Election day for the District 2 Commissioner race is tomorrow, Tuesday, March 11. The Special Democratic Primary Runoff Election will be held 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. and voters living in District 2 can go to their assigned polling location to cast a ballot.
The District 2 Democratic Primary contest is between candidates Erick Allen and Jaha V. Howard. District 2 Republican candidate Alicia Adams was unopposed.
• The General Special Election for commission Districts 2 and 4 will be held April 29.
Tax updates
This week from the Tax Assessor and Tax Commissioner offices.
The Cobb County Board of Tax Assessors appointed Christine Stinchcomb as the new Director and Chief Appraiser of the Tax Assessors Office last week.
Stinchcomb brings more than 25 years of experience in property tax services, beginning her career at the Paulding County Tax Assessors Office before serving as a manager with the Georgia Department of Revenue. Read more about Stinchcomb here.
The April 1 deadline to file for a basic homestead exemption is fast approaching. As a Cobb County resident, all you need to file is proof of residency. If you’re filing online, attach a copy of your Georgia driver’s license or Georgia government-issued ID for all applicants.
Homeowners who are age 62 and 65 on or before Jan. 1 may qualify for additional exemptions. Learn more and apply online at CobbTax.org.
Read about the county's accomplishments
The 2024 Cobb County Annual Report is now available to to read online. It gives data and information about county services and insight into the progress made to benefit all residents. Compare budget and millage rates with other metro counties, find a breakdown of tax uses, and read about new programs.
Cobb County Water System is helping residents inspect toilets, faucets, and irrigation systems to detect leaks. Cobb Water customers may check out a Flume Smart Home Water Monitor for 90 days as part of a loaner program. If you find and fix a leak, you may also apply for a leak adjustment to your bill.
The Mountain View Aquatic Center, located at 3131 Hong Way NE, Marietta, will be closed for improvements March 11 - 14. It is expected to reopen starting March 15. Call 770-509-4925 for more information.
West Cobb Aquatic Center will remain closed through May 1 for facility improvements.
Artists invited to showcase work at Spring Festival
Artisans, crafters, and food vendors are invited to show off their creativity at Cobb PARKS' vibrant Spring Arts Festival. This exciting event on April 26 will be a fantastic opportunity for vendors to showcase themselves to a diverse audience. Apply and showcase your handmade items and other products. Apply here by March 26. Send questions to SEUPARKS@cobbcounty.org.
County wants your input
Share your thoughts about improvements at Factory Shoals Road and Interstate 20. Cobb is conducting a study to better understand mobility and pedestrian safety needs, especially for crossing I-20 and traveling within the surrounding area along Factory Shoals Road. The study aims to develop equitable transportation access and improve safety for all travelers.
The final community open house will be 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, at the South Cobb Community Center, 620 Lions Club Drive, Mableton. Go here for more information.
Northwest Cobb town hall
District 1 Commissioner Keli Gambrill will hold a town hall, 6 - 8 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the West Cobb Senior Center, 4915 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs. District 1 includes Acworth, Kennesaw, Lost Mountain, and Marietta.
The event will feature an interactive Q&A session centered on issues brought up by the public. Email your topic suggestions, questions, or feedback to myvoice@cobbcounty.org.
Senior news, programs, and assistance
Caregiver relief
Are you a caregiver in need of relief? Cobb County Senior Services Respite Care program provides temporary relief to caregivers caring for loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other neurological conditions, have physical or intellectual disabilities, or require assistance with at least three activities of daily living. Find out more about how you can qualify by calling 770-528-5364 or read more here.
Aging and legal planning series
Seniors and their adult children, get help navigating the legal side of aging 7 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 at the Tim Lee Senior Center. Wellstar’s coordinator of Advanced Care Planning will talk about advance directives -- legal documents that can help make your treatment wishes known. Discussions will also include choosing a healthcare agent (decision maker) and creating a living will. Find more information and register here.
March for Meals
A warm meal can mean the world to a senior in need. Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals and a friendly visit to seniors in Cobb County — and we can’t do it without you. Ways you can help:
• A $30 donation provides a local senior with meals for a week.
• Volunteer to deliver meals and brighten someone's day.
Senior Services Expo
Looking ahead: The Cobb Senior Services Expo is coming to the Cobb Civic Center 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 23. Connect with valuable resources, attend informative seminars, and get free health screenings. Read more here.
Keep Cobb beautiful by participating in upcoming clean-up events:
Powers Ferry Clean-up
Help remove litter in the Powers Ferry Corridor 9 - 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29, along Powers Ferry Road and Terrell Mill Road. Meet at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and refreshments at the Kroger parking lot, 1310 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta. Supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Volunteers younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
• Sign up here to participate.
• For more information go to the Powers Ferry Corridor Alliance website.
District 4 Clean-up
Celebrate Earth Day at the annual District 4 Clean-up 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Meet at 1133 East-West Connector, Austell in the Walmart parking lot.
Arrive at 10 a.m. for breakfast and giveaways. Lunch and supplies will be provided to those who register. The event is hosted by District 4 Commissioner Sheffield, Keep Cobb Beautiful, and Kennesaw State University.
The new Cobb Police Precinct 6 will open its doors in April. The community is invited to a Ribbon Cutting 10 a.m. Friday, April 4, at 3141 Hong Way, Marietta, near the Mountain View Aquatic Center.
After the ceremony, you can tour the new facility, meet your police officers, and learn about the police services available at Precinct 6.
Happy tears for onion sale
You'll be crying happy tears when you hear that the Vidalia onion fundraiser is back. The Cobb County UGA Extension is now accepting pre-orders. Order your 10-pound bags of medium-sized onions for $12 by 5 p.m. April 9.
You may also choose to donate a bag to the St. Vincent De Paul Society Food Pantry.
Onions arrive the week of Mother’s Day and pick-up will be available immediately upon arrival. Final pick-up date is 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. May 17. Download your pre-order form here.
Get help for yourself or loved ones
Findhelp.cobbcounty.gov is the county's new resource making it easier to find local, vetted assistance programs. Cobb residents can get assistance and a leg up with many of the county's nonprofit partners.
On the site, you can search for free or reduced-cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more. Access this new portal at findhelp.cobbcounty.gov. The initiative is funded through an allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act.
K9 in action
Ever wondered what it's like to be a K9 handler during a live track of a suspect? Watch this firsthand view of K9 Ace and his handler on the trail of a burglary suspect. This video captures the intensity and precision of Ace's work as he tracks from the crime scene to a residential hideout, leading to an arrest.
Cobb County Police officers dive into the workings of the Real-Time Crime Center and show how advanced technology helps to improve public safety. Learn how these tools allow officers to respond faster, coordinate more effectively, and keep the community safer.
A lot happens around the county that just doesn't fit into one weekly newsletter. Get more news and information from the Cobb departments you want to hear from.
