Transit tax opponent files ethics complaint against Cupid

The head of a citizens group opposing the proposed Cobb transit tax has filed an ethics complaint against Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid.

Lancee Lamberton of the Cobb Taxpayer Association on Monday alleged that Cupid, the primary supporter of the 30-year one-percent sales tax, is “running an advocacy campaign” to promote what’s being called the Cobb Mobility SPLOST with what should be a neutral education campaign.

He cited a state law saying that those publicly-funded campaigns should not take a position.

Voters in Cobb began going to the polls Tuesday with the transit tax referendum on their ballots. If approved, the tax would collect an estimated $11.4 billion over 30 years to fund an expansion of the existing CobbLinc bus system, including 108 new miles of routes and several transfer stations.

A transfer station and two bus routes are being planned for East Cobb, which hasn’t had bus service since the recession.

The county is paying an Atlanta consulting firm $287,000 to produce information about the referendum, including a page on the county government website, but opponents have said that information is not neutral.

In his complaint, filed with Cobb County Clerk Pam Mabry, Lamberton said a video and flyer as part of the education campaign states that “‘this initiative seeks to improve the county’s transit infrastructure with a focus on safety, flexibility, and reliability tailored to meet the specific needs of our growing community and local economy.’ Moreover, county staff, including the county manager and the director of the DOT, among others, are enlisted to make these advocacy statements in the videos.”

Those statements include the following, according to Lamberton’s complaint:

“M-SPLOST can make transit faster, more frequent and more reliable with 73 miles of BRT. It helps you by-pass traffic like when you are on a train.”

“The Cobb transit plan could transform bus stops and transfer points, creating a safer and welcoming accessible experience.”

And finally:

“Check this out! Discover how transit is connecting our community with opportunities and find out how Cobb’s MSPLOST referendum could expand transit services in our county.”

Lamberton wrote that “clearly the language of these statements express opinions in favor the SPLOST proposal, and as the highest elected official in County government, it is incumbent upon the Chairwoman to refrain from temptation to do so, and to prohibit county staff from doing so, as is proscribed under state law, cited above. In short, those who make the laws should not break the laws.”

East Cobb News has left a message with Cobb spokesman Ross Cavitt seeking comment from Cupid.

It’s unlikely that the Cobb Ethics Board would hear Lamberton’s complaint “in an expeditious manner,” i.e., before the Nov. 5 election.

Lamberton’s group is one of two that has been vocal against the referendum.

Last week former Cobb Chamber of Commerce president John Loud, other business leaders and Republican elected officials held a rally opposing the tax.

While the three Democratic commissioners, including Cupid, voted to put the proposed tax out to referendum last year, Republican commissioners JoAnn Birrell and Keli Gambrill were opposed.

Related:

• East Cobb early voting guide for 2024 general election
• Prominent Cobb business leader opposes transit tax referendum
• How Cobb commissioner district maps look post-‘home rule’
• Cobb launches transit tax website for November referendum
• MORE: Visit the East Cobb News Politics & Elections Page

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