Longtime City Employee Honored

An city employee was recognized for her 10 years of service to the community during the regular meeting on Thursday evening.

Darlene Knight has served with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) since 2002. Her dedication to the community, including positions on the Design Community and serving as secretary helped beautify Main Street and brought new tourists and businesses to the community.

“It's been a pleasure to see this city grow the way it has and to see it prosper has been a real pleasure,” Knight said. “No one person could have done it alone, the spirit of cooperation here is amazing.”

“I don't know if many were you here ten years ago, but you could roll a bowling ball down Main Street and not hit a car,” said Alderman Bob Weatherford. He credited the DDA with rejuvenating the area and transforming it into the hotbed of economic and cultural activity it is today.

Alderman Bob Weatherford served as mayor for this meeting, as Mayor Tommy Allegood was away receiving an award on behalf of the city's Horizon Field from the Cobb County Community Services Board.

“Without the volunteer boards, we wouldn't be where we are today,” Weatherford said.

The council unanimously approved this week's consent agenda. Notable items from the agenda include:

• The appointment of Kathleen Ottman to serve a term on the DDA to take the place of Knight. The term will expire on Jan. 31, 2017.
• The DDA will host a farmers' market every Friday between May 25 and Oct. 26 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The market will be located at the upper parking lot on Main Street.
• There will be a women's triathlon on Aug. 5 at .
• The Special Needs Development Group, Inc. will receive $15,986.18 from the city to run Horizon Field.
• A final plat of 9.77 acres will be converted into 32 new residential home lots. The property is located on Highway 92 between Cowan Road and Marlyand Drive.

Several Alderman addressed the assembly before the meeting adjourned. City Manager Brian Bulthuis reminded the audience that a is being held on March 21 at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is an opportunity for citizens to meet department heads and discuss issues or ask questions.

Alderman Butch Price asked if KSU students who were enrolled in Judge Philip Taylor's class could come to the town hall meeting to earn their required local government credit. Price said that one unfortunate student attended the city's last work session and fell asleep during the two-hour event.

Alderman Weatherford announced that a night time Easter Egg hunt will occur on March 30 at the . The highlight of the event will be the Easter Bunny himself parachuting in to the complex. “We sincerely hope he makes it, and if he does make it he doesn't land on a high tension wire,” Weatherford said. “If he does hit the wires, we will have a rabbit roast.”