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Archive for February, 2007
February 23, 2007
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Thanks to the MDJ Online! MARIETTA - If anyone doubts the importance of the work at SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center, they need only view the handprints of children painted along its hallways. The splashes of color are a testament to the number of traumatized children the Marietta nonprofit helps. SafePath coordinates activities of agencies and professionals who offer intervention, investigation and treatment for alleged sexually and physically abused children. The private organization receives most of its funding through competitive public grants. It opened in Cobb in 1996 on Austell Road near the intersection with County Services Parkway and operates 37 children’s advocacy centers in Georgia and about 750 centers nationwide. In 2006, the Marietta center saw nearly 1,600 cases of abused children in Cobb and their non-offending caregivers. “In the old days, when children came through the center with an allegation of sexual or severe physical abuse, or children who witnessed homicides, they would typically have to go law enforcement, talk to DFCS about whether or not they could stay in the home, and then they would receive a medical exam, talk to mental health professionals and go through the whole prosecution piece of the case,” said Jinger Robins, executive director of SafePath in Cobb. “Today, the role of the advocacy center is to make sure we’re collaborating and coordinating all those agencies in one central location so families can get the best possible services.” In light of recent child abuse cases that have captured headlines in Cobb and Georgia during the past week, Robins said there is a need for people to understand that there is no typical image of a person who abuses children. “My first response is that most people think it’s the dark, seedy person who’s in a closet hiding, creepy looking or a stranger, and it’s not,” Robins said. “Most of the time it is someone who children know and someone who children trust.” About one in four girls and one in six boys have been sexually molested before the age of 18 in the United States, which also holds true for Cobb, Robins said. Of those victims, about a third are 5 years old or younger, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children reports. “People need to make it OK for children to talk to you, whether they’re your own children or whether they’re children you come into contact with because you’re part of an organization,” she said. Veteran Smyrna police detective K.K. Wrozier has worked crimes against children for 19 years. She works at SafePath interviewing children who are victims or witnesses of crimes. “We learn new things all the time about how to do the interviews and how to do the investigations because there is so much technology now with computers and Web sites to go to, to track people down,” Wrozier said. About 9- percent of sexual abuse cases against children go unreported, Wrozier said. Many children are critically traumatized by the time they reach SafePath’s protective care. “Initially, when they come for the investigation or forensic interview, kids have told us that the hardest part of therapy was that the initial interview was so hard for them,” SafePath Director of Services Karen Nash said. “They’ve been told frequently by the offender that, ‘you’ll be the one they pull out of here and you’ll go to foster care,’ and they’re terrified when they walk in here.” Low self-esteem, isolation, depression and guilt are but a few of the problems child abuse victims must overcome. However, there are signs people are becoming more open to taking about their past experiences with abuse. “The biggest trend that we’ve seen is that people and children feel safer about coming forward,” Robins said. “If there is an advocacy center present in the county or community, it is a lot different, because now they aren’t just going to a police station.” Cobb Police Lt. Christine Nerbonne, head the department’s crimes against children’s unit, said SafePath is crucial to fighting crimes against children. “We would not effectively be able to do our jobs without the SafePath advocacy center,” said Nerbonne. mhoward@mdjonline.com
February 19, 2007
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February 19, 2007
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Limited Choice transfer requests deadline, Mar. 23
February 17, 2007
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The verdict is in yesterday….Jurors returned the verdict against Joseph and Sonya Smith just before 11:30 a.m., Nashville time, Friday in the death of their eight-year-old son. A jury in Marietta, Georgia found the couple guilty of one count each of involuntary manslaughter and felony murder in the death of their son Josef. The Smiths are members of a Brentwood-based Remnant Fellowship Church and the trial has been closely followed in Middle Tennessee. The Remnant Fellowship Church was raided in 2004 as part of the investigation. Josef died in October of 2003.
February 15, 2007
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Right in our back yard - just on the Marietta Square… The murder case of two members of a middle Tennessee church is now in the hands of a jury. Sonia and Joseph Smith worshipped at the Remnant Fellowship Church in Brentwood over the internet, and are accused of killing their 8-year-old son 2003. The jury instruction process took longer than anyone ever expected. The jury got the case at about 4:30 p.m. Georgia time after what some called shocking closing arguments. Prosecutor Eleanor Dixon didn’t mince words in her closing argument in the case of Sonia and Joseph Smith. This was the last time to make a lasting impression on the jury. “If you are still asking yourself right now how did he die with all the evidence you have heard, how can you convict?” defense attorney Manny Aurora said. “When we make decisions on a notion sometimes, they’re on first impressions. They often turn out to be wrong.” He wanted to soften the blow of pictures that showed the alleged abused Josef by driving home his theory the marks came from eczema. “Who would have thought this was eczema until a doctor explained it to you? It looks like horrible cigarette burns or something like that,” Aurora said. Dixon told the jury it’s hard to believe the medical expert who came up with the eczema theory. “I like to call those witnesses ‘jukebox witnesses,’ because when you put in your money, they will play any song you will want to hear,” Dixon said. The parents then watched as the state went over its theory the boy suffocated in a box. The defense said the prosecution’s suffocation theory shouldn’t even come into play. “It’s because the box didn’t happen,” Aurora said. Then came the moment that caused the Smith’s to break down in tears — Dixon brought a birthday cake with eight candles into the courtroom. “You know what s not on there? One more candle for his ninth birthday,” she said. It was too much for the parents to handle. The jury decided to call it quits for the day at 5:00 p.m. They will begin again Thursday morning. More than a dozen members of the church have been in the courtroom during this trial .
February 15, 2007
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Right in our back yard - just on the Marietta Square… The murder case of two members of a middle Tennessee church is now in the hands of a jury. Sonia and Joseph Smith worshipped at the Remnant Fellowship Church in Brentwood over the internet, and are accused of killing their 8-year-old son 2003. The jury instruction process took longer than anyone ever expected. The jury got the case at about 4:30 p.m. Georgia time after what some called shocking closing arguments. Prosecutor Eleanor Dixon didn’t mince words in her closing argument in the case of Sonia and Joseph Smith. This was the last time to make a lasting impression on the jury. “If you are still asking yourself right now how did he die with all the evidence you have heard, how can you convict?” defense attorney Manny Aurora said. “When we make decisions on a notion sometimes, they’re on first impressions. They often turn out to be wrong.” He wanted to soften the blow of pictures that showed the alleged abused Josef by driving home his theory the marks came from eczema. “Who would have thought this was eczema until a doctor explained it to you? It looks like horrible cigarette burns or something like that,” Aurora said. Dixon told the jury it’s hard to believe the medical expert who came up with the eczema theory. “I like to call those witnesses ‘jukebox witnesses,’ because when you put in your money, they will play any song you will want to hear,” Dixon said. The parents then watched as the state went over its theory the boy suffocated in a box. The defense said the prosecution’s suffocation theory shouldn’t even come into play. “It’s because the box didn’t happen,” Aurora said. Then came the moment that caused the Smith’s to break down in tears — Dixon brought a birthday cake with eight candles into the courtroom. “You know what s not on there? One more candle for his ninth birthday,” she said. It was too much for the parents to handle. The jury decided to call it quits for the day at 5:00 p.m. They will begin again Thursday morning. More than a dozen members of the church have been in the courtroom during this trial .
February 10, 2007
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source: MDJOnline.com - MARIETTA - City police cited 11 businesses for sales of alcoholic beverages to underage buyers during a crackdown on illegal alcohol sales last week. Police made compliance checks Feb. 2 at 26 Marietta businesses with some help from underage buyers. The buyers did not provide fake identification, and if asked, did not lie about their age. Buyers included children of Marietta police officers and teens from the department’s Police Explorer program. Underage buyers each were told to tell the truth and show their driver’s license if asked. According to state law and Marietta city ordinance, it is the responsibility of the seller to check ID and refuse sale to underage buyers. Once buyers complete an illegal sale, the employee who sold the alcohol is cited for noncompliance and issued a “must-appear” citation. A judge determines how stiff a fine to levy, up to $400. The first time a business is cited, it is flagged for monitoring. If the business is cited a second time within 12 months, it could lose its liquor license for 28 days. In that case, the Georgia Department of Revenue also levies a fine. Police perform the checks at least once every three months, but more often if the department receives complaints. As of May, 235 liquor permits are active in Marietta.
February 07, 2007
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1. City Council is discussing making changes to the intersection of Kirkpatrick and Whitlock Ave. You can visit the following link and give me your input in regards to your thoughts. 2. Don’t forget the city will be hosting a Tax Allocation District Educational Seminar on Tuesday, Feb. 7th at 6pm-8pm in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The Seminar is sponsored by the Atlanta Regional Commission-Community Planning Academy. The objective of the seminar is to provide a comprehensive overview of TAD’s and the why’s, how’s and what’s of a TAD. Everyone is invited to attend to get the information and ask questions. (see the attached flyer). 3. School Board Community Forums have been cancelled. There have been additional discussions and possible changes to the Hickory Hills Elementary closing and the possible relocation of the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics in the facilities plans by the school board during their working session today. In result of their discussions the community forums for Feb. 5th and 7th have been cancelled. More information will be presented in the MDJ tomorrow or you can contact school board members Randy Weiner at 770-427-4956 or via email at whatapane@bellsouth.net or Tony Fasola at 770- 425-0303 or tfasola@bellsouth.net. 4. Please mark the following date on your calendar for Ward 3/Ward 2 and Zone 5 next Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, April 18th at 7pm in the City Council Chambers of City Hall. 5. The City Council will have a Special Called Meeting next Thursday, Feb. 8 at 5:15pm at City Hall. in regards to review of the Master Plan Agreement for Franklin Rd. This has to do with the 70+acre tract that ABG Development company wants to redevelop. 6. The Historic Preservation Commission will have a Special Called Meeting next Wed., Feb. 7th at 7pm to discuss the Georgia State Partnership regarding Design Guidelines for the Kennesaw Avenue Historic District. The HPC has also been working hard to gather data for the Manning Property on Manning Rd. to designate the site a Historic Homesite. 7. The Cobb County Comprehensive Transportation Plan will hold a public meeting on Feb. 20th from 6-8pm at the Board of Commissioners Meeting Room. Visit the following 8. Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Feb. 6th at 6pm in regards to the following rezonings, annexations and ordinance amendments. If you have specific questions please contact me or the planning department at 770-794-5669. Please see the upcoming events below and the City E-NEWS.
February 06, 2007
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Thanks to the MDJ for this story! I wonder if the new Johnny Walker redevelopment will be this nice?!?!
SMYRNA - The city is on its way to getting its own Atlantic Station-sized redevelopment project. Representatives from Atlanta-based Halpern Enterprises presented plans to the City Council Monday night for the future of Belmont Hills Shopping Plaza. “It’s getting close to rivaling the size of Atlantic Station in downtown Atlanta,” Halpern Enterprises president Jack Halpern said. With a $252 million dollar price tag, the 47.5-acre development would require a $25 million in tax allocation district financing. “Without a TAD, what was shown here, it loses money and won’t be built,” Halpern said. A TAD is an incentive for developers to build in blighted areas to increase property values, which results in more tax revenue. The financing tool is used to issue tax-free bonds to pay for land, infrastructure and specific capital improvements in designated TAD areas. It requires cooperation between the city, county and school district to quickly repay project bonds Although the Cobb School District Board of Education passed a $30 million TAD financing cap on the 140-acre Belmont Hills tax allocation district - which includes Jonquil Village 1.1 miles to the south - city officials are prepared to work to raise the cap to complete the project. “This project can’t be done within that cap because we’ve already approved a $26 plus million for the Jonquil Village project,” Smyrna city administrator Wayne Wright said. Halpern’s mixed-use development for Belmont Hills includes townhouses, condominiums, single-family homes and several thousand square feet of retail and office space. Halpern’s company specializes in commercial development has partnered with fellow Atlanta developer, Southeast Capital Partners, for the residential component. “The grid of streets would create a community where currently (commercial) rooftops and parking lots exist,” Halpern said. In 2002, 71.6 percent of voters approved tax allocation districts as a redevelopment tool in Cobb, Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, and Acworth. The following year, the Smyrna City Council, county commission, and Cobb school board approved Smyrna’s first TAD for the 140-acre area from Atlanta Road to the west, east to Creek Road and from Windy Hill to the north and Concord Road on the south. The goal behind the high-density Belmont Hills redevelopment is to create several communities on the almost 50-acre site all within walking distance of the amenities offered. Wright said the benefit of this kind of development is a way to combat overcrowding in elementary schools like Belmont Hills and Green Acres. “This will decrease the number of children in the area and will increase revenue to the school board,” he said. The Belmont Hills development is the largest in Smyrna since the original construction of the Belmont Hills Shopping Center in 1950. At the time, Belmont Hills was the first strip mall in Cobb. Bonds for the TAD subsidy will take an estimated 15 years to pay off, but Wright is confident it could be done in less time. “At this point there’s nothing to give up,” he said. “All this means we’ll have much, much more money once all the bonds are paid off.” Construction of the new development could start as early as late spring or early summer, Halpern said. The new Belmont Hills would take shape in several phases and would be finished by 2013. “They could put a new coat of paint on them and you’d be looking at pretty much what you’d have before, but Jack Halpern is going to do more than that,” Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon said. City officials are confident the TAD-assisted redevelopment of Belmont Hills and Jonquil Village will bring the same kind of prosperous halo-effect to the north of Smyrna that the south side has experienced with Smyrna Market Village. “The TADS are not an opportunity to redevelop our city - but the TADs give us an ability to transform our city,” Ward 6 Councilman Wade Lnenicka said. A $26.2 million TAD subsidy was approved late last year for the $130 million-plus redevelopment of Jonquil Plaza. Also in the Belmont TAD, proposals by Tampa, Fla.-based developer A.G. Armstrong for Jonquil Village include 160,000 square feet of retail space anchored by Publix, more than 20,000 square feet of office space and about 300 to 350 condominiums built above a 1,000-space underground parking deck. No action was taken at Monday night’s public hearing. The Smyrna Downtown Development Authority will approve plans for Belmont Hills within the next few weeks before they return to the City Council for final approval. After that the Cobb school board and Cobb commissioners will have to approve the plans and an increase in the TAD cap. “We think this is the right project,” Wright said. “It will change Smyrna and this part of Cobb County more than anything we, or anyone else, has done.” acrissup@mdjonline.com
February 03, 2007
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Without objection, the school board directed Superintendent Dr. Emily Lembeck and the city schools staff to research the impact of an arts integration program for the elementary school in the face of its dwindling student population. Last month, because the student population at Hickory Hills fell to 259 students with one second-grade class that holds only five children, Dr. Lembeck advised the board to transfer remaining students to other schools and house the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics in the old Hickory Hills building after heavy renovation. “I am opposed to moving the magnet school out of the center of the city,” said board member Irene Berens. “I want it centrally located.” Board member Tony Fasola said he wanted the school to stay open another year to see how all of the redevelopment in the city would play out and how it could affect enrollment numbers. At the nearby Johnny Walker Homes and Clay Homes sites, some 2,200 new homes ranging in price from $200,000 to $600,000 are being built. Other sites like Lyman Homes and the Manget area are starting new residential development projects. “I am not convinced yet that we have all the answers to all the questions,” Fasola said. Board Chairwoman Jill Mutimer said she didn’t want to wait and pressed the board to begin reviewing possibilities for a new program at Hickory Hills, possibly a magnet program. Ms. Berens said she wanted to see a performing arts magnet program because the school system’s support of “right-brain” thinking is “not where it should be.” Board member Randy Weiner, whose Ward 3 includes Hickory Hills, said any magnet program should be an add-on to Hickory Hills and not a replacement. He added a magnet program could pull in more students to the school. Board member Jeanie Carter said she wanted a broader look at multiple types of programs, not limited to performing arts. The rest of the board assured her general arts covered a broad spectrum beyond performing arts. “(A full arts integration program is) another way to provide additional choice,” Dr. Lembeck said, adding she thinks an arts program would work for the ailing school. The school system also is developing a limited choice option that would allow parents to send their children to a school of their choice. The plan would offer a finite number of spaces at each school, determined by how many regular students already are zoned for the school. Dr. Lembeck said an arts program would attract people who normally wouldn’t enroll their children in Marietta schools, where math and science curriculums are the focus of their current magnet program. The board agreed that “limited renovations” should begin at Hickory Hills to prepare for the coming year. Dr. Lembeck said she would bring the results of research on an arts integration program to the board Feb. 13 for further discussion. mfrench@mdjonline.com |
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MARIETTA - Hickory Hills Elementary School’s future is secure for another year as the city’s school board decided Friday to keep the school open and look into an arts program.
