Councilwoman Calls for Cobb Court Clerk to Resign; Redistricting in Cobb - a podcast by MDJ News

MDJ Script/ Top Stories for Dec 12th        

Publish Date:  Dec 11th     

Commercial: Henssler :15  

From the Henssler Financial Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. 

Today is Tuesday, December 12th and Happy heavenly Birthday to entertainer Frank Sinatra.

***12.12.23 -BIRTHDAY - FRANK SINATRA***  

I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Credit Union of Georgia.

1. Councilwoman Calls for Cobb Court Clerk to Resign; Redistricting in Cobb


2. Two 18-Year-Olds Indicted for Street Race That Killed 15-Year-Old


3. Takeaways From Polling on the Cobb Transit Tax

All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! 

BREAK: CU of GA 

STORY 1: AROUND TOWN: Councilwoman Calls for Cobb Court Clerk to Resign; Redistricting in Cobb

Attorneys in Cobb County express frustration over a nearly three-month backlog in filing online court records, a delay considered unprecedented for the usually efficient court system. Cobb Superior Court Judge Rob Leonard has urged urgent filings to be sent directly to his office due to the backlog, prompting Marietta City Councilwoman Cheryl Richardson, also an attorney, to call for Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor's resignation. The delay has been exacerbated by a redistricting dispute and the creation of new maps, with Democrats alleging partisan gerrymandering by Republicans. Some Democratic incumbents, like Rep. Teri Anulewicz, face tough challenges in the new maps, drawing criticism for potential political motivations. Anulewicz is likely to run for re-election in District 42, potentially facing primary opposition from Smyrna resident Gabriel Sanchez, who announced his candidacy with a left-wing platform endorsed by the Atlanta chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America.

STORY 2: Two 18-Year-Olds Indicted for Street Race That Killed 15-Year-Old

Two 18-year-olds, Garrett Tyler Betts and Caleb Evan Hasty, were indicted by a Cobb grand jury for their alleged involvement in an August street race that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old. The charges include first-degree vehicular homicide, reckless driving, street racing, and speeding. The incident occurred on the East-West Connector when Hasty, driving a Pontiac G8 at 100 mph, and Betts in a Mustang were involved in a race. Betts lost control, collided with a tree, and the 15-year-old passenger was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. Both accused individuals were released on $82,720 bond last month.

STORY 3: Takeaways From Polling on the Cobb Transit Tax

A poll commissioned by a group of Cobb business leaders found that initially, 63% of voters supported a 30-year program to expand transit and build a new rapid bus system in Cobb County. However, as voters learned more about the transit tax proposal, support dropped to 47%, and undecideds increased from 9% to 25%. Opposition remained at 28%. The poll, conducted by LINK Public Affairs and Co/efficient, included 1,320 likely general election voters. It revealed variations in support across demographics, with stronger support among younger and older voters, Black voters, women, and less-educated voters. The proposed Mobility Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (M-SPLOST) would fund transit programs over 10 or 30 years.

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We’ll be right back 

Break: ESOG

STORY 4: Eager Children Rush Santa After Austell Parade

The Austell Christmas celebration featured Santa Claus arriving on an Austell Fire Department engine, greeted by excited children. A parade followed, with dancing children, a gingerbread man reacting to horn blasts, and characters like Mr. Grinch and Whoville residents. Despite a one-week postponement due to weather, the festive spirit prevailed. Councilman Marlin Lamar sported a vibrant Christmas suit, and Darrell Weaver, the city's director of community affairs, dressed as Willy Wonka. The event concluded with the lighting of the Christmas tree. Families, like the Bowmans of Austell, expressed gratitude for the holiday season, their children, and the gifts they would share.

STORY 5: 'It is a loss': Roswell Street Baptist Church Chapel Razed

Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta has demolished its chapel and west wing, initiating a new era for the downsized congregation. The decision to create green space for sports and community activities followed a year of prayer, with the congregation opting to raze two additional buildings—the pregnancy center and counseling center. The $500,000 demolition project is part of a $1.7 million budget for renovations. The church aims to attract new members, especially young families, by offering sports programs and a family-oriented space. While the physical change signifies the end of an 80-year era, it marks a fresh beginning for the church.

We’ll be back in a moment 

Break: DRAKE – INGLES 3

STORY 6: Ossoff Calls for Expanding Breast Cancer Screenings For Veterans in Marietta

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff visited Cobb County to discuss expanding access to breast cancer screenings for female veterans. The bipartisan amendment, introduced by Ossoff, Sen. Mike Braun, and Sen. Thom Tillis, added $10 million in funding for mobile mammogram screenings to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs appropriation bill. Female veterans are 20 to 40% more likely to develop breast cancer than the general female population, according to Disabled American Veterans. Ossoff emphasized the importance of early detection and the need to prioritize screenings for female veterans, particularly those in rural areas. The bill awaits approval in the House of Representatives.

STORY 7: Fullers Rec Center Becomes a Christmas Wonderland

The Fullers Recreation Center in Marietta hosted the Christmas Wonderland event, attracting around 100 children who enjoyed various Christmas activities such as ornament decorating and cookie making. The event also featured performances from the Blue Diamond Step Team and the TLC Dance team. Tiffani Ephrom, the facilities manager, and Sobany King, the recreation coordinator, organized the event over two months to bring the community together and highlight the Fullers Recreation Center. Activities included watching "The Polar Express" in the theater, and the event aimed to spread Christmas spirit in the community. Cobb County Parks continues to organize various Christmas events throughout the year.

Break: Henssler :60 

Signoff-  

Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Gwinnett Daily Post, the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties, or the Paulding County News Podcast. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at MDJonline.com.  

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