Tomorrow, Nov. 4, is the Public Service Commissioner Special General and Municipal General Election. Municipal elections will be held for voters in Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Mableton, Marietta and Powder Springs. The public service commission election is for all Georgia voters. All those casting ballots must go to their assigned polling places. Polls will be open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Advance voting continues taking place through Friday, Nov. 14, for the Nov. 18 special election in State Senate District 35, which includes parts of Smyrna, Vinings, and Mableton. Voters who live in this area should visit the My Voter page to confirm their eligibility to vote. There will be no voting in this election on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and Nov. 15 - 17.
This holiday season, many people in our community will face food insecurity. Cobb County Senior Services is hosting a food drive to help ensure our neighbors in need don’t go hungry. Through Nov. 26, the agency will collect non-perishable items at each senior center. Drop-offs are welcome 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Visit here for a list of senior centers. Donations will support our community partners, MUST Ministries and Reflections of Trinity.
Cobb County’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the county manager’s recommendation for the next chief of police last week. James D. Ferrell brings 32 years of law enforcement experience to the department’s top position, having risen through the ranks in Cobb and serving as interim police chief since April.
“When I started in this department 29 years ago, I never thought I’d be standing here today,” Ferrell told a large crowd gathered in the boardroom. “I would like to thank our Board of Commissioners for taking careful consideration and deliberation in this search. I know it is not an easy choice to choose someone for chief of police.”
The Cobb County Department of Transportation will host a Location and Design Public Information Open House concerning a safety and operational improvement project 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at VFW Post 5408, located at 4764 Cobb Parkway NW, Acworth. There will be no formal presentation.
The project proposes installing two multi-lane roundabouts on Cobb Parkway/US 41, one at the intersection of Third Army Road, and another at a relocated SR3/Dabbs Bridge Road intersection to the north. The open house will provide the public with an opportunity to view the project, ask questions, and comment.
Cobb PARKS is looking for vendors for its upcoming Holiday Artisan Market at the Cobb County Civic Center in December. There will be a special Merry Marketplace pop-up shop featuring young entrepreneurs ages 10 - 17 showcasing and selling their homemade goods. Applications for vendors close Nov. 6 or when the event is full, so don't wait. Download the appropriate application here and send to the designated email.
The Holiday Artisan Market, which will include holiday performers, craftmaking and unique gifts from local artisans, will take place Dec. 5 - 7. The Merry Market will be held Saturday, Dec. 6. The Cobb County Civic Center is located at 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta.
Plan submissions made simpler
Cobb County’s Community Development's Building and Development Division is making it easier to submit building and development plans. Beginning Nov. 4, customers can submit all required documents — including applications, building plans, drawings, and site plan reviews — entirely online through the county’s new Digital Plan Room.
This new service, powered by Accela’s E-Permit Hub, brings modern efficiency and convenience to the plan submittal and review process. The Digital Plan Room allows contractors, architects, engineers, and homeowners to upload plans, monitor review progress, receive comments, and resubmit revisions — all from one secure, cloud-based location.
Help shape the future of economic development in Cobb. The county is starting its first Economic Development Strategic Plan which will help guide it during the next five years as it continues to attract and foster new investments, jobs, and amenities that will improve the quality of life for all residents. Please stop by one of the open houses to learn more and share your visions for the future economic landscape of Cobb County. Flexible attendance. Feel free to stop by anytime during these events:
6 - 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 - Vinings Library
6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 - Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center
6 - 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 - Mable House Arts Center
Cobb County will honor the Veterans Day holiday on Tuesday, Nov. 11, by closing its offices. Various events will be happening throughout the community to salute the nation's current and former service members.
Kennesaw will hold a complimentary lunch for veterans at noon Friday, Nov. 7, at the Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive.
Marietta will hold its Veterans Day parade and ceremony starting from Roswell Street at 10:40 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, and going to the Marietta Square.
Support Cobb youth programs at 4-H by purchasing a box of fresh fall produce. You can also buy box(es) to donate to those in need. Each produce box includes an assortment of seasonal vegetables. The fundraiser runs through Nov. 7.
Keep Cobb Beautiful will hold its next Community Recycling event 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. This free event will accept electronics, appliances, metal, textiles, clothing, shoes, hard-to-recycle items for the Hefty ReNew program, and books. There will also be onsite shredding.
At 9 a.m. Nov. 12, and 6 p.m. Nov. 20, the Board of Commissioners will conduct public hearings to solicit comments and input on proposed amendments to certain chapters, articles, divisions, and sections of the Official Code of Cobb County, Georgia. These meetings will be held in the 2nd Floor Meeting Room, David Hankerson Building, 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta.
Adoption of the code amendments will be considered at the Nov. 20 meeting, following the second public hearing.
The Cobb County Small Business Forum is your chance to connect with key decision-makers from private industry, local government, and federal agencies focused on supporting small business success. The networking event will take place 9 a.m. - noon Thursday, Nov. 13, at Jim R. Miller Park Event Center, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta.
Gain valuable insights into upcoming projects, contracting opportunities, small business support programs, and funding resources. Experts will be on site from:
• Brasfield & Gorrie
• McCarthy Building Companies
• Small Business Administration
• Georgia Department of Transportation and more
Cobb County will celebrate Geographic Information Systems Day with a free event for the public 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center. There will be games, door prizes, presentations, and refreshments as participants meet with staff and learn about maps and related technology. The library is located at 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta.
Don't trash it. Smash it. Celebrate gourd destruction at the Pumpkin Smash 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15,at Ward Recreation Center. Recycle your leftover Jack-O'-Lanterns and smash them to smithereens to become compost and animal food. The center is located at 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs. All ages welcome. Register here with code #49592.
Cobb's Board of Commissioners approved the county manager's recommendation for a new chief of police. Watch Chief Dan Ferrell's swearing-in and the veteran Cobb cop's first news conference.
One of Chief Ferrell's first stops was to visit the CobbTV Studio and sit down with Commissioner Allen for his "Inside the District" podcast. Commissioner Allen talked with the new chief about his priorities for the department.
A lot happens around the county that just doesn't fit into one weekly newsletter. Get more news and information from the Cobb departments you want to hear from.
