Friday, May 18, 2012
Students from McCall Primary School were recognized as exemplary learners and leaders.
Over two dozen first graders from McCall Primary School were recognized for their excellent skills in and out of the classroom during the meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen on Thursday evening. The “McCall Ambassadors” are two members of each first grade class that have shown outstanding leadership qualities, academic excellence and social expertise. These young men and women are chosen to represent the school and can often be seen welcoming parents and other important guests to the school, part of their official function as ambassadors. School counselor Missy Bradley-Johnson and Principal Thomas Farrell got a hand from Mayor Tommy Allegood in handing out the individualized medals and certificates awarded to each child as he or she…
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
The representative of Georgia’s 11th district discussed the economy, gay marriage, Obamacare and this year’s presidential race Monday night.
On the heels of President Barack Obama's stated support of gay marriage, Congressman Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta, addressed the issue during a town-hall meeting Monday night at Mount Paran Christian School in Kennesaw. “I don’t like the secularism that’s occurring in this country one bit and I think it is incumbent upon those of us [that] stand strong, to stand very strong, in regard to that and say ‘look, Billy and I believe that marriage is a sacrament,’” Gingrey said. “I’m not ashamed to say that, and I won’t be ashamed to say that, and I hope our nominee on my side of the aisle will not back away from saying that and stand strongly.” Gingrey, who is up for reelection this fall, said he will continue to “stand strong for Christian, …
Friday, May 11, 2012
In this letter to the editor, Cathy Fink of the Cobb Alcohol Taskforce responds to Kroger's 60-day suspension.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Friday, May 11
The recently reported illegal sale of alcohol to minors is a recurring issue at some Cobb County Kroger locations. It is important for Cobb Commissioners to take these illegal sales seriously and issue sanctions that are effective at deterring future violations. It remains to be seen whether a 60-day suspension of Kroger's alcohol license at its Powder Springs Road store will result in sustained compliance. Government and business practices proven to help prevent underage alcohol sales do exist and need to be utilized. Law enforcement use of compliance checks and government use of effective administrative sanctions have proven helpful. Business use of effective alcohol policies, hiring, training and management practices can also help. …
A Cobb town hall meeting turned into a heated discussion about the proposed 1-cent sales tax.
Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell’s town-hall meeting turned into an impromptu anti-TSPLOST rally during the question-and-answer session Wednesday evening. The July 31 referendum on the 10-year, 1 percent regional sales tax wasn’t the only thing on the minds of the more than 100 people who crowded into the community room at at the Mountain View Regional Library. But it was the issue residents returned to repeatedly, peppering Birrell and Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairman Tim Lee with questions about costs, sustainability, what happens after 10 years and the wisdom of pouring billions of dollars into mass transit. Lee noted that Cobb County is expected to receive 98 percent of the money it pays into the regional pool of money, while …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Supporters of the 10-year, 10-county, transportation sales tax are raising money to educate voters.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Thursday, May 10
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Metro Atlanta Chamber President Sam Williams were among supporters of the regional transportation sales tax referendum who lobbied for its passage in Alpharetta. The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce held a fundraiser to answer questions about the TSPLOST referendum, which will go before voters July 31. They also were ready to collect checks on behalf of Citizens for Transportation Mobility to continue what they call an education process. Thus far, the proposed 10-county, 10-year, 1 percent sales tax for transportation projects has not proved popular in Cobb. Andy Macke, who heads the North Fulton Chamber's push to get the 1 percent regional sales tax passed, touted a predicted 4-to-1 return on investment …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Otherwise, the commissioners and the lawyer suing to redistrict the county seem satisfied by the judge's proposal.
The defendants joined the plaintiff Monday as U.S. District Judge Steve Jones raced to enact new Cobb County commission districts in time for the July 31 primaries. The main issue now appears to be how far west Northeast Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell’s District 3 will reach. Jones approved a motion to switch the Cobb Board of Commissioners and its five members from defendants to plaintiffs in Marietta lawyer Jonathan Crumly’s redistricting lawsuit. The court agreed that Crumly and the commissioners share the goals of creating constitutionally balanced districts and doing so quickly enough to avoid a special election. In a Monday afternoon hearing, Jones presented his own proposed map of the four commission districts and generally found …
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Due to the sale of alcohol to a minor, the commissioners voted to suspend the beer and wine license at the Kroger on Powder Springs Road for 60 days. They also asked for confirmation of various kinds of training for the Kroger employees.
The commissioners get underway at 9 a.m.
The Cobb County Board of Education will meet Wednesday to decide the fate of the Harrison project.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Tuesday, May 8
A new ninth-grade center at Harrison High School that was shot down in March will face a revote during the Cobb County Board of Education's Wednesday morning meeting. The Harrison PTSA and school leadership have rallied the community to lobby for a different outcome regarding the $14.5 million Harrison construction project that would include the ninth-grade academy. The revote comes on the heels of a town-hall meeting with board member Alison Bartlett, who faced her new constituents at Harrison Saturday and defended her decision to vote against the project. Bartlett explained her position to about 100 attendees, saying she was perhaps the most fiscally conservative of the board’s seven members, reported the Marietta Daily Journal. She also…
Mike Sansone says that for the Hoyas, the need for a 9th grade center isn't a matter of feeling entitled.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Tuesday, May 8
The following letter to the editor was submitted by Mike Sansone of Kennesaw. To voice your opinions on the issues, e-mail our editor at acworth@patch.com, or become a blogger on Patch. Cobb County School Board member Alison Bartlett held a town hall at Harrison High School this past Saturday night. In an attempt to defend her opposition to the 9th Grade Center as well as voter approved SPLOST 3 projects, Mrs. Bartlett made herself available to the Harrison High School “Hoyas.” Principal Griggers moderated, and as usual for all Mrs. Bartlett Town Halls, questions were submitted on note cards, and verbal questions were not permitted. Principal Griggers received the questions, and asked them aloud for Mrs. Bartlett to answer. At the very …
The board will meet at 9 a.m. today in the second floor board room at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Tuesday, May 8
The board has its regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the second floor meeting room at 100 Cherokee St., Marietta. For more specifics see the full agenda on this page.
Church Member
2:47 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The board always changes things - like the school calendar. The previous calendar was by far the best thing for the students and the teachers with all the mini breaks. Just remember all this come election time. more ›