Rating agencies give Cobb a triple AAA rating for 26th year
Cobb County received confirmation last week that all three New York-based financial rating agencies have given the county their highest ratings again, citing its "prudent budgeting and a substantial amount of revenue-raising flexibility." Cobb is one of only 50 counties nationwide to receive a triple AAA financial rating from Fitch, Moody's and S&P.
This is the 26th consecutive year Cobb County has received the triple AAA rating from all agencies. Only a handful of counties have matched Cobb's string, and Chairwoman Lisa Cupid lauded the county's financial department for helping keep Cobb on solid financial ground.
Cobb taxpayers benefit from the high ratings as they provide the county government with lower borrowing costs, help attract business and investment, greater flexibility to address economic challenges and lower risk premiums.
Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid will host town hall meetings at various county locations through October. Residents will learn more about her top priorities and have an opportunity to network with staff from county agencies. Residents will also be able to speak with several of the chairwoman's board appointees -- citizens chosen to advise the board on issues such as infrastructure, housing and zoning, transportation, economic development, public safety and seniors. All events are free and open to the public. No RSVP is needed.
Town Hall Meetings will be held 6:30 - 8 p.m. on these dates:
• POSTPONED - Monday, Aug. 14 - Acworth Community Center, 4361 Cherokee Street, Acworth
• Monday, Aug. 21 - Ron Anderson Community Center, 3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs
• Thursday, Sept. 7 - Fullers Park, 3499 Robinson Road NE, Marietta
• Monday, Sept. 25 - South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive, Mableton
• Thursday, Oct. 5 - South Cobb Recreation Center, 875 Riverside Parkway, Austell
• Monday, Oct. 9 - Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta
• Thursday, Oct. 19 - Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw
Free Mableton concert Wednesday evening
Groove to the music of Kasper and the 911 band at Wine Down Wednesday, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre. All lawn and terrace level seating is first come, first served and free. Table seating is available for $15 a seat (must purchase the entire table).
Cobb’s animal shelter continues to be overcrowded. Help ease the crowding and help yourself by getting a companion. Throughout August, all pets with an eligible adoption date of July 31 and prior are free to adopt. All other animals are discounted to $50.
Veterans can adopt pets at no cost through the Superior Pets for Patriotic Vets program. View available pets and learn more about the above programs at cobbcounty.org/pets.
Books brought to your door
Cobb libraries have a new way to serve home-bound residents — by delivering books in the mail. The new free service is for residents who experience physical disabilities, have long-term illnesses, or lack transportation. The library will send up to four items for a 9-week checkout period. Items can be books, CDs, and DVDs. The library provides a pre-paid return so there is no cost to the recipient.
For more information and to apply for the Books By Mail service, go to cobbcat.org/booksbymail or call 770-528-2343.
County to revive its international flavor
The world will come to you with the Cobb County International Festival, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, at Jim R. Miller Park Event Center in Marietta. This free event will feature a wide variety of local and international music and art, eclectic performances, delicious culinary options, imaginative crafts, beautiful jewelry, a kids’ corner and many other vendors.
Countries including, but not limited to, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigera, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Togo, Turkey, Uruguay and Uzbekistan will be represented.
Get the word out about a new concert scheduled for Mableton. Tickets are now on sale for The Legends of Funk with Cameo, Original Lakeside, Larry Dodson and band playing Oct. 7 at the Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre.
Seniors get their own play time without the crowds at the upcoming North Georgia State Fair on Senior Day hosted by Cobb Senior Services. Adults age 55 and older will enjoy a morning of fun and free activities on Friday, Sept. 22. Admission, parking, and special activities for seniors are free and will take place 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. before the fair opens. When the fair opens at 4 p.m., everyone age 55 and older gets in free. The North Georgia State Fair takes place at Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta.
Save the date for an upcoming town hall meeting with District Attorney Flynn Broady Jr. 6:30 - 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29, at Tim. D. Lee Senior Center. The center is located at 3332 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. Get updates on the Cobb Family Advocacy Center, its purpose and other community-based programs from the District Attorney's Office. There will be time for questions and answers. The meeting is open to all.
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Hundreds came to the Battery Atlanta to run in the First Responders 5K, a benefit for the Public Safety Foundation. Runners included Chairwoman Lisa Cupid. Watch the video to see how she did!
Cobb's Public Safety Director Mike Register sat down to talk about his decision to leave the GBI and return to Cobb County. See what Register hopes to accomplish by returning to lead Public Safety in his home county.
Upcoming public meetings