Cobb commission candidate profile: JoAnn Birrell, District 3

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During a time of political flux and at times turmoil in recent years, JoAnn Birrell said her tenure on the Cobb Board of Commissioners reflects a record of steady leadership that continues to be needed.Commissioner Birrell recognized

A Republican first elected to represent District 3 in 2010, Birrell is seeking a fifth term in the May 19 primary against Chris Wasserman, a first-time candidate.

She said that continuing her advocacy for improving public safety salaries and benefits, working to establish a Cobb veterans memorial and seeing through various renovations and other initiatives in her District are her priorities as she seeks re-election.

“I am seeking another term to ensure the projects I have initiated come to fruition and to continue serving the people of District 3 and Cobb County,” Birrell told East Cobb News.

Birrell’s website can be found by clicking here. The winner of the GOP primary on May 19 will face Democrat Kevin Redmon in November.

Early voting began Monday and continues through May 15; consult our early voting guide for more information. Our profile of Wasserman can be found by clicking here.

District 3 includes most of East Cobb (see the map). In 2022, Birrell was easily re-elected with similar boundaries. There has been some speculation since then that she would not seek another term, especially as tempers flared on the board over redistricting, a conflict she called “two years of hell.”

Wasserman has said that the five-member board needs new energy and ideas, and that Birrell bears some responsibility for occasionally fractured proceedings.

But Birrell responded by saying that she’s forged deep connections that reflect a high level of energy that she will continue to exert if re-elected.

“I have faced primary opposition in all four of my previous terms, so this was not a surprise,” Birrell said of Wasserman’s candidacy.

“Regarding the need for ‘new energy,’ a constituent recently compared my pace to the ‘Energizer Bunny.’ I have built strong community relationships and business partnerships over many years of leadership. I would be interested to know what new ideas are being proposed that have not already been explored.”

For a larger view of District 3, click here.

Wasserman has been critical of what he says is the board’s inability to separate needs from wants in budgeting, and that the focus should be on what he calls “core services.”

Birrell countered that she’s advocated fiscally responsible spending in county government, and that her top priorities have been public safety and reducing the amount of general fund money the county receives from Cobb Water revenues.

“I am committed to reducing the water transfer to zero percent,” Birrell said (the current rate is 4 percent, and it has been as high as 10 percent during her time on the board).

She also voted against imposing a stormwater fee for that reason, saying at the time that “I can’t justify any more revenue. I just can’t.”

In addition to supporting the gradual installment of a pay-and-grade salary structure for public safety personnel, Birrell also pushed for the creation of a new police precinct in Northeast Cobb that eventually will be full-service.

“Public safety has always been my top priority,” Birrell said. “I am dedicated to supporting our law enforcement, firefighters, 911, EMA, and animal services to ensure the safety of our citizens, businesses, and visitors.”

Birrell also pulled together a variety of sources to fund the rebuild of the Gritters Library, which now houses the Northeast Cobb Community Center.

But it’s more recent projects that have prompted objections from Wasserman. He’s against the proposed relocation of the East Cobb Library, and thinks the $20 million price tag could be even higher, perhaps more than double that amount.

Birrell recently proposed shifting $5 million from that project to address flooding issues along Columns Drive and for park upgrades in District 3.

Birrell (center) with East Cobb Civic Association members at an April Adopt-A-Mile cleanup.

In 2017, Birrell suggested closing the East Cobb library during a budget crunch (and when it was not in her district.) Now, she is justifying the need for a new library facility not just for financial but also for space reasons.

It’s the second-busiest branch in the Cobb library system, and the county pays $400,000 annually in rent at the Parkaire Landing Shopping Center. The proposed relocation would be to county-owned property that hasn’t been revealed.

That lease ends in 2029, and she said that “it is fiscally prudent to use SPLOST dollars to build a county-owned facility rather than continuing these lease payments.”

She added that the original cost for the relocation came to $35 million, but that has been reduced by keeping the square footage comparable to the current size.

“Despite receiving very little negative feedback directly, we still reevaluated and scaled back the costs, and the final survey showed significant community support,” she said.

In March, Cobb PARKS officials “paused” plans to redevelop Shaw Park after softball families complained a field would be taken out for pickleball courts.

Wasserman accused Birrell of waffling on the issue, saying that the pause on park plans is only because “she’s seeking re-election.”

But she said in acknowledging a miscommunication on the issue that the fields that are being relocated are being spread out, not reduced.

Birrell said previously that some critics were “trying to make it sound like we don’t care about girls softball. I’m a girl. I care.”

She said she’s stressing to voters a long history of keeping their priorities and their pocket books in mind, especially when it comes to taxes.

“Keeping taxes low and maintaining fiscal discipline remains a primary focus,” Birrell said. “My conservative record reflects this; I have never voted for a millage increase in 16 years.”

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Cobb commission candidate profile: Chris Wasserman, District 3

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As a business owner and young father raising a family in East Cobb, Chris Wasserman said he has become alarmed in recent years about the leadership of county government, and in particular how it taxes its citizens and spends their money.Republican announces bid for Cobb Commission District 3

The founder of Wasserman Talent Solutions, the Osborne High School graduate now lives in a Northeast Cobb neighborhood where his children attend school, and where he has become invested in community affairs.

He said that as he has watched a fractured Cobb Board of Commissioners spar over budgets, spending priorities and other issues in recent years, “I became very concerned about the decisions and directions” made by that five-member elected body.

Calling himself a “home-grown candidate,” Wasserman announced earlier this year that he would challenge the elder member of the board in his first campaign for public office.

“It’s time for fresh blood and new ideas,” said Wasserman, a Republican facing four-term incumbent commissioner JoAnn Birrell in the May 19 general election, with the winner to face Democrat Kevin Redmon in November.

(Early voting began Monday and continues through May 15; consult our early voting guide for more information. Here is our candidate profile of Birrell.)

Wasserman’s campaign website can be found by clicking here. He’s also having a public campaign event next Thursday, May 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at East Cobb Park.

Wassserman and his wife are the parents of a daughter, 10, who attends Keheley Elementary School, and a son, age 4.

District 3 includes most of East Cobb (see the map). In 2022, Birrell was easily re-elected with similar boundaries. There has been some speculation since then that she would not seek another term, especially as tempers flared on the board over redistricting, a conflict she called “two years of hell.”

Wasserman said he met with Birrell several months ago when those rumors were abounding not just in East Cobb, but around the county.

Cobb BOC District 3 map
For a larger view of District 3, click here.

When Birrell announced she would be running again, Wasserman said he wasn’t deterred from launching his bid “to be an advocate for our taxpayers and their champion.”

In an interview with East Cobb News, Wasserman said that the board requires some new leadership.

“Sixteen years is a long time,” Wasserman said, referring to Birrell. “It’s time that we expect more from our county government.”

Since 2021, the commission has had a 3-2 Democratic majority, led by Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, who previously had served as the only Democrat on a board when Republicans dominated with a 4-1 majority.

Birrell has bridged that transition, and Wasserman said she bears some responsibility for a county government that he said taxes too much and doesn’t spend that money as wisely as it should.

“The county is basically nickel- and diming us,” he said. “Enough is enough.”

He said the commission needs greater fiscal discipline, and it hasn’t been separating “needs and wants.” If he’s elected, Wasserman said, “I will be looking out for the taxpayer.”

The current Cobb fiscal year 2026 budget of $1.325 billion has held the line in general fund property tax rates, but includes increased revenues due to rising assessments that have drawn citizen protests.

But the board hasn’t reduced the millage rate to reflect that, and in starting in June, Cobb property owners will pay a stormwater fee for services that previously had been included in their water and sewer bills.

Wasserman said his priorities would be to “focus on the core services and take a hard look” at everything else.

As an entrepreneur, he continued, “I have a superpower for looking at a budget and cutting the waste. The lack of a small business owner on the BOC is a detriment.”

Among those priorities are better pay and benefits for public safety personnel, which has been one of Birrell’s signature issues during her term on the board.

“We need to do a better job of looking after the people protecting our community,” Wasserman said.

More specifically, he pointed to projects in the East Cobb area where he thinks Birrell has come up short.

He doesn’t like the proposed relocation of the East Cobb Library, and thinks the $20 million price tag could be even higher, perhaps more than double that amount.

Wasserman campaigning at Shaw Park in late March.

The original cost for the new library that was cited in the proposed 2028 Cobb SPLOST (Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax) was $25 million, but Birrell recently proposed shifting $5 million to address flooding issues along Columns Drive and for park upgrades in District 3.

“That’s just a number on paper today,” Wasserman said, adding that this typifies what he’s seeing from a county government that is “trying to remodel the basement when you’ve got a leaky roof.”

He pointed to the $60 million cost to rebuild the Cobb Animal Services shelter. While acknowledging that “costs are rising, we need to be taking care of our core services.”

As his campaign got underway, Birrell came under fire for the proposed redevelopment of Shaw Park to include more pickleball courts. Softball parents objected, saying a softball field would be taken away, a charge that Birrell and Cobb PARKS say isn’t true.

Wasserman quickly sprung into action, meeting with Sandy Plains Softball parents and taping a campaign video at Shaw Park. The county quickly announced that it was putting an indefinite hold on the redevelopment.

He accused Birrell of waffling on the issue, saying that the pause on park plans is only because “she’s seeking re-election.”

Wasserman said he’s also running to help small businesses deal with red tape and other frustrations he says he hears a lot about, including the slow pace of permitting (“there’s no sense of urgency”) and the need for better technology in county government and a “customer service mentality.”

But the larger issues concerning Cobb government are larger and deeper than that, Wasserman said, pointing to a lot of “bad blood” on the commission that he claims is preventing collaborations and healthy conversations to take place about the future of the county.

He said Birrell “should be doing that. That’s her job. We should expect more.

“People are telling me that while they appreciate what she’s done, they are ready for change. My value proposition is resonating.”

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Cobb Elections changes polling locations for 2026 elections

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The Cobb Board of Elections and Registration said Tuesday that a number of voting precinct locations will be changing for the 2026 elections, starting with the May 19 primaries.East Cobb advance voting

These changes will not affect early voting for the primaries—see our guide to how to do that—or for the general election early voting period, but only for election-day voting.

Here are the changes for precincts in the East Cobb area:

  • BELLS FERRY 02 (formerly Christ Worship Church)—Kulture Event Center, 2932 Canton Road, Suite 290
  • EASTSIDE 02 (formerly Eastside Baptist Church)—Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Road
  • ELIZABETH 02 (formerly Covenant Presbyterian Church)—Crossview Baptist Church, 1100 Piedmont Road
  • HIGHTOWER 01 (formerly Shallowford Church)—Chestnut Ridge Christian Church, 2663 Johnson Ferry Road
  • ROSWELL 01 (formerly East Cobb Church of Christ)—Catholic Church of St. Ann, 4905 Roswell Road
  • TERRELL MILL 01 (formerly Old Eastvalley Elementary School)—Sope Creek Elementary, 3320 Paper Mill Road
  • WILLEO 01 (formerly Cobb Community Church)—Wesley Chapel Methodist Church, 4495 Sandy Plains Road

The other locations can be found by clicking here; and here’s what else Cobb Elections is saying about these changes:

“Signage will be posted at former polling locations directing voters to their new assigned location, and affected voters will also receive an updated precinct card by mail reflecting their new polling place. All voters are strongly encouraged to confirm their assigned polling location before heading to vote. Personalized voter information, including polling location, sample ballot, and more, is available through the Georgia My Voter Page at www.mvp.sos.ga.gov .

“Cobb County Elections & Registration also welcomes public input on future polling locations. Residents may submit suggestions using the Polling Location Suggestion Form available on the Cobb County website at
https://www.cobbcounty.gov/elections/election-reference/suggest-polling-location.”

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Cobb Family Promise gets $20K grant from homebuilder

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Submitted information:Cobb Family Promise gets $20K grant from homebuilder

Family Promise of Cobb County recently received a $20,000 grant from Clayton, ensuring that families in Cobb County receive the support they need to stay safely housed.

The grant is a portion of the $2 million dollars Clayton is donating to the Family Promise national network. The funds are a result of the recently announced partnership extension between Family Promise and Clayton. A Future Begins at Home, the initiative created through this collaboration is focused on supporting families experiencing homelessness by helping them remain in their homes and quickly regain stability. Since its inception in 2019, A Future Begins at Home has helped catalyze over $14 million in additional funding, resulting in more than 43,000 families served.

“This grant allows families with children to remain in their home and avoid the trauma that homelessness causes. We are thankful for the donation and that Clayton understands the importance of stability,” said Autumn Sines, Executive Director of Family Promise of Cobb County.

In addition to Clayton’s generous financial support, they have donated 20 homes to the Family Promise national network since 2019. These homes are used primarily as transitional housing, allowing families to stay together while receiving case management and support services as they work toward permanent housing.

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Cobb Chamber to honor small businesses at May luncheon

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Submitted information:Cobb Chamber of Commerce

The Cobb Chamber Marquee Monday series continues on Monday, May 11 at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre with the 2026 Small Business of the Year Awards. The luncheon will celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of Cobb’s top small businesses. 

During the program, we will recognize the:

  • 2026 Small Business of the Year- announced at the event
  • 2026 Hall of Fame Inductee, 1885 Grill
  • Business to Watch Winner, Esteem Dental Studio
  • Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year
  • Woman-Owned Business Award Winner- announced at the event
  • Minority-Owned Business Award Winner- announced at the event
  • Veteran-Owned Business Award Winner- announced at the event
  • Community Service of Excellence Award Winner- announced at the event

Registration is now open through Wednesday, May 6. Doors open at 11:15 a.m., with the program starting at noon and concluding by 1:15 am. Tickets are $50 for Cobb Chamber members and $75 for non-members. Attendees may register for the event at https://tinyurl.com/56uebadv. Parking is available at The Battery Red Deck for free up to two hours. For further parking options, please refer to the Battery Atlanta Parking Guide. A security screening will be required at check-in.

The Marquee Monday Series is presented by Superior Plumbing, Three-13 Salon Spa & Boutique, Verizon, Coca-Cola Roxy & Live Nation Special Events, Delaware North, Pure Melon, and Classic Tents & Events. The Small Business of the Year Awards are sponsored by 1885 Grill, S.A. White Oil Company, CDH Partners, Pickleball Kingdom South Cobb, Comcast, KSU Small Business Development Center, Eclipse Networks, Genuine Parts Company, VyStar Credit Union, Kennesaw State University’s Family Enterprise Center, 524 Creative, Manay CPA, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Banking Company, Cobb County Economic Development, Delta Community Credit Union, CROFT & Associates, BrillantBox, Preferred Personnel, Renasant Bank, and Johnson & Alday.

For more information about the Marquee Monday event series or the Small Business of the Year Awards, contact Jani Dix at jdix@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2335.

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Cobb libraries to hold no-cost prostate cancer screenings

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Cobb libraries to hold no-cost prostate cancer screenings

From the Cobb County Public Library Program:

“In partnership with Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Cobb County Public Library will host the Winship Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening bus at seven libraries in May and June.

“To eliminate barriers to prostate cancer detection and care, this Winship initiative provides no cost, on-the-go PSA screenings to men throughout Georgia. The screenings – a blood test, no physical exam – are for men ages 40-75.”

Those screenings include a session on Wednesday, May 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m, at Gritters Library (880 Shaw Park Drive).

The initial screening is May 6 at the Switzer Library in downtown Marietta, and will include a panel discussion program featuring the Winship Cancer Institute and Cobb and Douglas Public Health, along with former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes, a leader in forming the coalition.

“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the state of Georgia,” said Dr. Martin Sanda, the Louis McDonald Orr Distinguished Professor of Urology at Emory University School of Medicine and director of the Prostate Cancer Program at Winship Cancer Institute.

“The Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening team of Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute, with support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, is thrilled to partner with Cobb County Public Library system to bring our mobile prostate cancer screening unit to libraries in Cobb County,” Dr. Sanda said.

The library partnership will “facilitate access for men to undergo the simple PSA blood test as a powerful screening test that can help identify men at risk for prostate cancer, for whom our team is committed to enabling more detailed follow-up for those who would benefit from further care, based on results of the screening.”

For more information about the screenings at Cobb libraries, click here and here.

 

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East Cobb Real Estate: Chimney Springs home sells for $835K

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East Cobb Real Estate: Chimney Springs home sells for $835K

This week’s featured home sale is a brick traditional in the Chimney Hills subdivision, located in the Pope High School, Hightower Trail Middle School and Tritt Elementary School attendance zones.

It has 4 bedrooms and 2-1/2 baths, covering 3,022 square feet. The home, which is on 0.34 acres, sold for $835,100 on April 13, 2026.

The home includes updated features throughout, including an eat-in kitchen, formal dining room and living room, as well as a family room on the main level and a secondary living area in a finished basement area.

The kitchen was fully renovated with white cabinetry to the ceiling, tile backsplash, farmhouse sink, gas range, and all stainless steel appliances. Hardwood floors also have been added throughout the main level.

The primary suite includes his/hers vanities, a jacuzzi tub, tile flooring, frameless glass shower and a walk-in closet.

Outdoors areas include fenced-in and open decks and an entertainment area in the backyard.

Click the middle button below to see more photos.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The following East Cobb residential real estate sales from April 13-17, 2026 were compiled from agency reports and Cobb County property records.

They include the street address, subdivision name and sales price listed under their respective high school attendance zones:

Kell

4816 Olde Mill Drive, 30066 (Olde Mill Ford): $340,000

1472 Rosebay Court, 30066 (Whitfield Woods): $501,000

4922 Falcon Wood Trace, 30066 (Falcon Wood): $400,000

Lassiter

3400 Creek Hollow Drive, 30062 (The Glenns): $390,000

2610 Chadwick Road, 30066 (Dover Crossing): $660,000

3809 Cochran Lake Road, 30062 (Cochran Lake Shores): $1.425 million

3130 Maley Court, 30066 (Shaw Ridge): $620,000

Marietta

436 Cherry Tree Lane, 30066 (Hamilton Grove): $535,000

1117 Burbank Circle, 30062: $380,000

1704 Summit Village Lane, 30066 (Summit Village): $465,000

1461 Gateview Way, 30062 (Stonegate at East Worthington): $530,000

Pope

2628 Tritt Springs Trace, 30062 (Post Oak Springs): $510,000

2311 Fox Hound Parkway, 30062 (Chimney Springs): $835,000

3414 Stillbrook Way, 30062 (Glenmoor): $970,000

2097 Haverhill Drive, 30062 (Chadds Walk): $825,000

2648 Ravenoaks Place, 30062 (Chimney Springs): $660,929

2451 Cedar Fork Trail, 30062 (Cedar Forks): $390,000

1861 O’Shea Lane, 30062 (Wicks Creek): $705,000

3257 Hembree Court, 30062 (Hembree Hills): $350,000

Sprayberry

1815 Goodhearth Drive, 30066 (Olde Mill Creek): $875,000

2490 Stoney Brook Lane, 30062 (Holly Springs North): $350,000

621 Embry Lane, 30066 (Addison Heights): $349,000

2694 Evers Drive, Unit 93, 30066 (East Cobb Walk): $499,000

2044 Cason Drive, 30066 (Kings Wood Estates): $219,073

3492 Ember Street, 30066 (Autumn Ridge): $405,000

2364 Chimney Cottage Circle, 30066 (Chimney Cottage): $389,000

3278 Fowler Drive, 30066 (Glendale): $370,000

2230 Concord Square, 30062 (Concord Square): $478,000

Walton

1103 Kelden Ridge, 30068 (Camden Place): $970,000

4030 River Ridge Chase, 30067 (River Ridge): $1.6 million

1541 Kinglet Lane, 30062 (Chestnut Springs): $645,000

4830 Kentwood Drive, 30068 (Cobblestone Manor): $1.725 million

5617 Asheforde Lane, 30068 (Asheforde): $1.035 million

4652 Dandelion Circle, 30067 (Woodlawn Park): $797,000

4081 Riverlook Parkway, Unit 102, 30067 (Willows by the River): $270,000

4540 Blackland Drive, 30067 (Wellsley): $2.2 million

4061 River Cliff Chase, 30067 (River Mill): $1.1 million

3760 Creekstone Way, 30068 (Indian Hills): $2.66 million

981 Clubland Way, 30068 (Indian Hills): $680,000

1566 Asheforde Drive, 30068 (Asheforde): $1.15 million

Wheeler

2349 Engineers Drive, 30067 (Red Oak Park): $375,000

33 Old Farm Road, 30068 (Pioneer Woods): $525,000

360 Clear Spring Court, 30068 (Weatherstone): $485,000

656 Brookline Drive, 30067 (Hyde Park): $580,000

369 Virginia Place, 30067 (Meadow Brook): $396,000

3462 Greystone Court, 30068 (Indian Hills): $820,000

734 Princeton Mill Run, 30068 (Princeton Mill): $699,000

232 Lamplighter Lane, 30067 (Fox Hills): $653,250

2230 Old Orchard Drive, 30068 (Weatherstone): $699,000

610 Yorkshire Drive, 30068 (Country Place East): $755,000

504 Wynnes Ridge Circle, 30067 (Wynnes Ridge): $208,000

2955 Torreya Way, 30067 (The Woods): $269,500)

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East Cobb early voting guide for the 2026 primary elections

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Georgia runoff elections

From April 27-May 15, Cobb voters can cast their ballots in person in advance of the May 19 primary elections.

On the ballot will be a variety of local, state and federal offices, ranging from county commissioner and school board to the Georgia legislature, governor and U.S. Congress, as well as judicial offices (more details below).

Voters must choose to vote in one of the following primaries: Democratic, Republican or non-partisan; no switching over is allowed.

Early voting locations will be set up around the county. Absentee ballots also can be mailed or dropped off at select locations during this period.

The Cobb Board of Elections and Cobb GIS are providing an estimated wait-time map that will be updated several times a day during the early voting period.

When, where, how to vote

Early voting will take place at select locations around the county, including the East Cobb Government Service Center (4400 Lower Roswell Road) and the Tim D. Lee Senior Center (3332 Sandy Plains Road) as follows:

  • April 27-May 1, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • May 2, Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • May 3, Sunday, 12-5 p.m. (East Cobb Govt. Center)
  • May 4-8, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • May 9, Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • May 10, Sunday, 12-5 p.m. (East Cobb Govt. Center)
  • May 11-15, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There is no early voting May 16-18. On election day, May 19, voters will go their assigned precincts.

For more locations for early voting, click here. Cobb voters can cast early ballots at any location in the county regardless of where they live.

Voters must bring a valid photo ID with them to the polls (click here for details).

Absentee ballots must be received in person or by mail at the Cobb Elections office or delivered to a designated drop box by 7 p.m. on May 19, when the polls close for good on election day.

There is an absentee ballot drop box at the East Cobb Government Service Center that is open during early voting hours.

To check your voter registration status, and to get a customized sample ballot, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page.

Cobb Elections also has prepared consolidated sample ballots: Democratic | Republican | Non-Partisan

Who/What’s on the ballot?

At the local level, voters in East Cobb will be choosing candidates in a number of races, including the Republican nominee for District 3 on the Board of Commissioners. Four-term incumbent JoAnn Birrell is facing a challenge from first-time candidate Chris Wasserman. Democrat Kevin Redmon awaits in November.

In Post 4 on the Cobb Board of Education, three-term Republican incumbent David Chastain will face either Micheal Garza or Susan McCartney, the Democratic candidates who have qualified.

First-term Democratic incumbent Nichelle Davis is being opposed in Post 6 on the Cobb Board of Education by Jennifer Susko.

East Cobb News has interviewed the candidates in these contested primaries and will be publishing individual stories this week.

The only countywide race on the ballot is Cobb Solicitor General. Democratic incumbent Maria Metzger has a primary opponent in Christopher Futch; no Republican qualified.

There are seven incumbent judges on Cobb Superior Court and Cobb State Court who are running unopposed.

At the state level, crowded primaries are in store for the governor’s race, where incumbent Brian Kemp is term-limited. Other statewide races include lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, the commissioners of agriculture, labor and insurance and state school superintendent.

There are five races for Georgia Public Service Commissioner, and all state legislative seats will be decided in 2026.

In East Cobb, there is only one contested primary for a legislative seat. Democratic incumbent Mary Frances Williams will face Graham Bowers in the District 37 race.

There are contested primaries in both the Democratic and Republican parties in the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk in the 11th Congressional District that includes most of East Cobb.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is unopposed in the Democratic primary as he seeks a second term, while there are five candidates seeking the Republican nomination.

There are three contested non-partisan primaries for Georgia Supreme Court Justice and another for Georgia Court of Appeals Justice, as those incumbents are facing opposition.

East Cobb News will have more details about those state and federal races in the coming week as well.

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East Cobb News Explainer: Covering politics and elections

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As part of our continuing effort to help the public understand why we do things the way we do, East Cobb News is running a short feature on an occasional basis that will give you a better understanding of what goes behind some of our news coverage.

East Cobb News Explainer: Covering politics and elections
We won’t tell you whom you should vote for, just how to go about doing it.

It’s called East Cobb News Explainer, and we started off a couple weeks ago with a look at how we cover reports of crime and publishing mug shots.

With the 2026 election season underway, we thought we’d share our approach to covering politics and elections.

We’re doing it the same way we have from the beginning, giving our readers nuts-and-bolts information on how to vote, what candidates are on the ballot and what the issues are in a particular race.

(Here’s our early voting guide to the primaries that’s a handy-dandy, all-in-one resource.)

What we will never do is tell you whom to vote for—or against.

In the coming weeks, East Cobb News will be publishing candidate profiles in contested races for Cobb commissioner and Cobb school board that voters in East Cobb will be choosing from.

There’s a lot on the line, and some contentious issues that are at the heart of those election battles. We don’t flinch from presenting them to you, and that’s been a hallmark of our political coverage all along.

But at East Cobb News we don’t dwell on the he-said, she-said dynamic that passes for so much media coverage of politics. In the current environment, that’s not very conducive to helping voters understand what’s behind what’s on their ballot.

We have some readers who love the combat-style approach to political coverage—as long as it confirms their priors.

We’re accused all the time of being in one camp or another, because some people just need an enemy to excoriate, and they love to shout from the rooftops that you’ve got to pick a side.

No you don’t. In fact, most people don’t. This is political coverage for normies, not social media-obsessed partisans.

The only “side” we pick at East Cobb News is the civics side. If there’s a need for anything in terms of media coverage of politics, that’s definitely it.

There are times in which we have to shut off social media comments for some our stories because a handful of readers decide to act like children and drive others away.

But for the most part, our readers are pretty grown-up about all this, and we do appreciate that.

We don’t endorse candidates or ballot issues (we even took a pass on the East Cobb cityhood referendum in 2022, although we had some choice commentary after the decisive votes were cast).

We focus on the mechanics of voting—where and how, etc. Especially since the COVID-19 election in 2020, when confusion reigned everywhere, we’ve found that voters just want us to help them figure out how to cast their ballots.

And especially with three weeks of early voting, including weekend voting. You don’t go to your normal polling station then. And the machines have changed. And the electoral maps change.

And of course, the candidates, races and issues are in a constant state of flux. Helping citizens keep up with a dizzying Cobb political scene requires a good bit of purely informative reporting, and that’s how we cover politics and elections at East Cobb News.

So stay tuned for candidate interviews, early voting updates and finally, on May 19, primary election day, with real-time results at your finger tips.

And then for the general election, we’ll rinse and repeat.

Please reach out to us to explain how we give you East Cobb News. E-mail us at editor@eastcobbnews.com.

East Cobb News Explainer: Covering politics and elections
You don’t have to lose your head over our political coverage, unless you really want to.

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Cobb commissioners set to vote on 2028 SPLOST project list

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Cobb commissioners set to vote on 2028 SPLOST project list

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday is scheduled to finalize the project list for the proposed 2028 Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax extension.

The project list that’s on the agenda for Tuesday night’s meeting (you can read it here) totals more than $794 million in county government construction and maintenance projects.

That includes reducing the cost of the proposed relocation of the East Cobb Library from $25 million to $20 million to finance other projects in the East Cobb area, as well as a major expansion of the Tim D. Lee Senior Center.

The proposed Cobb SPLOST extension includes $1.15 billion for a variety of construction and maintenance projects that include Cobb cities as well.

Commissioners would still have to pass a separate resolution calling for a November referendum for the public to decide whether to extend the one-percent sales tax for a six-year period starting in 2028.

But SPLOST referenda must have detailed project lists before they can proceed.

Earlier this month county officials presented results of an online survey about the 2028 SPLOST, saying that of the 2,088 responses, 84 percent were in favor of renewing the sales tax.

But when breaking down their views of specific projects, only 25 percent said they would support rebuilding the East Cobb Library.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, whose District 3 includes most of East Cobb, wants to take $5 million from the East Cobb Library funding to address flooding problems along Columns Drive, and for general county park upgrades in the district.

Chris Wasserman, her Republican opponent in the upcoming primaries, has been critical of the funding amount of the proposed East Cobb Library rebuild, saying it’s an issue of wants over needs.

The library currently rents space at the Parkaire Landing Shopping Center for more than $400,000 a year. It’s the second-busiest branch in the Cobb library system, and officials have said they need more space.

A relocation site hasn’t been disclosed but county officials have said they’re eyeing existing county property.

The Tim D. Lee Center expansion would cost $8.4 million.

Other big-ticket items on the proposed SPLOST project list include a new $174 million Cobb State Court building, a$130 million in road repaving projects and $60 million for a new infirmary building at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

The Cobb commissioners meeting begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the second floor board room of the county office building at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta. You can view the full agenda by clicking here.

You also can watch the hearing on the county’s website and YouTube channels and on Cobb TV 23 on Comcast Cable.

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Cobb Fire Marshal issues burn ban due to drought conditions

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A severe drought has resulted in wildfires in South Georgia and has caused haze in some areas of metro Atlanta.Cobb Fire Department fireworks safety reminder

Those conditions prompted the Cobb Fire Marshal on Wednesday to issue an outdoor burning ban “until further notice.”

Cobb Fire and Emergency Services referenced a county ordinance that authorizes the fire marshal “to ban any or all forms of outdoor burning when atmospheric or local conditions make outdoor fires hazardous.

“All outdoor burning is prohibited during this time to help reduce fire risk and to protect our community. We appreciate your cooperation in helping keep Cobb County safe.”

The ban comes a week before the statewide outdoor burning ban that takes place each year from May 1-Sept. 30. During that period, “you may burn limited yard debris such as leaves, pine straw, and small limbs from growth on your property.”

Here are the restrictions for outdoor burning.

The lack of rain has caused wildfires in southern Georgia, which has been under a general burn ban. More than 16,000 acres of have burned and Gov. Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for that part of the state.

Almost all of Georgia has been experiencing drought in the spring. Rain is in the forecast for Cobb County early next week, as dry, low-humidity weather continues.

State officials predict they’ll be able to contain the south Georgia wildfires by the end of May.

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East Cobb Food Scores: Tacos La Villa; Terikayi Madness; more

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Tacos La Villa, East Cobb food scores

The following food scores have been compiled by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Click the link under each listing for inspection details:

Blackwell Elementary School
3470 Canton Road
April 23, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Blue Moon Pizza
2359 Windy Hill Road, Suite 100
April 20, 2026, Score: 77, Grade: C

Chipotle Mexican Grill
2675 Windy Hill Road
April 21, 2026, Score: 91, Grade: A

Garrison Mill Elementary School
4111 Wesley Chapel Road
April 20, 2026, Score: 99, Grade: A

Jet’s Pizza
2900 Delk Road, Suite 300
April 21, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Little Caesars
2856 Delk Road, Suite 304A
April 17, 2026, Score: 87, Grade: B

Spizzy’s Philadelphia Water Ice
1642 Roswell Road
April 21, 2026, Score: 99, Grade: A

Tacos La Villa
3545 Canton Road, Suite 102
April 23, Score: 94, Grade: A

Rocky Mount Elementary School
2400 Rocky Mountain Road
April 23, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Teriyaki Madness
3000 Windy Hill Road. Suite 180
April 20, 2026, Score: 100, Grade: A

Waffle House
2642 Windy Hill Road
April 20, 2026, Score: 92, Grade: A

Willy’s Mexicana Grill
2900 Delk Road, Suite 8
April 21, 2026, Score: 99, Grade: A

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Proposed Cobb schools FY 2027 budget holds line on raises

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Proposed Cobb schools FY 2027 budget
“We’re not in a confetti-dropping, champagne-popping situation,” Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said. “But we’re not the alternative either.”

The Cobb County School District’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget is tight and lean, reflecting increased costs, lower enrollment and modest tax digest growth.

District officials on Thursday presented a nearly $1.9 billion spending package that doesn’t include employee raises beyond the scheduled step increases.

The budget—which would go into effect on July 1—is based on holding the property tax rate at 18.7 mills and four percent growth in the Cobb tax digest.

The Cobb Board of Education tentatively adopted the budget 7-0 at a voting meeting Thursday night, meaning that the proposal can be legally advertised.

A final budget public forum and formal adoption are scheduled for May 14.

To address the lack of raises in the Fy 2027 proposal, the school board on Thursday voted to to take more than $7 million from its current fund balance to pay for one-time bonuses for non-temporary employees.

Those $2,000 bonuses were approved by the Georgia legislature earlier this year. The total cost to the Cobb school district is around $30 million, with the state providing $22 million in the current fiscal year budget.

District employees getting that bonus will see that in their paychecks by April 30.

At a work session before school board Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale admitted that the FY 2027 budget proposal isn’t ideal. But compared to other large districts in metro Atlanta, some of which are proposing to close schools to cut costs, Cobb is in relatively good shape—for now.

“We’re not in a confetti-dropping, champagne-popping situation. But we’re not the alternative either,” he added, calling this a “catch-up” budget following employee raises last year.

Holding the line without raises also is an effort to replenish the district’s general fund balance, which is around $200 million.

Here are links to budget proposal details:

Employees eligible for “STEP” increases as part of their employment contracts will still get those, to the tune of $16 million.

Another line item of $3.5 million will go to hire literacy coaches across the district, but it’s unclear now how that money will be used pending state guidance.

Board members did have questions about some of the line items that were presented Thursday.

They include a reduction of 185 teaching allotment positions due to reduced enrollment and to balance the budget. Ragsdale said no teaching layoffs would occur—the cuts would be made through attrition and reassignments.

Lost positions include some media specialists, with schools being limited to one each.

Losing those allotments will result in a budget decrease of nearly $22 million.

Another line item caught the eye of board member Brad Wheeler—a $275,000 increase in the rent the district pays Kennesaw State University for graduations.

Additional fees and increased staffing charges are the primary reasons for that jump, as well as additional charges when graduations are held on weekends.

Ragsdale had wanted to build a $50 million special events center for graduations and other events, but public pressure prompted the board to cancel that project in 2024.

The increased KSU funding, board member John Cristadoro said, “is not sustainable.”

The budget proposal also includes spending $725,000 to hold a referendum in 2027 to extend the current Cobb Education Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax, which is used to fund school construction and maintenance.

The current Cobb Ed-SPLOST VI will be collected through the end of 2029.

The district also announced that the “rollback” millage rate—what the property tax rate would be if the budget dollar amount was the same as fiscal year 2026—would be 17.69 mills.

But Ragsdale said given the legislature’s appetite for putting a cap on property tax rates, “I won’t be recommending a rollback of the millage rate.

“I have great concern over the funding of public education.”

Cobb homeowners aged 62 and older can file for exemption from school property taxes, but he also said that changes at the state level “could make that exemption go away.”

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Three East Cobb elementary schools to get new principals

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New principals at two East Cobb elementary schools were appointed for the 2026-27 school year on Thursday, and the retirement of another K-5 principal at a school in East Cobb was announced.

Three East Cobb elementary schools to get new principals
Dr. Christina Moll 

The Cobb County School District said that Dr. Christina Moll will be the new principal at Addison Elementary School. She is currently an assistant principal at Milford Elementary School in the south Cobb area.

Addison has been led on an interim basis by Brett Ward, a former Cobb elementary school principal, following the resignation of Dr. Jill Spiva. She was arrested for driving under the influence near the Addison campus, and after refusing to take a blood test, Cobb Police got a search warrant from a judge requiring to provide blood.

Moll begins her new post at Addison on June 1.

The new principal at Kincaid Elementary School will be Lauren Rabil, an assistant principal at nearby Keheley Elementary School. Starting July 1, she will succeed Debbie Tennyson, who is retiring after 28 years with the Cobb school district.

Timber Ridge Elementary School principal Shannon McGill will be retiring, effective July 1. She has been at Timber Ridge since 2019 and has more than 30 years of experience as an educator. Her successor is to be named later.

Shannon McGill, Timber Ridge ES principal
Dr. Shannon McGill

Former Walton High School principal Dr. Catherine Mallanda also will be retiring. She has been the Cobb school district’s chief academic officer since 2022 after serving as a teacher and administrator at Walton. Mallanda also is a Walton graduate.

Another member of the district’s executive cabinet will be retiring. Dr. Sherri Hill has been the chief of staff since 2023 and has more than 30 years of experience as an educator.

The upcoming graduations in the Cobb school district will be the last for John Stafford, senior executive officer for the district’s events and venue management department.

He is a Walton graduate who has worked for the Cobb school district for 42 years and has been in his current position since 2017.

Stafford previously was an assistant principal at Harrison High School and was also the district’s spokesman in 2017-18.

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Editor’s Note: Support local news that’s from the heart!

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We’re taking a brief pause during what’s been a super-busy news week, and with plenty more to come with another week left in what’s been a very busy month.Editor's Note: Support local news that comes from the heart!

It’s been a strong one from what our traffic numbers tell us, and the reader feedback we get. We keep hearing from many of you how important East Cobb News is for you, and we’re delighted to hear it.

With primary elections coming up, we’re preparing in-depth coverage about the candidates you’ll be choosing to represent you at the local level.

It’s part of what we do every day, and have done every day, since East Cobb News began publishing nearly nine years ago.

In April, we’ve really been knocking out exclusive, breaking coverage that has other outlets chasing us. Readers tip us off about what’s happening because they know we’re trustworthy, credible and accessible.

We’re absolutely reader focused, and East Cobb News asks for reader donations to help us to keep giving you the local news that you love.

But we would love to have the support of more of you than we do.

We’ve set up a safe, secure and easy online payment system via Press Patron, which helps local independent online with basic business expenses. They share our passion for local news and want to help small local news businesses like East Cobb News make a go of a tough media environment.

It’s not getting easier, and while East Cobb News is a thrifty operation, our business costs are going up.

We get our payout from Press Patron by the calendar month, and we’d like to close out April with a strong response from our readers. You’ve told us how much you value East Cobb News, and here’s your chance to show that support with a donation today.

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We do this for our readers without a paywall. We make it easy for you to find out what’s going on, so you can get on with other things.

Whether it’s stories featuring our original reporting, or others in our community passing along news about local events and activities, East Cobb News is devoted to what’s valued the most by readers here.

It’s our stock-in-trade, and for eight-plus years we’ve been building that community trust, one story at a time.

We do this without charging readers, because we believe reliable local news should be accessible to all.

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At East Cobb News, nobody else does what we do, every day.

It’s our passion and our pride to give you the local news that makes a difference in this community.

Our donation amounts are voluntary, and what you pay is up to you. We are suggesting $6 a month on a recurring basis. You can also donate on an annual or one-time basis.

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Brothers held without bond for assault at East Cobb home

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Two brothers are being held without bond after they got into a physical altercation Wednesday in front of a home in an East Cobb neighborhood.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

Warrants for Franklin Dayne Hudson, 33, and Kyle Robert Hudson, 30, said they have been charged with felony counts of aggravated assault, and misdemeanor charges of fighting in a public place and criminal trespass.

The warrants state that the incident took place Wednesday morning at a home on Ridgetree Drive in the Sentinel Lake subdivision.

Franklin Hudson is accused of hitting his brother’s motorcycle with a baseball bat after a verbal argument about money, and then throwing the bat in Kyle Hudson’s direction, according to the warrants.

Kyle Hudson is accused of throwing a crowbar at Franklin Hudson, and his vehicle.

The warrants state that “the situation escalated and got physical. The Physical altercation happened on the roadway” in front of the Ridgetree Lane home.

The warrants said the motorcycle’s tail lights and exhausts were damaged in the incident.

Both men were booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center Wednesday night, according to Cobb Sheriff’s Office records.

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East Cobb man’s bid for child’s emotional support pony nixed

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East Cobb man's bid for child's emotional support pony nixed
‘Dark Chocolate’ has been living in a yard in the Heritage Glen subdivision, but neighbors and the East Cobb Civic Association objected.

An East Cobb father who had been keeping a Shetland pony in the yard of his rented home was denied a request this week to let it stay there.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted to deny a request by Timothy Terranova to keep the 300-pound pony at a residence in the Heritage Glen Drive subdivision.

That’s because it violates the Cobb code mandating that livestock animals can be kept on properties of at least two acres. Terranova was seeking a waiver from that requirement.

The home where Terranova and his daughter live is at the end of a cul-de-sac on Heritage Glen Drive, on a lot that’s a half-acre.

Terranova said he got the animal, named “Dark Chocolate,” as an emotional support animal for his daughter after a divorce, when she was five, and while they were living elsewhere in Cobb County on a 10-acre lot.

The girl is now nearly 10, but Terranova, who has sole custody of her, said he “lost everything” in the divorce, and had to relocate.

He said at the zoning hearing Tuesday that the pony has helped his daughter reduce her anxiety over the situation. Dark Chocolate is registered as an emotional support animal, he said, adding that he built a stable and fencing on the property for the pony, which neighbors said he also walks around the neighborhood.

Neighbors contacted Cobb Code Enforcement, which issued citations in October for that and other issues on the property, including scattered debris.

And the East Cobb Civic Association led the objections at the hearing. President Richard Grome said allowing a pony on a lot less than two acres at a home zoned for single-family residential would set “a far-reaching precedent.”

He said there are several boarding and riding stables in East Cobb, including the nearby Sunnybrook Stables off Roswell Road.

A Heritage Glen neighbor, Michele Smith, said she was concerned about the welfare of the animal, saying that Terranova shoots off fireworks on his property.

The Cobb Zoning Division recommended denial of the request, for the lot-size minimum and because the home is located in an area close to other neighborhoods.

When Commissioner JoAnn Birrell asked Terranova if he knew he was improperly keeping the pony, Terranova said he didn’t think so, because he was looking for a home to rent near his daughter’s school and that “had a lot large enough for the pony.”

He said that after living in apartments, he moved to East Cobb and wanted to provide “something joyful to be around” that “my daughter and I can look forward to each day.”

Birrell said “this would set a precedent for others” and made a motion to deny the request, which passed 5-0.

“It’s really not appropriate” to have a pony in such a setting, she said. Terranova will have 90 days to relocate the animal.

“I commend your consideration of your daughter during a very difficult time,” Cobb Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid told Terranova.

“A lot parents like myself would see this as an heroic effort to meet the needs of your daughter.”

However, she said, the code issues are significant, and what Cobb allows for livestock animals is similar to other jurisdictions in metro Atlanta.

Tim Teranova constructed fencing for the pony to roam in the yard.

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Smalls Sliders teams with PORCH Marietta for hunger relief

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Small Sliders teams with PORCH Marietta for hunger relief

Submitted information and photo:

PORCH Marietta was recently named “Smalls Town Hero” by new Marietta restaurant, Smalls Sliders. The fast-growing slider brand opened its 50th location at 2355 Windy Hill Road on April 14. At the ribbon cutting, the owners showed their community spirit by presenting a check for $1000 to grassroots nonprofit PORCH Marietta. PORCH runs monthly food drives in 50+ neighborhoods across Marietta and purchases additional groceries like milk and eggs with financial donations. They deliver the food to 15 Marietta food pantries, schools, and organizations, helping them serve families needing assistance.

At the end of the school year, many families will have already spent their tax refunds and will be looking for extra help to compensate for the lack of school breakfast and lunch over the summer. Using Smalls Sliders’ funding, PORCH Marietta will purchase extra groceries for local pantries to ensure families have enough to feed their children until school starts again.

According to Smalls Sliders owner Rocky Moore, partnering with PORCH Marietta “makes all the sense in the world because it’s a grassroots group that feeds the local community. We’re a restaurant. We serve food. This is a group that we can partner with long term. Not only give a check, but stay in contact with and, frankly, grow with. A lot of businesses can give a check to charities, but we want to help in a number of different ways.”

PORCH Communities was started in 2010 in Chapel Hill, and there are now 75 chapters in 15 states. serving their local communities. PORCH chapters have gathered and distributed more than $17 million worth of food to neighbors in need. The PORCH Marietta chapter was founded in February 2022.

Contributing non-perishable food to local food pantries on a monthly basis is the flagship program of PORCH Marietta. To date, PORCH Marietta has donated over 185,000 pounds of food to these pantries. They collect food via monthly neighborhood food drives, based on customized wish lists from the pantries. Neighbors put the requested groceries out on their porch and volunteers pick up and deliver it to the pantries. To add your neighborhood to the team, contact marietta@porchcommunities.org.

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‘Les Misérables’ staged at Pope Theatre for final weekend

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'Les Misérables' staged at Pope Theatre for final weekend

Submitted information:

The Broadway hit “Les Misérables—School Edition” will be staged three final times at Pope’s Performing Arts Center, giving local audiences a last chance to see the globally acclaimed musical production. 

When: 

  • Friday, April 24, 7 pm
  • Saturday, April 25, 2 pm
  • Saturday, April 25, 7pm

In addition to the rarity of a high school theater producing Les Misérables, five students from nearby feeder schools, Hightower Trail and Dodgen middle schools, also take on roles in the production.

“On the artistic side, I find the themes of forgiveness and mercy vs justice compelling. The musical explores seeking the balance between the two,” said Pope’s Theatre Director Rachel Jones. 

Buy your ticket today to see the performance: https://gofan.co/app/school/GA5246_15

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Woman charged with prostitution and bribery near Wheeler HS

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Cobb Police on Monday arrested a woman for prostitution near Wheeler High School and also charged her with two counts of bribery for offering officers sexual favors in exchange for releasing her.Northeast Cobb car crash, Cops on Donut Shops

According to an arrest warrant, Zulibeth Sarai Worsley, with an address listed at Harold Dean Drive in Northeast Cobb, was walking northbound along Holt Road near the Wheeler campus around 8:20 a.m. on Monday with a “lewd appearance,” topless and with her pants partially down, exposing her breasts and buttocks.

When Cobb Police arrived, officers said she told them she was “offering services to get money for a place to stay and that it was legal for her to do so.”

After she was charged with prostitution, according to the warrant, the woman said she told the officers she would perform oral sex for them if they let her go.

Worsley was charged with misdemeanor counts of prostitution and public indecency and two felony counts of bribery offering benefit to a representative of state or political subdivision.

She was taken into custody at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center later Monday and remains there on a $3,520 bond, according to her Cobb Sheriff’s Office booking report.

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