Spread Some Sunshine, Talk to Local Officials

Here's a roundup of opportunities to speak to county and city officials in honor of Sunshine Week.

Ott Talks Traffic and Transportation at Third Town Hall Meeting

Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott addressed several transportation and traffic issues at his third town hall meeting since early February.

Get Smart About the Public's Right to Know

March 11-17 is Sunshine Week, a national initiative to promoted dialogue about open government. Check out a roundup of useful resources and vote in our poll.

No One-Way Pairs for Paces Ferry, New Paces Ferry Roads

The fourth Vinings Vision Plan meeting focused mainly on the community's transportation issues.

DDA to Close on Concord Road Purchase Soon

The Downtown Development Authority unanimously approved the purchase of six lots at the corner of Concord Road and Dunton Street at a recent meeting.

Light Agenda On Tap for Commissioners

The commissioners meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the government complex, 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta.

Ground Broken on Cobb Parkway Bridge

The reconstruction project is scheduled for completion by 2015 and will create about 100 jobs.

New Process Slows Election Results

Cobb election officials were about 90 minutes slower getting results out last night, compared to the SPLOST vote in March 2011. Plus take a look at the precinct by precinct results for Smyrna-Vinings.

Ordinance Makes Smyrna More Attractive to Businesses

The updated ordinance passed by Smyrna City Council Monday was based on recommendations made by the Economic Incentives Advisory Committee.

Newt Gingrich Celebrates Win in Smyrna

Several hundred cheering supporters gathered Tuesday night to hear him speak.

Council Approves Potential Purchase of Problem Property

The property at the corner of Concord Road and Dunton Street has been an eyesore to the community since the property was foreclosed as a result of the recession. However, not everyone approves the Council's decision.

Voters Head to the Polls on Super Tuesday

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

GOP Primary: Who's Donating in Smyrna-Vinings?

Mitt Romney is beating Newt Gingrich in fundraising in metro Atlanta.

City Considers Purchasing Concord Road Development

The City Council will vote tonight whether to approve the Downtown Development Authority's purchase of several lots located on Concord Road at Dunton Street that are home to a partially constructed building.

Ron Fennel: Smyrna is very business friendly

The Ward 7 City Council member updated his constituents about the state of the city and the status of some of its developments at a recent Bennett Woods neighborhood meeting.

Gingrich Tells Cobb Chamber 'Let's go back to 1998'

Gingrich said that if elected President he would draw on methods he used as House Speaker in the late-1990s to lead the country.

Ott, Lee Oppose Thompson/Birrell Map

District 2 Commissioner Bob Ott and Cobb County Chairman Tim Lee voted against the new redistricting map at Tuesday's Cobb Board of Commissioners Meeting. The map was approved 3-2.

Booze Bandwagon Rolls onto County Ballot

Cobb County voters, including those in Vinings, decide whether to expand Sunday sales in the March 6 election next Tuesday. But neighbors’ Sunday experiences since November should dampen expectations for a surge in Cobb County alcohol sales.

Despite Vote Redistricting Maps on Agenda

The Cobb County commissioners meet at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for a work session including the final report from the Citizens Advisory Committee. The regular board meeting is at 7 p.m., 100 Cherokee St., Marietta.

City Council Members to Meet With Constituents

However, Mayor Max Bacon is almost 60 days into his seventh term of office and has not planned to schedule a general town hall meeting.

Campbell Road Bridge Open, Apartment Demolition Continues

Public Works Director Scott Stokes offered a progress report of some of the city's improvement projects at Monday's Smyrna City Council meeting.

Jonquil Site Plan, Agenda Items Withdrawn at City Council Meeting

Branch Properties will resubmit a retail-only site plan for Jonquil Village in 10 to 20 days, said Teri Anulewicz, Ward 3 council member.

Declaration Revives 'Righteous Cause'

The Georgia Tea Party brings forth the Marietta Declaration as an instrument to limit government.

City of Smyrna Open on Presidents' Day

Schools, banks and the post office will be closed in honor of President's Day, but it will be a regular Monday for city officials including the city council.

Former Constituents Unsure Gingrich Can Win Primary, Nomination

The former Speaker of the House held a campaign rally in his former congressional district to garner support for Georgia's presidential preference primary on March 6.

No Apartments for Jonquil Village

Branch Properties is withdrawing its current proposal for the Jonquil Village development and will resubmit a retail-only plan for the site in the coming weeks.

Vowing to Keep Ott in East Cobb

State Rep. Sharon Cooper says proposals to substantially redraw District 2 commission map will be done "over my dead, cold body."

Newt Gingrich plans stops in Smyrna-Vinings

The former Speaker of the House represented Georgia’s sixth congressional district for 20 years. Will Gingrich’s former constituents help him score a win in Georgia next month?

County hopes new website will boost redevelopment

Cobb County’s community development agency will soon launch a searchable online database of all available developments in the county like the former Last Chance Thrift Store located north of Smyrna at 1977 South Cobb Drive.

Former Deputy Chief to Chairman: Cobb Police Leaving for Other Jobs

There is a “great police department here (in Cobb), but we do have some problems,” Bill Mull said at Tim Lee's town hall meeting on Monday.

Cobb lawmakers propose postponing TIA referendum

Reps. Rich Golick (R-Smyrna), Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) and Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City) say their proposed legislation would make the TIA constitutional and allow counties to opt in or out of the proposed tax.

District 2 gets more voters from redistricting process

The lengthy process began last October, but once approved the redrawn county district maps will be used in elections beginning fall 2012.

Attention gentlemen (and ladies), Valentine's Day is Tuesday

Smyrna-Vinings Patch reminds you that you've still got 24 hours to plan a Valentine's Day surprise for your sweetheart plus a look at the week ahead.

Campbell Road Bridge paving may begin Tuesday

A list of updates to the city's construction projects was posted to Facebook Friday.

Property values, economic development addressed at town hall meeting

Bob Ott addressed about 75 Cobb County residents at Thursday's District 2 Town Hall meeting at the Smyrna Community Center.

Concord Road improvements could begin in September 2012

The $8.6 million Concord Road improvement project is paid for with money from the 2005 and 2011 SPLOST.

Toll Lanes Discussed at VBA Meeting

Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee discusses Cobb's future, traffic concerns at recent Vinings Business Association meeting.

Citizens want Jonquil planning and zoning hearing

Half a dozen residents of the Williams Park neighborhood near Jonquil Village said they want the city to hold a planning and zoning hearing about the proposed development.

This week in Smyrna-Vinings

A rundown of Monday's city council agenda plus a look at the week ahead.

Fire Station No. 5 groundbreaking still in the works

Catamount Constructors Inc. was awarded the construction manager at-risk contract for Fire Station No. 5 in December.