Politics & Government

Cobb Makes New Hire, Honors Volunteers

The county Tuesday night approved the hire of Willie A. Hopkins Jr. as its new support services director, and tabled court officials' request of a grant to fund the county's first mental health court.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners recognized volunteers and community leaders, and made a new hire to its management team Tuesday night.

The board approved the appointment of Willie A. Hopkins Jr., the assistant city manager of Pompano Beach, Fla., and former director of general services for Fulton County, as Cobb's new support services director.

The position manages a staff of 320 people in the area of property management, information services purchasing, and government service centers. Former director Virgil Moon retired last September to become the chief financial officer at Cobb and Douglas Public Health.

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Hopkins is expected to start in his new role on April 15, and receive a salary of $136,000, said Cobb County spokesman Robert Quigley. 

Also at Tuesday's meeting, commissioners declined court officials' request of a grant to fund the county’s first mental health court.

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The board agreed to revisit the matter in two weeks, tabling the $160,847 grant proposal approved by Gov. Nathan Deal last year.

Volunteers, Community Leaders Honored

Commissioners presented proclamations and awards to outstanding volunteers and community leaders who have actively served the residents of Cobb County.

Helen Poyer, Director of Cobb County Public Library System, received the 2012 Silver Eagle Award, which recognizes a member of the county's management team selected by peers each year.

Durng the meeting, a group of local youths as well as Cobb and Douglas Public Health were honored for their initiation and participation in Cobb's "Kick Butts Day", part of a national campaign to help kids stay tobacco free and stop secondhand smoke.

District 4 Commissioner Lisa Cupid also presented a proclamation to Melinda Ashcraft for her work and service to Six Flags Over Georgia and the South Cobb community.

"She [Ashcraft] is a long-time resident of Cobb County and very active in the community," said Cupid. “It’s nice to see someone make a career out of the county they live in.”

Other community leaders honored at Tuesday's meeting include:

  • Ben Flanagan, Erik Gijlstra, Ben Mains, Alex Pettitt and Alex Winkler for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout;
  • Curtis Gray for removing litter and debris from Factory Shoals to Blairs Bridge Road;
  • Keep Cobb Beautiful for its services rendered to Cobb County last year;
  • South Cobb Youth Basketball Association for becoming the GRPA state champions, 10u Cobb County champions and GRPA district semi-finalist, and 18u Cobb County runner-up and GRPA district runner-up;
  • The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department Volunteer of the Year Award and the Jack Demarest Lifetime Achievement award to outstanding volunteers.


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