Cobb commission special election primaries set for Tuesday

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Special elections for District 2 and District 4 for the Cobb Board of Commissioners will include a primary on Tuesday.

Cobb commission special election primaries set for Tuesday
District 2 contains only small portions of the East Cobb area.

The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

District 2 includes a portion of the East Cobb area along Interstate 75 and the Powers Ferry Road corridor.

Precincts in East Cobb that are partly or all in District 2 include East Piedmont 01, Marietta 6B, Marietta 6A, Sewell Mill 03, Marietta 7A, Powers Ferry 01, Terrell Mill 01 and Chattahoochee 01.

If you live in one of those precincts and are unsure of your commission district, check the My Voter page at the Georgia Secretary of State’s office website.

Democratic candidates for District 2 include former Cobb Board of Education member Jaha Howard, former State Rep. Erick Allen and Marietta resident Tracy Stevenson.

Another Democratic candidate, Taniesha Whorton, dropped out but her name is still on the ballot.

If a runoff is needed, it would be held on March 11.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Alicia Adams, the only Republican to qualify, in the April general election.

Early voting in the primaries took place last week, and Cobb Elections reported light turnout—around 3,300 votes in both races.

The special elections were ordered by a Cobb judge after May 2024 primaries were invalidated due to electoral maps that were ruled to be in violation of the Georgia Constitution.

District 2 was held until last week by Jerica Richardson, a first-term Democrat who was drawn out of her East Cobb home by the Georgia legislature during reapportionment in 2022.

She and her two fellow Democrats on the commission voted to honor electoral maps drawn by the Cobb legislative delegation, then headed by Allen, that would have kept her in office.

Those “home rule” maps never received a vote in the legislature, but they were also used by the Cobb Board of Elections for the primaries.

Howard defeated Whorton in a Democratic runoff. At the same time, Adams appealed her disqualification under the “home rule” maps and won her legal challenge, setting off another wave of court battles involving Richardson.

Her last-ditch appeal to the Georgia Court of Appeals to stay in office was ignored last week, for now the commission has only four of its five members.

Cobb Elections estimates the special elections will cost around $1.5 million.

The District 4 seat also is getting a do-over. First-term incumbent Monique Sheffield easily won the 2024 primary for the South Cobb seat, and Yashica Marshall once again is challenging her.

There are two Republicans on the ballot in that race, Matthew Hardwick and Julien Grhas.

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Wheeler Theatre to stage ‘Cinderella The Enchanted Edition’

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Submitted information:https://eastcobbnews.com/2025-atlanta-jewish-film-festival-marks-25th-anniversary/

Join Wheeler High School Theatre as they present in royal style, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, the Enchanted Edition on March 27, 28 and 29 at 7:00 pm and March 29 and 30 at 2:00 pm in the Wheeler Performance Arts Center.

From the amazing team that brought you Oklahoma, The Sound of Music and South Pacific, Rodgers and Hammerstein bring the classic love story of Cinderella to the stage, as told through the eyes of her Fairy Godmother. In a beloved tale of dreams, love and new beginnings, Cinderella is a young woman living in servitude to her cruel stepmother, all while dreaming of a better life.  With a little help from her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is transformed into a beautiful young maiden so she may attend the royal ball. An evening of pageantry and dancing leads her to meet her Prince Charming. but the magic expires at midnight. Young and old will not want to miss seeing true love’s persistence prevail.

Accompanied by a full orchestra of Wheeler Student Instrumentalists, we invite you to attend this beautiful retelling of a classic tale and enjoy the timeless music from your childhood. 

Cinderella is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All Authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com 

TICKETS: WHEELERHS.BOOKTIX.COM 

Adult Tickets:  $20 

Student Tickets:  $10 / with student ID or children attending with an adult

CCSD Faculty and Staff receive ONE Complimentary Ticket with CCSD ID.

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Scout Troop 1011 announces 38th annual pine straw fundraiser

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Submitted information:

2023 Dog Days Run
Scouts from Troop 1011, sponsored by the Rotary Club of East Cobb.

  • We are taking orders now through February 23 at scoutpinestraw.com

  • Rolls are $16 and bales are $7

  • Delivery will take place Friday, February 28- Saturday, March 1

  • Delivery is free with the purchase of 12 bales or 5 rolls (within a 5-mile radius of Mt. Bethel Church)

  • All proceeds benefit the Scouts of Troop 1011 for camping trips, merit badge activities, etc.

  • Scout Troop 1011 is sponsored by the East Cobb Rotary

 

 

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, Jan. 27-31, 2025

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The Preserve at Holly Springs, East Cobb real estate sales
The Preserve at Holly Springs

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

1961 Enchanted Woods Trail, 30066 (Enchanted Woods): $530,000

1366 Gray Rock Drive, 30066 (Olde Mill Ford): $400,000

1285 Harewood Trail, 30066 (Oxford Manor): $500,000

Lassiter

None

Pope

2951 Bentwood Drive, 30062 (Saddle Ridge Lake): $530,000

3334 Woods Field Drive, 30062 (Post Oak Square): $640,000

4799 Fairville Court, 30062 (Chadds Walk): $835,000

2111 Mitchell Road, 30062 (Cadence): $1.4 million

2440 Timberland Creek Trail, 30062 (The Preserve at Holly Springs): $1.45 million

3152 Normandy Circle, 30062 (Normandy): $360,000

2878 London Court, 30062 (Ashford Pines): $640,000

Sprayberry

3952 Fairington Drive, 30066 (Lookout Point): $485,000

2233 Creekway Drive, 30066 (Park at Barrett Creek): $410,500

1780 Kinridge Road, 30062 (Sandy Plains Estates): $265,000

1800 Trophy Drive, 30062 (Sandy Plains Estates): $392,000

131 Bluffington Way, 30066 (Old Bells Ferry): $400,000

1151 Malibu Drive, 30066 (Philmont Estates): $475,000

4054 Thornbrook Lane, 30066 (Thornbrook): $420,000

Walton

1143 Wonder Lane, 30062 (Crafton Heights): $600,500

1193 Colony Drive, 30068 (Lake Colony): $560,000

1881 Waltham Circle, 30062 (East Hampton): $900,000

2103 Castlewycke Court, 30068 (Brookshyre Manor): $2.3 million

4010 Paper Mill Road, 30067 (The Columns): $1.2 million

1045 Sterling Ridge Chase, 30062 (Sterling Ridge): $650,000

808 Saddle Hill, 30068 (Mulberry Farms): $400,000

Wheeler

322 Chase Lane, 30068 (Sentinel Chase): $1.783 million

885 Halston Court, 30062 (East Lake Ridge): $385,000

2265 Lower Roswell Road, 30068: $499,900

890 Cedar River Court, 30067 (Oaks at Powers Ferry): $499,000

901 Edmond Oaks, 30067 (Scarlet Oaks): $749,000

2739 Beverly Hills Drive, 30068 (Beverly Hills Estates): $650,000

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Editor’s Note: The unrealized legacy of Jerica Richardson

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Cobb adopts state electoral maps; Richardson in limbo

I wish the Georgia General Assembly had not drawn Jerica Richardson out of her seat on the Cobb Board of Commissioners during reapportionment in 2022.

It was unfair and unprecedented, as she stated many times during a two-plus-years legal battle over county electoral maps that confused citizens and cost them fruitless taxpayer-funded court challenges.

But it was not illegal.

When Cobb Republican lawmakers sidestepped local courtesy in ignoring county delegation maps and filed their own maps, it smelled of the partisan odor that comes with redistricting.

As it has for decades, and always will.

Richardson, an articulate and intelligent thirty-something Georgia Tech graduate, entered office in December 2020 full of new energy, new ideas and a younger generational vibe, and was stepping in the very big shoes left behind by Bob Ott.

She was conscientious in forming a “community cabinet” of citizen advisors on such topics as education, land use and traffic, and held online “community huddles” to preview meeting agendas.

She brought young people into the fold in myriad ways, including inviting high school students to conduct “capstone” projects on pressing local issues.

Richardson also worked with the local Brazilian community, a sizable contingent of citizens in the East Cobb and Cumberland-Smyrna area in particular.

These were admirable and endearing efforts to invite greater participation in civic life, and they are a positive part of the legacy she leaves behind in her sole term in office.

Halfway through, the District 2 Richardson had been elected to serve no longer included her East Cobb home.

But when Richardson and her two fellow Democratic colleagues conjured up dubious “home rule” claims in adopting those unapproved delegation maps, and using them to conduct county business, those actions were just as wrong.

They were also violations of the Georgia Constitution–as ruled by two judges in Cobb County–which gives sole county reapportionment powers to the legislature.

Richardson’s final appeal to remain in office—her term officially expired Dec. 31, and she didn’t seek re-election—was ignored Tuesday by the Georgia Court of Appeals.

She was trying to hold on until a special election to decide her successor is determined in April.

In recent months, following those emphatic court rulings of unconstitutionality, Richardson chose her most bristling rhetoric of the whole saga.

While she said at times her legal battle wasn’t about her but the rights of communities to draw electoral maps, at the very end Richardson claimed she had been the primary target all along:

“For the last four years, this office has been under attack by the entire state infrastructure because change is scary for so many. Unfortunately, the unknown is exploited so that power can be transferred from the hands of many to the hands of few.”

That three black Democratic women formed the ruling majority on the commission in a Cobb County dominated for decades by white male Republican elected officials is hard to ignore.

For most of her time in office, Richardson didn’t play to those or other cultural issues.

But at the height of the tensions in August, Democratic Commissioner Monique Sheffield referred to the partisan sparring on the all-female board, especially over the maps, as “political Bloods and Crips.”

Richardson’s vague comments this week are a bit much to absorb. “The entire state infrastructure” was out to get her. Really? In a state with 159 counties? And what exactly is the change that is feared?

We are left to guess.

As for the charge of transferring power, it’s very likely Democrats will still hold a 3-2 majority after the special elections.

The new District 2 includes areas along I-75, from Kennesaw and Marietta to Smyrna, which are not very Republican.

What I wish Richardson would have had done as she took her final bows was to offer an apology.

To those residents of East Cobb who for the last two years were uncertain over who their commissioner was supposed to be.

And for what’s estimated to be $1.5 million for the special elections in District 2 and District 4, after the primaries last year were voided because the “home rule” maps were used.

Acknowledging the chaos and turmoil that was caused by this dispute was a missed opportunity for Richardson.

When Republican Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of East Cobb, who’s not one to relish conflict or use profanity, called this episode “two years of hell,” it’s worth noting.

Yes, Richardson had the right to appeal her removal.

And yes, as Cupid once claimed, “a great harm” was done to Cobb by the legislature in bypassing local delegation courtesies during reapportionment.

But Cupid, who also has a law degree, had to have known where this dispute would end.

In decrying norm-breaking, you don’t break other norms. Especially the law.

That will also be a part of Richardson’s legacy, and that’s disappointing.

ECN 1500 Club Update: Please donate to our February drive!

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Last month I asked East Cobb News readers to consider becoming monthly recurring donors so we can keep giving you community news that you can’t find anywhere else.Editor's Note: Inviting our readers to join the 1500 Club!

We’ve been committed to making our content free to all, and to build sustainability for the long haul. East Cobb News is reader-focused community news, whose ultimate aim is to serve you.

What I’m calling our “1500 Club” is continuing into the spring, with the goal of getting 1,500 readers to join the ranks of recurring donors.

Yes, that’s an ambitious goal, and so is our goal for February—500 new monthly contributors. Thanks to those of you who have contributed.

We raised $750 in reader revenue in January, higher than in recent months, and I’m very grateful to all of you for supporting the work of East Cobb News.

We also had an outstanding traffic month to start off the year, particularly with multiple weather events, so we know that you come to rely on East Cobb News. 

With your help, we want our fundraising total to surpass that in February.

Please donate today!

We recommend a monthly contribution of $6 a month—that’s a couple of cups of drive-through coffee— on our safe and secure payment platform, Press Patron. Signing up is easy, and you can manage your account from there as well.

Local news outlets of all kinds are asking readers to help support the work they do, and not just online startups like East Cobb News.

Did you know that The Marietta Daily Journal, which has been around for more than 100 years, has begun what it calls the Cobb Journalism Fund, to support its editorial efforts?

Through the non-profit Cobb Community Fund, that effort has generated more than $100,000 to fund a reporting position and related expenses for enterprise and investigative journalism.

The paper has done some good work through that vehicle, yet it still charges readers a subscription.

East Cobb News does not do that and has no plans to impose a paywall. We want local news to be accessible to everyone.

We’re not asking for anywhere near that total of money.

But frankly, we really need more readers to step up and support the work of East Cobb News. We’ve got a sizable and engaged audience, and know that you appreciate what you get here every day and in our Sunday newsletter.

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we hear so many compliments from you about what you get here.

Now is the time to show that you value what East Cobb News means for you.

We’d like to suggest a monthly payment of $6—you can contribute more if you like, or at whatever amount of your choosing.

Consider becoming a regular supporter!

As you can tell from the stories and other content here, East Cobb News gives you local news and useful community information in a simple, straight-forward way.

Similarly, inviting you to join the 1500 Club is a simple ask. I’ll get straight to the point:

We really need you to help us sustain this community news resource, now it its eighth year of operation.

East Cobb News is a for-profit business, just like the MDJ and many of the traditional local media outlets that are also asking readers for financial support.

Please consider giving today, at whatever amount suits you. We appreciate your support!

 

Walton HS basketball players reach 1,000-point milestone

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Walton HS basketball players reach 1,000-point milestone

Submitted information and photo:

Cobb Schools’ Athlete of the Week (AOW) program is a weekly recognition of male and female student-athletes performing at high levels in their sport, classroom, and school communities. The program is made possible by support from BSN Sports.

This week’s winners are basketball players from Walton. Graycen Ehlen is a senior starter for the Lady Raiders, and Caesar Burrows is a senior starter for the boy’s team.

Graycen Ehlen, Basketball, Walton

A four-year starter for the Lady Raiders, Graycen began playing basketball in the fourth grade with the Junior Raider program. She currently leads the team in points, steals, assists, and blocks. She was recently honored for scoring her 1000th career point. She has a 3.4 GPA and will attend Mississippi State in the fall to play soccer for the Bulldogs.

“Graycen has been a huge part of our program’s success over the past few seasons, including a region championship in 2023 and advancing to the Sweet 16 in both 2023 and 2024,” said her coach, Matt Kelterborn. “She was also selected to the GBCA/GACA 7A All-State team for basketball last year as a junior. She is the main engine for our team, and they look up to her greatly. She is also an outstanding goalie on the Walton Soccer team and will be attending Mississippi State next year on a soccer scholarship.”

“She leads by example. Graycen is well-respected and a hard worker in the classroom. She serves as a role model for the other kids in our program, and her teammates and coaches have the highest respect for her on and off the court,” concluded Coach Kelterborn about his Athlete of the Week.

Caesar Burrows, Basketball, Walton

A three-year starter and a four-year varsity player for the Raiders, Caesar also just scored his 1000th career point. He has been a part of the Walton basketball program since the fifth grade when he started playing with the junior program. Caesar leads the team in points, assists, and rebounds, and he is an all-star in the classroom, too, with a 3.73 GPA. Caesar will be furthering his academic and athletic career at Lehigh University on a basketball scholarship. 

“Caesar is the ultimate team leader,” said Raider Boys Head Coach Bo Abney. “He leads on the court with his play, attitude, and unselfishness. His on-court accomplishments speak for themselves, but off the court, he is a great student and well-respected by all his teachers. He is also involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a member of the FCA student leadership team.”

“His example for our younger athletes is something that makes him special and someone they can look up to. Caesar truly exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete,” said Coach Abney proudly.

 

 

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2025 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival marks 25th anniversary

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2025 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival marks 25th anniversary
“Guns and Moses” will screen at the Merchants Walk Cinema Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

The GTE Merchants Walk Cinema once again will be among the venues for the 2025 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, which runs from Feb. 19-March 16.

It’s the 25th anniversary of the festival, which features 50 films and kicks off at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center (festival features here).

Eight films will be shown at Merchants Walk from Feb. 22-23:

  • Art Spiegelman: Disaster is My Muse
  • The Most Precious of Cargoes
  • Never Alone
  • Soda
  • The Glory of Life
  • Guns and Moses
  • The Blond Boy from the Casbah
  • Bliss (Hemda)

Among the featured films is Guns and Moses, in which:

“A charismatic Chabad rabbi in the High Desert unexpectedly becomes a gunslinger after a fierce attack on his close-knit community. Rabbi Mo Zaltzman (Mark Feuerstein) abhors violence, but when his synagogue is riddled with bullets and a congregant assaulted, he reluctantly steps in as a protector. Guided by a Holocaust survivor (Christopher Lloyd) with a shadowed past and a veteran mayor (Neal McDonough), Mo converts into an improbable hero.

“Confronting enemies and moral dilemmas, Mo’s pursuit tests his faith and resilience, unraveling a larger conspiracy. Inspired by real events, this tongue-in-cheek, neo-Western thriller fuses intense action with a striking aesthetic, redefining the Jewish hero and challenging the myth of redemptive violence.”

Details of those and other films can be found here; and the full schedule grid for the festival can be found by clicking here.

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Cobb County Animal Services to hold pet ID clinic

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Submitted information:For Pets' Sake Benefit
The FBI is NOT interested in your cat’s napping habits or your dog’s treat count. Microchips don’t track—it’s just a permanent ID to keep your pets safe. Join us at the ‘ID, Not FBI’ Microchip Clinic and keep your pets close, not the government closer!  Microchipping your pet is a responsibility that safeguards their well-being and strengthens animal welfare in the community. Cats, dogs, birds, and even rabbits can benefit from this simple yet effective form of identification.
If your pets aren’t microchipped and you are a Cobb County resident, NOW is the time to microchip your cat, dog, bird, and rabbit for FREE. RSVP to Jessica.Darrough@cobbcounty.org to set an appointment on February 17 from 11am-3pm to bring your pet to Cobb County Animal Services at 1060 Al Bishop Drive, Marietta, GA 30008. For additional information, visit CobbCounty.org/pets.
It’s Just Lunch adoption events to be held: February 10, February 24, March 10, & March 24. Each day the event is held from 11am-3pm:
🌟 It’s Just Lunch Adoption Event 🌟
🐾 Looking for the perfect lunch date? 🐾
Stop by the Cobb County Animal Services Parking Lot on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and meet your future forever friend! 💕
✨ Why you’ll love it:
✔️ Featured pets in our adoption trailer are FREE to adopt!
✔️ Every pet is spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccinations.
✔️ Make your lunch break unforgettable with a wagging tail or a soothing purr.
🍽️ Forever Friends = The Best Lunch Dates
Skip the usual lunch spot—share your midday with a furry companion waiting to meet you!
📍 Location:
Cobb County Animal Services Parking Lot
1060 Al Bishop Dr., Marietta, GA 30008
👉 CobbCounty.org/pets

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Marietta History Center announces Black History Month events

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Marietta History Center announces Black History Month events

Submitted information:

Black History Month Dessert Social with Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid & Cobb Black Elected Leaders

This engaging night of discussion, hosted by Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, includes a panel of guests featuring Hon. State Rep. Alisha Thomas Searcy (former), Hon. Acworth Alderman Tim Houston, Hon. Superior Court Judge Angela Brown, Hon. Kennesaw Councilman Antonio Jones, Hon. Cobb School Board Member Nichelle Davis, Hon. Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman.

When: February 21, 2025 @ 8:00 pm ~ Where: Marietta History Center ~ RSVP Required at allin@cobbcounty.org

Marietta 1899: Color Captured in Black and White

Step back in time and experience “Marietta 1899: Color Captured in Black and White,” an extraordinary exhibition showcasing the captivating photography of New York photographer James Shaw during his visit to Marietta in the spring of 1899. This special exhibit offers a unique glimpse into the past with never-before-seen images of Marietta and its surroundings, including the Marietta Square and the Marietta National Cemetery.

Pop-In for Family Fun: Black History Crafts

This February, in honor of Black History Month, the Marietta History Center invites families to join us for a day of crafts and activities centered around celebrating Black History. The Pop-In for Family Fun event is scheduled for Saturday, February 15th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. From memorable exhibits to hands-on crafting stations, visitors of all ages will have the chance to explore and learn about the rich contributions of African Americans to our history and culture. Pop-In for Family Fun’s FREE admission is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Cauthorn, Owen & Sanders.

Museum Theater to Show Videos Highlighting Marietta’s Black History

Throughout the month of February, the Marietta History Center’s theater will be showing videos highlighting the history of Marietta’s segregated school, Lemon Street High, as well as other areas of Marietta’s black history. The film was produced by Marietta native Tim Penn. 

For more information about these exhibitions and other programs offered by the Marietta History Center,

please visit www.MariettaHistory.org

The Marietta History Center is committed to igniting curiosity in Marietta’s history by connecting people through compelling stories and engaging experiences.

 

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East Cobb Food Scores: Verandah; Freakin Incan; Sam’s BBQ; more

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Verandah Indian Cuisine opens at Olde Mill

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

Addison Elementary School
3055 Ebenezer Road
February 6, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Davis Elementary School
2433 Jamerson Road
February 6, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Catering Cajun of Georgia
2421 Shallowford Road, Suite 130
February 6, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

El Serranito
2520 Shallowford Road, Suite 100
January 31, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

The Freakin Incan
4651 Woodstock Road, Suite 305
February 5, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Katana Sushi Hibachi
4400 Roswell Road, Suite 152
February 5, 2025, Score: 93, Grade: A

Levant Oven
1275 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 130
February 3, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Mabry Middle School
2700 Jims Road
February 5, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Mika Sushi
4648 Woodstock Road, Suite 210
January 31, 2025, Score: 100, Grade: A

Sam’s BBQ-1
4958 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 116
February 6, 2025, Score: 91, Grade: A

Tofu Village
700 Sandy Plains Road, Suite B1
February 6, 2025, Score: 83, Grade: B

The Verandah Indian Restaurant
3101 Roswell Road, Suite 100
February 5, 2025, Score: 90, Grade: A

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Richardson removed from office after appeals court rejection

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Cobb approves $7M Lower Roswell Road construction contract

Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson is no longer in office after the Georgia Court of Appeals declined to hear her appeal.

Richardson, a one-term Democrat whose tenure representing District 2 expired at the end of 2024, is no longer a “de facto” commissioner, as she described herself in taking up the appeal last month.

A Cobb Superior Court judge ruled on Dec. 31 that Richardson could no longer serve, due to Cobb residency requirements.

Her district lines were changed in 2022 during reapportionment and drew her out of her East Cobb home, triggering a legal battle lasting more than two years.

On Wednesday, Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid issued a statement saying that “I respect the decision of Georgia’s Court of Appeals and look forward to moving beyond the divisive issues of the past few years.

“Unfortunately, this process has temporarily left residents of one district without their commissioner on the board. However, our intent from the beginning has been to uphold the rights of our citizens and ensure that those they elect have the opportunity to serve.”

For the time being, the five-member commission is down to four members, and will likely stay that way until the end of April, at the conclusion of special elections for District 2 and District 4.

Updated, 10:30 pm:

Here’s what Richardson posted on social media Wednesday night:

I stand by my statement that it is unacceptable for 200,000 to go unrepresented and for our legislature to have the legal authority to systematically remove elected officials. For the last four years, this office has been under attack by the entire state infrastructure because change is scary for so many. Unfortunately, the unknown is exploited so that power can be transferred from the hands of many to the hands of few.

Early voting in those primaries began on Saturday. District 2 formerly included some of East Cobb, which is now mostly in District 3.

Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt said Wednesday there wouldn’t be an interim appointment to fill the District 2 seat, since the special elections fall outside a 180-day window for such action.

District 2 includes some areas of East Cobb near I-75, as well as most of the city of Marietta, Smyrna and the Cumberland-Vinings area.

The special elections were ordered by another Cobb judge following May 2024 primaries that followed “hone rule” maps approved by Cupid, Richardson and Monique Sheffield, the other Democratic commissioner, that differed from the legislative maps signed into law.

Court rulings rejected the “home rule” maps, since the Georgia Constitution requires that county redistricting be approved by the legislature.

District 3 Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, a Republican, said last month that “it’s time to put an end to ignoring the Constitution and the laws of this state and the county and go back to the real business of the county at hand.”

Richardson hasn’t commented on the appeals court’s decision not to hear her appeal. Her colleagues declared her seat vacant in December, but she had the right to appeal.

But when Richardson resumed her seat in January, she was adamant that it was important to fight a “precedent” in the legislature not honoring a local delegation redistricting map.

“This fight was never about me but about protecting American values,” she said.

Commissioners meet for their first business meeting without Richardson on Tuesday, with split 2-2 partisan lines.

More from Richardson’s statement:

“To my community: In many ways we won the minor battle- I was able to serve a complete term, although tumultuous, as a result of bold leadership and constant action from an empowered and educated community. I hope that the legacy of this office is to know if we take ownership of our government, we can accomplish so much and fight off some of the most terrible threats to our safety and stability. While there is much to be proud of, the warfront is bigger than the battle. This precedent is set, and our state delegation now has a legal, but undemocratic power. We must not cease in our fight to reinstate checks and balances. That is true from the top of our government all the way to the bottom. No one should be above the law, and everyone should be equally protected by the law. That is this nation’s moral high ground and we cannot lose it. I may be out of office, but I am not out of ideas, nor am I out of a community. We will continue to stand up for what is right and pull together to accomplish the impossible.

“As I have mentioned before, there is an election underway to choose my successor. A lot is at stake, and we need people in office who are going to go beyond the bare minimum. That means, as a voter, more than the bare minimum is required from you. Get to really know each of the candidates. Challenge them on the challenges we face today. Ask them how they are going to tackle all of facets of the job. This is your representation, and if the last few weeks have demonstrated anything — elections have consequences.

“Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.”

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Cobb elementary students recognized in waterSmart Contest

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Cobb elementary students recognized in waterSmart Contest
Powers Ferry ES student Fernanda S. was named the cover art winner.

Submitted information and photos:

Cobb County Water System (CCWS) and Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA) congratulate the fifteen winning students of the 20th annual Tappy Turtle Coloring Book Contest.

This year’s winners are: Jocelyn S. and Lydia L. from Blackwell Elementary School; Raquel L. from Pitner Elementary School; Minha K. from Kincaid Elementary School; Lena C. from Sanders Elementary School; Alicia A. from Green Acres Elementary School; Charlotte R. and Dhatri S. from King Springs Elementary School; Fernanda S. from Powers Ferry Elementary School; Aadvik S. and Alycia A. from Bells Ferry Elementary School; Sarah W. and Madison B. from Mountain View Elementary School; Grace D. from Hendricks Elementary School; and Annabella Q. from Bullard Elementary School.

Fernanda S. from Powers Ferry Elementary School is the cover art winner. Her drawing showed the importance of turning off the water while brushing your teeth to conserve water.
For the past 20 years, fourth and fifth grade students submit their hand-drawn artwork featuring CCWS’ water conservation mascot, Tappy Turtle, demonstrating water conservation tips. This year, the contest received more than 350 entries from eleven Cobb County and City of Marietta elementary schools.

The Adventures of Tappy Turtle 2025 Coloring Book presents water conservation tips in English and Spanish. It will be distributed throughout the community and is available for free download at www.cobbcounty.org/watersmart.

This contest is a collaborative program of CCWS and CCMWA. The waterSmart™ program was created in 2000 by CCMWA to educate their service area residents of all ages about the importance of indoor and outdoor water conservation.

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Delta Community college scholarship applications accepted

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Delta Community college scholarship applications accepted
2024 Delta Community College Scholarship award recipient Gargi Telang (middle) with Jai Rogers-Thomas, Delta Community’s vice president of Business and Community Development (left) and Matthew Shepherd, Delta Community’s chief operating officer (right).

Submitted information and photo:

Delta Community Credit Union, Georgia’s largest credit union, began accepting entries for its 20th Annual College Scholarship Program on Feb. 1. The credit union will select five deserving students, who will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to assist with college-related expenses.

Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on their academic achievement, community involvement and a personal essay. This year’s essay submission will require applicants to complete two Delta Community Financial Education Center BalanceTrack modules, Money Management and Credit Matters, before writing a response to the following question:

After completing Delta Community’s Financial Education Center BalanceTrack modules, you’ve gained valuable insights into money management and responsible credit use. How will you apply this knowledge to shape your financial future in a positive and practical way?

“For two decades, our College Scholarship Program has enabled us to invest in dedicated, civic-minded students, so they can pursue worthwhile careers and further position themselves as a positive force in their local communities,” said Hank Halter, Delta Community’s CEO. “This year’s essay question encourages our applicants to think about responsible spending and borrowing, which will play an important role in helping them reach their academic and professional goals.”

Applicants must be Delta Community members seeking a first-time undergraduate degree and enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university during the 2025-2026 fall semester. Students must complete the Delta Community 2025 scholarship application online by 5 p.m. ET on March 1, 2025, in order to qualify. The award recipients will be announced in early April.

In addition to its annual Scholarship Program, Delta Community offers scholarships for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities and provides hundreds of free classes in metro Atlanta through its Financial Education Center.

 

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Planning Commission pans Chimney Springs pop-up food market

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Planning Commission pans Chimney Springs pop-up food market
Thomas Fernandes said he was unaware he needed a permit to sell meat in the Chimney Springs subdivision, where he lives.

Plans to operate a mobile pop-up market in the Chimney Springs subdivision in East Cobb got a recommendation of denial on Tuesday.

The Cobb Planning Commission voted 4-0 Tuesday against a proposal by Thomas Fernandes, operator of the market, for a temporary land-use permit.

He wants to have the market in the subdivision’s clubhouse and amenities parking lot (2465 Hearthstone Circle) on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and submitted the request after being cited by Cobb code enforcement.

Fernandes had been selling frozen and packaged meats in the parking lot there, and wants to have up to five employees, a refrigerated truck and 3-4 small signs to advertise the business.

According to a Cobb Zoning Office agenda item, he estimated there would be 15-25 customers per day.

Chimney Springs, which has more than 700 homes is zoned residential. That was the main reason for a staff recommendation of denial: “Commercial use may disrupt the residential character of the neighborhood.”

Fernandes has lived in Chimney Springs for 20 years, and has been a farmer who has merged with a wholesaling business.

He said that for small farms to survive, “they have to go direct-to-consumer That’s our goal. Some of our neighbors were buying and said ‘why don’t you sell in the neighborhood?’ We didn’t understand that there was a land-use permit needed.”

Fernandes said there was a lot of support for the market in the neighborhood.

But opposition came from some the East Cobb Civic Association and some Chimney Springs residents, who said there was no notification to the community when the market began selling.

ECCA president Richard Grome said the case is larger than a single request to sell in a pop-up market.

“This is not a home-based business. This is a butcher shop on wheels” that brings increased concentration of activities and traffic to a residential area. “How is this any different from an ice cream truck or a fast food truck conducting business in a subdivision parking lot?”

Michelle Hutchinson, a Chimney Springs resident and former member of its homeowners association, said there are other opportunities for Fernandes to sell his meats at weekend farmers markets in the area.

Planning Commissioner Christine Lindstrom of East Cobb said the pop-up meat market is “inappropriate” for the location.

She said no subdivision could regulate how many customers may come to such a market, and that “there are other solutions to building a business.”

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AARP Foundation-Tax Aide offering free tax filing services

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Submitted information:AARP free tax preparation sessions

Once again, AARP Foundation Tax-Aides will be helping low to moderate income households prepare and file their 2024 taxes at no charge.

This year, appointments are available at Gritters Library, South Cobb Library, and the Senior Wellness Center on Mondays, East Cobb Library on Tuesdays, Wolfe Recreation and Ward Recreation on Wednesdays, Mountain View Library and Switzer Library on Thursdays, and Robertson Community Center on Fridays.

Appointments are needed. You can find the nearest location by going to https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/locations/ and entering your zip code.

TaxAide volunteers will confirm appointment requests made by email or in person. Membership in AARP is not required but appointments are required. Bring your 2023 returns and 2024 tax documents, your social security card or other identification documents for yourself and all dependents. For direct deposit refunds, you must have a valid check.

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Cobb Library System releases Black History Month book list

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Submitted information:Cobb Library System releases Black History Month book list

February is Black History Month! We’ve compiled a booklist for all ages to help celebrate the importance of black history and of the contributions of African Americans to our history and culture.

Click on a title to find it in our catalog; and find many more titles at cobbcat.org.

Check out our Black History Month reading challenge on Beanstack! Sign up today on the website or app (Apple Store or Google Play). Log your reading and complete fun activities to earn badges!

Children’s Picture Books

Children’s Nonfiction

Children’s and Preteen Chapter Books

Books for Teens and Young Adults

Adult Fiction

Adult Nonfiction

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Cobb Chamber of Commerce holds 83rd annual awards dinner

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Cobb Chamber of Commerce holds 83rd annual awards dinner
Atlanta Braves president Mike Plant with Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, center.

Submitted information and photos:

The Cobb Chamber celebrated its many accomplishments of 2024 at the 83rd Annual Dinner celebration, presented by Wellstar, on Jan. 25 at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Over 1,200 business and community leaders attended the black-tie optional dinner affair, including military leaders, economic development partners and elected officials. Chris Dimino of 680 The Fan served as the event’s master of ceremonies.

The evening included a robust program, including outgoing Chairman, Mike Plant of the Atlanta Braves, passing the leadership to 2025 Chairman Chris Britton of Brasfield & Gorrie. In his address, Plant celebrated the collective efforts of the Chamber and how it served as a champion for businesses and the community over the past year.

He highlighted:

  • A record year at The Battery Atlanta, with 78% of tourism coming from outside of Cobb.
  • 18 project wins for SelectCobb, which included 7 recruitments and 11 retentions, bringing more than 46,000 high quality jobs.
  • Growth of the Chamber’s Government Relations department and advocacy efforts.

During the evening, Plant presented several awards to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to enhance the quality of the Chamber’s programming and the quality of life in Cobb.

The 2025 Len Gilbert Award was given to Luci Hogue of Scotland Wright Associates and Andrew Cox of Wellstar Health System. This award is presented to an outstanding board member who, through his or her leadership, commitment and dedication, achieved new heights for a Chamber initiative, program or event.

As 2024 Chair of Cobb Young Professionals, Hogue helped the Chamber launch a new leadership offering for this year – CYP Cultivate, a seven-month leadership and mentoring program designed to empower young professionals to grow as impactful leaders, accelerate their careers, and forge meaningful connections within the community. Hogue has served on the Membership Campaign, on the Cobb Young Professionals Steering Committee, on the Cobb Youth Leadership Steering Committee, and she is a graduate of Leadership Cobb.

For many years, Cox has been a trusted voice for the Chamber, serving as an advisor on the Board of Directors and to Chamber staff, helping shape the Chamber’s workplace culture. Last year, Cox helped to launch a new program – the Chief of Staff Roundtable. Through this program, Chief of Staffs can connect to build a more effective network of trusted advisors. In addition, Cox has been a mentor to young professionals, a Chairman’s Circle Member and is a graduate of Leadership Cobb.

The 2025 Chairman’s Award was presented to Chris Britton of Brasfield & Gorrie, a dedicated partner to the Chamber and an active member of the Board of Directors since 2015. The award is presented to an individual for outstanding leadership, dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to the Cobb Chamber. Britton is a long-term investor in the Cobb Chamber, serving on the Board of Directors Executive Committee and the SelectCobb Board of Directors. He has chaired two of the most successful campaigns in the Chamber’s history, each time producing over $1 Million Dollars in memberships and sales production. Britton has served on the Government Affairs Committee and the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, and is a graduate and active alumni member of Leadership Cobb and Honorary Commanders.

The 2025 Mack Henderson Public Service Award was presented to Dr. Jackie McMorris, County Manager for Cobb County Government. This award recognizes an individual who embodies the philanthropic legacy of Mack Henderson through outstanding commitment and dedication to building a better quality of life for the citizens of Cobb County. Throughout her tenure with Cobb County Government, Dr. McMorris has demonstrated a profound commitment to collaboration and progress. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping numerous key initiatives in partnership with the Chamber, the Braves, and other valued stakeholders. From the development of Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta to ensuring the safety of the community during the 2021 World Series and championship parade, Dr. McMorris contributions have left an indelible mark on Cobb County.

The 2025 Senator Johnny H. Isakson Leadership Award, was presented to Michele Swann, former General Manager and CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority. Only awarded under extraordinary circumstances, this award honors an individual whose extraordinary leadership, vision and trailblazing efforts have significantly impacted the Cobb community. In 2020, this award was renamed in honor of Senator Johnny H. Isakson to recognize those in our community who, like Senator Isakson, carry forward the torch of visionary leadership.

Since joining the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority in 1995, Swann has overseen the growth and success of some of Cobb County’s most iconic assets, including the Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Galleria Specialty Shops, and the ArtsBridge Foundation. Her leadership has elevated these facilities into economic and cultural powerhouses, driving $169 million in economic impact in 2023 alone. Her tenure has also been marked by successful partnerships, including the seamless integration of the Cobb Galleria campus with the Atlanta Braves development.

Plant’s final award of the evening, the 2025 Dr. Robert A. Lipson Award, was presented to Candice Saunders, President & CEO of Wellstar. The award is presented to someone who is a visionary, a friend, a mentor, and a leader. Under her leadership, Wellstar has built community partnerships, introduced innovative care models, and adopted advanced technologies to improve health outcomes and the patient experience, solidifying its role as a leading healthcare provider in Georgia. Saunders has been recognized by Modern Healthcare as a Top 25 Women Leader and one of the Top 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives. She has been named Atlanta’s Most People-Focused CEO, and one of Georgia Trend’s 100 Most Influential Georgians for the 9th year in a row.

The Marietta Daily Journal presented its prestigious 2024 Cobb County Citizen of the Year Award to Ron Newcomb, former President of Chattahoochee Technical College. The Marietta Daily Journal has presented this award since 1963 at the Cobb Chamber Annual Dinner.

The 83rd Annual Dinner was presented by Wellstar. The invocation was offered by Deane Bonner, former President of the Cobb County NAACP. Mike Jones Entertainment provided music at the After Party, hosted by Live! at the Battery Atlanta, and JJA Project Management provided audiovisual and event production services.

Cobb Chamber of Commerce holds 83rd annual awards dinner
Atlanta Braves mascot Blooper at the Cobb Chamber cocktail reception.
Ron Newcomb, former president of Chattahoochee Tech, accepting the Cobb County Citizen of the Year Award.

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East Cobb residential real estate sales, Jan. 21-24, 2025

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Holcomb Lake, East Cobb real estate sales
Holcomb Lake

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

None

Lassiter

4354 Summit View, 30066 (Windsor Oaks): $845,000

2987 Forest Chase Terrace, 30066 (Forest Chase): $483,500

2415 Woodbridge Drive, 30066 (Cambridge Forest): $550,000

3318 Devaughn Drive, 30066 (Village North Crossing): $465,000

Pope

3009 Saint Andrews Way, 30062 (Ashford Pines): $635,000

Sprayberry

2252 Rosemoore Walk, 30062 (Rosemoore at Harper Woods): $565,000

1185 Alemeda Drive, 30066 (Northeast Colony): $300,000

3719 Kensington Drive, 30066 (Canterbury Park): $500,000

223 Kathryn Lane, 30066 (Brookhaven): $366,500

629 Lockhart Court, 30066 (Canterbury Ridge): $280,000

1680 Holcomb Lake Road, 30062 (Holcomb Lake): $785,000

Walton

3032 Canton View Walk, 30062 (Canton Glen): $1.35 million

1172 Robert Lane, 30062 (Tall Pines): $450,000

2461 Sheila Lane, 30062 (Hershey Woods): $506,000

5400 Mill Run Drive, 30068 (Forest Brook): $465,000

1001 Parkaire Crossing, 30068 (Parkaire Crossing): $285,000

Wheeler

170 Indian Hills Court, 30068 (Indian Hills): $672,500

460 Springs End Lane, 30068 (Spring Creek): $510,000

3477 Greystone Court, 30068 (Indian Hills): $750,000

460 Holt Road, 30068 (Beverly Hills Estates): $450,000

2766 Birch Grove Lane, Unit 11, 30067 (Oaks at Powers Ferry): $510,000

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Editor’s Note: Our February fundraising goal—500 new donors!

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I took a little bit of time out on Saturday to enjoy the warmth and the sun at East Cobb Park, and couldn’t think of a better way to start the month of February.

Editor's Note: Our February fundraising goal—500 new donors!
We’re asking for 500 donors in February—will you be among them? Thanks for your support!

January was a terrific start to 2025 in terms of traffic, with more than 70,000 unique visitors coming to East Cobb News to find out what’s going on in the community.

That’s roughly one-third of a very big coverage area, and it was gratifying to see the response.

Sometimes the first month of the year is a little slow, but winter weather and other events made East Cobb News a must-visit for many of you, and we’re grateful for your readership.

We are a truly reader-focused independent news site devoted to covering what makes this community tick, and one of our revenue sources comes from you, our readers.

We ask because unlike other local news outlets we don’t have any paywalls and we want East Cobb News to be accessible to one and all.

Please donate today!

This is becoming more common with sites like ours. Our friends at decaturish.com recently completed a successful fundraising effort, as readers there appreciate the value of that community news resource that covers not just Decatur, but a large portion of DeKalb County.

Editor Dan Whisenhunt does a great job not only of covering his community, but reminding readers what it takes to do this on a regular basis.

Similarly, last week East Cobb News unveiled a new reader fundraising drive called the 1500 Club that we’re asking all of you to consider supporting.

Into the spring, we want to get 1500 of our readers to become recurring monthly donors—for as little as $6 a month—to support the work of East Cobb News.

We thank those of you who have signed up in the last week, and as February gets underway, we’ve set a big goal to reach—500 new donors.

You can contribute whatever amount you’d like, but please consider giving on a monthly recurring basis. It’s the best way to support the work of East Cobb News to give you the local news that you love!

We have a secure online payment system, Press Patron, that works with local news publishers to solicit support from their readers.

Press Patron is safe, secure and easy to use, and your donation will go directly toward our efforts to cover the East Cobb community like no one else!

Thanks f0r your support and your readership!

Please donate today!