Cobb school board candidate profile: Susan McCartney, Post 4

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After ending a 40-year teaching career, most of it in the Cobb County School District, Susan McCartney said she still felt like there was more she wants do with local education.Cobb school board candidate profile: Susan McCartney, Post 4

A longtime teacher and later paraprofessional at Shallowford Falls Elementary School, McCartney filed to run as a Democrat in the Post 4 primary election for Cobb Board of Education.

“This is my chance to give back to education,” McCartney said in an interview with East Cobb News.

She’s facing school activist Michael Garza (here’s our profile of him) for the right to challenge three-term incumbent David Chastain in November.

Chastain is unopposed in the Republican primary—we’ll be interviewing him during the general election campaign.

Early voting in the primaries began Monday and continues through May 15; consult our early voting guide for more information.

McCartney posts campaign updates on a Facebook page.

The Post 4 race is considered a crucial one given the GOP’s 4-3 majority status, and it’s the only seat among the three up for election this year that is in Republican hands.

Post 4 includes most of the Sprayberry, Kell and Lassiter high school attendance zones (see map below), and it was redrawn in 2022 to maintain most of its previous boundaries in partisan redistricting battles that preserved that Republican majority.

The Post 4 boundaries were redrawn in 2022; for a larger view click here.

A native of Florida, McCartney taught at Shallowford Falls from 1998-2003, and after living in Texas, her family returned to Cobb and she returned to the same school, this time as a parapro.

It was in that role that her eyes widened to what she says are disparities that need attention, especially in some special education areas.

“Being a parapro gave me the chance to see schools with a different perspective,” McCartney said.

“Those are some of the hardest-working people in the profession.”

Addressing changes in special education programs are among her priorities, especially the Mild Intellectual Disabilities program, whose offerings are being reduced in some areas.

That includes at the kindergarten level, where McCartney said she saw as a parapro a student not get the attention she thought was needed.

A girl diagnosed as having a MID was placed in a general education program, and McCartney said that “my concern is that had she been [in a specialized program], her learning may have been more impactful.”

McCartney also disagrees with a board policy enacted last year that prohibits the airing of public comments during board meetings.

The comments are heard only in the meeting room and don’t get distributed to the general public, a decision Democrats have claimed is being done by a Republican-led board to discourage dissent.

“It’s essential that we understand the community that we serve,” she said. “They are part of what makes us who we are.”

School safety issues also have grown in recent years, and the Cobb school district is contracting with a private cyberintelligence company and has hired another firm to place and train specially-trained dogs to detect weapons in high school.

The Cobb school district has paid more than $2 million to Servius, the intelligence firm, much of that via state grant money, but the school board never voted on the contract.

McCartney said the board did so “with no understanding of how it would be spent.” Superintendent Chris Ragsdale has said publicly only that board members will be briefed in executive session as needed about the details.

The district has said that Servius is conducting threat assessments at individual schools and developing processes to help schools identify patterns in student behavior that could become safety concerns.

But the program otherwise has been shrouded in secrecy. The district issued this Q and A in February, but McCartney said the public deserves more information.

“We needed it,” McCartney said of more initiatives to enhance safety, and the Servius contract. “But we should have been told more on how it was going to be spent.”

The issue of bus safety also has been a recent issue in Cobb schools, with maintenance workers publicly complaining about unsafe buses on routes.

McCartney said she’s spoken to a woman who did speak out at public comment session—and not aired publicly—and “who wants to know why we’re not getting important updates” from the district.

She said she appreciates how the district, and Ragsdale in particular, recognize the contributions of educators and of student achievers, and said Cobb schools have much to be proud of in terms of general academic achievement.

But she thinks he’s being heavy-handed in overseeing removals of books from school libraries he says are sexually explicit and not appropriate for minors.

McCartney also said she takes a dim view of his recent comments aimed at those who are critical of him sending out “thoughts and prayers” messages at school board meetings.

Those comments normally come when he’s announcing deaths in the school district. Ragsdale responded in March that ““If you’re going to say it, do it. Words matter.”

McCartney said she thinks Ragsdale at times is too opinionated about the wrong things.

“Who are y0u to say that? The way he stands out—that’s not the place for him to say that. He’s not a member of the board.”

While she considers herself a longtime Democrat, McCartney said her first time seeking public office is about helping students and families.

The board could become non-partisan by 2028, which would be just fine with her.

“What we have to focus on is what’s best for our students, staff and communities,” McCartney said, adding that her experience navigating the school district “is what I bring to the table.”

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Cobb school board candidate profile: Micheal Garza, Post 4

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After running twice for the Georgia legislature against an entrenched incumbent, Northeast Cobb resident Micheal Garza is taking aim at another long-time elected official in a domain where he’s been very active.Cobb school board candidate profile: Micheal Garza Post 4

Garza, who owns a web development business and has been a vocal opponent of Cobb County School District leadership, is seeking the Democratic nomination for Post 4 on the Cobb Board of Education.

He’s facing retired Cobb teacher Susan McCartney in the primary election (here’s our profile of her) for the right to challenge three-term incumbent David Chastain in November.

Chastain is unopposed in the Republican primary—we’ll be interviewing him during the general election campaign.

In an interview with East Cobb News, Garza said in reference to the Cobb school district that he’s running because “I see a lot of the great things that we do, but I see a lot of room for improvement.

“It’s the right time, it’s the right moment.”

Early voting in the primaries began Monday and continues through May 15; consult our early voting guide for more information.

Garza’s campaign website can be found by clicking here; he was defeated by Republican State Rep. John McCarson in Georgia House elections in 2022 and 2024.

The Post 4 race is considered a crucial one given the GOP’s 4-3 majority status, and it’s the only seat among the three up for election this year that is in Republican hands.

Post 4 includes most of the Sprayberry, Kell and Lassiter high school attendance zones (see map below), and it was redrawn in 2022 to maintain most of its previous boundaries in partisan redistricting battles that preserved that Republican majority.

The Post 4 boundaries were redrawn in 2022; for a larger view click here.

Garza, a native of Texas, and his wife are the parents of a daughter who attends Keheley Elementary School. He’s been involved in PTA activities at the school and with the East Cobb County Council of PTAs.

He’s been better known as a leading member of a group of critics of the Cobb school district in recent years.

The Cobb Community Care Coalition focuses on advocacy for racial and social justice and inclusion, and has been outspoken on other hot-button issues facing the district, including school book removals, school safety and the tenure of Superintendent Chris Ragsdale.

Garza has sounded off on many of those themes during public comment periods and elsewhere, critical of the “intense partisanship” he blames Republicans for fomenting.

Those votes on many key issues have proliferated in recent years, after what had been a 6-1 GOP majority was reduced in 2018.

“All of these things speak to a board that wants to hold power,” Garza said, adding that the redistricting saga is what prompted him into this race.

(Another Cobb Community Care Coalition figure, former Cobb school counselor Jennifer Susko, is taking on Democratic incumbent Nichelle Davis in the Post 6 race that includes some of the Wheeler attendance zone. We will be publishing profiles of both candidates shortly.)

Even though Post 4 was redrawn by the GOP-led legislature to favor a Republican, Garza says a Democrat can win it, and he is touting his regular involvement as an advantage.

“I’m somebody who is in our schools all the time,” Garza said. “I’m closer to the parents and the educators themselves.”

He said he wants to be an advocate for families and students he says are being ignored by the district, or who are afraid of retaliation if they speak out.

Some of those issues concern curriculum matters, special education and board-superintendent relations.

He said he hears from parents “a lot” about special education needs.

“We have a lot of amazing educators and parapros,” Garza said, but added that he hears about a lack of communication “when [concerns are] brought past the local level.

Cobb parents ask for more inclusivity
Michael Garza has been critical of library book removals in the Cobb school district.

“These are conversations the board should be having. I’m not saying that I have all the answers, but there are conversations we can have as a board in partnership with the community and our educators.”

When the board ended public airing of public comments at board meetings last year, Garza said that’s another example of the Republican majority—at the behest of Superintendent Chris Ragsdale—heading off public criticism.

He also thinks the district is unwise to remove books from school libraries that Ragsdale has said are sexually explicit and inappropriate for minors.

Garza thinks that’s a function that “we should be putting in the hands of educators and media specialists” and not a committee close to the superintendent’s office that’s been reviewing such materials.

On school safety issues, Garza thinks it’s important for parents to educate their children on gun safety and “to lock up their firearms” at home.

He said metal detectors in schools are “problematic,” but has questions about how the district is spending money with a cyberintelligence firm as a partner and on a “vapor wake” specialty dog detection system in high schools.

The latter couldn’t detect a gun at Hillgrove High School, Garza said, adding that “I don’t think we should be spending money on unproven solutions.”

Garza said if he’s elected, he would do more than be a yes-man for Ragsdale—which is what he thinks the Republicans have been doing for too long.

“I will ask questions, especially ‘is it a good idea?’ ” Garza said. “It’s our job as board members to question” what’s brought before them by the administration, on any number of issues, which he also said includes other academic matters and school transportation.

He also favors changing board policy that now allows only the superintendent or chairman to place items on the agenda unilaterally. Other board members must get at least three other votes, which Garza says deliberately freezes out Democratic members.

Should Democrats gain the majority, Garza said he wouldn’t do anything dramatic regarding Ragsdale’s tenure, which Republicans claim would be endangered with party switch.

“I am going to meet with the superintendent to discuss the priorities of the district,” Garza said, noting that the board could become non-partisan after 2028.

“I especially want to have a good relationship with the superintendent. And I would have to govern in which I have to listen to everyone.”

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‘Dirt Roads and Footpaths’ concert comes to East Cobb

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'Dirt Roads and Footpaths' concert comes to East Cobb

The Atlanta chamber choral ensemble Coro Vocati will be performing a special concert Sunday at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church. The concert is from 3-5 and is free and open to the public.

It’s part of the Friends of St. Catherine’s Music Series.

“Dirt Roads and Footpaths” draws from artistic director Stanley Roberts’ personal journey and life experience – from his childhood on a dirt road in South Georgia to the wonder he experienced recently walking the ancient footpaths of England’s Lake District.

Here’s more about what’s behind this show:

Roberts grew up on his family’s farm in Alapaha, GA, a town with less than 500 residents, and he credits his rural upbringing on a dirt road with shaping who is he is today. Fifty years later, as he hiked through northern England, Roberts marveled at the variety of scenes he encountered – small villages, pastures of sheep, orchards, and private gardens – and the responsibility local communities and landowners have to ensure safe passage for travelers. A connecting theme between these two experiences is the idea that a place can remain familiar while also changing over time. Coro Vocati’s upcoming concert explores this idea and how humanity’s shared journey through life relates to time.

“Dirt Roads and Footpaths is something of a metaphor on which we will focus musically,” said Roberts. “Some days we are simply travelers on the path…we enjoy the walk, the adventure, the scenery along the way. Sometimes, we are called to help maintain the path for others, be the good steward, help other people on the journey; keep the way clear and mark the path forward.”

Roberts organized Dirt Roads and Footpaths so that audiences journey along this metaphorical path with Coro Vocati. Divided into six phases, the concert begins by “Opening the Door” with the song My Spirit Sang All Day by 20th century British Composer Gerald Finzi.

The third phase, “Looking Back,” showcases the program’s signature piece, composer John Corigliano’s setting of Dylan Thomas’ Fern Hill, which recalls the poet’s youth on his family farm and how the passing of time changes the lens through which he views the world. This particular work resonates deeply with Roberts, who sometimes refers to his own family farm as Fern Hill and can identify with the varied emotions that accompany witnessing surroundings evolve over the decades.

The second half of the concert chronicles the journey along Roberts’ metaphorical path, with the program’s final phase, “Beyond the Path,” describing what follows its conclusion. Coro Vocati closes the concert on a hopeful note with Moses Hogan’s powerful arrangement of the celebrated spiritual Walk Together Children.

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Weekend Events: Taste of East Cobb festival; concerts; more

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Editor's Note: The savory tastes of the Taste of East Cobb

Activities this weekend include East Cobb’s signature’s food festival, plenty of music and other outdoor activities as spring continues. From our calendar listings:

Rain is in the forecast Saturday for the Taste of East Cobb, but it’s slated to go on rain or shine from 11-5 at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (955 Johnson Ferry Road).

It’s the 20th anniversary of the festival featuring local restaurants, businesses and other organizations, to benefit the Walton band programs. Jazz bands from several local schools will be playing, and there will be raffle prizes, giveaways, a kids zone and more.

Admission and parking are free; you pay for food tickets as you go, and as you like.

The Cobb Fire Station 12 Open House on Saturday will celebrate the new facility at 853 Chastain Corner from 11-1. You can tour the station, meet the firefighters and see how they operate. It’s free and open to the public.

East Cobb Park (3322 Roswell Road) will be busy all day and into the evening on Saturday, starting with the East Cobb Park Garden Club Work Day from 10-12. This month’s project is the assessing newly planted annuals for pests.

Meet up at the lower level gardens to the right of the concert stage, and if you’ve got gloves, tools and shovels, bring them with you. It’s also a kid-friendly event if you wish to bring along little ones.

At the same 10-12 time frame in another part of the park, the Cobb Water System and volunteers will be having a Sewell Mill Creek Waterway Cleanup.

All you have to do is show up in clothing that can get wet, including rubber boots or waders if you have them. All equipment for the cleanup will be provided.

Just before dark on Saturday is the first Music in the Park concert at night. It features the 10-piece high-energy band 120 East, which will sound off starting at 7 p.m.

The concert is free and you can bring food, blankets and chairs to enjoy.

It’s the first of a double-dip of concerts at the park. From 3-5 Sunday you can hear Rusted Melody, a Music in the Park regular, featuring folk and light pop sounds.

One more blast of music is coming your way as the weekend concludes, also on Sunday. The Atlanta-based chorale ensemble Coro Vocati will be performing from 3-5 at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (571 Holt Road).

The program is called “Dirt Roads and Footpaths,” based on a musical setting of the Dylan Thomas “Fern Hill” poem evoking “youth and memory, while other works illuminate the landscapes, challenges, and joys of the human journey.”

The concert is free and free-will donations are accepted; refreshments will be served.

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Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

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Beyond Juicery and Eatery coming soon to Providence Square

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Beyond Juicery eatery coming soon to Providence Square

The health-focused fast-casual and smoothie scene in the East Cobb area is getting competitive.

We’ve reached out to find an opening date, but a second Georgia location of the Beyond Juicery and Eatery chain will be coming soon to the Providence Square Shopping Center.

It’s a franchise operation based near Detroit that serves wraps, health bowls, smoothies and juices and has 50 locations, mostly in Michigan and Ohio.

There’s currently a Beyond Juicery in Buckhead, and another spot will be opening soon in Brookhaven.

The Beyond Juicery location at Providence Square got a 100 score on its initial health inspection on Monday.

The East Cobb location is next to Subway in the former Game Stop space (4101 Roswell Road, Suite 901).

In recent months the area has seen several similar concepts open, including Toastique and Playa Bowls last year, joining the likes of Kale Me Crazy and J’mz Bowls.

While the latter is locally- owned and operated, the others are part of growing national chains targeting high-income areas with their menu options.

Most recently, Beyond Juicery introduced a broccoli chicken caesar crunch wrap lunch item and “three vibrant lemonade-based refreshers featuring blue coconut, mango and dragon fruit flavors” available through the summer.

Beyond Juicery offers combos that include smoothies with breakfast burritos, bacon, egg and avocado grilled cheese and chicken sausage and egg (see full menu here).

The bowls include a range of sorbet-based varieties, and there are selections of specialty and classic smoothies, as well as teas and coffees.

The natural-sugar juice items range from “immunity hero” to wellness shots, juice by the cup and build your own raw juice combination.

Beyond Juicery joins a restaurant roster at Providence Square that includes La Madeleine, Chicken Salad Chick, Einstein’s Bagels, Salata, Chili’s and Subway.

In addition to Georgia, Beyond Juicery also is expanding into Florida, with a location in Naples and another coming soon in Delray Beach.

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KSU and Shorter U to offer dual math and engineering degrees

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KSU and Shorter U to offer dual math and engineering degrees

Submitted information and photo:

Kennesaw State University and Shorter University are partnering to offer students a streamlined pathway to earn two bachelor’s degrees simultaneously – one in mathematics from Shorter and one in engineering from Kennesaw State.

As part of Kennesaw State’s LINK program of collaborative academic pathways, the KSU-Shorter partnership enables students to take coordinated coursework at both institutions, with credits transferring seamlessly between the two. The structured pathway and aligned curriculum will help students navigate both degree programs and stay on track to graduate.

Participating students will complete 45 credit hours at Shorter and then apply to Kennesaw State as a transfer student. Once the student has completed all requirements for their Bachelor of Science in Math, they will reverse transfer to be awarded their bachelor’s degree at Shorter while completing a second bachelor’s degree in KSU’s Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology, the second-largest engineering college in Georgia.

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East Cobb County Council of PTAs honors community partner

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East Cobb County Council of PTAs honors community partner
Pictured (left to right): David Bartow, Executive Director of PeachSkinSheets, and Heather Rees, President of the East Cobb County Council of PTAs (ECCCPTA), at the ECCCPTA awards event.

Submitted information and photo:

PeachSkinSheets has been named the 2025–2026 Community Partner of the Year by the East Cobb County Council of PTAs (ECCCPTA), recognizing the company’s ongoing support and partnership with local PTAs and school communities.

The award highlights organizations that demonstrate meaningful impact and consistent engagement in supporting students, educators, and families across the East Cobb area.

PeachSkinSheets has worked alongside PTAs through its fundraising platform, PeachSkinSheetsFundraising.com, providing a streamlined approach that lets PTAs benefit from online sales without needing inventory, order handling, or distribution. Through this model, families receive exclusive pricing, and $20 from every set purchased supports the PTA.

PeachSkinSheets has been featured on Good Morning America and has received national recognition, including the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice, 2026 Good Housekeeping, and the 2026 Oprah Daily Sleep O-Ward. The company has donated over $100,000 to schools through its partnership efforts.

“We’re honored to be recognized by the East Cobb County Council of PTAs,” said David Bartow, Executive Director of PeachSkinSheets. “PeachSkinSheets is committed to supporting schools, including our Teacher Appreciation program in May.”

The East Cobb County Council of PTAs represents 35 schools and works to strengthen family and community engagement in education.

PeachSkinSheets, a woman-owned company founded by Karen Levine, continues to expand its partnerships with PTAs and school communities through its microsite program.

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Pass along your details/photos/videos/information to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

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Walton Chess Club shines at Georgia K‑12 state qualifier

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Walton Chess Club shines at Georgia K‑12 state qualifier
Submitted information and photos:

The Walton High School Chess Club delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 Georgia K‑12 Team State Qualifier, held on April 26 at Berkmar High School in Lilburn. Representing East Cobb with skill and confidence, the Walton team earned plus‑score results across the board, marking a strong showing in one of the state’s most competitive scholastic chess events.

The team was led by President – Sarvesh Prabhu, whose leadership has helped elevate Walton’s chess program in recent years. He was joined by Vice President – Logiit Mugunthan, along with team members Ritvik Rachamallu, Noel Karu, and Soursih Kavale. Together, the group demonstrated strategic depth, composure under pressure, and a commitment to excellence that reflects the growing strength of scholastic chess in East Cobb.

The Georgia K‑12 Team State Qualifier brings together top teams from across the state, and earning plus scores is a significant achievement. Walton’s performance highlights both individual talent and cohesive team preparation.

With momentum building, the Walton Chess Club continues to establish itself as a rising force in Georgia scholastic chess, inspiring younger players and strengthening the East Cobb chess community.

Walton Chess Club shines at Georgia K‑12 state qualifier

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Let East Cobb News know what’s going on with your organization, or about any recognitions, to share with the community. We love to get photos and stories like the above, as well as calendar event listings and more.

We want to be the go-to source for all the many ways people in East Cobb are involved in the community.

It’s what we call The Power of Local, and we’d love for you to take part!

Pass along your details/photos/videos/information to: editor@eastcobbnews.com, and please observe the following guidelines to ensure we get everything properly and can post it promptly.

Send the body of your announcement, calendar item or news release IN TEXT FORM ONLY in the text field of your e-mail template. Reformatting text from PDF, JPG and doc files takes us longer to prepare your message for publication.

We accept PDFs as an accompaniment to your item. Images are fine too, but we prefer those to be JPG files (more than jpeg and png). PLEASE DO NOT send photos inside a PDF or text or any other kind of file, but d0 send them as attachments to your email.

Of course, send us links that are relevant to your message so we can direct people to your website.

Thanks for your cooperation and we look forward to hearing from you!

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2028 Cobb SPLOST project list adopted with late objections

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2028 Cobb SPLOST project list adopted with late objections

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted 4-1 to adopt a project list for the proposed 2028 Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax extension.

It contains only a few changes from the original proposal, but the last addition in particular set off some differences on the five-member board.

The board will vote in June on establishing a referendum in November for voters to decide on more than $794 million in county government construction and maintenance projects.

They include relocating the East Cobb Library, expanding the Tim D. Lee Senior Center, building a new Cobb State Court building, spending $130 million in road repaving projects and earmarking $60 million for a new infirmary building at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

But at a voting meeting Tuesday night, a last-minute addition totaling $5 million drew objections from the board’s two Republican members.

JoAnn Birrell and Keli Gambrill opposed shifting that amount of funding from repaving projects for an indoor track facility in South Cobb at the behest of Chairwoman Lisa Cupid.

She’s been wanting to construct such a facility for years, when she was the District 4 commissioner, and added the request prior to Tuesday’s vote.

Gambrill and Birrell said they disliked not only the timing—and without any public feedback as a result—but taking away money from what Gambrill called “a critical infrastructure need.”

The project list first went out for public review in early 2025, without the indoor track listed on it—”and that’s because it didn’t have support” from the board, Gambrill said.

“So I think we are being very disingenuous to the public by making this change.”

She said while she doesn’t support the track project, “I do believe the voters have the right to vote on this referendum. But I also think the voters need to be aware that we are putting on a project that is not properly funded.”

Cupid said the track project was originally on the 2016 SPLOST list, and said her interest didn’t start with that source of funding.

She said there have been other recreational projects that were put on previous lists without a full funding amount.

Cupid added that she approached two commissioners she did not identify who said they would support, and she asked county staff to place the track project on the list “and to please help find some funding sources to put it back into the program.”

She said complaints about a lack of transparency are wrong.

“I have not tried to hide this, I have asked commissioners for support,” Cupid said, calling the project important to “adding to the recreation portfolio of this county.”

The final list includes another shift of $5 million by Birrell, from the proposed relocation of the East Cobb Library, to address flooding issues on Columns Drive and for maintenance and improvements at county parks in District 3.

Cobb’s cities also must finalize their project lists. The 2028 Cobb SPLOST, if adopted by voters, would continue a one-percent sales tax that would collect an estimated $1.15 billion over six years, starting on Jan. 1, 2028.

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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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