Labor Day Closings in Marietta

Take a look at what offices will be closed in Marietta on Monday, Sept. 3.

The City of Marietta's administrative offices, schools, Power and Water offices, banks and post offices as well as federal and state offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 3. The Cobb County Public Library System branches will be closed Monday. Regular Monday garbage and recycling pickups will be on Tuesday. Regular Tuesday services will be on Wednesday. Yard waste services are discontinued this week. Keep up with Marietta by subscribing to our free email newsletter, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

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Feedback Needed on New Trail Design

The proposed work will link to a future multi-use trail along Powder Springs Street, improve Brown Park and link to the Kennesaw Mountain to Chattahoochee River trail.

The city of Marietta has been awarded federal grant funds to construct a pedestrian/bicycle trail, and citizen input is being sought for the project's design. A design workshop will take place Aug. 30 from 4-6 p.m. in the City Council chamber located on the lobby level of City Hall, 205 Lawrence St. The proposed work will link to a future multi-use trail along Powder Springs Street, improve Brown Park and link to the Kennesaw Mountain to Chattahoochee River (KMCR) trail. The KMCR trail will include a bridge over South Marietta Parkway, will connect downtown Marietta with Brown Park, and connect to Smyrna's trail system and the Silver Comet trail. More info: 770-794-5668 or email kclark@mariettaga.gov  Keep up with all the news you care …

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Police, Commissioners Discuss Pawn Shop Tech

The potential changes to the Code of Cobb County would mandate security measures to fight the pawning of stolen goods, but the issue of fees for the service is proving a stumbling block.

With the recent increase in property crimes in the Northeast Cobb area, the Cobb County Police Department and the Cobb Board of Commissioners are looking for ways to recover stolen property and catch those pawning stolen items. The Police Department has suggested the amendment of Chapter 78 of the Code of Cobb County. The additions would include provisions for Cobb County pawn shops to be equipped with electronic fingerprint readers. Additionally, pawn shop attendants would be required to photograph each client and the items being pawned. "If we have the system, more property will be recovered and people who trade in stolen goods may move to other ventures," said Cobb Police Chief John Houser. "In areas where this program has been started…

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Flash Poll: Georgia Democrats Say Paul Ryan Pick for VP Can Help Obama Win

A Patch panel of Democratic elected officials and activists say the Ryan pick draws a stronger contrast between presidential candidate Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama.

A Patch poll of Georgia Democrats found that most respondents feel that Mitt Romney’s decision to tap Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate could make it easier for Democrats to paint the GOP ticket as out of touch with the middle class. “Romney is now absolutely married to the tax breaks for the rich, tax increases for the middle class, gut the programs for everybody but the 1%,” one respondent said. Most of those who took part in the nonscientific flash poll agreed that Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman, will ‘galvanize’ Democrats in the Peach State. Twenty Democratic elected officials, candidates and activists completed the nonscientific survey over the weekend. Several respondents said they didn’t think the Ryan selection would make a big …

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On the Agenda

Ads on CCT Buses? Commissioners Will Decide

After a drawn out process, the Board of Commissioners is expected to approve the revenue-generating venture.

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners are expected to approve a contract that will allow advertising to be placed on the windows of Cobb Community Transit (CCT) buses to generate additional revenue for the county. As reported by The Marietta Daily Journal, the process to approve a contractor for this project has taken roughly a year due to the lack of competitive bidding. In May, the county invited representatives to examine the dimensions of CCT buses, which caused two more companies to submit bids. The contract was won by Signal Outdoor Advertising, of Orlando. The ads are expected to bring in at least $60,000 in the first year, at least $70,000 in the second year, and at least $80,000 in 2015, when the project is slated to end.  This …

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New Marietta City Council Member Sworn In

Cobb County Superior Court judge Adele Grubbs administered the oath of office to new Ward 4 City Councilman Andy Morris on Aug. 6 at City Hall.

Cobb County Superior Court judge Adele Grubbs administered the oath of office to new Ward 4 City Councilman Andy Morris on Aug. 6 at City Hall.  Voters elected Morris to fill the unexpired term of Van Pearlberg, who resigned to pursue another elected office. Morris will serve through 2013. Seven committees of Marietta City Council discuss new initiatives and legislation before deciding whether to forward issues to the full Council for consideration and possible action. Marietta's seven Council members serve on the committees, and Mayor Steve Tumlin appointed Morris to the following Council committees: Keep up with all the news you care about by subscribing to our free email newsletter, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter.

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On the Agenda

On the Agenda: Marietta City Council

The public is invited to a reception for new Ward 4 City Councilman Andy Morris, who will be sworn in at the special called meeting.

Marietta City Council will meet for a special-called meeting and an agenda work session Monday, Aug. 6 beginning at 4:30 p.m. An agenda review session will take place Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. and be followed by Council's regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. All meetings take place in the City Council chamber located on the lobby level of City Hall, 205 Lawrence St. The public is invited to a reception at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 6 for new Ward 4 City Councilman Andy Morris, who will be sworn in at the special called meeting. Regular City Council meetings air the last Saturday in August at 3 p.m. on Comcast Channel 23. Keep up with all the news you care about by subscribing to our free email newsletter, liking us on Facebook and following us on …

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Cobb DOT Recognized for Being PEACH-y

The first program of its kind in Georgia, PEACH Road was adopted by Cobb County in 2010 to help integrate sustainability principles into transportation projects.

 Cobb County Department of Transportation (DOT) was recognized last week with the Environmental Sustainability Award for its PEACH Roads ("Preserving Environment And Community Heritage" Roads) program. The first program of its kind in Georgia, it was adopted by Cobb County in 2010 to help integrate sustainability principles into transportation projects. Each year, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) recognizes local governments for their innovation and creative efforts to make the Atlanta region a better place. Through its CREATE Community Local Government Awards program, ARC also gives all 78 local governments in the 10-county area the opportunity to exchange ideas and help each other succeed.   Keep up with all the news you care about …

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Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Chicken Battle Continues After One Year

The Right to Grow Act would have prohibited cities and counties from banning gardens, chickens and honeybees for personal consumption.

by Joseph Pond One year ago this week I was given a Notice of Violation by the Cobb County Code Enforcement for having a dozen hens in my backyard. In Cobb County, you must have at least two acres of land to own poultry; I have only a half-acre. The neighbor that lives behind me in a different neighborhood was looking over my six foot privacy fence and saw my enclosed chicken coop and hens. She had unsubstantiated fears that the poultry would ruin her property value and notified her County Commissioner. In the year since, I have worked hard to change the 40-year-old law that essentially bans poultry in Cobb County. I researched the topic, compiled statistics and presented this to the Board of Commissioners. The Board unanimously rejected …

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Tax Increase, TSPLOST Slammed at Chairman Forum

With primary elections almost a month away, incumbent Tim Lee's opponents continued their criticisms of 2011's hike in property taxes, as well as the proposed transportation tax.

The three Republican challengers vying for Cobb commission chairman continued to blast incumbent Tim Lee at a forum Tuesday for 2011’s property tax increase, and offered firm opposition to the proposed transportation tax. One of the three, financial consultant Mike Boyce, led the attack on the current administration in his opening comments, saying cuts should override tax increases as the solution to financial woes. “I’ve spoken to businessmen across the county, and anyone who runs a business or their family budget knows that if you have a 10 percent shortfall, you find a way to cut back your expenses,” he said. “I’ve spoken to no one in this county who says what you do is go out and borrow money and have a stimulus program or raise the …

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