Lassiter PTSA president running for Cobb school board Post 5

A longtime PTA leader in the Lassiter High School community is the latest candidate for the Post 5 seat on the Cobb Board of Education.Tammy Andress, Cobb Board of Education candidate

Tammy Andress, currently a Lassiter PTSA co-president, said last week she is running as a Democrat for the seat held by three-term Republican David Banks.

Andress is a marketing specialist at the Sandy Plains Road Zaxby’s, and is the mother of three daughters—one is a 2018 Lassiter graduate, and the other two currently are Lassiter students.

She has held PTA leadership roles at Davis Elementary School and Mabry Middle School—her daughters’ previous schools—as well as Lassiter. Andress also is a current vice president of the East Cobb County Council of PTAs.

She said she’s running for the school board to improve transparency with the public, boost teacher planning time and to ensure fiscal responsibility.

Andress also supports the building of a college and career academy in the East Cobb area, similar to what’s under construction now at Osborne High School (read her platform).

Related content

Other initiatives include creating “student stakeholders” to address issues like bullying. She also wants the Cobb County School District to create the position of Chief Resource Officer to better scrutinize budget allotments and contracts to root out waste and discover inequities.

Andress wants to restore public comments by school board members at meetings, a practice that was banned last fall in a contentious dispute that fell along party lines.

Andress is the second Democrat to announce for Post 5, joining first-time candidate Julia Hurtado, a phyiscal therapist who lives in the Sedalia Park attendance zone.

The primary is May 19, and the Post 5 seat thus far has drawn the most interest of the four Cobb school board races up for election this year.

Banks is seeking a fourth term representing Post 5—which includes the Lassiter and Pope clusters—and has drawn three GOP primary challengers. They include Delta pilot Shelley O’Malley, attorney Rob Madayag and IT consultant Matt Harper.

A forum for the Post 5 candidates is being held March 15 and sponsored by the Pope PTSA. It will start at 3 p.m. at the Pope performing arts theater.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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 County in flash flood watch through Tuesday evening

More soggy news from the National Weather Service, which has issued another flash flood watch Monday afternoon to include Cobb County through Tuesday evening.

We’re expecting between 2-4 inches that started late Monday afternoon, and the rains aren’t expected to let up for the next day or so.

There’s a 100 percent chance of rain Monday night, and a 90 percent chance through most of the day Tuesday. The chance of rain is expected to taper off to a 60 percent chance Tuesday night, and up to 70 percent again on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.

The watch area covers most of north Georgia, which was drenched by rain last week that led to flooding in some parts, including a few streets in East Cobb, as well as East Cobb Park, Sandy Plains Park and Noonday Creek Park. A part of Keheley Road remains closed north of Shallowford Road.

Tuesday’s high temperature is expected to be in the mid 50s, with lows around the same. The highs for Wednesday is forecast for the mid 60s, and likewise for Thursday.

Sunny weather is expected by Friday, but it’s going to get colder, only into the high 40s.

Cobb Flash Flood Watch

Related stories

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

 

Lassiter girls win state swimming championship; Walton third

The Lassiter girls swimming team got strong performances from their relay teams Saturday to win the Georgia High School Association Class 6A-7A championships at Georgia Tech.Lassiter and Kell wrestlers

The Lady Trojans tallied 332.5 points, followed by Brookwood with 307 and Walton with 291 points.

(You can find the full results here.)

Lassiter won its first relay race, the 200-yard medley, with a time of 1:47.34, featuring a team of Elizabeth Blanco, Kennadi King, Elizabeth Tilt and Lindsey Johnson.

In the 200-yard freestyle relay, Blanco and Johnson were joined by Allison Brown and Frances Carson to win with a time of 1:36.22.

The Walton team of Jasmin Hoffman, Abby Belinski, Isabella Decker and Elizabeth Isakson finished fourth in that race, with a time of 1:36.63.

In the 400-yard freestyle relay, Walton (Hoffman, Belinski, Isakson and Annalia Janson) was second at 3:29.72, and Lassiter (Carson, Brown, King and Tilt) came in third with a time of 3:30.67.

Tilt won the girls 7A race in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 54.85 in Lassiter’s only individual winner, and she was second in the 200-yard medley (2:04.04). Aiding the Lady Trojans’ cause was Blanco, who was second in the 100-yard backstroke (56.67); Carson, who came in third in the 200-yard freestyle (1:52.13); and Kayleigh Clark, who was fourth in the 1-meter diving event (485.75).

Lassiter was dominant in girls swimming several years ago, winning four consecutive state titles from 2008-11, and also in 2005.

East Cobb state swimming champions

  • 1983—Walton boys
  • 1988—Walton girls
  • 1999—Pope boys
  • 2005—Lassiter girls
  • 2008-11—Lassiter girls
  • 2014-15—Walton boys
  • 2017—Walton girls
  • 2018—Pope boys
  • 2020—Lassiter girls

The Pope girls finished in 23rd place with 108 points, and Wheeler was 37th with 40 points.

In other girls individual events, Walton’s Jasmin Hoffman was second in the 50-yard freestyle race with a time of 23.51, and Walton’s Elizabeth Isakson was third in the 100-yard breastroke at 1:04.98.

The highest finisher for an East Cobb boys team was Pope, which was 4th in the Class 6A meet with 224 points, well behind 6A-7A champion Dalton, which had 445 points.

Walton was 18th with 140 points, Lassiter 22nd with 109 points and Wheeler 53rd with six points.

In individual races, Lassiter’s Brendan Hausdorf was second in the 200-yard freestyle, coming in second with a time of 1:39.56. He also was fourth in the 500-yard freestyle (4:35.35).

Pope’s Gabe Lacasella was third in the 50-yard freestyle (21.21), and the Greyhounds’ Eli Lubell was third in 1-meter diving with 415.10 points.

Related story

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

East Cobb Biz Notes: Mellow Mushroom opening announced

Mellow Mushroom Johnson Ferry Road

The “Coming Soon” status of the planned Mellow Mushroom on Johnson Ferry Road has changed: The newest East Cobb location is opening Feb. 24.

The Atlanta-based pizzeria franchise announced the date on social media this morning, not long after obtaining an alcohol license and beginning hiring.

Plans have been in the works for nearly a year for Mellow Mushroom to occupy the former Common Quarter/Muss & Turner’s space at Woodlawn Square.

Sandy Plains MarketPlace sold

BisNow Atlanta has reported that the new Sandy Plains MarketPlace retail center has been sold by its developer, Fuqua Development, to the Atlanta-based Orkin & Associates real investment firm for $43.8 million.

The 73,000-square-foot center on the former site of Mountain View Elementary School has only a few businesses now—Jim ‘N Nicks BBQ, and next month, a Clean Juice location opens.

Also on tap are the first Publix GreenWise store in Georgia, Bad Daddy Burger Bar and First Watch, a breakfast franchise.

Related content

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Taste of East Cobb announces festival date for 2020

Taste of East Cobb

The date has been revealed for the 2020 edition of the Taste of East Cobb, which is a primary fundraiser for the Walton band programs. Here’s what festival organizers were sharing over the weekend:

Known as “the most delicious Saturday of the year”, the Taste of East Cobb event will be held on May 2nd from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the parking lot of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, Georgia 30068.

“Taste of East Cobb is our way of bringing people of all ages together to celebrate our vibrant community,” said David Wilson, event chair. “Join us for a great day of family, food, and fun!”

Taste of East Cobb showcases the best of East Cobb’s local restaurant talent with chefs offering a delicious variety of tastings from their menus. All restaurant featured ‘tastes’ will be offered at only 1-5 tickets per serving, so make sure to arrive HUNGRY!

Event information and tickets are available online at http://tasteofeastcobb.com.

 

Related content

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Good Mews to hold Valentine’s weekend adoption special

Submitted info and graphic:Good Mews Valentine's Day adoption special

Please visit Good Mews Animal Foundation for our Valentine’s Day adoption special! ALL Cats and Kittens will have a reduced adoption fee of $14. We are open for adoptions on Saturdays 10AM – 4PM and Sundays 1PM – 4PM.
Please visit our website www.goodmews.org for more information and to see our adoptable kitties! We just rescued 17 cats from Habersham County animal control and many of these new residents will be ready to find their fur-ever home!

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

East Cobb traffic alert: Sandy Plains Road closures for Monday

Sandy Plains road closures

Cobb County government said Sunday that there will be intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday along Sandy Plains Road, between Piedmont Road and Ebenezer Road.

That’s due to pavement marking activities. The temporary closures will not involve northbound and southbound lanes at the same time.

The county message said if the work isn’t done by 3 p.m. Monday the work will continue on Tuesday.

Related story

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Snow comes to East Cobb; winter weather advisory extended Saturday

East Cobb snow

By mid-morning Saturday, snow was falling around East Cobb and a winter weather advisory issued for most of North Georgia was extended to later this afternoon.

A couple of inches have fallen in the mountains, with some early reports of snow in metro Atlanta indicate around an inch or less. In some areas the snow is between an inch or two.

Some of it is sticking, as temperatures hover around freezing, but highs are expected to reach into the high 40s later today.

The National Weather Service has extended a winter weather advisory from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Cobb County government reported around 10 a.m. that some crews are treating major roads and that they are passable, but some residential streets may not be.

Drivers are urged to exercise caution when traveling and have been encouraged to avoid getting out on the roads if possible.

Although the rain may melt some of the snow, sub-freezing temperatures are expected tonight.

Cobb libraries that were scheduled to open at 10 a.m. Saturday will have a delayed opening, until noon.

Cobb Schools said earlier this morning that all scheduled Saturday extracurricular activities are still slated to go on, but shortly after noon some cancellations were reported.

That includes the Region 6-6A girls and boys basketball tournament at Sprayberry High School.

The Sweetheart Dance scheduled for Saturday night at Sope Creek Elementary School also has been called off.

St. Andrew UMC will have its Valentine’s Dinner Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

The Walker School has cancelled all Saturday activities.

Some businesses around East Cobb posting on social media said they are open, at least for now, but others are closed or will be closing.

Kids Kuts Salon closed around noon for the rest of Saturday, as did Code Ninjas East Cobb.

Peace Love and Pizza in East Cobb also is closed, and will reopen at noon Sunday.

GTC Merchants Walk Cinema was closed Saturday morning and is posting updates on its Facebook page.

East Cobb Ace Hardware is closing at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Peachtree Curling Club is closed Saturday.

The McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA and Northeast Cobb YMCA closed at 10:30 Saturday morning and cancelled all activities for the rest of Saturday.

Eastside Baptist Church will have one joint worship service Sunday, at 11 a.m., due to the weather, and will have no LifeGroups meeting.

Transfiguration Catholic Church announced that Perpetual Adoration will be closed for the rest of Saturday, and could reopen after the 5 p.m. Mass depending on road conditions.

We will be updating this post during the day.

If you have news to report of openings/closings, roads affected by the weather or photos to share, please e-mail: editor@eastcobbnews.com.

Photos from Sarah Wyeth in the Lake Fjord neighborhood:

Lake Fjord snow

Lake Fjord snow

Lake Fjord snow

And these are from reader Geoffrey Herrera in the Rivermill neighborhood:

East Cobb snow, readers photos

East Cobb snow, readers photos

The snow comes after warmer weather brought heavy rains and flooding and a tornado watch to metro Atlanta earlier this week.

Sunday is expected to be sunny with highs in the low 50s, but rain is forecast to move in at the start of next week.

Related story

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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 included in winter weather advisory until Saturday afternoon

Cobb winter weather advisory

Cobb County is included in a winter weather advisory until early Saturday afternoon.

The National Weather Service has issued the advisory for most of North Georgia, including metro Atlanta, from 4 a.m. Saturday to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The forecast calls for rain and possibly snow, as much as an inch in some places, during that time. Metro Atlanta is expected to get less than an inch of accumulation.

Temperatures didn’t get out of the 30s on Friday, and the high on Saturday is expected to be in the low 40s.

The chance of rain overnight Friday into Saturday is 70 percent, with lows dropping to around freezing.

Partly cloudy weather returns Saturday night, with lows also expected around freezing.

For Sunday, sunny skies are in the forecast, with highs in the mid 50s.

Warmer weather and more rain will greet the start of next week.

Related story

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

East Cobb weather update: Keheley Road closed due to flooding

Here’s what Cobb County was sharing around 1 p.m. Friday about the cleanup of roads and parks after the heavy rains the last couple days:

All Cobb parks have opened except Noonday Creek Park and some fields in Fullers Park that have experienced flooding issues.

Parks crews are clearing debris at East Cobb Park, Sandy Plains Park and others.

The only road that remains closed is Keheley Road, in northeast Cobb, north of Shallowford Road and at Eula Drive (in photo), because of water spilling over onto the road.

Cobb Police said late Thursday that that stretch of Keheley Road may be closed for a few days while cleanup continues.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Gritters Library to host WorkSource Cobb Mobile Career Center

The Cobb County Public Library System is getting out word that the non-profit WorkSource Cobb Mobile Career Center will be conducting several events at Gritters Library this month.CobbWorks employment workshop series

The first session is next Thursday, Feb. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and here are more details about what’s coming up:

Gritters Library is added to the MCC’s monthly schedule after years since its last visit to the library, said Jim Montgomery, WorkSourceCobb/CobbWorks MCC Coordinator.

A Resume Workshop program inside the computer lab on wheels is scheduled during the February 13th visit at 11 a.m. The MCC offers free workforce and job skills development services, wi-fi and more.

Gritters Library Manager Pamela Finley said she expects many Gritters area residents will welcome Mr. Montgomery and the MCC to the library. Gritters Library is located off Canton Road at Shaw Park in northeastern Cobb County.

“I know there is a community need for this service,” she said. “Many of the computer users at Gritters are working on resumes, job applications and job searching.”

The second February visit to Gritters Library is Thursday, February 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Mobile Career Center’s February schedule includes late morning and early afternoon hours at public libraries and other locations across Cobb. Resume workshops are included on select dates.

For the full February MCC schedule, visit www.worksourcecobb.org/news-events.

For information on upcoming programs at Gritters Library, visit www.cobbcat.org or call 770-528-2524.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

East Cobb state senator co-sponsors bill to cut school tests

State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick of East Cobb is a co-sponsor of a bill backed by Gov. Brian Kemp that would eliminate some mandated state standardized school tests.State Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick

Kirkpatrick is one of six Republicans, including two of the governor’s floor leaders, who submitted SB 367 (you can read it here).

Kemp announced the legislation at a news conference Tuesday with legislative leaders and Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods.

The bill would cut five current tests: High school end-of-year tests in American literature, geometry, physical science and economics and fifth grade social studies.

The number of required standardized tests in Georgia would go down from 24 to 19 (the federal government mandates a minimum of 17 tests) and the state could decide whether to factor in end-of-course test results as part of a students’ grade.

Those tests are included in the state’s Milestones tests, which include a wide range of test scores and other academic performance metrics for students in grades three through 12.

End-of-course test results currently amount to 20 percent of a high school student’s Milestones score.

More background here about SB 267 from the Georgia Recorder.

The bill has received the support of Woods as well as the Georgia Association of Educators and several public school districts in Georgia.

A Cobb County School District spokeswoman told East Cobb News that “we broadly support the reduction in testing and Gov. Kemp’s bill. We look forward to the next steps in a redesign of how Georgia assesses students and empowers teachers to better understand what students know.”

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Flash flood warning continues in Cobb as road hazards remain

Eula Drive flooded NE Cobb

UPDATED, 4 P.M. THURSDAY:

Cobb Parks and Recreation have closed East Cobb Park and Noonday Creek Park due to flooding, until the waters recede.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Cobb, metro Atlanta and much of North Georgia were deluged with heavy rains overnight Thursday and most of Thursday morning, and a flood warning has been extended until 6 p.m. today.

Shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service in Atlanta extended the warning for Carroll, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Gordon, Gwinnett, Haralson, Paulding, Pickens, Polk and Rockdale counties.

A tornado watch issued for Cobb and metro Atlanta through 1 p.m. Thursday expired with no reports of tornado activity.

A flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. Between 2-4 inches of rain was in the forecast, and there are scattered reports in Cobb of roads being flooded and trees falling.

Around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Cobb County government said the Sope Creek area in East Cobb is particularly vulnerable to flooding.

Eula Drive in Northeast Cobb is closed due to flooding. It’s a residential street between Trickum Road and Keheley Drive. Also closed is Dickson Drive, near Bells Ferry Road and Interstate 75.

There were reports of fields at Fullers Park being partially underwater.

The Cobb County School District said all Thursday classes and activities, including after-school programs, are continuing as scheduled.

The NWS advises motorists to turn around when seeing a flooded road, and not to try to drive through standing water. Report any flooded roads or roads with downed trees or power lines to police.

Temperatures will be dipping into the high 30s Thursday night, with an 80 percent chance of rain in the forecast. Friday will get as warm as the low 40s as the chance of rain is reduced to 20 percent.

More rain returns on Saturday but sun is expected Sunday with highs both days in the 50s and lows around freezing.

 

 

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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 included in flash flood watch until Friday morning

Cobb flash flood watch

As rain moves into Cobb County and metro Atlanta Wednesday night, weather forecasters are saying enough will be coming to warrant a flash flood watch.

The National Weather Service in Peachtree City says the watch period will start at 6 p.m. Wednesday and continue through 7 a.m. Friday for north and much of middle Georgia.

Cobb is located in a line that could get between 3 and 4 inches during that time. Heavy rains are expected to start Wednesday night, up to six inches in some parts.

A 100 percent chance of rain Wednesday night is in the forecast, and a 100 percent chance is expected on Thursday. Temperatures will be warm, with highs in the mid to high 60s, but with a chance of rain at 80 percent later on Thursday and down to 40 percent as weather gets much colder.

Thursday night’s lows are projected to be in the high 30s, and while sunny, clear skies are forecast for Friday, the highs are forecast to be only in the mid 40s. Friday night will be clear with lows near freezing.

Rain and warmer weather are on tap for the weekend, with sunny skies and highs in the high 50s in the forecast for Sunday.

 

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

East Cobb traffic alert: Sandy Plains Road closed due to gas leak

Sandy Plains Road closed

Cobb Police just issued a notice that a stretch of Sandy Plains Road near Scufflegrit Road is closed because of a gas leak.

The portion of Sandy Plains that is shut down in both directions is between Broussard Way and Rosebriar Drive, both residential streets, and the closure could last for several hours.

Police and fire crews are on the scene. The closest alternates are Canton Road and the Canton Road Connector to the west and Scufflegrit Road and Piedmont Road to the east.

Related story

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

East Cobb food scores: Ted’s Montana Grill; O’Charley’s; more

Ted's Montana Grill, East Cobb food scores

The following East Cobb food scores from Jan. Feb. 3-7 have been compiled by the Cobb & Douglas Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for details of the inspection:

Bagelicious
1255 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 37
February 7, 2020 Score: 98, Grade: A

Cherry On Top Delights
4665 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 107
February 6, 2020 Score: 95, Grade: A

Domino’s Pizza
2146 Roswell Road, Suite 100
February 4, 2020 Score: 96, Grade: A

Kayhill’s Sports Bar & Grill
2100 Roswell Road, Suite 2114
February 4, 2020 Score: 96, Grade: A

Montana’s Bar & Grill
2995 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 330
February 6, 2020 Score: 81, Grade: B

O’Charley’s 
3550 Sandy Plains Road
February 5, 2020 Score: 95, Grade: A

Ted’s Montana Grill
640 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 150
February 4, 2020 Score: 73, Grade: C

Tofu Village 
700 Sandy Plains Road, Suite B1
February 7, 2020 Score: 95, Grade: A

Touchdown Wings
2856 Delk Road, Suite 301
February 3, 2020 Score: 93, Grade: A

Tritt Elementary School
4435 Post Oak Tritt Road
February 6, 2020 Score: 100, Grade: A

Wing Cafe & Tap House
2145 Roswell Road, Suite 170
February 4, 2020 Score: 100, Grade: A

Related stories

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

Deadline for East Cobb PTA scholarship applications is Feb. 28

The East Cobb County Council of PTAs awards a $1,000 scholarship to graduating seniors from each of the six Cobb County School District high schools in East Cobb (Kell, Lassiter, Pope, Sprayberry, Walton, Wheeler).ECCC PTA

The deadline for submitting applications for the Margie Hatfield Scholarship Fund is Feb. 28. Here’s more from ECCC PTA about how to apply:

The scholarship, known as the Margie Hatfield Scholarship, honors the dedication and years of service given by Mrs. Hatfield to the youth of our council. In recognition of her volunteer involvement, the Margie Hatfield Scholarship Fund awards deserving seniors who have made significant contributions to the community.

Any graduating senior enrolling in a full-time course of study at any institute of higher learning may apply. Students, however, must be a member of your school’s PTSA, and if awarded a scholarship, must use the funds for continuing education.

ECCC PTA Scholarship Awards Ceremony 
Date: Monday, April 20, 2020 
Time: 9:30 – 11:30am 
Location: Walton High School

Please contact Kimberly Webb, ECCC PTA Scholarship Chair, at kwebb1970@gmail.com if you have any questions.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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 Development Authority member launches Commission bid

East Cobb resident Kevin Nicholas, a member of the Development Authority of Cobb County, has launched a bid for the District 2 seat on the Cobb Board of Commissioners.Kevin Nicholas, Cobb Development Authority

A software development and technology professional, he’s the fourth Republican to announce for the seat being vacated at the end of the year by retiring commissioner Bob Ott.

Nicholas also ran in the Republican primary for Post 6 on the Cobb Board of Education in 2014, and was defeated by then-incumbent Scott Sweeney.

Nicholas declared his intent to receive campaign contributions on Jan. 29, and on Friday made a brief statement on his Facebook page, saying “we face real challenges that have come along with the growth in Cobb for families like ours and the businesses we work with and support.”

East Cobb News has left a message seeking more details about his candidacy. Nicholas said in that same message that “we need to look forward and prepare for the eventuality of change while embracing values which support our community and make it a forever home for our children and grandchildren. . .  I am passionate to continue serving you – not the establishment or special interests.”

District 2 includes most of East Cobb as well as the Vinings/Cumberland area. Ott was first elected in 2008, and said last month he would not be seeking a fourth term.

The seven Cobb Development Authority members are appointed by county commissioners and consider economic development initiatives and incentives, including tax abatements for redeveloped land.

In recent years, their votes on tax incentives have come under increasing scrutiny.

Nicholas was one of two votes against a measure in 2018 to provide $35 million in revenue bonds for a Kroger superstore at the MarketPlace Terrell Mill project currently under construction on Powers Ferry Road.

The Development Authority’s vote in favor of those abatements was challenged legally by East Cobb resident Larry Savage, and a retired Cobb judge ruled against the bonds being issued.

However, Kroger and the Development Authority appealed the ruling, and the Georgia Supreme Court upheld the abatements last summer.

Nicholas’ term on the Development Authority was due to expire in March 2021.

Another GOP commission candidate, Andy Smith of East Cobb, announced on Monday his intent to accept campaign contributions. He’s been Ott’s appointee to the Cobb Planning Commission since 2018.

The other Republican candidates are entrepreneur Fitz Johnson of Vinings, who announced last week, and East Cobb resident Shane Deyo, an Army veteran and software consultant.

The lone Democrat thus far is Jerica Richardson of East Cobb, who announced last summer.

Savage is running for the third time for Cobb Commission Chairman, and is the only Republican thus far challenging incumbent Mike Boyce in the primary. Savage also ran in 2012 and 2016.

Related story

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!

LGE Community Credit Union scholarship applications accepted

LGE Community Credit Union scholarships
Maayan Lantzman of Pope High School (third from left) was a 2019 LGE Community Credit Union scholarship winner from the Cobb County School District.

Submitted information and photo:

Applications are now open for LGE’s 2020 Community Service Scholarship Program. The program awards scholarships to high school seniors who display an exceptional commitment to serving their community and others.

LGE is strategically partnered with both Cobb County School District and Marietta City Schools, and is proud to offer scholarship opportunities specific to students at those schools. Seniors who attend a Cobb County School District or Marietta City Schools public high school are eligible to apply for a $5,000 scholarship through their respective school. Students should contact their high school for application and details. One winner from each district will be selected as the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship.

An additional $3,000 scholarship is open to all other high school seniors within LGE’s footprint that attend a school that falls outside of LGE’s district-specific scholarships. The application and official rules for this scholarship can be found at LGEccu.org/scholarships. All applications must be received by March 18, 2020 at 5 p.m. ET.

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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 voter registration deadline for presidential primary is Feb. 24

If you want to vote in the March 24 presidential primary in Georgia and aren’t a registered voter, you’ll have until Feb. 24 to do so.East Cobb advance voting

You can check your registration status or file an online registration form by clicking here with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.

While Democratic voters will have several hopefuls to choose from, the Republican ballot will have only one name—incumbent President Donald Trump.

In Cobb County, some polling precinct locations have changed, including several in East Cobb, as noted last month. The Cobb Board of Elections formally approved those changes last week.

Advance voting in the presidential primary starts March 2; full schedule here.

The deadline to register for the May 19 general primary—which includes Congressional, state and local offices—is April 20. 

Last week, Cobb Elections formally adopted filing fees for candidates running for local office. Qualifying for various judgeships, county commission, county school board, court clerks, sheriff and tax commissioner is March 2-6.

This year, Georgia is rolling out new voting machines that includes a paper balloting system, and they will be used initially for the presidential primary.

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

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!