770-528-3317
770-528-2606 fax
joann.birrell
@cobbcounty.org




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Happy New Year

I hope you had an enjoyable holiday season and spent time with friends and family. I look forward to another exciting year of service in 2012. This year will be a politically active year. 

In March, voters will have the opportunity to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary and Sunday alcohol sales. In July, there are other general primaries/non-partisan/special elections that voters will need to decide. Of course, in November, we will have another election for US President.  Please encourage your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers to get out and vote.  If anyone you know needs to register to vote, please visit Cobb Elections and Voter Registration

To stay updated on county happenings, visit www.cobbcounty.org and my web page.

Townhall

The first townhall meeting of 2012 will be from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16. At this townhall, we will feature Dana Johnson, Cobb County Planning Division Manager. He will discuss Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map amendments (Comp Plan) and the Canton Road redevelopment plans.

The townhall will be at the Mountain View Community Center at 3400 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, 30066. 

Upcoming events

MLK Celebration
Residents are invited to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 10 a.m., Monday, Jan. 16, at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta. The 26th annual celebration in Cobb has the theme of "Celebrate: the Life, the Dream, the Legacy."

The event is free and open to the public and will include the annual presentation of the “Living the Dream” award to a community member who demonstrates the ideals King exemplified. Cobb County offices are closed on Monday in observance of MLK, Jr. Day.  

Comprehensive Plan and Code Amendments
During January, the BOC will hear items related to Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map Amendments Plans (Comp) and County Code amendments:

• Comp Plan hearing: 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17.
• Code amendments public hearings: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 24 and
  7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28.
  
  

Mabry Park
2012 will be a very exciting year for Mabry Park. The preview day in November 2011 was a huge success and the Friends of Mabry Park have a lot in store for all this year. Please visit the website to get involved, volunteer and contribute to Mabry Park.

A Walk for Hope
January is cervical cancer awareness month. The Sprit Foundation is hosting their annual walk to promote awareness of the disease. The monies raised will provide free pap smears to homeless and uninsured women at the Open Door Community Clinic.

The walk is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28. For more info visit Spirit Foundation online.

Zoning hearings
The Planning Commission Zoning hearings will begin 9 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7. The commission will then make zoning recommendations to the BOC. 

The BOC will hear zoning cases 9 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21.
For a list of cases please visit the zoning website.

Canton Road redevelopment
Commissioner Birrell and Dana Johnson, Cobb County Planning Division Manager will speak about redevelopment along Canton Road at the Northeast Cobb Business Association (NCBA) luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. at Piedmont Church, 570 Piedmont Rd, Marietta, 30066. Please visit NCBA to register or for more information.

Creating Community Awards
The Cobb County Commission and the Cobb Community Relations Council invites you to the 2012 Creating Community Awards Dinner. The purpose of the award is to recognize an individual, team or organization that has done something unique in making a positive contribution to the inclusion of many of the diverse communities in Cobb County. Those groups could be identified as race/ethnicity, age/generational, religious, disabled or handicapped, gender, etc.

The award is not only to recognize good works in the county but also to provide a model and inspiration for the rest of the Cobb community. The dinner will be held on Thursday, Mar. 15 at Piedmont Church.  For additional details, visit Cobb Community Relations Council on the Web.

Reminders

We still want you to Keep it in Cobb!  Tell us your success story on our website or “Like” us on Facebook.

The K-9 unit is a vital part of police department’s efforts to protect Cobb County. Police canines perform a broad range of essential functions, including patrol activities, narcotic detection and bomb detection. The police department is accepting donations to aid in the operation of the K-9 unit.

Funds will go directly to help replace retired canines and help pay veterinarian expenses and other costs associated with the dogs’ well-being. To donate or for more details visit Cobb Police

Animal Adoption - View Video 
The Cobb County Animal Control Unit is a great place to find that addition to your family. Adoption fees are $110 for all animals. All animals have been spayed/neutered and are current on all vaccinations. Dogs over 6 months old have been heartworm tested and cats over 6 months have been combo tested.

Please visit our adoption page and Pet of the Week page to view animals available for adoption. Visit us online at Animal Control or on Facebook page.

Thank you to all in District 3 and Cobb County for making my first year in office a very rewarding experience. I look forward to working with you all for many years to come. Please contact my office at 770-528-3317 or email me at joann.birrell@cobbcounty.org if you need assistance.

Also visit my web page to stay up to date on District 3 events and receive my newsletter.