Local News

Chairwoman Thanks Public Safety

Kennesaw Police Department Capt. Rick Shumpert and Braves outfielder Joc Pederson.

Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairwoman Lisa Cupid thanked all Cobb County public safety officials for their hard work during the World Series games at Truist Park and the Braves celebration parade Nov. 5. The parade started in downtown Atlanta and ended at Truist Park.

“I want to send a huge note of thanks to Cobb’s Public Safety personnel and support teams that helped keep the parade, watch party and games at Truist Park and the Battery Atlanta safe and enjoyable,” Cupid said. “Teams from Cobb Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Cobb Sheriff, Department of Transportation, Information Services, Communications and E911 were among those working to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Additional Rental Assistance Available

Cobb’s Board of Commissioners approved accepting another $2 million in federal aid to help residents behind in their rental payments. Cobb was eligible for these Emergency Rental Assistance 2 funds because of the “high need” designation.

Cobb County has used five nonprofit organizations to help distribute these funds and already has distributed more than $21 million into the community. The county’s efficiency in getting this money to people in need has been recognized on the national level, with the chief magistrate lauding the program in several White House forums. Cobb County could receive an additional $3 million depending upon continuing need.

Money is still available. Residents behind in rental payments should visit www.cobbcounty.org/ERA to start the application process.

Kennesaw Police Chief Bill Westenberger, right, and Lateefah Conner, left, of the Kennesaw Public Safety Foundation congratulate Detective Daniel Wood on winning the Officer of the Year award.

Kennesaw Public Safety Foundation Awards Banquet

On Nov. 12, the Kennesaw Public Safety Foundation held the Kennesaw Police Department’s 12th Annual Awards Banquet at Governors Gun Club.

Life Saving Awards went to Sgt. James Crane and Officer Kasmere Redvine, while Resource Technician Joe Johnson was named Civilian of the Year. The Meritorious Award and Officer of the Year honor went to Detective Daniel Wood.

Recipients of the Chief’s Award are: Lt. Joy Policarpio, Lt. Mark Webster, Sgt. Matthew Meade, Sgt. James Crane, Detective Matthew Kieffer, Officer Justin Webb, Officer Cody Dotson, Officer Erin Bright, Officer Joshua Ange, Officer Franklyn Maloney, Officer David Hubbart and Accreditation Manager Chelsea Charnock.

Drobney Named Citizen of the Year

City Manager Jeff Drobney was named the 2021 Kennesaw Citizen of the Year by the Cobb Chamber’s Northwest Cobb Area Council.

An active member of the International City/County Management Association, Drobney has continued his professional learning by completing advanced leadership courses and graduating from the Leadership Cobb program. Over the course of 15 years, he has served as president of the Kennesaw Business Association, executive director of the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History, agency director for Recreation and Culture and board member for Cobb Travel & Tourism.

Citizen of the Year Awards are given to honor an individual whose impact through the years will be recognized and regarded with pride throughout the area as a role model. Citizens are chosen for their definable, exceptional deeds, with which he or she has made their community a better place to live. Awards are given based on local area nominations.

New Dansby Swanson Mural

LGE Community Credit Union recently honored World Series Champion Atlanta Braves shortstop and LGE spokesperson Dansby Swanson with a mural displayed at the Marietta Square.

The mural features a portrait of Swanson in a Marietta High School letterman jacket, paying homage to LGE and Swanson’s shared Marietta roots. Swanson is a 2012 graduate of Marietta High School.

LGE commissioned the portrait through its sponsorship of Chalktoberfest, a widely attended event hosted annually by the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art. Artist Ivann Garc painted the portrait live over the two-day Chalktoberfest event Oct. 9-10. The portrait is one of four being displayed at Marietta Square for the next year.

When asked about the painting, Swanson said, “The artist did a great job. I’m just so proud to be from Marietta and to have grown up here, and I’m honored that LGE chose to recognize my hometown roots in this way.”

LGE officially kicked off a multiyear endorsement campaign with Swanson earlier this year.

Local officials and community members attended the home dedication for Army veteran Wilbert Sherrod.

Habitat for Humanity Veterans Day Dedication

On Veterans Day, Habitat for Humanity held a home dedication ceremony for Army veteran Wilbert Sherrod.

“Every Veterans Day is a reminder to thank a service member for their sacrifice to our country, and I was glad to be a part of this experience,” said Keli Gambrill, Cobb County District 1 commissioner.

Jessica Gill, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta wrote, “Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta welcomed Keli Gambrill of District 1 for the Veterans Day dedication for new Habitat homeowner, Army veteran Wilbert Sherrod. Sherrod worked hard to earn his home, built side-by-side with primary sponsor Lockheed Martin, and additional sponsors AXIS Capital, Reliance Worldwide Corporation and Walton Communities. Habitat’s mission is to build homes, communities and hope in their service area of Cobb, Douglas and Paulding counties.”

To apply for a Habitat for Humanity home, visit www.habitatnwma.org/becomea-homeowner. To sponsor or volunteer, visit www.habitatnwma.org, contact info@ habitatnwma.org, or call 770-432-7954.

Celebrate the Season at the Battery Atlanta

Santa Claus has set up shop once again at his Post Office in the Battery Atlanta. Through Dec. 19, Santa will greet local children 4-8 p.m. on Fridays and noon-6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, in the Community Corner presented by Truist, located at the corner of Power Alley and Battery Avenue. Last minute Santa visits will be open noon-6 p.m. Dec. 20-24.

Families are invited to bring their handwritten letters to Santa – postage not required – in person at his official Atlanta outpost. Additionally, Truist will provide activities for the whole family, celebrating multiple holidays taking place this time of year. Take photos in the winter wonderland, hit a snowball out of the park, send a holiday message to a community group in need, and grab some treats to share.

There will not be a professional photographer on-site, so parents are encouraged to take photos of their children interacting with Santa, from a safe distance, as he listens to their wish lists. Santa will be stationed behind a countertop for a contactless experience. Masks are required inside the Community Corner.

The Battery Atlanta also will host themed Santa Paws nights, when guests and their four-legged friends can take free, photos with Santa from 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 2, 9, and 16.

Santa visits are free and open to the public. Parking is free for the first three hours (on non-event days) in the Red, Purple, Green and Yellow decks. For more information, visit batteryatl.com.