marietta daily jounnal progress 2011 e-h

PROGRESS 2011PROGRESS 2011CITIES & COUNTYCITIES & COUNTY

MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL � FEBRUARY 27, 2011SECTION EE / 4 OF 8

MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL � FEBRUARY 27, 2011SECTION EE / 5 OF 8

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2EE

TUMLIN TOUTSMARIETTA 2EE

INSIDE:

It takes a village

County’s safety educationcenter ‘second to none’

4EE

It takes a village

County’s safety educationcenter ‘second to none’

4EE

By Kim Isaza

[email protected]

MARIETTA — Marietta’s

city-owned utility not only

powers residential and com-

mercial buildings, it also

jumpstarts the city’s finances

every year.

That’s because the utility

transfers millions of dollars

into the city’s general fund. In

fiscal 2011, for example, the

transfers will total $11.5 mil-

lion.

In the second quarter of

fiscal 2011, the Marietta

Board of Lights and Water

recorded an operating loss of

$217,590 for the period,

despite a 10 percent increase

in revenues.

The BLW’s board of direc-

tors is the governing authority

of Marietta Power and Water,

which has 45,000 electric cus-

tomers and 18,000 water and

sewer customers. Of those,

about 14,600 electric cus-

tomers and 5,000 water cus-

tomers live outside the city

limits.

Between Oct. 1 and Dec.

31, 2010, total operating rev-

enues were $30.97 million,

and total expenses equaled

$31.19 million, creating the

$217,590 loss.

But for the same time peri-

od in the previous fiscal year,

the BLW took in $28.12 mil-

lion and spent $29.47 million

— causing an even larger

operating loss, of $1.34 mil-

lion.

So by comparison, the sec-

ond quarter of fiscal 2011

doesn’t look as bad.

“It’s $1.1 million better

than the second quarter of fis-

cal 2010,” said BLW General

Manager Bob Lewis.

Year-to-date, revenue has

easily outpaced expenses.

Since the fiscal year began

July 1, the city-owned utility

has taken in $72.32 million

and spent $65.66 million,

leaving operating profit of

$6.65 million.

Projections for the rest of

this fiscal year, which ends

June 30, are for a year-end

surplus of $10.3 million,

Lewis said — in part the

result of additional rate

increases that took effect this

past Jan. 1. Electric rates

increased by an average of

five percent, water by eight

percent and sewer by six per-

cent, Lewis said.

“We are required to keep

about $21 million in reserves,

for obligations and contracts

that we’ve signed. The $10

million in surplus reserves is

on top of that $21 million,” he

said. “Any money that we

make that increases our

reserves, that’s a benefit to

the customers, because that

allows us flexibility in dealing

with future price increases.”

As an example, he said,

the recent rate hikes were not

as bad as originally planned.

“We were looking at a

larger increase in electric

rates (to take effect in January

2011), but we had such a

good summer, we were able

to offset that increase,” and

rates did not go up as much,

he said.

By Donna Espy

[email protected]

For his tireless efforts in

the areas of education, arts and

the business community, Earl

Reece, executive director of

the Earl Smith Strand Theatre,

was named the Marietta Daily

Journal’s 2010 Citizen of the

Year.

Reece, a Cobb native, was

presented the award by MDJ

General Manager Otis Brum-

by III during the Cobb Cham-

ber’s 69th annual dinner at the

Cobb Galleria in January.

“I’m most honored, most

appreciative, and most sur-

prised,” Reece, 61, said when

he received the award. His

wife of 26 years, Terri, was in

the audience as was his broth-

er, Randy, a professor at Chat-

tahoochee Technical Institute.

He also thanked Earl Smith

for a “second lease on life” in

working with the Strand The-

atre, and expressed apprecia-

tion for his staff and advisory

board.

The award recipient is

always a secret, which neces-

sitated some finagling since

Reece had plans to be in New

York on the night of the pre-

sentation. He had to be coaxed

into changing his plans to

attend the gala by Smith,

chairman of the Friends of the

Strand board and the restored

theatre’s namesake.

“You’ve just got to be

there,” Smith told Reece,

adding he needed to represent

the Strand on that important

night. Those in attendance

would no doubt agree that

Reece is the face of the Earl

Smith Strand Theatre, where

he took on the director’s role

in 2007. But his contributions

to Cobb run much deeper.

In presenting the award,

Brumby said Reece “has paid

his civic dues like others who

have received this award

before him. He is a home-

grown product who taught

over 9,000 students, many of

whom are probably in this

room.”

He added that Reece has a

theater on the Pebblebrook

High School campus named

after him “not because of

money, but because of his

time, energy, effort and

accomplishments.”

Reece joined the Strand

after serving 14 years as direc-

tor of the Cobb County Center

for Excellence in the Perform-

ing Arts at Pebblebrook High

School and 33 years of public

education service. Smith said

he asked Reece to come out of

retirement to take on the job of

building an exciting entertain-

ment venue in a 1935 Art

Deco theatre on the Marietta

Square. But first it needed to

be totally renovated with

money that had not yet been

raised.

“I thought he was going to

jump out of his chair with

excitement,” Smith said of the

meeting, which began a part-

nership between the two to

raise dollars and bring the best

in entertainment to the venue.

“It has been a great connec-

tion, and his relationship

between the educational sys-

tem and the arts has made it

even more special.”

At Pebblebrook, Reece

grew the magnet arts program

from 200 students to a nation-

ally-recognized program with

more than 700 students. Grad-

uates of the program have per-

formed on Broadway in over

30 shows and in many nation-

al tours. In fact, several grads

have even performed at the

Strand as part of the Atlanta

Lyric Theatre, which now

calls the Strand its home.

Since its opening in 2008, the

Strand has hosted more than

1,100 events and has a staff of

six full-time and 10 part-time

employees.

Reece is also known for

having the ability to talk peo-

ple up on stage who wouldn’t

otherwise venture there.

In January, he directed Neil

Simon’s “The Sunshine

Boys,” a fundraising show for

the Strand that featured well-

known Cobb government,

business and community lead-

ers. Kim Gresh, president of

S.A. White Oil Co., was one

such non-actor who took to

the stage because Reece asked

her.

“I’ve had the pleasure of

putting Earl’s name in my

friend column,” Gresh said.

“We’re very kindred spirits,

and I would not have done it

for anyone else except him.

His years as a teacher have

given him the ability to

encourage and build people

up.” She said Reece pulled

together the entire cast and

“we felt like one big family.”

Gresh also served with

Reece as co-chair of the 175th

City of Marietta birthday cele-

bration in 2009 and saw him

in action almost daily, with

non-stop events planned

around the city to mark the

year-long party. Reece also

chairs the educational task

force for the Cobb Energy

Performing Arts Centre and is

active with the Marietta Kiwa-

nis Club, the Cobb Cultural

Arts Advisory Board, and the

Marietta High School feasibil-

ity theater project committee.

Smith, who turned 80 earli-

er this year, is stepping down

from the Strand board, but he

knows the future is in good

hands with Reece as director.

“I hope this convinces

him that he is where he

needs to be,” Smith said of

Reece being named Citizen

of the Year. “He and his

staff deserve much of the

credit for the Strand’s suc-

cess. His connection with

the community and with us

(the Friends board) has

allowed us to do what we

have done.”

2011 marked the 48th year

the Journal has presented the

Citizen of the Year award.

Last year’s recipient was Cobb

County Manager David Han-

kerson.

Government Services

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Politics

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Water

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ImportantNumbers

Citizen of the Year: Earl ReeceCITIES & COUNTY2EE MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

Strand’s executive director awarded for tireless efforts in the community

Staff/Anthony Stalcup

Marietta Daily Journal General Manager Otis Brumby III, right, presents Earl Smith

Strand Theatre Executive Director Earl Reece with the 2010 Cobb County Citizen of the

Year award during the 69th Annual Cobb County Chamber Dinner.

Marietta’s utility powersbuildings and the budget

Staff/File

Woodstock resident Kirt Norman, left, and Marietta resi-

dent James T. McCray keep an eye on the large monitors

at the Power Control Center at the city utility.

By Marcus E. Howard

[email protected]

KENNESAW — First-

term Kennesaw Mayor Mark

Mathews said he has been

proud of his accomplishments

since his election in 2007, and

will seek re-election in

November.

“I believe my solid foun-

dation of experience and

demonstrated leadership is the

ticket to our continued pros-

perity,” Mathews said. “I

believe I’ve kept my promise

of building our hometown in

spite of the challenges we’ve

all faced both personally and

professionally. There is still a

lot of work to do, and we’re

slowly gaining momentum.”

Like most cities, Kenne-

saw has had to adjust its bud-

get as a result of the econom-

ic downturn. The city faced a

revenue shortfall that Math-

ews said officials predicted

several years ago. Fiscal year

2010 general fund revenues

totaled $21.24 million and the

city’s expenditures were

$21.14 million.

Operating costs were cut,

purchases delayed, technolo-

gy used more effectively, city

employee wages were frozen,

overtime was reduced, and

employees were cross-trained

to perform other duties, he

said.

“We were able to trim the

budget without substantially

affecting services,” Mathews

said. “So in spite of the econ-

omy, we are moving ahead to

prepare for the turnaround we

know is coming.”

Mathews spent much of

his address highlighting goals

in several key areas that he

said his administration made

four years ago and has largely

met, including improving and

growing downtown Kenne-

saw, increasing the quality of

life in the city and making the

community safer.

A number of downtown

projects have been completed

or are moving ahead, the

mayor said. A $3 million

pedestrian underpass opened

last summer, the Trackside

Grill expansion should be fin-

ished in March, and progress

has been made on the five-

acre mixed-use development

behind City Hall that includes

a parking deck.

By mid-2011, the 13,000-

square-feet Jiles Road retail

development is expected to be

completed, Mathews said. In

February, the Legacy Park

culvert project should be

completed, he said. He also

mentioned that progress is

being made on SPLOST pro-

jects such as the Jiles Road

bridge and the Jiles Road at

Cherokee Street intersection

improvements.

“The final stage of Jiles

will be starting construction

in the spring of this year,”

Mathews said.

In addition, the annual

Kennesaw Farmers Market

had a record number of ven-

dors and will continue in the

spring, he said.

Kennesaw mayor toutsgrowth and efficiency

Staff/File

During the State of the City adress, Kennesaw Mayor

Mark Mathews highlighted goals in several key areas that

he said his administration made four years ago and has

largely met, including improving and growing downtown

Kennesaw, increasing the quality of life in the city and

making the community safer.

See Kennesaw, 7EE

Cobb Commission chairman

Tim Lee, left, and County Man-

ager David Hankerson stand in

front of the Cobb County Safe-

ty Village. See (4EE).

MDJ staff photo / Laura Moon

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COBB COUNTY —

Commissioner Woody

Thompson spent the last

year in two seats – at the

helm as interim chairman

and as southeast Cobb’s dis-

trict commissioner

The job gave him a more

well rounded impression of

the county and what it takes

to keep a county of

Cobb’s size running

efficiently and effec-

tively, he said.

“Serving as chair-

man absolutely gave

me a new perspec-

tive. It was a good

experience, and I

stayed quite busy. It

was a lot harder for

same amount

money,” Thompson said,

with a laugh. “But overall, it

was a great experience. It

would be nice if each com-

missioner had that opportu-

nity, to serve as chairman.”

County Chairman Sam

Olens appointed Thompson

as the vice chair in January

2010, which made Thomp-

son the interim chairman

when Olens resigned in

March to run for attorney

general.

A special election for the

chairman’s seat was not

held until July, so Thomp-

son served as the board

chairman for more than

three months.

As interim commission-

er, Thompson was in charge

of signing county docu-

ments, acting as the board’s

leader in decision-making

and representing the board

in the community.

The last time a vice chair

served as chairman was in

2002, when Joe Lee Thomp-

son took over after Chair-

man Bill Byrne resigned to

run for governor.

This year,

Thompson steps

into the third year

of his four-year

term and said some

of the biggest

issues facing his

district are the

same in other dis-

tricts, as they

revolve around the

nation’s struggling

economy.

“I’ve been meeting with

people about zoning and

development opportunities

coming, but like anyone else

in the economy, we’re deal-

ing with the job situation

everywhere. We can help

that to some degree with

incentives and the enterprise

zone in my district where

we can give some incentives

to come to our area by cre-

ating more jobs,” Thompson

said.

One of the most talked-

about zoning issues over the

past year has been develop-

ment options for the Mable-

ton community in Thomp-

son’s district. Thompson

said the proposed form-

based code was a positive

proposal for his district, and

that “something has to be

done.”

“It’s something I’ve been

looking for for a long time.

There are some areas in

Mableton that have seen

NORTHEAST COBB

— Northeast Cobb Commis-

sioner JoAnn Birrell, who

took office Jan. 4, said her

first few weeks as commis-

sioner have been enjoyable

and enlightening, and that

she is already tackling the

economic issues her district

is facing.

“It’s been a great experi-

ence. I’m really enjoying it,

learning a lot and just

jumped in head-first,” Birrell

said. “Even though it’s titled

a part-time position, I knew

there would be a lot of work

involved. I really looked at it

as a full-time job, because

you have to be available and

spend a lot of time on the

job. But it makes a difference

when you really enjoy what

you’re doing and feel like

you’re already making a dif-

ference in the community,

working with people and get-

ting things done.”

And what has being com-

missioner taught her so far?

“I was

focused on

being a

consensus

builder and

listening to

all sides

and I’ve

been very

conscious

of that, not that it’s not in my

nature because it is — at

Waste Management, I was

used to negotiating and lis-

tening to all sides — but this

position has taught me how

to be patient and thorough

with that.”

Birrell won the four-year

post after Tim Lee resigned

from the seat in April to run

for chairman. Birrell went up

against architect Stephen

Moon and business consul-

tant Earl Stine in the sum-

mer’s Republican primary,

ultimately besting Stine in a

runoff.

“She’s honest, has a high

level of integrity, is very

thorough and very open to

other ideas and positions,”

Chairman Tim Lee said of

Birrell. Lee said he’s known

her through community

groups for about eight years.

“I’m excited to having her on

board and looking forward to

working with her.”

Birrell, a 15-year resident

of the county, has served in

numerous community organi-

zations, including Keep Cobb

Beautiful and the Neighbor-

hood Safety Commission,

among others.

In 2006, Birrell helped

Cobb Police raise $10,200 to

buy two new police dogs.

Birrell was employed as

the community relations

manager for Waste Manage-

ment for 18 years. Since

becoming commissioner,

Birrell said she works part-

time for Waste Management

on a contractual basis.

Birrell is married to Dave,

SOUTHEAST COBB

— As he enters his third

year as commissioner, Bob

Ott said his district will

likely be the first to spark

redevelopment when the

economy returns to some

form of normalcy, and

when it does, he’ll be

ready.

“I am encouraged that in

last day or so, three major

projects that have

been stalled are

going to get started

back up – they’re

being bought out of

foreclosure and get-

ting started again,”

Ott said in February.

“I think the encour-

aging news is we’re

seeing some signs

of redevelopment recently,

with the senior living cen-

ter that was approved in

east Cobb, two subdivi-

sions that are starting back

up, the three I talked about

in the Cumberland area

starting up. So there are

positives, and that brings

jobs. But we want to make

sure we keep the environ-

ment right to encourage

that to continue.”

And when redevelop-

ment gets jump-started

again, the county will be

armed with two master

plans in his area — one for

the Powers Ferry Road cor-

ridor and another for the

Johnson Ferry Road corri-

dor — that will outline the

future of his district.

“I think it’s pretty well-

known that any recovery

would start in District 2, so

that’s why we did those

two plans and the city of

Smyrna has also

approached us about doing

a similar internal study on

the 41 corridor,” Ott said.

As a pilot for Delta Air

Lines, Ott has been across

the world and back. He is

also a senior instructor and

evaluator for the Atlanta-

based airline. He is also

president and

owner of DBO

Software, which he

said mainly assists

with computer

investigations.

Some of Ott’s

previous jobs

include an instruc-

tor and evaluator

in the U.S. Air

Force for 8 ½ years, where

he also flew the FB-111,

and as a middle-grades sci-

ence teacher in New Jersey

for two years. Ott said he

still holds his K-12 certifi-

cation as a math and sci-

ence teacher.

The grassroots politician

said his experience as an

employee in the private

sector, both past and pre-

sent, has helped him to

connect with his residents,

but has also kept him

grounded.

“I still have a regular

job, and I’ve always said

it’s really important to have

that balance. I have a

greater appreciation for all

the aspects involved in gov-

erning. But as a person I’m

still the same and would

attribute that to a regular

job. I still have to take my

kids to school, sit in traffic

and have a boss,” Ott said.

Ott earned a bachelor’s

degree in biology from

Bucknell University in

Pennsylvania in 1979 and a

master’s degree in systems

management from the Uni-

versity of Southern Califor-

nia in 1990. He and his

wife, Judy, have two chil-

dren, daughter Katie, 12,

and son Christopher, 10.

The family lives in east

Cobb, and Ott and his wife

will have been married 17

years in April. They are

members of Mount Bethel

United Methodist Church.

Ott’s district is an indus-

trial hub, as it is the home

to major corporations such

as Home Depot, IBM and

US Sprint. It also includes

the nationally-ranked con-

vention center, Cobb-Galle-

ria Centre.

Other than encouraging

redevelopment, Ott said he

wants to continue with what

he started in February’s

code amendments, when he

helped staff to simplify zon-

ing stipulations so they are

easier for residents to

understand and follow.

“I would like all zoning

stipulations to be straight-

forward, so there’s no mis-

interpretation. I think that

goes along with my num-

ber-one thing, which is

transparency. The county

should always strive to be

as transparent as possible.

Whatever we say we’re

doing, we need to be doing

it, so there are no surpris-

es,” Ott said.

CITIES & COUNTY 3EEMARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

COBB BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MARIETTA — 2010 was full of changes

and challenges as Chairman Tim Lee took the

reins of the county’s government and began to

implement his vision to keep the county finan-

cially sound in a tough economy.

County leadership was officially shaken up

in March when Chairman Sam Olens resigned

from his county seat to run for the state’s attor-

ney general.

In the July special election to fill the

remaining two years of Olens’ term, Lee, who

had been the northeast Cobb commissioner for

eight years, bested political newcomer Larry

Savage.

Since then, he has been the top

dog through a number of important

county issues, such as balancing a

smaller budget with a drop in proper-

ty values; drafting a project list for the

proposed 2011 Special Purpose Local

Option Sales Tax; dealing with the

resignation of Public Safety Director

Mickey Lloyd amid allegations he

lied about his military service record;

and renewing County Manager David

Hankerson’s contract.

“It’s been exciting and busy. The difference

between district commissioner and chairman is

the commissioners deal more with constituent

issues, while the chairman’s focus is more

countywide with government policy issues and

regional issues,” Lee said. “I feel I bring a

good business discussion, a balance in terms of

what needs to happen versus where folks

would like to go and a good vision as to where

we need to be and how to get there. I like the

fact that I am able to work with a whole set of

new people on bigger, more regional and

countywide issues.”

One of Lee’s goals for this year is the

implementation of a countywide economic

development initiative, which he announced in

February during his annual State of the County

address.

The chairman quoted economist Dr. Roger

Tutterow, who predicted that the economy

won’t get much better for years yet. To over-

come that, Lee announced a countywide eco-

nomic development initiative spearheaded by

the Cobb Chamber, which he said will

“leapfrog any other and put Cobb at

the forefront of economic develop-

ment.”

The initiative is to be wholly

financed by businesses and aims to

better market and lure companies to

Cobb.

Lee predicted the project would

take six to seven months to get fully up

and running. It will bring together

businesses, academia, and economic

development experts, with input as needed

from city and county staff and elected officials.

Ideally, he said, the Chamber initiative

would lure new businesses to Cobb without

ever going through the Chairman’s office.

Lee also said the county would evaluate its

existing business incentive package for ways

to make it stronger. That was a campaign

promise made last summer when he sought

the chairman’s seat, he said, and is “necessary

WEST COBB — In 2010, west Cobb

Commissioner Helen Goreham became the

first woman to be elected to three consecu-

tive terms on the Cobb Board of Commis-

sioners. Her third term began in January.

But Goreham said she is not slowing

down and still has goals to appropriately

develop her district and bring businesses

and job opportunities to Cobb in the

coming years.

“As I always have, I think the

balance is in good planning, and

with our land use plan and with

yearly updates, I think we address

those issues. By sticking to a good

plan, we remove opportunity for

inappropriate development and mis-

information, and that allows us to

stay consistent and fair,” Goreham

said.

“I want to ensure that the housing starts

that we have in partially-started subdivi-

sions and foreclosure properties come in

with the same quality that was originally

zoned, and that we maintain the quality of

housing units and as much of their value as

possible,” Goreham said, of her 2011

goals. “I would also like to assist the rest

of the board in encouraging businesses to

locate to Cobb County and also assist local

businesses as much as we possibly can.

Those two issues are key to my district.”

During his state of the county address in

January, Chairman Tim Lee thanked voters

for electing Goreham to another term. And

after her swearing-in ceremony in January,

Goreham said she looked forward to con-

tinuing to grow as a commissioner and as a

person.

“When I first started, I had no idea of

the different issues I would be dealing

with as commissioner. I came from a zon-

ing background, but here, there

is a range of topics you have to

make decisions on, everything

from storm water to coyotes,”

Goreham said. “Today, I have a

better feel of the different issues

and I think I have grown as far

as the operations of the county,

my knowledge of the issues, and

my approach to dealing with

individuals on the issues. And

every day brings with it a new set of

issues.”

Goreham was born and raised thousands

of miles away in Long Island, N.Y. She

and her husband, Len, have two adult chil-

dren — a son and a daughter. Goreham and

Len have lived in the county for 23 years,

after spending two years in San Diego as

newlyweds.

Goreham, who trained as a physical

therapist, holds an undergraduate degree

from Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse,

N.Y., and a master’s degree in health care

administration from National University in

San Diego.

TIM LEE: CHAIRMAN

JOANN BIRRELL: DISTRICT 3

HELEN GOREHAM: DISTRICT 1

BOB OTT: DISTRICT 2

[email protected] | (770) 528-3300




Tim Lee

Helen Goreham

JoAnn Birrell

Bob Ott

Stories by Katy Ruth Camp | [email protected]

WOODY THOMPSON: DISTRICT 4


Woody Thompson

See Lee, 7EE

See Birrell, 7EE

See Thompson, 7EE

AUSTELL

www.austell.org • 770-944-4300

2716 Broad Street, Austell, Georgia 30106

Council Members: Kirsten Anderson, Trudie Causey, Randy Green,

Virginia Reagan, Martin Standard, Scott Thomas

the friendly city,

is growing with Cobb.

Joseph L. Jerkins, Mayor

By Katy Ruth Camp

[email protected]

MARIETTA — In the

year-plus since the Cobb

County Safety Village

opened, county officials say

it has proven to be an effi-

cient, interactive and posi-

tive model for safety

education.

“It’s an absolutely won-

derful facility and benefit to

the community,” Cobb

Chairman Tim Lee said.

“We’re so grateful it’s here

in Cobb County and that

(County Manager) David

Hankerson stuck with the

vision he had for so many

years and worked so hard to

make that vision a reality.

We’re able to teach children

more holistically and com-

pletely in terms of safety,

fire and traffic. It’s second

to none, and I hope the next

generation, as they age, will

have a safer environment as

a result of the education

they received at the safety

village.”

Hankerson said the idea

for a safety village came

shortly after he was appoint-

ed as county manager in

1993, when he began look-

ing to make the county’s

budget more efficient.

At the time, Cobb fire-

fighters were traveling to

each of the elementary

schools in the county to pre-

sent safety lessons. The

crews took along a mobile

unit that resembled a home

and allowed the firefighters

to replicate safety lessons,

such as “stop, drop and

roll.” While the lessons

were worthwhile, not to

mention mandated by the

state, it was costing the

county a lot of overtime pay

for firefighters, and only a

few students could partici-

pate at a time, said Capt.

Scott Dodson, who is the

coordinator of the new Safe-

ty Village.

That’s when a county

employee who hails from St.

Louis talked to Hankerson

about that city’s safety vil-

lage, and Hankerson began

researching other cities with

similar offerings. It seemed

like a good idea, but stayed

on the back burner while

other issues took prece-

dence.

But by 2004, Hankerson

said, problems with the old

program began to increase.

So he went to Canada,

which has several safety vil-

lages, to check them out for

himself.

And this time, the seed of

the idea began to take root.

Dodson said that soon

after the trip, the county

formed steering committees

to formulate what the public

and county wanted to see at

a safety village. In mid-

2007, the Board of Commis-

sioners allocated $5.2 mil-

lion from the county’s fire

fund to build the main

teaching facility. The pro-

ject — the first of its kind in

Georgia and one of only two

in the Southeast — broke

ground in February 2008,

and was officially open for

business on Aug. 1, 2009.

Since then, 30,000 sec-

ond- and fourth-grade stu-

dents have been taught at

the village, and ideas and

education programs continue

to grow and evolve, Dodson

said.

“When our instructors

were going out, we had 28

instructors every day in the

schools and it was very

labor-intensive and expen-

sive salary-wise. Since we

have brought students here,

we’ve been able to reduce

staff and reduce overtime

costs by 36 percent. It’s

done what it was built to

do,” Dodson said.

The campus is made up

of a main education facility

with mini replicas of build-

ings such as the Strand The-

atre and the new Superior

courthouse, a look-alike

Marietta Square, mini roads

with traffic signals, side-

walks and pedestrian cross-

ings and “Sparky’s House,”

a home that generates fake

smoke and teaches kids how

to feel walls for fire, climb

out of windows down a lad-

der, and move through

smoke.

In the transportation

areas, kids can ride bicycles

and learn to stop at red

lights and stop signs. There

are electric go-carts they can

drive on the roads. A school

bus, donated by the Cobb

County School District,

teaches kids how and where

to stop when a bus does.

The county will soon have

railroad crossings with

lights and arms that go up

and down, and the City of

Kennesaw has donated

funds for a train depot to

teaches train safety. There

are three signaled intersec-

tions, with a pedestrian

crossing.

Dodson said the village

can accommodate multiple

students groups at the same

time, with up to eight class-

es every day. Four full-time

firefighters are assigned at

the village, along with two

full-time police officers.

Thirty-six other firefighters

are trained to teach there.

The village still has

dozens of spaces for spon-

sors to build more specialty

buildings. Cobb EMC, for

example, is nearing comple-

tion of its building, which

will focus on electrical

safety.

Sponsorships are also

available for the fleet of 35

electric cars, and street nam-

ings and such. Proceeds

from sponsorships go

toward construction in the

village.

“The facility can also be

used as a multi-purpose

facility, and there are more

and more benefits to the

public far beyond what we

ever envisioned,” Hanker-

son said. “We’re tracking

the numbers and facts by

quarter and year so we can

see the trends that are

developing, and we’re

looking at ways we could

double or triple the number

of kids we serve by work-

ing out logistics. We

worked with the school

systems to develop a good

program, and we haven’t

had one complaint from the

school system or anyone

else.”

The main educational

building at the village is

named in honor of Hanker-

son.

“All of the reviews and

comments we’ve received

have been overwhelmingly

positive,” he said. “It’s been

great.”

Above: Cobb County fire-

fighter Joel Earwood

explains to fourth-graders

from the Marietta Center

for Advanced Academics

how to crawl to the door

and feel to see if it is hot

before opening before the

smoke detector goes off

in Sparky's Bedroom at

the Cobb County Safety

Village. Left: Cobb

County firefighter Matt

Ereddia ensures that

fourth-grader Aarushi

Tandon, 9, safely makes

her way down a fire lad-

der located in the window

of Sparky's Bedroom.

�Staff/Laura Moon

Village a model in safety education

By Jon Gillooly

[email protected]

MARIETTA — Residents

in Cobb will have just one or

two days at the ballot box this

year. Countywide, a special

referendum will be conducted

March 15 on the 2011

SPLOST. In November, five

cities will have municipal

elections.

Four of those cities —

Austell, Kennesaw, Smyrna

and Powder Springs — will

have mayoral races on the bal-

lot in November.

In the SPLOST referen-

dum, voters countywide will

decide in a special election

whether to pay the 1 percent

sales tax for four years, to

help the county finance parks

and road improvements. If

voters agree, the 2011 special

purpose local option sales tax

is expected to generate $492

million over the four years.

Collections would begin Jan.

1, 2012 — just as collections

of the current SPLOST expire

on Dec. 31, 2011.

Cobb Elections Director

Janine Eveler said early voting

opens at her office on Feb. 21

and continues through March

11. Any registered voter may

cast a ballot during those

weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5

p.m. The office is at 736

Whitlock Ave. in Marietta.

Another option is to vote

by mail. Applications for a

vote by mail ballot are avail-

able at

www.CobbElections.org and

mail-in ballots must be

received by 7 p.m. March 15.

In the week before the spe-

cial election, more locations

will be open for county voters

to cast their ballots. Advance

voting will be held from 8

a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday,

March 7 through Friday,

March 11 at the locations list-

ed below.

n East Cobb Government

Service Center, 4400 Lower

Roswell Rd., Marietta, 30068-

4233.

n South Cobb Community

Center, 620 Lions Club Drive,

Mableton, 30126-2438.

n Northstar Church, 3413

Blue Springs Road NW, Ken-

nesaw, 30144-1082.

n Boots Ward Recreation

Center, Lost Mountain Park,

4845 Dallas Highway, Powder

Springs 30127-4486.

Cobb Elections Main

Office, 736 Whitlock Ave.,

(West Park Government Cen-

ter) Marietta, 30064-4663

For the November munici-

pal elections, candidate quali-

fying will be during the week

of Aug. 29, Eveler said.

The city of Acworth con-

ducts its own election. Seats

held by Post 1 Alderman

Albert “Butch” Price; Post 2

Alderman Doug Allen; and

Post 3 Bob Weatherford are

up for election this year.

Austell also conducts its

own election, and longtime

Mayor Joe Jerkins will seek

another term this year. Three

council seats are up for elec-

tion. They are the Ward 2

post now held by Scott

Thomas; Ward 4 seat held by

Virginia Reagan; and the at-

large seat held by Randy

Green.

Kennesaw Mayor Mark

Mathews will seek a new term

this year. His city likewise

handles its own municipal

elections. Two council seats,

those held by Cris Eaton

Welsh and Tim Killingsworth

are up for election.

In Powder Springs, which

contracts the county to con-

duct its election, Mayor Pat

Vaughn is up for re-election,

and the council seats held by

Rosalyn Neal (Post 1) and

Tom Bevirt (Post 2) will be up

for election.

Smyrna also contracts with

the county to conduct its elec-

tion. Citizens there will elect a

mayor and all seven council

seats. Longtime incumbent

Max Bacon will seek reelec-

tion, though two other candi-

dates — Alex Backry, a fre-

quent critic of Bacon, and

Donna Woodham, who oppos-

es the city’s TAD-backed Bel-

mont Hills redevelopment —

are expected to run.

Elections director Eveler

said the best thing about her

job is working with the fantas-

tic people who conduct elec-

tions here in Cobb and

throughout the state.

“Those who came before

me have said it is a passion

that gets in your blood,” she

said. “No one would work as

hard as we do and put in the

crazy hours we do unless

they’re really hooked. We

believe in the importance of

our task — to provide fair and

accurate elections that are

convenient and accessible to

all voters.”

Eveler advises voters to

update their registration if

they move, even if they are

just moving within the county.

Voters can check their regis-

tration status, polling location,

and get early voting informa-

tion online at www.sos.

georgia.gov/MVP.

Voters to decide on SPLOST in MarchFive cities will

have municipal

elections this fall

Staff/file

Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration Director

Janine Eveler said early voting opens at her office on Feb.

21 and continues through March 11.

CITIES & COUNTY4EE MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011


By Jon Gillooly

[email protected]

MARIETTA — Mayor

Steve “Thunder” Tumlin

delivered an upbeat State of

the City address to a crowd of

about 140 people during the

Cobb Chamber of Com-

merce’s Marietta Area Coun-

cil Meeting in January at the

Mansour Center.

Even Tumlin’s sometime

rival on the City Council,

Philip Goldstein, seemed

pleased with the talk.

“It was a good, positive

speech,” Goldstein said.

“The thrust of it was posi-

tive, very pro-city, very

upbeat, which it should be.

Very reflective of how things

are in the city.”

Crediting Marietta Police

Chief Dan Flynn with the ini-

tiative, Tumlin spoke of how

the city was the first in the

state to restrict businesses that

dispense addictive painkillers.

“The states around us are

tightening up on these people

that like to dispense Oxycon-

tin like they dispense cough

drops, and we just don’t want

those folks in our communi-

ty,” Tumlin said.

Tumlin said Marietta was

also the first in Cobb County

to create opportunity zones, in

which the city encourages

businesses to locate or expand

in parts of the city through the

use of state tax credits. He

credited Economic Develop-

ment Manager Beth Sessoms

with that.

“We were the first in the

state that created three,” Tum-

lin said, noting that the com-

puter-oriented firm TASQ

brought 350 jobs to the city

when it located in an opportu-

nity zone along Canton Road.

Regarding business per-

mits, Tumlin said that for a

three-year period business

licenses were going down

from a high of 9,000, but this

last year they increased from

7,300 to 8,000.

Tumlin said in the last four

years the city’s general fund

budget has dropped from $52

million to $48 million due to

the recession. But even with a

decrease in revenues, the city

has not had to cut its services,

he said.

“Right now our income is

flat and one of the reasons is

we’re not solely dependent on

property tax,” he said. “It’s

around 20 percent of our total

revenue. We have the lowest

tax rate of any county or city

in the metro area, and we’re

very, very proud of that, and

we’ve kept it. But even

though our property values

have fallen, it’s not devastat-

ing to our budget.”

A big reason for the city’s

low tax rate is that the city-

owned utility, Marietta Power

and Water, contributes mil-

lions of dollars to the city’s

general fund each year. In fis-

cal 2011, the transfer will

total $11.5 million.

In the last 10 years, Tum-

lin said the city has spent

more than $97 million from

SPLOST proceeds and state

stimulus money to improve

the city.

“You see the results in our

trails, more sidewalks, brick

sidewalks and brick cross-

walks,” he said.

The city has concentrated

on its four main gateways —

Roswell and Franklin roads,

and Fairground and Powder

Springs streets — to make

them more attractive and safer

with medians and curb cuts.

Preliminary construction work

is underway for a roundabout

at the corner of Fairground

and Allgood Road.

“I think you’re going to

see the traffic flow in that area

much better,” he said.

As one of 49 cities in

Georgia that belong to the

Municipal Electric Authority

of Georgia, Marietta Power

has the most competitive

rates in the county, Tumlin

said. And with coal plants

under fire, the city has

invested in cleaner, more

efficient nuclear energy as a

source of electricity for resi-

dents, he said.

Tumlin also spoke at

length on the city’s plans for

the $25 million parks bond

voters approved in November

2009.

Long neglected by the city,

the 10.6-acre Hickory Hills

Park on Chestnut Hill Road

off Powder Springs Street is

set to reopen in November

after a $1.75 million facelift.

“That is one that is going

to be a showcase for the city,”

the mayor said.

Tumlin described the park

as, “The one that’s near and

dear to my heart because I

ride by it every day. We trad-

ed with the Marietta Board of

Education for Hickory Hills

Park, that was owned by the

Board of Education, and it’s

getting ready to come out of

the ground.”

The city’s designs for the

park include two children’s

soccer fields, an elevated hill

for parents to monitor their

children, a playground area

with fencing and shaded seat-

ing areas for parents, a

restroom building, a large

pavilion available for rent,

two tennis courts, a walking

trail and picnic tables, as well

as a parking lot that could

hold 139 vehicles.

In 2006, Marietta’s school

board swapped the park for

the city’s old fire station on

Polk and Winn streets.

Although the school system

has long since renovated the

firehouse as the headquarters

of the school district’s foun-

dation, little has been done

with the park, although not for

lack of trying.

In 2007, then-Mayor Bill

Dunaway proposed renaming

the park after Tumlin’s late

parents, Virginia and Steve

Tumlin Sr., but was blocked

by council members Philip

Goldstein and Annette

Lewis. Dunaway never could

garner the four votes needed

to rename Hickory Hills.

And in 2008, during a

council retreat and prior to the

parks bond being approved,

City Manager Bill Bruton said

the city had about $2 million

to spend on park renovations,

suggesting the money be used

for Hickory Hills.

But Goldstein complained

that the blighted Franklin

Road area he represents on

the east side of town was

being ignored. Lewis also

argued against the renova-

tions, citing Hickory Hills

Elementary School’s dwin-

dling enrollment.

Goldstein’s argument for

Franklin Road getting noth-

ing is no longer valid. In

February 2010, the city spent

$2.7 million to buy the 13-

acre Preston Chase apart-

ments on Franklin Road near

Delk Road from Regions

Bank, and spent another

$410,643 with Environmen-

tal Holdings Group, LLC of

Buford to demolish the com-

plex, turning the area into

parkland.

Tumlin also touted his

push for greater transparency

by moving all council meet-

ings from the cramped fourth-

floor conference room of City

Hall to the spacious council

chamber, as well as uploading

video of all meetings on the

city’s website for public view-

ing.

Additionally in 2010,

Tumlin said he was glad lead-

ers sided with him on a push

to reduce the time frame for

demolition permits from three

years to 18 months.

“That was something I

pushed, and I was greatly

rewarded,” he said. “Two

days after I did it, we had a

building demolished on the

Square.”

Tumlin said he was

pleased with efforts of down-

town shopkeepers, who have

formed an eight-member non-

profit board called The Brand-

ing Project, to brainstorm

ways to attract visitors to

downtown Marietta.

“Marietta’s committed to

offer you the best in ser-

vice,” Tumlin said. “We

want to protect you … We’re

going to enhance our history

and promote our tourism, but

we’re also looking forward

to the future. Marietta wants

to stay a town that offers a

small-town atmosphere, but

with big-town opportunity.”

Tumlin touts a mighty Marietta‘Marietta’s committed to

offer you the best in service.

We want to protect you …

We’re going to enhance our

history and promote our

tourism, but we’re also

looking forward to the future.’

— Marietta Mayor Steve Tumlin

Staff/file

Accomplishments include opportunity

zones, balanced budget, transparency

CITIES & COUNTY6EE MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

By Kathryn Malone

[email protected]

POWDER SPRINGS

— Mayor Pat Vaughn said

she will remember one of the

city’s greatest accomplish-

ments in 2010 as the comple-

tion and opening of the 10-

year Lewis Road project.

The $14 million project,

which was funded by

SPLOST and federal trans-

portation dollars, created a

new entranceway to the city

by connecting CH James

Parkway to Lewis Road to

Marietta Street, the city’s

main street. That entrance-

way opened in December,

and helped the city solve the

problem of traffic stopping at

the train tracks by creating an

overpass over the tracks.

“It offers a new entrance

way into our downtown area,”

Vaughn said. “Now people

can come into the city with-

out being held up by train.

They have an easier access to

our downtown area.”

Another great accomplish-

ment in 2010, Vaughn said

was the pedestrian bridge

over the intersection of Old

Lost Mountain Road and

Richard Sailors Parkway on

the Silver Comet Trail. Con-

struction on the $547,000

bridge began in fall 2010 and

it was open by the end of the

year. Funded fully by

SPLOST, Vaughn said the

bridge provides a safer cross-

ing at Old Lost Mountain

Road for pedestrians and

bicyclists.

In her State of the City

address on Jan. 18, Vaughn

said Powder Springs, a city

of 15,958 people, enjoyed

relative success in 2010,

despite the economy.

The city cut its fiscal year

2011 budget by $688,000

amid a decrease in property

tax revenues, Vaughn said.

As a result, officials had to

lay off five full-time and nine

part-time employees, she

said. The city also cut back

on landscaping efforts and

delayed resurfacing some city

streets. For next year’s bud-

get, which begins Oct. 1,

Vaughn said the city antici-

pates further cuts because of

the continued decline in prop-

erty values. The general fund

budget for FY11 is $7.02

million, while the budget in

FY10 was $7.7 million.

Vaughn boasted that 22

single-family home building

permits were issued in 2010,

while only three were issued

in all of 2009. The city saw a

net gain of 92 additional

businesses in 2010, compared

with a net loss of four busi-

nesses in 2009. But occupa-

tional taxes collected in 2010

fell by $44,000, Vaughn said,

which suggests that local

businesses are still struggling.

“Despite the economic

downturn,” Vaughn said, “we

have still been able to keep our

head above water, keep our

reserves, keep it to a minimum

the number of employees that

unfortunately we had to let go,

and hopefully some day when

the economy turns back

around, we’ll be able to have

those employees back again.”

Powder Springs hired a

new city manager in 2010,

Rick Eckert, who started

work in May. Two new City

Council members were sworn

in January 2010, Cheryl

Sarvis and Nancy Hudson.

Vaughn said her city and

its employees are still working

to recover from the devastat-

ing flood of 2009. Working

with Cobb County, the city

obtained hazard mitigation

funding to bulldoze 16 homes

in the floodplain. The proper-

ties cost about $2.4 million to

purchase, with 85 percent of

the funding coming from fed-

eral and state funds.

In her State of the City

speech, Vaughn also high-

lighted several SPLOST pro-

jects like Lewis Road and the

pedestrian bridge and touted

that the city had nearly com-

pleted its Community

Enhancement Master Plan.

“Even though it has been a

very slow year economically,

we have still been able to

bring to fruition some of our

projects that had been on the

drawing board since we

adopted the Community

Enhancement Master Plan in

1996,” Vaughn said. “And

I’m so proud that I have been

able to be here long enough

to see all of these projects

come to fruition.”

Gateway to Powder SpringsMayor boasts better access to downtown area

Powder Springs

Mayor Pat Vaughn

speaks to resi-

dents during the

monthly Breakfast

with the Mayor at

Bailey’s Diner on

Jan. 18. Vaughn

touted the 10-year

Lewis Road pro-

ject, which created

a new entrance-

way to the city by

connecting CH

James Parkway to

Lewis Road to

Marietta Street,

the city’s main

street.

�


By Marcus E. Howard

[email protected]

AUSTELL — Mayor

Joe Jerkins recently

addressed a range of issues

affecting his city, which has

suffered a significant drop

in population and tax rev-

enue since the devastating

flood of 2009.

The flood damaged

about 700 homes.

It’s estimated that

only half of their

occupants have

moved back into

them. The city plans

to purchase 23 of

the homes at a cost

of $2.1 million, of

which the city pays

15 percent. The

Georgia Emergency Man-

agement Agency and Feder-

al Emergency Management

Agency would pay the

remainder. Eight homes

have already been pur-

chased, Jerkins said in his

state of the city speech this

year. An additional 61

homes could be eligible for

purchase within the next

five years, he said. The city

would be reimbursed for 75

percent of the cost.

The resulting decline in

property values has led to a

33.3 percent drop in proper-

ty tax revenue, the mayor

reported. Austell officials

expect to collect a little

more than $400,000 this

year. The city has a $12 mil-

lion budget.

Jerkins said the value of

his own home — which was

not damaged by flooding –

was cut by about 15 percent.

The city of Austell may

be forced to change its

health insurance for its 100

employees, as rates have

increased over the past few

years, Jerkins said.

The cost increased by 16

percent this year, 14 percent

in 2010, and 8 percent the

previous year, Jerkins said.

The cost for an individual,

which is entirely covered by

the city, is about $51 per

week, he said. The family

plan, which the city pays 75

percent of, costs about $400

per week. Austell has

already changed providers

three times.

“It’s gotten real expen-

sive for us. We’re going to

have to make some different

arrangements,” Jerkins said.

He said he expects

officials to tackle

the issue in about

two months.

The cost of

health care is anoth-

er issue that

Austell’s longtime

mayor will have to

grapple with as he

begins the last year

of his four-year term.

The mayor said that

Austell residents can expect

to see an increase in their

stormwater management

fees. He said the fee will

rise from $1 to $3 per

month. And it’s likely to

gradually increase over the

next few years to $5 per

month.

“We’ve been underfund-

ed,” Jerkins said. “It’s cost-

ing us more than we’ve been

charging. Other (cities) have

been charging a lot more.”

However, a gas bill

donation program, which

allows customers to donate

up to $10 to help others,

raised more than $20,000

in 2010, the mayor report-

ed. Matching funds by

Austell Natural Gas are

being donated to Sweetwa-

ter Valley Community

Action Mission Program

Inc. in Austell.

To help pay for needed

infrastructure improvement

projects in the city, Jerkins

said he is supporting the

county’s proposed 2011

SPLOST. He said the city

expects to receive $1 million

per year from the one-per-

cent special sales tax over

the four years of collections.

Joe Jerkins

Mayor Jerkins: Austell is

wading through changes

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for us to succeed. The con-

sensus between the govern-

ment and business communi-

ty was that economic devel-

opment needed to be stepped

up, and for us to come to a

consensus.”

As for the kind of impact

he hopes this initiative will

have a year from now, Lee

said: “I hope we will have

recognition of our program at

the state, national and inter-

national levels as one of the

best economic development

programs offered, and to

have growth and impact in

all four of the areas I dis-

cussed — job creation, busi-

ness expansion, business

retention and an expansion of

tourism.”

Lee lives in northeast

Cobb with his wife of 21

years, Annette, and they have

three children and five grand-

children between them. Cobb

County has been Lee’s home

for 23 years.

Before holding elective

office, Lee was president of

the Northeast Cobb Home-

owners Group for two years.

He has also been on the

board of the Cobb County

Civic Coalition, and was

director of the East Cobb

Civic Association for a time.

He also served a decade as

president of his neighbor-

hood homeowner’s

association.

Lee has also served on the

board of MUST Ministries,

where his wife works, and is

past chairman and current

board member of the Cobb

Symphony Orchestra.

Currently, Lee serves on

the board of the North Geor-

gia State Fair.He also serves

the Association of County

Commissioners’ of Georgia

as their appointment to the

Advisory Board of the North

Central Georgia Law

Enforcement Academy. He

also belongs to the Marietta

Kiwanis Club and Marietta

First United Methodist

Church.


Continued from Page 3EE

Lee

and has a stepson and step-

daughter she said she consid-

ers her own. Birrell grew up

in a small town in eastern

North Carolina near the coast

called Goldsboro. She gradu-

ated from the University of

North Carolina at Greensboro

with a degree in political sci-

ence and attended paralegal

school in Atlanta.

After working in the

North Carolina attorney gen-

eral’s office for eight years,

she sought work in the sales

and marketing field. A job in

the waste industry brought

her to the Atlanta area in the

late 1980s.

Birrell and her family are

members of the Catholic

Church of St. Ann in east

Cobb. She also served on

Parish Council at St.

Joseph’s in Marietta and vol-

unteered at Kennestone Hos-

pital.

Birrell said the biggest

issue facing her district today

is the lack of jobs.

“There are some empty

retail strip centers in my dis-

trict, but it could be worse.

That’s why I started Keep it

in Cobb, to try to keep busi-

nesses alive.” Birrell said,

referring to a business devel-

opment initiative she

announced during her cam-

paign and launched in Janu-

ary. That initiative brings

together local business own-

ers to develop strategies and

recommendations to the

board to bring — and keep

— businesses in Cobb.


Birrell

good development — John

Weiland has built two mixed-

use developments, one at Dis-

covery Boulevard and another

at Pebblebrook Road — and

some of these homes are in

excess of a million dollars.

But in the downtown area, it’s

quite old and depressed and

needs a kick-start. That’s why

I pushed to get library relocat-

ed from the East-West Con-

nector to where it is now near

the Arts Center and Mable

House Amphitheatre. The

form-based code is at the cor-

nerstone of what we want to

do there,” Thompson said.

Thompson grew up in East

Point but moved to Cobb as a

child in 1956. He served as

District 4 commissioner from

1997 to 2004, before being

elected once again in 2008.

Thompson first served on the

Board of Commissioners as a

Republican, but now sits on

the board as a Democrat as he

said he felt he could reach

more of his constituents with

the switch.

Thompson is a licensed real

estate broker and owns Thomp-

son Realty Advisors, LLC.


Thompson

Sixteen new businesses

opened in Kennesaw last year,

including an insurance compa-

ny, fitness center, tanning

salon and pizza restaurant.

The application and issuance

of business licenses in the city

have remained steady, Math-

ews said.

The city of Kennesaw

annexed roughly 50 acres of

land in 2010, the mayor

reported, thanks to the expan-

sion of Beaumont Products on

Big Shanty Drive, which has

created 80 new jobs; the

planned relocation of Kenne-

saw Charter School into a

100,000-square-foot facility

on Cobb Parkway; and a Ken-

nesaw State University student

housing project at Shiloh and

Frey roads, which construc-

tion will begin on this spring.

Mathews touted a 14 per-

cent decrease in the city’s

crime rate in 2010, the lowest

since 2002. Kennesaw is the

only city in Cobb in which no

homicide has occurred in the

past two years, he said.


Kennesaw

By Kathryn Malone

[email protected]

SMYRNA — Although

2010 was a difficult econom-

ic year for most city govern-

ments, Smyrna Mayor Max

Bacon said he is proud that

amid cuts, the city is still

able to provide its residents

with key city services.

“I still feel that Smyrna

provides the best services to

our citizens as any communi-

ty in Cobb County or the

state of Georgia,” Bacon

said.

Although the city’s gener-

al fund budget has dropped

14 percent in the last two

years, Bacon insists that the

city is still financially strong.

“We are fiscally sound

because we’re pretty conserv-

ative in a lot of things,”

Bacon said.

Smyrna’s fiscal year bud-

get for 2011, which began

Oct. 1, 2010, is $65.2 mil-

lion. Its FY10 budget was

$65.6 million.

The city has made various

cuts, spokeswoman Jennifer

Bennett said, including con-

solidating the parks facility

maintenance with the public

works department; reorganiz-

ing the parks administrative

staffing; reducing health

insurance for city employees;

and eliminating salary

increases for employees. San-

itation and recycling crews

were also reduced by one

crew each, but the city was

able to do so by streamling

those routes, she said.

Although the city has lost

11 full-time and seven part-

time positions in the last

year, Bennett said that many

of those positions were lost

through retirement or result-

ing from the reorganization

of city departments.

“We had some attrition

and some people were moved

over,” Bennett said. “So we

didn’t just come right out and

lay off people. We worked

on efficiency.”

Smyrna has not cut its

public safety personnel, Ben-

nett said.

According to the latest

Census Bureau data, Smyrna

has 50,712 residents in its 15

square miles. The median age

is 33 and the median house-

hold income $55,468.

Housing starts in Smyrna

were up this year over 2009

by 15 percent. In 2010, 54

housing permits were issued

in the city, while in 2009, 45

permits were issued.

Bacon said he was pleased

to finally see some new

homes being built in Smyrna.

“In 2010 we saw a little

bit, not much, of new subdi-

visions going up,” he said.

“And those that were going

up they were very well-

planned developments.

Before they were $600,000

homes. Now they’re more

like $300,000 homes, but

they’re still good quality

homes to our community.”

The city has seen many of

its redevelopment efforts

stalled by the recession in

recent years, but Bacon said

he was hopeful in 2011.

Although Jonquil Plaza

went into foreclosure in

2010, Bacon said he expects

that to help the redevelop-

ment of the plaza.

“Probably 2011 is going

to be a very positive year for

us in that particular shopping

center,” Bacon said. “I think

you’re going to see develop-

ment on it because of the

foreclosure, not the magni-

tude of what they said they

were going to do. That was

sort of a negative that hap-

pened for us, but it will turn

into a positive.”

In December 2010, the

city bought the 48-acre Hick-

ory Lake Apartments, on Old

Concord Road near Windy

Hill, for $9 million and plans

to demolish it, which will

cost about $4 million.

The city has high hopes

that the land will help spark

redevelopment in north Smyr-

na, especially with the uptick

in traffic that is expected

when the Windy Hill connec-

tor is completed in May.

“In the very near future

you’re going to see that that

was a very wise to purchase

that property,” Bacon said.

The new 52-acre North

Cooper Lake Park and city of

Smyrna Community Garden

was opened in September.

The park, at 4201 North

Cooper Lake Road off Con-

cord Road, contains a paved

walking trail, an off-road bike

trail and meadow. However,

the park’s community garden,

which has plots for lease to

Smyrna residents, has created

the most excitement.

Residents have already

begun growing lettuce,

spinach, collards and toma-

toes, among other vegetables,

in the garden plots.

Bennett said plots are still

available for rent and the first

phase of the project has been

“enormously successful.”

By Marcus E. Howard

[email protected]

ACWORTH — Acworth

is a city looking forward to its

future.

In a January speech, Mayor

Tommy Allegood reported a

12 percent increase in job

growth since late 2009.

Allegood credited the

city’s new opportunity zone

program in downtown

Acworth with creating the

trend by providing incentives

for business owners. In 2010,

50 new businesses invested in

Acworth, the mayor said.

While Cobb County’s

unemployment rate has hov-

ered around 10 percent for

several

months,

Allegood

highlighted

45 new jobs

brought by

Main Street

Family

Physicians.

The medical

practice

opened in an old Piggly Wig-

gly after moving from Kenne-

saw, where it was previously

called Kennesaw Family

Physicians.

By the end of year, the

physicians practice is expected

to bring 10 to 15 more jobs to

downtown. Marietta Imaging

Center has also opened a loca-

tion in Acworth.

“That doesn’t happen by

accident,” Allegood said.

The city’s opportunity zone

includes portions of Main

Street, North Main Street and

Cherokee Street. Businesses

— including existing ones —

are eligible to receive a

$3,500-per-employee tax cred-

it from the state when two or

more jobs are created.

Among several other busi-

nesses opening in Acworth is

an NTB auto parts store this

spring and a RaceTrac gas sta-

tion in the fall, Allegood said.

“We offer our citizens

great services and we don’t

raise taxes,” the mayor said.

“We do a great job for our

community.”

He praised Community

Development Director Chris-

tine Dobbs for working with

builders, developers and

banks to redevelop foreclosed

subdivisions. The city issued

30 housing permits and

closed 45 new homes in

2010, said Allegood.

The city also completed

several SPLOST projects in

2010, including traffic

improvements to Nance

Road at Main Street, and

Old McEver at Main Street.

Forty new parking spaces

were created and streetscape

improvements on Senator

Russell Avenue are in

progress, Allegood reported.

He said it was important

for the proposed 2011

SPLOST to be approved by

voters in March in order to

fund three new projects: a new

police station for a growing

department, traffic reconfigu-

ration on Mars Hill Road at

Cobb Parkway and silent rail-

road crossings.

The mayor also spoke of

plans to improve 100 acres

downtown. He said the city

plans to bulldoze the Moon

Street public housing to rede-

velop the land and widen

School Street.

Using Section 8 vouchers,

residents have already been

moved out of Carruth Street

public housing, built in 1945,

to make way for Walton Prop-

erties to construct Legacy Vil-

lage. Construction should

begin within months, Alle-

good said.

The mayor also spoke

excitedly about the new North

Cobb Ninth Grade Academy,

which will draw students from

Awtrey and Barber middle

schools. It is expected to be

completed in the fall.

In his State of the City

speech, the mayor stressed

the importance of maintain-

ing a good quality of life in

the city. He briefly reported

that violent crime was down

by 90 percent and that prop-

erty crimes were down by 22

percent.

Acworth sees job creation, growth in tough times

Tommy Allegood

Staff/file

Despite cuts, Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon said, ‘I still feel

that Smyrna provides the best services to our citizens as

any community in Cobb County or the state of Georgia.’

Mayor Bacon: Smyrna tops in service

GROWTH & REVITALIZATION8EE MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

PROGRESS 2011PROGRESS 2011REAL ESTATEREAL ESTATE

MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL � FEBRUARY 27, 2011SECTION FF / 6 OF 8

MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL � FEBRUARY 27, 2011SECTION FF / 6 OF 8

REDEVELOPMENT APPLAUDED 6FFWIN-WIN FOR BUYER, SELLER 3FF

INSIDE:

‘OURFAVORITE

PLACE’

‘OURFAVORITE

PLACE’COBB QUICKLY BECOMESSPECIAL TO THIS FAMILY

— 5FF

COBB QUICKLY BECOMESSPECIAL TO THIS FAMILY

— 5FF

By Donna Espy

[email protected]

There’s a new name in the

Cobb real estate market, but

the face behind the name is

very familiar.

Sotheby’s International

Realty has come to Cobb,

and longtime Realtor Jim

Glover is the agent represent-

ing them in the Marietta and

west Cobb areas.

Residents may be familiar

with the Sotheby’s name

thanks to their famous 200-

year-old New York auction

house. But it was more than

the name that lured Glover

away from Harry Norman

Realtors, where he had been

an agent in its Marietta office

for nine years, and reigned as

the No. 1 transaction agent

from 2005 to 2008.

“Atlanta Fine Homes

Sotheby’s is a family busi-

ness, owned by Jenny Pruitt

and her son-in-law David

Boehmig,” Glover said. “I

liked it because of the per-

sonal service it provides, the

international outreach and the

state-of-the-art marketing.

These were all big factors in

changing jobs. I was not

unhappy where I was.”

While he was the No. 1

sales agent each of his nine

years at Harry Norman, he

admits his new position has

rekindled the real estate

flame.

“There are professionals at

Sotheby’s who are challeng-

ing me to increase my busi-

ness,” said Glover, whose

office is in Buckhead on

Northside Parkway.

Atlanta Fine Homes

Sotheby’s International Real-

ty was formed by Jenny

Pruitt after selling her com-

pany to investor Warren Buf-

fett, Glover said. Pruitt had

led her own firm in the

Atlanta area since 1988,

growing it to more than $1.5

billion in annual sales and

450 agents. After fulfilling

her no-compete clause, Pruitt

ventured back into the real

estate market with the Sothe-

by’s name, getting the exclu-

sive affiliation for the Atlanta

region.

The Sotheby’s realty net-

work has more than 25,700

properties listed in the United

States, with 40 percent ask-

ing above $1 million and five

percent asking above $5 mil-

lion. Internationally, the com-

pany represents more than

3,800 properties in countries

like Germany, Slovakia,

Vietnam, Greece, Cyprus and

Italy.

In May 2009, it opened

offices in Atanta, with 20

agents serving the metro

area. That year, Atlanta Fine

Homes Sotheby’s Interna-

tional Realty had the most

expensive single-family

home sale ever recorded

($16,500,000) and the most

expensive condo in recent

history (the penthouse at The

Mansion on Peachtree sold

for $9,500,000). Last year,

the firm sold the most expen-

sive home in Atlanta, listed

at $13,900,000.

While Cobb may not boast

those home prices, Glover

said he is happy to be work-

ing in “my sphere of influ-

ence.” A Cobb resident,

Glover is the great-great-

great-grandson of Marietta’s

first mayor – John Heyward

Glover, Jr. He knows about

Cobb, its history and the his-

torical homes that still dot the

county.

“I live in an old house,

and about 25 percent of my

business is in historical prop-

erties,” said Glover, who

moved his 1855 house from

Marietta to west Cobb near

Kennesaw Mountain in 1989.

“I know the old houses and

the old house language that

goes with it,” he said, adding

he lists homes at any price

range.

Carol Moson, president of

the Cobb Association of

Realtors and an agent for

Re/Max Greater Atlanta

Realtors, said she is glad to

see Sotheby’s enter the Cobb

market.

“It’s good for everyone,

and they especially deal with

high-end homes,” Moson

said. “Hopefully, they’ll get

more of them sold.”

She added that the current

housing market has seen a

glut of inventory on the mar-

ket due to foreclosures, but a

change is coming.

“Cobb has the beginnings

of stabilization of the mar-

ket,” she said. “Inventory is

down, so we just need to take

baby steps and it will all be

good.”

Glover worked for 20

years at his family-owned

Glover Machine Works steel

business in Marietta before

going into real estate. He said

it’s a natural fit for him

because he enjoys meeting

people and building relation-

ships through business.

Although he sees a lot of

foreclosure sales these days

and a sluggish market,

Glover said he wouldn’t

choose any other occupation.

“There is nothing more

enjoyable than helping first-

time homebuyers purchase

their first home,” Glover

said.

Glover, 54 and single, also

spends time giving back to

the Cobb community. He

serves on the boards of the

Cobb Landmarks and Histori-

cal Society, the Marietta

Welcome Center, the Mariet-

ta Museum of History, and

the Cobb Preservation Foun-

dation, Inc. He is also a

member of the Friends of the

Cobb Symphony. In his spare

time, he loves to cook –

especially seafood dishes

given to him by relatives liv-

ing in Charleston, S.C. He is

also writing his second book

on the history of the Glover

family, which he hopes to

publish this spring.

What’s his take on the

current housing market?

“I believe things are going

to start coming around this

spring,” Glover said. “It has

been a long, bleak winter, but

we’re already seeing some

improvement over the fourth

quarter of last year.”

For more information,

visit www.sothebys

realty.com.

REAL ESTATE2FF MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

From left: Mark and Julie

Andersen with their two

children Nate, 3, and Ella,

7, at their new home in

east Cobb (see 5FF).

MDJ staff photo / Todd Hull

COVER

REKINDLINGTHE FLAME


Above: Jim Glover shows one of the Marietta homes listed by Sotheby’s. Below: Glover shows the interior features

of the home. A veteran real estate agent, Glover is representing Sotheby’s in Marietta and the west Cobb area.

Top-selling agent Glover views switch

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MARIETTA — Cobb

County and its six cities

issued a grand total of 685

building permits for new

homes in all of 2010, a far

cry from the building boom

of the last decade. In 2005,

for example, more than

5,700 such permits were

issued in Cobb.

Unincorporated Cobb saw

the largest number of new-

home permits in 2010, with

466. The city of Smyrna

issued 77, and Marietta was

next, with 61 permits issued

throughout the year.

Acworth issued a total of

28 new-home permits in

2010, and the cities of Ken-

nesaw and Powder Springs

each issued 23. The city of

Austell issued only seven

such permits last year.

For 2011, builders and

other industry experts predict

only slight improvement.

Chris Poston, senior vice

president of Marietta-based

Traton Homes, estimated his

company will build about

175 new homes in Cobb in

2011.

In years past, he said, Tra-

ton build about 225 new

homes per year in Cobb. The

bigger difference between

then and now for Traton is

price-point.

“In the heyday in Cobb,

five years ago, we were sell-

ing a lot of homes in the mid-

$500,000s,” Poston said. “In

west Cobb, where we built

from the high $400,000s to

$1 million, we’re now build-

ing homes from the low

$200,000s to $400,000s.”

Rob Hosack, community

development director for

Cobb County, said 2011 will

remain similar to 2010 in

terms of home building in

Cobb.

“Slow and steady,”

Hosack said. One factor this

year will be the absence of

the federal Homebuyers Tax

Credit, which he said helped

boost the number of new sin-

gle-family homes in the first

four months

of 2010.

Both

Hosack and

Poston said

Cobb does

still have large

tracts of unde-

veloped land

available.

“We’ve issued permits for

new subdivisions in east

Cobb, and we’re seeing more

activity in the area of infill

tracts,” Hosack said.

Said Poston: “There is still

land out there, though it’s

getting smaller and rougher.

Cobb County was already

moving toward more in-fill

building. This downturn

made everybody realize they

want to be closer in. Location

is still important.”

Steve Palm, president of

the Marietta-based Smart-

Numbers, a housing data

firm, said, “Until the econo-

my improves, new construc-

tion won’t improve. We need

to strengthen jobs, and

strengthen the resale market,

and when those two things

are happening, then we can

start building again.”

“Until we start winnowing

down foreclosures, you can’t

build it cheap enough to go

against them,” he said.

The last part of 2010 did

see one glimmer of hope,

though, he said. In both

November and December, the

number of homes that went

under contract for sale was

up from the same time the

year before, he said, though

that includes both resale and

new homes.

But for builders, “it’s

nasty out there,” he said.

Any idea when it’s going

to get better? “You don’t

want to ask me that,” he said.

Business Editor Donna Espy con-tributed to this story.

REAL ESTATE 3FFMARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

Chris Poston

By Marcus E. Howard

[email protected]

MARIETTA — It’s no secret

that in the current real estate mar-

ket, buyers have the upperhand over

sellers. However, one homeowner

bucked the trend in Cobb County

when he purchased and then resold

his house, all in about a year. And

he even made money on the sale.

In early 2010, Charles Dawson

first bought the new, three-story

house in the Oak Grove subdivi-

sion, off Gordon Combs Road near

the Marietta Country Club. But in

less than a year, his girlfriend’s job

transfer forced him to put the house

back on the market.

Given all he’d heard about the

abysmal housing market for sellers,

Dawson was not looking forward to

the task. Besides, he loved the house.

“My girlfriend is a professional

track athlete — runs for Adidas —

and was transferred to train in

Georgia and thought she was going

to be there for a few years,” said

Dawson, 36, an engineer. “After

one year, she ended up getting

transferred to another camp in

North Carolina.”

So Dawson called up Gail Hol-

man, the same Re/Max Around

Atlanta agent who initially helped

him purchase it. They listed the

house, got a contract, and closed the

sale on Jan. 28.

“To sell that quickly and for a

profit in this market is unbeliev-

able,” Holman said.

The primary keys to the sale

were the quality of the home and its

subdivision, and a good asking

price, she said. Dawson had bought

the home, which was a foreclosure,

for $495,000. He sold it for

$575,000.

For the new homeowners, Dr.

Michael and Christin Lott, the

availability of the house could not

have come at a better time.

The couple, along with their

three boys and one girl (ages 1 to

7), had been renting a house in

Smyrna for nearly two years while

looking for a new home to move

their growing family into.

“We were looking for a home

that would accommodate all of us,

but at the same time have a yard

for the kids to go out and play in,”

said Michael Lott, 34, an interven-

tional spine and pain management

physician.

The Lotts said their search last-

ed so long because many homes

with the size acreage they were

looking for are not located within

subdivisions.

However, the found their 1.2

acre home site in Oak Grove, where

they said they have plenty of room

to grow.

“My wife wanted to be in a sub-

division with other kids,” Michael

Lott said. “It’s not too large but is

accommodating, so it’s still

homey.”

The couple does plan to use their

contractor, Rodney Wright of

Wright Construction, to make some

improvements to the home, such as

finishing an attic space.

Nevertheless, Christin Lott, 34, a

homemaker, said she is thrilled with

her new Craftsman-style home,

which has five bedrooms, four bath-

rooms, a three-car garage and is

located in a cul-de-sac. She initially

didn’t think her family could afford

the home, considering its exclusive

location.

“This guy was selling this house

for a really great price,” she said.

“That’s how we ended up buying

there.”

With so many homes flooding

the market, selling a house is more

difficult than buying one, accord-

ing to experts. And because so

many of them are competitively

priced foreclosures, they can make

selling a home that more difficult,

Holman said.

“An appraisal is based on the

appraisals that had the comparables

in the neighborhood. If you have

two appraisals in the neighborhood

that appraised at $200,000 each and

one at $50,000, then they’re going

to include that $50,000 appraisal,

and it brings everybody’s figure

down,” Holman explained.

Holman said she expects this

year’s real estate market to be a lit-

tle better than in 2010. The spring

2011 market is looking more hope-

ful than it was in 2010, she said.

The Lotts gave much of the

credit for finding their new home to

Micki Zagoria, their longtime Real-

tor. Zagoria called the sale a “win-

win” for both parties.

“She was able to help us find the

home that we needed and that we

desired,” Michael Lott said.

Dawson, the seller, is now rent-

ing a townhouse in North Carolina

with his girlfriend. He also owns a

house in his hometown of Baton

Rouge, La.

He, too, credited his agent and

the asking price for the relatively

quick sale of the house.

“It almost makes me think that

maybe we didn’t ask enough for it,”

he said.

Shaky foundationFewer than 700 homes built in 2010

A win-win dealQuick sale of home near Marietta Country Club works out well for buyer and seller

Above: Dr.

Michael Lott and

his wife Christin,

left, talk with real-

tors Gail Holman,

left, and Micki

Zagoria in the

kitchen of their

new Marietta

home. Left: The

Lotts with their

children Micah, 7,

Gabriel, 6, McKen-

zie, 2, and Elijah,

1, outside their

new home.


[email protected]

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13300 MorrisRoad #16Alpharetta

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117 Twilight Overlook • CantonGreat Price in Great Sky! Totally upgraded andpristine 4 BR, 3.5 BA home. Professional landscap-ing w/ front & back lighting & in-ground irrigationsystem. Plantation shutters throughout. Tons ofstorage. Stainless steel appliances. Rec room inbasement. Priced to sell quickly.

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132 Hanover Avenue • DallasPRICE REDUCED! $250,000. Approved short sale.Exquisite Craftsman style ranch! Master on mainw/fireplace. Amazing mstr BA w/walk thru shower.Open flrpln. Gourmet kit, top of the line appliances,granite, & custom cabinets. Vaulted formal DR.Terrace lvl w/BA, kit, game rm, and 2 BRs. Coveredpatio overlooks new in-ground pool & firepit.

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1 Water Oak Way • Dallas3 BR, 2.5 BA. Beautiful 2 story home w/drive undergarage. Family room includes fireplace. SeparateDR. Master suite w/double vanities, garden tub, &sep shower. Private backyard w/deck. Great cul-de-sac location near shopping and restaurants. Don'tmiss this one because it won't last long!

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2487 Canton Road | M ar ietta , GA 30066770-427-2026 | legac ylandscapes.com


By Sally Litchfield

[email protected]

Family is the thread that runs throughout

the Marietta home of Luanne and Drew Bent-

ley. Rich family history reflected in artifacts

from times past keep their heritage alive.

“God has really blessed us through this

rich ancestry and many family traditions,”

said Luanne, who

embraces her hus-

band’s roots.

Luanne attended

six different

schools from ele-

mentary to high

school and is “ever

thankful to have

lived in Marietta

for 31 years.”

The Bentleys

met while attend-

ing high school at

Pace Academy in

Atlanta. The home

of Drew’s parents,

the late Freda and

Jack Bentley, is in

the same neighbor-

hood featured in

Atlanta Magazine in February 1956. Freda, an

avid collector, owned an antique store, The

Curio Shop, off the Marietta Square near what

is now the Marietta Pizza Company. Drew’s

uncle is well-known Marietta attorney and

collector Fred Bentley, Sr.

“The pieces we have inherited are very

meaningful to all the family because we know

where they came from,” Luanne said. “It’s

just important to me that those traditions are

carried on to future generations. To have an

interest in your family history carries on to

your children and future generations to

come.”

The importance of family is evidenced

throughout the home that the couple pur-

chased in 1987 from Lillian and Buddy Dard-

en. Many cher-

ished items, such

as a painting over

the den mantle by

Sarah Freeman

Clarke (Drew’s

maternal great-

great-aunt), are

part of the Bent-

ley’s daily life.

Luanne relies

on “Sarah Freeman

Clarke 1808-1896,

A Woman of the

Nineteenth Centu-

ry” by Joan Alice

Kopp and Scott

Grady Bowden.

She said Clarke

was an artist and

transcendentalist

movement leader who established the Franklin

Lending Library in 1882 in a small building

behind the Clarke home place at the corner of

Whitlock Avenue and Whitlock Drive (known

today as Oakhurst). Attorneys Ben and Mary

Anne Mathis now own the historic home.

Historicbeauty


Drew and Luanne Bentley take great pride in their Marietta home and the heritage its fur-

nishings represent. ‘God has really blessed us through this rich ancestry and many fam-

ily traditions,’ says Luanne, who met her husband when they attended Pace Academy.

Marietta home offers elegant glimpse into past

This silver tea set belonged to Drew Bentley’s

maternal grandparents, Katherine and Frederick

Walcott Clarke.

See Historic, 7FF

3375 Dallas Highway, Marietta, GA 30064 • 678-819-9260

404.932.9148www.gailsellsrealestate.com

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By Marcus E. Howard

[email protected]

NORTHEAST COBB — Mark

and Julie Andersen believe they

found the perfect place for their

family to live when they recently

moved to Cobb County.

The couple, along with their two

children, are the residents of a new

home in the Wigley Estates subdivi-

sion in northeast Cobb. They moved

into the house, built by Traton

Homes, in September when Mark

accepted a job in marketing at the

UCB biopharmaceutical company

in Smyrna.

They have been married for 12

years and previously lived in

Shreveport, La.; near San Francis-

co; and in Rochester and Long

Island, N.Y.

However, Cobb now maintains

the top spot on their list of favorite

places they’ve lived, the couple

said.

“It’s definitely been the friend-

liest place we’ve ever lived,” said

Julie, 36, a homemaker. “We both

just really wanted to be in the

South. We like the weather and so

we said, ‘Lets do Atlanta.’ We love

Cobb County because of the

schools and now that we’ve moved

here we love it.”

Mark and Julie said they particu-

larly enjoy the area’s parks, shop-

ping destinations and symphony.

Julie said the couple has been

doing a lot of home decor shopping

for their house. When the weather is

warmer, they enjoy frequenting

parks with their two children,

daughter Ella, 7, and son Nate, 3.

When their relatives come to

town, the Andersens said they take

pleasure in acting as tour guides,

showing family members different

parts of metro Atlanta, such as the

Georgia Aquarium and museums.

“This, I think, has been our

favorite place we’ve lived,” Mark

Andersen, 41, said. “It made an

immediate impact on us as far as

the friendliness of the people,

groups we’ve already gotten

involved in, and just feeling like

we’re home.”

The Andersens attend the

Catholic Church of St. Ann on

Roswell Road in east Cobb. Julie is

active there in the mother’s guild,

and Nate attends the church’s

preschool.

Homes in Wigley Estates were

previously priced from the

$600,000s and now start from the

$440,000s. The neighborhood

schools are Davis Elementary,

Mabry Middle and Lassiter High.

The Andersens live in a two-

story home with five bedrooms and

four bathrooms, plus a media room,

with hardwood flooring, private

backyard and a three-car garage.

They said they enjoy its open

floor plan, which is great for their

daughter and son to roam around,

and the fact that the family is

allowed to use the swimming pool

at nearby Hampton Ridge.

The community has 12 home

lots, nine of which have been sold.

Homes are three-sided brick with

three-car garages.

“The neighborhood is just off

Sandy Plains Road, real close to

Woodstock and Fulton County, not

far from (Interstate 75),” said real

estate broker Steve Lee of Traton

Homes.

Because Wigley Estates is new

and the Andersens were among its

first residents, Julie said she has had

the honor of being on an informal

welcoming committee to greet new

homeowners.

“For Christmas, I brought over

Christmas cookies for some of the

new neighbors,” she said. “Every-

one has been really friendly.”

Binghamton, N.Y. natives, Mark

and Julie met as college students at

the State University of New York-

Albany in 1994. Four years later,

they were married.

Though the family has lived in

five houses in six years, Mark and

Julie said they see themselves liv-

ing in their new Cobb home for a

while.

“As long as the job is going

well, and it is, and everything else

is fine, we plan on staying here,”

Mark said.

‘Our favorite place’New Traton home, Cobb location a perfect fit for family that has moved often

Staff/Todd Hull

Mark and Julie Andersen, and their children Ella and Nate, have moved around during the 12 years

they’ve been married but they’ve now happily settled in Cobb. Julie says the school system was a

big reason for choosing Cobb.

By Katy Ruth Camp

[email protected]

MARIETTA — The Cobb

Board of Commissioners has unani-

mously approved the master plan

for future development of the

Mableton community.

Cobb Community Development

Agency Director Rob Hosack said

the county hired development

design firm Duany-Plater last sum-

mer to develop a master plan for the

Mableton community that would

include future schools, businesses,

homes and a town center area,

using the tiered-development for-

mat of a form-based code.

The plan was met with positive

feedback from residents, the coun-

ty’s planning commission and the

board. The firm then created a

form-based code that creates bind-

ing zoning restrictions on the area.

The form-based code will come

before the board as a code amend-

ment on Feb. 22, along with almost

70 other various amendments.

“You take the master plan, like

we have several other plans in the

county, and the form-based code

shows you how you get the plan

into action, and how you create

what’s outlined in the master plan,”

Hosack said.

Hosack presented the board with

the Planning Commission’s recom-

mendations for the form-based code

on Feb. 8.

Those include: creating a spe-

cific map of the exact boundaries

of the Mableton area to be consid-

ered under the code; for the board

to place two residents from the

Mableton area onto the form-based

code’s Review Committee; a clari-

fication of how current property

owners can apply for rezoning

under the county’s current zoning

ordinance if they choose not to

participate in the form-based code,

which staff say is optional to prop-

erty owners; and that the county

will not use eminent domain to ful-

fill the details of the code.

Commissioners approve development plan for Mableton


By Kathryn Malone

[email protected]

SMYRNA — Although it took nearly

five years of planning, an Illinois-based

redeveloper broke ground recently on the

redevelopment at the Crossings Shopping

Center on South Cobb Drive and Con-

cord Road.

The shopping center which was pur-

chased by Tri-Land Properties, Inc. in

2006, will be anchored by a 96,000 square

foot Kroger to be opened in November.

At the ground-

breaking ceremony,

Smyrna Mayor Max

Bacon said the city

hopes the shopping

center will have a

halo effect on the sur-

rounding area and

inspire the redevelop-

ment of stalled pro-

jects such as Belmont

Hills and Jonquil

Village.

“We haven’t had a

ground-breaking like

this all week,” Bacon

joked. “Maybe all

month. Maybe in the

last several years. But this is great. And

the Kroger they’re going to put here is

going to be unbelievable ... We think the

community has been waiting for this.”

Councilman Mike McNabb praised Tri-

Land Properties and Kroger for bringing

the project to fruition, saying that they

have established a tone of leadership

through “steadfast determination to remain

committed” to the project.

A crowd of about 50 people watched as

a bulldozer tore down an old bank build-

ing situated at the front of the shopping

center, close to South Cobb Drive.

The Kroger planned for the new Cross-

ings shopping center will replace the 40-

year-old Kroger that is now located across

South Cobb Drive. The new store will

include a gas station, bakery, floral shop

and wine shop and a drive-thru pharmacy.

Kroger bought 7.5 acres of land from

Tri-Land in December. Demolition began

on the old shopping center’s anchor store

in early January.

Tri-Land Executive Vice President Hugh

Robinson called the deal with Kroger “criti-

cal” in the redevelopment of the project,

saying it wouldn’t

have happened with-

out the company’s

commitment.

While the current

shopping center is

153,000 square feet,

the new center will

reach 230,000 square

feet and include eight

out-parcel buildings

that will be for sale or

lease.

Robinson said that

several small tenants,

such as a cell phone

store and nail salon

have already signed

leases for the new shopping center, which

will be completely renovated and include

new store fronts.

Tri-Land will renovate 60,000 square

feet of retail space. A 25,000-square-foot

plot will be available for development next

to Kroger.

A traffic light will be installed at the

north property line on South Cobb Drive.

When Tri-Land bought the property

from a company called Triple N in 2006,

Robinson said about 15 tenants remained.

The last of those tenants moved out in

October 2010, he said.

Staff/Laura Moon

Smyrna city councilman Mike McNabb, foreground, applauds as one of the old

banks in The Crossings at Four Corners shopping center is torn down in prepara-

tion for the new stores that will be built in Smyrna.

Kroger to anchornew Smyrna mall

Staff/Caroline Brannen

New strip mall in Smyrna

The Crossings at Four

Corners will be

anchored by a 96,000-

sq.-ft. Kroger store.

Dobbins

Air

Reserve

Base

Windy Hill Rd

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By Marcus E. Howard

[email protected]

KENNESAW — Arbor Green, Kenne-

saw’s newest active adult community for

those age 55 and older, is priced from the low

$200,000s and is just minutes from the Mari-

etta County Club. The community offers the

ultimate in maintenance-free living. The

neighborhood of 44 homes is expected to be

completed by mid-2012.

The luxury, three-bedroom, two bath ranch

villas include full brick craftsmanship and

welcoming front porches and outdoor spaces.

Inside, dramatic raised 9- and 11-foot ceilings

with vaulted areas create an open space that’s

designed for entertaining.

A gourmet kitchen with tile backsplash,

maple cabinets with crown molding and stain-

less steel under-mount sink with pullout

faucet, are a culinary lover’s delight.

Homeowners are sure to enjoy the spa-

cious green spaces throughout the community,

as well as a 3-acre central park with walking

trails. A spacious covered gathering pavilion

will be completed this spring. All homes

include an oversized, double garage for large

vehicles or extra storage.

Residents receive professional landscaping,

weekly garbage service and cable television as

part of their monthly homeowner’s fee.

Arbor Green offers easy access to some of

the area’s top shopping and recreational desti-

nations, including Town Center at Cobb mall

and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield

Park. It’s also conveniently located to WellStar

Kennestone Hospital in Marietta.

To visit Arbor Green: Take Interstate 75

north to exit 269 (Barrett Parkway). Turn left

onto Barrett Parkway. Then make a right onto

Stilesboro Road. Cross Kennesaw-Due West

Road. Arbor Green will be on the left.

Upscale active adult community to open near Marietta Country Club

From left, at the groundbreaking ceremonies are: The Kroger Co. Real Estate

Manager Paul Zhajanka, Sen. Doug Stoner, Smyrna Councilman Mike McNabb,

Tri-Land Properties, Inc. Executive Vice President Hugh Robinson, Smyrna Mayor

Max Bacon, Councilman Pete Wood, Councilwoman Melleny C. Pritchett and

Mayor Pro-Tem Wade Lnenicka.

By Jon Gillooly

[email protected]

MARIETTA — Meeting Park, the 12-acre

property near Marietta Square that was hailed

as the cornerstone of the city’s downtown

development efforts until the economy

crashed, has a new owner.

Marietta-based Walton Communities

closed on the property on Dec. 22 for an

undisclosed sum from Regions Bank, Walton

partner David Knight said.

Knight said he has no immediate plans

for the site located at Waddell and Water-

man streets.

“We’re just going to take our time. It’s a

very important piece of real estate to the com-

munity of Marietta,” he said.

Bob Silverman, president of Atlanta-based

Winter Properties, purchased the property for

$8.4 million from the Marietta Housing

Authority in April 2006. The site formerly

housed the 132-unit Clay Homes complex,

built in the 1940s for workers at the Bell

Bomber plant.

Silverman had planned Meeting Park to be

a community of 300 homes, townhouses and

condos, seven restaurants, 10,000 square feet

of trendy shops and office buildings for pro-

fessional firms.

But all that were ever built were 15 town

homes, which stand empty.

Winter lost the development last year

when the bank foreclosed on the property.

The bank ran foreclosure notices in the Jour-

nal for a listed $23.5 million debt.

While Knight wouldn’t reveal what his

firm paid for the property, he said it wasn’t

$23.5 million.

Although Walton advertises itself as a

company that develops, owns and manages

apartment communities throughout the metro-

Atlanta area, Knight said he had no plans to

build apartment buildings there.

“I don’t think that would be received very

well. Marietta has a lot of apartments right

now,” he said.

Construction of apartments would require

the City Council’s approval.

“If they deviate from [Winter’s] plan one

iota, they will have to come back to the coun-

cil for a change,” Mayor Steve Tumlin said.

Knight said he wants to involve the coun-

cil, community and stakeholders in determin-

ing what to do with the site, “and if they feel

we’ve got a good plan, go back and seek a

rezoning from the city of Marietta.”

Walton Communities buysMeeting Park near Square

Staff/Laura Moon

One of the model townhomes at Meeting Park near the Marietta Square.

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“You can still see the

building outside of their

house where she started the

library,” Luanne said.

Clarke came to Marietta

from Boston. She is the step-

granddaughter of Dr. James

Freeman Clarke who founded

the first Unitarian Church in

America, King’s Chapel in

Boston. A September 1893

Marietta Daily Journal story

noted that Clarke raised

$2,200 from Bostonian

friends Ralph Waldo Emer-

son, Nathanial Hawthorne,

Oliver Wendell Holmes and

Henry David Thoreau for the

library. They also contributed

original works to Clarke’s

library.

Other pieces inherited

from Drew’s maternal grand-

parents, Katherine and

Fredrick Walcott Clarke, are

displayed in the home. Mr.

Clarke founded Marietta

Hosiery Company in 1946,

now known as Marietta

Drapery & Window Cover-

ings Company. Its adminis-

trative offices are still located

on the property originally

purchased for $799.80 at

what is not the South Loop

across from CVS/Pharmacy

off the Square.

“For us, we just kept (the

property), just held on to it,

enjoy having it. The real estate

is more than just a piece of

property,” Drew said.

Drew and his brother,

Douglas Clarke “Bullet”

Bentley, still own and oper-

ate Marietta Drapery & Win-

dow Coverings Company,

which supplies window and

bed coverings for multi-fami-

ly housing, hospitality, com-

mercial, education and

healthcare markets.

“Marietta is where we are

from. We just love Marietta,”

he said. “It’s a great place to

grow up and to raise your

kids, too.”

“God has really blessed us

through this rich ancestry and

many family traditions.

Although Drew’s parents are

no longer with us, certainly

the pieces we have inherited

are very meaningful,”

Luanne said. “It is important

for us to be a part of the

community.”

HistoricContinued from Page 4FF

By Sally Litchfield

[email protected]

Nothing conveys a true sense

of style more than delivering the

unexpected.

The Marietta home of Marci

and Dr. Gary Jacobson, located at

the base of Kennesaw Mountain,

is surrounded by traditional hous-

es, as expected in Marietta. And

the home that the Jacobsons pur-

chased in 2008 is admittedly “tra-

ditional” on the outside.

But upon entering the red-

brick home, the surprising urban

decor demands a second look.

“My taste is influenced by my

family back in Chicago,” Marci

said. The couple grew up less than

1.5 miles away from each other in

the suburbs of Chicago but did not

meet until introduced through

mutual friends while attending dif-

ferent colleges in the South. They

moved to Marietta when Vascular

Surgical Associates hired Gary

after his medical training.

Influenced by vast examples

of modern architecture evidenced

in Chicago, the Jacobsons wanted

a modern decor.

“It can be incongruent with

the traditional styles of a lot of

houses in Marietta,” Marci said.

“It was hard for me to visualize

the modern look I liked.”

After seeing the work of

Atlanta interior designer Bob

Brown in some printed material,

the Jacobsons engaged Brown to

decorate several rooms on the

main level of their home.

“I liked the look (Brown)

achieved. It kind of spoke to

me,” the stay-at-home mother of

two children said.

Working with Brown, the

Jacobsons achieved a look that is

minimalistic, uncluttered and

clean. The simple color palette of

cool greens and blues is anything

but boring. Although the Jacob-

sons like white, they used it spar-

ingly because of their lifestyle

with children and pets.

“The colors are very calming

to me. It makes me very happy,

the color palette,” Marci said. “I

do like that my children can

come into these rooms and enjoy

them. It’s very livable.”

The use of bold graphic pat-

terns like that of the dining room

rug (designed by Brown especially

for the home) and mimicked in the

back of the dining room chairs

creates a visual design that is as

unpredicted as it is adventurous.

“Little details like that (rug and

chairs), I really love,” Marci

explained.

Contemporary art throughout

the rooms instantly bring the

space into the here and now. The

natural light flooding through

large windows gives vibrancy to

the open feel of the space.

“I love the light,” she said.

And, “I’m looking forward to

decorating the rest of the house.”

From staff reports

SMYRNA — The Smyrna City

Council approved the $9.5 million

recently purchase of the Hickory Lake

Apartments, a complex on Old Con-

cord Road near Windy Hill. The com-

plex consists of 92 buildings on 48

acres. The buildings are to be demol-

ished this spring.

Mayor Max Bacon said the city has

high hopes that the land will help spark

redevelopment in north Smyrna, espe-

cially with the uptick in traffic that is

expected when the Windy Hill connec-

tor is done in May.

“Hopefully it will be an economic

engine that will help us redevelop that

end of town for a better use,” Bacon

said. “We’re very optimistic about it

and don’t know that we’ll have the

opportunity to acquire an apartment

complex with that many units. Really,

the 48 acres is what we’re attracted to.”

And though City Administrator Eric

Taylor would not call the 41-year-old

apartment complex blighted, he said it

is reaching the end of its life cycle. He

also admitted that the area is a hotspot

for crime.

“It’s the highest area for 911

response in the city,” Taylor said.

The city has received 11 bids from

contractors for demolition of the apart-

ment complex. The bids included both

the cost and timeline for the project,

ranging from $1.28 million for a six-

month project to $3.3 million for a 270

day, or nine-month project. The lowest

bidder looks to be Atlanta Demolition

with a cost of $1.28 million and a time-

line of 180 days, or six months, but city

officials have yet to make a recommen-

dation on the contract.

Mayor targets

N. Smyrna for

redevelopment

Marietta couple mixes old and new with home decor


Dr. Gary Jacobson and his wife, Marci, admit their home is ‘traditional’ on the outside, but inside it

takes a dramatically different turn with a surprising urban decor

Traditional twist

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GROWTH & REVITALIZATION8FF MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

PROGRESS 2011PROGRESS 2011HEALTH & FITNESSHEALTH & FITNESS

MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL � FEBRUARY 27, 2011SECTION GG / 7 OF 8

MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL � FEBRUARY 27, 2011SECTION GG / 7 OF 8

CLINIC HELPS THE UNINSURED 7GGPARK HAS FRIENDS IN EAST COBB 5GG

INSIDE:

NUTRITIONALGUIDANCE

2GG

NUTRITIONALGUIDANCE

2GG

By Kathryn Malone

[email protected]

SMYRNA — Several

years after losing 100

pounds, Karen Sullivan says

she still needs the support

and advice of her dietitian to

help her stay on the wagon.

Prior to her gastric bypass

surgery in 2006, Sullivan, 44,

was required to consult with

a registered dietitian to help

her learn how to eat healthier

and manage her post-surgery

body and diet. But since then,

Sullivan, who works at

Emory-Adventist Hospital in

Smyrna, still sees Emory-

Adventist dietary director and

clinical dietitian Jenny Fox

for help making healthy food

choices.

“When I started working

here, the cafeteria was dan-

gerous for me,” Sullivan said.

“So I made an appointment

with Jenny, and I came and

sat down and talked with her

just to get some ideas and to

make sure I was staying on

track. She’s pretty much been

helping me out about three

and a half years now.”

Fox explained that there is

a difference between a dietit-

ian and a nutritionist. Dieti-

tians are required to have at

least a bachelor’s degree in

nutrition and dietetics, be

board certified and pursue

continuing education to keep

up that certification. A nutri-

tionist, she said, usually has

just a certification in nutri-

tion.

Sullivan’s goal is to lose

more weight, and lower her

blood pressure and blood

sugar, but Fox said she sees

patients with many different

goals and needs.

Fox, who manages the

hospital’s cafeteria and plans

the meals served to patients

in the hospital, said she sees

both hospital patients and

outpatients who are referred

to her by doctors. She coun-

sels gastric-bypass patients

like Sullivan, diabetics, peo-

ple who suffer from ailments

like kidney disease, high

blood pressure, and people

who come to the hospital

because of malnutrition.

She said she recommends

that anyone who suffers from

a disease that is affected by

diet consult a dietitian. Fox

said she would also encour-

age people who are obese,

overweight, have high blood

pressure or high cholesterol

or have problems with weight

loss to meet with a dietitian.

While she typically works

with cardiac patients in the

WellStar Hospital system,

Pam McFarland says you

don’t have to have a disease

or a dietary issue to see a

dietitian.

“Anyone can see a regis-

tered dietitian, and I would

encourage anyone and every-

one to do that,” McFarland

said. “During a person’s life

— if you’re dealing with a

child, or a teen or a busy

mom or an elderly person —

everyone eats. It’s important

during those stages to know

what to eat, and those things

change.”

McFarland has worked

with patients from all walks

of life, including athletes,

busy moms who want to

learn how to teach their chil-

dren to eat right, people with

eating disorders, and those

with celiac disease.

McFarland advises

patients who are seeing a

dietitian for the first time to

be ready to talk about their

eating habits from the

moment they walk through

the office doors. She recom-

mends that people bring a log

of what they’ve eaten the

past few days, or nutrition

labels from products they

usually buy. She also tells

people to bring a list of sup-

plements and medications

that they take.

With a typical patient, Fox

said, she usually starts by

asking about what that person

is doing now with meal plan-

ning and how and what they

eat on a normal day. Once

she has established their eat-

ing habits and goals, Fox

said, she starts with the

basics of nutrition education.

“Every person is differ-

ent,” Fox said. “Sometimes

we kind of start with the

basics of food 101 and talk

about what foods go in what

food groups. Some people

need more focus on portion

sizes, others need help under-

standing what

the confus-

ing nutrition

label means

and what to

look for on

that.”

Fox said

she tends to

focus more

on portion

size than

caloric

intake with

patients.

She finds that most of her

patients feel more comfort-

able controlling their por-

tions, rather than counting

calories.

Once a patient has a good

grasp on nutrition, she said,

she works with them to cre-

ate a meal plan that best fits

their goals and lifestyle.

Sullivan, like most gastric

bypass patients, has a rela-

tively strict diet. She tries to

eat 80 grams of protein per

day and often consults Fox

about healthy food options at

work.

“I come to Jenny a lot,

probably too much,” Sullivan

said. “A lot of things in the

cafeteria … you go through

the line and

everything

looks great, but

I know as a

bypass patient,

I can’t touch

everything. So

a lot of times

when I go in

I’ll see some-

thing new that

they have and

I’ll try it. I

always like to

try to come to

Jenny, or I’ll shoot her an e-

mail and say, ‘I tried this

they had in the cafeteria, I

really enjoyed it, but is it just

a garbage food or is it a food

that’s really healthy and

nutritious for me?’”

McFarland offers consul-

tation with cardiac patients

and also has created several

programs to help teach her

patients how to shop and

cook.

She does grocery store

tours once a month and

invites patients and their

family members to come

along. They spend about two

hours in the store, and she

teaches them how to chose

more nutritious products,

how to identify certain veg-

etables in the produce sec-

tion, how to pick out lean

meats.

McFarland also conducts

cooking classes for her

patients, which helps them

learn how to cook low-fat

and low-sodium meals.

“A lot of people don’t

know how to prep low-sodi-

um, low-fat meals,” McFar-

land said. “They think that if

you leave the salt out it’s not

going to taste good … It

helps them see that it doesn’t

have to taste bad to be

healthy.”

She also offers a compre-

hensive class for diabetics

and lately, McFarland said,

she’s been e-mailing recipes

to her patients.

Although most of McFar-

land and Fox’s patients are

referred to them by a doctor,

they both encourage anyone

interested in seeing a dietit-

ian to visit the American

Dietetic Association’s web-

site at www.eatright.org to

find a local dietitian.

McFarland said the

Health Place at WellStar

offers consultations with a

dietitian for about $60 per

visit. Fox said a session at

Emory-Adventist can cost up

to $120, but that the hospital

offers discounts. Both dieti-

tians said that in some cases

insurance does cover the cost

dietitian visits, especially for

diabetics and people with

kidney disease.

“That’s a small amount of

money to pay to get some

good, valid information for

the rest of your life,” McFar-

land said.

HEALTH & FITNESS2GG MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

Dietitians offer guidance, support

Emory-Adventist Hospital

nutritionist Jenny Fox

works with clients setting

weight loss and exercise

goals. She said she rec-

ommends that anyone who

suffers from a disease that

is affected by diet consult a

dietitian.

MDJ staff photo / Anthony Stalcup

COVER


Fox talks with Smyrna resident Karen Sullivan about nutritional values.

Locals looking to

lose weight stay

on track with help

of professionals

“Some people needmore focus on portionsizes, others need helpunderstanding what theconfusing nutrition labelmeans and what to lookfor on that.”

— Jenny Fox,

Emory-Adventist dietary

director and clinical dietitian

w w w . d e r m a t o l o g y c o n s u l t a n t s . o r g

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HEALTH & FITNESS 3GGMARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

By Kathryn Malone

[email protected]

MARIETTA — By June,

WellStar Kennestone Hospi-

tal hopes to be the only trau-

ma care center serving Bar-

tow, Cherokee, Cobb, Dou-

glas and Paulding counties.

In December 2010, hospi-

tal executives announced that

they had applied for a certifi-

cate of need, which would

allow Kennestone Hospital to

become a Level II trauma

center.

The not-for-profit system

has hired a trauma director

and the hospital is already

equipped with three emer-

gency trauma rooms, but

WellStar will need to hire a

team of physicians who will

focus on trauma care. The

state designation will likely

mean hundreds more patients

each year for Kennestone.

“As we look at it, there is

going to be some investment

required as we formalize our

role with trauma,” said Can-

dice Saunders, Kennestone’s

executive vice president and

administrator, though she and

other officials declined to say

how much it is investing in

the effort. “We think it’s the

right thing to do. We’re the

community’s hospital. We’re

committed to meeting the

needs of our community. The

data is very clear that as you

have a designed trauma pro-

gram you improve the quality

and the outcomes of care.”

In medical terminology,

“trauma” refers to any seri-

ous injury from an accident

or act of violence, such as car

crashes, a fall from a ladder,

a stabbing or gunshot wound.

Patients who suffer trauma

usually need to be taken to a

trauma center and cared for

as soon as possible following

an accident or violence in

order to increase their

chances for survival. This

timeline is often referred to

as the “golden hour.”

“If you look at national

data, the mortality rate for

patients seen in either a des-

ignated or verified trauma

center is 25 percent lower,

because you have a commit-

ment around the resources

and the model in which you

care for those patients,” said

Patricia Mayne, executive

vice president for emergency

and surgical services at Well-

Star Kennestone.

There are now 16 desig-

nated trauma centers in the

state. Only one Level I trau-

ma center, Grady Memorial

Hospital, serves the metro-

Atlanta area.

But metro Atlanta does

have three Level II trauma

centers: Atlanta Medical

Center, Gwinnett Medical

Center and North Fulton

Medical Center in Roswell.

Level I is the highest level

of designation for trauma

centers, and provides the

greatest level of trauma care,

prevention and rehabilitation,

while Level IV is the lowest.

A Level II center generally

provides the same trauma and

specialty care to patients as a

Level I center, but lacks the

research facilities required to

give it the top distinction.

A spokesman for the

Georgia Hospital Association

explained that adding Kenne-

stone to the list of trauma

care centers will truly be a

lifesaver, especially for trau-

ma victims whose accidents

occur in the outlying areas of

Cobb, Bartow and Paulding

counties.

“This service is a huge

addition to the citizens of the

Northwest Georgia area,”

said Kevin Bloye, vice-presi-

dent of public relations for

GHA. “When you look at the

northwest metro-Atlanta area,

which includes Cobb and

Paulding and Douglas coun-

ties, I would say, absolutely,

it’s necessary. There are hun-

dreds of thousands of resi-

dents in that area that cur-

rently don’t

have nearby

access to trau-

ma care. So

that’s great

news.”

Mayne, who

is leading Well-

Star’s applica-

tion process,

said the hospi-

tal began look-

ing at what it

would take to

receive the

trauma care

designation in

fall 2009. At

that time, it created a steering

committee made up of seven

hospital administrators and

18 doctors, representing a

variety of specialties, to

design a plan and medical

model of care for trauma

patients.

Since Kennestone already

serves 1,300 trauma patients

each month in its emergency

room, and has three trauma

exam rooms and 63 exam

rooms in its emergency

department, it has nearly all

of the equipment it would

need. Saunders said the hos-

pital does not plan to expand

the number of its trauma

rooms.

Mayne and her staff esti-

mated that the trauma care

center designation would

increase

the num-

ber of

patients

Kenne-

stone sees

by about

250 to 450

per year,

which

equates to

one to two

patients

per day.

The

trauma

designa-

tion means

that the hospital will be eval-

uated and monitored by an

outside group, the state office

of EMS and trauma.

Much of the work it takes

to become a designated trau-

ma center will require the

hospital to submit data

regarding its care of trauma

patients to the Georgia

Department of Community

Health. Kennestone officials

began the data-collection

process, which will last about

three months, in January.

From there, an official from

the state will come out to do

an on-site visit. The hope,

Mayne said, is to be certified

by early summer of 2011.

WellStar has hired Dr.

Barry Renz, a traumatologist

who most recently worked at

Gwinnett Medical Center, as

its medical director for the

trauma program, and he will

begin working at Kennestone

in the spring. WellStar plans

to hire a team of physicians

who will work hand-in-hand

with emergency room doc-

tors and nurses. Although it

will not hire any more nurs-

es, the hospital is working to

train and certify more nurses

in trauma care.

When a trauma patient

comes into the emergency

room, the emergency room

doctors and trauma physi-

cians will work to stabilize

the patient and assess their

needs. From there, the trau-

ma physician will contact the

specialty doctors needed to

fully care for the patient,

whether that be a orthopedic

surgeon or a neurosurgeon.

“It’s very much an inter-

disciplinary type of care

model and having that physi-

cian right there, bringing all

those resources there is

where you get the benefit,”

Saunders said.

The WellStar board of

trustees support Kenne-

stone’s application to

become a designated trauma

care center.

“There exists a real com-

munity need to improve the

quality and access to trauma

care for the residents of

Northwest Georgia,” said

Randall Bentley, chairman of

the WellStar board of

trustees. “WellStar is our

community healthcare orga-

nization for this area, and

obtaining this important des-

ignation is consistent with

the mission of WellStar.”

In the November 2010

General Election, voters

rejected a statewide amend-

ment aimed to help upgrade

and expand the state’s trauma

network, which required resi-

dents to pay an extra $10 in

annual car registration fees.

Keith Bowermaster, the

spokesman for WellStar, said

that Kennestone’s designa-

tion application process was

not started in anticipation of

the amendment passing.

Although the tag tax could

have created a permanent

funding source for Kenne-

stone, the defeat of the

amendment has no affect on

WellStar moving forward

with seeking the designation,

he said.

Special/file

WellStar health system is aiming to begin serving trauma patients in rooms like the one above.

Trauma care: Anecessary stepKennestone hospital applies for certificate

of serve trauma needs of five counties

“We think it’s the right

thing to do. We’re the com-munity’s hospital. We’recommitted to meeting theneeds of our community.The data is very clear thatas you have a designedtrauma program youimprove the quality and theoutcomes of care.”

— Candice Saunders,

Kennestone’s executive vice

president, administrator

GROWTH & REVITALIZATION4GG MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

By Katy Ruth Camp

[email protected]

NORTHEAST COBB –

In northeast Cobb, at Sandy

Plains and Wesley Chapel

roads, sits 26.5 acres of beauti-

ful land, complete with rolling

hills, a lake, hundreds of trees

and plenty of open space.

When the county purchased

the land from the Mabry fami-

ly for $4.3 million in May

2008 using money from the

2006 parks bond, many nearby

residents and business owners

became excited over the

prospect of finally having a

passive park nearby.

But almost three years later,

the land is still not open to the

public and remains undevel-

oped because of lack of fund-

ing. So many in the area have

decided to put their own time

and energy into creating the

passive park.

Neighbor Mark Jernigan

said he and others knew the

property would likely not be

developed for years, but

instead of waiting for some-

thing happen, Jernigan took

note of the public/private part-

nership that helped to develop

East Cobb Park and formed

the nonprofit group Friends of

Mabry Park with another resi-

dent, Lee Berg.

“This would just give a

nice, passive park to a commu-

nity that desperately needs it,”

Jernigan said. “There are side-

walks around here, but other

than that, there really is no

good place around here to go

for a walk. It’s amazing to step

from the busy activity on

Sandy Plains and into this

serene, natural, beautiful piece

of property. It’s really a whole

different world.”

Chairman Tim Lee, who

was the district’s commission-

er at the time the county

acquired the property, also

attested to its beauty and the

need for the park in the area.

“It’s huge,

primarily

because there

isn’t a passive

park of this

magnitude

anywhere near

that area of the

county. It’s

right down the street from sev-

eral schools, businesses and

neighborhoods, and I would

estimate its use to be on par

with East Cobb Park, which is

extremely utilized,” Lee said.

Lee said once it was evi-

dent that funding to develop

the property would not be

available for some time, he

met with residents in the area

and talked about the success of

East Cobb Park’s private

development. Since then, he

said he has helped the Mabry

Park group with everything

from finding a suitable compa-

ny to develop the master plan

to putting them in touch with

people who could advise them

on the process of development.

“Once the master plan is

approved and adopted, the

group will move forward to

raise money to build it out.

We’ll also work with them in

that regard,” Lee said.

Jernigan said in October

that the group hoped to raise

$20,000 to pay for a master

plan, which would provide

more detailed options for park

amenities. Some of those

amenities could include walk-

ing trails, a playground, a dog

park and gardens, said JoAnn

Birrell, a member of the

friends group and now the

northeast Cobb commissioner.

In early February, the group

had raised $18,000 for the

campaign, enough to get a

master plan up and running,

Berg said.

County spokesman Robert

Quigley said the county had

hired the firm URS through a

competitive bid process to cre-

ate the master plan for $7,500.

Quigley said county park staff

have already had the first

meeting with the firm, and that

the plan will take about three

months to complete. Dates for

public meetings on the master

plan were to be set by the end

of February.

“Things are getting ready

to start happening,” Berg

said. “You can’t go to indi-

viduals, corporations, or


MDJ/file

Lee Berg, vice president of the Friends of Mabry Park, speaks about possible trails and picnic area around the pond

at Mabry Park in northeast Cobb.

Future parkhas friends in east Cobb

Tim Lee

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1812 Powder Springs Rd SW

Marietta, 30064

(678) 354-8919

Fitness Together

www.ftsmyrna.com

1675 Cumberland Pkwy SE

Smyrna, 30080

(770) 436-1381

Gold’s Gym

www.goldsgym.com

n 5505 Bells Ferry Rd

Acworth, 30102

(770) 592-4950


Austell, 30106

(770) 432-8688

n 2911 Busbee Dr

Kennesaw, 30144

(770) 425-4653

n 4930 Davidson Rd

Marietta, 30068

(770) 971-0557

n 3362 Acworth Summit Blvd.

Kennesaw, 30101

(678) 973-0635

Jazzercise

www.jazzercise.com

n 555 Nickajack Rd.

Mableton, 30126

(770) 434-5303

n 1075 Whitlock Ave.

Marietta, 30064

(770) 919-7007

n 3210 Hopeland Industrial

Dr.

Powder Springs, 30127

(404) 915-8911

n Vinings UMC

3101 Paces Mill Rd.

Atlanta, 30339

(678) 293-5858

n 3195 Acworth Due West Rd.

Kennesaw, 30152

(770) 639-3087

Just Fitness 4 U

www.justfitness4u.com

3101 Roswell Rd NE

Marietta, 30062

(770) 565-6330

LA Fitness Sports Clubs

www.lafitness.com


Austell, 30106

(770) 432-4262

n 4400 Roswell Rd NE

Marietta, 30062

(770) 973-3370

n 2995 Cobb Pkwy

Atlanta, 30339

(770) 956-9093

n 4200 Wade Green Rd.

Kennesaw, 30144

(678) 202-5179

n 1185 Barrett Pkwy

Kennesaw, 30144

(678) 202-5503

Midtown Athletic-Windy Hill

www.midtown.com

135 Interstate North Pkwy NW

Atlanta, 30339

(770) 953-1100

One to One Health Centers

onetoonehealthcenters.com

700 Sandy Plains Rd NE

Marietta, 30066

(770) 795-0091

Snap Fitness

www.snapfitness.com

n 1450 Veterans Mem Hwy.

Mableton, 30126

(404) 472-2113

n 3621 Vinings Slope SE

Atlanta, 30339

(770) 693-9013

n 1290 W. Spring St. SE

Smyrna, 30080

(770) 431-9311

Stack’s Gym

www.stacksgym.com

2375 Hwy. 92

Acworth, 30102

(770) 974-5986

WellStar Health Place

www.wellstarhealthplace.org

330 Kennestone Hospital Blvd.

Marietta, 30060

(770) 793-7300

Women’s Premier Fitness

Womenspremierfitness.com

4961 Lower Roswell Rd NE

Marietta, 30068

(770) 565-5450

Workout Anytime

www.workoutanytime.com

n 3335 Cobb Pkwy NW

Acworth, 30101

(770) 974-8787

n 800 Whitlock Ave NW

Marietta, 30064

(678) 355-5530

n 1600 Kennesaw Due West

Rd NW

Kennesaw, 30152

(770) 422-2279

n 4401 Shallowford Rd

Roswell, 30075

(770) 363-8578

n 3100 Highlands Pkwy.

Smyrna, 30082

(404) 792-3555

X 3 Sports

X3sports.com

2343 Windy Hill Rd SE

Marietta, 30067

(678) 903-0100

Your Body Fitness

www.ybfitness.com

2639 Hickory Grove Rd.

Acworth, 30101

(770) 966-1500

Kennesaw Mountain park map

HEALTH & FITNESS6GG MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

Fitness Centers In Cobb

Savannah Court of MariettaAssisted Living and Memory Care

Active and Engaged!

886 Johnson Ferry Rd • Marietta

770-977-4420

SavannahCourtMarietta.com

Assisted Living Facility License #033-03-017-1

Proud Host of the Aloha Day Club

H. WAYNE TEMPLETON, M.D.

PLEASE CALL

FOR AN

APPOINTMENT

Dr. Templeton would like to announce

the opening of his new Family Medicine

practice located at:

3875 Austell Road, Suite 203

Austell, Georgia

Dr. Templeton has previously practiced for

20 years in the Wellstar Cobb Hospital area.

Most insurance accepted.

Patients from ages 15 and over.

Powder Springs:

A Great Place to Work...

A Better Place to Live

P.O. Box 46 • Powder Springs, GA 30127 • 770-943-1666

www.cityofpowdersprings.org

Mayor:

Patricia C. Vaughn

Council Members:

Thomas D. Bevirt

Albert L. Thurman

Rosalyn G. Neal

Cheryl Sarvis

Nancy J. Hudson


By Marcus E. Howard

[email protected]

MARIETTA — Cobb

County’s sick are getting

well, thanks to the Good

Samaritan Health Center of

Cobb in Marietta.

Since opening in 2006,

Good Samaritan has provided

a range of health care services

for patients without health

insurance or the means to

afford care. It is a nonprofit,

Christian-centered clinic serv-

ing the county’s working poor

with the stated mission “to

spread the love of Christ by

providing quality health care

to those in need.”

“We do this by providing

medical, dental, physician

dispensary (medications),

counseling, and social work

services to uninsured patients

who have nowhere else to

go,” said Dr. Larry Hornsby,

medical director.

“Unlike the traditional pri-

mary-care model, this is an

all-in-one practice that is

open Monday through Friday

and provides after-hours cov-

erage as well. We augment

these services with volunteer

physicians and dentists in

both primary care and spe-

cialties along with volunteer

nurses, pharmacists, dental

hygienists, counselors, inter-

preters and administrative

assistants, among many oth-

ers.”

In 2010, Good Samaritan

provided 18,221 patients vis-

its, which is a little more than

1,500 visits per month, the

clinic reported.

At any give time, nearly

half of Good Samaritan’s

staff is made up of volunteers

— doctors, nurses, dentists,

dental assistants, interpreters,

and prayer room volunteers,

said Kacie McDonnell, opera-

tions director.

However, Good Samaritan

does maintain a devoted staff

that includes one full-time

primary care physician and

one physician assistant. It also

has one general dentist and

one hygienist. Additionally,

there are 12 medical

providers and 14 dentists who

volunteer on site.

The Good Samaritan Clin-

ic was modeled after the

Good Samaritan Health Cen-

ter in downtown Atlanta that

has been operating since

1999.

The clinic, at 1605 Robert

Drive off Austell Road in

Marietta, is housed in a

7,500-square-foot facility that

includes a medical wing with

seven exam rooms, a lab,

phlebotomy room, a confer-

ence/education room, a phar-

maceutical dispensary and

seven offices. A dental wing

has six dental operatories,

three offices, an X-ray room,

sterilization room and work

areas, as well as two consulta-

tion rooms.

Good Samaritan aims to

help those in need, which is

defined as being people

whose household income is

less than 200 percent of the

federal poverty level and who

don’t have health insurance,

Hornsby said.

“While we do see patients

who are homeless or in drug-

rehab programs, most of our

patients are the working

poor,” he said. “They are peo-

ple that we see every day who

are employed and are working

hard to make it, but don’t

have jobs that provide health

benefits and cannot afford pri-

vate health insurance.”

In the past few years, a

large number of our patients

have lost their jobs and are

struggling to keep their resi-

dences and food on the table,

Hornsby said.

“I have a patient who was

still working, but had been

forced to live in her car. This

made taking medications reg-

ularly and eating a healthy

diet incredibly difficult,” he

said.

“We were able to provide

her with affordable medica-

tions, help her figure out how

to eat a healthy diet, and keep

her healthy so that she could

make it through an incredibly

stressful time. She is now liv-

ing in an apartment and con-

tinues to work.”

Good Samaritan is over-

seen by a 21-member board

that consists of physicians,

dentists, accountants, social

workers, pharmacists, busi-

nessmen, and U.S. Rep. Phil

Gingrey of Marietta.

The clinic relies on private

donations to keep its doors

open. In 2010, it was award-

ed a $102,500 grant by the

Community Foundation for

Greater Atlanta’s Common

Good Funds.

“Almost 80 percent of our

operating costs come from

generous donations from

individuals, businesses,

churches, civic groups and

foundations,” said Ashley

Garrison, development direc-

tor. “The remaining 20 per-

cent comes from the patients

that pay for services on a

sliding scale based on their

ability to pay.”

Staff/file

Jim Flippin, 72, is greeted warmly by Northwest Family

YMCA co-manager Elizabeth Janda, left, lifeguard Linda

Crabtree and co-manager Melissa Betts after the three

ladies rescued him from a heart attack in the pool at the

center in Kennesaw.

Staff/file

Dr. Larry Hornsby, medical director of the Good Samaritan Health Center of Cobb, helps

patients at the clinic, which provides care to the uninsured and poor.

Good Samaritan care

By Kathryn Malone

[email protected]

KENNESAW — Just a

week before Thanksgiving, Jim

Flippin received a gift to be

very thankful for from three

women who work at the North-

west Family YMCA — his

life.

At about 12:30 p.m. on

Nov. 15, Flippin, 72, was

swimming laps at the North-

west Family YMCA, off Mars

Hill Road near the regional

county library in northwest

Cobb, as he does five days a

week, when he had a heart

attack while in the water.

“I was swimming for about

10 minutes, and usually my

shortness of breath would cor-

rect itself,” Flippin said. “But it

didn’t.”

Linda Crabtree, the life-

guard on duty at the time, said

she saw Flippin do a flip turn

as usual, but then saw him stop

in the water. So she sprung into

action.

“I look and I’m like, ‘What

is he doing?’ It looked like he

was getting something that he

had dropped,” Crabtree said. “I

ran to him and I’m like, ‘He’s

in trouble.’ And my first thing

was, he’s having a heart attack,

because he’s a good swimmer.”

Crabtree radioed her co-

workers, Melissa Betts and

Elizabeth Janda, for help, and

the two women ran to the pool

to assist in reviving Flippin.

Janda said when she got to

the pool area, Crabtree had

Flippin next to the pool wall

and was holding his head out

of the water. Together, Janda

and Crabtree pulled the 6-foot-

4-inch Flippin out of the pool,

while Betts jumped into the

water to help push him out.

Janda and Betts brought a

defibrillator with them to the

pool area. Betts administered

CPR and Crabtree shocked him

three times before the firefight-

ers arrived just five minutes

after Crabtree had began help-

ing Flippin out of the water.

The rescue workers had to

shock Flippin two more times

before they transferred him to

the ambulance, Crabtree said.

The three YMCA workers

said that Flippin’s incident was

the first time they have ever

had to use the defibrillator.

Flippin was eventually

taken to WellStar Kennestone

Hospital, where he awoke

hours later in a daze.

His daughter, Lucy John-

ston, who was at the hospital

minutes after her father arrived,

said he was asking about the

incident and directing her how

to unlock his locker at the

YMCA.

“All the ER doctors were

going, ‘who did this? It’s

amazing.’ They were shocked,”

Johnston said of her father’s

revival.

Clinic offers care

to the uninsured

Lifeguards’ quick actionssave life of man in pool

GROWTH & REVITALIZATION8GG MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

PROGRESS 2011PROGRESS 2011SPORTS & RECREATIONSPORTS & RECREATION

MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL � FEBRUARY 27, 2011SECTION HH / 8 OF 8

MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL � FEBRUARY 27, 2011SECTION HH / 8 OF 8

Atlanta Beat -- Year 2 6HHFinding the right golf pro 4HH

INSIDE:

DISC GOLFDISC GOLFTHE GAME IS CATCHING ON AT OREGON PARK

2HH

Staff / Anthony Stalcup

Above: Playing from the rough has a whole new meaning at the Oregon Park disc golf course. Noah George of Marietta, left, Abraham Hirsh of Kennesaw and Ryan Bas-

sett of Taylorsville, know from experience. Below, right: George, Bassett, Brian Pound, Patrick Copeland and Mitch Lane play one of the more challenging holes on the

Oregon Park course that is a long, narrow par 3.

By William Bretherton

[email protected]

There is no clubhouse, no dress pants

and no shoes and no greens.

But disc golf, or Frisbee golf as it is

more commonly known to some, is

quickly becoming one of the more popu-

lar recreational sports in Cobb County.

Like its traditional brethren, disc golf

follows many of the same procedures and

rules that golf does. Players attempt go

from start to end in as few strokes as pos-

sible. In the case of disc golf, the game

tends to take on a more casual — almost

irreverent — tone.

“(Disc golf) definitely has more of

that outdoorsy, hiker type of casual

nature,” Cobb Disc Golf president Bob

Pressley said. “It hasn’t been around for

120 to 130 years like regular golf when

they dressed up in a suit almost with

shoes.

“But you will see a very casual outing,

not that any of the pro tournament match

anything that you will on the PGA tour,

but you will see pros with sponsor gear

on, and a nice golf shirt. But they will

probably be in some shorts and hiking

boots. It’s much more of a casual game

because, depending on where you play,

it’s a little more physical in the amount of

walking you have to do.”

Disc golf courses usually utilize

changes in elevation over the long dis-

tances, as well as, obstacles (most com-

monly trees) in the direct path between

the tee and the basket, which sits two feet

off the ground. As a result, the game does

give its participants exercise. Also, they

participate in the game much differently

than those of “ball golf” do.

“Oregon Park is a very beginner-

friendly course,” Pressley said. “It’s not

super long. There are courses twice as

long, and with elevation changes that are

more severe. Two rounds (of 18 holes)

could put a good strain on you, so you

had better be comfortable to do it. Outer

gear may look like you are out for a run

versus the tendency to have a traditional

look with slacks, a golf shirt and a nice

polished pair of shoes on.”

Since early 1995, Oregon Park has

been one of the largest and oldest disc

golf courses in Georgia. The origins of

disc golf trace back to as far back as the

1970s though.

“There is quite the following out there

of guys that have played for 15 to 20

years,” Pressley said. “There is plenty to

be read about the history of disc golf and

the exact date or time (of its origination)

is disputed. It’s about the mid-to-late-

1960s, depending on how technical on

what was considered disc golf.

“From metro Atlanta, I’ve talked to

some old timers in the 1950s and 1960s.

I’ve never seen pictures of it, but had a

few part-timers that don’t play as much

now that (said) at some point Piedmont

Park had disc golf set up.”

As a result of its longevity, Oregon

Park has become a destination for disc

golfers from all around Georgia. As a

result, the course became more popular

over time. Originally set up as a nine-hole

course, overcrowding became a problem.

“In the old days with nine holes, it

would get crowded enough that groups

would overlap shooting at the same holes,”

Acworth resident Brian Pound said.

As a result, the course expanded to 18

holes in 2009, and more baskets were

purchased last year to make tweaks to

Oregon Park’s course, which may be

expanded once more in the future to 27 or

36 holes.

So, why are there so many people

interested in disc golf?

“It’s free, and we all get to come out

and do something for fun,” said Ryan

Bassett of Taylorsville.

Over the river and throughthe woods... to the third hole

OREGON PARK IS THE

DISC GOLF DESTINATION

FOR COBB COUNTY

Bassett makes his putt to conclude

a hole during a round of disc golf at

Oregon Park in west Cobb.

MDJ staff photo / Anthony Stalcup

COVER

Getting started: Disc golf basics


[email protected]

With the expansion in pop-

ularity of disc golf, Oregon

Park is seeing more partici-

pants on one of the most pop-

ular disc golf courses in the

region.

As a result, more players

need to familiarize themselves

with the rules of the game.

Although disc golf is similar

to “ball golf” — as it is some-

times referred to by disc

golfers — in the way that it’s

played, there are many differ-

ences.

At Oregon Park, the first

hole isn’t as clearly marked as

it would be on a typical golf

course. There is no clubhouse,

and no scorecard given out at

the course. Though most play-

ers start at the hole closest to

the main entrance for Oregon

Park, some players start their

rounds from other holes.

“Because of what it’s been

and where it is now, you could

call something a particular

hole, but because it’s in the

middle stages of design,” said

Bob Pressley, president of the

Cobb Disc Golf Club. “Is

there a route to the course?

Additional holes and how

they will be routed or re-rout-

ed isn’t to be determined until

See Disc, 3HH

SPORTS & RECREATION2HHMARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

the final design is created or

reviewed. You’ve caught it at

the point where it’s somewhat

haphazard.”

Oregon Park’s course is

undergoing renovations in that

it has 18 baskets to complete a

full course, but its design

changes when baskets are

moved to different locations on

the property. While flag posi-

tions move on greens of regu-

lar golf courses, moving a bas-

ket changes where the “green”

for a disc golf course is.

From the first tee, golfers

must aim for a basket that is two

feet off the ground. At Oregon

Park, baskets are marked by a

metal pole coming straight out

of the ground with chain links

hanging from the top leading

into a basket. After the first

shot, discs are spotted using

another disc or a mini disc.

Between the tee and the

basket, there are usually more

obstacles than in a typical golf

course, such as trees and brush

that would block the direct

flight of a disc to the basket.

“Typically, what we don’t

do is create holes that are open

space with little to no obsta-

cles in the way,” Pressley

said. “With open space, you

can have those holes, but they

are not very challenging. You

may have part of an open area

that may have a treeline or

something in the way.”

Like golf, the goal is to

reach the basket from the tee in

as few strokes as possible with

par for each hole typically set at

three stokes. Longer distance

holes require higher par scores.

Along with the course

itself, disc golfers carry around

different discs depending on

shot choice. The discs in play

are weighted differently, and

carry different tips. For

instance, drivers generally

have thinner edges and have

wedge-shaped edges to cut

through the air at high speeds,

allowing them to fly farther.

Mid-range discs aren’t as light

as drivers, but have rims that

are more blunt in order to give

players better control. Putters

are heavier discs that have the

least blunt edges and are meant

to be thrown from short range.

Discs can be purchased at

most sporting goods stores

and online from prices rang-

ing from $8 to $50 per disc,

though most starter sets (dri-

ver, mid-range, putter) can be

found between $20-30.

On top of the discs them-

selves, there are many differ-

ent types of shots. The most

typical shot is the one most

commonly used to throw a

Frisbee or disc. Discs can also

roll on the ground by putting

backspin on the disc and flick-

ing it forward. The “toma-

hawk” is a shot that requires a

player to throw the disc over a

player’s head on its rim. This

shot is typically used in tight

spaces to get through a narrow

area, such as thick brush or

from behind trees.

The “thumber” like the

tomahawk is thrown over-

hand, but with the thumb sit-

ting inside the rim of the disc

with the index finger on the

outside edge. After being

thrown, the “thumber” turns

over mid-flight onto the bot-

tom side of the disc.

Much like regular golf,

discs can be played with a

hook or a draw to the shot, as

is required with holes that

play a dogleg. Also, the angle

and velocity with which a disc

is thrown greatly impacts its

distance and accuracy much

like regular golf.

DiscContinued from Page 2HH

By Adam Carrington

[email protected]

Most recreational fishermen refer to

Lake Allatoona as the Dead Sea because

they believe they’re no fish in it.

The fisherman who know the lake

don’t seem to think that way. Fishing

guide Fred Duncan calls Lake Allatoona

the Sleeper Lake.

He would know because he’s fished it

for 14 years.

“Back in the drought (three years

ago), I stopped at a gas station and some-

one couldn’t believe I was going fishing

because they thought there was no water

in the lake,” Duncan said.

“Lake Allatoona is a sleeper lake.

Absolutely loaded with fish, but you have

to spend time on the water to get into the

rhythm and pattern of the fish throughout

the seasons.”

The best spots to fish on Lake

Allatoona varies on the season.

With the lake being crowded with

fishermen during the spring, sum-

mer and fall, Duncan said the parks

that are usually successful are Galts

Ferry, Kellog Creek, Tanyard

Creek, Iron Hill, Allatoona Creek,

Clear Creek, Stamp Creek and Little

River.

In breaking it down in more detail, he

suggests Little River, Galts Ferry and

Kellog Creek are the ideals places to fish

in the spring and the fall. Fish are transi-

tioning from spawning areas in the

spring and are in the same place in the

fall because they’re seeking optimum

water conditions.

In the winter, fish are usually at Alla-

toona Creek and Iron Hill because of the

higher levels of dissolved oxygen. Dun-

can said there are bait fish that congre-

gate in those areas.

Red Top Mountain, Clear Creek, Iron

Hill and Allatoona Creek are the hotbeds

during the summer.

The temperature and dissolved

oxygen in those areas attract most

fish.

As of late, fishing during the winter at

Lake Allatoona has been treacherous.

The water temperatures also have dipped

below 40 degrees making the fish unwill-

ing to eat.

“The last few winters have been

extreme and the water has gotten into low

40s and high 30s,” Duncan said. “When

it gets too cold, metabolism slows to a

crawl and they eat very little and very

infrequently.”

Duncan stresses that the water

temperature governs the life cycle of

fish.

“When there is good water quality,

temperature and adequate dissolved oxy-

gen, you will find your fish congregating

in (certain) areas and areas change

throughout the season,” Duncan said.

“On Allatoona, there is a rhythm and pat-

tern throughout the season, and the fish

are responding to those elements that

they need.”

Understanding the rhythm patterns

of the fish in Lake Allatoona requires

hours of fishing and learning the lake.

Duncan said unsuccessful fishermen

fish at the wrong spots at the right

time.

He also said timing is important to

catching fish on Allatoona and noted

that the key to being successful is

becoming in sync with the fishing

patterns.

“You have to know the areas of the

lake that the fish prefer depending on

the season,” Duncan said. “When you

have the right water temperature with

good dissolved oxygen, you have it

going on.”

Fishermen don’t need a boat to be

moderately successful on Lake

Allatoona.

There are fishing jetties at Red Top

Mountain and Gulfs Ferry where there

are mostly catfish, bass and pan fish. But

the ones in pursuit of the bigger fish

would need a boat and head to the deep

open water.

In regards of bait, light spinning tack-

les are recommended. Live minnoes and

small jigs also work for crappie and live

worms and night crawlers could be used

for brim.

For bass or spotted mount, Duncan

advises plastic lures, spinnerbait, top-

water stick baits and crankbaits. For

striped bass or hybrid striped bass, he

suggests live shads, live shiners and

live trout.

“Patterns repeat themselves every

year,” Duncan said. “It’s like you rewind

and start the tape over again that you

been listening to for 20 years. Guys keep

a log — but I do it so much, it’s all in my

head.”

Special to the MDJ

Lake Allatoona fishing guide Fred Duncan has been in the business of providing people a quality experience on

the lake for more than 20 years. Duncan considers Lake Allatoona to be a ‘sleeper lake’ where people are just now

finding out how good the fishing there can be. Read more about Duncan at www.allatoonastripers.com.

Lake Allatoona, the place to fish

Cobb provides plenty

for outdoor lovers

By Greg Oshust

[email protected]

Outdoor enthusiasts have

plenty of options to choose

from in Cobb County, with a

number of parks that give

plenty of opportunities for

such popular activities as run-

ning, bicycling, swimming as

well as many others.

The Silver Comet Trail

has long been a popular desti-

nation for outdoor-minded

people in the county.

The trail begins at Marvell

Road in Smyrna and winds its

way 61 miles through south

Cobb, Paulding and Polk

counties before ending at the

Georgia/Alabama state line.

It plays host every day to

a number of walkers, runners,

bicyclists, rollerbladers, horse

riders and dog walkers and is

accessible to wheelchairs.

The trail features four

trailheads — at Marvell

Road, Fontaine Road, the

East-West Connector and

Cooper Lake Road. Each

trailhead has paved parking

lots, restrooms, water foun-

tains and other amenities.

It is also host to two of the

most popular road races in the

county — the Silver Comet

10K, which is held in March,

and the Silver Comet Half

Marathon, which takes place

in October.

The Chattahoochee River

National Recreation Area

also attracts a large number of

people, with several park

units located in Cobb County.

It is a popular destination for

runners, walkers and bicy-

clists as well as canoeists and

kayakers.

Each of the park units are

open to the public every day

from dawn to dusk. The daily

parking fee is $3, while an

annual pass is $25.

Cochran Shoals is the

largest of the Chattahoochee

park units in the county.

Located just north of I-285

off of Interstate North Park-

way, Cochran Shoals features

a three-mile fitness trail for

runners, walkers and bicy-

clists as well as plenty of

space for bird watchers.

Akers Mill is located off

of Cobb Parkway in Vinings

and offers several miles of

trails as well as Sandy Point,

a beach-like area located next

to the river.

Paces Mill is also located

off of Cobb Parkway and

includes around 3 miles of

trails.

The Kennesaw Mountain

National Battlefield Park is

another of the county’s major

outdoor recreation areas.

The park is open every day

from dawn to dusk and fea-

tures 18 miles of trails for

runners, walkers, hikers and

bicyclists as well as bird

watchers.

Parking at Kennesaw

Mountain Park is free. The

park’s road is closed during

weekends and holiday, but a

shuttle bus is available to the

public during weekends that

provides transportation to the

top of the mountain, with $2

charged for adults, $1 for

children ages 6 and 11 and

children younger than 6 are

free of charge.

The Cobb County Parks

and Recreation Department

features a number of parks

with walking trails, including

Heritage Park in Mableton,

Lost Mountain Park and Wild

Horse Creek Park in Powder

Springs, Oregon Park in

Marietta, Sewell Park and

East Cobb Park in east Cobb

and Tramore Park in Austell.

Swimming is another

activity that the parks and

recreation department pro-

vides, with Powder Springs

Park and Sewell Park featur-

ing outdoor swimming pools.

Runners have plenty

of opportunities in ’11

By Greg Oshust

[email protected]

Running enthusiasts won’t

have any trouble finding a

race to participate in Cobb

County.

One of the primary

hotbeds for running in the

metro Atlanta area, Cobb has

a plethora of races for runners

to chose from, with approxi-

mately 20 races scheduled to

be held in the county in 2011.

Among the many races in

the county, ranging from the

5K (3.1 miles) distance to the

half-marathon (13.1 miles)

include a number of the most

popular running events in the

Atlanta area.

The most popular race, as

it has been for over a decade,

is the U.S. 10K Classic,

which completed its 17th edi-

tion in 2010.

The U.S. 10K Classic con-

tinued to grow in size last

year with around 16,000 peo-

ple participating in the

event’s signature 10K (6.2

miles) race as well as the 10K

wheelchair race, the 10K

incline skate, the 100K men’s

professional cycling race and

the 10K women’s cycling

race.

It was the biggest group of

participants in the event’s 17-

year history, surpassing the

2009 mark of approximately

13,000 runners.

2011 Cobb County road race calendar

March 12 — Silver Comet 10K,MabletonMarch 12 — Hoya and the Hare5K, KennesawApril 2 — Knock Out Cancer 5K,MariettaApril 23 — Jonquil Jog 5K, SmyrnaMay 22 — Freight Train 5 miler,KennesawJune 11 — Miles-4-Major 5K, KennesawJuly 30 — Run for Life 5K/10K,KennesawAug. — Music on the Mountain 5K,KennesawSept. 5 — U.S. 10K Classic, MariettaSept. 12 — East Cobb 5K, MariettaSept. 18 — Iron Horse 15K and 5KExpress, KennesawOct. 30 — Silver Comet HalfMarathon, MabletonNov. 25 — MUST Ministries Gob-ble Jog 5K/10K, Marietta

See Runners, 7HH

SPORTS & RECREATION 3HHMARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

By Carlton D. White

[email protected]

Early in 2010, the Cobb

County Board of Commission-

ers approved funding for more

than $600,000 on course

improvements for Cobble-

stone Golf Course in Acworth,

one of Cobb County’s premier

public courses located on

Nance Road along the shores

of Lake Acworth.

Completed last summer,

the renovations and changes

to the course have been

well-received.

Managed by Affiniti Golf

Partners, the course, which

originally opened in 1993, had

Champion Bermuda planted

on the greens and the bunkers

and traps were completely ren-

ovated with new drainage, lin-

ers and sand.

Champion Bermuda, which

is a hybrid grass, has proven to

have a good putting surface

and is more tolerant to heat

and traffic than the bent grass

that was used.

Other cosmetic changes

were done to the course,

which fully reopened in early

September.

“The changes we’ve made

to the course have been wide-

ly well-received,” General

Manager Terry Harnage said.

“We opened on Labor Day

weekend. The care for the

course is different during the

weekend, but putting has been

good and the people that have

come here have liked what

they’ve seen.

“We had the greens and

bunkers redone. We did some

irrigation and tree work, and

design-wise, we reshaped the

greens to their original size

from 18 to 36 inches.”

When Cobblestone opened,

it won several awards, includ-

ing a four star rating from

Golf Digest and earned a spot

on the “Top 100 Courses You

Can Play” from Golf Maga-

zine. Recently, the course

was named one of

Golfweek’s “2010 Best

Municipal Courses.”

The changes have already

contributed to increased

exposure and use for the

facility.

“The number of tourna-

ment bookings has already

increased, so that’s a strong

indicator that the changes we

made to the course are paying

off,” Harnage said. “We’re

getting more groups making

reservations for the spring

and summer than we had last

year. We expect that to con-

tinue to increase once more

people see and play the

course as the weather warms

up.”

With the spring and sum-

mer seasons on the horizon,

Cobblestone expects its

loyal patrons to continue

using the course, and hope-

fully, invite guests to play it

as well.

As more people see the

changes that have been

made, traffic should steadily

increase based on word-of-

mouth.

“Right now, it’s hard to

compare the amount of traf-

fic,” Harnage said. “Folks

definitely come out when

we have good weather. But,

because we opened in the

fall, we missed the tradi-

tional start of the full golf

season.

“We had a short season

after the renovations were

completed, so a lot of people

haven’t seen the course. Once

spring begins and the weather

warms up, we expect to see a

lot more people using (the

course).”

Greens fees for Cobble-

stone are currently $51.50

for play Monday through

Friday and $60 on week-

ends and holidays. Twilight

rate plans and times vary by

season.

Cobblestone

Golf Course

redesigned

and flourishing

The right pro can help your gameBy Carlton D. White

[email protected]

Golf is no different than

any other sport.

In order to play it correctly,

you must have the proper

equipment and the proper

knowledge.

The best way to know if

you have the proper equip-

ment is to ask someone who

knows. But, going to a golf

store or a golf shop for balls,

clubs and a bag is only half

the story.

“If you really want to learn

how to play golf, then it’s

important to learn from a golf

instructor,” said Dan Mullins,

the director of instruction at

City Club Marietta. “Instruc-

tors can teach you the nuances

of the game. They can show

and teach you things that

won’t be able to figure out on

your own or by watching tele-

vision.”

Mullins would know. The

2001 Georgia PGA Profes-

sional of the Year, Mullins

has over 30 years of experi-

ence working with players of

all skill levels, and he has

competed in and won several

local and regional tourna-

ments as an amateur and a

professional. Joining him at

City Club Marietta is head

golf professional Al Morri-

son, who has been teaching

for over 15 years.

“Teaching professionals

can give you better ideas on

chipping, on putting, getting

out of sand and bunkers, prop-

er stance, proper grip, basics

of the swing, all of that stuff,”

he said. “We can relay these

ideas to people and give them

perspectives that they may not

have thought of. Just like any

teacher, we help you think a

little bit outside the box and

build from there.”

However, not every teach-

ing pro is the same. The key to

finding the right golf profes-

sional depends on what you’re

looking for from your pro.

Golf knowledge and experi-

ence along with teaching abil-

ity all come into play.

“Your level of teaching

changes depending on the

skill set of your student,”

Mullins said. “It’s like teach-

ing elementary, high school

and college students. There

are beginners, average players

and advanced players.

Depending on who you’re

teaching and what they’re

looking to get out of the les-

son, you have to taylor the

instruction.”

According to Mullins, the

key to finding the right teach-

ing professional is to ask the

right, and plenty, of questions.

“It’s important to ask ques-

tions about a professional

before you decided to work

with them,” Mullins said.

“Find out about the creden-

tials of the person giving

instruction. How long have

they been teaching? What

level of player do they teach,

whether it’s all levels or

beginners or advanced play-

ers, etc.

“If you ask questions and

get an idea of the profession-

al’s background, then you’re

already ahead of the game.

Knowing the difference

between a teaching profes-

sional and a golf instructor is

also important. Word of

mouth or asking people who

have already worked with that

pro, is also a good idea.”

With so many advance-

ments in technology, often-

times a golf instructor might

use digital equipment as part

of his or her teaching strategy.

Mullins’ background also

includes knowledge of the use

of video and computerized

equipment in analyzing a golf

swing.

“The right clubs are impor-

tant,” he said. “We provide

demo clubs when analyzing a

golf swing using our video

and television equipment. So,

the problem with your golf

game could be the clubs. By

comparing and analyzing

swings, we could probably

find the right clubs for you to

use.”

As with most things, there

is a fee to learning to play golf

well, and prices will vary with

each professional. Golf

instructors and teaching pro-

fessionals usually charge per

hour for lessons, but they also

have series of 1-hour lessons

that may cost less than each

separate individual hour.

Ultimately, though, it

doesn’t matter how many

hours of instruction a person

gets if he or she isn’t commit-

ted to learning and practicing

on their own.

“It’s up to the golfer to

take the practice time between

lessons and work on their golf

game,” Mullins said. “There

needs to be a balance between

practice and playing time. It’s

the only way for them to

apply what they’re learning.

But, most important, get prop-

er instruction first. This way,

you can break bad habits and

become a better golfer.”

Staff file photos

PGA pro Dan Mullins, director of instruction at City Club

in Marietta, works with Marietta resident Bradley Wilson

on his golf swing. The right teaching pro can conserva-

tively help take 10-to-15 strokes off a high-handicap-

per’s game and can help turn the good amateur players

into great ones.

SPORTS & RECREATION4HH MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

Golf Courses

Atlanta Country Club (private)500 Atlanta Country ClubDriveMarietta, GA 30067(770) 953-2100www.atlantacountryclub.orgHead Pro: Scott SchroederGreens Fees: N/A

Bentwater Golf Club (Private)100 Golf Links DriveAcworth, GA 30101(770) 529-9554www.canongategolf.comHead Pro: Justin Tackettand Jim SimsGreens Fees: N/A

Brookstone Golf andCountry Club (private)5705 Brookstone DriveAcworth, GA 30101(770) 425-8500www.brookstonecc.comHead Pro: Mark AveryGreens Fees: N/A

City Club of Marietta (public)510 Powder Springs StreetMarietta, GA 30064(770) 528-4653www.cityclubmarietta.comHead Pro: Dan MullinsGreens Fees: $48 (Mon-day through Friday), $58(weekends/holidays)Twilight rate plans andtimes vary by season.Please check for websitefor details

Cobblestone Golf Course (public)4200 Nance RoadAcworth, GA 30101(770) 917-5152www.cobblestonegolf.comHead Pro: Chris WrightGreens Fees: $51.50(Monday through Friday),$60 (weekends/holidays)Twilight rate plans andtimes vary by season.Please check website fordetails

Dogwood Golf Club (semi-private)4207 Flint Hill RoadAustell, GA 30106(770) 941-2202www.dogwoodgolf.orgHead Pro: Ryan MedfordGreens Fees: $45 (Mon-day through Thursday), pri-vate on weekendsTwilight rate plans andtimes vary by season.Please check for websitefor details

Fox Creek Golf Club &Driving Range (public)1501 Windy Hill RoadSmyrna, GA 30080(770) 435-1000www.legacyfoxcreek.comGeneral Manager: TonyDeshanGreens Fees: $29 (week-days), $35 (weekends)Twilight rate plans andtimes vary by season.Please check for websitefor details

Governor’s Towne Club (private)4200 Governors TowneDriveAcworth, GA 30101(770) 966-5353www.governorstowneclub.comHead Pro: Will HutterGreens Fees: N/A

Indian Hills Country Club (private)4001 Clubland Drive

Marietta, GA 30068(770) 971-2605www.indianhillscc.comDirector of Golf: LanceCantrellGreens Fees: N/A

Legacy Golf Links & Driving Range (public)1825 Windy Hill RoadSmyrna, GA 30080(770) 434-6331www.legacyfoxcreek.com

General Manager: TonyDeshanGreens Fees: $29 (week-days), $35 (weekends)Twilight rate plans andtimes vary by season.Please check for websitefor details

Marietta Country Club (private)1400 Marietta CountryClub DriveKennesaw, GA 30152

(770) 426-1808www.mariettacountryclub.orgHead Pro: Stephen KepplerGreens Fees: N/A

Pinetree Country Club (private)3400 McCollum Parkway NWKennesaw, GA 30144(770) 422-5902www.pinetreecc.org

Interim Head Pro: Way-

land Abernathy

Greens Fees: N/A

Driving Ranges

Marietta Golf Center

1701 Gresham Road, NE

Marietta, GA

(770) 977-1997

Bucket of balls - 35 for $5,

55 for $7, 80 for $9, 110 for

$11, 135 for $13

Legacy Golf Links 1825 Windy Hill Road, SESmyrna, GA 30080(770) 434-6331Call for prices

Tee 1 Up 3185 Sandy Plains RoadMarietta, GA 30066(770) 578-1234Bucket of balls – small (40-50) for $5, medium (80-90)for $9, large (115) for $12

COBB COUNTY GOLF COURSE DIRECTORYSPORTS & RECREATION 5HH

MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

By Carlton D. White

[email protected]

SMYRNA – Atlanta metropolitan resi-

dents interested in seeing intercollegiate

football in Cobb County may not have

long to wait following the debut season of

club football at Chattahoochee Technical

College.

The Golden Eagles have rapidly expanded

their athletic programs over the past six

years to include track and field, cross coun-

try and basketball with the teams competing

in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Associa-

tion as well as the National Junior College

Athletic Association.

“We have a tremendous commitment from

our president,” said John Furman, Coordina-

tor of Sports Information. “Dr. Sanford Chan-

dler has a vision for the school and cares a lot

about sports. He understands how athletics

can help the college grow and reach more and

more people.”

Last fall, Chattahoochee Tech athletics

expanded once more with the addition of

club football.

Currently competing in the National Club

Football Association, the Golden Eagles fin-

ished the season with a 4-4 record, with wins

over Shorter, Clemson and the University of

South Alabama, under first-year coach Tim

Freeman.

“We won our first game, 18-7, at Shorter,”

Freeman said. “It was exciting. It gave the guys

an understanding that we can compete against

four-year schools.”

Not only is Chattahoochee Tech competing

as a club sport, it is looking to go beyond that

and play at the junior college level.

“When I came in and spoke with the pres-

ident and the athletic director (David Archer),

the idea was that we would play at the club

level for two years and then move up to the

national junior college level,” Freeman said.

“We’re leaving no stone unturned to get

backing to try to make that move as soon as

possible.”

With the economic climate slowly recover-

ing, it may take Chattahoochee Tech a little

longer than it wanted to advance football past

the club stage.

“We’re using student activity and athlet-

ic fees to fund the program,” Archer said.

“Fundraising is different in this economy.

We’re looking at opportunities in the busi-

ness sector and in the community. We’re

starting slowly. Last year, we had a $30,000

to $40,000 budget. Next season, we’re not

sure what it will be yet, but we’re excited

for the new season.”

Despite the economy, the enthusiasm of the

administration continues to push the program

forward.

“We recognized that there aren’t many

two-year junior college football programs

in Georgia, and felt like we could help

fill that void in the state,” Archer said. “The

only other program is Georgia Military

College.

“There are a lot of kids not quite ready for

the four-year college level, but still want to

continue playing football. This is an opportu-

nity to provide them with that platform to con-

tinue playing and get an education, while

preparing them for their future.

“We have a huge service area, and this gives

kids an opportunity to stay closer to home.”

The club football team plays its games at

Osborne High School and attendance has been

good.

“I was very pleased with our attendance this

year,” Freeman said. “At Shorter, we had as

many fans as they did, and every game we’ve

had at home, there’s been a good crowd and

good support for the players.

“There are five assistant coaches, and last

year’s roster had about 53 players on it. We’re

hoping to bring in about 70 to fall camp and

keep around 65.”

Chattahoochee Tech wants to raise

awareness of its club team and the school’s

aspirations for competing at the national

junior college level. The Golden Eagles

were even involved on national signing day,

as they received “letters of commitment”

from a eight athletes, including a few

local players such as Woodstock offensive

lineman Kyle Thornton, South Cobb

running back Demarcus Adkins, and Spray-

berry athletes DeAlvarez Attiwio and Josh

Moody.

“Our goal was to sign a good firm class

that has a chance to leave us and play at

Division I or I-AA,” Freeman said.

“They’ll help us compete, and the commit-

ment letters they signed are documents out-

lining the way they should behave as a part

of our program and that they are playing as

non-scholarship athletes.

“We’re very excited about this group, and

our future. Kids are hearing about us, and like

what we’re trying to do here.”

Chattahoochee Tech ready

to make noise in athletics

Atlanta Beat preparefor their second yearBy William Bretherton

[email protected]

Heading into the second year of play for

Women’s Professional Soccer’s Atlanta Beat,

there have been many lessons learned and

many new faces that have gone through the

franchise.

However, the Beat is excited to take the

field this season starting April 9 when they

face the Boston Breakers at KSU Soccer Sta-

dium.

“We are so ready to get going,” Beat

owner and general manager Fitz Johnson said

earlier this month. “It’s a long offseason, and

players are going to be arriving at the end of

the month. We are signing a couple more

players, and then we will be ready to go into

camp. We learned a lot in year one and are

looking to apply that in year two.”

Though the Beat have not unveiled any

plans for any new accommodations or pro-

motions to start the season, Johnson and the

Beat have been interacting with fans to find

ways to add more to the viewing experience.

“There’s not anything new as in

revamped,” he said. “We did a real nice job at

the concessions this year. We are trying to see

what works. We added a couple of new items.

“We changed the configuration for tickets

for the entire stadium to make things easier. If

you are buying a general admission section

ticket, then you can sit anywhere (in that sec-

tion). On the west side, it’s a little more close-

ly monitored.”

On top of the flex packs that many profes-

sional teams offer standard with season ticket

packages, the Beat are selling “flexi passes”

or vouchers that will allow fans to purchase

general admission tickets that can be used for

any game during the season.

“It’s very similar to a flex pack,” Johnson

said. “Usually, you have to pick three games.

With these, you can buy 20 tickets. You can

take 20 people to one game, 10 to two games

or you can split them up any way you want.

With these, you can go to any game.”

According to the team’s website, single-

game general admission tickets are $15 and

increase up to $100 for super suite and on-

the-field VIP seats.

On top of responding to fans’ wants at the

gate and inside the stadium, the team has

made drastic changes to the product on the

field. Since the beginning of last season,

Johnson has taken over the duties of general

manager, Gareth O’Sullivan was replaced as

coach by James Galanis and the entire roster

has a different look.

Instead of Swiss forward Ramona

Bachmann, a slew of international players

and goalkeeper Hope Solo leading the fran-

chise, the team will have an all-American

feel to it this season to go along with a

youth movement.

“I think it goes back to what you learn in a

year,” Johnson said. “This time last year, we

probably had 24 players signed. We found

out that it was like a revolving door. This

year, we are taking a little different approach.

We’re trying to get some stability and some

youngsters in here.

“We just have a much better feeling going

into camp this year. We have evaluated the

talent here (in the U.S.) was plentiful. We

may pick up an international (player) if we

need one. We’re not ruling it out, but we

probably won’t have one.”

Returning from last season are mid-

fielder Lori Chalupny, defender Tina

Ellertson and forward Lauren Sesselman.

Though there are three U.S. national team

veterans on the roster in midfielder Carli

Lloyd, defenders Cat Whitehill and

Heather Mitts, the team is mainly made up

by players who are 28 years old or

younger.

The youth movement is highlighted by the

Beat’s two draftees in the 2011 WPS draft,

UCLA midfielder Kylie Wright and Virginia

forward Meghan Lenczyk.

Date Opponent Venue Time April

April 9 Boston Breakers KSU 7 PM April 16 Sky Blue FC (NY/NJ) KSU 7 PMApril 24 Western NY Flash KSU 6 PM

May May 1 Western NY Flash Sahlen's Stadium 4 PMMay 8 @ Washington Freedom TBA 4 PM May 15 Philadelphia Independence KSU 6 PM May 21 @ Sky Blue FC Yurcak Field 7 PM May 28 @ Washington Freedom TBA 7 PM

JuneJune 4 @ Philadelphia Independence Widener U. 7 PM June 11 Washington Freedom KSU 6 PM June 19 Boston Breakers KSU TBA June 22 @ Sky Blue FC Yurcak Field 7 PM

JulyJuly 10 @ Boston Breakers Harvard 6 PM July 16 Philadelphia Independence KSU 7 PM July 23 Washington Freedom KSU 7 PM July 31 @ Philadelphia Independence Widener U. 6 PM

August Aug. 6 Western New York Flash KSU 7 PM Aug.14 Western New York Flash Sahlen's Stadium 6 PM

SPORTS & RECREATION6HHMARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

Staff file photo

The Atlanta Beat’s Lori Chalupny, left, looks to her teammate during a Women’s Pro-

fessional Soccer game last season at the KSU Soccer Stadium. Chalupny will lead

a new roster of Beat players into the team’s second season, which starts April 9.

The large hills that the run-

ners encounter on the 10K

course that begins at Cumber-

land Mall and goes north on

U.S. 41 to the finish line at

White Water park makes the

U.S. 10K Classic one of the

toughest races in the nation.

The 2011 U.S. 10K Classic

will be held on Sept. 5.

The MUST Ministries

Gobble Job is the second-

largest road race in the county.

The eighth-annual edition

of the Thanksgiving Day

event was the largest in its his-

tory, attracting around 8,000

participants for its 5K and

10K races, an increase from

the 6,400 who ran in 2009.

The Polar Bear Run is

another long time Cobb Coun-

ty favorite, with the popular

east Cobb event being held for

the 23rd year in a row at John-

son Ferry Baptist Church on

Jan. 22.

The race attracted its usual

large group of runners this

year, with around 2,000 sign-

ing up to run in the 5K and 2K

fun run.

Also attracting large

groups of runners every year

are the Silver Comet 10K and

half marathon races at the Sil-

ver Comet trail in south Cobb.

The Silver Comet half

marathon is the longest road

race in Cobb County, with its

13.1-mile course covering the

south Cobb portion of the

popular 57-mile trail that

stretches to the Georgia-

Alabama border.

It was another big year for

the Silver Comet half

marathon, which had 1,705

participants in 2010 — an

increase from the 1,603 run-

ners who competed in ’09.

The Silver Comet half

marathon will be held for the

11th year on Oct. 30.

The Silver Comet 10K also

draws large annual crowds.

The race featured 845 partici-

pants last year, a drop from

1,027 in 2009.

The 13th edition of the Sil-

ver Comet 10K will take place

on March 12.

Launching the racing cal-

endar in a big way every year

is the ATC Resolution Run,

which features its popular 5K

and 10K races in Kennesaw

on New Year’s Day.

The Resolution Run is held

by the Atlanta Track Club as

part of its Grand Prix series

and is the only ATC race cur-

rently held in the county.

A total of 1,223 runners

participated in the 5K and

10K races this year, a little

less than the 1,452 who took

part in 2010.

Another long-time favorite

on the county’s race calendar

is the Run for Life, which has

been holding its 5K and 10K

races every summer since

1984.

The Run for Life began its

lengthy run at Life University

in 1984 and stayed there for

around two decades until

moving to Roberts Business

Park in Kennesaw in 2004.

The race attracted 594 par-

ticipants in 2010, a slight

increase from the 522 who

showed up in ’09.

The 28th annual Run for

Life will be held this year on

July 30.

The Jonquil Jog in Smyrna

has also been a popular desti-

nation for runners for a num-

ber of years. The race had 507

participants last year after

having 628 in ’09. This year’s

event will be held on April 23.

The Run for the Son 5K

and 10K races in Powder

Springs attracts a large num-

ber of participants every

year, with 526 runners taking

part in this year’s edition on

Feb. 5.

Cobb County runners also

participate in several of the

other major races in the

Atlanta area, with the

Peachtree Road Race, the

Publix Georgia Marathon and

Half-Marathon and the

Atlanta Marathon and Half-

Marathon being the most

popular.

RunnersContinued from Page 3HH

By Adam Carrington

[email protected]

Laurel Park Tennis Center

in the city of Marietta under-

went new management last

May that has quickly brought

in new ideas to involve the

city in the tennis community.

The new management

goes by the company name

Tennis Dynamics.

It’s a five-person team

headed by J.P. Weber, who is

director of tennis operations

at Laurel Park. His wife, Jen-

nifer Weber, is the schools

program director. Thabani

Sithole and Steve Gutke are

staff professionals and Nor-

bert Elliot is the conditioning

specialist.

Tennis Dynamics’ motto

is “Go Slower and Get There

Quicker.” Instructors empha-

sis that tennis can’t be taught

overnight and players can

sometimes take years before

finding success at a high

level. They stress basic fun-

damentals, patience and long

hours of training. They say

players who rise quickly can

fall just as fast because their

game hasn’t been fully

developed.

The program has been run-

ning junior and adult tennis

clincs for the last nine months

and has worked tirelessly at

organizing tournaments that

attract marquee junior and

adult players who live in and

out of state. They also host

free round robins once a

month as well as camps for

juniors and adults.

“I think its hard for us to

get name out here because

we’re new,” Jennifer Weber

said. “It’s work in progress

and strying to get started as a

new business out here. We

have a lot of things to look

forward to out here.”

Laurel Park’s numerous

tennis programs includes

QuickStart Tennis and a Pee

Wee Program for youngsters

ages 4-9. It also offers four

levels of junior development

programs that’s based on skill

level. Tennis Dynamics also

offers coaches at the state,

southern and national levels

and provides many helpful

hints such as pre-match

warmup, match strategy and

post tournament evaluation.

Tennis Dynamics offers

private lessons, league play,

clinics, round robins and car-

dio tennis for adults and there

are other newer porgrams

such as school programs,

summer camps and Polar

Bear camps for those who

enjoy cold weather tennis. A

strength and conditioning

program that emphasizes

speed, strength, flexibility,

endurance and coordination

are also offered.

At other tennis centers in

Cobb County, Steve Lottinger,

the facility manager of Harri-

son Tennis Center in east

Cobb won the ‘Ace Award’ by

Special Pops Tennis for his

role in introducing a tennis-

playing experience for dis-

abled adults and children.

Sweetwater Tennis Center

in Austell is now offering a

Build-A-Player program for

beginners and a Competition

Development program for

tournament.

Staff / Laura Moon

Marietta’s Megan McClinden is just one of the many

successful high school tennis players to come from

Cobb County in recent years.

Tennis Dynamics brings

its A-game to center


[email protected]

With spring upcoming, it

can only mean one thing.

Baseball season is just

around the corner. Not only

do Major League Baseball’s

Atlanta Braves return to regu-

lar season play, but East

Cobb Baseball makes its

return.

This year, there will be few

changes to last year’s slate,

which suits East Cobb Base-

ball’s president, Guerry Bald-

win, just fine.

“The goals here are always

the same,” he said. “They are

about the participants and the

game. We try to do everything

we can possibly do to make

their experience with the

game, and advancement up to

the highest level we can get it.

I think we do a pretty good job

because we do it emphasizing

hard work and the team, and

what it takes to actually make

it as a college player or

beyond.”

Starting last Friday, the

Triple Crown Spring Frost

tournament for children ages

8-14 began. The top two

teams to advance through this

event will earn berths to the

Triple Crown World Series in

Steamboat Springs, Colo., the

Summer Nationals in Myrtle

Beach, S.C., and both Fall

Nationals in Las Vegas and St.

Augustine, Fla.

Many more events like the

Triple Crown Spring Frost

tournament will go through

until as late as November 6. In

order to put on so many events

over such a long span of time,

East Cobb Baseball must

maintain its facilities with

travel ball teams consistently

using the fields. With so many

teams traveling from out of

state, schedules must be han-

dled with care.

“I would say that probably

first and foremost, when you

have to deal with everybody’s

travel plans and making sure

that you can fit schedules to

when they can and will be

there,” Baldwin said when

asked what the most difficult

thing was about putting

together events. “The sched-

ules are first and get very,

very difficult from time to

time, but that’s part of it.

Next, it’s making sure that

when it’s their time to play the

game, the field being in the

best condition that it can be in.

It takes time to keep fields

maintained so the kids can

play on first-class fields.

“With umpires, you have

to make sure they are on time

and ready to go. We check

that they are professional and

do a really good job… It’s

quite an army of talent that it

takes to pull that off.”

While the Triple Crown

event starts the schedule, the

Perfect Game East Cobb Invi-

tational for 14-and-under

teams up to 18-and-under

teams highlights the summer

at East Cobb Baseball. With

the large number of teams

coming to the area, there are

more opportunities for college

and pro scouts to evaluate tal-

ent.

On top of the large number

of events that East Cobb Base-

ball puts on every season,

there are a large number of

collegiate and professional

scouts that come out to see

who the next great star of the

game will be. After Braves

outfielder Jason Heyward had

a stellar rookie season, there

will certainly be just as much

if not more attention paid to

East Cobb Baseball this year.

It’s fair to say that East Cobb

Baseball has become a train-

ing ground and a crucial part

in developing baseball talent

in the area.

“The teams in general that

come out of here get a lot of

instruction to what it takes to

be the highest player you can

reach,” Baldwin said. “We try

to instruct them in that way

and help them understand that

it’s a team game. There is a lot

of showcasing. It makes it

tougher for kids to understand

what a team is. We try to stay

away from that.”

Overall, it’s clear that

baseball has become an inte-

gral part of the East Cobb

community and of baseball in

Georgia at large.

“I think there’s some

really exciting things that

have happened in the past 20

years in Cobb, Cherokee,

Fulton and Gwinnett Coun-

ties,” Baldwin said. “Base-

ball has become a very

viable sport to a lot of peo-

ple, which is good for the

kids. I’m glad to see it and

the part that we had to play

in it with high schools and

other organizations. We’ve

made baseball better for

everyone and all the kids,

and hopefully that should be

the most important thing.”

East Cobb Baseball set foranother busy summer in 2011

Staff / Mike Jacoby

James Harris, of the East Cobb Mets, center, takes his hat and glove from teammate

Devan Stewart. Harris and Stewart are among the thousands of players play at the

East Cobb Baseball Complex each year trying to get better for their high school teams

while at the same time trying to catch the eye of a college or pro scout.

SPORTS & RECREATION 7HHMARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

GROWTH & REVITALIZATION8HH MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL / SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2011

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