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Watering Ban
Continues In Cobb

Those who have not heeded Cobb's outdoor water ban could be issued citations the next time according to Cobb County Water System officials. Cobb began the ban last August and it remains in effect today, nearly eight months later. "The ban was issued in order to comply with the Cobb/Marietta Water Authority's requirements," Water System Agency Director Bob Brice, said in an earlier statement. "The ban includes fines. It is important to help residents realize the seriousness of these restrictions." 3/15/00



South Carolina Company
Buys Merchants Walk

Edens & Avant has purchased East Cobb's Merchants Walk and two other shopping centers in strong growth markets targeted by the company. The centers are the most recent acquisitions of over 40 shopping centers Edens & Avant has acquired in the past nine months. Link to the story


County Continues To
Offer Free Compost

Cobb County continues to make compost available to residents for private and individual use, free to the public. Compost is available for pick up at the Cheatam landfill on Pitner Road, West Cobb, each Wednesday and Thursday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., excluding legal holidays and rain days. 3/15/00


Cobb Denies Gilner
Widow's Pay Request

Cobb County commissioners on Tuesday declined the request of a slain SWAT officer's family to pay his widow his full salary for 23 years and a one-time sum of $350,000. In a closed-door session, commissioners voted unanimously to decline Elisa Gilner's request for the additional benefits that she said are necessary to help her financially while she focuses on raising her 2-year-old daughter, Nikki.
Link to the story 3/15/00



HUNTER'S CONTROVERSIAL WEBSITE
Cobb Chair Race Surfaces
At Commissioners' Meeting

The campaign for Cobb County Commission chairman reached the dais of the commission chambers Tuesday, four months before the polls open. At the end of an uneventful weekly meeting, Commission Chairman Bill Byrne directed a series of questions to County Attorney Dorothy Bishop aimed at answering allegations from his opponent and fellow Commissioner Louie Hunter, who was sitting beside him.
Link to the story 3/15/00



County Cops Nab Suspected 'Midweek Flasher'
A man arrested on a high school campus is believed to have exposed himself in a series of midweek flashing attacks at numerous businesses and high schools in the area. "I don't know what this guy's deal was," Cobb County Police spokesman Dana Pierce told APBnews.com, "he just seemed to hit these places during the middle of the week."
Link to the story 3/15/00



County Will Try To Complete Debris Pick-Up Earlier
According to Cobb Department of Transportation officials, April 3 is the targeted completion date for clearing unincorporated Cobb of storm debris. The new date is a little bit quicker than earlier projected. Residents are also encouraged to take tree limbs to drop-off locations that have been set-up around the county.
Link to the story



Hunter Apparently Plagerized Graphics From County Site
Louis Hunter, the candidate for Cobb Chairman, put his political website online over the weekend, but there's a problem. The site contains graphics from the official county site without giving credit. It presents a question of ethics. He is running against current Chairman Bill Byrne. Hunter, on his website, is calling for stronger ethics by elected officials. We sent Mr. Hunter an email, asking for his side of the story, but it was returned as 'undeliverable.' 3/11/00


East Cobb Aquatic Center
Now Planning April Opening

The East Cobb Aquatic Center is running behind the March opening date it had hoped for, but it still plans on being swimmer-ready in April --- in plenty of time for the summer swim season starting in June. The rectangular pool is 50 meters long for metric races and 25 yards wide for old-fashioned American races. Patti Wilder, coordinator for the center, expects to have 10,000 swimmers from 79 subdivision teams competing in the county this year. "We're geared up," she said. Link to the story


New South Cobb RecCenter Promotes Campus Concept
Developed with the campus concept in mind, Cobb County will double its gymnasium space on Wednesday, March 22, when a ribbon-cutting for the South Cobb Recreation Center is held at 10 a.m. Tours of the facility and refreshments will be available. Link to the story


City Expected To Increase
Parking Violation Fines

Marietta City Council was to approve an increase in the dollar amount of parking violation fines, at its meeting last night. Fines will be $10, but will double to $20 if the ticket is not paid within five days. If a violator receives a third citation within 60 days of the first offense, the fine will be $25.00 and jumps to $50 if not paid within five days. 3/08/00


Paint Already Peeling
On Brumby Hall

The paint is already peeling on the historic Brumby Hall, so the city is poised to approve spending about $40,000 to make it right this time. Back in 1996, when the old pre-Civil War mansion on Powder Springs Street was first painted by the city, crews did not strip the layers of old paint which has caused the current problem. So, the city will have all the paint stripped, then repainted white, rather than the current color of ochre which was picked as being common for the period. 3/08/00


Norfolk Southern Loses This
Round On Austell Facility

A federal court ruled today that Norfolk Southern cannot force Cobb to pay $4 million to relocate Westside Road to make way for its proposed truck transfer facility near Austell. But, it's not the end of the story. The court also said the railroad has the right to appeal its decision and even seek redress in a Cobb courtroom. The county has been fighting the establishment of the facility after initially approving the venture. 3/8/00

Barr Wants Railroad's Wetlands Permit To Be Reconsidered
In light of the federal court's decision, Congressman Bob Barr wants the Army Corp of Engineers to take another look at the wetlands' permit that was issued to Norfolk Southern.

      "I also formally request the Army Corps of Engineers to re-examine the permit it issued for this project," Barr said in a statement. "It now appears a key element of the original construction plan may be invalidated. This may well change the underlying factors the Corps relied on when it issued the original construction permit for the project.
      "Already, constituents are expressing alarm at the environmental damage wrought by construction activities. The Corps should take a hard look at today's decision and determine whether work should be allowed to proceed," Barr continued.
Congressman's statement



Marietta's Franklin Road
Taking Turn For Worse

The crimes concern residents along Marietta's most densely populated two-mile cluster of past-their-prime apartments, run-down strip malls, motels and gas stations. Residents say gunshots, drugs and heavy traffic are common. Marietta police say Franklin is their busiest address.
Access Atlanta


Burbage Will Stay At
Lockheed As 'Site Manager'

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has today appointments of the management team that will lead the new, consolidated company in Fort Worth. The Marietta plant's Tom Burbage will stay here as Site Manager.
Link to the story


Marietta's Ball Wins Writers
Guild Award For 'Beauty'

Screenwriter Alan Ball won the top award of the Writers Guild of America Sunday night for 'American Beauty,' the tragicomic story of suburban life gone awry that has been nominated for a string of Oscars. It's believed that Ball used his old Marietta neighborhood as the basis for his screenplay.
Link to the story

* Ball trashes hometown of Marietta

Smyrna's Julia Roberts Proud
Of Southern Heritage

Smyrna's Julia Roberts is proud to be a Southern girl. The Smyrna native told the New York Daily News for Sunday's editions that her Southern background "manifests in two ways." "Good manners and care taking. I say, 'Please, thank you, sir, ma'am.' I think I'm polite, I love to cook dinner, and I keep the toilet scrubbed."
Link to the story


East Piedmont Road
Widening Now 78% Complete

Good news for people travelling on East Piedmont Road. Widening is now over 78% complete and should be finished some time in the spring. The $5.1 million county project is between Allgood and Sandy Plains Roads. 2/28/00

Sandy Plains Widening
Has a Long Way To Go

Unlike East Piedmont Road, the 2.7 miles of widening of Sandy Plains Road has a long way to go. It's only 4% complete. The road is being converted into a four-lane divided, urban roadway from the Canton Highway Connector to East Piedmont. The cost of the county project is $7.1 million.


New Heritage Park In
Smyrna Nears Completion

Heritage Park, that new preserve that's just up the road from the old Concord Bridge, is just about completed. It's a passive recreational park including interpretive areas and woodland trails. The $1.3 million county project should be completed within the next few days. The finishing touches are being added now. Heritage Park is located along the East-West Connector near Concord Road.


County Golf Course Along
The Lake In High Demand

With this kind of weather, why wouldn't any golf course be extra busy? But the county-owned Cobblestone Golf Course is like that all year long. "We're booked solid everyday," superintendent Dwight Kelley day. "It takes about 15 minutes to fill up the tee sheet. We're one of he busiest courses anywhere, anytime."

The course lies along the shores of Lake Acworth. About half of the 200 acres are maintained as trees and natural wetlands, while nine of the course's 18 holes front the lake.



Sheriff's Office Looking
For Senior Volunteers

Age 55 or older? Looking for an interesting and unique way to give back to the community? The county sheriff's office wants you for six hours a week for about six months to help process criminal background checks and other duties. Interested? Call the Senior Volunteer Program at (770) 499-4619.


Goldstein Wants
Moonlight Spa To Close

Marietta Councilmember Philip Goldstein wants the controversial Moonlight Spa to tear up its lease following the city's action against the business on Thursday. The spa is located in a building on Powder Springs Street that is owned by a real estate company headed by Goldstein.

The councilmember is in agreement with the city's efforts to close the spa, which has accused the business of being a public nuisance that will "corrupt the manner and morals of the public." In other words, the city suspects illegal sexual activity at the Moonlight Spa and wants it gone.

But the tenant, JW's Spas of Marietta Inc., may not accept Goldstein's offer. "Presently, as in the past, the Tenant has not expressed a desire to end the Lease," he said in a statement issued yesterday. JW's Spa has a legally binding lease until June 30, 2004.



Gilner's Kin Seeking
Reparations From Cobb

The family of slain Cobb County SWAT Officer Stephen Gilner has asked the county to pay his widow his full salary for 23 years, pay a one-time sum of $350,000 and name a training center in his honor. The payments would allow Elisa Gilner and her 2-year-old daughter, Nikki, to "survive financially in the wake of his preventable death," according to a letter drafted by Gilner's sister, Vicky. The request, formally made Monday in a closed-door executive session with county commissioners, would allow his widow to focus on raising their daughter and train for a new career, the letter said.
Access Atlanta



Cobb Hoping Bonus
Lures Young Teachers

Teachers who accept jobs with Cobb County for the next school year will get a one-time cash bonus for their choice, and those in fields with a teacher shortage will get even more, under a tiered incentive plan approved by the school board Thursday night.
Access Atlanta



Cobb Detective Says
He Did Not Start Fight

A Cobb County police detective fired last fall for allegedly attacking another detective testified Wednesday night that he didn't start the fight. Larry Bevis, making an appeal to the Cobb civil service board, testified that Detective Don Miller lunged at him and tried to grab his tie during the Nov. 24 scuffle at police headquarters.
Link to the story



Vet Faces Possible
Punishment After Saving Dog

It's no medical miracle Daisy the golden retriever is back from the dead. But her owners' jubilation over her return is tempered by anger at the veterinarian who saved Daisy's life but didn't tell them. Dr. Walton Waller, who runs Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital in Canton, agreed to euthanize the animal, who was suffering from liver illness.
Link to the story



Innovative School Hopes
To Offer Day Care, Too

Nickajack Elementary School, the only public school in Cobb County that integrates all special needs students into traditional classes, soon may gain another distinction. The 525-student school hopes to become the county's 10th charter school, which would give it greater flexibility in hiring and curriculum choices and allow it to operate an on-site day care center.
Link to the story




Our Most Famous Landmark
We don't really have to tell you about the Big Chicken. Marietta's most famous landmark is well known. But, just in case you've forgotten some of the details, we have put together a little story about our seven-story friend.
Link to the story 2/24/00



Cobb Prepares For
Spring Severe Storm Season

Cobb joined other metro counties in a statewide tornado drill yesterday. Schools and government agencies were among those participating in the drill aimed at educating the public during the National Weather Service's "Severe Weather Awareness Week" Feb. 21-27. Cobb's emergency management agency is encouraging every business, school and government agency in the county to participate as one way to educate themselves about what to do in case of a severe weather emergency.
Link to the story



'Beauty' Screenwriter Trashes Old Marietta Community
Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Alan Ball says people in his Old Marietta neighborhood are "shut down and living in total denial," and he probably used this thinking as the basis for the movie 'American Beauty,' which is up for eight Oscars. "To me, it (Marietta) was a town I had to get out of.''
Link to the story
Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening star in American Beauty. The film recently received several Oscar nominations.



Are Some OMs 'Blackmailing'
Restaurants On The
Square For Food?

Several restaurants on the square tell us people who describe themselves as OMs (long-time Marietta residents) are asking for food for social functions under a veiled threat that if they didn't, they would be blacklisted by the OM community.

"It's blackmail, absolutely," said one restaurant owner. "Each time, it's implied that they can make or break us if we don't donate the food." What's remarkable is that this has happened at several restaurants, not just one. The Old Marietta community -- consisting of families who have lived here for generations -- used to be a powerful segment of Cobb County, but now has seen its clout greatly diminished as the county has grown.



Cobb's First Commuter Rail Line Could Be To Six Flags
You've probably heard that MARTA has decided to extend its western rail line to the banks of the Chattahoochee River and the Cobb County border. This isn't the end of the story. Because it may not really be the end of the line. The Georgia Regional Transportation Authority is barely a year old, a beefy but still untested recruit in metro Atlanta's war against pollution and gridlock.
From Today's AJC



Don't Forget, Some Cobb
Libraries Open On Sundays

Cobb residents can now enjoy Sunday hours at Kemp Memorial Library on Due West Road and South Cobb Library on Mableton Parkway. The branches join Mountain View and Central libraries by being open 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Cobb Board of Commissioners voted to add Sunday hours last December.
Link to the story 2/20/00



Visitors Lost When
It Comes To New Exits

Merchants on the square have been fielding telephone calls from visitors who are lost because of the new exit numbers on I-75. Brochures still have the old exit numbers to Marietta, the Marietta Welcome Center never bothered to do an update. In fact, merchants were never informed by the Center, nor the Business Association about the exit number changes and are fending for themselves. Some merchants are still giving out the old numbers. Exits 112 and 113 would now be in South Georgia, rather than in Marietta. The South Marietta Parkway is now Exit 263, the North Marietta Parkway is now Exit 265.



Two From The
Square Elected To DMDA

Paula Goldstein-Shea and Jimmy Duvlaris were elected Thursday night to the board of Downtown Marietta Development Authority, a quasi-public organization that oversees the square, without opposition. For Goldstein-Shea, it is a re-election to the board. It'll be the first time for Duvlaris, who owns Jimmy's Restaurant. Among the DMDA's duties are watching over the Kennesaw House (which the authority owns), signage approval and development issues around downtown. 2/17/00


Cobb Getting Ready
For Bad Weather

The Cobb County Emergency Management Agency placed 18 additional warning sirens into operation Monday. The sirens, which were installed the week of Feb. 6, are completely operational and will have their first test Wednesday, March 1 at noon. To ensure proper operation of the system, the sirens are regularly tested the first Wednesday of each month for approximately one minute.
Link to the story 2/17/00



Marietta's Shame:
The Lynching Of Leo Frank

In 1913 Leo Frank, a northern Jew who had moved to Atlanta to manage a pencil factory, was accused of murdering 14-year old Mary Phagan of Marietta who was employed at the factory. Two years later, he was lynched by an angry mob of Mariettans who were organized by the city's civic and business leaders. The mob later went on to revive the Klu Klux Klan at Stone Mountain. It's a remarkable story, even 85 years later. The common preception now is that the accusations against Frank were false, and were based an rampant anti-Semitism, hatred of northerners, and social changes in the South. Link to the story 2/16/00




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