11 days before an election, and the Secretary of State would not be able to send out unsolicited absentee ballot applications, as was done in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another provision of the bill would forbid anyone from providing food and water for people standing in line to vote.

The Senate was scheduled to take up SB 202 as well as the other omnibus elections bill, HB 531 (you can read it here). There are two legislative days left, with the session set to end March 31.

In a vote on an earlier elections bill, SB 241, Republican State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick of East Cobb was excused. She was only one of three GOP senators who did not co-sponsor the legislation, which was opposed by Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan.

After last year’s elections prompted major wins for Democrats—including the presidential race and both of Georgia’s U.S. Senate races—the Republican-led legislative session has been dominated by elections bills.

In many races, absentee votes went overwhelmingly for Democratic candidates, while Republicans did better with advanced and election-day in-person voting.

Some Republicans charged election fraud, especially in the presidential race, which Democrat Joe Biden won by less than 12,000 votes.

Democrats and voting-rights groups have blasted the omnibus bills as examples of voter suppression.

But Republicans say overhauls are necessary to restore integrity and trust in elections.

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Chestnut Ridge Christian Church to open sanctuary for Good Friday

March 25, 2021 3:15 PMMarch 25, 2021 12:08 PM by Wendy Parker

Chestnut Ridge Christian Church Good Friday

Submitted information:

Chestnut Ridge Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will open its sanctuary for Good Friday, April 2, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the community to drop in. COVID-19 precautions will be followed, including requiring masks and spacing the chairs in the sanctuary. The sanctuary will be open for a quiet and reflective time of prayer. The church will provide individual reflections on Bible stories during Jesus’ last week, focusing on who is speaking and who is staying silent.

There will also be space for a community response to the question “What breaks God’s heart?” Let’s take time to listen to each other and to sit with sorrow.

Chestnut Ridge is an Open and Affirming congregation that celebrates the spirital gifts and human dignity of all God’s children. You can see more details about the Good Friday event at chestnutridgechristianchurch.com/good-friday-2021.

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Cobb Master Gardeners to hold annual garden tour May 22

March 25, 2021 2:50 PMMarch 25, 2021 8:41 AM by Wendy Parker

Cobb Master Gardeners garden tour

Submitted information and art:

The Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, Inc. (MGVOCC) are holding their 18th Annual Garden Tour on Saturday, May 22, 2021 from 10 am – 5 pm in the East and Central Marietta area. Tickets are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 on the day of the tour. Children 17 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.cobbmastergardeners.com beginning April 1. Masks required.

Learn and be inspired. The Tour features five (5) gardens, including four private gardens and one community garden. All the private gardens have been painstakingly managed by their owners, four of whom are Master Gardeners. They range in size from a small lot “Urban Oasis” to a nine-acre “Estate.” The Reconnecting Our Roots Community Garden is maintained and supported as a volunteer project by MGVOCC volunteers.

“Unlike other garden tours, our tour focuses on education as much as “stopping to smell the roses,” explains this year’s Chair, Bill Lovelace. “Our docents, most of whom are Master Gardeners, are there to point out the features and challenges of each garden and to answer your gardening questions. We not only showcase the beauty of nature in both shade and sun but give you ideas and information you can apply to your own yard. Free UGA publications will be available. We hope you join us on May 22.”

The Tour is held rain or shine, and tickets are non-refundable. Masks are required. Social distancing will be maintained. For more information, garden descriptions and maps, please visit: https://www.cobbmastergardeners.com

Established in Cobb County in 1980, the Cobb Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who help homeowners, businesses and organizations engage in research-based horticultural practices. They do this through the Cobb County Cooperative Extension Service and University of Georgia. Cobb County has more than 200 active Master Gardener volunteers who donated 15,396 hours in 2020 and 22,472 hours in 2019.

For gardening questions, contact the Master Gardener Help Desk at 770-528-4070.

Sprayberry Crossing rezoning subject of virtual presentation

March 24, 2021 3:38 PM by Wendy Parker

Sprayberry Crossing virtual presentation

Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell is inviting the public to hear a virtual presentation about the Sprayberry Crossing rezoning case that’s scheduled to be heard in April.

Her event is next Wednesday, March 31, from 6-7 p.m., and anyone interested in attending must register by clicking here.

“This will be a presentation by staff to answer questions and address analysis and recommendations,” she said during remarks at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting.

“This will not be a public interaction meeting,” said Birrell, adding that persons wishing to have questions answered should e-mail her at joann.birrell@cobbcounty.org. Questions will be sent to “appropriate staff for response. . . Please put ROD-1 virtual meeting 3.31.21 in the subject line when submitting questions.”

That’s the case number assigned to the repeatedly delayed redevelopment of a blighted shopping center at Sandy Plains Road and East Piedmont Road (The agenda item overview can be found here; here is the staff analysis.).

The latest continuance was issued earlier this month by the Cobb Planning Commission. The developer, Atlantic Realty, continues to make changes to its site plan.

Whiile many area residents have wanted the blighted shopping center redeveloped for years, others have opposed the proposed 125 apartments. Sprayberry Crossing also would include 125 senior living apartments, 44 townhomes, 36,000 square feet of retail (mostly for a Lidl grocery store) and 8,000 square feet of office space.

Joe Glancy of the Sprayberry Crossing Action Group, which has pushed for redevelopment, said Wednesday he and fellow group leader Shane Spink have put together what they’re calling the Sprayberry Crossing Design Review Committee that met with the developer last week.

The committee includes nearby residents with experience in site plan design. Among its objectives are to improve community green space features and regard a family cemetery included on the property “as a cherished community and historic site.”

Glancy said the committee “is not advocating for county zoning approval of this project” but would advocate the “very best possible development IF the development is approved.”

More about that can be found here.

The Cobb Planning Commission is scheduled to hear the request on April 6 and the Cobb Board of Commissioners on April 20.

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