Commissioner
JoAnn Birrell
100 Cherokee St
Marietta, GA
30090
770-528-3318
770-528-2606 fax
joann.birrell
@cobbcounty.org
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Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
Very soon I will have completed my first full year as your District 3 
Commissioner. Thank you very much for the opportunity to serve as your Commissioner.
I have learned a great deal during this first year and have aspired to make a positive difference in our District. From budget turmoil to tax increases to zoning issues, I am grateful to have such an engaged constituency. I appreciate all who volunteer on the many boards and initiatives of Cobb County. Your sacrifice of time does not go unnoticed.
As I reflect on the reason for the season, I hope that we can all strive to serve others as He serves us. During this time of celebration, remember those families who have loved ones overseas defending our freedoms. Offer a prayer for their safety and for their families' strength. The year has been especially difficult for many in our community who have lost their jobs and homes. Extend kindness to those in need and take a moment to thank Him for your blessings.
In 2012, we have many opportunities before us. I ask that you remain engaged in our community and let's work together to make our county, state and nation the best it can be. May you all have a very happy and prosperous New Year.
In December, I participated in the Addison Elementary School's Alcohol and Drug Awareness Day. The judges at the Cobb State Court facilitate the 
participation of elected officials, County personnel and the entertainment.During the day, children were entertained by a puppet show, a clown and other fun activities. Through these activities, the students learned about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. The program sought to not only teach of drugs and alcohol but also of the severe consequences to poor choices.
This year's program was very special because I had the honor to speak in a gym named for my sister, Carolyn Jurick, who was a principal at Addison for 16 years. A special thank you goes to Cobb Firefighter Dennis Rucker, Cobb Police Sergeant Dana Pierce, County Manager's Executive Assistant Judy Skeel, Communications Director Robert Quigley, Principal Karen Crowder and Cobb State Court Director Frank Baker and the staffs of each of these departments for facilitating this event. Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate.
Congratulations to Henry Tucker 
Henry Addison Tucker attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
For his Eagle Service Project, he raised over $16,800 in cash and donations to build a vegetable garden with nine raised beds at the BJ Crafton Women's Center in Marietta. His work and efforts will make a positive difference in the lives of the women who live there. The Eagle rank is achieved by only four percent of all boys who enter scouting and we are very proud of his initiative and for being an outstanding leader among his peers.
Sprayberry High School named 2011 Georgia School of Excellence
Sprayberry High School along with Hillgrove High School (District 1) are among 26 schools to be named 2011 Georgia Schools of Excellence by the state Department of Education. Both Cobb County high schools earned the honor by showing the greatest continuous gains in student achievement over the past three years, based on reading and mathematics performance on the Georgia High School Graduation Test. Each will receive the iconic School of Excellence flag and a $1,000 award check from program sponsor Georgia Natural Gas.
Congratulations Sprayberry & Hillgrove!
Congratulations Pope & Walton High Schools
The Pope HS Hounds Lady Volleyball 4AAAA team had a 3-peat! The team won the 2011 AAAA State Championship over the weekend. This is the third consecutive year the Pope Girls have won the State Volleyball Championship.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Coach Manheim of the Walton Lady Raiders Tennis Team for eight undefeated seasons!
Happy retirement!
Congratulations to the Walton Raiders Football team for making it to the 2011 GHSA AAAAA State Championship!
Congratulations to Elicia Fritsch!
Former First Lady's Legacy Lives on through Georgia Beautification Advocate
Elicia Fritsch, volunteer with Keep Cobb Beautiful (KCB) in Marietta, Ga., was honored with the Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award at the 58th annual Keep America Beautiful National Conference in New Orleans.
The Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award was created in honor of the former First Lady's contribution to beautification efforts across the country. Fritsch was honored for her dedication to beautification and community greening programs throughout Georgia.
Elicia Fritsch is a devoted volunteer and board member for KCB. She has been involved in environmental efforts for over 25 years, and is a passionate advocate for trees, and for locally-grown organic foods.
In the six years Fritsch has served on the KCB Board, her zeal for the preservation of our environment has brought forward several new programs and projects. Her more than 1,000 hours of volunteer service in 2010 and 2011 alone have benefited KCB in establishing and supporting Cobb Trees, a pharmaceuticals disposal program, a movie theater public service advertising campaign and the Cobb County School Garden Program. She energetically fosters community partnerships to engage corporate donors and grant funders, and has personally raised nearly $60,000 in a year's time. Elicia and her husband Fred are residents of District 3.
Thank you Elicia for your countless hours of dedication to this county.
Reminders
County offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26 and Tuesday, Dec. 27 in observance of the Christmas holiday. The offices will also be closed on Monday, Jan. 2 in observance of the New Year.
If you would like to recycle your Christmas tree, Cobb County Parks and Recreation specified locations will accept drop-offs from Dec. 26, 2011 through Jan. 7, 2012. Trees will ONLY be accepted Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012 at select Home Depot locations, throughout Cobb County. For more information, please contact Keep Cobb Beautiful at 770-528-1135 or visit us online at www.cobbcounty.org/kcb.
Tuesday, Dec. 20 is the last Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting of 2011. The first BOC meeting of 2012 will be held 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10. In addition to other items the BOC will hear items related to Comp Plans and code amendments. The public hearings for changes to the Cobb County Code will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 24 and Tuesday, Feb. 28; the public hearings will be held at 7 p.m.
There will not be any BOC zoning hearings in January; hearings will begin Tuesday, Feb. 21. However, the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) will have their first hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 11. The Planning Commission will have their first hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 7.
The Friends of Mabry Park still need your support to turn Mabry Park into District 3's newest passive park. To donate or for more information visit: http://www.mabrypark.org/
We still want you to Keep it in Cobb!
Tell your story at our website at www.keepitincobb.com and "Like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/keepitincobb.
