Welcome

It’s been a busy week here in Cobb. We wrapped up a Presidential Preference Primary election with over 60,000 residents voting to let their voices be heard. There were well-attended meetings at the Boards of Elections and Commissioners, and newly qualified local candidates held events for their campaigns.

I was unusually absent at this week’s BOC meeting, as I had the opportunity to be a Poll Watcher for Tuesday’s election. Over the course of 14 hours, I witnessed the tireless effort of poll workers and county employees who worked hard to deliver a smooth election for voters. The team of poll workers that I was assigned to was incredibly impressive, and they gave me the opportunity to get an in-depth look at how the process works before, during, and after votes take place.

If you have ever thought about working in an election, do it. You will become part of an incredibly important facet of our democracy.

Campaign News

The biggest campaign news this week is that I am now an officially qualified candidate! In case you missed it, I explained Qualification Week in my last regular newsletter.

Stay tuned for more news on upcoming events and other opportunities to ask questions about what I plan to bring to this job.

In the meantime, we are continuing to seek your help. Your help knocking on doors, making phone calls, and introducing me to your network is critical as we approach election day in May.

As always, your financial support is also a chance to invest in your community. This race will determine the majority on the board, and it is a must-win in a competitive district. Every $10 helps us reach one voter. Small recurring donations mean as much as large one-time donations.

What’s Happening in the District 

Shred Fest!

On March 16th, Keep Smyrna Beautiful will host a paper shredding event at Church Street Park (884 Church Street) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

The objective of this event is to give community members the opportunity to safely and securely shred documents while offsetting the impact on landfills. According to their website, “Since this event began in 2009, an estimated 243,000 pounds of paper has been diverted from the landfill.”

What’s Happening in the County 

March is Women's History Month and plays a vital role in both acknowledging and celebrating the often-overlooked contributions of women to history, culture, and society. This commemorative month serves not only to highlight the significant achievements of women throughout history but also to raise awareness about the struggles they have faced for equality and recognition. It also fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of women's roles, inspiring future generations and promoting gender equality.

The amazing team at Cobb County Public Libraries has released a comprehensive list of books for all ages that capture all the above-mentioned aspects. Challenge yourself to visit your local library and check a few out.

The Big Story 

The big story continues to be the proposed restructuring of how stormwater is billed and how this will augment how services are delivered.

There will be several different chances in March to hear Cobb County Water System Director, Judy Jones. Last week I mentioned the upcoming East Cobb Civic Association meeting coming up on March 27th.

The link below will take you to the Cobb Water website, which provides more details on the proposed plan, as well as meeting locations and times.

Meetings Recap 

This week’s meeting began with presentations showcasing well-deserved recognition. Drew Raessler, Cobb DOT Director, won the 2023 Silver Eagle Award, given for exemplary leadership among peers. Also, Kimberly White, Keep Cobb Beautiful Executive Director, was recognized for winning the 2023 Keep America Beautiful (KAB) National Sue Smith Professional Leadership Award. This award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities through their leadership roles within the KAB organization.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public hearings, specifically to solicit comments and input on proposed amendments to several chapters of the Official Code of Cobb County, covering the stormwater topic discussed earlier.

The consent agenda addressed various operational matters across different departments, including the Sheriff's Office, Juvenile Court, Water System, Transportation, and Public Services Agency. Notable items included contracts for construction and rehabilitation projects, applications for grant funding, and updates to departmental procedures and equipment.

Under the regular agenda, there were discussions on transportation projects, such as change orders and contracts for road and drainage repairs, and updates on parks, including a contract for upgrading athletic field lighting to LED fixtures.

Important Dates

March 18th: Board of Elections & Registration Meeting

March 26th: Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting

April 8th: Board of Elections & Registration Meeting

April 9th: Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting