Ads on CCT Buses? Commissioners Will Decide

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

The Cobb Board of Commissioners are expected to approve a contract on Tuesday 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.  …

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Byrne: 'Hell No' to Raising Taxes

The former Cobb commission chairman and challenger vowed at Tuesday's candidates forum never to be like "a damn Democrat” to expand Cobb government services.

The controversial TSPLOST took center stage during Tuesday night’s Cobb County Commissioner Chairman forum. All three challengers opposed the special purpose local option sales tax aimed at funding transportation projects in metro Atlanta. The commissioner chairman primary as well as the TSPLOST vote will be held July 31. “I’m running to do everything I can to defeat TSPLOST,” said former chairman Bill Byrne, to applause from the audience. Mike Boyce cited the TSPLOST as one of the four taxes imposed over the last 19 months by the current commissioners. “I’m running to bring conservative government to Cobb County,” Boyce said. “Four new taxes in 19 months, that’s not a Republican. That’s not conservative.” Incumbent Tim Lee listed off the …

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David Chastain

6:37 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012

Georgia Public Policy Foundation states: "About 52 percent of $6.2 billion slated for regional projects would go to transit – in a region where less than 3.6 percent of commuters use transit."   more ›

Cobb Support Services Agency to be Reshuffled

Several positions will be eliminated and others will be promoted in a move to improve efficiency.

Cobb County's Support Services Agency is getting an overhaul to increase operational flexibility and to keep the agency up to date with current technological standards. A presentation was delivered by Support Services Agency Director Virgil Moon during the Cobb County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday morning outlining the proposed changes. According to the presentation, the Support Services Agency worked hand in hand with the Finance Department and the County Manager to ensure that the reshuffling was budget neutral; in fact, the plan will bring some savings to the county. Under the proposed changes, agency information services will take on the additional responsibilities of records management and mail services. Moon said that because …

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Kroger Gets 60-Day Suspension

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.

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Coyotes an Ugly Fact of Cobb Life

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell offers good news about roads and development during a town-hall meeting, but the coyote problem won't go away.

More than 100 people heard updates on road projects and redevelopment and raised concerns about everything from reservoirs to crosswalks at Cobb County Commissioner JoAnn Birrell’s town-hall meeting Thursday night. The District 3 commissioner, who represents Northeast Cobb and East Cobb north of Roswell Road, spent 90 minutes with constituents at the Mountain View Community Center. Among the news she and county officials delivered: Meanwhile, questions during the meeting included coyotes killing animals near Rocky Mount Elementary School and Pope High, flood maps, strategic water plans and reservoirs, the rules on replacing trees destroyed by construction, development along Wigley Road, and county spending on fringe benefits that exceed …

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Michael Jacobs

5:59 am on Wednesday, February 22, 2012

They are beautiful animals. "Uncomfortable" probably would have been better than "ugly," but I couldn't resist playing off the movie title "Coyote Ugly" in the headline. Thanks for the projectcoyote.org link and the tips. Coexisting with nature is one of the joyful challenges of suburban life.   more ›

Code Amendments, Mabry Park, A Walk for Hope

Here's the latest District 3 news from Commissioner JoAnn Birrell as she enters her second year on the job.

Happy New Year   In March, voters will have the opportunity to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary and Sunday alcohol sales. In July, there are other general primaries/non-partisan/special elections that voters will need to decide. Of course, in November, we will have another election for US President.  Please encourage your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers to get out and vote.  If anyone you know needs to register to vote, please visit Cobb Elections and Voter Registration. Town Hall Meeting The first townhall meeting of 2012 will be from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16. At this townhall, we will feature Dana Johnson, Cobb County Planning Division Manager. He will discuss Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map …

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Hearing Held on Transportation Study

Details of the Northwest Atlanta Corridor Alternatives Analysis study will be presented to the Cobb Board of Commissioners this morning.

Residents will get to weigh in today on plans for a mass transportation study that could improve traffic along the I-75 and U.S. 41 corridors. A public hearing will be held prior to Cobb County hiring a consultant to provide an environmental impact statement for the Northwest Atlanta Corridor Alternatives Analysis Study. The county commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. today on the second floor of the government complex at 100 Cherokee Street in Marietta. Development of an environmental impact statement will provide a detailed description of the proposal, purpose and need, reasonable alternatives and the affected environment. The massive region-wide project, estimated to take 18 to 24 months to complete, will involve dozens of private …

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Your Chance to Comment on Job Incentives

The Cobb County Board of Commissioners is holding a hearing today on proposed changes.

Cobb County residents have their last scheduled chance this morning to comment on proposed changes to incentives to lure jobs to the county. The second of two public hearings on changes to the economic development ordinance is the highlight of the agenda for the county Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting at 9 a.m. in the boardroom at 100 Cherokee St. off Marietta Square. The changes would allow the Office of Economic Development to make decisions on a case-by-case basis whether to offer tax breaks or other incentives to companies to move to or expand in Cobb and bring in jobs. A key change would eliminate a requirement that a company add at least 25 jobs and have at least a $500,000 economic impact to be eligible for incentives. …

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East Cobb Take Five

Writing Skills, Volleyball Talent Tested

Here's what you should know to start Sept. 27 in East Cobb.

1. It will be mostly sunny with a slight chance of afternoon or evening showers, the National Weather Service says. The high will be about 81; the overnight low will be around 61. 2. If you’re the parent of a high school junior, make sure he or she gets a good breakfast before heading off to school this morning. Juniors at Walton, Wheeler and Pope will be taking the writing portion of the Georgia High School Graduation Tests, and if they don’t pass between now and May 2013, they won’t get their diplomas on time. 3. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners meets twice today, first in a work session at 1:30 p.m., then in a regular session at 7. Two topics are on the work session agenda: a presentation from the Atlanta Regional Commission on …

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East Cobb Take Five

Food Trucks Back; Wheeler Lot Open

Here's what you should know to start Sept. 26 in East Cobb.

1. A wet afternoon and evening could await us today, the National Weather Service says, with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today after 2 p.m. and a 30 percent chance tonight until 2 a.m. The high will be about 82, and the overnight low will be around 60. Winds could gust to 15 mph. 2. If you’re a fan of Food Network, you probably watched the Lime Truck win the second Great Food Truck Race on Sunday night. If that series whetted your appetite for gourmet food trucks, you’re in luck. Paper Mill Village brings back food truck night to the shopping center at Paper Mill and Johnson Ferry roads this evening, this time with a DJ and with more food trucks than at the first food truck night last month. The food trucks scheduled …

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