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Votes are still being certified, but the turnout was unmistakable. And while Cobb’s cities have wrapped up another election cycle, there will be a runoff in Marietta and another Special Election on November 18th for State Senate 35. As promised, the details for this race will be in this week’s The Big Story.

Another notable event that occurred in the past two weeks was the swearing-in of the new Cobb County Police Chief. James Dan Ferrell was officially installed as the permanent Chief of the Cobb County Police Department following a unanimous vote by the Cobb County Board of Commissioners. He has been with the department since 1996 and has served as interim chief since April of this year.

Finally, next Tuesday is Veterans Day. This is a time to recognize the men and women who served in the armed forces and to honor the sacrifices they and their families have made. The day encourages reflection, gratitude, and a sense of shared responsibility to support veterans in our communities long after their time in uniform ends. See below for details about Marietta’s Veterans Day parade happening on Saturday. 

What’s Happening in the District 

Veterans Day Parade!

The City of Marietta will hold its annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 8. The parade is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:40 a.m. near Roswell Street Baptist Church and will proceed toward Marietta Square. Participants will include military organizations, local schools, community groups, and representatives from public safety.

The parade will conclude at Glover Park, where a formal ceremony will take place. The ceremony will include brief remarks, recognition of veterans in attendance, and a moment of reflection in honor of those who served.

Road closures around the square should be expected during the late morning. Attendees may want to arrive early to allow time for parking and seating. The event is free and open to the public!

Community Spotlight 

My Green Earth

My Green Earth is a Marietta-based nonprofit focused on practical sustainability education and community engagement. Their work focuses on helping residents understand how their daily habits impact the local environment, with an emphasis on waste reduction, recycling, and promoting cleaner community spaces. They frequently collaborate with schools, neighborhood groups, and civic organizations to promote awareness and offer hands-on learning opportunities.

Volunteer opportunities typically include community cleanups, sorting and assisting at recycling outreach tables during local events, helping with educational workshops, and supporting youth programs. These activities are accessible to families and small groups, which makes My Green Earth a good fit for service-oriented students, scout troops, and neighborhood associations. Those interested in volunteering can sign up through their contact form or join their email list to receive notice of upcoming efforts.

My Green Earth regularly participates in seasonal cleanup days and environmental awareness events throughout the year. Upcoming dates and sign-ups are typically posted on their website and social media channels, as schedules vary depending on weather conditions and the availability of partner organizations. If you would like to get involved, the best next step is to check their most recent event calendar or reach out directly to express interest in joining a volunteer day or community workshop.

The Big Story 

A special election is being held to fill the Georgia State Senate District 35 seat after the seat became vacant earlier this year. The district includes parts of Cobb and Fulton Counties. The person elected will serve the remainder of the current term and will represent the district during the upcoming legislative session. This election will determine who represents the district on issues such as transportation, public education, economic development, and local infrastructure needs.

The following candidates have qualified:

• Roger Bruce (Democrat)

• Jaha V. Howard (Democrat)

• Erica-Denise Solomon (Democrat)

• John D. Williams (Democrat)

• Joshua Tolbert (Republican)

• Corenza Morris (Independent)

Early in-person voting, underway now, is taking place at designated advance voting locations in both Cobb and Fulton Counties. Voters should check the advance voting schedule on their county elections website or through Georgia’s “My Voter Page” lookup tool: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov. Advance voting locations may differ from a voter’s regular Election Day precinct.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 18. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on that day. Voters will need to go to their assigned Election Day precinct, which can also be confirmed through the My Voter Page lookup tool. Residents are encouraged to review their voter registration status and precinct information in advance to avoid delays.

This election is significant because special elections often have lower turnout, which means individual votes will have a greater impact on the outcome. Residents of District 35 who wish to have a voice in decisions made in the upcoming legislative session should review candidate information, confirm their voting location, and vote!

BOC Meeting Recap 

At its regular meeting on October 28th, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners began with several recognitions. A proclamation was issued marking November 4–11 as Green Light for Veterans Week. The Board also designated October as Filipino American History Month and honored Olympic gold medalist and veteran Mel Pender with a certificate recognizing his wide-ranging achievements. Following these acknowledgments, the meeting opened for public comment and moved into the core agenda.

The consent agenda included several operational approvals across various departments. The Water System received funding for facility improvements and stormwater management, while Transportation presented an annual update for airport capital improvements. The Support Services Agency moved forward with equipment and HVAC upgrades, including projects at the East Cobb Government Service Center. Emergency Management partnered with Must Ministries to provide cold-weather shelter options, and Community Development announced an occupation tax amnesty period. Human Resources and Risk and Safety secured insurance coverage and authorized interfund transfers. The Board also adopted several budget amendments and approved official meeting minutes.

During the regular agenda portion, commissioners approved contracts for sidewalk installations, HVAC system upgrades, and technology upgrades that support state court operations. They also authorized agreements with the Georgia DOT and local improvement districts. Raymond Goslow was appointed to the Transit System Advisory Board. The meeting concluded with the commissioner's remarks and a final period for public comment.