Here are the minutes from the last WMCIG meeting, July 1. Members Present: Rick Maher, Emily Collette, Donna Wong, Nancy Loeffel, Sharon Kane, Margarita Threet , Patty Mozley Meeting began at 7:35pm. We introduced ourselves to Bill Byrne. Emily gave an overview about our group’s goal to share information, communicate about our local issues, and act on changes to improve West Marietta, including safety, traffic and development concerns for Whitlock Ave., Burnt Hickory and Polk Street. Bill Byrne, candidate for District 1 County Commissioner, is our guest. He answered questions concerning issues affecting our neighborhood. There will be two upcoming debates for the candidates: one is on Tuesday, July 8th at 6 pm at NorthStar Church in Kennesaw. Bill’s primary #1 concern is public safety (in hand with economic development) to be addressed by the gov’t: these include the court system, police and fire departments. At one time, Cobb was the #1 county in wages paid to police and fire. The County also provided the best quality training and equipment for public safety personnel, which resulted in maintaining a lower crime rate. This safety also helps bring in business to Cobb. He thinks the Cobb Education system is unique and something to be proud of. Unfortunately Cobb’s police training has diminished and poor vehicle equipment is the status now. As a commissioner, he wants the Board to make public safety the top priority. But Cobb has lost 70 police positions over the past two years due to attrition/transfer (total force is 1200). Byrne is focusing on what kind of programs or solutions are needed to replace officers and to bring back the force to full numbers. KSU will be increasing in size to 40,000 students in the next three years, and Cobb is not addressing the public safety and the transportation needs. With the Braves’ relocation to Cobb, public safety and transportation haven’t been addressed either. Likely the Cobb Corridor will increase in business buildings and no one has managed those concerns. Short-term will be a nightmare. Coordination between City of Marietta and Cobb Commissioners must be strong. He is the voice on these issues. District 1---only 5% of the registered voters voted; so disappointing that there’s apathy. We have enough money but it’s being spent on other things and the Board should be frugal. We over-rely on TSPLOST bills that increases taxes. Cobb Cty is affluent and well educated.The Braves’ relocation will require a new police precinct with 100 new officers, but no money was worked into the deal for police nor a building. We should have negotiated a better deal, but didn’t. He feels with his business mind and experience, he will bring proper management to the County expenditures. Q: What suggestions for A&P building? Bill suggested that on Powder Springs, two strip malls were redeveloped (and two others still in decay). The city and county should joint-venture and offer a property tax incentive to new businesses. Results will benefit everyone with new jobs and improve services. Q: What’s our best approach? Bill said to get with our City Council rep to ‘champion’ this issue to re-develop the decaying A&P to put together a marketing program that gives new businesses a tax abatement for 10-year or 5-year. Johnny Walker is the rep for that strip. IF elected, county tax monies could go toward redevelopment and private sector to bring jobs. Here we have 3 City Council members representing West Marietta, but no one has taken the leadership. City could buy A&P property, but making it into a park would not bring back any money and require maintenance. All agreed that we need to bring Beth Sessoms back in to meet with our group. There was discussion and concern on regarding the two gas stations on Whitlock that are empty and the tanks are still there. The State EPD monitors the safety of underground gas storage tanks. If there is a sale, the buyer must negotiate removal. Bill is a small business owner himself and thinks the economy will get worse one more time (2016). So gas stations won’t come back nor be sold. Bill advised that we should follow up on the 4 million dollars allocated for projects that WE want---focus on both Whitlock and on Burnt Hickory (Bill worked on federal money to get 10- foot wide sidewalks on major corridors, such as Barrett Parkway). Get ARC money to help on sidewalks and improve the two lane street, and provide connectivity to Kennesaw Mtn and Dallas Hwy. Justify more sidewalks for pedestrian safety and that would help the businesses. Bill strongly advised that we be certain the City delivers on Whitlock improvements, because Franklin Road will require in excess of the bond money awarded thus far, and votes can rapidly change, thus leaving Whitlock short. When gas goes up over $4/gallon, then people will tend to walk. Members added that sidewalks will be attractive for people who want to walk for health reasons. Each county district has 175,000 people; 5 commissioners establish policies and hire all dept.heads. There are 3 depts that deal with safety (public safety director, fire dept. and police dept). Commissioners meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays and the meetings are broadcast on Comcast cable. The meeting place is 100 Cherokee Street. Q: Why is he qualified? Byrne in 1992-2002 was the Chair of the Commission during the boom. Q: Question on transportation--will there be public transportation? Already exists: CCT ties in at the Cumberland Mall, take a bus to Marta and go to the airport. At 8:40, members thanked Bill Byrne for meeting with us as he departed. Members then briefly discussed and agreed to the following: 1) We will e-mail information regarding the upcoming debate between Bill Byrne and Bob Weatherford (candidates for County Board of Commissioners - District 1) to all group members. 2) Donna Wongs recent suggestion regarding a Free Emergency Preparedness Workshop is a great idea. perhaps this can be offered at MHS, coordinated through WMCIG. At 8:45 the meeting was adjourned.
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 22:43:26 +0000
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