Candidate Erick Allen won Tuesday's runoff in the Democratic Special Primary Election for the District 2 Cobb County Board of Commissioners seat, beating Dr. Jaha Howard. Allen will now face off against Republican candidate Alicia Adams for the seat on April 29.
Unofficial results show Allen received 56.72% of the vote in an extremely light turnout. Only 3,452 voters showed up at the polls out of 110,682 registered voters. Results were scheduled to be officially certified by the Cobb County Election Board on March 17.
On April 29, Cobb County Elections and Registration will hold the special elections for Cobb commission seats for Districts 2 and 4. Candidates in the District 4 race are Democratic party and incumbent Monique Sheffield and Republican Matthew Hardwick.
• Only Cobb Commission Districts 2 and 4 voters will be eligible to vote in this special election.
• The last day to register to vote in this election is Monday, March 31.
• Advance voting for this special election will be held April 19 and April 21 - 25.
Congratulations to Cobb PARKS Director Michael Brantley on receiving the esteemed 2024 Silver Eagle Award. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners presented the honor during Tuesday’s regular meeting in recognition of his exceptional leadership and dedication across all departments. Brantley was joined by his wife and members of Cobb PARKS to celebrate this honor.
Cobb Department of Transportation Director Drew Raessler, last year’s recipient, presented the award on behalf of the Cobb County Management Team. The Silver Eagle Award honors a team member who exemplifies outstanding leadership and teamwork within the department management team throughout the year.
Gambrill to address your questions
District 1 Commissioner Keli Gambrill will answer questions from her constituents at 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.
Making a clean sweep for the community
Keep Cobb looking beautiful by participating in these neighborhood cleanup events on Saturday, March 29:
• Powers Ferry Cleanup
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 in the Kroger parking lot at 1310 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta. Supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Volunteers younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
• District 4 Cleanup
Celebrate the earth at the annual District 4 Cleanup, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, March 29. Meet at 1133 East-West Connector, Austell in the Walmart parking lot at 10 a.m. for breakfast and giveaways. Lunch and event shirts will be provided to those who register. The event is hosted by District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield, Keep Cobb Beautiful, and Kennesaw State University.
Make a difference in the community by volunteering to help in emergencies. Sign up with Cobb County’s Community Emergency Response Team to gain critical skills in disaster preparedness, fire safety, search and rescue, and medical operations.
This training will prepare residents to assist neighbors or coworkers in need when professional responders aren’t immediately available to help. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, live in Cobb and pass a background check.
On Monday, March 24, the pedestrian bridge over Cobb Parkway that connects the Cobb Galleria Center to the Cumberland Mall will be closed by the Cobb Department of Transportation and Cumberland Improvement District for renovations. It is expected to remain closed through the end of June.
During the closure, pedestrians should use the Akers Mill Road crosswalk to get across Highway 41/Cobb Parkway.
Plan for the future as you age
Seniors and their adult children can get help navigating the legal side of aging in a class 7 - 8 p.m. at The Tim Lee Senior Center in Marietta. On Wednesday, March 26, Wellstar’s coordinator of Advanced Care Planning will discuss:
• advance directives -- legal documents that can help make your treatment wishes known.
• choosing a healthcare agent (decision maker)
• creating a living will.
Quilt exhibit
View this year's challenge quilts expertly crafted by members of the East Cobb Quilters' Guild and inspired by famous works of art. The exhibition runs through April 5 in the gallery at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta.
Call for artists
Cobb PARKS invites local artists and photographers to contribute to the soon-to-be-open Milford Recreation Center. They are seeking original artwork to be reproduced as high-resolution, large-format prints — becoming a permanent part of the facility and celebrating the vibrant spirit of the Cobb community. Submit your artwork reflecting the theme "Belonging: My Community."
• Depicting local landmarks, events, or traditions
• Portraying the diverse people and cultures that make up our community
• Exploring the feeling of connection and shared identity
• Highlighting the importance of community spaces and gatherings
• Expressing personal interpretations of belonging
Submissions are due Friday, March 28.
Cobb County camps will keep your children engaged over school Spring Break April 7 - 11.
• The Art Station, Kennesaw - Camp Comics for age 7 - 17, Monday - Thursday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• The Art Station, Kennesaw - Spring Break Art Camp for Age 6 - 17, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 1 - 4 p.m.
• The Art Station, Kennesaw - Spring Break Clay Camp for age 6 - 17, Tuesday, Thursday, 1 - 4 p.m.
• The Art Place, Marietta - Inspired Creativity for age 8 - 12 - Monday - Friday, 1 - 4 p.m.
• Ward Recreation Center, Powder Springs - Lego to Break Camp for age 6 - 12 - Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:.30 p.m.
Gymnastics Center - Gymnastics Camp for age 6 months - 10 years, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Job Fair
Your next job could be just one conversation away during a job fair 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta.
Meet representatives from Kennesaw, Smyrna, Acworth, Town Center Community, Powder Springs, Marietta, Austell, Mableton, and Cobb County. No pre-registration is needed. Just show up and be interview ready.
CobbWorks training
Cobbworks/WorkSource Cobb offers reemployment and retraining services for those transitioning from federal or other employment with federally-funded programs. Go to worksourcegaportal.com for more information.
Annual report offers window to county's progress
The 2024 Cobb County Annual Report is available for your reading pleasure. It gives insight into the progress made for the public by county government, its agencies and projects. There are comparisons of budget and millage rates with other metro counties, a breakdown of tax uses, and explanations of new programs that will benefit residents.
File for housing tax break before the end of March
The April 1 deadline to file for a homestead exemption is coming up soon. A homestead exemption automatically renews each year, so you only need to reapply if you're a new homeowner or if you now qualify for a higher exemption, such as turning 62 or 65 years old.
The basic homestead exemption provides savings in the county general and in the school general categories. Other types of exemptions that could save you money:
• School Tax - Age 62 and up
• Disability
• Senior age 65
• Veterans
• Surviving spouse
If you haven't filed your taxes yet and need a little help, find expert assistance at Cobb Libraries. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is providing free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service at five Cobb Libraries through April 15.
• Membership in AARP is not required.
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.
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.
