Cobb School Board Member Criticizes Agenda of Upcoming Meeting as 'Premature'
Former GA Attorney General Sam Olens Honors Legacy of Cobb County Leaders at Kiwanis Club of Marietta
Mableton Council Meets for 3-Day Conference Friday

Plus, Bruce Jenkins sits down with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets to discuss celiacs disease.

All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe!

BREAK: CU of GA

STORY 1:Cobb School Board Member Criticizes Agenda of Upcoming Meeting as 'Premature'

The Cobb County Board of Education is poised to deliberate on the appointment of a construction manager for the proposed $50 million event center and examine policy amendments during its Thursday meeting. However, specifics regarding the construction manager selection and associated costs have not been made public, prompting critiques over the absence of transparency.

Board member Becky Sayler has voiced objections to the perceived opaqueness surrounding the event center project and the suggested policy modifications. These include the proposed deletion of the term "equitable" from the district's resource distribution policy and an increase in the superintendent’s authority concerning budget transfers.

Sayler's concerns, shared via social media, elicited a rebuttal from board chairman Randy Scamihorn, who labeled the critique as premature. Additionally, there is ongoing debate among stakeholders about the revised policies' definition of "stakeholders" and worries over the proposed changes to budget oversight. The board's discussion is anticipated this Thursday.

STORY 2: Former GA Attorney General Sam Olens Honors Legacy of Cobb County Leaders

During a speech to the Kiwanis Club of Marietta, former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens commemorated the impactful contributions of Cobb County leaders David Hankerson, Van Pearlberg, and Earl Smith.

Olens detailed Hankerson's commitment to service and principled leadership, Pearlberg's achievements within the Medicaid Fraud Division coupled with his empathetic demeanor, and Smith's dedication to enhancing public transit and preserving culture.

His speech also acknowledged the significant influence and partnership of the leaders' spouses in their endeavors.

STORY 3: Mableton Council Meets for 3-Day Conference Friday

The Mableton City Council is set to conduct a three-day strategic conference in Cumberland, beginning this Friday, with the aim of outlining the city's plans for the upcoming year. The agenda includes a team-building event at Punch Bowl Social at the Battery on Friday, followed by planning sessions at the Doubletree Suites over the weekend.

Discussions will center on transitioning certain services from Cobb County to the city, aligning with city charter requirements, and will cover key areas such as planning and zoning, code enforcement, solid waste management, and recreational facilities development on Saturday.

Sunday's meetings will focus on financial controls, a budget calendar overview, and a comprehensive operational plan. Mayor Michael Owens highlighted the choice of Cumberland for the conference as a strategic move to enhance focus and productivity by minimizing routine distractions. The conference will be open to public attendance.

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We’ll be right back.

Break: HENRY CO SHERIFFS – DRAKE

STORY 4:Stretch of South Cobb Drive Near Dobbins Closed for 2 Months

The Georgia Department of Transportation has initiated a two-month closure of a 2.8-mile stretch of South Cobb Drive in Cobb County. This measure is necessary to facilitate the replacement of a culvert near Dobbins Air Reserve Base, which has sustained damage following recent heavy rainfall. The affected culvert, dating back to the 1940s, has deteriorated significantly beyond its anticipated lifespan. It is important to note that metal culverts are expected to last between 30 to 40 years, while concrete culverts can last between 60 to 80 years.

Motorists in the area are encouraged to seek alternative routes and are advised to utilize navigation applications or the 511GA service for real-time traffic updates. Detour routes have been established, guiding traffic through Cobb Parkway, South Marietta Parkway, and Fairground Street, with secondary routes including Atlanta Street. To mitigate congestion during peak travel periods, GDOT plans to adjust signal timings accordingly.

STORY 5:Big Subdivision Wins and Townhomes Lose at Zoning

During the recent zoning hearing conducted by the Cobb Board of Commissioners, a significant development proposal by InLine Communities received unanimous approval for the construction of a 180-home subdivision in south Cobb. This decision came after thorough consideration of stormwater management concerns, which were satisfactorily addressed in the proposal. The proactive approach of InLine Communities towards community engagement and their effective stormwater management plan were key factors contributing to the approval.

Conversely, two separate proposals for the development of townhomes were not approved by the commissioners. The first proposal, involving the construction of 96 townhomes near Dobbins Air Reserve Base, and the second, for 74 townhomes in northeast Cobb, were both denied. The primary reasons for these rejections were concerns related to increased density and inconsistencies with existing zoning regulations.

We’ll be back in a moment.

Break: TEDS – INGLES 7

STORY 6: LEAH MCGRATH

And now here is Bruce Jenkins’ conversation with Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets to discuss celiacs disease.

Break: ATL HEALTH FAIR

Signoff-

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