Welcome

This is what I call the armpit of summer. If you’re reading this in Georgia, then you know what I mean. We escaped the heat last week by going up to Cherokee, NC, and went camping at the Mile High Campground. It’s 5300 feet above sea level and about 20 degrees cooler - highly recommended.

The Public Service Commissioner race for PSC District 3 (voted for statewide) had gone into a runoff. Advance voting begins on July 7th, and Election Day is on July 15th. More details here. You can read about what this election and the PSC seat mean for Georgia here.

Finally, Smyrna Pride is this weekend, and I am proud to be sponsoring the event again this year. Details about the event are below. Hope to see you there!

What’s Happening in the District 

Smyrna Pride!

Mark your calendars for Smyrna Pride 2025, coming up this Saturday, June 28, from 12pm - 6pm at Smyrna Market Village (1278 W Spring St SE). The festival is rooted in its mission to "welcome and celebrate LGBTQ+ residents and allies by creating community and building partnerships founded in social equality." Stand for love, diversity, and unity in the heart of downtown Smyrna, and add your voice to this community celebration.

Browse 55+ artisan and advocacy booths, cool off with specialty beverage vendors, and enjoy a full slate of DJ sets, guest musicians, and high-energy performances. Kids’ activities include face painting, balloon art, and more! Bring a blanket or lawn chair to relax on the Village green. The festival is rain or shine, with free parking available behind City Hall, across from the Baptist Church, and throughout the Market Village lots.

All attendees, volunteers, and sponsors advance Smyrna Pride's vision of a city where every neighbor feels welcome, respected, and appreciated. Visit smyrnapride.org to sign up, grab merch, or RSVP!

Community Spotlight 

Spotlight on A Better Cobb

Founded in 2021 as a grassroots group and recently incorporated as a 501(c)(4), A Better Cobb has one clear mission: to build a more productive, resilient, and equitable Cobb County by championing better public transit, safer streets, and more attainable housing. What began as a handful of neighbors trading ideas online has evolved into a countywide coalition of advocates who research policies, engage with decision-makers, and provide residents with the tools to shape a brighter future for everyone who calls Cobb home.

Why does this matter? Cobb’s rapid growth has strained its transportation network and pushed housing costs out of reach for many families. A Better Cobb tackles those challenges head-on by publishing in-depth analyses of zoning changes, spotlighting best-practice street design, and producing practical resources, such as their “Guide to Attending Cobb County Board of Commissioners Meetings,” which demystifies the public comment process and encourages more voices at the table. By pairing data-driven research with hands-on civic education, the organization amplifies resident power where it counts most: at the local level.

Getting involved is simple. On June 17, 2025, A Better Cobb launched its Founding Membership Program with three affordable tiers—Advocate ($3 mo.), Benefactor ($5 mo.), and Champion ($10 mo.)—each offering perks like stickers, a hi-viz safety vest, exclusive events, and a lively network of fellow change-makers. Membership dollars fuel research, community events, and policy advocacy, but you don’t have to open your wallet to make a difference: follow them on social media, subscribe to the newsletter, show up at the next Board of Commissioners meeting, or volunteer at an upcoming safe-streets rally. However you choose to plug in, your time, voice, and ideas are the lifeblood of a better, indeed, the best, Cobb.

The Big Story 

All-Star Week: A Home-Run for Cobb County

When the 95th MLB All-Star Game takes the field at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, it will bring star power and will deliver a welcome economic surge for local hotels, restaurants, and shops. Previous host cities have reported boosts ranging anywhere from $37 million to $190 million, and Cobb County officials expect similar results as tens of thousands of visitors explore The Battery Atlanta and surrounding communities. Beyond the dollars, the national spotlight will showcase Cobb’s thriving business climate, walkable entertainment district, and unrivaled hospitality, positioning the county for future tourism and corporate investment long after the final pitch.

Free Family Fun All Weekend Long

You don’t need a ticket to join the celebration. MLB and the Braves have unveiled a trio of no-cost marquee events: opening night of the MLB Draft at the Coca-Cola Roxy on Sunday, July 13; Home Run Derby X, a fast-paced skills showcase; and the star-studded Red Carpet Show, where fans can line the route and cheer on their favorite players. Capital One All-Star Village, staged at the Cobb Galleria Centre from July 12–15, adds even more free entertainment. Think VR batting cages, autograph sessions with baseball legends, photo opportunities with mascots, youth clinics, live music, and interactive games for every age group. All free events require advance digital registration, so secure your passes early and plan to spend the day soaking up the festival atmosphere steps from Truist Park.

Getting to the Ballpark Made Easy

For a stress-free travel experience, start by booking parking in advance. All-Star rates run roughly $20 to $75, depending on the lot, with the Red Deck and Silver Deck closest to the gates. Prefer to leave the car behind? Hop aboard CobbLinc’s free Cumberland Circulator (Blue or Green routes) or take advantage of enhanced Braves shuttles running from MARTA’s Arts Center and Dunwoody stations. Rideshare users can count on the dedicated Uber/Lyft zone along Windy Ridge Parkway for orderly pickup and drop-off; locals in the know often walk across the pedestrian bridge to the Galleria area to beat post-game traffic. Whichever option you choose, arrive early, budget extra time for security screenings, and savor the pre-game buzz in The Battery’s restaurants and green spaces before settling in for a midsummer classic to remember.

BOC Meeting Recap 

The Board of Commissioners gathered on June 24th and opened the evening with a series of recognitions. Carlos U. Searcy received a Certificate of Recognition for being named “Brother of the Year” by Alpha Phi Alpha, the Campbell High School Spartans were applauded for capturing the 2025 AAAAAA boys’ soccer crown, and Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church was saluted on its 135th anniversary. The meeting transitioned into a public comment period before the Board addressed a consent agenda that included justice initiatives, parks partnerships, and a substantial slate of infrastructure authorizations.

Much of the consent calendar focused on water, sewer, and stormwater resilience. Commissioners closed out or added funding to fourteen separate drainage, stream-bank, or sewer projects, including stabilizing Sewell Mill Creek and rehabilitating the Nickajack Creek aerial interceptor. They also approved the purchase and implementation of a new computerized maintenance management system to streamline utility work orders. Transit items featured three Federal Transit Administration grant applications, updated certifications and assurances, and a new three-year advertising contract that will generate added revenue for CobbLinc. Technology upgrades also advanced: police and fire received approvals to replace their mobile data computers, Community Development inspectors were equipped with laptops and vehicle printers, and Kaiser Permanente underwrote new park programs.

The regular agenda advanced large-scale capital work. The Water System secured a progressive design-build agreement to modernize solids handling at the R.L. Sutton Water Reclamation Facility. At the same time, Transportation okayed supplemental engineering on the Pete Shaw Road sidewalk and ratified emergency drainage repairs along Cumberland Parkway. Commissioners also authorized two Declaration-of-Taking condemnations, one for Pete Shaw Road and another at Piedmont Road/Canton Road, to keep safety projects on schedule. Additionally, Parks earmarked SPLOST funds for ADA improvements at Fuller's Recreation Center. The meeting concluded with a notice of an upcoming public hearing on professional services for post-closure analyses at three county landfills, underscoring the Board’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.