Local News
Aviation Park
New Mechanics in Motion exhibit open at Aviation Park
The Town Center Community Alliance recently installed its first educational exhibit, Mechanics in Motion, at Aviation Park in Kennesaw. Encircling the park’s aircraft, the exhibit is a permanent installation with eight panels describing aspects of flight, aircraft design and materials. This exhibit is the first educational installation of the Taking to the Skies program, which already includes public art and a 1964 Beechcraft Musketeer A23 aircraft display. The exhibit also includes digital content, curriculum and teachers guides that can be used by school districts, home schooling individuals or any park visitors. To learn more about the Aviation Park, visit towncentercid. com/project/aviation-park.
New Help Desk Gives Second Chance Cobb County is working to create innovative ways to help residents who’ve historically been forgotten or disregarded. The Cobb Second Chance Desk is the first effort of its kind in Georgia. This resource will help eligible people clear their records. In Georgia, 4.3 million people have criminal history – about 40% of working-age adults. The desk will help remove barriers that keep nonviolent people from being productive members of society. It will help with employment, financial aid, housing and other vital services. The Cobb Second Chance Desk will be a help desk housed in the Cobb Circuit Defender’s Office and staffed by Georgia Justice Project personnel to streamline the criminal record clearing process for those who were arrested in Cobb and are eligible by law for record clearing. The desk opened to the public June 25. Online appointments are available at cobbcounty.org/second-chancedesk or by calling 404-834-8604. This initiative is a partnership among the Cobb Circuit Defender’s Office, Cobb District Attorney’s Office, Cobb Solicitor General’s Office and the Georgia Justice Project. 8
AROUND ACWORTH | July 2021
Help Women in Need
Give a Fresh Start (GAFS) is an annual community service project committed to giving help and hope to women in Cobb County. Since 2018, the organization has provided more than 700 feminine hygiene items to local nonprofits serving women in need. This year, GAFS is partnering with the Family Life Restoration Center, with the goal to provide a minimum of 500 items. The official drive will be held through July 16. Visit https://giveafreshstart. wixsite.com/home/take-action to donate items, purchase a shirt, give a financial donation or send a message to a woman in need.
Michael Brantley Named Director
Cobb County Manager Jackie McMorris has appointed Michael Brantley as the director of Cobb PARKS. He is filling the position previously held by Jimmy Gisi, who was recently named deputy county manager. Brantley graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation Administration, beginning his career serving in Cherokee County, in both the recreation and operation divisions. In 2017, he left to become the operations division manager for Cobb PARKS, a position he has held for the past three years. He and his wife, Tiffani, have been married seven years, and they have a dog, Saki. In his spare time, Brantley enjoys golfing, fishing and cheering on his favorite sports teams.
