Cobb Factbook 2016 by Otis Brumby III

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FACTBOOK

CONTENTS

15 COMMUNITY

2016-2017 Published by the Marietta Daily Journal EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Otis Brumby IIl

47 BUSINESS

GENERAL MANAGER Lee B. Garrett V.P. SALES AND MARKETING Wade Stephens

59 GOVERNMENT

NEWS STAFF MANAGING EDITOR/V.P. CONTENT J.K. Murphy SENIOR EDITOR Jon Gillooly

81 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

NEWS EDITOR Ricky Leroux CONTRIBUTORS Jon Gargis, Mary Kate McGowan, Anthony White Emily Selby, Claire Harper PHOTO/IMAGES EDITOR Kelly Huff

111 EDUCATION

COPY DESK Courtney Abernathy, Noel Hahn, Karah-Leigh Hancock, Madison Lee NIGHT EDITOR Emily Boorstein

147 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

COPY CHIEF Philip Clements MAGAZINE STAFF DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINES Mark Wallace Maguire ASST. DIRECTOR OF MAGAZINES LaTria Garnigan ADVERTISING STAFF

161 SPORTS AND RECREATION 171 HEALTH AND FITNESS 183 SENIOR LIVING

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tara Glover COBB ADVERTISING MANAGER Becky Opitz

195 REAL ESTATE

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Stephanie deJarnette, Paula Milton, Jill Abbott, Katelyn Ledford, Charlene Kay, Ginny Hrushka, Kim Fowler, Nat Long, Tracy Avis PRODUCTION GRAPHICS COORDINATOR Beth Poirier GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jennifer Hall, Carlos Navarrete CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Dave Gossett INFORMATION Factbook is published annually by the Marietta Daily Journal and distributed to more than 3,000 homes and businesses throughout Cobb County. To subscribe, email circulation@mdjonline.com or call 770.795.5001

ON THE COVER: Graphic artist Nathan Pak of Atlanta highlights some of Cobb Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic landmarks.

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To advertise, contact Wade Stephens at 770.795.4001 Please send all editorial correspondence to mmaguire@cobblifemagazine.com

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FROM THE PUBLISHER Do you know …

… there once was talk of moving the Big Chicken from Marietta to Smyrna? … who’s the largest employer in Cobb County? ... that some Union soldiers involved in the Civil War hijacking of The General locomotive were hanged while others received medals of honor? Those are some of the amazing and off-beat facts readers will find in this special edition. Welcome to the 2016 edition of the Marietta Daily Journal’s annual Factbook. For the last 40 years, this newspaper has printed

this special edition crammed with the interesting data and information that makes Cobb what it is today. For those new to the area, Factbook 2016 is a great resource to get to know this community and its people. But it’s also a valuable resource for longtime residents. Readers will peruse 212 pages of data and demographics, weather and worship, arts and employment. We like to think of it as a community almanac that informs while it entertains. Through all the articles, charts, lists and photographs, one message becomes clear: Cobb and its six cities are thriving. Construction — residential and commercial — is climbing. Investment is rising. Employment, population and income are all on the way up. SunTrust Park — the new Cobb home for the Atlanta Braves — is eight months or so from first pitch. The stadium and accompanying mixed-use Battery Park complex brings more opportunities to residents here. Learn more about SunTrust Park and its impact inside. Also throughout the magazine, readers are greeted by a thriving community of merchants advertising their wares and services. We ask that you take note of their messages; they play a critical role in creating a high quality of life in the place we call home. Thank you for supporting this newspaper and we hope you enjoy this year’s edition of Cobb’s Factbook. Otis Brumby III

For 150 years, the Marietta Daily Journal has served as Cobb’s best source for local news, sports and lifestyle. The newspaper is published daily and can also be accessed via the web at www.mdjonline.com. In addition to producing an award-winning newspaper, the MDJ also publishes several special sections, including Factbook, Progress, Cobb Football Kickoff and Cobb Life magazine. To receive the Marietta Daily Journal, call subscriber services at 770.795.5000 or email us at subscriberservices@mdjonline.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 12

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Adventure Outdoors 97 Apex Tree Service 73 Aqua Guard Basements 65 AT & T 53 Atherton Place 189 Atlanta Air Charter 105 Atlanta Blaze 108 & 109 Atlanta Braves 14 Atlanta Communities 198 Atlanta Copies 96 Atlanta Fine Homes - Jim Glover 201 Atlanta Gastroenterology 181 Atlanta Lyric Theatre 157 Atlanta Sports & Collectibles 168 Avery Gallery 154 Bells Ferry Learning Center 121 Bert Reeves - State Representative 98 Big Shanty Antiques & Auction 42 Blackwell’s Jewelers 43 Bow Wags 26 Brand Mortgage 7 & 207 Brawner Hall / Taylor-Brawner Park 38 Broadway Atlanta 2016-2017 Season 160 Brookwood Christian 122 Brumby Chair Company 37 Bundle of Joy Academy 116 Carmichael Funeral Homes 42 Celebration Village 191 Chantico 71 Charter Bank - Smyrna 51 Chattahoochee Tech 132 City of Acworth 61 City of Austell 65 City of Kennesaw - Pigs & Peaches 156 City of Marietta 69 City of Smyrna 75 Cobb Chamber of Commerce 46 & 80 Cobb County Government 85 Cobb County Library Foundation 114 Cobb EMC 58 & 82 Cobb Energy Centre 148 Cobb Football Friday 162 Cobb Hardware 167 Cobb Republican Party 77 Cobb Schools Foundation 123 Cobb Travel & Tourism 102 Congregation Ner Tamid 33 Copeland’s 146 Cornerstone Prep 145 Covenant Presbyterian Church 33 Crowder Realty 196 Cumberland Animal Clinic 24 Cumberland Diamond Exchange 89 Dance Stop Studios 152 Days Chevrolet 62 Debbie Forrester - ReMax Unlimited 200 Debbie Redford - All Atlanta Realty 202 Delta Community Credit Union 55 Dermatology Consultants 182 Diamonds R Forever 26 Ed Voyles - Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram 63 & 103 Elevation 28 Elon Salon 45 Estes Services 24 Fabric & Fringe Warehouse 37 Faith’s Design’s Florist 38

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First Presbyterian Church 33 First United Methodist Church of Marietta 33 First United Methodist Church of Marietta Weekday Ministry 116 Flag Company 57 Fleming Carpet 99 Foundations For The Future School 134 Furtah Preparatory School 126 Gabriel’s Restaurant & Bakery 70 Gaines Park Senior Living 192 Geico 54 Georgia Highlands College 121 Georgia Memorial Park 31 Georgia Power 84 Georgia Trade School 143 Gifts On Garrison 54 Grace Pointe School 138 Groomsman 35 Happy Trails Pet Center 35 Harry Norman, Realtors Crowe & Turner Properties 77 Harry Norman, Realtors Glenn Graham / Jeff DeJarnett 40 Harry Norman, Realtors - Heather Gentry Simon 155 Harry Norman, Realtors - Whitlock 206 Health Source 179 Helen Durrence - ReMax Pure 203 Henry’s Louisiana Grill 151 Henssler Financial 4 IF/Then Musical - Broadway Atlanta 158 Indystyle Salon 34 Jill Harris - Keller Williams 204 John P. Farrell - Estate Planning Attorney 190 Harry Norman, Realtors - Johnny Sinclair 203 Johnny Walker Realty 198 Johnson Ferry Baptist Church 31 Julep’s 28 Junior League of Cobb Marietta 90 Knoke Fine Arts 150 Leon & Tina Robbins - Robbins Realty 204 LGE Community Credit Union 48 Life Grocery & Café 178 Life University 110 Lifetime Transitions 194 Loud Security 101 & 131 Macland Baptist Church 32 Manders Dental Center 190 Manning Properties 94 Marietta Auction House 205 Marietta City Schools 8 Marietta Gone with the Wind Museum 159 Marietta Hearing Center 188 Marietta Housing Authority 91 Marietta Museum of History 151 Marietta Pizza Co. 71 Marietta Podiatry Group 175 Marietta Power 95 Marietta Toyota 50 Marietta Trolley 155 Marietta Wealth 69 Marietta Wrecker 44 Marksman Life 96 Massage Envy 174 Maximum One Realty 201 Mayes Ward - Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory 80 & 210

Midway Covenant Christian School 126 Mini Maid 200 Miracle Method 44 Mitchell Cox - Keller Williams 199 Mount Paran Christian School 127 Mt. Bethel Christian Academy 125 Mt. Harmony Baptist Church 32 North Cobb Spine & Nerve Institute 172 North Georgia State Fair 9 & 93 Northside Hospital 5 & 170 Nutrimost Georgia 175 O’Dell & O’Neal Attorneys 100 & 176 Omega Private Academy 139 Otter’s Chicken 169 Parc @ Piedmont 186 Patrica May - ReMax Around Atlanta 205 Pediatric Dental Assistant School 128 Pinnacle Orthopedics 212 Plastic Surgery Center of the South 180 Presbyterian Village 193 Primrose Schools 112 Reinhardt University Foundation 124 ReMax Pure - Wendy Bunch 211 Resurgens Orthopaedics 10 Roeber Custom Design & Upholstery Center 153 Roswell Street Baptist 18 RV Loft 168 Salon Spa Venessa 178 Shelia Marshall - ReMax Pure 202 Singleton Marine 166 Skylark Senior Care 192 Smith Gilbert Gardens 154 Southern Cremations & Funerals at Cheatham Hill 36 Southern Museum 67 Spring Place Pottery & Artist Gallery 150 St. James Episcopal Church 33 St. Joseph Catholic Church 33 St. Joseph Catholic School 117 State Farm - Don Johnson 40 Sterling Estates Senior Living 184 Superior Plumbing 87 Superior Plumbing - Kids Club 6 Superior Plumbing Apple For Your Teacher 2015-2016 107 Superior Plumbing Apple For Your Teacher 2016-2017 141 Superior Plumbing - Festivals 208 & 209 Tennis Dynamics 90 The Bailey Lawyers 39 The Barter Company 140 The Bottoms Group 19 The Magnolia Room 70 The Walker School 120 Theatre in the Square 152 Three Way Camper 165 Timber Town 57 Town Center CID 98 U.S. Beauty Mart 177 Vinings Bank 56 WellStar Cancer Network 2 WellStar Health Parks 3 West Cobb Funeral Home & Crematory 25 Wildbirds Unlimited 34 Winnwood Retirement 86 & 187

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ocated northwest of Atlanta, just across the Chattahoochee River, Cobb County is home to more than 740,000 residents. The county was one of several carved from the Cherokee Indian nation in 1832.

Named for Thomas W. Cobb, a U.S. senator, state legislator and superior court judge, the county contains six cities: Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna. It also includes several other communities that have not incorporated into cities, such as Mableton, Vinings, Cumberland and east Cobb. In its infancy, the county was home to Native American settlements, including Sweet Water Town on Sweetwater Creek, Big Shanty (which later became Kennesaw), Noonday Creek and Buffalo Fish. The county developed around small subsistence farming, as opposed to large plantations. Towns and settlements grew after the Cherokee Indians were officially removed from the area in 1838. Civil War battles were fought in Cobb during June and July of 1864, including the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Today, the county is home to two school district — the Cobb County School Districts, which, with more than 112,000 students, is the second largest in Georgia, and the Marietta City School District, a smaller district within Marietta city limits. There are also a multitude of private and charter schools in the county. Cobb is home to Kennesaw State University, the third largest university in Georgia, as well as Chattahoochee Technical College and Life University. Home to more than 44,000 veterans, Cobb also has a strong military background and presence. The county is

home to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, the largest multi-service reserve training base in the world with more than 10,000 guardsmen and reservists from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines. Adjacent to the base is the Marietta plant of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, an American aerospace, defense, security and technology company and one of the county’s largest employers. The county is the future home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team with the club’s new stadium, SunTrust Park, expected to open in time for the beginning of the 2017 MLB season. Additionally, a site in Marietta was selected to house the training facility and headquarters for Atlanta United FC, the newest team in Major League Soccer.

The team will play its home games in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta when it begins its inaugural season in 2017. A third professional sports team — Major League Lacrosse’s Atlanta Blaze — is based in Cobb and plays its home games in KSU’s football stadium. The county is governed by a fivemember board of commissioners, consisting of a chairman and four district commissioners, while the cities are each governed by a mayor-city council system.

Established: 1832 Population (2015): 741,334 Land area: 339.6 square miles Cities: Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta (county seat), Powder Springs, Smyrna “Sister” county: Seongdong-gu, South Korea

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2015

If you’re looking to head south for the winter, look no further than Cobb County. The county only experiences one inch of snowfall per year, compared to the 25 inches most average U.S. cities receive. Out of 365 days a year, about 217 of those are sunny in Cobb. On average, there are about 107 days of precipitation in Cobb with an average rainfall of 54.4 inches per year, compared to 36.5 inches in the United States. Lows in the winter can range from 39° to 30° degrees, with January typically being the coolest month of the year. In the summer, temperatures between 80° and 90° degrees can be expected, with the warmest month, July, having an average temperature of 88.5°. Fall can bring temperatures from as high as 89° in August to as low as 48° in October, and springtime has average highs of 73° and lows of 39°. But the spring also brings a hazy allergen cloud that can detract from the attractive climate. Pollen from the trees, grass and weeds begins in mid to late March, according to the Atlanta Allergen and Asthma Clinic, and can be difficult for those with allergies. According to the clinic, the spring is broken into two pollen seasons that have some overlap. Pine, oak, and hickory trees begin to pollinate in mid to late March and continue into early May. Pollen from pines is larger and heavier than other trees and can be found dusting the sidewalks and tops of cars and even creating clouds of pollen in the air. However, this pollen doesn’t cause as many symptoms as the other, smaller tree pollen does. According to Dr. Stanley Fineman, with the Atlanta Allergen and Asthma Clinic, pollen is starting to be seen as early as late February because of warmer temperatures and wet weather. “It’s an interesting phenomenon because there is a warming trend with higher temperatures that is causing the pollen count to be higher,” he said, adding that this pollen also may be more allergenic. The second pollen season begins in mid-April as grasses begin to pollinate. The season ends in about late May or early June depending on the year. Grasses produce less pollen than trees, but the pollen stays airborne longer and can cause eye and nasal irritation. Pollen from weeds can be found in late spring, but levels rise in late summer and early fall. The months of August and September are known as ragweed season and can be difficult for those with weed pollen allergies. In 2016, the clinic recorded 51 days with high or extremely high counts between March 1 and April 30. In comparison, 2015 saw 41 of those days and 39 days were recorded in 2014. “Our pollen count is pretty high. We tend to have problems with it in the spring, but it’s different in other places. In the Midwest, they have more problems with the ragweed pollen in the fall, which we don’t have as much of,” he said. Overall, Fineman suggests that it is important for people to know what is causing their allergens and to visit a specialist to determine causes and take necessary precautions.

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I n Yo u r W o r d s What is Cobb’s best-kept secret? “The people. Everyone is friendly and wellread and just really nice.” – Carol Stafford of Marietta, retired

“The restaurants. People don’t think we have a lot to offer, but there’s a lot of variety.” – Tia Johnson of Marietta, tech support

“Dinner at the Depot on Mondays in Kennesaw” – Liz Ferreira of Kennesaw, homemaker

DR. MICHAEL LEWIS, Lead Pastor

Roswell Street Baptist Church 774 roswell street • marietta, ga 30060 770-424-9800 • www.roswellstreet.com Dr.Michael Lewis - Lead Pastor Watch live webstream at: www.RoswellStreet.com/watch-live

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“There are lots of hiking and biking trails around here that are nice.” – Eric Mehr of Kennesaw, project manager

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ORIGINS

Inside the story of how some of Cobb’s places got their names

Acworth

The area we now know today as Acworth was once a watering station for locomotives traveling through from the Western and Atlantic Railroad. Originally, the station was called Northcutt Station after station master Alfred Northcutt. In 1843, railroad engineer Joseph Gregg renamed the surrounding town Acworth. The name came from Gregg’s hometown of Acworth, New Hampshire, which was named for English Admiral Jacob Acworth. Today, Acworth is known as “The Lake City.”

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Kennesaw Mtn. from Hwy. 41 1950s Kennesaw Cobb County was once farmed by Cherokee Indians. “Kennesaw” comes from the Cherokee word gah-nee-sah meaning “cemetery” or “burial ground.” As the Western and Atlantic Railroad was being constructed, small shanty towns began to crop up on the edge of the railroad. These towns were located on elevated ground near a spring with this location being called “Big Shanty Grade.” Eventually, the “grade” was eliminated, and the area became known as “Big Shanty.”

Austell The city of Austell is named for Confederate Gen. Alfred Austell, founder of the Atlanta National Bank, which later became Wachovia. One of the nation’s largest cotton dealers, Austell also was recognized for his efforts to build railroads in Southern states. Early visitors to the area claimed the waters there had medicinal properties, and the area was known as Salt Springs for the water’s healing powers and for hunters’ use of the salt licks to trap animals. Later, the area was renamed Lithia Springs because of the lithium carbonate in the water. Cobb County and Marietta Cobb County became Georgia’s 81st county in 1832 and was named for prominent Georgia congressman Thomas Willis Cobb. Cobb, who also served as a senator and superior court Judge, died at the age of 46 in 1830. Sarah Temple’s “The First Hundred Years” cites two stories on how Marietta got its name. One is that two legendary young ladies — Mary and Etta — “so dazzled the gentlemen of the town by their charms that the county seat was named for them.” The second and more plausible theory is that the town was named after Cobb’s wife, Mary. FACTBOOK 2016-17 (25) 25

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for the yellow-blooming flowers that grow easily in the area. Samuel Taylor and his wife received a burlap sack from their son living in the state of Washington, containing what are thought to have been the first jonquil bulbs planted in the area. The jonquil’s beauty and successful growth started the tradition of planting them in Smyrna. Now, 37 cities are called Smyrna in the United States.

Powder Springs Incorporated in 1838, Powder Springs was originally called Springville. Early settlers in the area came in the hopes of finding gold, but found little in the surrounding mountains. The name was changed in 1859 to Powder Springs after the seven springs located throughout the city that are enriched with minerals, turning the sand and soil black like gunpowder.

In 1960, the area now known as Cumberland contained Camp Bert Adams, a Boy Scout reservation. After World War II, the area started seeing growth. The major development of Cumberland Mall occurred in 1973, which, at the time, was Georgia’s largest enclosed regional mall.

Smyrna

Vinings

In what is now Turkey, the original Smyrna was a church established by the apostle Paul. A Biblical term, the word Smyrna was first used by churches established in the area. The Methodists’ gathering place became known as the Smyrna Camp Ground. After incorporation as a Georgia municipality in 1872, the city’s founding fathers kept the name. Additionally, Smyrna is known as “The Jonquil City”

Originally called Crossroads, and shortly thereafter, Paces, Vinings was named for William H. Vining, a railroad engineer who came from the Northeast to work on the construction of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. Vining oversaw the construction of a difficult trestle bridge along Stillhouse Road that came to be known as “Vining’s Bridge.” Hardy Pace, an entrepreneur from North Carolina, moved to the area in the early 1800s. He established a successful ferry service and gristmill along the Chattahoochee River, thus the street names of Paces Ferry Road and Paces Mill Road in the Vinings area.

Cumberland

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TRANSIT OPTIONS BY JON GARGIS

Need a ride? Cobb residents without a car or those who wish to get around town or points outside of Cobb without driving themselves have several options at their disposal. CobbLinc — previously known as Cobb Community Transit — has been operating since 1989, and, in its 26th year in 2015, provided service for nearly 2.5 million passenger trips. The transit system operates 89 full-size buses on 16 routes, which cover nearly 11,000 miles per day, while its Paratransit service runs 25 lift-equipped vans for riders with disabilities who are unable to board, ride or disembark from regular buses. CobbLinc bus service runs six days a week — Monday through Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 12:50 a.m., and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Adult fares for local service are $2.50 and youths $1.50, while elderly and disabled riders pay $1. For those who need to travel to Atlanta, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority’s Xpress bus service maintains several routes that travel from Cobb county locations and into the city.

In Cobb, routes travel to and from Acworth, Mableton and Powder Springs, while Kennesaw has two routes — one at Busbee Drive and the other at Town Center-Big Shanty. A route also leaves from Hiram. In all, Xpress has 33 routes in 12 metro Atlanta counties, with its oneway fares ranging from $3 to $4 and round-trips $5 to $7. Multiple-trip passes are also available at lower per-trip rates. Ridesharing services Lyft and Uber serve Cobb as well as several surrounding counties, including the entirety of Atlanta and all points around the Perimeter, according to coverage maps on their respective websites. Lyft’s northwest metro area reach stops at Cobb’s western border but extends up Interstate 75 into Bartow County, stopping at Adairsville. Uber’s footprint, by comparison, is much larger, extending westward all the way to the Georgia-Alabama line, with its reach along I-75 stopping between Calhoun and Dalton. For those looking for more traditional taxi services, several cab services are based in the county, while others outside of Cobb provide services to the county. Among the Cobb-based taxis are Victory Cab, whose website says its 70 years of service makes it the county’s oldest cab company; it also boasts to be the largest.

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RENOWNED RESIDENTS Cobb County has seen many influential and notable people come from within its borders. Many still call the county home. Here’s a list of just some of the Cobb’s well-known locals. —TV & Film— “America’s sweetheart” Julia Roberts hails from Smyrna. Actress and comedian Brett Butler is a Marietta native. West Cobb resident and meteorologist Jen Carfagno makes regular appearances on The Weather Channel, which has its headquarters in Cumberland. TV personality Ty Pennington grew up in Cobb. Pennington, best known as the host of TLC’s “Trading Spaces” and ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” attended Sprayberry High School and Kennesaw State University. Actor Lucas Till, who played superhero Havok in Marvel’s “X-Men” series, is a graduate of Kell High School and lived in Kennesaw. —Arts & Culture— After forming at McEachern High School, Christian rock band Third Day went on to win multiple Grammy Awards. Country superstar and Marietta-native Travis Tritt began writing music while attending Sprayberry High School. The creators of the Elf on the Shelf, Chanda Bell and her mother Carol Aebersold, are Cobb County natives. Aebersold’s daughter and former QVC host Christina Pitts is co-CEO of the company, which is headquartered in Marietta. Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon, of Vinings, is widely regarded as one of the best directors on Broadway. He recently directed NBC’s live production of “The Wiz.”

Academy Awardwinning actress Joanne Woodward moved to Marietta when she was in second grade and attended Marietta High School. Woodward would go on to marry Paul Newman. Food guru, author and TV personality Alton Brown lives in Marietta and is involved in the community. Factbook 2016-2017

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—Sports— Cobb has seen many successful athletes come from within its borders, including Olympic gold medalist and hurdler Aries Merritt, professional golfer and former No. 1 ranked amateur golfer Ollie Schniederjans and Atlanta Braves prospect and former No.1 MLB draft pick Dansby Swanson. Other notable people who have called Cobb home over the years include quarterback Eric Zeier, who played for Marietta High School before going on to play at Georgia and in the NFL; three-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Famer Larry Nelson; and former Atlanta

Braves and Miami Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez. —Politics— Former Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes grew up in Mableton and lives in Marietta, where his law firm is based. Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens lives in Cobb and served as chairman of the Board of Commissioners before he was elected to be the state’s attorney. Other notable political locals include former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr, and Gen. Lucius D. Clay, a hero of the Berlin Airlift.

Cobb has been home to many artists receiving national acclaim, including Thomas Arvid.

Retired NBA all-star Dale Ellis was a three-point sharpshooter who played throughout the NBA and at Marietta High School.

Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson represented Cobb in the state Legislature for years before taking office on the federal level. He lives in east Cobb when he’s not in D.C.

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PLACES OF WORSHIP IN COBB

Cobb County is rich in religious diversity. According to the Association of Religion Data Archives, there are over 450 churches in the Cobb County area, and about 54 percent of Cobb residents affiliate with a religion. Including Baptist, Methodist and Catholic churches, synagogues and non-denominational churches, Cobb’s inclusive community creates a diverse culture. Community service, outreach and mission trips are organized by many churches and special groups for children, teens and adults allow the whole family to get involved and connected. Large Places of Worship Catholic Church of Transfiguration 1815 Blackwell Road Marietta 30066 770-977-1442 www.transfiguration.com

Cedarcrest Church 4600 Cobb Parkway NW Acworth 30101 678-460-3500 www.cedarcrestchurch.com

East Cobb United Methodist 2325 Roswell Road NE Marietta 30062 770-971-3643 www.eastcobbumc.org

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 1578 Cunningham Road SW Marietta 30008 770-396-4971 www.lds.org

Eastside Baptist 2450 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 30068 770-971-2323 www.ebcfamily.org East West Church 1521 Hurt Road Marietta 30008 770-435-1152 www.eastwestchurch.org

Crossview 1100 Piedmont Road Marietta 30066 770-973-0063 www.crossviewmarietta.org Cumberland Community Church 3110 Sports Ave. Smyrna 30080 770-952-8834 www.cumberlandchurch.org

First Baptist Marietta 148 Church St. Marietta 30060 770-424-8326 www.mariettafbc.org

Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, serving the metro area for over fifty years, is devoted to delivering the highest level of service and satisfaction possible to families.

Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery 2000 Cobb Pkwy SE • Marietta, GA 30060 770.432.0771 • 770.952.4478 www.georgiamemorialpark.com General Manager: Greg Hall

Family Service Manager: Rob Hicks

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First Presbyterian Marietta 189 Church St. NW Marietta 30060 770-427-0239 www.fpcmarietta.org

Powder Springs 30127 770-422-4974 www.midwaypca.org Mount Bethel United Methodist 4385 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 30068 www.mtbethel.org

Freedom Church 3450 Acworth Due West Road, Suite 630 Kennesaw 30144 770-529-6006 www.freedomchurch.tv

Northstar Church 3413 Blue Springs Road Kennesaw 30144 770-420-9808 www.northstarchurch.org

Johnson Ferry Baptist 955 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta 30068 770-973-6561 www.johnsonferry.org

Piedmont Church 570 Piedmont Road Marietta 30066 770-422-2566 www.piedmontchurch.tv

Liberty Church 1285 North Cobb Parkway Marietta 30062 770-423-7316 www.libertychurch.org

Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist 566 Whitlock Ave. Marietta 30064 770-428-3681 www.pgmbc-cobb.org

Marietta Adventist 1330 North Cobb Pkwy. Marietta 30062 770-427-7668 www.mariettaadventist.org

Roswell Street Baptist 774 Roswell St. Marietta 30060 770-424-9800 www.roswellstreet.com

Midway Presbyterian 4635 Dallas Highway

Macland

Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion 775 Hurt Road SW Smyrna 30082 770-801-8185 www.shawtemple.org Smyrna First Baptist 1275 Church St. SE Smyrna 30080 770-435-3231 www.smyrnafirst.org Smyrna First United Methodist 1315 Concord Road Smyrna 30080 770-436-4108 www.smyrnafumc.org St. Ann Catholic Church 4905 Roswell Road Marietta 30062 770-552-6400 www.st-ann.org Vision Baptist – Cobb 4250 South Hurt Road SW Smyrna 30082 678-306-6826 www.visionbaptistcobb.com West Cobb Church 1245 Villa Rica Road Marietta 30064

770-422-8822 www.westcobbchurch.com Zion Baptist 165 Lemon St. Marietta 30060 770-427-8749 www.zbcmarietta.org Synagogues Chabad of Cobb 1480 Shiloh Road NW, Suite 500 Kennesaw 30144-7193 770-400-9255 www.jewishwestcobb.com Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills Parkway Marietta 30068 770-973-0137 www.etzchaim.net Congregation Ner Tamid 1349 Old 41 Highway, Suite 220 Marietta 30060 678-264-8575 Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road Marietta 30062 770-973-3533 www.kolemeth.net

FAITH. FAMILY. FELLOWSHIP

Baptist Church

Sunday AM 9:15

Pastor: Dr. Richard Walker

Bible Study for all ages

10:30

GROW

Intergenerational Worship

(Childcare provided birth - 4yrs.)

Sunday PM 6:00

CONNECT

Wednesday PM

SUNDAYS: 9:15 am - Sunday School 10:30 am - Worship Service 5:15 pm - AWANAS (Aug-April) 6:00 pm - Evening Worship 7:30 pm - College Bible Study

SERVE

WEDNESDAYS: 5:00 pm - Fellowship Supper 6:30 pm - Worship, Youth Bible Study & Mission Groups

family One faith mission

3732 Macland Road, Powder Springs • 770-943-5511 • www.maclandbaptist.org

Evening Worship Service

5:45-8:15

Nursery (birth-2 yrs.)

6:00-6:45

Men’s & Ladies Ensembles

6:00-6:45

Pastor’s Bible Study

6:00-7:30

TeamKid: Preschool (ages 3-5) Children (grades 1-6)

6:00-7:30

Student Ministry (grades 7-12)

6:45-8:00

MHBC Outreach

6:45-8:00

Worship Choir Rehearsal

Pastor: Dr. Randal Whitten 561 Veterans Memorial Highway, SE Mableton, GA 30126 770-948-3900

www.mtharmony.org

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Worship with Us! St. James Episcopal Church 161 Church St. • Marietta, GA 30060 • (770) 428-5841

stjamesmarietta.com

Holy Eucharist on Sunday 8:00am, 10:30am and 12:30pm

Morning Prayer each weekday at 8:00am Wednesday Healing Service with Holy Eucharist at 5:30 pm

St. Joseph Catholic Church 87 Lacy St. • Marietta, GA 30060 • (770) 422-5633 Weekend Mass Schedule Saturday Vigil 5:30 PM Vigilia de Sabado 7:30 PM

Sunday: 7:30 AM • 9:00 AM • 12:30 PM 10:45 AM (Chancel Choir) 2:30 PM Misa en Español 5:00 PM Life Teen Mass

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Weekdays

8:00 AM • 12:00 PM (8:15 on Wednesdays during the school year)

Confessions

Miércoles confesiones en Español 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Saturdays confessions in English 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

7/11/2016 11:33:42 AM

American Legion East Cobb Post 320 3300 Canton Road Suite 3B Marietta 30066 Horace Orr Post 29 921 Gresham Ave. 770-427-5900 North Cobb Post 304 4220 S. Main St. Acworth 678-217-5738 www.post304.org AND www. galegion304.blogspot.com Mickey Cochran Post 216 3914 Ewing Road Austell 770-943-7030

Paul E. Kelly Jr. Post 296 906 West Atlanta St. Marietta 770-428-6509 Smyrna Post 160 160 Legion Drive Smyrna 770-436-2501 www.americanlegionpost160.org Powder Springs Post 294 3282 Florence Road Powder Springs 770-439-0956 John R. Dodgen Post 264 6251 Ivey Road Mableton 770-944-8099

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Marietta 770-977- 2088 www.vfwpost2681.org

Acworth and Kennesaw Post 5408 4764 North Cobb Parkway Acworth 770-318-9114 www.vfwpost5408.com

Disabled American Veterans

Rainbow Post 2681 140 Powers Ferry Road

John Woodall Chapter 6 995 Roswell St., Suite 324 Marietta 678-388-1568 www.davchapter6.com

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COMMUNITY AND CIVIC CLUBS Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order founded in 1868 in New York under the name “Jolly Corks” by 15 actors, entertainers and others associated with the theater. Today, headquartered at Elks National Veterans Memorial in Chicago, Illinois, it is one of the leading fraternal orders in the United States, claiming nearly one million members and nearly 2,000 “lodges” across the country. Elks Lodges bring more to their communities than just a building, golf course or pool. They are places where neighbors come together, families share meals and children grow up. Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free by undertaking projects that address unmet needs, and by honoring the service and sacrifice of our veterans. The Marietta Elks Lodge, the only lodge in Cobb County, is in Marietta on Powder Springs Road and is run by exalted ruler Greg Shelby.

juvenile justice, teen self-esteem, cybercrimes, literacy and the environment, among others — for the purpose of enhancing the social, cultural and political fabric of civil society. Cobb chapter contact Junior League of Cobb-Marietta, 770-422-5266 Name: Association of Junior Leagues International Founded: 1901 Founded in Cobb: 1933 Number of chapters in Cobb: 1 Number of members: 150,000 Membership dues: $165 per year Website: www.jlcm.org

Cobb chapter contact Marietta Elks Lodge: Greg Shelby, 770-795-9490 Name: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America Founded: 1868 Founded in Cobb: 1942 Number of chapters in Cobb: 1 Number of members: 1 million Membership dues: $120 a year Website: www.elks.org

Junior League The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Founded in 1901 by New Yorker and social activism pioneer Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, making a demonstrable impact on their communities. Today, League members work at the forefront of social reform, tackling the toughest and most critical issues of the day — including childhood nutrition and obesity, human trafficking, foster care,

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Kiwanis Club Kiwanis clubs, located in 80 nations, help their communities in countless ways. Each community’s needs are different — so each Kiwanis club is different. By working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. Kiwanis clubs focus on changing the world by serving children, one child and one community at a time. To do this, many clubs also sponsor a Kiwanis family club — K-Kids for primary school children; Builders Clubs for adolescents; Key Clubs for teens; CKI clubs for university students and Aktion Clubs for adults living with disabilities — to reach more people and have a greater service impact on their communities. Kiwanis members stage almost 150,000 service projects, devote more than 6 million hours of service and raise nearly $100 million every year for communities, families and projects.

Contact Kiwanis Club East Cobb: Bobby Gifford, 3592 Wesley Chapel Road, Marietta, GA 30062 Greater Kennesaw: Matthew McManus, www.greaterkennesawkiwanis.portalbuzz.com Greater South Cobb: Henry Lust, www.gsckiwanis.org Jonquil City: Terry Lapierre, 678-217-4846 Kennworth Golden “K:” Ken Leone, PO Box 632, Acworth, GA 30101 Lost Mountain: Jere Akin, www.lostmountainkiwanis.org Marietta: Jeri Barr, www.mariettakiwanis.org Marietta Golden “K:” Jim Walter, 770-971-9098 Metro-Marietta: Lydia Howren, 404-502-5247 Smyrna: www.facebook.com/SmyrnaKiwanis Name: Kiwanis International Founded: 1915 Founded in Cobb: 1930 Number of chapters in Cobb: 10 Number of members: 669,783 Membership dues: Vary by chapter Website: www.kiwanis.org

Lions Club International

Lions Clubs International, a service membership organization, was founded in the United States on June 7, 1917, by Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman. The organization’s 46,000 clubs and more than 1.4 million members make it the world’s largest service club organization. Members do whatever is needed to help their local communities. Lions Clubs International extends its mission of service every day — in local communities, in all corners of the globe. The needs are great and its services are broad, including sight, health, youth, elderly, the environment and disaster relief. The international network has grown to include more than 200 countries and geographic areas.

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Contact Lions Club Atlanta Latino: Zina Amini, 770-971-9472 East Cobb: Ray Moore, 770-425-7881 Marietta: mariettalions@aol.com North Cobb: Jack Kimmich, 770-590-0952 Smyrna Jonquil: Elaine Koziatek, elaine.koziatek@gmail.com South Cobb: Charles Jones, 470-554-2128 West Cobb: Lester Dean, 770-427-8722 Name: Lions Club International Founded: 1917 Founded in Cobb: 1958 Number of chapters in Cobb: 7 Number of members: 1.4 million Membership dues: Vary by chapter Website: www.lionsclubs.org

Optimist Club Optimist International is a worldwide volunteer organization made up of more than 2,500 local clubs whose members work each day to make the future brighter by bringing out the best in children, in their communities, and in themselves. Optimist International’s motto is “Friend of Youth” and the organization also uses the branding statement “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.” Founded in 1916, the international headquarters is located in St. Louis, Missouri. Optimist International is also the sponsor of Junior Optimist Octagon International, designed for elementary school- through high school-aged youth. Contact Optimist Club Kennesaw: www.kennesawoptimists.org Smyrna: www.smyrnaoptimist.org Name: Optimist International Founded: 1916 Founded in Cobb: 1975 Number of chapters in Cobb: 2 Number of members: 87,000 Membership dues: Vary by chapter Website: www.optimist.org

Rotary International Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated human rights purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. There are 34,282 member clubs worldwide and 1.2 million individuals called Rotarians have joined these clubs. The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. The organization has identified specific causes to target to maximize local and global impact while at the same time, understanding that each community has its own unique needs and concerns. Through a network of resources and partners, it helps clubs focus their service efforts in promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education and growing local economies. Factbook 2016-2017

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Contact Rotary Club East Cobb: Wade Patrick, wade@mariettasportscar.com Marietta: Caitlyn Cooper, ccooper@comm-360.com Marietta-Metro: Charles Lassiter, www.mariettametrorotary.org North Cobb: Matt Riedemann, www.northcobbrotary.org Smyrna: Smyrna Rotary Club, f12@nfiweb.com South Cobb: Mike Martin, www.southcobbrotary.org Vinings: Harry Abel, harryabel@gmail.com Name: Rotary International Founded: 1905 Founded in Cobb: 1919 Number of chapters in Cobb: 7 Number of members: 1.2 million Membership dues: Vary by chapter Website: www.rotary.org

Vinings Civic Club

The historic club has its roots from the early 1900s — just take a look at the club’s newly preserved bylaws from 1919 at the Vinings Historical Preservation Society on the corner of Paces Ferry and Paces Mill. Since that time, the club has been a place for neighbors to meet, to get to know each other, to hear interesting speakers, and to enjoy social events as well as maintain the “quaintness” of Vinings, which makes this such a special place. The club now has more than 250 members which includes not only residents but many of local businesses. The organization serves not only as a focal point for community spirit, but also as an endeavor to encourage civic improvements that will continually maintain the character and beauty of Vinings. Contact Vinings Civic Club Vinings: Stella Richter 3920 Randall Farm Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30339 Name: Vinings Civic Club Founded: 1919 Founded in Cobb: 1919 Number of chapters in Cobb: 1 Number of members: 250 Membership dues: $25 Website: www.viningsvillagecivicclub.org

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PET ADOPTION Humane Society of Cobb County 148 Fairground St. SE Marietta 30060 770-428-5678 Hours: Mon.-Sat. 12 - 5 p.m. Good Mews Animal Foundation 3805 Robinson Road Marietta 30068 770-499-2287 Hours: Second and Fourth Sunday 5 - 8 p.m. Every Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Sunday 1 - 4 p.m. Homeless Pet Foundation 365 Villa Rica Way Marietta 30064 770-971-0100 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Our Palâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place 4508 Canton Highway Marietta 30066 678-795-0202 Hours: Saturday and Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. Mutt Madd-ness Dog Rescue P.O. Box 71821 Marietta 30007 404-406-6322 Friends of Shelter Animals for Cobb 1060 Al Bishop Drive Marietta 30008 770-499-4136 Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sunday 2 - 5 p.m. Fancy Feline Rescue of the South 860 Cobb Place Blvd. NW Kennesaw 30144 678-522-2152 Hours: Second and third weekend of each month Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday 1 - 4 p.m. Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia, Inc. P.O. Box 680322 Marietta 30068 770-499-1164

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NEW RESIDENT INFORMATION County Government Service Centers There are two Service Centers available where residents can do the following: • Business apps & payments • Property Tax Payments • Property Tax Exemptions • Water System bill payments • Transit CobbLinc-ticket sales • Vehicle Tag Renewals • Tax Assessor reporting forms Locations: East Cobb Service Center 4400 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 770-499-4447 South Cobb Service Center 4700 Austell Road Austell 770-499-4494 Hours of Operation Business Offices: Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. *Certain offices within the Service Center may have varying hours of operation* Georgia Driver’s License New residents should obtain a Georgia’s driver’s

license within 30 days of establishing residency. Cobb County Locations: Marietta 1605 County Services Pkwy Marietta 30008 Hours: Tuesday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon Kennesaw-Acworth 3690 Old 41 Highway NW Kennesaw 30144 Hours: Tuesday-Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon What to bring: • An original or certified document to prove who you are such as a Birth Certificate of Passport • Social Security Card • Two documents showing your residential address such as a Bank Statement or Utility Bill • If you have had a name change, then you’ll also need to bring a document to prove that, such as a Marriage License More information: www.dds.ga.gov or 678-413-8400

Government To reach voter registration eligibility residents must be: • A United States citizen • A legal resident of a Georgia county • At least 17½ years old. • You must be 18 years old before or on Election Day Location: Cobb Board of Elections Main Office 736 Whitlock Ave., Suite 400 Marietta 30064 Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. More info: Call Cobb Elections at 770-528-2300 or visit www.cobbelections.org Tax Commissioner The Tax Commissioner’s Office is established by the Georgia Constitution. It is responsible for every phase of collecting and disbursing ad valorem property taxes. There are two divisions: Property Tax Division and Motor Vehicle Division. Cobb County Tax Commissioner 736 Whitlock Ave. NW #100 Marietta 30064 770-528-8600 Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Registering Your Vehicle Main Office: 700 S Cobb Drive 770-528-8600 Satellite tag offices: East Cobb Govt. Service Center 4400 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 30068 Market Square shopping center 2932 Canton Road NE, Suite 300 Marietta 30066 South Cobb Govt. Center 4700 Austell Road Austell 30101 All Offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the main office is open until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Tag helpline: 770-528-TAGS (8247) Property Taxes The Property Tax division bills, collects and distributes ad valorem property taxes. It is responsible for auditing, accounting, disbursing and reporting of collections, processing homestead exemption applications and levying on property. Taxes are mailed by August 15 and payment is due by October 15. If a bill is not received by August 30, a copy can be obtained at www. cobbtax.org. Main office: West Park Government Center 736 Whitlock Ave. Marietta 30064 770-528-8600 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other offices: 4400 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 30068-4233 4700 Austell Road Austell 30106-2004 *Residents can go to these offices to pay taxes, file for exemptions and basic motor vehicle transactions. Hours of operation: Processing hours for property tax and exemptions: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Processing for motor vehicles: 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Utilities Water The Cobb County Water System 660 South Cobb Drive Marietta 30060 770-419-6200 770-419-6224 (Fax) www.cobbwater.org Telephone BellSouth: Residential...............404-780-2355 Business...................................404-780-2800 Gas A complete list of all gas providers is located at www.psc.state.ga.us under the Natural Gas/Approved Natural Gas Marketers provider.

Cable TV Providers BellSouth Multimedia................770-360-5000 Charter Communication:...........770-333-6400 Comcast....................................404-266-2278

Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information: Keep Cobb Beautiful................. 770-528-1135 Keep Marietta Beautiful.............770-794-5606 Keep Smyrna Beautiful.............770-431-2863

Electric Cobb EMC................................770-429-2100 Georgia Power..........................888-660-5890 Marietta Power..........................770-794-5150 Acworth Power..........................770-917-8903

School Enrollment Cobb County School Enrollment Cobb County Board of Education 514 Glover St., Marietta 770-426-3300 Website: www.cobb.k12.ga.us Required enrollment documents: - Proof of residency - Certified birth certificate from your state department of vital statistics - Immunization records on Georgia state forms - Vision, hearing and dental screening records from a family physician or local health clinic.

Trash and Recycling Garbage Collection unincorporated Cobb County A Ok Trash Service...................770-949-6243 Advanced Disposal...................678-495-0058 Alford Sanitation.......................770-944-0791 All Terrain Service Company.....770-439-6033 All Waste Sanitation & Recycling...............................678-402-7777 American Disposal....................678-720-0500 Brondco Sanitation....................770-943-9520 Community Waste Disposal......770-382-0736 Custom Disposal Services........770-977-2788 Cycle Works Sanitation.............770-592-1515 The Dumpster Company...........678-867-7777 Garrett Sanitation & Roll off D/B/A Wills Sanitation...............770-443-2010 Hugh’s Garbage Service...........770-529-9330 North Metro Waste Inc..............770-924-0294 Plum Crazy Disposal.................678-994-6269 Pro Disposal Inc........................770-424-1122 Quality Sanitation Service.........770-944-7769 Smith’s Sanitation.....................770-941-2498 Sweep Corp of American D/B/A Express Waste...............770-261- 0878 Taylor’s Garbage Service.......... 770-428-5711 Trash Busters Sanitation...........770-425-2427 Trash Taxi of GA.......................770-316-8142 Waste Industries.......................770-577-3545 Waste Management..................404-898-9238 West Cobb Sanitation...............770-499-1279 Garbage Collection Inside the city of: Acworth.....................................770-917-8903 Austell.......................................770-944-4300 Kennesaw.................................770-424-8274 Marietta.....................................770-794-5581 Powder Springs .......................770-943-8010 Smyrna.....................................770-319-5338 Recycling Cobb County encourages its residents to recycle. Many of the municipalities offer curbside pickup of recyclables for city residents. Residents of unincorporated Cobb County need to contract with their garbage haulers for curbside recycling. Recycling Facilities •The RockTenn Company Recycling Center 1775 County Services Parkway Marietta 30008 •The Solid Waste Transfer Station 1897 County Services Parkway Marietta 30008 Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. •TAG Grinding Services, Inc. vegetative waste recovery center 2150 County Services Parkway Fri. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Marietta City School Enrollment 250 Howard St. Marietta 30060 770-422-3500 Required enrollment documents: - Birth Certificate - Custody Documentation - Hearing, Dental, Vision and Nutrition Screening Certificate - Certificate of Immunization - Proof of Residency Immunizations: Please contact the Cobb Public Health at 770-514-2300 Website: www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org Important Numbers East Cobb Service Center 4400 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 770-499-4447 770-499-4409 Fax) South Cobb Service Center 4700 Austell Road Austell 770-499-4494 Cobb County Motor Vehicle Department Main office: 700 South Cobb Drive Marietta 30060 770-528-8247 Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (6 p.m. on Tues.) Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration 736 Whitlock Ave. Suite 400 Marietta 30064 770-528-2581 Cobb County Animal Control 1060 Al Bishop Drive Marietta 30008 770-499-4136

Cobb County Tax Assessor’s Office 736 Whitlock Ave. NW # 200 Marietta 30064 770-528-3100 Cobb County Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs 1792 County Services Parkway Marietta 30008 770-528-8800 Cobb County Department of Transportation 1890 County Services Parkway Marietta 30008 770-528-1600 Cobb County Police Department Headquarters Chief John R. Houser 140 North Marietta Parkway NE 770-499-3900 Cobb Fire Department Chief Randy Crider 1595 County Services Parkway Marietta 30008 770-528-8000 Cobb Sheriff’s Department Sheriff Neil Warren 185 Roswell St Marietta 30060 770-499-4600 Cobb County Permit Office 1150 Powder Springs Street Suite 400 Marietta 30064 Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Business Licenses Office 1150 Powder Springs St. Suite 400 Marietta 30064 770-528-8410 Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cobb County Tag Office 700 South Cobb Drive Marietta 30060 770-538-8600 Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cobb County Police and Fire Departments by city Acworth: Acworth Police Department 4440 Acworth Industrial Drive NW Acworth 30101 770-974-1232 Wayne Dennard Chief of Police 770-974-1232 wdennard@acworth.org Fire Department Station 11 4550 Cowan Road Acworth 30101 770-528-8000 Factbook 2016-2017

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Carmichael Funeral Homes Celebrating our 40th year serving our community

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Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services Station 28 3858 Kemp Ridge Road Acworth 30101 770-528-8000 Austell: Austell Police Department 2721 Joe Jerkins Blvd. Austell 30106 770-944-4331 Bob Starrett Chief of Police rstarrett@austell.org Kennesaw: Kennesaw Police Department 2539 J O Stephenson Ave. Kennesaw 30144 770-422-2505 770-429-4537 Fax Bill Westenberger Chief of Police wwestenberger@kennesaw-ga.gov Marietta: Marietta Police Department 240 Lemon St. Marietta 30060 770-794-5300 770-794-5305 Fax Dan Flynn Chief of Police 770-794-5333 dflynn@mariettaga.gov Powder Springs: Powder Springs Police Department 1114 Richard D. Sailors Parkway P.O. Box 46 Powder Springs 30127 770-499-3911 770-943-8017 Fax John Robison Chief of Police 770-257-1386 jrobison@cityofpowdersprings.org Smyrna: Smyrna Police Department 2646 Atlanta Road Smyrna 30080 770-434-9481

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David Lee Chief of Police dlee@smyrnaga.gov

7/12/2016 4:24:46 PM

DID YOU KNOW?

THE IMPACT OF CIVIL WAR IN COBB From the Great Locomotive Chase to Maj. Gen. William Sherman’s occupation of Marietta to the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, the Civil War touched Cobb in many significant ways. Cobb’s Civil War history began on Jan. 19, 1861, when Georgia voted to leave the Union with all three Cobb County delegates — George D. Rile, A.A. Winn and Elisha H. Lindley — voting in favor of secession. The first casualty lists of Marietta and Cobb men began to appear after the Battle of Manassas in Virginia in July 1861. Military drills commenced every afternoon on Marietta Square around this time, with merchants closing up shop at 5:30 p.m. to participate. The Great Locomotive Chase One of the most famous Civil War-era events involving Cobb started when Union raiders, dressed as civilians and led by James Andrews, arrived in Marietta on April 11, 1862. After checking into the Fletcher House hotel (which is now the

Kennesaw House and home to the Marietta Museum of History), the raiders plotted a sabotage mission that involved stealing a locomotive called The General. The next day, Andrews’ raiders boarded the train when it stopped in Big Shanty, now Kennesaw, and took the locomotive over. Confederates took command of another train engine, The Texas, and engaged in a pursuit that would come to be known as the Great Locomotive Chase. The Confederates would catch Andrews and his men just outside Chattanooga after a daylong chase.

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain saw Union forces slowed in the mire of the undergrowth around the mountain while Confederate guns fired down on them as they tried to ascend. The well-directed fire by Confederate Maj. Gen. Samuel French’s artillery on Little Kennesaw and a Confederate counterattack eventually drove off the Union forces. The frontal assault cost Sherman 3,000 men over the course of three hours. Occupation of Marietta

The Union army’s occupation of Marietta began on July 3, 1964. Early that morning, Sherman was on the Square, watching his canvas wagons pass by Glover Park. The Sherman would arrive in Cobb County in occupying army took over every building on the Square, using them for hospitals, storage and lodging. Sherman June 1864, when he established his headhimself occupied the Kennesaw House, which he made his quarters in the western part of the county. Advances made by Sherman’s army forced headquarters. Union forces pressed on to Atlanta in the fall of 1864. Confederate Gen. Joe Johnston to withdraw The last remnants of the Union army left Marietta on Nov. to Kennesaw Mountain on June 18. More 15, leaving the city in ruins. than 50 cannons under the command of Following the withdrawal of both Confederate and Union Union Maj. Gen. James McPherson opened troops, Cobb County was vulnerable to bands of robbers fire at Johnston’s forces on Kennesaw who pillaged the already devastated residents in the early Mountain June 27. months of 1865. Battle of Kennesaw Mountain

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DID YOU KNOW?

THE STORY BEHIND THE BIG CHICKEN Located on a corner at the intersection of Roswell Road and Cobb Parkway, a 56-foot steel bird towers over its neighboring buildings and the cars that zip through the traffic light. The Big Chicken not only watches over Marietta, but it serves as a dependable landmark when giving directions. Rooted in that spot since 1963, the Big Chicken was built as an advertisement for a fried chicken restaurant called Johnny Reb’s Chick, Chuck and Shake, which was owned by Stanley R. “Tubby” Davis. With the opening of U.S. 41 — now known as Cobb Parkway but was then called the Marietta 4-Lane, customers were coming closer to the restaurant. “We have assembled the South’s first drive-in kitchen of its kind using the newest, most modern equipment developed by 20th century science. Our Lockheed friends will like its jet-plan com-

pactness and efficiency. It is also a housewife’s dream,” said a May 10, 1963, advertisement in the Marietta Daily Journal. According to an August 1963, edition of the Journal, the structure’s estimated construction cost totaled $10,000. The Big Chicken then started its watch over the intersection. In the 1970s, Kentucky Fried Chicken bought the restaurant and the chicken, but KFC Founder Col. Harland Sanders wanted to tear it down and replace it with a more traditional sign. But Davis and the community fought Sanders’ wish. John Davis, the son of the Big Chicken’s creator, recounted the fight in his father’s obituary in the Sept. 6, 1996, edition of the Journal. “He thought it was so important. He talked Col. Sanders out of taking the chicken down. The Kentucky colonel and chicken magnate visited Marietta, Davis’

son said, and eventually agreed with Davis,” Stanley Davis’ obituary reads. The Big Chicken was left in relative peace until 1989 when then-Smyrna City Administrator Joe Patterson reportedly asked KFC to move the Big Chicken to a new restaurant in Smyrna. With the company negotiating a lease that was set to end in 1993, it said would consider the idea. Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon tried to shoot down those rumors. In the March 10, 1989, edition of the Journal, Bacon said “as far as I’m concerned,” the move will never happen. “We certainly don’t want the Big Chicken down in Smyrna,” Bacon said. “I’m not saying it’s an eyesore, but I think we can come up with a better image than a big chicken with a bunch of birds on top. We’re not going to waste our time trying to get the Big Chicken. End of story.”

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Meet Cobb Chamber Chair Terry DeWitt BY RICKY LEROUX or Terry DeWitt, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Marietta-based First Landmark Bank, being chosen as the 2016 chair of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce is a privilege. “It’s an honor to stand on the same stage where so many of Cobb’s leaders have stood ... leaders that I have admired and respected, some who have mentored me, all who have made Cobb County better in their own unique way. It is indeed my privilege to serve as your chair,” DeWitt said. An Alabama native, DeWitt graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in accounting and first moved to Cobb County in 1983. He worked for accounting firm Price Waterhouse, but shifted his career to the banking industry when he took over as CFO at Chattahoochee Bank. DeWitt moved back to Alabama in 1990 so his three children could grow up closer to family. In 2007, he received a call from the former CEO of Chattahoochee Bank, Ron Francis, about starting a new bank in Cobb. With his children grown, DeWitt agreed to move back to Cobb to help Francis start First Landmark Bank, which has about $475 million in assets today, according to DeWitt. At First Landmark, DeWitt manages all of the financial affairs of the bank, and his leadership experience is a big reason he was chosen as the chamber’s 2016 chair, said Chamber President and CEO David Connell. “A person that’s been in a bank at his level knows how to manage people, knows how to manage process, can create goals and accountability,” Connell said. “You don’t get to the level he is at a bank without being able to define strategic direction with people and martial the team together to deliver the results. That’s what you always look for: somebody that’s got business savvy about them and business acumen. We run this place just like a business, so whoever is serving in that role has got to be a business leader.” DeWitt was announced as the 2016 chair in September, atypical for the chamber, which normally has a chair-elect waiting in the wings for a year. The 2016 chair was slated to be GE executive Steve Hartman, but Hartman received a promotion that required him to move to Switzerland, so he had to back out, Connell said. As a result, Connell and the chamber’s past chairs met and selected DeWitt to step in. DeWitt said he still remembers the meeting when Connell asked him to be the 2016 chair. “I had an appointment set up to meet with David, and when he walked in with three former past chairs, I sort of knew something was up,” DeWitt said with a laugh. Connell said he and the rest of the chamber have complete confidence in DeWitt. “The intent is to find somebody with strong leadership abilities

who can continue the heritage we’ve had at our chamber,” Connell said. CONTINUING THE EDGE PROGRAM DeWitt said his main goal for 2016 is to continue the success of the chamber’s past chairs, particularly regarding the Cobb Competitive EDGE program. Designed to attract new businesses to the county and help existing businesses expand, Connell said the program has helped create or retain 18,000 jobs in the four years since it began. Its original goal was 7,500 jobs in five years, Connell added. The program was created as a five-year program, and DeWitt said this year, the Chamber will work to ensure the final year is successful as well as begin planning an extension of the program. “We’ve got to turn and start thinking about funding it for the next five-year period (because) it’s been such a tremendous success,” he said. COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY Another goal for the chamber this year is to move forward in the process of creating a College and Career Academy in Cobb County. Connell said the academy would focus on helping high school students identify the kinds of careers they want to pursue and provide them with information on how to do so. “A lot of kids in their early stages of high school have no clue what they want to do in their career,” Connell said. “The College and Career Academy will have not only programming and instruction, but the kind of equipment associated with those industries, the kind of equipment you can’t afford to put in 25 high schools.” For example, Connell said the booming health care industry will likely be a part of the academy, which will require things such as training dummies and medical devices. There are already 26 similar career academies in Georgia, Connell said. “They’re all a little different,” he said. “They’re all subject to what kind of jobs are in their community. It has to be developed through a process where you gather input from industry and from educators, not just superintendents, but the Chattahoochee Techs of the world, the KSUs of the world, the Georgia Highlands of the world.” In 2016, the chamber’s goal is to work with businesses and educators to determine how the academy can help connect the two, Connell said.

ABOUT THE COBB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Founded: 1941 Number of members: 2,545 Goal: “The Cobb Chamber’s mission is to enhance economic and community development and provide pro-business advocacy and world-class member services.” Factbook 2016-2017

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Cobb’s competitive EDGE

BY ANTHONY WHITE

When it comes to community and economic development, Cobb County has given itself a competitive edge. The competitive edge comes from the Cobb Chamber’s Competitive Economic Development for a Growing Economy or EDGE initiative, a community and economic development partnership between the public and private sectors designed to increase job growth, income and educational attainment levels, while reducing unemployment and poverty rates in the county. Brooks Mathis, vice president of economic development for the Cobb Chamber and executive director of Cobb’s Competitive EDGE, said the partnership between the public and private sector is modeled after the Governor’s High Demand Career Initiative. According to Mathis, since its inception in 2011 and launch in 2013, “EDGE has created and retained more than 19,000 jobs, $2 billion in new private investment and launched our first-ever national PR campaign branding

Cobb as a place to do business. “EDGE has also worked with our city and county partners on key redevelopment efforts,” Mathis said. “These efforts include key marketing of redevelopment sites and three years of redevelopment forums. The redevelopment success has been huge, with new construction and infrastructure in south Cobb, the revitalization of Franklin Road, which includes the HQ and training ground for Atlanta United FC and Home Depot’s new Technology Center. ” Redevelopment of Marietta’s Franklin Road corridor includes the Atlanta United professional soccer team’s $60 million headquarters and training facility and a complementary public soccer complex, which will be built by the city of Marietta. In May 2016, the Marietta City Council agreed to begin construction on the $7.7 million public soccer complex. “This project represents an important milestone for Marietta and Cobb County,” Mathis said. “We’re excited to partner with Atlanta United to bring quality jobs and economic growth to Franklin Road, and this is just the beginning.”

EDGE strategy includes seven strategic goals, or benchmarks, to be achieved by 2018: ∙ Creating 7,500 new jobs ∙ Increasing payroll earnings & income by $420 million & $7,000 per capita ∙ Reducing unemployment to 5.5 percent ∙ Increasing public school graduation rates by 4 percent ∙ Increasing number of college-bound students by 7 percent ∙ Increasing existing industry visits from 30 to 100 annually ∙ Increasing quality of life – as measured by KSU’s Quality of Life Survey

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Leadership Cobb helps develop future leaders BY KATY RUTH CAMP One of the largest and most recognized programs to come out of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce is Leadership Cobb. The highly-selective program trains and develops leaders who live or work in Cobb County and teaches them about the various aspects of their county. The program was founded in 1980 by a group of community leaders, led by U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, who was a state representative at the time. “Our county was being ripped apart,” Isakson remembers of those years. “We had a real communication void between those in public office and the general public.” With such issues as annexation, consolidation of services and future demands on a growing county developing, “Leadership Cobb, Inc.” was created to fund a study by the University of Georgia Institute of Government. Isakson asked three close associates to serve as officers of the corporation and to help raise the $16,000 needed for the study: then-State Court Judge Harris Hines; Cobb Chamber of Commerce President Phil Sanders; and Marietta Daily Journal Associate Publisher Jay Whorton. With funding in place, the program then developed into more of a leadership development program, modeling other programs around the area such as Leadership Atlanta and Leadership Georgia. “The present organization is the reality of developing an ongoing program of leaders dedicated in the diverse challenges of this community,” Isakson said. “It was an idea whose time was right, and it worked.” Today, Leadership Cobb boasts more than 1,400 alumni and 50 members were chosen for the 2016 class. A board made up of active Leadership Cobb alumni judges hundreds of applications when selecting each class year’s members. Some prominent alumni include Attorney General Sam Olens (’96), Chairwoman, President and CEO of Lockheed Martin Marilyn Hewson (’89) and Kennesaw State University Provost Ken Harmon (’11). The Leadership Cobb program year begins in August, with participants graduating the following May. Leadership Cobb participants attend eight monthly, daylong sessions and periodic evening sessions throughout the year surrounding topics such as public safety, politics, education and economic development. There are also two three-day retreats, one in the early fall and the other in late spring. Nominations and applications for the next year’s class are due each spring. For more information, visit cobbchamber.org/Member-Services/Leadership-Cobb.

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Cobb Business Associations Acworth Business Association P.O Box 448 Acworth 30101 www.acwrothbusiness.org President: Marlon Longacre Associated General Contractors of Georgia, Inc. 1940 The Exchange Atlanta 30339 (678) 298-4100 (678) 298-4101 Fax President: Trey Anderson Meetings: Luncheon, first Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. Austell Business Association 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road Austell 30106 770-948-3628 Cobb Association of Realtors 444 Manget Street Suite 100 Marietta 30060 770-422-3900 770-422-3900 Fax www.cobbrealtors.com President: Terrie Cummings Cobb Chamber of Commerce 240 Interstate North Parkway Atlanta 30339 770-980-2000 770-980-9510 Fax www.cobbchamber.org Chairman: Terry DeWitt East Cobb Business Association 1050 East Piedmont Road Suite E-131 Marietta 30062 www.EastCobbBA.com President: Littie D Brown Membership: $75/year per individual Meetings: Monthly Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at Indian Hills Country Club, 4001 Clubland Drive in Marietta Morning Networking, 7:30 a.m. every Friday at Capozziâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Deli on Roswell Road Georgia Motor Trucking Association 2060 Franklin Way Suite 200 Marietta 30067 770-444-9771 770-444-9442 Fax www.gmta.org President: Ed Crowell

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Cobb Business Associations Kennesaw Business Association P.O. Box 777 Kennesaw 30156 www.thekba.org President: Kim Perez Membership: $85/year per individual Meetings: Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at the KSU Continuing Education Center Wake-Up KBA, fourth Tuesday, location varies Luncheon, fifth Tuesday every month that has five Tuesdays at Carrabba’s on Barrett Parkway Mableton Business Exchange 6036 Ridge Drive Mableton 30126 404-723-1095 President: Deborah Flanagan Marietta Business Association P.O. Box 2152 Marietta 30061 www.MariettaBusiness.biz President: Madge Lovingood Membership: $175/year per individual (meals included)

Meetings: First Thursday of each month 5 to 8 p.m., location varies Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month at The Mansour Center on Cobb Parkway Breakfast, 8 to 9:30 a.m. on the third Wednesday of every month at The Marlow House Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers Association 440 Interstate North Parkway SE Atlanta 30339 770-916-1741 770-916-1744 Fax www.maada.com Northeast Cobb Business Association 770-423-1330 northeastcobbba.com Meetings: Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of every month at Piedmont Church Alive After Five, last Thursday evening of each month SmyrnaBusiness Association smyrnabusiness.org President: Ron Fennel

Meetings: Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, location varies Morning Business Roundtable, second and fourth meetings each month at Locanda Firenze Cafe

Meetings: Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Social Vinings Restaurant After Hours, 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, location varies

Printing and Imaging Association of Georgia 500 Highlands Parkway Smyrna 30082 770-433-3050 770-433-3062 Fax Chairman: Kent Tucker www.piag.org

West Cobb Business Association 3600 Dallas Highway Suite 230 PMB 370 Marietta 30064 President: Madge Lovingood www.westcobbbusiness.com Membership: $80/year per individual

South Cobb Business Association P.O. Box 1383 Mableton 30126 678-224-7300 www.sc-ba.org President: Austin Eades Membership: $80/year per individual Vinings Business Association 4355 Cobb Parkway Suite J 530 Atlanta 30339 President: Charles Rea www.viningsbusiness.com

Meetings: Open Group, 8 a.m. on Tuesdays at Cobb County Police Precinct 5 Closed Group, 8 a.m. on Thursdays at Maximum One Real Estate Networking at Night, firth Tuesday of the month, location varies Luncheon, fourth Tuesday of each month at Lost Mountain Baptist Church

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104 Lakewood Drive, Marietta 30008 • (678) 932-2131 Find Us on Facebook! 54

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65 YEARS

Lockheed Martin commemorates over six decades in Cobb BY ANTHONY L. WHITE Since 1951, Lockheed Martin, one of the nation’s largest military aircraft manufacturers, has been a major part of Cobb County’s economic and cultural development. Lockheed Martin’s Marietta plant, which serves as the company’s aeronautics division headquarters, employs about 5,400 people, with about 51 percent of those employees living in Cobb County and another 30 percent in surrounding metro Atlanta counties. The Marietta plant, one of the Fortune 500 company’s three main aeronautics production facilities, has four aircraft production or subassembly lines in operation. The other two aeronautics facilities are in Fort Worth, Texas and Palmdale, California. Johnny Whitaker, communications director for the Marietta plant, said the company is “extremely proud of what we do here. “We design, build, modify and maintain some of the world’s best aircraft, ensuring the men and women of the U.S. military — as well as our allies around the world — have the

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airpower to protect freedom and promote peace.” Since Lockheed Martin acquired the facility in 1951, the company has built more than 3,400 advanced aircraft and modified almost 7,500. The company has had a major impact on the county’s economy. According to the company, in 2015, its gross payroll was $567.9 million and its total economic impact on the county was $773 million. The Marietta manufacturing facility, which contains 8.8 million square feet of production space at two facilities adjacent to Dobbins Air Reserve Base on Cobb Drive, began operations during World War II when Bell Aircraft Company produced B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers at the manufacturing facility referred to as Air Force Plant No. 6. Following the war, the manufacturing facility was used for storage from 1945 to 1951. The plant began operating under the Lockheed name in 1951. During the Korean War, Lockheed reopened the facility to recondition B-29s for use in the war. During the two years that followed, the company modified 120 B-29 Superfortress airplanes at the facility. The plant began manufacturing the C-130 Hercules aircraft in 1954. Since then, the Marietta facility’s C-130 production line has become the longest continuously active military aircraft production line. In December 2015, the company announced that its Marietta plant had delivered its 2,500th C-130 Hercules aircraft. A month later, in January 2016, Lockheed Martin Corp. announced a contract to deliver 78 C-130J Super Hercules through a multiyear $5.3 billion contract. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2016 and 2020. “We are proud to partner with the U.S. government to continue to

deliver to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard the world’s most proven, versatile and advanced airlifter,” said George Shultz, vice president and general manager, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. “This multiyear contract provides true value to our U.S. operators as they recapitalize and expand their much-relied-upon Hercules aircraft, which has the distinction of being the world’s largest and most tasked C-130 fleet.” During its 65-year history, in addition to the C-130 military transport aircraft, the Marietta facility has also manufactured, modified and upgraded P-3 surveillance planes, huge C-5 Galaxy military cargo jets and the preeminent stealth and air dominance fighter, the F-22 Raptor, the last of which rolled off the Marietta assembly lines in 2011. In 2016, the company also announced voluntary layoff and buyout offers to about 9,000 mid-level salaried employees throughout the company’s aeronautics division from areas including engineering, communications, human resources, finance and supply chain. According to the company, about 1,800 employees at the Marietta facility were eligible for the buyouts, which offer up to 26 weeks of severance pay, based on how many years employees have worked for the company. “Over the last year we’ve conducted a thorough analysis of (the aeronautics division) with an emphasis on designing and developing a workforce that positions us to be competitive in the future marketplace, secure additional business, and keep our resources and infrastructure appropriately aligned with demands,” company spokesperson Ken Ross said. Ross said the job cuts, a result of federal cuts in military spending, will occur in phases in May, August and November.

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Dobbins continues to have strong effect on Cobb’s biz community BY JON GARGIS Dobbins Air Reserve Base has more than just members of the Air Force on its premises, and its impact reaches well beyond the base’s boundaries. The base in Marietta is home to the 94th Airlift Wing, which includes the 22nd Air Force headquarters, as well as the Naval Air Station Atlanta and the Georgia Army National Guard. While about 2,200 Air Force personnel are assigned to Dobbins, others one would find on the base hail from the Army, Navy or the Marines. “Every service is represented on Dobbins, which is unique for a base,” said Capt. Meredith Kirchoff, chief of public affairs for the 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins. “Most bases that have more than one service are considered joint bases, but we’re an air reserve base.” Dobbins Air Reserve Base was built in 1943 and was first named Marietta Army Airfield. The name Dobbins came from a Word War II pilot, Capt. Charles Dobbins of Marietta, who was killed when his C-47 aircraft was shot down over the Mediterranean Sea. The base was named after him in 1950. The base became Dobbins Air Reserve Base in June of 1992. In 2015, the Dobbins Airfield averaged 3,300

aircraft operations per month — aircraft operations include takeoffs, landings and touch-andgo landings, Kirchoff said. While the base has some activity during the week, passers-by are likely to see more activity during weekends. “Because we are a reserve base, most of the units on the base are reserve units, meaning that they will all have a smaller number of full-time staff that works at Dobbins Monday through Friday, but they have a larger number of people who come in to do their reserve duty, and most of that is done on the weekend,” Kirchoff said. “For the Air Force side, we have one weekend designated every month as a drill weekend, or we call it UTA, unit training assembly.” Kirchoff said the 94th Airlift Wing alone has a $164.6 million annual economic impact on the local community. Part of that economic impact comes from servicemembers who work and live outside the confines of the base. “Because we are a reserve base, our airmen are what we call ‘citizen airmen.’ Many of them live in the local area and have civilian occupations,” Kirchoff said. “They are also reservists, so on the weekends that we’re doing drill weekends, they’re drilling at Dobbins, but at the same time, they’re citizens and part of the community just like everybody else, so part of that economic impact comes from that.”

Also part of the 94th Airlift Wing’s economic impact are reservists who live in other parts of Georgia as well as neighboring states who come to Dobbins for their drill weekends. “We can’t lodge them all on base, so they stay in local hotels that we contract with, they eat in restaurants, that type of thing,” Kirchoff said. Other branches of the service also have similar impacts to Cobb. In April, almost 300 members of the Marine Corps Individual Ready Reserve came to Dobbins to take part in an annual administrative muster, where they were screened to ensure they were meeting Corps standards and offered information on resources — medical, health, education — that they might need or want to utilize. “It’s them coming in with their families, spouses or significant others, and we just basically talk to them about their obligations and other opportunities that may be available to them,” said Marine Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Culbreath, who is stationed at Dobbins. “Most of the Marines in the IRR, they’ve moved on away from active duty service and they have their life in a suitcase, or they have their own careers, but they still have that contractual obligation to maintain their standards in case of national emergency — they can be called back to active duty (if that happens).”

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Ac w or t h

Acworth, known as the “The Lake City,” is Cobb County’s northernmost city. In 1845, the Western and Atlantic Railroad began laying tracks between Atlanta and Chattanooga, with a location called Northcutt Station as the first stop between the two cities. A railroad engineer named Joseph Gregg renamed the station after his hometown of Acworth, New Hampshire, and on December 1, 1860, the area in a half-mile radius surrounding Northcutt Station was incorporated into the City of Acworth. The city’s history became intertwined with Civil War history when less than two years later, James Andrews and his crew stole The General and raced through the city in what would be known as The Great Locomotive Chase. Acworth can also boast that its Main Street was formerly the Dixie Highway, also known as “the granddaddy of Interstate 75,” the first interstate to reach the south. Today, Acworth, home to more than 21,000 residents, is governed by the mayor and Board of Aldermen, though the mayor only votes in case of a tie. The city manager oversees day-to-day operations. Acworth is designated as a Georgia Main Street city, so the city aims to preserve the historical significance of its downtown district buildings. Two lakes, Lake Acworth and Lake Allatoona, surround the city and offer four different beaches, fishing, boating and camping. There are also 12 parks that surround Acworth for picnicking and family fun. Nestled along the banks of Lake Acworth is the award-winning and top-ranked Cobblestone Golf Course.

“Our citizens and city team have created a partnership that delivers the best quality of life for our community!” — Tommy Allegood, Mayor

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CI T Y PR OFIL E

Acworth Mayor, Board of Aldermen and Police Chief Tommy Allegood Mayor 770-974-3112 tallegood@acworth.org

Albert (Butch) Price Alderman 770-974-4321 bprice@acworth.org

Tim Richardson Alderman 678-801-4009 trichardson@acworth.org

Wayne Dennard Chief of Police 770-974-1232 wdennard@acworth.org

Gene Pugliese Alderman 678-801-4004 gpugliese@acworth.org

Brett North Alderman 678-801-4006 bnorth@acworth.org

Tim Houston Alderman 770-917-1883 thouston@acworth.org

City Hall is at 4415 Senator Russell Ave., Acworth 770-974-3112 | www.acworth.org

The Board of Aldermen

Median Age: 33.4 (city-data.com)

Estimated Population: 22,131

meets at 7 p.m. the first and third

Total Housing Units: 8,360

Thursday of every month at City Hall, in the council chambers.

Household Populations: 8,360

ENDLESS BOARD MEETINGS Unplug & reconnect – that’s what ACWORTH is all about.

Average Household Size: 2.64 Median Family Income: $50,658

Whether you’re looking to connect with friends, family or yourself, it’s the perfect place to recharge and find some time just for you. From its scenic lakes, trails and parks, to its quaint shops, exciting restaurants and vibrant nightlife, Acworth helps you re-energize with its unique local flair. Experience the welcoming atmosphere that makes this city feel so personal, and discover the natural connection that is Acworth!

Historic District EV Charging Stations

Winning Cobblestone Golf Course Awardrestaura

Open-Container District 2 Lakes

nts

Experience the welcoming atmosphere that makes this city feel so personal, and discover the natural connection that is Acworth!

VISIT US

visitacworth.com

TAG US

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Places of Interest:

Downtown historic district.

Four beaches and 15 parks.

Annual Events:

Largest women’s triathlon in Georgia, August; Taste of Acworth, October; International wakeboard tour, May; Cobb’s largest Independence Day celebration, July.

A Bit of Histor y :

Acworth started as a little railroad town, and the city became Acworth in 1860. There are more than 300 historic buildings in the city.

What ’s New in Acwor th:

The Acworth Cultural Arts Center has opened a new 1,400-square-foot gallery space at 4815 B South Main St, adjacent Fusco’s Restaurant. Admission to the gallery is free. In June 2016, the LakePoint Sporting Complex, about 6 miles north of Acworth, opened the complex’s indoor facility — a 170,000-square-foot venue featuring 12 basketball courts that can double as 24 volleyball courts.

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Places of Interest: Lithia Waters at Frog Rock, disc golf course at Frog Rock, Veterans Memorial Park on Veterans Memorial Highway and nearby is Six Flags Over Georgia. Annual Events:

Lighting of the Great Tree and arrival of Santa Claus on the first Friday in December at Collar Park; this is a family event.

Famous Residents: Austell’s most famous resident is Louise Suggs. Suggs was one of the charter members of the Ladies Professional Golf Association and her competitiveness, accuracy and “picture swing” led her to a phenomenal amateur and professional career in golf. A Bit of Histor y :

The city was a well-known health resort in the 1800s.

What ’s New in Austell: Six Flags Over Georgia has introduced its new military-themed roller coaster, the Blue Hawk. 64

Austell Austell, Cobb County’s smallest city, is located in the county’s southwest corner. With a population of nearly 6,800 people, Austell has continued to grow since its incorporation in 1885. The city, once known as Salt Springs, was well known for its medicinal springs, which made it a destination for the sick before the Civil War. Many of the people who came for the medicinal features of the springs decided to stay and prevailed upon Mr. G. O. Mozeley, then the owner of all the property around Austell, to sell them a lot. Austell sub-divided 40 acres and divided the town into squares with streets fifty feet wide. The old Georgia Pacific, now a division of the Southern Railway, contributed to the city by making Austell a station with connecting lines to Birmingham and Chattanooga. The city was named after Alfred Austell and was home to Cobb County’s first public school, which was built in 1890, and is now Austell Elementary School. The city is governed by a five-member council, and the mayor is the chief executive of the city. Longtime Mayor Joe Jerkins strongly supported the revitalization of Austell’s downtown business district by utilization of a $1.8 million Livable Centers Initiative Atlanta Regional Commission grant with $312,000 in matching funds from the city of Austell.

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CI T Y PR OFIL E

Austell Mayor, City Council, police and fire Austell Fire Department Station No. 1 is at 5890 Mulberry St.

Joe Jerkins Mayor 770-944-4328 mayor@austell.org

Randy P. Green Ward 3 678-300-5322 rgreen@austell.org

Valerie Anderson At-Large, Post 2 470-755-4589 vanderson@austell.org

Kirsten Anderson Ward 1 678-229-7284 akaustell@aol.com

Sandra Leverette Ward 4 470-755-4590 sleverette@austell.org

Austell Police Department 2721 Joe Jerkins Blvd. Austell, GA 30106 770-944-4331

Scott S. Thomas Ward 2 404-787-0321 SST627@aol.com

Ollie B. Clemons, Jr. Mayor Pro-Tem/At-Large, Post 1 404-964-2268 oclemons@austell.org

R.G. Starrett Chief of Police 770-944-4331 rstarrett@austell.org

CITY HALL is at 2761 Broad St., S.W., 770-944-4300. CITY COUNCIL meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall.

Estimated Population: 7,107 Total Housing Units: 2,737 Homeownership Rate: 63.6%

Station No. 2 is at 5300 Austell-Powder Springs Road Austell | 770-944-4333 Patrick S. Maxwell Fire Chief pmaxwell@austell.org

Median Age: 34.1 Average Household Size: 3.06 Median Family Income: $45,931

austell Georgia The friendly city, is growing with Cobb Council Members: Kirsten Anderson | Randy Green | Sandra Leverette Ollie Clemons | Scott Thomas | Valerie Anderson

Joe Jerkins, Mayor

www.austell.org 770-944-4300 2716 Broad Street | Austell, Georgia 30106

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Kennesaw Places of Interest: The Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, downtown’s Depot Park. Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw Skatepark and the Smith-Gilbert Gardens on Pine Mountain Road, a 16-acre botanical garden and includes the Hiram Butler house, a historic home which dates back to the 1880s. Annual Events:

Big Shanty Arts and Crafts Festival in April and Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival in August.

A Bit of Histor y :

In the 1830s, the Georgia Legislature authorized the construction of a rail line through Cobb and Big Shanty was formed. The town became the site of the famous Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War.

What ’s New in Kennesaw :

Improvements to the Town Center Community Improvement District, the Skip Spann connector, Cobb County’s first lighted bridge.

Kennesaw, located in northwest Cobb, may have the most storied history of Cobb’s six cities. Home to approximately 32,000 residents, Kennesaw is the third most populous city in Cobb County, behind Marietta and Smyrna. The city’s history began when the Western and Atlantic Railroad laid 20 miles of track stretching from Terminus (Atlanta) to Cartersville by 1846. Several small towns formed along the railroad line, which led to the construction of workers’ shanties near present-day Kennesaw. This area became known as “Big Shanty.” The area became a training camp for soldiers in 1861 due to its accessibility to the railroad and fresh water. The storied part of the Kennesaw’s history surrounds the stealing of the locomotive The General by James Andrews and a group of raiders in 1862. The thieves commandeered the train when it made its way through Big Shanty, solidifying the city’s place in history as part of The Great Locomotive Chase. The city became a supply base, hospital and headquarters for the Union after it fell to Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman’s troops in 1864 and was on its way to recovery when it was incorporated as Kennesaw in 1887. The city is also well known for its law regarding guns. In 1982, city officials unanimously passed a law requiring every head of household to own a firearm and ammunition. After passage of the law, the burglary rate in Kennesaw declined, and today Kennesaw has one of the lowest crime rates in Cobb County, according to city-data.com. Kennesaw is home to two community parks, SwiftCantrell on Old Highway 41 and Adams Park, near the corner of Watts Drive and Cobb Parkway, as well as several neighborhood parks. The city is governed by the mayor, who is the chief executive officer of the city, and a five-member council.

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CI T Y PR OFIL E

Kennesaw Mayor, City Council, police and fire Derek Easterling Mayor 770-424-8274 desterling@ kennesaw-ga.gov James â&#x20AC;&#x153;Docâ&#x20AC;? Eaton Council Post 1 404-496-2565 jeaton@kennesaw-ga.gov

KENNESAW CITY HALL 2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave. 770-424-8274 CITY COUNCIL meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of every month in the council chambers of City Hall.

Yvette M.A. Daniels Council Post 2 404-496-2564 ydaniel@kennesaw-ga.gov Nimesh Patel Council Post 3 404-822-8589 npatel@kennesaw-ga.gov Jimmy Dickens Council Post 4 404-849-0948 jdickens@kennesaw-ga.gov

Estimated Population: 33,584 Total Housing Units: 12,328 Homeownership Rate: 67.3%

Jim Sebastian Council Post 5 404-822-5407 jsebastian@ kennesaw-ga.gov

Fire Station 8 2380 Cobb Pkwy. Kennesaw, 30152

Kennesaw Police Department 2539 J.O. Stephenson Ave. Kennesaw, 30144 770-422-2505 Bill Westenberger Chief of Police 770-422-2505 wwestenberger@kennesaw-ga.gov

Station 18 1160 Mars Hill Road Kennesaw, 30144 Station 24 3540 Paul Samuel Road Kennesaw, 30144 Station 26 3862 Cherokee St. Kennesaw, 30144

Median Age: 34.8 Average Household Size: 2.54 Median Family Income: $58,483

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Marietta

The city of Marietta remains deeply rooted in its past, even as it eyes a future of economic and cultural growth. Marietta, 15 miles northwest of Atlanta, is Cobb County’s most populous city, with more than 59,000 residents. The city’s history and future is intertwined with one of its largest employers, Lockheed Martin, which reopened the World War II “Bell Bomber” plant in 1951 as a new aircraft manufacturing facility. Today, the plant employs more than 5,400 people with 51 percent of the employee pool residing in Cobb County. At the heart of the city is Marietta’s Historic Square, the site of many of the city’s oldest businesses, buildings and traditions. The square features a 1.35-acre park with a three-tier fountain, gazebo and playground. During holidays and weekends, Marietta Square’s Glover Park plays hosts to traditional city festivals and concerts such as the free Glover Park Concert series on a Victorian-styled stage and the annual Juneteenth Festival on the Square. The city was legally recognized by the Georgia Legislature in 1834, and was reportedly named after the wife of Thomas Willis Cobb, the county’s namesake, according to the Georgia Gazetteer,

a 19th century newspaper. In 1851, the Georgia Military Institute was built on Powder Springs Road, less than a mile from the city’s center. The city was flourishing when the Civil War began in 1861. In 1864, the city was occupied by Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman’s troops. The city was pillaged and ravaged daily for five months before it was finally burned in Sherman’s March to the Sea. The city’s industrial and economic transformation began in the 1940s, when the Bell Bomber military aircraft manufacturing plant was built here. The Bell Bomber plant closed at the end of the war but was reopened as Lockheed Georgia, now Lockheed Martin. The aeronautics company was Georgia’s largest employer in the 1950s and 1960s. Marietta is home to several of Cobb County’s government offices, including the Cobb County Superior Court and the Board of Commissioners office. City Hall is governed by the mayor and a seven-member council, although the mayor votes only in the case of a tie. A city manager heads the city’s operations.

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CI T Y PR O FILE

Marietta Mayor, City Council, police and fire Steve Tumlin Mayor 770-795-5501 Stuart Fleming Ward 1 770-794-5526 sfleming@mariettaga.gov Griffin L. Chalfant Ward 2 770-351-7035 gchalfant@mariettaga.gov CITY HALL is at 205 Lawrence St., Marietta, 30060; 770-794-5506 CITY COUNCIL meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month in the council chambers of City Hall

Johnny Walker Ward 3 770-794-5526 johnny.walker@mariettaga,gov

Philip M. Goldstein Ward 7 770-428-5322 pgoldstein@mariettaga.gov

Fire Department 112 Haynes St. Marietta, GA 30060 770-794-5466

G.A. (Andy) Morris Ward 4 770-527-2785 amorris@mariettaga.gov

Marietta Police Department 240 Lemon St. Marietta, GA 30060 770-794-5300

Jackie Gibbs Fire Chief 770-794-5451 jgibbs@mariettaga.gov

Michelle Cooper Kelly Ward 6 770-794-5526 mkelly@mariettaga.gov

Daniel Flynn Police Chief 770-794-5333 dflynn@mariettaga.gov

Editor’s note: As of publication, the Ward 5 council seat is vacant. The governor is expected to appoint a replacement

Estimated Population: 59,067

Median Age: 33.4 Average Household Size: 2.4

Total Housing Units: 26,918 Homeownership Rate: 43.5%

Median Household Income: $41,693

Charlie Holloway, CFP®, CDFA™ • Scott Keller, CFA Ben Crowe, CPA, CFP®, CFA Steve Michael • Wes Hackney, CFP®

Fee-Only Advisor Investment Management Financial Planning • 401K Consulting 472 N. Sessions Street, Unit 24, Marietta, GA 30060

(404) 549-6930 • mariettawealth.com Factbook 2016-2017

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“

Marietta is a special city due to its great blend of historical character and new opportunities. We cherish and preserve the icons and traditions of a city founded in 1834 while at the same time revitalizing areas and buildings for the now and the future. The city of Marietta has a good mix of commercial, apartments, and residential usages. The vibrant square with its recent streetscapes and widening of the sidewalks surrounding Glover Park has made the Marietta Square a destination point for art, theatre, dining, tourism and shopping. Marietta is a city that is welcoming to all, mature citizens and young alike, and is inviting for longtime residents to remain and newcomers to join us with our parks, activities, educational opportunities, arts of every nature, attractive venues that attract a broad range of citizens and visitors. Additionally, our gateway streets have been enhanced by streetscapes while Marietta has added sidewalks and trails encouraging biking and walkability. Marietta, with its broad range of activities contained in our safe progressive environment, continues to embrace the history of this community while accepting new designs and ideas which makes this an ideal community to live, work, raise a family and play. — Steve Tumlin, Mayor

”

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800 Whitlock Avenue, Suite 201 | Marietta, GA 30064 70

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Places of Interest: The Earl Smith Strand Theatre, Red

Hare Brewing Company, Historic Marietta Square and Marietta National Cemetery. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield is the country’s most visited National Battlefield.

the 58th speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and 2012 candidate for the Republican Party presidential nominee lived in Marietta while he was a representative for Georgia’s 6th congressional district. Alan Ball is a writer and producer for popular television shows including “American Beauty,“ “True Blood” and “Six Feet Under.”

Annual Events: Art Walk in April through October;

Glover Park Concert Series in April through September; Taste of Marietta in April; May-retta Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in May; The Fourth in the Park Annual Parade & Fireworks in July; Art in the Park on Labor Day Weekend; Marietta StreetFest in September; Harvest Square Arts & Crafts Festival in October; Scarecrows on the Square in October; Chalktoberfest: Chalk & Beer Festival in October; Marietta Square Holiday Open House & Candlelight Shopping in November through December; Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour in December; Santa on the Square in December; Marietta Square Artists Market in April through November.

Famous Residents: Joanne Woodward is an Academy

Award-winning actress who was married to Paul Newman. Travis Tritt is an American country music singer. Alton Brown is a television personality, celebrity chef and author. Newt Gingrich,

A Bit of History: The Marietta Square is built on land that was donated by the city’s first Mayor John. H Glover in 1852. The city was home to the Georgia Military Institute’s first superintendent Col. Arnoldus V. Brumby. The Marietta Square was burned in 1864 at the beginning of Sherman’s March to the Sea. What’s New in Marietta: Construction on the Franklin Gateway public soccer complex is expected to be completed in early 2017 as well as the Atlanta United Soccer Club’s new headquarters and training facility. Visitors can take guided tours of the city’s locally owned restaurants on Marietta Square on a Marietta Square Food Tour. Size: 23.08 square miles (U.S. Census)

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Places of Interest: Historic Downtown, The Seven Springs Museum, The Cobb County BMX track at Wild Horse Creek Park, and The Silver Comet Trail.

Annual Events:

National Day of Prayer in May; Live on the Lawn in June through August; July 4 Celebration in July; Powder Springs Business Expo; and Christmas on the Lawn in December.

Famous Residents:

A.W. Young was second baseman for the Atlanta Black Crackers and vice president of the Cobb County branch of the NAACP. Lionel Watts was selected for the All-League Baseball Team for the Georgia Cracker League. Johnny Hill is remembered for his .338 batting average that led the Atlanta Crackers to win the Dixie Series in 1938. Lauretta Hannon published a memoir titled: “The Cracker Queen: A Memoir of a Jagged, Joyful Life” and was a humorist and commentator on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. Actress Robyn Elaine Lively is known for her roles in the movies “Teen Witch,”“Karate Kid III,” and TV shows “Doogie Howser, M.D.,”“Twin Peaks” and “Saving Grace.”

A Bit of Histor y :

Native Americans called the area Gunpowder Springs because the minerals in the springs gave the ground around the springs a gunpowder appearance. Gold was discovered in 1828 and the Native Americans were forced to leave the area on the Trail of Tears.

What ’s New in Powder Springs: Historic Bodiford House

Preservation Project and Wild Horse Creek Water Park.

Powder Springs Nestled in the southwest corner of Cobb County, Powder Springs is home to more than 14,000 people. The city, nicknamed “Gunpowder Springs” because the water in its seven springs contain minerals that turn the soil around them black, was incorporated as Springville in 1838. Located on lands that were part of the Cherokee Nation, prospectors converged on the area after gold was found in Georgia in the late 1820s. Settlers found small amounts of gold in mines at Lost Mountain and near Brownsville Road. They also found seven mineral water springs in the city. In 1859, the city changed its name to Powder Springs and became known for its seven medicinal and therapeutic springs, including in Powder Springs Park. The city’s growth accelerated when the Seaboard Coastline railway was built through the city — the railway eventually became the Silver Comet Trail, a 61.5-mile long paved trail that connects Smyrna to the Georgia-Alabama state line. The city is home to Cobb School District’s largest school, McEachern High School, which originally opened in 1908 as the 7th District Agricultural and Mechanical School. Powder Springs’ historic downtown is home to specialty shops, events and festivals, the Seven Springs Museum, City Hall’s campus, the Ford Center campus, Powder Springs Park, the historic cemetery, the Towne Square, the Southern Quilt Trail and the city trails that connect to the popular Silver Comet. Powder Springs operates under a Mayor-City Council-Manager form of government. The mayor is elected at large for a four-year term. Three city council members are elected to four-year terms from each of the city’s three wards and two are elected at large.

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CI T Y PR OFIL E

Powder Springs Mayor, City Council, police and fire Al Thurman Mayor 770-943- 1666 athurman@ cityofpowdersprings.org Cheryl Sarvis Ward 1 csarvis@ cityofpowdersprings.org Doris Dawkins Ward 2 CITY HALL is at 4484 Marietta St., Powder Springs 770-943- 1666 www.cityofpowdersprings.org CITY COUNCIL meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of the month in the council chambers at City Hall.

ddawkins@ cityofpowdersprings.org Nancy Hudson Ward 3 nhudson@ cityofpowdersprings.org Patrick Bordelon Post 1 - At Large pbordelon@ cityofpowdersprings.org Patricia Wisdom

Post 2 - At Large pwisdom@ cityofpowdersprings.org

1114 Richard D. Sailors Pkwy., Powder Springs 770-943-1616

John Robison Chief of Police 770-943-1616 jrobison@ cityofpowdersprings.org

Fire Station 6 5075 Hiram Lithia Springs Road Powder Springs, 30127

Powder Springs Police Department

Station 23 3470 New Macland Road Powder Springs, 30127

Estimated Population: 14,826 Median Age: 36.9 Homeownership Rate: 80.4%

Total Housing Units: 5,477 Average Household Size: 2.26 Median Family Income: $58,234

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Places of Interest:

Brawner Hall and the Taylor-Brawner House at Brawner Park, two places listed on the national historic register. The Market Village in downtown Smyrna.

Annual Events:

Spring and Fall Jonquil Festival in April and October. The Arthur Bacon Golf Tournament held the first weekend in May. City Birthday Celebration in August. Taste of Smyrna in September. Coming Home for the Holidays: annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in December.

A Bit of Histor y :

The city was incorporated in 1872 and is known for its Jonquil flowers that bloom each spring. Famous Residents: Academy Awardwinning actress Julia Roberts and retired American football player Hines Ward. The city is also known for having the first female mayor elected in the State of Georgia, Lorena Pruitt, in 1946.

What ’s New in Smyrna:

The Shops at Belmont redevelopment is a 48-acre mixed-use development at the intersection of Windy Hill Road and Atlanta Road. The area will be an extension of the city’s downtown area. Smyrna is one of nine metro Atlanta cities to be selected as an installation site for Google Fiber. The city’s limits border the 60-acre site that will be the new home of the Atlanta Braves.

Smyrna Smyrna may be Cobb County’s new boom town. With the new Atlanta Braves stadium, SunTrust Park, being built nearby as well as new commercial and residential developments like Belmont and Jonquil, the city is moving in fast forward mode. Known as the “Jonquil City” because of the springtime blooming of thousands of the yellow tubular flowers, Smyrna was incorporated as a city in 1872. Located 10 miles northwest of Atlanta, Smyrna was once home to the Cherokee Nation. When gold was discovered in 1828 in the Cherokee Nation at Dahlonega, the U.S. government and the State of Georgia initiated policies to remove the Cherokee from the area, which resulted in the settling of Cobb County and the subsequent founding of Smyrna. The State of Georgia divided the land and offered it to settlers through a lottery. The town was originally known as Ruffs Siding, then Varners Station, and later Smyrna, after one of Paul the Apostle’s seven Asian churches in the Bible’s book of Revelation. Today, Smyrna is home to more 53,000 residents. The Market Village, adjacent to the “Village Green,” is the city’s social center. The city-owned library is the only one of its kind in Georgia as it is independent from the larger county library system and is city-owned. The city’s leadership includes a mayor and a seven-person council. Recently, the Smyrna Vision Process — a 10-year citizen-driven plan and process for community growth and cultural development — led to the creation of the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council.

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CI T Y PR OFIL E

Smyrna Mayor, City Council, fire and police A. Max Bacon Mayor 770-319-5302 mbacon@SmyrnaGa.gov

Doug Stoner Ward 6 770-319-5311 dstoner@SmyrnaGa.gov

Derek Norton Ward 1 678-631-5306 dnorton@SmyrnaGa.gov

Ron Fennel Ward 7 770-319-5312 rfennel@SmyrnaGa.gov

Andrea Blustein Ward 2 770-319-5307 ablustein@SmyrnaGa.gov

Smyrna Police Department 2646 Atlanta Road Smyrna, 30080 770-434-9481

Teri Anulewicz Ward 3 770-319-5308 tanulewicz@SmyrnaGa.gov

David Lee Police Chief 770-434-9481 dlee@smyrnaga.gov

Charles Welch Ward 4 770-319-5309 cwelch@SmyrnaGa.gov

Smyrna Fire Department 2620 Atlanta Road Smyrna, 30080 770-434-6667

Susan Wilkinson Ward 5 770-319-5310 swilkinson@SmyrnaGa.gov

Roy Acree Fire Chief 678-631-5364 racree@smyrnaga.gov

SMYRNA CITY HALL is at 2800 King St., Smyrna, 30080 | 770-434-6600 www.smyrnacity.com CITY COUNCIL meets at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of every month in the council chambers of City Hall.

Estimated Population: 56,142 Total Housing Units: 25,745 Median Age: 34.5

Homeownership Rate: 52.2%

Average Household Size: 2.26 Median Family Income: $61,333

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COBB

Congressional Districts Cobb County contains parts of three U.S. Congressional districts. The twoyear terms for these representatives expire at the end of 2016. All three representatives are running for re-election.

TOM PRICE

U.S. Representative R-Roswell Georgia’s 6th District tomprice.house.gov/contact-me 770-998-0049 (Local Office) 202-225-4501 (D.C. Office)

BARRY LOUDERMILK

U.S. Representative R-Cassville Georgia’s 11th District loudermilk.house.gov/contact/ 770-429-1776 (Local Office) 202-225-2931 (D.C. Office)

DAVID SCOTT

U.S. Representative D-Smyrna Georgia’s 13th District davidscott.house.gov/contact/ 770-432-5405 (Local Office) 202-225-2939 (D.C. Office)

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Join us! We are the COBB COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY COBBGOP.ORG

770-272-0458 Factbook 2016-2017

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a new era

First pitch at SunTrust Park to come spring 2017 Since breaking ground in September 2014 through the first week of June 2016, construction crews have logged more than 2.8 million man-hours working to build the new home of the Atlanta Braves: SunTrust Park. The $672 million ballpark, being built in Cumberland near the intersection of Interstates 75 and 285, is slated to see its first pitch at the start of the 2017 season, expected to be April 13 against the San Diego Padres. While the Braves are paying for a majority of the stadium’s costs, Cobb’s plan to issue about $368 million in municipal bonds to help fund construction was declared legal by the state Supreme Court in 2015. The bonds were issued the same year and are scheduled to be repaid using a variety of the county’s revenue streams, including a hotel tax, rental car tax and a special tax district that surrounds the stadium and Cumberland area. Since making the announcement that the Braves would build a new stadium in Cobb in November 2013, details of the ballpark and the adjacent $452-million mixed-use development being built next door have been rolling in. SunTrust Park is designed to be fair to both hitters and pitchers, Braves Vice Chairman John Schuerholz said during a tour of the ballpark in May 2016. “If a pitcher makes a mistake, a hitter ought to be able to hit a home run. If he makes a good pitch, he ought to be able to get an out,” Schuerholz said. While the outfield wall at Turner Field in Atlanta is mostly

symmetrical, Schuerholz said SunTrust Park’s outfield wall varies in its distance from home plate and its height. “We did that intentionally to build a little more character and more uniqueness into our playing facility,” Schuerholz said. “Not only for the fans, but (it) will also be for the players, home and visiting alike. Theoretically, our players will have an advantage because we will play (there) a lot more often than the visiting team who come in periodically.” The left field foul pole will be 335 feet from home plate with a 6-foot wall, but as the wall moves toward center field, it gets farther from home and taller. In dead center, the wall is 400 feet from home and 8 feet, 8 inches tall. After passing the Braves’ bullpen in right-center field, the wall bends inward toward home and grows to a height of 16 feet, remaining that tall until it reaches the right field foul pole 325 feet from home plate. “When we made the right field power alley the distance that it is for Freddie Freeman and other left-handed power hitters we have wearing our uniform, they were happy,” Schuerholz said, adding that a higher wall in right field means left-handed hitters will have to put more loft on the ball to get it out of the park. Another unique feature of SunTrust Park is its orientation. While most MLB stadiums, including Turner Field, point northwest from home plate, SunTrust Park is the opposite: home plate is at the northwest portion of the stadium with a southeast view when

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looking at center field. Schuerholz said this provides a view of the Atlanta skyline from seats behind the plate. Only three MLB teams — the Detroit Tigers, the Texas Rangers and the Cincinnati Reds — have stadiums with this orientation, Schuerholz said. The ballpark’s 41,500 seats will be specially arranged in decks that overlap each other to give all fans a closer look at the action on the field. Derek Schiller, the Braves president of business, has described how the upper deck of the stadium is actually split in two to give better views to fans. “We have one upper deck, but we’ve split the seating into two different arrays,” said Schiller. “That is not uncommon in some of the newer ballparks. … It allows you to, again, create more seats closer to the action.” One of the main qualities the Braves wanted when SunTrust Park was being designed was a sense of intimacy, said Earl Santee, founder and senior principal at architectural firm Populous, which designed the stadium. The seats at SunTrust Park are between 30 and 50 feet closer to the field than their equivalents at Turner Field, Santee said, a feat accomplished by bringing the non-field level seats closer to the playing surface by having them projecting further into the stadium. Covering most of these seats will be a 108,000-square-foot metal canopy, the largest canopy in baseball, according to Earl Santee. The canopy will cover about 60 percent of fans.

In addition to having seats closer to the action on the field, fans will also have access to a free Wi-Fi network provided by Comcast, according to Eric McLoughlin, director of product management for Comcast. With speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second, McLoughlin said the network will be strong enough to allow every fan in the ballpark to stream video all at once. Also unveiled during the May tour were more details of the Xfinity Rooftop area above right field, which will offer views of both the stadium and the adjacent mixed-use development, The Battery Atlanta. The rooftop area, open to any ticket holder, will feature an indoor lounge area with a bar, an airstream trailer that will serve as a food truck-style eatery — and even table tennis and foosball tables.

Construction on schedule Mike Plant, president of development for the Braves, said while no one has ever built a stadium the size and scope of SunTrust Park in the timeframe the ballclub has laid out — 30 months — construction is on schedule. “We’re really pleased with where we’re at,” Plant said in June. “The weather’s cooperated a lot. When we started, we knew that this was going to be 30 months. No one’s ever done it in less time than that.” In November 2015, the Braves celebrated the completion of the new ballpark’s structural concrete. In less than one year since the

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first cubic yard of foundation concrete was poured, about 43,000 cubic yards of concrete was poured for the stadium’s structure, according to American Builders 2017, the joint venture of four firms working as the SunTrust Park project’s general contractor. This amount of concrete represents 14 concrete trucks being emptied on the site every calendar day for a year, according to American Builders. In June 2016, the Braves celebrated another milestone when the ballpark’s final steel beam was lifted into place at the top of the structure. After it was signed by Braves executives and staffers as well as Cobb government officials, the 33-foot-long beam was hoisted about 150 feet to its position as part of the structural support for the stadium’s canopy. As part of the “topping out” ceremony for steel, an American flag and a tree were attached to the beam before it was put in place. While the tree used for these ceremonies is normally evergreen, the Braves opted for an ash tree because that’s what the team’s bats are made from, said Marc Dyer, senior project manager for steel fabricator Hirschfeld Industries. Through the end of 2016, the Braves will be working on the interiors of the ballpark. The team is also expected to begin testing its massive scoreboards in late summer or early fall. Around the same time, the ballpark’s seats are slated to be installed. In December, the Braves plan to move into their new offices at SunTrust Park. The grass for the field will be one of the last pieces of the ballpark to be completed — it is scheduled to be planted about five weeks prior to Opening Day in 2017.

* * *

S U N T R U S T PA R K T I M E L I N E JULY 2013 State Rep. Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs, arranges a meeting at the Marietta Country Club between Cobb Chairman Tim Lee and Mike Plant, then-vice president of business operations for the Atlanta Braves. NOV. 11, 2013 John Schuerholz, then-president of the Braves organization, now vice chairman, publicly announces his plan for the Braves to move to Cobb County. NOV. 19, 2013 The Cumberland Community Improvement District votes to commit $10 million toward transportation improvements near the new $672 million stadium. The CID’s board also passes a resolution endorsing the creation of a new tax district in the Cumberland area, with the funds going toward the stadium’s construction.

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JAN. 24, 2014 The Braves close on the purchase of a 57-acre parcel off Circle 75 Parkway from Bethesda, Maryland-based B.F. Sault Co. for about $43 million. The ballclub later purchases an adjacent property, this one just 25 acres, from the same company in April. MAY 1, 2014 The Braves file a rezoning request for the ballpark and the $452 million mixed-use development being built adjacent to the new stadium. MAY 27, 2014 The Cobb Board of Commissioners votes 5-0 to approve an agreement in which the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority would issue up to $397 million in bonds to finance the stadium and names

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American Builders 2017 as the project’s construction manager. The board votes 4-1, with Commissioner Lisa Cupid opposed, to approve a series of 30-year contracts between the county and the Braves.

of a nine-story office building to be built overlooking SunTrust Park. The office building is expected to house more than 1,000 Comcast employees in more than 200,000 square feet of space.

SEPT. 9, 2014 The Board of Commissioners votes 3-0, with commissioners Bob Ott and Helen Goreham absent, to name Atlanta-based Heery International as the “owner’s rep” for the ballpark project.

APRIL 28, 2015 Dallas-based Omni Hotels and Resorts and the Braves announce a 50-50 partnership in a 16-floor, 260-room hotel with views of the ballpark.

SEPT. 17, 2014 At a groundbreaking event for the new ballpark, the Atlanta Braves announce the new stadium will be known as SunTrust Park. The Atlantabased bank signs a 25-year contract for the ballpark’s name rights. More than 400 people attend the groundbreaking. FEB. 3, 2015 The challenge of the validation of the bonds the Exhibit Hall Authority planned to issue to finance SunTrust Park’s construction is heard in the Georgia Supreme Court. MARCH 17, 2015 The Braves announce Philadelphia-based cable company Comcast will be the sole occupant

JUNE 2, 2015 MillerCoors is announced as the official beer partner of the Atlanta Braves. JUNE 29, 2015 The Georgia Supreme Court rules the county’s plan to issue bonds to finance the stadium construction is legal, clearing the way for the bonds to be issued. JULY 16, 2015 The name of the 53,000 square-foot entertainment venue in the Braves’ mixeduse development is announced as The Roxy Theatre. The venue will have a standing-room only capacity of about 4,000 with about 40 shows each year, mostly on non-game days. Live Nation is announced as the Braves partner in

the venue and will operate and book the venue. SEPTEMBER 2015 The county closes on a $376.6 million bond issuance to pay for construction of SunTrust Park to be repaid over 30 years. OCT. 14, 2015 The Braves announce the name for its mixeduse development: The Battery Atlanta. Also announced are the first wave of restaurants that will be in the development: Antico Pizza, Cru Food and Wine Bar, the Tomahawk Taproom featuring Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and a steak house from chef Linton Hopkins. JUNE 14, 2016 The Atlanta Braves have its steel “topping out” ceremony, marking the final and highest steel beam for the stadium being put into place. DEC. 9, 2016 The Atlanta Braves staff plan to move into their new offices at SunTrust Park. The team’s lease at Turner Field expires Dec. 31, 2016. EARLY APRIL 2017 The Atlanta Braves are scheduled to play their first home game of the 2017 Major League Baseball season at SunTrust Park.

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The Battery Atlanta charged with excitement BY RICKY LEROUX

he Atlanta Braves are focused on making SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta next door a destination that will attract guests year-round. To that end, the Braves have announced that the mixed-use development being built adjacent to the stadium will feature a hotel, an office tower, an entertainment venue, retail space for restaurants and shopping, and residential living space. The ballclub has been slowly rolling out announcing the tenants of the $452 million mixed-use development being built next door to their new stadium. In March 2015, Comcast was announced to be the sole tenant of the nine-story office tower in the development. More than 1,000 Comcast employees will work out of the 200,000-square-foot space. The next month, April 2015, Dallas-based Omni Hotels and Resorts and the Braves announced a 50-50 partnership in a 16-floor, 260-room luxury hotel in the mixed-use development. While primary construction is expected to be complete by Opening Day 2017, the hotel is not expected to be open by that time as there will still be interior work to complete. In June 2015, the name of the 53,000-square-foot entertainment venue in the Braves’ mixed-use development was announced as The Roxy Theatre. The venue will have a standing-room only capacity of about 4,000 with about 40 shows each year, mostly on non-game days. Live Nation is announced as the Braves partner in the venue and will operate

and book the venue. The Battery Atlanta got its name in October 2015 as a nod to the baseball slang term for a pitcher and catcher team. “We believe that The Battery Atlanta will be the pre-eminent sports, lifestyle and entertainment destination in America,” said Terry McGuirk, chairman and CEO of the Braves. “This development will bring an energy to the area that will provide our guests with top-notch shopping, dining and living options.” The same day the name was announced, the Braves revealed some of the restaurants that will be featured in the development. These include Antio Pizza, Cru Food and Wine Bar, the Tomahawk Taproom featuring Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and a steak house concept from Chef Linton Hopkins. More tenants were announced in May 2016, including Wahlburgers, the burger restaurant run by the Wahlberg brothers of TV and film fame. The new location is expected to feature in upcoming seasons of the brothers’ reality TV show chronicling the rise of the restaurant. Also announced were Kings Bowl, a retro bowling venue; Live!, a dining and entertainment location; Goldberg’s Bagel Company and Deli; Mountain High Outfitters, an outdoor specialty story; Sugarboo Designs, a boutique with household items and gifts; DressUp, a women’s fashion boutique; and a Harley-Davidson retail store.

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Atlanta United pro soccer team builds headquarters and training facility in Marietta BY ANTHONY L. WHITE Marietta is on its way to becoming a major soccer city now that Atlanta United, a Major League Soccer club, is constructing its new headquarters and training facilities here. The $60 million, 32-acre site will include a stateof-the-art headquarters and training complex with six soccer fields along the Franklin Road Corridor in Marietta. Although the Atlanta United team will play at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta beginning in 2017, the Marietta facility will serve as a training ground for the club’s first team. “We are very pleased to have found a home in the city of Marietta for our training complex, which further enhances the great support we’ve already received from the soccer community in Cobb County,” said Atlanta United President Darren Eales. “We look forward to not only developing a world-class training facility, but also to engaging with the community and contributing to the revitalization of the Franklin (Gateway) corridor.” The facility will also host the soccer club’s youth academy, where Atlanta United will develop local players for its MLS team. “Youth development will play a critical role in the overall success of our club,” Eales said. “We put a lot of thought into the design of the training ground to ensure that it provided our first team with a top-flight training environment, as well as an open, collaborative and aspirational atmosphere for our young academy players.” Once open, the facility is expected to bring about 80 high-paying jobs to the county. In April 2016, Atlanta United, owned by Arthur Blank, unveiled a rendering of its new headquarters and training facility, which impressed Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin. “Seeing how the fields integrate with the training facility just makes you see how wonderful this project is,” Tumlin said. Part of the deal between Marietta and Atlanta United requires the city to build a complementary public sports complex with three lighted multipurpose soccer fields on a 1.3-acre Franklin Gateway site near the soccer club’s training complex. In May 2016, the Marietta City Council approved Factbook 2016-2017

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a $7.7 million funding plan for the Franklin Gateway public soccer complex. The funding plan included about $5.7 million from the city’s 2013 redevelopment bond and $2 million from the 2009 parks bond. Tumlin said that since the redevelopment bond was approved by Marietta residents in November 2013, the city has worked tirelessly to revitalize the Franklin Gateway corridor. The city purchased the land where Atlanta United is building its headquarters and training facility. It also purchased the site of the future Franklin Gateway public soccer complex. The city purchased several large apartment complexes along Franklin Gateway and tore them down in an effort to redevelop the area. Tumlin said having the site ready worked in the city’s favor when Atlanta United was selecting a location for the training facility. “They had other choices, but ours — what Marietta offered was one ready to go,” Tumlin said. “And that’s attributable 100 percent to the redevelopment bond.” Atlanta United’s headquarters and training facility is expected to be completed in 2017.

Construction workers look out past the rendering of the new Atlanta United Football Club practice facility on Franklin Road in as workers level the ground for Field Two in the background. / Staff-Kelly J. Huff

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Between banquets and bar mitzvahs, retirement parties and reunions, the Cobb Galleria Centre has the capacity to handle events of almost any size. “We do everything from board meetings for 10 people to very large consumer shows that have 25,000 people — a variety of sizes,” said Karen Caro, marketing manager for the Cobb Galleria Centre and Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Construction of the Cobb Galleria Centre began in June 1992 and opened in January 1994. Today, some of Cobb’s biggest annual events are held there. Among the annual trade shows and conventions it hosts include the Spring and Fall Home Show, the Cobb Chamber’s Business Expo and Summer Jam, The Blade Show, the Georgia Bridal Show and Anime Weekend Atlanta. The Cobb Galleria was host to 635 events in 2015, which brought an estimated 348,000 visitors through its doors, Caro said. “They stay in local hotels, they eat in restaurants, they shop in the shopping areas near us, they get gas at the gas stations. Our venue brings a large economic impact to Cobb County, which benefits us all,” she said. That impact to Cobb County, as well as the state, amounted to almost $123 million in 2015, Caro said. Among the facility’s features are 144,000 square feet of exhibition space, a 25,000-square-foot ballroom, 20,000 square feet of meeting space, a full-service business center and more than 2,000 complimentary parking spaces. It is adjacent to two hotels — the Renaissance Waverly Hotel and the Sheraton Suites Galleria — and connected to Cumberland Mall and the Galleria Specialty Mall. For more information on the Cobb Galleria Centre, including a list of upcoming events, visit cobbgalleria.com.

BY JON GARGIS

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CEPAC continues to draw crowds BY ANTHONY L. WHITE The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre may be the first major performing arts venue built in metro Atlanta in four decades, but that doesn’t mean the facility is playing catch up with the region’s other major venues. The theater is one of metro Atlanta’s premier venues for Broadway shows, ballet, concerts, operas, educational shows, family performances, corporate meetings, wedding receptions and galas. The venue also hosts two resident companies, the Atlanta Ballet and The Atlanta Opera. In 2016, the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, owned and operated by the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority, announced that Sandie Aaron was coming aboard as the venue’s new managing director. Aaron has an extensive and diverse career facilitating all aspects of venue management in performing arts centers, arenas, amphitheaters and convention centers. CEPAC has become a popular destination for metro Atlanta residents seeking high-quality entertainment. The first half of 2016 has seen record attendance at the venue. “In 2015, CEPAC had over 200,000 in attendance,” Aaron said. “Attendance in 2016 is already almost 200,000 and we have three full busy months ahead.” Aaron said she’s also excited about the “awesome shows” scheduled for this year. On tap for the upcoming year are Maks & Val, comedian Sinbad, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Roman vs Fousey, and musical performers Peter Frampton, Chaka Kahn, Kraftwerk and Steven Tyler. ArtsBridge, The Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet have all announced outstanding seasons for next year. The new year will start with performances from the Dance Theatre Harlem, Carol Burnett and Incognito. The venue includes the 2,750-seat John A. Williams Theatre, the 10,000-square-foot Kessel D. Stelling, Jr. Ballroom, a terrace, 1,000 parking spaces including a 700-space parking deck, and full-service food and beverage capabilities.

Aaron said she is excited about the opportunity to work with CEPAC and, although she’s only been with the organization a few weeks, she feels “blessed to work for such a great organization. “Our team is extraordinarily talented and it is awesome to work with them,” Aaron said. “The facility is absolutely amazing and makes my job fun!” Aaron said her goals for the venue are: ♦ to continue to grow our core business in a diverse manner; ♦ to satisfy community appeal and interest; and ♦ to make a significant quality of life and economic impact on our community. “CEPAC has reinforced the quality of life in Cobb County by providing a beautiful environment to host a variety of events and providing significant economic impact to this area,” Aaron said.

CEPAC’S MISSION The mission of Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is to operate as a world-class facility, creating diverse cultural, educational and entertainment experiences that will promote accessibility to the arts; foster community partnerships that unify the region in support of the arts; fulfill the highest expectations of patrons, performers and employees; stimulate quality economic growth; and inspire individuals to continually increase their knowledge, patronage and financial support of the arts.

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Cobb County’s CIDs focus on growth and community BY ANTHONY L. WHITE Cobb is one of the fastest growing counties in the state, and a lot of that growth is spurred on by the county’s three public-private partnerships called Community Improvement Districts — CIDs. CIDs are formed when the majority of commercial property owners in an area agree to tax themselves at a higher rate, up to 5 additional mills, and use the funds to leverage additional state and federal funding for area infrastructure improvements.

There are three CIDs in Cobb County. The Cumberland CID, the first CID formed in Georgia, stretches 6.5 square miles from Vinings to the Galleria and as far north as Windy Hill Road on the east side of Cobb Parkway. The Town Center CID, the county’s second, reaches as far south on Cobb Parkway as Barrett Parkway. The county’s newest CID, the Gateway Marietta CID, includes the area west of Interstate 75 at South Marietta Parkway.

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CUMBERLAND CID Cumberland CID

•Formed: 1988 •Additional millage: 5 mills •Size: 6.5 square miles •Chairman: Tad Leithead

Town Center CID

•Formed: 1997 •Additional millage: 5 mills •Size: 6.25 square miles •Chairman: Mason Zimmerman

Gateway Marietta CID

•Formed: 2014 •Additional millage: 5 mills •Size: 0.86 square miles •Chairman: Jeff Shaw

The Cumberland CID was originally formed in 1988 by Cumberland business leaders interested in improving access to the highways for Cumberland’s emerging businesses and markets. The Cumberland CID is composed of 180 commercial property owners, representing a third of the Cumberland area’s land and 63 percent of its $4.4 billion property value. The Cumberland CID began by creating a master road plan, which has expanded to include additional road and transit infrastructure improvements, streetscapes and beautification projects, bicycle and walking trails, alternate commute programs and services as well as community planning. Recently, the Cumberland CID was awarded a $2 million grant by the state for its proposal to add an entrance/exit ramp to the state’s reversible toll lanes at Akers Mill Road. The reversible lanes will add 30 miles of toll lanes through Cobb and Cherokee counties along I-75 and I-575. According to the Cumberland CID officials, the $834 million project did not originally include a ramp at Akers Mill Road, which officials estimate will cost between $22 and $23 million. After pushing for the ramp for more than a year and receiving the $2 million grant, the ramp has crossed one big hurdle. Another major project the Cumberland CID has helped fund is the construction of a diverging diamond interchange at Windy Hill Road, expected to open in summer 2017. The $20.4 million interchange, of which the CID is paying $5 million, will be the first of its kind in Cobb County. It will allow vehicles entering or exiting the interstate to cross over to the opposite side of the road, eliminating the need for those drivers to make left turns. Drivers who are passing through the area on Windy Hill Road will move to the left-hand side of the road while over the bridge, then switch back to the right side after crossing. Commercial property owners within the Cumberland area fund the Cumberland CID by paying an additional five mills of property taxes. Cobb County

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collects the taxes and distributes those funds to the CID. The CID currently collects between $5 million and $6 million each year. Between the years 1988 and 2018, the Cumberland CID will have committed about $130 million of the business community’s own money to a multitude of local area improvements.

TOWN CENTER CID The Town Center CID has 16 active projects in its current work plan. One of the CID’s current major projects includes Phase II of its South Barrett Reliever project. The goal of this four-phase project is to relieve congestion by providing an alternate route around one of the busiest roads in the Town Center area, Barrett Parkway. This new road will connect Cobb Parkway to Barrett Parkway east of I-75. Another major project is Aviation Park at Cobb County International Airport-McCollum Field, the concept of which was approved by the Cobb County Board of Commissioner in April and then by the Federal Aviation Administration. This three-acre park will be located at the corner of Barrett Lakes and Cobb Place Boulevards. Tracy Rathbone, Executive Director of Town Center CID, said, “Not only will this park serve as an observation area for the public to view the arrival and departure of aircraft, but it will also serve as a trailhead for the existing Noonday Creek Trail.”

Aviation Park will also feature an open space for airplane viewing, a playground area, parking, restrooms and a public art display. Rathbone said the CID’s single greatest focus has been and remains to be on the community itself, including the greater community that spreads beyond our boundaries. “By making this community our focus, we have built sustainable partnerships with Cobb County government and Department of Transportation, the state of Georgia government and DOT, (parks and recreation) services, Kennesaw State University and numerous other organizations to accomplish more at a faster rate.” In April, The CID celebrated the opening of the $17.5 million Skip Spann Connector, a bridge over I-75 to connect KSU-owned properties and reduce traffic on Chastain Road. In addition to the CID’s infrastructure and quality of life projects, the Town Center CID is also in the process of updating its comprehensive master plan, Rathbone said. “This plan looks at land use, development, growth, infrastructure and quality of life needs for the CID for the next five to 10 years,” Rathbone said. “The plan is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016.” The Town Center CID also recently formed a 501c3 — the Town Center Community Alliance — which will enable businesses from inside and outside the district to support green space projects within the Town Center CID.

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The Gateway Marietta CID enjoys a wonderful partnership with the city of Marietta and is currently exploring potential gateway and wayfinding signage initiatives that will better identify the Gateway area and all of the positive initiatives both inside and outside the CID’s boundaries that have resulted from the city of Marietta’s redevelopment efforts. — Rob Hosack, principal of Strategic City Partners

MARIETTA GATEWAY CID The Gateway Marietta CID, located right off I-75 only a few miles north of I-285 within the city of Marietta, imposes 5 mills of property taxes on the property owners within its district. The Marietta CID was formed in 2014, “for the purpose of assisting area property owners with community improvement projects, as well as public safety, transportation and community development initiatives,” said Rob Hosack, principal of Strategic City Partners LLC, which helps manage the CID. “The Gateway Marietta CID enjoys a wonderful partnership with the city of Marietta and is currently exploring potential gateway and wayfinding signage initiatives that will better identify the Gateway area and all of the positive initiatives both inside and outside the CID’s boundaries that have resulted from the city of Marietta’s redevelopment efforts,” Hosack said. The most prominent project under development within the Marietta Gateway CID area is the construction of the headquarters and training facilities of the Atlanta United FC Major League Soccer franchise. It is being developed on property that was acquired as part of the city of Marietta’s $68 million redevelopment bond, which it has used to revitalize the Franklin Gateway corridor. In addition to the Atlanta United headquarters, the city is building its own soccer complex nearby on land also acquired using the bond funds. The Gateway Marietta CID is currently focusing on improving the area through public safety and landscaping. Hosack said the Gateway Marietta CID, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Transportation, has recently completed the first phase of a landscape improvement project at the Interstate 75-South Marietta Parkway interchange.

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Pennies

pave the way for county’s road projects BY JON GARGIS A penny at a time, Cobb’s infrastructure is being improved. The effects of the county’s special 1 percent sales tax on the count’s road system, public safety agencies and parks are sure to be felt in the years to come. The county’s current special purpose local option sales tax, or SPLOST, program began Jan. 1. Over the course of six years, it is expected to raise $750 million for capital projects. The money raised by the sales tax is split among the county and Cobb’s six cities. About $185 million will be split among Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna, each of which has its own project list. A sizeable portion of the county’s funds go to the transportation department. More than $287.3 million in SPLOST funds will go toward transportation projects, and this funding is crucial, said Jim Wilgus, the department’s director. “That funds like 98 percent of our capital projects. Without it, we don’t do anything,” Wilgus said, adding that without SPLOST, the county would have to pay for road resurfacing and many other transportation projects out of its general fund, which is funded by property taxes. According to county documents, there are more than 8,400 roads in Cobb maintained by the county Department of Transportation, representing 2,480 miles of asphalt. Repaving a lot of those roads represents a sizeable portion of the department’s SPLOST expenditures. Officials have budgeted more than $64 million for such work, according to county documents. “Resurfacing is always there. The biggest project is probably the Windy Hill/Terrell Mill connector, which is our only new road in the program, and that’s a critical component for us,” Wilgus said, referring

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“That funds like 98 percent of our

to a $20 million project to connect Windy Hill and Terrell Mill roads with a new four-lane road. The new road is expected to reduce morning and afternoon traffic on nearby Cobb Parkway and Powers Ferry Road. Another infrastructure project falling under transportation officials’ purview is the preservation of drainage systems. The county has earmarked $8.9 million for the work. “One (project) that’s not thought of very much is our drainage component, our drainage projects, which is also a critical need,” Wilgus said. “A lot of the culverts in a lot of the county were put in in the 1950s and 1960s as corrugated metal pipes, which have about a 50-year lifespan, so they’re running out. We have challenges all the time with trying to get those and getting them replaced.” Other transportation improvements scheduled for the current SPLOST include $35.1 million for constructing new sidewalks, with $18.5 million set aside for sidewalks and bike path improvements for District 4 in south Cobb alone, while more than $19.6 million will go toward replacing or repairing bridges and culverts.

capital projects. Without it, we don’t do anything,” Wilgus said, adding that without SPLOST, the county would have to pay for road resurfacing and many other transportation projects out of its general fund, which is funded by property taxes.

Wilgus said his department schedules its projects out over the life of the SPLOST and are funded as the county receives the tax revenues. While some of the projects may not begin for the next few years, the design work for some of those projects is already underway, or firms will soon be solicited to bid on the design work in preparation for those future projects. SPLOST funds are also used to pay for county public safety and recreation projects, such as $16 million earmarked for a new police headquarters and a $10 million project for a new recreation area and community center near Osborne High School.

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Education SPLOST patches holes, builds schools and moves schools forward BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN Since 1998, the roofs of schools in Cobb County have been repaired and other capital improvement projects have been funded through a voter-approved 1 percent sales tax. Cobb County has a 6 percent sales tax. Of that sum, four pennies on the dollar go to the state, one goes to the county government’s special purpose local option sales tax program and the remaining penny goes to fund capital improvement projects for Cobb and Marietta schools. Education SPLOST money can fund capital improvements such as new and replacement schools, school additions and modifications, instructional materials and technology upgrades. The county is on the tail end of the fourth SPLOST initiative that was approved by Cobb voters in March 2015. The existing SPLOST IV will expire on Dec. 31, 2018, after collecting a projected $717.8 million for Cobb County schools and $55.4 million for Marietta schools. The amount collected by the tax that goes to each school district is based on enrollment, which is why Cobb receives more than Marietta, said Nick Parker, the Cobb School District’s SPLOST director. “Voters recognize that we have significant needs — not wants — but needs that aren’t covered in the general fund (budget),” Parker said. Voters could determine whether to approve a new SPLOST V, which would span from 2019 to 2023, in March 2017, according to Cobb Deputy Superintendent John Adams. Parker said Cobb voters’ continuous approval since 1998 demonstrates how the county’s residents value education. “There is a cost associated with having the best school system in the state of Georgia,” he said.

ROUNDING OUT SPLOST IV Parker said the education SPLOST helps spread the burden of paying for school projects more evenly than a bond. He said if Cobb schools funded projects through bonds, the district would have to pay interest, and the bond payment would rest “solely on the backs of property owners.” “(SPLOST is) spread more evenly across all residents in the county and visitors,” Parker said. Adams also said the sales tax is “one of the best approaches to funding capital improvements” because the sales tax is pay-as-you-go with no interest and no debt. He said Cobb is one of the few school districts in the country that does not have long-term debt. Cobb County schools has been debt free since 2007. With its education SPLOST funding, the Cobb School District has built numerous schools and renovated existing schools. For example, Parker said the sales tax funded a rebuild at Walton High School and a new gym and theater at Wheeler High School.

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By the end of SPLOST IV, Parker said Mountain View Elementary School, East Cobb Middle School and Brumby Elementary School are scheduled to receive new buildings. Osborne High School is also slated for a new school building. Adams said 53 SPLOST IV projects ranging from air conditioning upgrades to roof repairs are currently in progress.

UPCOMING SPLOST V Although Cobb residents are not scheduled to vote on a SPLOST V until March 2017, the district is already gearing up for the proposed extension of the tax. Cobb County schools is expecting to receive a proposed $750 million if a SPLOST V is approved. Adams said the district selects SPLOST-funded projects based on a school’s needs. He said Parker and the SPLOST staff visit every principal in order to prioritize those needs. Parker said the district is still finalizing the SPLOST V list of projects that will go before voters. He said safety and security projects will play a huge role in SPLOST V. As the district is expecting student population growth especially in the Smyrna and south Cobb areas, Parker said the SPLOST office is looking at ways to handle the additional student capacity. He said this might include new schools in the area. “We’re going to have to expand some schools also,” Parker said. Adams said it is important that existing schools have functioning air conditions and non-leaky roofs to ensure student growth and achievement. “Our schools need these projects,” Adams said.

Since the first Ed-SPLOST was approved in 1998, the Cobb School District has seen: • 22 new schools • 2,372 new classrooms • Hundreds of maintenance improvements, including new roofs, paving, painting, plumbing, landscaping, electrical, heating and air, etc. • Safety improvements, including lighting, fencing, video surveillance cameras, and access control systems for elementary schools. • New technology including the replacement of more than 46,000 computers five years or older, plus a personal computing device for every teacher. • 551 portable classrooms eliminated since the beginning of SPLOST. • Bond debt of $184 million paid off in February 2007 making Cobb County one of only a few school districts in Georgia that is free of long-term debt. • More than 5,000 total projects completed (or currently in progress) as promised to voters – all completed in a timely fashion with a net savings of millions of dollars for taxpayers due to efficient management Source: Cobb County Schools

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LakePoint expands offerings with indoor facility BY JON GARGIS With the cutting of a ceremonial red ribbon — and a series of slam dunks on one of the goals of its 12 basketball courts — LakePoint’s newest amenity was officially opened to the public in June. The LakePoint Sporting Complex opened in 2014 in Emerson in Bartow County — about six miles north of Acworth — and has offered outdoor artificial-turf fields and sand courts for sports such as baseball, beach volleyball, football and lacrosse. In early June, the complex’s indoor facility — a 170,000-squarefoot venue featuring 12 basketball courts that can double as 24 volleyball courts — was officially opened. Other sports that can be played in the facility include gymnastics, wrestling, cheerleading and fencing. In addition to sports offerings, the venue also has rooms for meeting space or pre- and post-event gatherings. LakePoint President Neal Freeman said the new venue solves two flaws for the sports complex. “Those two flaws were January and December are still kind of cold for outdoor sports in Georgia, and the second one is Monday through Thursday during the school year, what do you do to help drive traffic in these restaurants and hotels? This facility solves both of those,” Freeman said during the opening event. Even before the facility’s official opening, the venue played host to an Adidas basketball tournament that utilized all 12 basketball courts at once over Memorial Day weekend. State Rep. Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs, is the CEO of LakePoint and said that in addition to year-round sports, other events the facility can play host to include conventions, trade shows and afterschool programs. The facility, he adds, is already booked for 40 of 52 weekends next year. “This indoor facility is a great resource. You can have everything from Rotary, Kiwanis in the breakout rooms, and even have painting classes, but it’s a sports facility,” Ehrhart said. For Ehrhart, the new facility is a “game-changer,” but also bolsters a sort of “power alley” in the northwest metro Atlanta area,

which begins in Cumberland — soon to be home to the Atlanta Braves — to Marietta, which will become the home of the training grounds for the Atlanta United soccer team, Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, LakePoint itself and then the Braves’ Class-A minor league team in Rome. Even though Lakepoint isn’t in Cobb, he said, the county will still benefit from the expanding sports facility, especially as it will bring an anticipated 2 million visitors a year, up from 1.5 million visitors in the two years since the complex opened. “LakePoint is domiciled in Bartow County, but it is truly a regional facility,” Ehrhart said. “Just the games this weekend had hundreds of hotel rooms in Cobb County that added to the motel tax and that kind of thing. We used 90,000 hotel rooms last year in about a 60-mile radius, and 70 percent of those were in Cobb, so there’s certainly an impact in that.” Cobb Chamber of Commerce President David Connell says LakePoint has a major trickle-down effect on the county, especially on tourism, which is Cobb’s No. 1 industry. “When LakePoint has some of their bigger events going on in the summer, there are no hotel rooms in Cobb County available. That’s how significant it is,” Connell said, adding that in addition to hotels, those coming to LakePoint for events could also spend their money on other Cobb draws, such as shopping venues, attractions such as Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags White Water, and, in 2017, the Atlanta Braves’ new location at SunTrust Park in Cumberland. The addition of the indoor facility, Connell said, adds the potential to have an improved economic boon year-round beyond the warmer months during which the outdoor facilities are primarily utilized. Though the indoor facility is the latest addition to the LakePoint footprint, it will not be the last. Ehrhart said future additions include additional junior baseball and women’s softball fields, a track and field stadium, additional “stay and play” attractions and more amenities in the next three to five years.

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Military personnel come from all over to find deals at Family Support Center in Marietta BY ANTHONY L. WHITE Army veteran Janell Finley pushed an empty shopping cart business they may have had with the Department of Driver through the crowd outside the Military Family Support Center Services. in Marietta, greeted Linda Chambers at the door, then looked at Isaac Brown, DDS District Manager, said the agency’s mobile the clearly marked prices on items near the entrance and said, “I issuance unit allows the DDS to go out in public and serve give it a 10.” customers outside of the agency’s normal locations. “With them “I used to go to Fort Gillem’s commissary before it closed,” having this set up here, we felt like it would be a good idea to Finley said. “Today, I wanted to see the new commissary and come here, especially with it being military, and provide our see how it compares to Fort Gillem. The people here are really services to the military personnel, veterans and their families.” nice and friendly, and so far, I’m giving them a 10. Once I start Local, state and national dignitaries were also on hand to shopping and see how much I’m really saving, that 10 is probacelebrate the grand opening of the center, which is a first-of-itsbly going to go way higher.” kind public-private partnership of the Chambers, of Warner Robbins, Defense Commissary Agency in con“I’m excited about the new center spent the morning greeting hundreds junction with the Georgia Department of shoppers who showed up for the of Defense, Dobbins Air Reserve Base because we saved a bit of money center’s grand opening. and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. today. It’s kind of efficient for us to “I think I’m just as excited as the David Connell, Cobb Chamber of buy items in bulk because it’s less shoppers are,” Chambers said. Commerce president, said the grand expensive and we don’t have to The Military Family Support Cenopening came after two and a half years ter, at 1901 Terrell Mill Road, opened of hard work by several organizations make so many trips to the store.” its doors in May to provide low-cost and people. During a ceremony outside food and household items for active the center, Connell recognized several — U.S. Army Sgt. duty and retired military personnel individuals whose efforts made the Timothy Weaver and their families, including National center a reality. Guard and Reserve members. The U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Georfacility will be open three days each gia, told the crowd gathered outside the month. center for the official ribbon-cutting that The center stocks almost 1,000 grocery and household items the center “is a first of its kind, but it’s only the first.” that are all sold at cost plus a 5 percent surcharge. According Isakson also praised Connell’s effort in making the day possito officials, the center is expected to serve an estimated 60,000 ble. Isakson said there were all kinds of obstacles, “But instead Cobb residents and 400,000 people in the metro Atlanta area. of taking no for an answer, David said that means we can do U.S. Army Sgt. Timothy Weaver said he enjoyed shopping something else. And the something else is what you see today.” at the new center, but he wished his wife had come with him. Though the center is not a commissary, the monthly sales Weaver said he does the shopping sometimes, but shopping at will bring the benefits of a commissary to the area, officials say. the center was a bit much without his wife. According to the Defense Commissary Agency’s website, the “My wife normally does the shopping, but since she couldn’t closest commissary to Marietta is at Camp Frank D. Merrill in make it today, I came by myself,” he said. “But, I had to call her Dahlonega. while I was shopping because she didn’t give me a list.” Like Finley and Weaver, Henry and Louise Williams of Weaver said he and his wife also used to shop at the comConyers also used to drive to the shuttered Fort Gillem commismissary at Fort Gillem in Forest Park, which closed in 2014, but sary, but drove to the Military Family Support Center in Marietta now they can shop closer to home at the new center, which is instead. As soon as the couple stepped in the door, they began near Dobbins Air Reserve Base. filling their shopping cart. “I’m excited about the new center because we saved a bit of “We used to go to Fort Gillem, but today we came to check money today,” Weaver said. “It’s kind of efficient for us to buy out the prices here,” Louise Williams said. “And so far, we’re items in bulk because it’s less expensive and we don’t have to liking what we see.” make so many trips to the store.” “What’s not to like about 50-cent bottles of Gatorade and The grand opening wasn’t just about shopping. Shoppers 50-cent cans of green beans and other vegetables?” Henry added. could obtain health care information from the WellStar Health “Anything we find that’s a bargain is going in our shopping Systems booths set up outside the center and take care of any cart.”

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Lembeck Listens Looks ahead for increased student growth BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN With the help of new and ongoing initiatives, Marietta City Schools is continuing to aim for increased student success and achievement — with a personal touch. Marietta Superintendent Emily Lembeck said the district’s status as a charter system allows flexibility with many state rules and regulations that allow the district to use its time, talent, resources and partnerships in different ways to create different, “better” results. The district was one of the first four charter systems in Georgia when it transitioned in 2008. “As a charter system, we are tasked with being innovative as well as being accountable for that innovation,” she said. The district’s eight elementary schools, sixth-grade

academy, one middle school and one high school have school governance teams that have the autonomy to make certain decisions and the ability to make recommendations to the Marietta school board based on the individual school’s goals and needs. “It allows you to make decisions in a more flexible manner, which we were not able to do prior to becoming a charter system,” Lembeck said. Lembeck said the system creates opportunities for all students to achieve their high level of success. “Whether students are struggling and need additional support to get to the next level, or students are already achieving at a higher level but need to continue and move even further ahead,” she said. “That is available at Marietta City Schools.” Factbook 2016-2017 113

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“

There are a number of changes for next year, but in general, we have listened to our teachers and our leaders. — Emily Lembeck, Marietta City Schools Superintendent

cobblibraryfoundation.org

The 8,900-student district is also an International Baccalaureate World School District that provides advanced courses for students K-12. Lembeck said she is anticipating growth in the high school’s International Baccalaureate program in the coming years. “I believe that that is going to truly make a great difference long-term and short-term for the school district and for the students who attend,” she said. When school is not in session, Marietta City Schools continues to work to improve student opportunities and programs. The Graduate Marietta Student Success Center, which is at Marietta High School, finished its first year of operation. The center helps students based on their needs, which range from tutoring to meals. “Next year, we look forward to examining the impact of that program to a greater degree,” she said. The district is also expanding both its music and athletic departments in fall 2016 with the creation of an orchestra program starting in sixth grade and a high school lacrosse program. This fall will also be the inaugural year for the district’s Office of Digital Learning, which will link the department of technology to the department of curriculum and instruction to grow the district’s technology initiatives. With growing district initiatives and programs, Lembeck and the school district are looking ahead to the schools’ futures through starting another comprehensive strategic plan this fall to develop a path for the next several years. “There are a number of changes for next year, but in general, we have listened to our teachers and our leaders,” Lembeck said.

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Ragsdale closes gaps between technology and education for Cobb schools BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN

s the leader of the second largest school district in the state, Cobb County Superintendent Chris Ragsdale is putting his technology background to use. Ragsdale, 47, started his education career in 1992 as one of two technology directors in the Paulding County School District. Since then, not only has technology drastically changed, but Ragsdale worked his way up the education totem pole. The Cobb school board named Ragsdale as the district’s permanent superintendent in February 2015 after he served as interim superintendent for less than a year. Ragsdale said his technology background is an asset that gives him a unique perspective in how technology can influence education. “Technology is such an integral part in education,” he said. Ragsdale said his background allows him to not only understand technology but to know “the difference between bells and whistles and really meat and potatoes that will help students learn and to help teachers in their teaching.” With the ultimate goal of using technology to provide teachers with the necessary tools to help them best reach their students, Ragsdale sees technology as a tool for teachers rather than a replacement. “The technology is allowing us to have access to data that we would not normally have,” Ragsdale said. He said technology helps teachers have access to data in order for them to best teach individual students. For example, he said Cobb teachers can see if each student is reading below, on or above grade level in order to best target student needs.

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“

It doesn’t matter if you have one school or 112 schools as we do. As long as you’ve got the quality of teachers that we have in our schools, then it doesn’t matter which school you’re going to attend. You’re going to have an excellent education. — Chris Ragsdale, Cobb County Schools Superintendent In the 2016-17 school year, Ragsdale said the district will focus on improving grade-level reading. In charge of leading more than 111,000 students and 13,000 employees, Ragsdale’s motto of “One team. One goal. Student Success” is implemented throughout the district. Of the district’s 16 high schools, six magnet programs ranging from performing arts to medical sciences allow students to pursue various courses of study while still in high school. Cobb students continue to succeed in the classroom as the district’s 2015 SAT score of 1516 was 66 points higher that the state average and 26 points higher than the national average. The district’s four-year graduation rate also increased from 76.5 percent in 2013 to 81.4 percent in 2015. With this continued success, Cobb teachers will receive pay raises for the second year in a row. The school board approved Ragsdale’s recommendations of increasing employee pay by 2.5 percent in May 2016. Ragsdale said the size of the district does not affect student achievement as much as the district teachers do. “It doesn’t matter if you have one school or 112 schools as we do,” he said. “As long as you’ve got the quality of teachers that we have in our schools, then it doesn’t matter which school you’re going to attend. You’re going to have an excellent education.” The district operates under the Investing in Educational Excellence designation, which grants the district more flexibility with state laws and regulations. As Ragsdale’s first school year as permanent superintendent is over, he said the district will continue to improve in the arena of student achievement. “The benefit is not necessarily attending a large school,” he said. “The benefit is attending a Cobb County school.”

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Georgia Milestones

Scores not used for promotions in second year of testing BY ANTHONY L. WHITE The April 2016 student testing sessions went smoothly for Cobb County and Marietta schools, but scores from the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade tests for third, fifth and eigth grade were not used in the decision to promote or retain students due to technology-related issues in other counties during the administration of the tests. In May 2016, the Georgia Board of Education approved a request from the Department of Education to waive the state’s promotion, placement and retention requirements because of the impact computer glitches and other technological issues during testing may have had on students’ performance. According to the Department of Education, some school districts were affected by “technology-related interruptions of online testing,” which could have negatively impacted student performance. “While some of these events were short-term and quickly resolved with minimal impact on student experiences, others required more extensive technical support,” the DOE said in a released statement. “The GaDOE believes that further analysis of the possible impacts of these interruptions is warranted prior to the release of student scores, given the stakes involved for students.” This is the second consecutive year that scores from the Milestones EOG tests will not be used in student performance assessments. “The promotion/retention

requirement was waived last year because it was a new assessment,” said Michael Huneke, director of assessments for Marietta City Schools. The Georgia Milestones is a comprehensive summative assessment that spans grades 3 through high school and measures how well students have mastered the state’s content standards in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Students in grades 3 through 8 take an end-of-grade assessment in each content area, while high school students take an end-ofcourse assessment for each of the 10 courses designated by the State Board of Education. Mary Elizabeth Davis, Cobb’s chief academic officer, said there was only one instance of a disruption in the county schools during testing and that the issue, which was related to the state’s connectivity, was promptly resolved. There were two disruptions during testing in Marietta schools, Huneke said. “For the most part, we were OK,” Huneke said. “We test 100 percent online, so we have no paper and pencil administration. We had two schools with technology issues related to local equipment failure. The students were able to get to a natural breakpoint, we replaced the equipment overnight and they resumed testing

the next day.” Cobb County and Marietta schools already had a system in place for determining whether to promote or retain students. Davis said Cobb County schools used the same criteria and indicators as last year to promote or retain students since

the scores were not used in the decision last year. Those indicators include, classroom grades, teacher recommendations and locally administered reading and math diagnostics that provide teachers with information about the current reading and math proficiency of students.

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C limate ratings measure

schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success ***

BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN

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The Cobb School District saw an increase in “above average” schools. In 2015, 59 schools received a “4” while 64 schools received that rating in 2016. Thirteen Cobb County schools scored an “excellent” in 2016 compared to 14 schools in 2015, yet the number of “below average” schools which received a grade of “2” decreased from six to three.

chool climate scores released by the state in 2016 show Marietta City Schools doing about the same as in 2015 while Cobb County schools saw improvement. Schools are rated on a 1 to 5 scale on the Georgia School Climate Star Ratings with “1” meaning “unsatisfactory” and “5” being “excellent.” The ratings are based on such factors as test scores, student discipline, attendance and student, parent and staff surveys. In 2015, Marietta City Schools had a single rating of “excellent,” the same as 2016. The difference, however, was in the schools. The Marietta Center for Advanced Academics received the “excellent” rating in 2015, falling to a “4” or “above average” in 2016, while Hickory Hills Elementary School received an “excellent” rating in 2016, rising from a “4” in 2015.

CLIMATE THAT MAKES STAFF AND STUDENTS FEEL APPRECIATED Hickory Hills Principal Kristen Land Beaudin said her

focus on relationships has created a “warm and inviting” environment. “Everything else falls into place,” she said. The Cobb School District saw an increase in “above average” schools. In 2015, 59 schools received a “4” while 64 schools received that rating in 2016. Thirteen Cobb County schools scored an “excellent” in 2016 compared to 14 schools in 2015, yet the number of “below average” schools which received a grade of “2” decreased from six to three. This year, one elementary school, Clay Elementary, was given the lowest score of “1” or “unsatisfactory.” The district received a single unsatisfactory in 2015 also. The International Academy of Smyrna and Kennesaw Charter School, which are charter schools in the district, also received unsatisfactory rankings. Ehsan Kattoula, Cobb’s executive director of accountability and research, said although the charter schools are part of Cobb County, their leadership is at each school and not the district.

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The remaining Cobb County schools were ranked “3” — “average” — or above.

NOT ENOUGH SURVEYS Lack of parental participation at Mableton’s Clay Elementary caused its low score, Kattoula said. He said the state department requires a school to have at least 15 parent surveys to be awarded points in that division. According to the state department, the school had fewer than 15 parents participate in the parent survey. “The survey part — if there’s not enough participation — will truly affect the school,” Kattoula said. He said the surveys are not mandatory, and students, parents and school staff can opt out of them. Because of insufficient participation, the school received a zero on the survey part of the review. The school also had less than the required participation for staff, administrator and teacher survey responses; therefore, the school’s survey score was further hit. The school scored about 38.1 percent out of 100 on the survey section. “It caused that number to drop to one,” Kattoula said. Tana Page, Educators First executive director, said lack of parental participation directly reflects a school’s climate and schools with high parental involvement tend to perform better. But she said it is difficult to judge a school based on only the factors considered in the climate survey.

“That story is hard to tell,” Page said. Clay scored at least 89 percent in the other graded categories, but could not recover from its lack of surveys. Kattoula said the district’s parents do support the schools. “It’s becoming critical that a parent is beginning to have an influence on the school climate indirectly,” he said. Dowell Elementary School in Marietta, which received a “2,” also did not have the required participation for staff, administrator and teacher survey responses. Sanders Elementary School in Austell, which received a “2,” did not have the required amount of student survey participation. Cobb school board member Brad Wheeler said the district performed well, but was concerned about the schools that had low participation rates in the survey category. As the newest scores reflect data from the 2014-15 school year, Kattoula said the information is lagging because another school year has already passed. “Some of this information based on some of these schools had different principals this past year,” he said. Kattoula said the district is analyzing the data to see what changes need to be made. He said a lot of Cobb County schools are developing “strong, positive” climates reflected in their “above average” or “excellent” scores. “This is due to the behavior of the students at the school and the partnership that the parents have taken with their schools,” he said. “More parents are becoming involved, and we see the success in Cobb County increasing.”

Tana Page, Educators First executive director, said lack of parental participation directly reflects a school’s climate and schools with high parental involvement tend to perform better. But she said it is difficult to judge a school based on only the factors considered in the climate survey. Brookwood Christian School The Dyslexia School 4728 Wood St. | Acworth, GA 30101 At the corner or North Main St and Wood St, north of the Hwy 92 overpass

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MARIETTA CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 1. A.L. Burruss Elementary

325 Manning Road Marietta, GA 30064 (770) 429-3144 Grades: K-5 Students: 451 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 522 497 516

Science

524 504 515

524 492 514

2. Dunleith Elementary

English/ Language Arts 473 490 493

English/ Language Arts 504 490 515

500 503 497

495 491 483

English/ Language Arts 487 496 502

527 512 510

513 497 513

Social Studies 504 486 491

CCRPI: 80 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 90

Math

Science

507 506 509

498 488 518

Social Studies 507 495 500

5. Marietta Center for Advanced Academics

311 Aviation Road Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 420-0822 Grades: 3-5 Students: 328 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 568 566 576

COBB COUNTY SCHOOLS Chris Ragsdale

Teachers: 59 Science

4. Lockheed Elementary

Social Studies 491 488 498

CCRPI: 78 Climate Rating: 5«

Math

1205 Merritt Road Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 429-3196 Grades: K-5 Students: 853 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 71 Science

3. Hickory Hills Elementary

Social Studies 512 492 500

CCRPI: 76 Climate Rating: 3«

Math

500 Redwood Drive SW Marietta, GA 30064 (770) 429-3125 Grades: K-5 Students: 383 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 55

Math

120 Saine Drive Marietta, GA 30008 (770) 429-3190 Grades: K-5 Students: 704 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 66 Climate Rating: 4«

CCRPI: 105 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 27

Math

Science

567 571 577

557 560 581

Social Studies 557 572 555

Superintendent 770-426-3300 www.cobbk12.org

MARIETTA CITY SCHOOLS Dr. Emily Lembeck

Source: Georgia Department of Education *The College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) is a 100-point scale the Georgia Department of Education is now using to determine a school’s performance

6. Park Street Elementary

105 Park St. SE Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 429-3180 Grades: K-5 Students: 646 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 473 479 480

Superintendent

770-422-3500 www.marietta-city.org

CCRPI: 65 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 81

Math

Science

495 496 487

489 487 480

Social Studies 486 482 482

7. Sawyer Road Hills Elementary

840 Sawyer Road Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 429-9923 Grades: K-5 Students: 773 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 477 491 500

CCRPI: 73 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 89

Math

Science

508 500 505

491 489 498

Social Studies 488 495 503

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8. West Side Elementary

344 Polk Street Marietta, GA 30064 (770) 429-3172 Grades: K-5 Students: 537 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 547 536 542

CCRPI: 88 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 55

Math

Science

553 555 538

537 537 550

Social Studies 541 544 535

COBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

9. Acworth Intermediate

4220 Cantrell Road Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 975-6600 Grades: K-5 Students: 691 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 505 509 512

Science

509 510 496

504 498 508

10. Addison Elementary

English/ Language Arts 525 528 525

English/ Language Arts 467 496 498

528 530 537

523 526 541

English/ Language Arts 498 506 503

Teachers: 46 Science

493 510 491

479 485 460

12. Austell Elementary

Social Studies 516 524 512

CCRPI: 60 Climate Rating: 3«

Math

5600 Mulberry St Austell, GA 30106 (770) 819-5804 Grades: K-5 Students: 569 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 45 Science

11. Argyle Elementary

Social Studies 497 489 500

CCRPI: 84 Climate Rating: 4«

Math

2420 Spring Road Smyrna, GA 30080 (678) 842-6800 Grades: K-5 Students: 401 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 55

Math

3055 Ebenezer Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 578-2700 Grades: K-5 Students: 607 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 76 Climate Rating: 4«

Social Studies 471 492 477

CCRPI: 66 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 40

Math

Science

504 508 500

496 494 489

Social Studies 503 487 489

13. Baker Elementary

2361 Baker Road NW Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 975-6629 Grades: K-5 Students: 745

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 528 533 532

Science

523 549 531

517 533 521

14. Bells Ferry Elementary

English/ Language Arts 541 529 523

Teachers: 59

Math

2600 Bells Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30066 (678) 594-8950 Grades: K-5 Students: 705 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 86 Climate Rating: 4«

Social Studies 512 535 515

CCRPI: 82 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 46

Math

Science

532 527 499

523 520 532

Social Studies 524 530 513

15. Belmont Hills Elementary

605 Glendale Place Smyrna, GA 30080 (678) 842-6810 Grades: K-5 Students: 333 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 462 491 490

Science

486 495 492

483 479 483

16. Big Shanty Elementary

English/ Language Arts 515 526 524

English/ Language Arts 496 500 501

Teachers: 55 Science

516 527 511

513 517 503

17. Birney Elementary

Social Studies 481 486 481

CCRPI: 80 Climate Rating: 5«

Math

775 Smyrna-Powder Springs St. Marietta, GA 30060 (678) 842-6824 Grades: K-5 Students: 774 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 40

Math

1575 Ben King Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 (678) 594-8023 Grades: 3-5 Students: 709 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 54 Climate Rating: 4«

Social Studies 507 511 509

CCRPI: 71 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 65

Math

Science

502 508 497

486 484 483

Social Studies 474 491 483

18. Blackwell Elementary

3470 Canton Road Marietta, GA 30066 (678) 494-7600 Grades: K-5 Students: 694 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 516 522 527

CCRPI: 79 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 53

Math

Science

515 528 526

517 514 521

Social Studies 507 512 508

19. Brumby Elementary CCRPI: 67 1306 Powers Ferry Road Climate Rating: 3« Marietta, GA 30067 (770) 916-7070 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,007 Teachers: 82 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 487 504 495

Math

Science

494 508 475

490 500 478

20. Bryant Elementary

6800 Factory Shoals Road Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-2402 Grades: K-5 Students: 970 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 488 498 498

English/ Language Arts 522 531 542

491 498 492

489 488 480

English/ Language Arts 522 528 537

Teachers: 62 Science

525 525 529

520 519 521

22. Chalker Elementary

Social Studies 478 481 484

CCRPI: 75 Climate Rating: 4«

Math

325 North Booth Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 (678) 494-7621 Grades: K-5 Students: 649 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 82 Science

21. Bullard Elementary

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 64 Climate Rating: 3«

Math

3656 Old Stilesboro Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 (678) 594-8720 Grades: K-5 Students: 861

Social Studies 490 507 486

Social Studies 510 518 513

CCRPI: 82 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 51

Math

Science

525 532 535

527 515 529

Social Studies 521 515 514

124 Factbook 2016-2017 FACTBOOK 2016-17 (124) 124

7/13/2016 11:21:41 AM

23. Cheatham Hill Elementary CCRPI: 74 1350 John Ward Road Climate Rating: 4« Marietta, GA 30064 (678) 594-8034 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,098 Teachers: 74

3450 New Macland Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (770) 222-3700 Grades: K-5 Students: 577

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 515 521 533

Math

Science

522 526 525

510 507 513

24. Clarkdale Elementary

4725 Ewing Road Austell, GA 30106 (770) 819-2422 Grades: K-5 Students: 701 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 500 490 502

English/ Language Arts 472 490 486

Teachers: 55 Science

503 496 507

492 485 488

25. Clay Elementary

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 71 Climate Rating: 3«

Math

730 Boggs Road Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-2430 Grades: K-5 Students: 399

Social Studies 502 513 508

Social Studies 487 484 488

CCRPI: 59 Climate Rating: 1« Teachers: 33

Math

Science

487 491 485

484 477 466

Social Studies 469 483 483

26. Compton Elementary

English/ Language Arts 477 493 486

Science

488 499 489

477 482 471

27. Davis Elementary

English/ Language Arts 545 536 548

Teachers: 58

Math

2433 Jameson Road Marietta, GA 30066 (678) 494-7636 Grades: K-5 Students: 570 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 63 Climate Rating: 3«

Social Studies 478 480 474

CCRPI: 82 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 42

Math

Science

530 532 523

532 525 531

Social Studies 523 539 517

29. Due West Elementary

3900 Due West Road Marietta, GA 30064 (678) 594-8071 Grades: K-5 Students: 614 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 538 540 538

Science

532 534 540

532 523 536

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 560 550 559

Math

Science

554 556 554

546 543 550

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Science

524 515 502

511 496 502

Social Studies 506 495 505

Social Studies 528 527 519

30. East Side Elementary CCRPI: 93 3850 Roswell Road Climate Rating: 4« Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 578-7200 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,246 Teachers: 73

2570 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068 (770) 578-7214 Grades: K-5 Students: 688

Math

Teachers: 46

Math

28. Dowell Elementary CCRPI: 75 2121 West Sandtown Road Climate Rating: 2« Marietta, GA 30064 (678) 594-8059 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,021 Teachers: 66 English/ Language Arts 511 507 507

CCRPI: 84 Climate Rating: 4«

31. East Valley Elementary

English/ Language Arts 525 531 528

Social Studies 536 533 535

CCRPI: 87 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 49

Math

Science

526 542 531

520 526 527

Social Studies 503 522 515

Factbook 2016-2017 125

FACTBOOK 2016-17 (125) 125

7/13/2016 11:14:13 AM

32. Fair Oaks Elementary

407 Barber Road Marietta, GA 30060 (678) 594-8080 Grades: K-5 Students: 926 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 490 477 492

Science

504 505 512

487 474 483

33. Ford Elementary

English/ Language Arts 549 541 559

English/ Language Arts 525 530 540

Teachers: 51 Science

538 557 554

530 535 552

34. Frey Elementary

Social Studies 484 461 484

CCRPI: 90 Climate Rating: 4«

Math

2865 Mars Hill Road Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 975-6655 Grades: K-5 Students: 772 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 78

Math

1345 Mars Hill Road Acworth, GA 30101 (678) 594-8092 Grades: K-5 Students: 719 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 61 Climate Rating: 3«

Social Studies 530 545 533

CCRPI: 81 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 56

Math

Science

518 533 525

515 519 543

Social Studies 518 513 531

35. Garrison Mill Elementary

4111 Wesley Chapel Road Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 642-5600 Grades: K-5 Students: 643 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 543 541 557

Science

534 539 555

528 533 558

36. Green Acres Elementary

English/ Language Arts 474 484 491

Teachers: 46

Math

2000 Gober Ave. Smyrna, GA 30080 (678) 842-6905 Grades: K-5 Students: 722 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 94 Climate Rating: 4«

Social Studies 506 529 539

CCRPI: 55 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 64

Math

Science

489 488 496

479 469 473

Social Studies 475 466 472

37. Harmony-Leland Elementary

5891 Dodgen Road Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-2483 Grades: K-5 Students: 654 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 493 519 512

CCRPI: 73 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 50

Math

Science

491 522 512

485 507 504

Social Studies 484 495 499

38. Hayes Elementary

1501 Kennesaw-Due West Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 (678) 594-8127 Grades: K-5 Students: 837 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 499 511 512

Science

502 514 502

499 497 491

39. Hendricks Elementary

English/ Language Arts 485 499 509

English/ Language Arts 494 493 506

Teachers: 44 Science

493 508 505

493 489 489

40. Hollydale Elementary

Social Studies 492 491 490

CCRPI: 71 Climate Rating: 4«

Math

2901 Bay Berry Drive Marietta, GA 30008 (678) 594-8143 Grades: K-5 Students: 653 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 66

Math

5243 Meadows Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (770) 819-2387 Grades: K-5 Students: 558 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 70 Climate Rating: 3«

Social Studies 478 491 497

CCRPI: 70 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 66

Math

Science

495 502 503

494 486 483

Social Studies 492 486 492

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126 Factbook 2016-2017 FACTBOOK 2016-17 (126) 126

7/13/2016 11:18:13 AM

41. International Academy of Smyrna CCRPI: 73 3551 North Cooper Lake Road SE Climate Rating: 1« Smyrna, GA 30082 (678) 653-8419 Grades: K-8 Students: 1,036 Teachers: N/A GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 519 524 523 525 533 526

Math

Science

512 521 507 497 511 500

514 506 493 494 498 484

42. Keheley Elementary

1985 Kemp Road Marietta, GA 30066 (678) 494-7836 Grades: K-5 Students: 527 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 542 544 527

English/ Language Arts 542 542 544

Teachers: 41 Science

528 552 525

525 536 518

865 Corner Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (678) 594-8158 Grades: K-5 Students: 983 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 83 Climate Rating: 4«

Math

43. Kemp Elementary

Social Studies 514 512 503 489 498 497

Social Studies 520 538 508

CCRPI: 91 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 67

Math

Science

535 540 546

533 530 551

Social Studies 523 536 536

44. Kennesaw Science and Math Academy

3010 Cobb Parkway Kennesaw, GA 30152 (678) 290-9628 Grades: K-6 Students: 849 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6

English/ Language Arts 527 534 522 521

CCRPI: 74 Climate Rating: 1« Teachers: N/A

Math

Science

517 541 508 509

518 532 512 500

45. Kennesaw Elementary

3155 Jiles Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 (678) 594-8172 Grades: K-2 Students: 614

Social Studies 501 531 505 486

CCRPI: N/A Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 48

No Scores Available

46. Kincaid Elementary

1410 Kincaid Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 578-7238 Grades: K-5 Students: 699 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 546 540 537

CCRPI: 87 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 52

Math

Science

533 544 532

536 519 535

Social Studies 526 518 529

47. King Springs Elementary

1041 Reed Road Smyrna, GA 30082 (678) 842-6944 Grades: K-5 Students: 889 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 540 535 550

Science

531 534 536

521 530 536

48. LaBelle Elementary

English/ Language Arts 484 488 494

English/ Language Arts 514 518 522

Teachers: 55 Science

493 492 490

485 478 478

49. Lewis Elementary

Social Studies 515 521 521

CCRPI: 68 Climate Rating: 3«

Math

4179 Jim Owens Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 (770) 975-6673 Grades: K-5 Students: 633 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 57

Math

230 Cresson Drive Marietta, GA 30060 (678) 842-6955 Grades: K-5 Students: 514 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 84 Climate Rating: 4«

Social Studies 477 486 488

CCRPI: 72 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 50

Math

Science

515 512 519

507 504 503

Social Studies 504 503 505

Factbook 2016-2017 127

FACTBOOK 2016-17 (127) 127

7/18/2016 11:06:39 AM

50. Mableton Elementary CCRPI: 54 5220 Church Street Climate Rating: 3« Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-2513 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,025 Teachers: 70

53. Mount Bethel Elementary CCRPI: 94 1210 Johnson Ferry Road Climate Rating: 4« Marietta, GA 30068 (770) 578-7248 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,121 Teachers: 73

1599 Shallowford Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 928-5573 Grades: K-5 Students: 525

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 491 499 499

Math

Science

497 501 481

492 487 477

51. McCall Primary

4496 Dixie Ave. Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 975-6775 Grades: K-1 Students: 363

Social Studies 491 483 482

CCRPI: N/A Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 37

No Scores Available

52. Milford Elementary

2390 Austell Road Marietta, GA 30008 (678) 842-6966 Grades: K-5 Students: 440 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 487 488 489

CCRPI: 60 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 47

Math

Science

502 499 480

487 488 467

Social Studies 488 488 475

English/ Language Arts 564 560 568

Math

Science

552 563 556

551 543 562

Social Studies 530 547 535

54. Mountain View Elementary

3448 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 578-7265 Grades: K-5 Students: 809 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 540 543 547

Science

538 551 537

533 527 532

55. Murdock Elementary

English/ Language Arts 556 542 554

Teachers: 57

Math

2320 Murdock Road Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 509-5071 Grades: K-5 Students: 942 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 83 Climate Rating: 4«

Social Studies 527 528 519

CCRPI: 92 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 57

Math

Science

554 547 547

542 534 544

Social Studies 539 544 536

56. Nicholson Elementary

English/ Language Arts 530 521 527

CCRPI: 75 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 41

Math

Science

519 514 524

524 510 533

Social Studies 512 512 515

57. Nickajack Elementary CCRPI: 79 4555 Mavell Road SE Climate Rating: 4« Smyrna, GA 30082 (678) 842-5814 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,010 Teachers: 75 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 507 509 523

Math

Science

511 515 519

502 501 518

58. Norton Park Elementary

3041 Gray Road Smyrna, GA 30082 (678) 842-5833 Grades: K-5 Students: 920 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 488 494 484

Social Studies 493 502 501

CCRPI: 58 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 71

Math

Science

493 500 487

492 480 474

Social Studies 487 483 482

128 Factbook 2016-2017 FACTBOOK 2016-17 (128) 128

7/13/2016 11:23:46 AM

59. Pickett’s Mill Elementary

6400 Old Stilesboro Road Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 975-7172 Grades: K-5 Students: 720 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 517 534 551

Science

513 538 550

518 524 536

60. Pitner Elementary

English/ Language Arts 512 515 522

Teachers: 43

Math

4575 Wade Green Road Acworth, GA 30102 (678) 594-8320 Grades: K-5 Students: 879 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 85 Climate Rating: 4«

Social Studies 503 531 520

CCRPI: 73 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 64

Math

Science

516 510 506

508 495 499

Social Studies 498 488 500

61. Powder Springs Elementary

4570 Grady Grier Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (770) 222-3746 Grades: K-5 Students: 797 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 485 501 514

CCRPI: 66 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 58

Math

Science

494 502 497

484 484 484

Social Studies 473 483 492

62. Powers Ferry Elementary

403 Powers Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30067 (770) 578-7936 Grades: K-5 Students: 431 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 496 501 496

CCRPI: 63 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 41

Math

Science

505 500 485

489 488 475

Social Studies 485 484 477

66. Russell Elementary

3920 South Hurt Road Smyrna, GA 30082 (770) 437-5937 Grades: K-5 Students: 672 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 506 502 502

Science

492 498 490

501 491 483

67. Sanders Elementary

English/ Language Arts 477 484 495

English/ Language Arts 507 505 525

485 489 496

483 480 475

522 513 530

503 501 517

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 547 549 550

480 484 473

481 470 462

64. Riverside Primary

461 South Gordon Road Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-5851 Grades: K-1 Students: 611

CCRPI: N/A Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 53

No Scores Available

65. Rocky Mount Elementary

2400 Rocky Mountain Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 591-5050 Grades: K-5 Students: 604 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 536 540 551

CCRPI: 87 Climate Rating: 4«

Teachers: 45 Science

544 548 540

532 545 551

70. Smyrna Elementary

English/ Language Arts 495 498 497

CCRPI: 87 Climate Rating: 4«

Math

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Social Studies 483 472 473

Social Studies 498 500 501

69. Shallowford Falls Elementary

3529 Lassiter Road Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 642-5610 Grades: K-5 Students: 627

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Science

Teachers: 64 Science

1099 Fleming Street Smyrna, GA 30080 (678) 842-6741 Grades: K-5 Students: 948

Math

Social Studies 482 483 490

CCRPI: 74 Climate Rating: 4«

Math

63. Riverside Intermediate CCRPI: 51 285 South Gordon Road Climate Rating: 2« Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-2553 Grades: 2-5 Students: 1,215 Teachers: 100 English/ Language Arts 477 476 477

Teachers: 63 Science

68. Sedalia Park Elementary

Social Studies 497 493 485

CCRPI: 63 Climate Rating: 2«

Math

2230 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068 (770) 509-5162 Grades: K-5 Students: 853 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 57

Math

1550 Anderson Mill Road SW Austell, GA 30106 (770) 819-2568 Grades: K-5 Students: 765 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 63 Climate Rating: 5«

Social Studies 523 535 529

CCRPI: 58 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 73

Math

Science

499 487 492

491 476 475

Social Studies 484 484 487

72. Still Elementary

870 Casteel Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (678) 594-8287 Grades: K-5 Students: 760 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 535 527 544

Science

527 528 540

526 522 530

73. Teasley Elementary

English/ Language Arts 530 534 517

532 539 515

511 511 494

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

English/ Language Arts 557 560 572

544 573 554

547 554 561

75. Tritt Elementary

English/ Language Arts 581 553 565

English/ Language Arts 514 518 515

552 550 542

548 539 548

554 566 554

539 550 562

Social Studies 549 540 523

CCRPI: 76 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 49

Math

Science

515 515 503

511 502 500

77. Vaughan Elementary

English/ Language Arts 536 537 544

Teachers: 58 Science

76. Varner Elementary

Social Studies 531 560 526

CCRPI: 89 Climate Rating: 4«

Math

4761 Gaydon Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (770) 222-3775 Grades: K-5 Students: 689 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Teachers: 42 Science

4435 Post Oak Tritt Road Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 642-5630 Grades: K-5 Students: 882 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 93 Climate Rating: 4«

Math

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Social Studies 533 558 540

Social Studies 506 516 492

74. Timber Ridge Elementary

5000 Timber Ridge Road Marietta, GA 30068 (770) 642-5621 Grades: K-5 Students: 606

GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Science

Teachers: 56 Science

5950 Nichols Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (678) 594-8298 Grades: K-5 Students: 639

Math

Social Studies 511 519 525

CCRPI: 78 Climate Rating: 3«

Math

71. Sope Creek Elementary CCRPI: 96 3320 Paper Mill Road Climate Rating: 4« Marietta, GA 30067 (770) 916-7085 Grades: K-5 Students: 1,133 Teachers: 75 English/ Language Arts 560 554 560

Teachers: 63

Math

3640 Spring Hill Road Smyrna, GA 30080 (770) 437-5945 Grades: 2-5 Students: 805 GA Milestones Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

CCRPI: 86 Climate Rating: 4«

Social Studies 509 493 496

CCRPI: 86 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 46

Math

Science

530 538 540

526 527 530

Social Studies 515 529 518

Teachers: 46

Math

Science

536 538 539

525 526 550

Social Studies 528 529 528

Factbook 2016-2017 129

FACTBOOK 2016-17 (129) 129

7/13/2016 11:25:36 AM

MARIETTA CITY MIDDLE SCHOOLS 1. Marietta Sixth Grade Academy

340 Aviation Road SE Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 429-3115 Grades: 6 Students: 684 GA Milestones Grade 6

English/ Language Arts 512

CCRPI: 85 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 68

Math

Science

512

522

Social Studies 507

2. Marietta Middle School

CCRPI: 69 121 Winn Street NW Climate Rating: 4« Marietta, GA 30064 (770) 422-0311 Grades: 7-8 Students: 1,343 Teachers: 113 GA Milestones Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 506 503

Math

Science

513 503

508 502

Social Studies 516 505

COBB MIDDLE SCHOOLS 3. Awtrey Middle School

3601 Nowlin Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 975-6615 Grades: 6-8 Students: 834 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 525 523 522

Science

526 523 527

518 506 494

4222 Cantrell Road Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 975-6764 Grades: 6-8 Students: 942 English/ Language Arts 517 514 517

Teachers: 52

Math

4. Barber Middle School

GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

CCRPI: 76 Climate Rating: 4«

English/ Language Arts 501 498 503

Win an

Superintendent 770-426-3300 www.cobbk12.org

CCRPI: 72 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 54

Math

Science

508 510 509

513 503 504

Social Studies 512 515 500

5. Campbell Middle School CCRPI: 69 3295 South Atlanta Road Climate Rating: 3« Smyrna, GA 30080 (678) 842-6873 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,431 Teachers: 83 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

COBB COUNTY SCHOOLS Chris Ragsdale

Social Studies 524 512 511

Math

Science

500 500 498

494 488 491

Social Studies 498 501 494

*The College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) is a 100-point scale the Georgia Department of Education is now using to determine a school’s performance

6. Cooper Middle School

4605 Ewing Road Austell, GA 30106 (770) 819-2438 Grades: 6-8 Students: 947 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 498 492 511

Apple for your

MARIETTA CITY SCHOOLS Dr. Emily Lembeck

Source: Georgia Department of Education

Superintendent

770-422-3500 www.marietta-city.org

CCRPI: 63 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 53

Math

Science

496 497 501

487 481 492

Social Studies 480 491 480

7. Daniell Middle School

2900 Scott Road Marietta, GA 30066 (678) 594-8048 Grades: 6-8 Students: 948 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 525 524 523

CCRPI: 79 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 50

Math

Science

508 524 515

518 516 511

Social Studies 524 540 518

Contest begins September 1, 2016

(iPad®)

Superior Plumbing and the Marietta Daily Journal are teaming up to give away an iPad a week, to local K-12 teachers. The contest runs the entire 2016-2017 school year.

Teacher!

Parents and students can nominate a teacher through our online nomination form. The Marietta Daily Journal Staff will select a winner from the nominations we receive each week and will present that winner with an iPad. A photo of the teacher and the students will appear in the newspaper each week.

Visit www.mdjonline.com to submit your nomination! 130 Factbook 2016-2017 FACTBOOK 2016-17 (130) 130

7/15/2016 5:02:09 PM

8. Dickerson Middle School CCRPI: 95 855 Woodlawn Drive Climate Rating: 5« Marietta, GA 30068 (770) 578-2710 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,273 Teachers: 75

5235 Austell-Powder Springs Road Austell, GA 30106 (770) 819-2466 Grades: 6-8 Students: 911

GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 580 573 563

Math

Science

568 573 573

573 558 566

Social Studies 559 547 543

13. Garrett Middle School

English/ Language Arts 493 493 495

CCRPI: 64 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 54

Math

Science

492 493 492

475 500 465

Social Studies 490 484 476

18. Lost Mountain Middle School CCRPI: 87 700 Old Mountain Road Climate Rating: 4« Kennesaw, GA 30152 (678) 594-8224 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,056 Teachers: 59 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 549 545 542

Math

Science

548 546 548

554 531 533

Social Studies 530 539 522

9. Dodgen Middle School CCRPI: 98 1725 Bill Murdock Road Climate Rating: 5« Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 578-2726 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,257 Teachers: 76

14. Griffin Middle School CCRPI: 74 4010 King Springs Road Climate Rating: 4« Smyrna, GA 30082 (678) 842-6917 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,242 Teachers: 71

19. Lovinggood Middle School CCRPI: 81 3825 Luther Ward Road Climate Rating: 4« Powder Springs, GA 30127 (678) 331-3015 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,354 Teachers: 75

GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 574 566 558

Math

Science

571 569 587

571 546 572

Social Studies 543 542 554

English/ Language Arts 506 501 504

Math

Science

498 510 508

505 508 490

Social Studies 497 502 510

English/ Language Arts 540 538 529

Math

Science

535 535 529

531 537 518

10. Durham Middle School CCRPI: 82 2891 Mars Hill Road NW Climate Rating: 5« Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 975-6641 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,036 Teachers: 62

15. Hightower Middle School CCRPI: 97 3905 Post Oak Tritt Road Climate Rating: 5« Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 578-7225 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,079 Teachers: 63

2700 Jims Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 928-5546 Grades: 6-8 Students: 890

GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 554 540 538

Math

Science

541 541 537

529 531 511

Social Studies 526 528 529

11. East Cobb Middle CCRPI: 78 380 Holt Road Climate Rating: 4« Marietta, GA 30068 (770) 578-2740 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,236 Teachers: 74 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 508 506 511

Math

Science

510 516 510

509 493 501

12. Floyd Middle School

4803 Floyd Road Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-2453 Grades: 6-8 Students: 949 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 490 489 502

Social Studies 507 511 496

CCRPI: 67 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 58

Math

Science

490 494 501

478 482 480

Social Studies 484 497 484

English/ Language Arts 567 556 560

Math

Science

551 560 579

564 554 572

Social Studies 557 547 548

16. Lindley 6th Grade Academy

1550 Pebblebrook Circle Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-2414 Grades: 6 Students: 527 GA Milestones Grade 6

English/ Language Arts 493

CCRPI: 78 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 33

Math

Science

496

497

Social Studies 499

17. Lindley Middle School CCRPI: 61 50 Veterans Memorial Highway Climate Rating: 4« Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-2496 Grades: 7-8 Students: 1,130 Teachers: 71 GA Milestones Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 483 497

Math

Science

488 493

479 475

Social Studies 490 482

20. Mabry Middle School

English/ Language Arts 555 549 551

Social Studies 523 532 513

CCRPI: 92 Climate Rating: 5« Teachers: 55

Math

Science

544 549 557

545 551 556

Social Studies 534 541 530

21. McCleskey Middle School

4080 Maybreeze Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 928-5560 Grades: 6-8 Students: 698 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 533 529 533

CCRPI: 83 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 47

Math

Science

519 530 550

529 529 552

Social Studies 521 515 541

22. McClure Middle School CCRPI: 87 3660 Old Stilesboro Road Climate Rating: 5« Kennesaw, GA 30152 (678) 331-8131 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,199 Teachers: 68 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 545 539 536

Math

Science

542 554 547

541 539 511

Social Studies 515 533 536

Factbook 2016-2017 131

FACTBOOK 2016-17 (131) 131

7/13/2016 11:32:52 AM

23. Palmer Middle School

690 North Booth Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 591-5020 Grades: 6-8 Students: 1,072 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 520 520 523

CCRPI: 79 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 62

Math

Science

521 522 529

506 518 520

24. Pine Mountain Middle School 732720 Pine Mountain Circle Kennesaw, GA 30152 (678) 594-8252 Grades: 6-8 Students: 617 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 525 517 509

GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

English/ Language Arts 557 555 542

509 507 499

534 555 547

542 547 542

English/ Language Arts 505 504 519

Social Studies 535 536 523

CCRPI: 68 Climate Rating: 3« Teachers: 68

Math

Science

488 498 506

484 483 470

27. Tapp Middle School

GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Teachers: 61 Science

3900 Macedonia Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (770) 222-3758 Grades: 6-8 Students: 811

Social Studies 507 506 485

CCRPI: 88 Climate Rating: 5«

Math

26. Smitha Middle School

English/ Language Arts 487 489 503

Teachers: 46

523 512 507

2025 Powder Springs Road Marietta, GA 30064 (678) 594-8267 Grades: 6-8 Students: 961 GA Milestones Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Climate Rating: 5«

Science

25. Simpson Middle School

Social Studies 511 508 512 CCRPI:

Math

3340 Trickum Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 971-4711 Grades: 6-8 Students: 945

1/2 PAGE V 4.1X10.25

Social Studies 489 499 498

CCRPI: 79 Climate Rating: 4« Teachers: 53

Math

Science

504 495 510

514 492 508

EIGHTH PAGE HORIZONTAL RESERVE YOUR AD 4.1X2.5

Social Studies 507 505 508

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MARIETTA CITY HIGH SCHOOL AND COBB HIGH SCHOOLS 28. Marietta High School

CCRPI: 73 Climate Rating: 4«

1171 Whitlock Ave. SW Marietta, GA 30064 (770) 428-2631 Grades: 9-12

Students: 2,180

SAT Reading 503 ACT English 21.1 GA Milestones

SAT Math 493 ACT Math 20.6

9th Lit. 510 Coord. Algebra 488

Teachers: 197 SAT Writing 480

ACT Reading 22.1

Am. Lit. 513 Economics 489

SAT % Tested 76%

GA Milestones

SAT Math 513 ACT Math 21.9

9th Lit. 527 Coord. Algebra 512

SAT Writing 485

ACT English 19.1 GA Milestones

ACT Math 19.8

9th Lit. 497 Coord. Algebra 468

Teachers: 135 SAT Writing 467

ACT Reading 20.1

Am. Lit. 512 Economics 500

GA Milestones

Students: 1,959 SAT Math 523 ACT Math 22.7

9th Lit. 541 Coord. Algebra 531

SAT Reading 511 ACT English 22.1

GA Milestones

9th Lit. 531 Coord. Algebra 512

Total 19.7

Teachers: 100 SAT Writing 505

ACT Reading 23.4

Am. Lit. 527 Economics 536

Total 1557

ACT Science 22.9

Total 23.1

Analytic Geom. Biology 539 563 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed 539

32. Hillgrove High School

SAT % Tested 76%

ACT Science 19.5

CCRPI: 92 Climate Rating: 5«

SAT Reading 529

4165 Luther Ward Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (678) 331-3961 Grades: 9-12

Total 1412

Analytic Geom. Biology 494 493 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 518

31. Harrison High School

ACT English 22.8

Total 22.3

CCRPI: 66 Climate Rating: 4«

SAT Math 470

4500 Due West Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 (678) 594-8104 Grades: 9-12 SAT % Tested 95%

ACT Science 22.4

Students: 2,576

SAT Reading 475

Total 1508

Analytic Geom. Biology 525 541 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 535

30. Campbell High School

SAT % Tested 70%

Biology 505 U.S. History 493

Teachers: 90

ACT Reading 22.9

Am. Lit. 522 Economics 526

5265 Ward Street Smyrna, GA 30080 (678) 842-6850 Grades: 9-12

Total 21.4

CCRPI: 91 Climate Rating: 4« Students: 1,734

SAT Reading 510 ACT English 21.7

ACT Science 21.5

Analytic Geom. 492 Physical Sci. 476

29. Allatoona High School

3300 Dallas-Acworth Highway Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 975-6503 Grades: 9-12

Total 1476

CCRPI: 95 Climate Rating: 4« Students: 2,371 SAT Math 505

ACT Math 21.8 Am. Lit. 530 Economics 550

Teachers: 114 SAT Writing 484

ACT Reading 23.1

ACT Science 22.1

Total 1500 Total 22.4

Analytic Geom. Biology 537 552 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 548

33. Kell High School

CCRPI: 82 Climate Rating: 4«

4770 Lee Walters Road Marietta, GA 30066 (648) 494-7844 Grades: 9-12 SAT % Tested 81%

SAT Reading 508 ACT English 21.6

GA Milestones

Students: 1,464 SAT Math 505 ACT Math 21.5

9th Lit. 515 Coord. Algebra 501

Teachers: 85 SAT Writing 484

ACT Reading 22.5

Total 1497

ACT Science 22

Total 22.1

Am. Lit. 525 Economics 502

Analytic Geom. Biology 519 540 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 540

34. Kennesaw Mountain High School

CCRPI: 90 Climate Rating: 4«

1898 Kennesaw-Due West Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 (678) 594-8190 Grades: 9-12 SAT % Tested 88%

ACT English 23.3 GA Milestones

Students: 2,150

SAT Reading 539

SAT Math 544 ACT Math 23.4

9th Lit. 530 Coord. Algebra 502

Teachers: 125 SAT Writing 505

ACT Reading 24.5

Am. Lit. 527 Economics 542

GA Milestones

Students: 2,146 SAT Math 566 ACT Math 25

9th Lit. 546 Coord. Algebra 549

Teachers: 117 SAT Writing 536

ACT Reading 25.4

Am. Lit. 553 Economics 552

ACT English 18.8 GA Milestones

ACT Math 18.9

Teachers: 120 SAT Writing 441

ACT Reading 20.2

Am. Lit. 518 Economics 499

SAT Reading 498 ACT English 21.7

GA Milestones

9th Lit. 513 Coord. Algebra 492

Total 1342

ACT Science 19.6

Total 19.5

Analytic Geom. Biology 489 491 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 527

37. North Cobb High School

SAT % Tested 81%

Total 25.1

CCRPI: 80 Climate Rating: 3«

SAT Math 441

9th Lit. 488 Coord. Algebra 477

3400 Highway 293 North Kennesaw, GA 30144 (770) 975-6685 Grades: 9-12

ACT Science 24.2

Students: 2,262

SAT Reading 460

Total 1656

Analytic Geom. Biology 571 578 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 555

36. McEachern High School

2400 New Macland Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 (770) 222-3710 Grades: 9-12 SAT % Tested 70%

Total 23.9

CCRPI: 99 Climate Rating: 5«

SAT Reading 554 ACT English 25.4

ACT Science 23.9

Analytic Geom. Biology 514 566 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 546

35. Lassiter High School

2601 Shallowford Road Marietta, GA 30066 (678) 494-7863 Grades: 9-12 SAT % Tested 100%

Total 1588

CCRPI: 82 Climate Rating: 4« Students: 2,807 SAT Math 476

ACT Math 20.2 Am. Lit. 526 Economics 539

Teachers: 146 SAT Writing 478

ACT Reading 22.1

Total 1452

ACT Science 21.3

Total 21.4

Analytic Geom. Biology 502 512 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 525

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38. Osborne High School

CCRPI: 70 Climate Rating: 3«

2451 Favor Road Marietta, GA 30060 (770) 437-5900 Grades: 9-12 SAT % Tested 46%

SAT Reading 418 ACT English 15.6

GA Milestones

Students: 1,938 SAT Math 403 ACT Math 16.6

9th Lit. 489 Coord. Algebra 474

Teachers: 127 SAT Writing 398

ACT Reading 17.2

Am. Lit. 490 Economics 489

SAT % Tested 68%

GA Milestones

SAT Math 414 ACT Math 17.7

9th Lit. 490 Coord. Algebra 479

Teachers: 122 SAT Writing 428

ACT Reading 19.6

Am. Lit. 487 Economics 491

GA Milestones

Students: 1,959 SAT Math 559 ACT Math 24

9th Lit. 556 Coord. Algebra 533

Teachers: 104 SAT Writing 537

ACT Reading 25

Am. Lit. 546 Economics 549

ACT English 18 GA Milestones

ACT English 20.4 GA Milestones

9th Lit. 509 Coord. Algebra 499

Total 24.4

ACT Math 18.1

Teachers: 110 SAT Writing 426

ACT Reading 19.5

Am. Lit. 484 Economics 496

Total 1288

ACT Science 18.7

Total 18.7

Analytic Geom. Biology 480 497 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 507

42. Sprayberry High School

SAT Reading 492

SAT Math 598 ACT Math 26.1

9th Lit. 551 Coord. Algebra 551

SAT Writing 566

ACT Reading 26.8

Am. Lit. 558 Economics 549

SAT % Tested 67%

Biology 580 U.S. History 560

Teachers: 129

SAT Math 546 ACT Math 23.6

9th Lit. 510 Coord. Algebra 486

Total 26.4

CCRPI: 82 Climate Rating: 4« Students: 2,118

SAT Reading 550 ACT English 24.1

GA Milestones

ACT Science 25.6

Analytic Geom. 582 Physical Sci. 547

44. Wheeler High School

375 Holt Road Marietta, GA 30068 (770) 578-3266 Grades: 9-12

Total 1748

Am. Lit. 532 Economics 513

SAT Writing 521

ACT Reading 25

Total 1617

ACT Science 24

Total 24.3

Analytic Geom. Biology 529 510 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 537

EIGHTH PAGE Infants - 6thVERTICAL Grade 1.95X5

CREATIVE

LEARNING

ENVIRONMENT

CCRPI: 68 Climate Rating: 3«

SAT Math 426

9th Lit. 493 Coord. Algebra 468

2525 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, GA 30066 (770) 578-3200 Grades: 9-12 SAT % Tested 82%

ACT Science 23.8

Students: 1,987 SAT Reading 436

Total 1647

Analytic Geom. Biology 535 571 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 553

41. South Cobb High School

1920 Clay Road Austell, GA 30106 (770) 819-2611 Grades: 9-12 SAT % Tested 64%

SAT Reading 584

Teachers: 137

CCRPI: 94 Climate Rating: 4«

SAT Reading 551 ACT English 24.4

GA Milestones

CCRPI: 97 Climate Rating: 5« Students: 2,676

ACT English 26.6

Total 18.7

Analytic Geom. Biology 484 484 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 499

40. Pope High School

3001 Hembree Road Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 578-7900 Grades: 9-12 SAT % Tested 88%

Total 1274

ACT Science 18.6

SAT % Tested 94%

Total 16.7

CCRPI: 64 Climate Rating: 3«

Students: 2,409

SAT Reading 432 ACT English 18.3

ACT Science 16.9

Analytic Geom. Biology 471 481 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 503

39. Pebblebrook High School

991 Old Alabama Road Mableton, GA 30126 (770) 819-2521 Grades: 9-12

Total 1219

43. Walton High School

1590 Bill Murdock Road Marietta, GA 30062 (770) 578-3225 Grades: 9-12

TAKE A TOUR!

Instilling a love for learning in infants, toddlers, pre-k and elementary students.

CCRPI: 81 Climate Rating: 3« Students: 1,723 SAT Math 488

ACT Math 20.5 Am. Lit. 516 Economics 519

Teachers: 101 SAT Writing 468

ACT Reading 21.4

ACT Science 20.9

Total 1448 Total 20.9

1500 Stanley Rd • Kennesaw

Analytic Geom. Biology 492 522 Physical Sci. U.S. History *no mean scale listed* 536

info@foundationscorp.com

770.429.4799

134 Factbook 2016-2017 FACTBOOK 2016-17 (134) 134

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Private Schools in COBB 1. Brookwood Christian School

4728 Wood Street Acworth, GA 30101 Phone: (678) 401-5855 Website: www.brookwoodchristian.com Director: Kim Wigington Accreditation: GAC Number of teachers: 11 Grades: 1-12 Application opens: rolling admission Application Fee: $280 Average tuition: $7,000 - $13,000 School programs: Brookwood focuses on language-based learning differences such as dyslexia. It offers small group LD and ESL programs. After-school care: Yes Year established: 2004

2. Carman Adventist School

1330 North Cobb Parkway Marietta, GA 30062 Phone: (770) 424-0606 Website: www.caschool.org Principal: Rebekah Helbley Accreditation: AAA, NCPSA, INS, GAPSAC, MSA-CESS Enrollment: 97 Number of teachers: 7 Grades: Pre-K to 8 Application opens: Year Round Application Fee: $100 Average tuition: $4,540 plus $475 registration fee School programs: Spanish, Singing Choir, Bell Choir, Art, Student Association, Lego Robotics, Sports After-school care: Yes Year established: 1998

3. Casa Montessori School

150 Powers Ferry Road SE Marietta, GA 30067 Phone: (770) 973-2731 Website: www.casamontessori.com Directress: Suzanne M. Johnson Accreditation: AMI Number of teachers: 17 Grades: Toddler - 6th grade Average Tuition: $9,050 - $10,600 Application opens: rolling application After-school care: Yes Year established: 1974

4. Center Academy

3499 South Cobb Drive Smyrna, GA 30080 Phone: (770) 333-1616 Website: www.centeracademy.com Enrollment: 54 Number of teachers: 3 Grades: 4-12 Accreditation: SACS, NIPSA Registration Opens: Rolling Special programs: ADD, autusim, MLD After-school care: Yes Year established: 1968

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5. Cobb County Christian School 545 Lorene Drive SW Marietta, GA 30060 Phone: (770) 434-1320 Website: www.cobbcountychristian.org Director: Gloria Kelley Accreditation: ACSI Average Tuition: $2,450 - $4,050 Grades: K3-12 After-school care: Yes Year established: 1971

6. Cornerstone Preparatory Academy

3588 Hickory Grove Road NW Acworth, GA 30101 Phone: (770) 529-7077 Website: www.cornerstoneprep.org Head of School: Jeanne Borders Enrollment: 470 Number of teachers: 70 Grades: K-12 Accreditation: SACS Application opens: Rolling admissions (due by June 30) Application Fee: $150 Average Tuition: $2,100 - $3,500 School programs: Chapel, athletic programs, KSU honors dual enrollment, IMPACT week, Cornerstone Case Service Day, Cornerstone Virtual Academy After-school care: Yes Year established: 2004

7. Covenant Christian School

3130 Atlanta Road SE Smyrna, GA 30080 Phone: (770) 435-1596 Website: www.ccssmyrna.org Director: Randy Ball Enrollment: more than 300 Number of teachers: more than 30 Grades: K4-8 Accreditation: GAC, SACS Application opens: November 2 - February 1 Application Fee: $125 Average Tuition: $5,460 - $8,990 School programs: Christian curriculum, sports After-school care: Yes Year established: 1975

8. Covered Bridge Academy

488 Hurt Road SW Smyrna, GA 30082 Phone: (770) 434-3181 Website: www.bridgemontessori.com.com Enrollment: 104 Number of teachers: 21 Grades: Pre-K - 5 Accreditation: GAC, AMS Application opens: rolling application Application Fee: $100 Average Tuition: $7,000 - $10,400 School programs: Montessori curriculum, Spanish, music, art, physical education After-school care: Yes Year established: 1981

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9. Cumberland Christian Academy

2356 Clay Road Austell, GA 30106 Phone: (770) 819-5040 Website: www.cumbarlandchristian.org Headmaster: Lee Campbell Enrollment: 485 Number of teachers: 41 Grades: PK3-12 Accreditation: ACSI Application opens: February Application Fee: $25 Average Tuition: $3,790 - $7,680 School programs: Sports, photography and videography, online courses After-school care: Yes Year established: 1989

10. Dominion Christian School

4607 Burnt Hickory Road NW Marietta, GA 30064 Phone: (770) 420-2153 Website: www.dominionchristian.org Director: David Raines Number of teachers: 20 Grades: 6-12 Accreditation: ACSI, AdvancED Application opens: Year round Application Fee: $120 Average Tuition: $9,264 - $13,380 School programs: Athletics, dual enrollment and advanced placement, peer leadership program, student services for students with learning differences, clubs, international programs After-school care: No Year established: 1997

11. East Cobb Christian School

4616 Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068 Phone: (770) 565-0881 Website: www.eccs.org Principal: Teresa Staley Enrollment: 125 Number of teachers: 22 Grades: K-8 Accreditation: GAC Application Fee: $120 Average Tuition (non-member rates): $6,488 - $8,480 School programs: Charlotte Mason Emphasis, Spanish, ExploreMore program for K-3 After-school care: No Year established: 1987

12. Eastside Christian School

2450 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068 Phone: (770) 971-2332 Website: www.eastsidechristianschool.com Head of School: Clayton R. “Rusty” Hill Enrollment: 350 Number of teachers: 27 Grades: K-8 Accreditation: ACSI, AdvancED, SACS CASI Application opens: October Application Fee: $100 Average Tuition: $6,075 - $7,290 School programs: Athletics, clubs, art, music, drama, STEM, Spanish, The Discovery Program, progressive computer application courses After-school care: Yes Year established: 1983

13. Faith Lutheran School

2111 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068 Phone: (770) 973-8877 Website: www.faithmarietta.com Principal: Daryl M. Kruse Enrollment: 160 Number of teachers: 20 Grades: Transitional Kindergarten - 8 Accreditation: SACS, AdvancED Registration Fee: $200 Average Tuition: $5,222 - $9,966 School programs: Athletics, Spanish club, robotics After-school care: Yes Year established: 1958

14. First Baptist Christian

2958 North Main Street NW Kennesaw, GA 30144 Phone: (770) 422-3254 Website: www.fbcskennesaw.com Director: Eric Miller Enrollment: 125 Number of teachers: 11 Grades: 2 year old - 5 Accreditation: ACSI Application Fee: $250 - $500 Average Tuition (non-resident): $2,254.98 - $6,366.20 After-school care: Yes

15. Foundations for the Future

18. Harvest Baptist School 3460 Kellogg Creek Road Acworth, GA 30102 Phone: (770) 974-9091 Website: www.hbsga.org Director: Dwayne Hickman Enrollment: 74 Number of teachers: 9 Grades: Pre-K to 12 Average Tuition: $3,485 - $4,770 Year established: 1976

19. Johnson Ferry Christian Academy

955 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30068 Phone: (678) 784-5231 Website: www.jfca.org Director: Kimberly Maiocco Enrollment: 350 Number of teachers: 42 Grades: K - 12 Accreditation: AdvancED, ACSI Application opens: November 1 Application Fee: $350 Average Tuition: $4,150-$4,500 School programs: Athletics, leadership opportunities, clubs After-school care: No Year established: 2004

20. MDE School

1500 Stanley Road NW Kennesaw, GA 30152 Phone: (770) 429-4799 Website: www.foundationsschool.com Head of School: Lynn McKinnon Enrollment: 200 Number of teachers: 15 Grades: Infant/Toddler - 6th Grade Accreditation: NAEYC, AdvancED, SACS CASI Application opens: Open Enrollment Application Fee: $250-$500 Average Tuition: $9,672 School programs: Gym, dance studio, Spanish, arts After-school care: Yes Year established: 2004

1517 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30062 Phone: (770) 971-4633 Website: www.mdeschool.com Director: Mindy Elkan Number of teachers: 12 Grades: K - 12 Accreditation: GAC Application opens: Rolling admissions Application Fee: $500 Average Tuition: $19,000 School programs: Life skills/Social skills, Speech and language clinics, therapy, student government, yearbook, Lego club, field trips After-school care: Yes Year established: 2009

16. Furtah Preparatory School

21. Mableton Christian Academy

5496 Highway 92 Acworth, GA 30102 Phone: (678) 574-6488 Website: www.furtahprep.org Headmaster: Frederick J. Furtah Grades: 3-12 Accreditation: GAC Application Fee: $125 Average Tuition: $9,975 - $13,500 School programs: Exchange program, fine arts, sports, technology After-school care: Yes Year established: 2011

17. Grace Point School

580 Piedmont Road Marietta, GA 30066 Phone: (678) 709-6634 Website: www.gracepointschool.org Director: Joy Wood Number of teachers: 17 Grades: 1-8 Accreditation: GAC Application opens: Rolling application Application Fee: $95 Average Tuition: $20,000 School programs: Christian school for students with dyslexia After-school care: No Year established: 2012

6485 Factory Shoals Road SW Mableton, GA 30126 Phone: (770) 948-7971 Website: www.mabletonchristianacademy.com Grades: K - 12 Application Fee: $100 Average Tuition: $3,600 - $4,800 School programs: Student conventions After-school care: Yes Year established: 1978

22. Midway Covenant Christian School

4635 Dallas Highway Powder Springs, GA 30127 Phone: (770) 590-1866 Website: www.midwayschool.org Director: Barbara Kline Number of teachers: 27 Grades: K-8 Accreditation: ACSI Application Fee: $155 Average Tuition: $3,892-$6,696 School programs: Fine arts, Beta club, drama club, chess club, FCA After-school care: Yes Year established: 1996

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23. Mount Bethel Christian Academy

Main Campus (K-8) North Campus (9-12) 4385 Lower Roswell Road 2509 Post Oak Tritt Road Marietta, GA 30068 Marietta, GA 30063 Phone: (770) 971-0245 Website: www.mtbethelchristian.org Head of School: Jim R. Callis Number of teachers: 115 Grades: Pre-K to 12 Accreditation: SACS, SAIS Application opens: Rolling admission, ends Feb. 23 Application Fee: $150 Average Tuition: $9,900-$13,540 School programs: Athletics, Latin, Spanish, Bible, fine arts, clubs, STEM, honors programs, one-to-one laptops After-school care: Yes Year established: 1998

24. Mount Paran Christian School

1275 Stanley Road Kennesaw, GA 30152 Phone: (770) 578-0182 Website: www.mtparanschool.com Headmaster: Dr. David Tilley Grades: Pre-K to 12 Accreditation: SACS, SAIS, AdvanceED Application opens: Rolling admission Application Fee: $75 Average Tuition: $9,540-$17,990 School programs: Fine arts program, athletics, AP and honors classes, foreign language, study abroad, peer mentoring, clubs, internships, Georgia GOAL scholarship After-school care: Yes Year established: 1976

25. North Cobb Christian School

4500 Eagle Drive Kennesaw, GA 30144 Phone: (770) 975-0252 Website: www.ncchristian.org Head of School: Todd Clingman Enrollment: 912 Number of teachers: 86 Grades: K3 - 12 Accreditation: AdvancED, ACSI Application Fee: $100 Average Tuition: $4,810-$14,725 School programs: AP and Honors classes, foreign language, student government, honors societies, clubs, chapel, Eagle ambassadors, retreats, community service After-school care: Yes Year established: 1983

28. Praise Academy

4052 Hiram-Lithia Springs Road SW Powder Springs, GA 30127 Phone: (770) 943-2484 Website: www.praiseacademy.com Director: L. Joe White Grades: K - 12 Accreditation: SACS, ASCI Application opens: Rolling admission Application Fee: $25 Average Tuition: $3,450-$6,122 School programs: Fine arts, athletics After-school care: Yes Year established: 1983

29. SAE School

6688 Mableton Parkway SE Mableton, GA 30126 Phone: (678) 239-3200 Website: www.saeschool.org Head of School: Jimmy G. Arispe Number of teachers: 48 Grades: Pre-K to 12 Accreditation: GAC; NAEYC, SACS Application opens: Rolling admissions Application Fee: $98 Average Tuition: $10,500 School programs: Project-based learning After-school care: Yes Year established: 2013

30. Shiloh Hills Christian School

260 Hawkins Store Road NE Kennesaw, GA 30144 Phone: (770) 926-7729 Website: www.shilohhills.com/school Administrator: Terry Farrant Number of teachers: 26 Grades: K3 - 12 Applications opens: Jaunuary 4 Application Fee: $130-$180 Accreditation: SACS, ACSI Average Tuition: $4,395 - $8,595 School programs: ESL, Athletics, Discovery After-school care: Yes Year established: 1980

31. St. Benedictâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Episcopal School

5330 Brookstone Dr. NW, Suite 320 Acworth, GA 30101 Phone: (770) 792-7431 Website: www.omegalearning.com/acworth-ga Grades: K-12 Accreditation: AdvancED Average Tuition: $10,380

2160 Cooper Lake Road SE Smyrna, GA 30080 Phone: (678) 279-4300 Website: www.stbs.org Head of School: Rev. Brian Sullivan Enrollment: 430 Number of teachers: 55 Grades: Pre-K to 8 Accreditation: GAC Average Tuition: $7,200-$10,970 School programs: Spanish, summer camps, athletics After-school care: Yes Year established: 2008

27. Omega Private Academy - East Cobb

32. St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School

26. Omega Private Academy - Acworth

3045 Gordy Parkway, Suite 102 Marietta, GA 30066 Phone: (770) 973-0239 Website: www.omegalearning.com/eastcobb-ga Grades: K-12 Accreditation: AdvanceED

33. St. Joseph Catholic School

81 Lacy Street Marietta, GA 30060 Phone: (770) 428-3328 Website: www.stjosephschool.org Director: Patricia Allen Enrollment: 485 Grades: K-8 Accreditation: SACS, SAIS Application opens: October Application Fee: $150 Average Tuition: $8,229 (non-Catholic), $6,329 (active-Catholic) School programs: Spanish, LEGO robotics, fine arts, Scouts After-school care: Yes Year established: 1953

34. The Stonehaven School

505 Atlanta Street SE Marietta, GA 30060 Phone: (770) 874-8885 Website: www.stonehavenschool.org Director: Brett Edwards Enrollment: 106 Number of teachers: 14 Grades: K - 8 Accreditation: SAIS Application fee: $150 Average Tuition: $7,700-$9,300 School programs: Fine arts, athletics, lab, nature studies, piano After-school care: Yes Year established: 2004

35. The Walker School

700 Cobb Parkway North Marietta, GA 30062 Phone: (770) 427-2689 Website: www.thewalkerschool.org Director: Jack Hall Enrollment: 950 Number of teachers: 180 Grades: Pre-K to 12 Accreditation: SACS, SAIS Application opens: January - April Application Fee: $85 Average Tuition: $12,000-$21,790 School programs: Athletics, fine arts, AP program, clubs, study abroad, foreign exchange students, field trips After-school care: Yes Year established: 1957

36. The Wood Acres School

1772 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30062 Phone: (770) 971-1880 Website: www.woodacresschool.org Director: Judy T. Thigpen Grades: Toddler - 8th Grade Accreditation: GAC, FLAG Application Fee: $100 Average Tuition: $8,500 - $11,400 After-school care: Yes Year established: 1969

1618 Ben King Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 Phone: (770) 419-8601 Website: www.scsiena.org Director: Sister Mary Jacinta Enrollment: 446 Number of teachers: 33 Grades: K-8 Accreditation: SACS Application Fee: $155 Average Tuition: $7,550 School programs: Athletics, Lego robotics team, fine arts, Scouts system After-school care: Yes Year established: 2002

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37. TLE Christian Academy 2765 South Main Street nw Kennesaw, GA 30144 Phone: (770) 218-1790 Website: www.tleacademy.com Head of School: John Ahlberg Enrollment: 43 Number of teachers: 5 Grades: K-12 Accreditation: GAC, SACS Application opens: Year Round Application Fee: $200 Average Tuition: $6,900-$10,100 After-school care: Yes Year established: 2003

38. Whitefield Academy

1 Whitefield Academy Mableton, GA 30126 Phone: (678) 305-3000 Website: www.whitefieldacademy.com Headmaster: Kevin Bracher Enrollment: approx. 800 Number of teachers: 104 Grades: Pre-K4 - 12 Accreditation: SAIS, SACS Application Fee: $75 Average Tuition: $9,950-$21,750 School programs: Extra-curricular classes and sports (all grade levels) and after-school childcare for Lower School; College and Life Planning Courses and testing for Juniors; college trips (Upper School students); global educational and mission trips (Upper School students); after-school study hall for Middle and Upper School students (no fee); athletic training program (Upper School students); peer tutoring and professional subject-specific tuturoials; award-winning athletic teams and performing arts productions (all grade levels) After-school care: Yes Year established: 1997

Accreditation abbreviations: Some affiliations listed under accreditation are memberships rather than accreditations. Some common abbreviations for school accrediation are: AAIS - Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools ACSI - Association of Christian Schools International AMI - Association of Montessori International CITA - Commission on Trans-Regional Accreditation DHR - Department of Human Resources ELCA - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America GAC - Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc. GACS - Georgia Association of Christian Schools GAPSEC - Georgia Association of Private Schools for Exceptional Children GAYC - Georgia Association of Young Children GCCA - Georgia Child Care Association GHSA - Georgia High School Association GISA - Georgia Independent School Association MACTE - Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education MIA - Montessori Institute of America NAEYC - National Association for the Education of Young Children NAIS - National Association of Independent Schools NCME - National Council on Measurement in Education NCPSA - National Council of Private School Association SACS - Southern Association of Colleges & Schools SAIS - Southern Association of Independent Schools Regarding grades offered, the term K-8 means Kindergarten through eighth grade. The term PK means the school has pre-kindergarten programs for 4-year-olds. We did not include childcare centers or schools that only offer preschool. PS - Preschool PK - Pre-kindergarten PK3 - Pre-kindergarten program for 3-year-olds PK4 - Pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-olds K - Kindergarten

Our mission at GRACEPOINT School is to equip dyslexic students with the skills needed to develop into independent and confident learners, through sequential, systematic and multisensory instruction. Our goal is to instill in each child a lifelong desire for growing in wisdom and gaining knowledge of the Lord so that each may fulfill God’s purposes and bring glory to Him.

NEW LOCATION FOR FALL 2016 • Tours available by request 570 Piedmont Rd, Marietta, GA 30066 • 678-709-6634 www.gracepointschool.org 138 Factbook 2016-2017 FACTBOOK 2016-17 (138) 138

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COBB Colleges & Universities

Cobb is home to some outstanding colleges and universities. On the next few pages, we provide you with the details on each school, including enrollment, cost and each schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s areas of expertise. FACTBOOK 2016-17 (139) 139

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Chattahoochee Technical College Main Campus: 980 South Cobb Drive Marietta, GA 30060 770-528-4545 www.chattahoocheetech.edu Number of students: 14,625 In-state Tuition by semester: â&#x20AC;˘ Undergraduate: $1,541 (15 credit hours) â&#x20AC;˘ Tuition per credit hour: $89 Most popular programs/departments: Accounting technology, computer systems, early childhood education, administrative assistant and secretarial science, criminal justice, business administration and management, automotive mechanics technology

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IT’S BACK FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR!

Win an

Apple for your

(iPad®)

Teacher!

Superior Plumbing and the Marietta Daily Journal are teaming up to give away an iPad a week, to local K-12 teachers. The contest runs the entire 2016-2017 school year.

Visit www.mdjonline.com

to submit your nomination! Brought to you by Life University 1269 Barclay Circle Marietta, GA 30060 770-426-2600 www.life.edu Number of students: 2,708 In-state tuition by semester: • Undergraduate: $226 per credit hour + $350 quarterly fee • Graduate: $257 per credit hour +$350 quarterly fee • Chiropractic: $341 per credit hour + $350 quarterly fee Most popular programs/departments: Doctor of Chiropractic degree program is largest single-campus chiropractic college in the world; nutrition, sport health-science, psychology, biology

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Contest begins September 1, 2016 Parents and students can nominate a teacher through our online nomination form. The Marietta Daily Journal Staff will select a winner from the nominations we receive each week and will present that winner with an iPad. A photo of the teacher and the students will appear in the newspaper each week.

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Kennesaw State University 1000 Chastain Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 470-578-6000 www.kennesaw.edu Number of students: 33,000 In-state tuition by semester: â&#x20AC;˘ Undergraduate: $3,663 (15 credit hours) â&#x20AC;˘ Tuition per credit hour: $177 Most popular programs/ departments: elementary education, business administration and management, speech communication, accounting, nursing, psychology, finance, biology

Complete List of Colleges and Universities in Cobb County Chattahoochee Technical College 2-year: Public Kennesaw State University 4-year: Public Life University 4 year: Private Cobb Beauty College 1-year: Private Empire Beauty School 2-year: Private Fortis College 2-year: For-profit

ITT Technical Institute 4-year: Private Lincoln College of Technology 2-year: Private Powder Springs Beauty School 1-year: Private Reformed Theological Seminary 3-year: Private Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy 11-month: Private

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Read a GOOD BOOK lately? The Cobb County Public Library System has plenty, with 16 branches where Cobb Countians can browse the bookshelves or the Internet. The library system is “dedicated to being a resource center in the community by providing equal access to information, materials and services.” The Cobb County Public Library System’s 16 locations: Acworth Library 4569 Dallas St. Acworth, GA 30101 770-917-5165 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday - Friday: Closed Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed East Cobb Library 4880 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068 770-509-2730 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed East Marietta Library 2051 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday - Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Gritters Library 880 Shaw Park Road Marietta, GA 30066 770-528-2524 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday - Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

770.590.WELD georgiatradeschool.com

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Sunday: Closed Kemp Memorial 4029 Due West Road Marietta, GA 30064 770-528-2527 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday - Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Kennesaw Library 2205 Lewis St. Kennesaw, GA 30144 770-528-2529

Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday - Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Lewis A. Ray Library 4500 Oakdale Road Smyrna, GA 30080 770-801-5335 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday - Friday: Closed Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed

Mountain View Regional Library 3320 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, GA 30066 770-509-2725 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Powder Springs Library 4181 Atlanta St., Bldg. 1 Powder Springs, GA 30127 770-439-3600 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday - Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Sibley Library 1539 South Cobb Drive Marietta, GA 30060 770-528-2520 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday - Friday: Closed Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed South Cobb Regional Library 805 Clay Road Mableton, GA 30126 678-398-5828 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Stratton Library 1100 Powder Spring Road Marietta, GA 30064 770-528-2522 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday - Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Sweetwater Library 5000 Austell-Powder Springs Road, Suite 123 Austell, GA 30106 770-819-3290 Hours Monday - Wednesday:

10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday - Sunday: Closed Switzer Library 266 Roswell St. Marietta, GA 30060 770-528-2320 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed (May 22, 2016September 11, 2016) Sunday hours resume September 11, 2016. Every Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Vinings Library 4290 Paces Ferry Road Atlanta, GA 30339 770-801-5330 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday - Friday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed West Cobb Regional Library 1750 Dennis Kemp Lane Kennesaw, GA 30152 770-528-4699 Hours Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: Closed Factbook 2016-2017 145

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HOLLYWOOD of the East Coast

BY KATY RUTH CAMP AND RICKY LEROUX Cobb County has quickly become a featured player in Georgia’s booming film and television production industry, which comes as no surprise to Holly Quinlan, CEO of Cobb Travel & Tourism. “The film industry in Georgia, as well as in Cobb, is a leading industry that has grown tremendously over the last few years, due in large part to the tax incentives that the state has put in place,” Quinlan said. “We’re definitely known as the Hollywood of the East Coast, and lots of productions are moving their different operations here to take advantage of the incentives that are available.” In June, Georgia was announced as tied with Louisiana for third in the world for the number of movies released in 2015 that were filmed primarily within its boundaries. The study was conducted by Film L.A. Inc., a nonprofit advocacy group for southern California’s film industry, and looked at 109 films released in 2015 by 12 major studios. Georgia saw 12 of those 109 filmed mostly within its borders. The 12 Georgia productions had a total budget of $952 million, according to the study, of which $535 million was spent in the state. California finished first with 19 films, followed by the U.K. with 15. Louisiana tied with Georgia with 12. Quinlan, who is the point person for film and television production companies looking to shoot in Cobb, said her office fielded more than 250 requests to film in Cobb County in 2015. “This number continues to grow annually,” Quinlan said. “This is thanks to our many unique, one-of-a-kind shooting locations, easy accessibility and initiatives like the state’s film credit.” Some notable movies and television shows that have been filmed in Cobb include “Selma,” “Dumb and Dumber To,” “Zombieland,” “Neighborhood Watch,” “The Walking Dead,” “Million Dollar Arm” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Georgia offers qualifying productions in Georgia a 20 percent tax credit if $500,000 or more is spent on production or post-production in the state, with an additional 10 percent credit if the production includes a Georgia promotional logo in

the production’s credits. In addition to tax incentives, Georgia has a “Camera Ready” program, which seeks to make the process of filming in Georgia easier for production companies. Each county in Georgia, including Cobb, is listed on the program’s website with pertinent information that a production company might need, such as distances from airports, topography and unique filming locations. Some of the unique locations listed for Cobb include each of the county’s six cities — with short descriptions — as well as museums, colleges and attractions such as Lake Allatoona, the Silver Comet Trail and Six Flags Over Georgia. When production crews come to town, they also bring new business to local companies. “It stimulates Cobb’s economy through many other avenues,” Quinlan said. “Production companies use many local services, which include hotels, restaurants, caterers, construction suppliers, dry cleaners … they can even rent short-term office and warehouse space.” Filming locations also have a positive impact on the tourism industry, as has been the case with the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Cobb. The first season of AMC’s “The Walking Dead” used CEPAC as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s headquarters. On the show, after a group of survivors of the zombie apocalypse show up, the “CDC” gets blown up. The venue is now one of the Atlanta Movie Tour’s most popular stops. “They have a big zombie tour, and they advertise it as you can see if the CDC is still standing,” she said. Cobb County is fortunate to have such a degree of diversity that it can be used for many different types of films, Quinlan remarked. “You can do a lot with movie magic — that’s for sure — but we’ve got the lakes, we have big commercial areas, we’ve got industrial space, we’ve got lots of nature, we have lots of downtown Squares that translate back in time,” she said. “I think that’s one of the reasons there’s so much activity here is because there’s just so much diversity.”

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I n Yo u r W o r d s What is the best place for entertainment in Cobb?

“The Marietta Square; it’s great for kids.”

“We hike to Battlefield Park a lot.” — Eric Schreiber of Marietta

— Heather Cleverly of Acworth, homemaker

“I like to golf at the Cobblestone course in Acworth, it’s my favorite.” — Justin Higgenbotham of Acworth, construction

Shelia and Paul Ray, Artists

Find us on Facebook

Gallery Hours

Tues - Sat 10:30am - 5:30pm

www.springplacepottery.com Voted Best Shoppe in Bartow County, 2013 & 2012 15 E. Main St. - Cartersville, GA 30120 - (770) 383-9910

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I n Yo u r W o r d s What is the best place for entertainment in Cobb?

“For adults, I like the food truck park in Marietta. For kids, we always come to Kennesaw.” — Lynae Benjamin of Marietta, works from home

“I always come to the park with my dogs.” — Caitlin Gonzalez of Kennesaw, teacher

“We love live theater like the seasonal shows at the Strand or some of the older theaters as well.” — Ann Duffy of east Cobb, education policy

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A thrilling, virtual reality BY JON GARGIS

Home of Theatre, Filming, Comedy, Music and More! 11 Whitlock Ave SW Marietta, GA 30064 770-246-4800 Ask About Renting Our Space!

www.theatreinthesquare.net

This year, thrill-seekers of almost every age have gotten several new attractions to experience at Six Flags’ two Cobb County amusement parks, and more are expected to open in 2017. As Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell began its 49th season, it brought the virtual reality experience to the excitement of a roller coaster ride when it debuted “The New Revolution at Dare Devil Dive.” Billed as North America’s first virtual reality coaster, “The New Revolution” allows riders 13 and older to don Samsung Gear VR (virtual reality) powered by Oculus headsets before their ride begins, which places them in the middle of a “futuristic battle to save planet Earth from an alien invasion.” Those younger than 13 or those wishing not to opt into the VR experience can still ride the Dare Devil Dive normally. The coaster, which travels at speeds of up to 55 mph, has been a part of the park since 2011, said Gene Petriello, communications manager for Six Flags Over Georgia. Renovations to another coaster are giving those who get on it a smoother ride. Previously known as the Ninja, renovations to the coaster that debuted in 1992 include new soft-vest restraints, track enhancements, a fresh coat of blue paint and a special military theme. It’s now known as the Blue Hawk — named through a poll of park guests — and the Air Force-themed attraction honors the military. Younger park patrons who may not be ready, or tall enough, for the full-size roller coasters and attractions haven’t been left out of changes made to the park this year. The DC Super Friends kids’ area offers five new pint-sized experiences, from the Superman Tower of Power, the Wonder Woman Flight School and The Joker Funhouse Coaster, featuring 900 feet of track and speeds of 30 mph. Twisting swings, a junior Ferris wheel and a climbing playground are among the offerings of the expanded and re-themed children’s area known as Bugs Bunny Boomtown. For those who want to beat the heat during the summer months, parkgoers can enjoy the attractions of Hurricane Harbor, the water park inside Six Flags Over Georgia, from the giant wave pool to the Tsunami Surge water slide, which features a 45-foot zero gravity wave wall. Hurricane Harbor is included free with admission to Six Flags Over Georgia. Six Flags Over Georgia is open daily through Aug. 7. In addition to weekend hours through October, the park will offer its annual “Fright Fest” and “Holiday in the Park” events surrounding the Halloween and Thanksgiving/Christmas seasons, respectively. Six Flags White Water, the amusement park’s sister park in Marietta, debuted the Wahoo Racer in May, which allows six individuals to race head-first and stomach-down on a snakelike course toward the finish line. The attraction stands more than 60 feet tall and features six side-by-side lanes. The water park has extended its calendar through the first weekend of October, which may be a boon to students who get a fall break, such as those in Cobb County and Marietta City schools, who have the entire last week of September off from classes. “We’re going to be celebrating our 50th anniversary with lots of surprises,” said Dale Kaetzel, Six Flags’ park president. “Six Flags Over Georgia is such a big, beautiful heritage park, that we have many things to celebrate throughout our 50 years, from our incredible team members to some of the best intellectual properties in the business such as Looney Tunes and DC Comics, as well as the best collection of thrill rides in the Southeast.”

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CUSTOM DESIGN & UPHOLSTERY CENTER 2206 Cobb Parkway (Same building as Ace Hardware)

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Cobb County shows rich history through museums BY CLAIRE HARPER Cobb County’s rich history can be explored at its 13 different museums with topics ranging from the history of trains in the county to the novel and film “Gone With the Wind,” as well as several art installations. With a wide variety of regional and local museums, visitors can learn about many topics significant to the county and surrounding areas, according to Holly Quinlan, CEO of Cobb Travel and Tourism. “Cobb is fortunate to have a variety of museum options that brings art, history and culture together,” Quinlan said. “Museums help make a community well-rounded.” The newest museum in Cobb is the Zuckerman Museum of Art, which opened in March 2014. It was the first museum to open in the metro Atlanta community in over a decade, according to Quinlan. The museum is on Kennesaw State University’s campus and has both permanent pieces as well as exhibits from local and nationally-recognized artists. The Marietta Gone With The Wind Museum offers visitors a step back into life during the Civil War and Reconstruction as told through the eyes of the famous Scarlett O’Hara. A collection of memorabilia was provided by Dr. Christopher Sullivan and has made this museum enjoyable to all since its opening in 2003. It celebrated the 80th anniversary of the book in June with special guests including Daniel Selznick, son of David O. Selznick, producer of the

“Gone With the Wind” movie. The weekend included panels, auctions, autographs, an award ceremony and more, according to Connie Sutherland, director of the museum. The Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, just off the Marietta Square, is the only Cobb museum to focus solely on American art. The museum recently partnered with The Coca-Cola Company and Mason Fine Art Collections for its “Catch The Wave” exhibit, which displayed works from artists such as Norman Rockwell, Haddan Sundblom and Andy Warhol. The art museum also sponsors “Chalktoberfest” in early October, when artists from around the world descend on the Square to create temporary masterpieces on sidewalks and roads. The county’s biggest museum, according to Quinlan, is the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. It has more than 50,000 square feet of space and is a member of the Smithsonian Affiliations Program. The museum is home to Civil War and locomotive artifacts, including “The General.” On Sept. 17 and 18, Marietta Museum of History will host its 25th annual Marietta Street Fest, which typically draws about 25,000 people to the Square. People come to take in the rich history of Marietta and hear live music; attendees also get free admission into the Marietta Museum. Other museums in the county include the Kennesaw State University Museum of History and Holocaust Education, Marietta Fire Museum and the William Root House Museum and Garden, among others.

William Root House Museum and Garden 145 Denmead St., NE Marietta, 30060 770-426-4982 Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History 2898 Cherokee St., NW Kennesaw, 30144 770-427-2117 Smyrna Museum 2861 Atlanta Road Smyrna, 30080 770-431-2858 Seven Springs Museum 3901 Brownsville Road Powder Springs, 30127 678-567-5611 Old Zion Heritage Museum 165 Lemon St. Marietta, 30060 Kennesaw State University Museum of History and Holocaust Education 3333 Busbee Drive, NW Kennesaw, 30144 678-797-2083

Marietta Museum of History 1 Depot St., #200 Marietta, 30060 770-794-5710 Marietta Gone With the Wind Museum 18 Whitlock Ave., NW Marietta, 30064 770-794-5576 Marietta Fire Museum 112 Haynes St. Marietta, 30060 770-794-5466 Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art 30 Atlanta St., SE Marietta, 30060 770-528-1444 Austell Museum 5000 Austell Powder Springs Road, Suite 101 Austell, 30106 770-944-4309 The Youth Museum 694 Cheatham Hill Drive Marietta, 30064 770-427-2563 Zuckerman Museum of Art 492 Prillman Way Kennesaw, 30144 470-578-3223

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Things to do on the Marietta Square BY CLAIRE HARPER The Historic Marietta Square is an entertainment mecca often bustling with people shopping, eating and observing all that the central landmark has to offer. In the heart of the Square is Glover Park, which Katie Peterson, executive director of the Marietta Visitors Bureau, said “truly sparkles as the centerpiece of the Square and buzzes with activity all year long.” More than 60 merchants and restaurants call the Square and the surrounding area home. Visitors can see a show at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre, an old motion picture house that has been on the Square since 1935, or at the Atlanta Lyric Theatre; dive into the past at the Marietta Museum of History or the Gone With the Wind Museum; or just enjoy the weather on a bench in Glover Park in the center of the Square. In addition to the Square’s tenants, Peterson estimated about 100 events were hosted at the Square this past year. Several of those events saw outstanding success, including The Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour, which had the second highest number of tickets sold over the 29 years of the tour. Additionally, Taste of Marietta completed its 23rd annual event and catered to more than 80,000 people on the Square in one day, according to Peterson. This past holiday season, Glover Park housed an open-air skating rink, a towering Christmas tree and a Menorah lighting ceremony for its first Winter Wonderland event. The event was a little over a month long, starting in late November with the opening of the skating rink and ending in early January after ringing in the new year with a less than ordinary “ball drop” event. The event was created by The Branding Project, a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 dedicated to making Marietta an entertainment destination. Local businesses and lovers of the town come together, headed by Sterling Wharton, to create events that would make the Square and Marietta more notable to the public. The Branding Project hosts the Marietta Artisan Market, the Marietta Square Art Walk, the Winter Wonderland and New Year’s Eve celebration event. Throughout the entire month, the event attracted an estimated 60,000 people, prompting the city council to call it a success and call for it to take place again this year. The event raised $11,000, which Councilman Stuart Fleming also deemed a success.

The 2016-17 Winter Wonderland will see a few changes. The most notable, said Peterson, is extending the time the skating rink is open from just after Thanksgiving through February, almost two months longer than this year. The Historic Marietta Square has become an iconic haven to Marietta residents. Whether residents and visitors are looking to eat, shop or play, the Square has become the place to go. “The Square is a true destination on its own,” Peterson said.

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DINING OUT: Restaurants shine in Cobb County BY KATY RUTH CAMP Cobb County is home to some of Georgia’s best restaurants and specialty bars, many of which are part of their own restaurant groups. An umbrella restaurant group is not a new concept, but it is one that has taken off in Cobb County in recent years. Some of the largest restaurant groups in Cobb include Unsukay, Fork U Concepts, Marietta Family Restaurants and Square Roots Group. Unsukay includes Muss & Turner’s (Smyrna), Eleanor’s (a “speakeasy” inside Muss & Turner’s), Common Quarter (east Cobb) and Local Three (just outside of Vinings). Over the past few years, the group has also launched a nonprofit called The Giving Kitchen, which raises money for restaurant industry workers. “All of our restaurants are very chef-driven,” said Common Quarter Operating Manager Ryan Talley. “We have local items from as close to home as we can get it, organic when we can afford it. It’s eclectic and adventurous.” Fork U Concepts is the parent company of restaurant concepts Taqueria Tsunami Latin Asian Kitchen, Stockyard Burgers and Bones, and Pressed Panini Bar, all on the Marietta Square. In June, Fork U Concepts also opened a second location of Stockyard in Vinings in the space that formerly held Noche. Also on the Square, Square Roots Group is made up of The Butcher The Baker, its neighbor WR Social House and the event space above the two restaurants, Top Floor.

Celebrity chef and Marietta resident Alton Brown has repeatedly named The Butcher The Baker as one of his favorite restaurants. “At The Butcher The Baker, we are a farm to table, local community restaurant,” said Katie Pfister, who is “the baker” to the restaurant, while her husband, Micah, serves in “the butcher” role. “We try to support all of our local farmers, local vendors — all of that as much as we can. We get all of our proteins in Georgia. We try to support everyone in the county.” One of the county’s oldest restaurant groups, Marietta Family Restaurants, is owned by Gus Tselios and his family members. The group is made up of Cherokee Cattle Company and Marietta Fish Market in east Marietta, Pasta Bella and Marietta Diner in Marietta, Casa Grande Bar and Grill in Austell and Yeero Village in east Cobb. The Marietta Diner on Cobb Parkway has been featured on several TV shows and was named one of the nation’s “must-see” diners by BuzzFeed in 2015. It was listed the third best diner in the country on the site’s “21 American Diners You Should Eat At Before You Die” article, citing the diner’s extensive dessert menu. The 24-hour diner serves American classics, including burgers, fries and 19 different varieties of cakes and cheesecakes among other dessert items. The downtown areas in Cobb are good bets for finding excellent restaurants, such as Henry’s Louisiana Grill in downtown Acworth and Atkins Park Tavern in downtown Smyrna, although great restaurants are spread out throughout the county.

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ENTERTAINMENT VENUES IN COBB 120 Tavern and Music Hall 1440 Roswell Road Marietta, 30062 770-509-3320 Bailey Performance Center 1000 Chastain Road NW (Kennesaw State University) Kennesaw, 30144 770-423-6000 Brawner Hall 3180 Atlanta Road Smyrna 30080 678-631-5545 Cobb Civic Center Jennie T. Anderson Theatre 548 South Marietta Pkwy., SE Marietta, 30060 770-528-8490 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy. Atlanta, 30339 770-916-2800 Earl Smith Strand Theatre 117 North Park Square Marietta, 30060 770-293-0080 770-293-0075 (Fax) Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre 49 West Park Square Marietta, 30060 678-287-9020 Georgia Symphony Orchestra Marietta Performing Arts Center 1171 Whitlock Ave., NW Marietta, 30064 770-429-2390 Mable House Arts Complex 5239 Floyd Road SW Mableton, 30126 770-819-3285 Mount Paran Christian Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Murray Arts Academy 2250 Stilesboro Road Kennesaw, 30152

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I n Yo u r W o r d s What is your favor ite restaurant in C obb?

“Piastra. They really know authentic Italian; I was very impressed.” – Carolyn Bolognese of Marietta, retired

“Marietta Diner or Marietta Fish Market; they have something there for everyone.” – Shelly West of Marietta, bank service officer

“Fish Thyme; they always have unusual things on the menu.” – William Heagy of Kennesaw, retired

Piastra | 45 W. Park Square, Marietta

Marietta Diner | 306 Cobb Pkwy., Marietta Marietta Fish Market | 3185 Canton Road, Marietta

Fish Thyme Restaurant & Bar | 3979 S. Main St., Acworth

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FESTIVALS

EVENTS >

WINTER >>>Turkey Chase 5K Fun Run and 2K Walk, Acworth November >>>Holiday in the Park, Austell – November & December >>>Christmas Tree Lighting, Marietta Square – December >>>Holiday Carriage Rides, Marietta – December

>>>Lights of Life, Life University November & December >>>The Georgia Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre – December >>>The Marietta Pilgrimage, a tour of six historic Marietta homes decorated for the holidays – December >>>Reindeer Run, Powder Springs – December

FALL >>>Marietta Square Art Walk – First Friday of April though first Friday in November >>>Marietta Food Tour, Marietta Square – September >>>Marietta Square Farmers Market

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>>>Marietta Square Artisan Market, Mill Street – Second and fourth Saturdays April through November >>>Scary-etta Trolley Ghost Tour – Ghost trolley ride around Marietta Square >>>“Woofstock” with Star 94, Pet party at Village Green – October

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FESTIVALS

EVENTS >

SPRING >>>Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, Tolleson Park Smyrna – March >>>Kite Building Day, Custer Park Sports & Fitness Center – April >>>Marietta Tree Keepers Planting Event, Marietta City Cemetery – April >>>Free Yoga in Glover Park – First Tuesday of May through September >>>Brown Bag Concerts, Glover Park on Marietta Square – May

>>>May-retta Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, Marietta Square – May >>>Spring Jonquil Festival, Village Green Smyrna – April >>>Psychic Fair, Marietta Metaphysical Arts – May

SUMMER >>>Touchstones to the Past: City Cemetery Tours, Marietta City Cemetery – May >>>Movies By Moonlight, Taylor-Brawner Park – family-friendly movies, starting at dark, located at the park – June

>>>Giselle, Jennie T. Anderson Theatre – May

>>>Veterans Memorial 5K Pre-Race Wine Tasting, Marietta Wine Market – May

>>>2016 Arthur Bacon/City of Smyrna Golf Championship, Fox Creek Golf Club – May

>>>ZION! The musical, Marietta Performing Arts Center – May

>>>Big Shanty Festival, Kennesaw – June

>>>Glover Park Concert Series, Marietta Square – May

>>>Veterans Memorial 5K/1K, Marietta Square – May >>>Marietta Square Artisan Market, Mill Street – May >>>Georgia Philharmonic’s Summer Blockbuster Spectacular!, Lassiter Concert Hall – June >>>Atlanta Back 2 School Food Festival, Jim. Miller Park- July >>>Big Wheel Relay Race, Jim R. Miller Park – July >>>Dream Dash 5K, Downtown Kennesaw – June

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COBB’S TRAILS

BY MARY KATE MCGOWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY HUFF

rails in Cobb County can lead nature enthusiasts, walkers, runners and cyclists from a mountain to a river and to places in between. With about 30 trails throughout the county, the great outdoors is intangible. Although the trail system can be used to avoid the congestion of road traffic, the trails are mainly used for recreational purposes. Jim Wilgus, Cobb County Department of Transportation director, said the trails create “major connectivity” throughout the county. “It’s starting to be a very robust system,” he said. For example, he said the Silver Comet Trail, which was finished about 15 years

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ago, connects the Cumberland area to the Alabama state line. Wilgus said the Silver Comet Trail is the most used trail system in the county. He said the Noonday Creek Trail in the Kennesaw area is a good connection between the Town Center community and Kennesaw Mountain. The seven-mile trail connects Bells Ferry Road and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield and was completed in 2014 for about $13 million.

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“That’s a very heavily used trail,” Wilgus said. He said the Kennesaw Mountain to River Trail will be complete once the city of Marietta finishes its final section. Then, Wilgus said, the trail will go from Kennesaw Mountain to the Chattahoochee River with a trail running through the middle of the county. According to the city, Marietta started planning the section of the trail in 2005 that will connect the trail at Tower Road and Roselane Avenue by Kennestone Hospital, pass through the downtown along the existing Marietta Walk, cross over South Marietta Parkway with a new pedestrian bridge and end at West Atlanta Street and Pearl Street — the southern city limits. The Bob Callan Trail, once complete, will run from Marietta to the Chattahoochee River and National Park as part of the Rottenwood Creek Trail. The five-mile trail is planned to connect the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area at US 41 north to Terrell Mill. The southern portion of the $13.5 million trail is complete, and the northern extension is scheduled to be done in 2017. Wilgus said the county is building the recreational trails for millennials and trying to attract them to live in Cobb County. “They (millennials) want other things to do than just shop and

ride in their cars. They want trails to walk on — their kids to be able to bike safely — they want to be able to see some interesting places when they do it,” he said. Not only do the trails allow people to see various aspects of the county’s natural scenery, Wilgus said the trail system helps with health awareness and healthy living. He said he walks a 3.5 mile loop of Silver Comet on Sunday afternoons. With more trail projects potentially on the way to fruition, Wilgus said the county keeps adding to the system. “There are more trails on the way,” he said.

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LIST OF COBB COUNTY TRAILS > Akers Mill Trail > Al Bishop Trail > A.L. Burruss Trail and Life University Trail > Big Shanty Trail > Bob Callan Trail > Chattahoochee River NRA > Cobb Galleria > Concord Road Trail > Dallas Highway Trail > East Cobb Park Trail

> East Cobb Trail on Roswell Road > Floyd Road Trail > Heritage Oak Trail > Interstate North > Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park > Kennesaw Mountain to River Trail > Kennesaw Trail System > Lake Acworth > Lewis Road Trail > Logan Farm Park Trail

> Lower Roswell Trail > Lucille Creek Trail > Noonday Creek Trail > Powder Springs Road Trail > Rottenwood Creek Trail > University Trail > Silver Comet Cumberland Connector Trail > Silver Comet Trail

Now Celebra ting our th

84 Yea r in C obb County!

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COBB REC. LEAGUES:

and how to participate

Youth athletics offered: Softball Spring registration begins in January, season begins in March Fall registration begins in August, season begins in September Track Registration begins in January, season begins in February and is over by May Lacrosse Two districts: Sprayberry Jr. Jackets Lacrosse Ages 7-14 www.sprayberrylacrosse/juniorjackets.com Trojan Youth Lacrosse Ages 6-14 www.trojanyouthlacrosse.com Basketball Registration begins in September, season begins in November Football/Cheerleading Registration begins in July, season begins in August BMX Two locations: Noonday Park & Wild Horse Creek Park

Baseball Spring registration begins in January, season begins in March Fall registration begins in August, season begins in September Soccer Spring registration begins in January, season begins in March Fall registration begins in July, season begins in August

Adult athletics offered: Softball Fall registration begins June to July Basketball Archery Pitner Road Park 2302 Pitner Road Acworth Adult Flag Football Registration begins in April, the season starts in September Kickball Disc Golf 145 Old Hamilton Road Marietta 30064 770-528-8890 Archery Pitner Road Park 2302 Pitner Road Acworth Soccer Locations: Georgia Adult Coed Leagues 404-317-9245 YMCA Adult Soccer 404-317-9245

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The Cobb County recreation system is booming with 41,000 participants this past year, according to Jeff Crowder, manager of the county’s athletic unit. The system offers a range of youth and adult sports throughout all seasons such as softball, football, lacrosse, BMX and baseball. More unique sports and activities include pickleball and radio control club. Pickleball is a fast-growing racquet sport, combining elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. There are currently six places to play pickleball in Cobb County and the numbers are projected to rise. Another unique sport, radio control club, allows participants to learn to fly remote control planes. For those looking to go father with radio control club, the county has a Cobb County radio control modeler’s club, one of the largest and oldest Academy of Model Aeronautics chartered clubs. The Cobb recreation league offers recreation play, for a more relaxed and social play, and travel play, allowing athletes to play their sports more competitively. Crowder said soccer continues to be the most popular youth sport, but lacrosse, a newly adopted sport in the South, is becoming a favored option. “The two newest sports are lacrosse and rugby, and they continue to rise steadily,” Crowder said. He also added that “lacrosse is continuing to grow as the schools embrace it.” The youth lacrosse system is based out of two locations: Sprayberry High School and Lassiter High School. The youth system caters to participants up to 18 years old, but Crowder said that after age 12, enrollment numbers drop. This is due mainly to students reaching middle and high school and being able to play sports for their school. As for the adult league, softball remains the sport of choice for the majority of participants. The registration for the league is open from June through July and the season begins shortly after. There is a $25 fee to play for a recreation league. For registration windows and season dates, or to sign up to play, visit cobbcounty.org.

Liga Buenabaj Soccer Leagues 404-557-8874 Pickleball Fullers Park Recreation Center Kennworth Tennis Center Lost Mountain Tennis Center Ron Anderson Recreation Center Shaw Park Ward Recreation Center

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Right: Former Wellstar Board of Trustees Chairman Janie Maddox, hands over the top seat in 2015, to the present Chairman of the board Gary Miller. Maddox has two years left on the board and will be an asset, according to Miller, to help him settle into the position. Below: Wellstar Medical Group Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. William Cooper has been a valuable part of the open heart surgery program, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year.

BY JON GARGIS >>> PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY HUFF

Cobb-based WellStar Health System keeps growing The state’s largest health system is based in Cobb County, and it has gotten bigger with several recent openings in the county and another facility set to open its doors next year. WellStar operates 11 hospitals and eight urgent care centers. Three hospitals are located in Cobb — WellStar Kennestone, WellStar Windy Hill on Windy Hill Road and WellStar Cobb in Austell — while all but one urgent care center are in the county. Last July, the health system opened an inpatient pediatric unit at WellStar Kennestone, the only such unit in Cobb. In November, Kennestone Regional Medical Center saw the opening of an $11 million renovation to the WellStar Cancer Center. Carrie Owen-Plietz, chief operating officer of the Hospital Division for WellStar, said the Cancer Center provides medical solutions but also focuses on healing a patient’s mind, body and spirit. “The WellStar Cancer Center at Kennestone Regional Medical Center is a fantastic tool for our physicians to treat patients in northwest Georgia. Factbook 2016-2017 173

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Wellstar Kennestone Project Coordinator for Student Nurse Externs Joyce McMurrain checks in with Cardio Vascular ICU extern and Kennesaw State Student Nurse Garrett Mead.

WellStar offers some of the most innovative cancer treatments in the country,” Owen-Plietz said. “We will continue to invest in treatments that will benefit the health of our community.” WellStar’s growth in Cobb will continue with the planned fall 2017 opening of WellStar Vinings Health Park, which is aimed at bringing high-quality outpatient care to those in and around the Vinings and south Cobb communities. Services will include primary care and specialty physicians, diagnostics and imaging, physical therapy, a sleep center, urgent care, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and more. “We are not just getting bigger — we are improving the quality of care we provide and increasing patient access,” Owen-Plietz said. “With an expanded network and services, we are creating a better health system that will be here to provide world-class health care to our patients for years to come.” The health system employs 20,000 people across the company — 12,500 at Cobb facilities. Cobb hospitals saw nearly 60,000 patients last year, said Christy Rosell, WellStar spokeswoman. Many of Cobb’s newest residents enter the world and come out the doors of WellStar’s hospitals. About 9,500 babies are born each year at Cobb, Kennestone and WellStar’s hospital in Douglas County. Although the health system operates as a nonprofit, it generated $2.6 billion for the state and local economy and offered the community nearly $270 million in unreimbursed and charity care last year.

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By Claire Harper Photography by Kelly J. Huff

CHOA creates Strong4Life Program Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta helps more than half a million patients annually in its three metro Atlanta locations. One program, Strong4Life, was created in 2011 by Children’s for families to focus on being healthy and active. The program is a wellness program with the hopes of reversing childhood obesity in Georgia. Erica Hinchman, PR coordinator for Strong4Life, said the program operates both internally and externally. “We operate externally as the movement that encourages health and wellness for Georgia’s children,” she said. Strong4Life looks to break down the steps of childhood obesity simply for families to understand. The program is built around four essential programs: eat right, be active, get support and have

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fun. It teaches kids and families how to eat healthier, be more active, limit electronic times and drink more water. “Strong4Life movement makes improving family nutrition and physical activity habits fun, easy and convenient,” Hinchman said. Cobb County has two Children’s Healthcare locations: one in Marietta near Kennestone Hospital and another on Big Shanty Road near KSU. Children’s helps any toddler to teen, whether it be emergencies or a length chemotherapy treatment. It is also the teaching site for both Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine. Children’s had 27 neighborhood locations in metro Atlanta that each focus on a different aspect of medicine. They range from autism care, sports medicine to urgent care. Research is also important at Children’s Healthcare. It partners with local research institutes such as Emory, Georgia Tech, Morehouse and the CDC. To further their research, doctors and scientists work in a 20,000-square-foot health sciences research building near Egleston hospital. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta was established in 1998 with the merger of Egleston Children’s Health Care System and Scottish Rite Medical Center, though each health care provider has a history that goes back much further. With three hospitals and 27 neighborhood locations throughout metro Atlanta, Children’s sees more than 870,000 patient visits annually. For more information about Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, visit choa.org.

Children’s Hospital of Atlanta Sports Medicine Program athletes Tyreik Fitzpatrick from South Cobb High School and Marietta High School golfer Kyle Ponder, join the Vice President of Ambulatory Operations John Polikandriotis and athletes Andavea Alexander and Daija Stevenson, in cutting the official ribbon to open the hospitals new Sports Medicine Program Therapy Clinic at Ivy Walk in Smyrna in 2015.

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By Claire Harper Whether residents are looking for personal training, fitness classes or even nutrition advice, Cobb County has a full range of gyms that can cater to these needs. The next few pages contain a list of gyms in the county along with some information about their programs.

Walmart lM

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ill

Burlington Coat Factory

U.S. Beauty Mart

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CrossFit CrossFit gyms are popping up all around Cobb County with over 14 different gyms in the area. The workouts are different than a typical gym by focusing on weight training, cardiovascular and gymnastic movement all in one session, according to Gordon Jackson, owner of CrossFit EX in Smyrna. “We keep it really balanced in a way for community members to come in and get a workout,” Jackson said. WODs — workout of the days — are the main part of CrossFit. They start with a warmup, move into strength training and finish with the WOD. The workout, from the time one walks in the door, to the time it finishes, ranges from 45 to 60 minutes. Additionally, CrossFit EX offers Olympic lifting and the company recently started rehab yoga. Women have also taken over the CrossFit atmosphere. Jackson estimated 75 to 80 percent of his customers are women. “If you have a communal and friendly atmosphere, it takes the scariness part of CrossFit away.” CrossFit EX is at 2968 Ask-Kay Drive in Smyrna. WellStar Health Place The WellStar Health Place, located behind WellStar Kennestone Hospital off Tower Road in Marietta, started offering nutrition services December 2015. The program offers one-on-one consultations with a dietician, group grocery store tours, cooking demos and hot topic of the month information classes, according to Kayla Perry, head of the nutrition program. “It’s more of a lifestyle change than a really specific nutrition plan,” Perry said. Perry said she sees a healthy mixture of people

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Group Power Class participant George Black performs a fly-arms and chest exercise during the hour long Group Power class at the Wellstar HealthPLACE on the grounds of Kennestone Hospital.

from young to old, men and women. “I feel like we (the employees) all come together to achieve a purpose,” she said, “We all have our specialties.” Additionally, WellStar Health Place offers its members a range of other amenities, including personal training, massage and fully equipped gym. The fee for new members to sign up is $30-$45 month and $50-$65 for a couple. There’s a $10 fee for additional family members. YMCA The YMCA is among the list of gyms. With locations in Cobb, potential members can choose a facility membership or a program membership. The facility membership gives people access to all fitness equipment, one-on-one training, group classes, child care and more. The program membership is a little more restrictive and

allows members to enroll only in selected programs. Below are the membership rates: Youth: $10 Teen: $30 Young Adult (19-24): $37 Adult (25-59): $57 Two adults: $83 Family: $91 Senior adult (60+): $54 Senior family: $77 (60+) LA Fitness An additional gym chain in Cobb, LA Fitness, houses six locations in the county. The rates are a $99 initiation fee and $32.99 per month. Some amenities include a baby-sitting program, Kids Klub, juice bar, swim school, heated lap pool, fitness classes and state of the art equipment.

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WHERE TO GO FOR MEDICAL HELP WellStar Hospitals in Cobb

WellStar Urgent Care Centers

Kennestone Regional Medical Center 677 Church St. Marietta 30060 770-423-5400

Urgent Care Acworth 4550 Cobb Parkway NW Suite 101 Acworth 30101 770-917-8140

Cobb Hospital 3950 Austell Road SW Austell 30106 470-732-4000

Urgent Care in Kennesaw 3805 Cherokee St. Kennesaw 30144 770-426-5665

Windy Hill Hospital 2540 Windy Hill Road Marietta 30067 770-644-1000

Urgent Care in Marietta-Delk Road 2890 Delk Road Marietta 30067 770-955-8620

WellStar Health Parks:

Urgent Care in Marietta-East Cobb 3747 Roswell Road NE Suite 107 Marietta 30062

Acworth Health Park 4550 Cobb Parkway NW Acworth 30101 770-917-8140 East Cobb Health Park 3747 Roswell Road NE Marietta 30062 470-956-0150

WellStar Community Hospice Tranquility at Cobb Hospital 3950 Austell Road SW Austell 30106 770-732-6710 Tranquility at Kennesaw Mountain 475 Dickson Ave. NW Marietta 30064 470-245-9930

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Urgent Care in Marietta-Kennestone 818 Church St. Suite 100 Marietta 30060 770-590-4190

Marietta Imaging 780 Canton Road NE #230 Marietta 30060 770-792-1234

Urgent Care in Marietta-Sandy Plains Road 3600 Sandy Plains Road Marietta 30066 770-977-4547

East Cobb Imaging 1121 Johnson Ferry Road #300 Marietta 30068 770-973-9072

Northside Locations: Marble Mill Imaging 121 Marble Mill Road NW #001 Marietta 30060 770-794-6700

Acworth Imaging 4791 South Main St. Suite 140 Acworth 30101 678-701-6868

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: Children’s at Town Center 625 Big Shanty Road NW Kennesaw 30144 404-785-8010 Children’s at Cobb 1371 Church St. Extension Marietta 30060-7913 404-785-8950 Kaiser Permanente locations: Cumberland Medical Center 2525 Cumberland Parkway SE Atlanta 30339 404-365-0966 Marietta Center 2505 Dallas Highway Marietta 30064 404-365-0966 West Cobb Center 3640 Tramore Pointe Parkway Austell 30106 404-365-0966 Kennesaw Center 750 Townpark Lane Kennesaw 30144 404-365-0966

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INDEPENDENT COTTAGES AND GARDEN HOMES

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SENIOR SERVICES A department of Cobb County Government, Cobb Senior Services offers an array of services including the operation of seven centers to help meet the social, recreational and educational needs of seniors over 55 years of age. Factbook 2016-2017 185

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Care Management

Information and Referral

Care Management provides assessment, referral, support and ongoing supervision for seniors with diminished functioning capabilities.

Information and Referral identifies services and how you may qualify for them. It provides referrals to other agencies in the area for services.

In-Home Services Clients must be Cobb County residents and 60 years or older. Eligibility and amount of services needed will be determined through an assessment. Sliding scale fees are based upon total household income. In-Home services allows the senior citizen to remain more independent and reside in her/his own home. Technicians are trained in basic care giving. No skilled care. Personal Care â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Includes assistance with basic hygiene and dressing. Light meal preparation, straightening of immediate surroundings. Client provides personal items. Homemaker Care â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Includes light and minimal homemaker service for clients physically unable to do for themselves. May include cleaning the bathroom, light mopping, vacuuming, dusting, linen change and taking out the trash. Laundry, if appliances are on premises. Client supplies all items. 186 Factbook 2016-2017 FACTBOOK 2016-17 (186) 186

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*In Home Services is now operated as a voucher program. Eligible clients receive vouchers and a list of In Home Care Providers from which to purchase services on the days and times needed. * Please note: In-Home Services is not a substitute for a Nursing Service For more information, please call 770-528-5364.

Transportation Services Transportation provides dependable, radio-dispatched vans at low cost to medical and nutritional facilities and designated senior centers in Cobb County. Approximately 1,350 clients are served annually.

Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels delivers to homebound seniors, 60 and older, who are unable to cook for themselves. More than 50,000 meals are served each year through Meals On Wheels. To Volunteer: Call 770-528-5381. To receive Meals on Wheels: Clients must be Cobb County residents, age 60 or older, and must complete an assessment by calling 770-528-5364.

Cobb Freedom The Cobb County Department of Transportation, in partnership with Cobb Senior Services and Cobb Community Transit, is proud to offer Cobb Freedom. The first step is to apply for paratransit. Applications can be found online at cobbcounty.org. Fixed Route — Transportation is provided to the three senior neighborhood centers on a pre-scheduled basis. Demand Response — Appointments are pre-scheduled to medical facilities. Clients are asked to make appointments in advance. For information about senior transportation, please call 770-528-5364.

Voucher Programs

Our voucher programs support “self-directed” care by providing seniors with vouchers that are used as cash to purchase needed services. Participants are given a list of vendors from which to purchase services on the days and times needed. Currently, Cobb County has voucher programs for three services: Cobb Freedom Transportation, In Home Services and the Share The Care caregiver program. Services offered may vary based on available grant funding. Call 770-528-5364 for more information. For more information on these and other services, visit the Cobb Senior Services website at www.cobbcounty.org.

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Senior Centers Senior Wellness Center 1150 Powder Springs St., Suite 100 Marietta, 30064 770-528-5355 Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Monday - Friday)

Multi-Purpose Centers: East Cobb 3332 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, 30066 770-509-4900 Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Monday - Friday) Activities: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday) Freeman Poole 4025 South Hurt Road Smyrna, 30082 770-801-3400 Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Monday - Friday) Activities: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday) North Cobb 3900 S. Main St. (inside Kennworth Park) Acworth, 30101 770-975-7740 Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Monday - Friday) Activities: 8:30a.m. - 4:30p.m. (Monday - Friday) West Cobb 4915 Dallas Hwy. Powder Springs, 30127 770-528-8200 Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Monday - Friday) Activities: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday)

Neighborhood Centers: Austell Center 4915 Austell-Powder Springs Road (inside Clarkdale Park) Austell, 30106 770-819-3200 Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Monday - Friday) Marietta Center 1150 Powder Spring St., Suite 100 Marietta, 30064 770-528-2516 Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Monday - Friday) North Cobb Center 3900 S. Main St. (inside Kennworth Park) Acworth, 30101 770-974-2984

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COBB COUNTY PRIVATE SENIOR/ ASSISTED LIVING HOMES A.G. Rhodes of Cobb

Arbor Terrace of East Cobb

Atria Johnson Ferry

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886 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30068 770-884-2893 www.arborcompany.com

9 Sherwood Lane, SE Marietta, GA 30067 678-573-1248 www.atriaseniorliving.com

Amedisys Hospice Care of Kennesaw

Atherton Place

Atria Mableton

111 Tower Road, NE Marietta, GA 30060 770-421-7400 www.athertonplace.org

3829 Floyd Road Austell, GA 30106 770-450-6535 www.atriaseniorliving.com

4255 Wade Green Road, NW Building 300, Suite 320 Kennesaw, GA 30144 770-423-1316 www.amedisys.com

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Azalea Manor 557 E Waterman St. Marietta, GA 30060 770-428-0331 www.azalea-manor.com Bickford of Marietta 840 LeCroy drive Marietta, GA 30068 770-971-0307 www.enrichinghappiness.com Brookdale Kennesaw 2800 Jiles Road Kennesaw, GA 30144 770-580-4484 www.brookdale.com Brookdale Marietta 1790 Powder Springs Road, SW Marietta, GA 30064 678-341-5718 www.brookdale.com Comforting Arms 1300 Ridenour Blvd., Suite 100 Kennesaw, GA 30152 678-819-3775 www.comfortingarms.com DayBreak Village Senior Living 3056 Cherokee St. Kennesaw, GA 30144 770-218-6166 www.daybreakvillage.com Delmar Gardens of Smyrna 404 King Springs Village Pkwy. Smyrna, GA 30082

770-432-4444 www.delmargardens.com Dogwood Forest of Acworth 4461 S. Main St. Acworth, GA 30101 678-515-5684 www.dogwoodforest.com

celebrate the moments between the milestones.

Elmcroft of Milford Chase 1345 Milford Church Road Marietta, GA 30008 678-309-1220 www.elmcroft.com Flora’s Home 3215 New Rutledge Road NW Kennesaw, GA 30152 678-574-7697 www.florashome.com

A Masterpiece Living Community

Gaines Park Senior Living 1740 Old 41 Hwy. Kennesaw, GA 30152 770-424-1414 www.gainespark.com Greenwood Place 1160 Whitlock Ave. Marietta, GA 30064 678-841-8461 www.enlivant.com OR

Golden Living Center – Kennestone 613 Roselane St., NW Marietta, GA 30060 770-792-9800 www.goldenlivingcenters.com/ kennestone INDEPENDENT LIVING • CONCIERGE LIVING ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

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Heritage of Brookstone 5235 Stilesboro Road, NW Kennesaw, GA 30152 678-214-3205 www.seniorlifestyle.com Heritage of Sandy Plains 3039 Sandy Plains Road Marietta, GA 30066 678-214-3206 www.seniorlifestyle.com Hospice Advantage 300 Chastain Center Blvd., Suite 345 Kennesaw, GA 30144 678-394-0758 www.compassus.com Laurel’s Edge Apartments 3950 Frey Road, NW Kennesaw, GA 30144 770-514-1573 www.unitedchurchhomes.org

ManorCare Rehabilitation Center – Marietta 4360 Johnson Ferry Place Marietta, GA 30068 770-971-5870 www.heartland-manorcare.com Parc at Piedmont – East Cobb 999 Hood Road Marietta, GA 30068 770-288-5816 www.parcatpiedmont.com Peachstone Independent Senior Living 2000 Austell Road Marietta, GA 30008 770-438-7809 www.spectrumcapitalre.com/ peachstone

Powder Springs Nursing and Rehab center 3460 Powder Springs Road Powder Springs, GA 30127 800-952-6650 Presbyterian Village – Austell 2000 East-West Connector Austell, GA 30106-1194 770-819-7412 www.presbyterianvillage.org Pruitt Health – Austell 1700 Mulkey Road Austell, GA 30106 770-941-5750 www.pruitthealth.com Pruitt Health – Marietta 50 Saine Drive, SW Marietta, GA 30008 770-429-8600 www.pruitthealth.com

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Robin’s Nest Adult Daycare 470 N. Session St. Marietta, GA 30060 770-919-8580 Ross Memorial Health Care Center 1780 Old 41 Hwy. Kennesaw, GA 30152 770-427-7256 www.rossmemorial.com Shady Grove Manor 1790 Old 41 Hwy. Kennesaw, GA 30152 770-424-5475 Signature HealthCare of Marietta 811 Kennesaw Ave. Marietta, GA 30060 770-422-2451 ext.520 www.shcofmarietta.com Sterling Estates – East Cobb 4220 Lower Roswell Road Marietta, GA 30068 877-548-9108 www.sterlingestateseastcobb.com Sterling Estates – West Cobb 3165 Dallas Hwy. Marietta, GA 30064

877-385-0497 www.sterlingestateswestcobb.com Sunrise at East Cobb 1551 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30062 404-476-3779 www.sunriseseniorliving.com Tapestry Hospice of Kennesaw 2933 Cherokee St., Suite 200 Kennesaw, GA 30144 770-218-6185 www.tapestryhospice.com The Sanctuary at Northstar 3250 Quick Water Landing Kennesaw, GA 30144 678-574-6941 Winnwood Retirement Community 100 Whitlock Ave. Marietta, GA 30067 770-872-0767 www.winnwoodretire.com Woodland Ridge Assisted Living 4005 S. Cobb Drive Smyrna, GA 30080 770-431-7055 www.woodlandridge.org Factbook 2016-2017 193

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DOWNSIZING

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C o b b â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s housing Boom

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BY ANTHONY L. WHITE Cobb County’s current economic boom has not been restricted to the commercial and industrial arena. It also includes Cobb’s housing market, evidenced by the lowest number of foreclosures in years. In June 2016, the 133 properties advertised for foreclosure auction was down from 217 in June 2015. This is the first time since 2013 that foreclosure numbers have been lower than 150. In fact, only six times since the beginning of 2013 have advertised foreclosure numbers been lower than 200. The number of foreclosures for the past six months show a decline over the first six months of 2015. Through the first six months of this year, there have been 902 foreclosed properties advertised for

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auction compared to 1,259 for the first six months of 2015. By comparison, 1,531 were advertised during the first half of 2014 and 3,251 were advertised by this time in 2013. Jeanette Schneider, senior vice president of RE/MAX of Georgia, said the lower foreclosure numbers are evidence of Cobb County’s “very positive housing market.” “Home sales have been strong, home values are up and rates are still at a historic low,” Schneider said. “With all the economic impact and jobs coming to Cobb, it is bringing families to Cobb. We have many qualified and pre-approved buyers looking to buy homes, but inventory is tight, which makes it a seller’s market.” Schneider said current housing market trends in the area show residents want to be able to live, work and play in the same general area, and the market is being impacted by first-time home buyers. “We see folks buying older homes to remodel and be close in to cities, squares, parks, shopping and restaurants, Schneider said. “We are seeing many first-time home buyers in the market which is fueling the high level of activity in homes priced below $500,000. Although not as big a demographic, we are still seeing some investors in the market as real estate offers a better return than the stock market. And investors who purchased around 2008 are now putting those homes back on the market to resale.” However, Realtors and housing consultants have noticed some hesitation from potential sellers when it comes to putting their homes on the market. According to Schneider and RE/MAX’s marketing trends, “Sellers know a well-priced home will sell quickly — likely within 30 days — so they absolutely need to be ready to move quickly. “If they don’t have a new home lined up or comfortable that they can find something quickly in their price range and in the area they want to live sellers are hesitant to list their home,” she said. “Additionally, we have more buyers than available homes right now so we have built-in continued demand for the foreseeable future. With these conditions we are optimistic that housing will remain steady into the next 6-12 months.” According to Schneider, The Battery Atlanta at the new SunTrust Park is expected to bring an economic boom to this area. “Many folks are trying to find and buy now around the SunTrust Park and are already seeing property values increasing,” she said. “Cobb benefits from the continued influx of people moving to the area from outside the state, moving here for the job opportunities, climate and everything else that make this a great place to live.”

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Realtor Direct: 404-636-5000 • Office: 404-541-3500 Factbook 2016-2017 199

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I n Yo u r W o r d s Why did you choose your part of Cobb to settle in?

“It’s a little bit of city, and a little bit of small town.” — Nina Smith of Kennesaw, homemaker

“Originally, it was for proximity to jobs, but it has great extras and a lot of resources and it’s well kept.” — Ruth Mullenix of Acworth, homemaker

“It’s kid-friendly” — Ricci Smalls of Kennesaw, homemaker

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NOBODY SELLS MORE REAL ESTATE THAN RE/MAX.® 200 Factbook 2016-2017 FACTBOOK 2016-17 (200) 200

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I n Yo u r W o r d s Why did you choose your part of Cobb to settle in?

“Living here makes you want to get outside and do something. There’s a vision here and a strong sense of community.” — Susan Cash of Kennesaw, sales

“We moved here from Dallas because of all the activities here like basketball for my son and Cub Scouts and the parks.” — Eric Johnston of Kennesaw, human resources

“I was born and raised here and there are really great schools and performing arts opportunities as well as a good community.” — Sabrina Bentley of Kennesaw, church worker

Jim Glover Group, Inc. If you are selling your home, I am dedicated to using every possible marketing tool needed to get your home sold. My goal is to provide my clients with a superior level of service and resources to make informed decisions with your real estate purchases. As a Cobb native, my network and knowledge of the metro Atlanta area proves beneficial in purchase and sales transactions and I am constantly networking with area agents and affiliates. • 2014 #1 Small Group, Units Sold • Fifteen Years Experience • Coauthor, Marietta 1833-2000 • Sixth-generation Mariettan

Paige Walden Buyer's Agent

Office: 404.974.4420 | www.atlantafinehomes.com 3290 Northside Parkway NW | Suite 200 | 404.835.9600 © MMX Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Street in Saintes-Maries, Van Gogh, used with permission. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

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Shelia Marshall Associate Broker

93 Church Street Marietta, GA 30060 404-217-2981 cell 770-528-9655 office

sheliamarshall@bellsouth.net www.sheliamarshall.com Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

Cobb’s commercial market still growing

BY JON GARGIS

n economy freshly removed from a recession and the impending arrival of professional sports franchises to Cobb are helping the county continue to experience growth in commercial development, experts say. “Most real estate agents who work on the commercial side will tell you that the leasing has become stronger over the last two years. We actually started seeing the rents get pushed up significantly,” said Roger Tutterow, professor of economics and director of the Econometric Center at Kennesaw State University. “Back in the depths of the recession, you were getting buildings that would have not only rent concessions but were building amenities and being very generous in terms of the tenant improvements. Now, the demand has come back, so the absorption of space has picked up and the construction of new space is only now coming online, so many of the building holders have been able to raise rental rates and not be as aggressive in terms of what they had to allow for tenant improvement.” Though Tutterow says that while Cobb, metro Atlanta and the rest of the country officially saw the end of a recession in June 2009, employment did not start rising again until early 2010, and it was the spring of 2014 before employment got back above pre-recession levels. Employment is among the factors affecting the commercial growth. “While the recession proper ended in 2009, it’s really only been in the last 24 to 36 months that things have started to feel ‘normal’ again, in terms of having more people working in Atlanta than were working before the recession, in terms of having new office construction come back, and in terms of having retailers start to absorb square feet of space that was already in place,” Tutterow said. New construction in the commercial market, Tutterow says, has been a relatively new phenomenon, particularly as it relates to office space. But the addition of more office space to the county landscape is one sign of Cobb’s still-improving commercial market, said Dana Johnson, director of the county’s community development department. “We’re getting our first new class-A office towers being built in 15 years,” Johnson said, adding that all five of those office towers are being built in the Cumberland area. “That gives you a sense of our market conditions and how we’re

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doing regionally,” Johnson added. In addition to those new office towers, Johnson said the county has seen existing office buildings and shopping centers, fill back up. “That’s partly due with the improvements in the economy, he said. “A lot of the vacant strip centers that we had due to the recession are now back to life again. With new people investing in them, that’s helping to raise real estate values in the areas surrounding them as well.” But the biggest boon to come for Cobb’s commercial market may have a little something to do with baseball.

A HOME RUN? Among the development coming to Cumberland, and which experts say has been a catalyst for other projects in the area, is SunTrust Park, the new Atlanta Braves stadium being built in Cobb County. In June, construction crews held a “topping off” ceremony as they placed the final piece of structural steel for the stadium. Today, crews remain on the job to complete the stadium in time for the Braves’ 2017 season. Next door to the stadium, work continues on the Braves’ mixeduse development, known as The Battery Atlanta. Mike Plant, president of development for the Braves, said the organization is confident much of The Battery will be open for business when SunTrust Park sees its first pitch. In May, the Braves announced eight new restaurant, retail and entertainment concepts for The Battery, from the Wahlburgers restaurant to Kings Bowl, an upscale, retro bowling and entertainment venue. “This blend of retailers and restaurants will help us create the 24/7,

365-day-a-year environment we’re aiming for at The Battery Atlanta,” Derek Schiller, Braves president for business, said in May. The Battery Atlanta will also include several other chef-driven restaurants that were announced last year, including Antico Pizza, CRÚ Food and Wine Bar, Tomahawk Taproom featuring Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and more. Also to be a part of the development are the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre, a music venue, and the Omni Hotel. But with nearly a year until Opening Day, Tutterow says it is still too early to anticipate all the implications of the Braves’ arrival in Cobb. “The best possible outcome in terms of development of that area will be if we get through Opening Day and it becomes clear that the burden of the Braves on the transportation infrastructure is not that onerous, that would certainly be a big win,” Tutterow said. “To some degree, we have to get a little further down the road before we really understand the full magnitude of the effect.”

PROJECTS ALL OVER Though SunTrust Park and developments around the stadium are expected to have a great impact on Cobb’s commercial footprint, other areas of the county are expected to have a significant impact as well, Johnson said. “I think what Smyrna is doing between Belmont and Jonquil, those are having a large impact. The investments that Marietta is making in downtown are going to have a positive impact, and I’d say what’s happening in the Six Flags area where we’re trying to really do quality redevelopment, and then finally Franklin (Gateway), what the city of Marietta is doing there,” Johnson said. “All of these different initiatives

Helen Durrence Cobb Assoc. of Realtors Top 10 2011-2015

770-826-9138

helendurrence@gmail.com www.helensdreamhomes.com Factbook 2016-2017 203

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happening through the county are really going to be positive as it relates to our commercial value.” Belmont, a 48-acre mixed-use development at the corner of Atlanta and Windy Hill roads, includes a 48,000-square-foot neighborhood retail center called The Shops at Belmont, the 156-home single-family residential subdivision Village of Belmont and a 274-unit luxury apartment community, Alta Belmont. Jonquil, a mixed-used development under construction on a 12-acre site at the corner of Atlanta and Spring roads, is expected to open during spring 2017. The commercial and residential development will be anchored by a new Publix store and a luxury apartment complex. It will consist of retail shops and the tentatively named Alta Jonquil, a community of 266 luxury apartments. The first phase of Alta Jonquil is scheduled to open in spring 2017. The Braves are not the only team coming to town. Atlanta United FC, a Major League Soccer team owned by Arthur Blank, will take the pitch for the first time in spring 2017, eventually playing its home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the future home of the Atlanta Falcons. But Marietta will serve as the home of the team’s $60 million headquarters and training facility, to be built on 33 acres of city-owned land on Franklin Gateway, formerly known as Franklin Road. The facility will also host the soccer club’s youth academy, where Atlanta United will develop local players for its MLS team. The city purchased the land using a $68 million redevelopment bond approved by voters in 2013. Since then, Marietta used the bond revenue to purchase several large apartment complexes along Franklin Gateway and tore them down. Other areas of the county that Johnson said has seen significant commercial growth is Town Center in Kennesaw and east Cobb, including the intersection of Johnson Ferry and Roswell Road. “We’re really seeing improvements throughout the entire county,” he said.

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The Most Expensive House in Cobb BY CLAIRE HARPER The most expensive house in Cobb County is at 2995 Lake Drive SE in Vinings. With a lakefront property, the home is perfect for outside enjoyment and entertainment. The home is listed for $4.5 million and is equipped with five beds, eight baths and a total of 10,050 square feet. The house was built in 2003 with four-hundred-yearold maple wood floors, cypress ceilings and a cobblestone drive imported from Chicago. Ansley Atlanta Real Estate is in charge of selling the estate. Taylor Inman, associate broker of Ansley Atlanta, said there are multiple unique parts of the house. “The No. 1 is that it’s located on the largest private

lake inside (Interstate) 285,” Inman said. It’s fully equipped with “smart house” technology, according to Inman. He describes the inside of the house as traditional and said the owners hired an architect specifically to capture the scene of the house sitting on the lake. Because it was built on a lake, it has a “lake house type of feel,” Inman said. “The attention to details is something that you don’t see anymore,” Inman said in reference to the house’s seven different types of wood and custom hand rails. The iron is all handmade, he added. The house went on the market at the end of April and has seen a few potential buyers since then. Inman said the owners hope to sell the home soon.

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TOP real estate agents and teams in Cobb 2015 Multi-Million Dollar Club in Cobb Top Teams:

Top Individuals:

1. Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group,

1. John Sherwood, Worthmoore Realty, LLC

Keller Williams Realty Signature Partners 2. Susan Edwards, Triumph Realty of Georgia

2. The Connie Carlson Team,

Keller Williams Realty Signature Partners

3. Kimberly B. Jones, RE/MAX Unlimited

3. Deborah Ratchford, Keller Williams Cityside

4. Donna King, Harry Norman Realtors Cobb-Marietta

4. Wendy Bunch, RE/MAX Pure

5. B. J. Martin, Harry Norman Realtors Cobb-Marietta

5. The Premier Group, Kris Mckeeth,

6. Johnny Sinclair, Harry Norman Realtors Cobb-Marietta

Keller Williams Realty Partners 7. Phylis Simoni, Keller Williams Atlanta North

6. Janice Overbeck Real Estate Team,

Keller Williams Atlanta North

8. Helen Durrence, RE/MAX Around Atlanta

7. Courtney Newton, Keller Williams Cityside

9. Gail L. Harris, Keller Williams Realty Atlanta North

8. Matt Hester, RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Cobb

10. Kathy Cade, Keller Williams Realty North

9. Tina Robbins, Robbins Realty Source: Cobb Association of Realtors 10. Bob Wolf, Keller Williams Partners

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Fri., Dec. 9 and Sat., Dec. 10, 2016 Friday - 5:00pm - 9:00pm and Saturday - 10:00am - 5:00pm

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