It looks like the lil’ chickens of marietta have launched their website! Be sure to stop over an check out the Artist Design Gallery to see the cool renderings of the lil chickens that will be produced by each Artist. I can’t wait to see them all over the city, how cool. Also, if you are a business or know of someone that would be interested in sponsoring a lil chicken, be sure to head over to the sponsorship page…enjoy and Happy 4th of July to everyone! Hope to see you out at the Square today for the festivities!

Special thanks to the AJC for the article on our beloved Theatre in the Square…

in the park on the Marietta Square.

The public is invited to enjoy birthday cake, drawings for theater tickets and music by the cast of “Smoke on the Mountain.” The annual summer musical and “The 1940s Radio Hour” have been big money-makers for the theater.

This season’s first play is also drawing big crowds, said marketing director M.J Conboy.

“Turned Funny,” based on the memoirs of Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Celestine Sibley, is selling out some nights, she said. Last week, 96 percent of the seats were full.

“That’s unheard of. It’s a wonderful thing for us,” she said. “We’ve had to add two phone lines to handle the calls.”

Palmer Wells, producing director, and the late Michael Horne opened the theater with 85 seats in a freight storage room behind the former Marietta train depot. It was a low-budget venture the first three years, Wells said.

Patrons often brought cushions to pad straight-back chairs. And Wells and Horne, who worked for IBM, took turns during lunch checking the theater’s answering machine.

“There was a buzz on opening night and

we knew that this was going to work,” said Wells, 69. “For all of the ups and downs through the years, this has been amazingly satisfying.”

The theater, now at 11 Whitlock Ave., seats 225 for main stage performances and 123 at the Alley Stage at the back of the building. The theater had 3,700 season subscribers last year and a budget of more than $1.7 million.

“I can’t imagine not doing this,” said Wells. “I wouldn’t look back for a minute. I am always looking ahead.”

Information: 770-422-8369 or www.theatreinthesquare.com.

Thanks to the MDJ for the news on the Middle School - any thoughts? Great job everyone!

MARIETTA - Less than a month after Marietta Middle School appealed its status on the federal needs improvement list, the state wiped the slate clean for the nearly 1,000-student school.

School officials said the state made a mistake when it labeled the school as not making “adequate yearly progress,” as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

The change means the state will classify Marietta Middle School as having met adequate yearly progress, a measure it achieved last year.

Since the school has now made AYP for two consecutive years, it also will move off the federal needs improvement list. That means only one district school failed to meet AYP and only two schools remain on the needs improvement list. Marietta Sixth Grade Academy did not meet AYP this year, and, along with Marietta High School, which this year did meet AYP, still is on the needs improvement list.

A school’s progress is measured by students’ standardized test scores and attendance rates. The state also divides a school’s population into different groups according to race, learning disability and economic status.

Superintendent Dr. Emily Lembeck said the middle school missed the mark this year because the state attributed one student’s attendance record to the wrong group.

“They know it’s bad public relations for the schools when they don’t make AYP,” Dr. Lembeck said.

Dr. Lembeck said she learned about the change in status about 10 minutes before the start of Tuesday night’s scheduled school board meeting.

Board Chairman Tom Smith said the accomplishment was more significant given the more difficult testing standards and other mandates the state implemented this year.

“We’re really proud,” Smith said.

In other news, the board approved a resolution for the Hickory Hills Park deal to send to the City Council for approval.

If both parties approve the plan, it would add Hickory Hills to the city’s 23 existing parks, and the Polk Street firehouse would become school district property.

In addition, the city would pay the school board $450,000 over nine years, install sidewalks on the western side of Polk Street near West Side Elementary School, spend $100,000 on sidewalk improvements near Park Street School and put a five-year freeze on a percentage of tax collection costs charged to the school board.

Smith said the groups have set a deadline of Oct. 15 for an agreement.

Hundreds turned out for a party on the historic downtown Square to
celebrate Marietta being named of the 10 best cities in America. U.S.
Congressman Phil Gingrey congratulated the community, and Governor
Perdue sent a proclamation recognizing Marietta’s achievement as a 2006
All-America City.

The award is the oldest and most respected community
recognition program in the country. Nearly 600 communities began the
application process, and Marietta beat other national finalists for the
award, which recognizes exemplary grassroots community problem-solving.

The Marietta Master Chorale, conducted by Jerid Morisco, started the party by singing Georgia on Mind and America the Beautiful. Volunteers served free hot dogs, cake and drinks, and children enjoyed balloon animals and face painting.

Sharon Metz, a member of the National Civic League board and juror for the national competition, congratulated Marietta on behalf of the organization that crowned the winners. She explained the importance of the award to the community and why judges chose Marietta as one of the country’s best cities.

Marietta City Manager Bill Bruton and Mayor Bill Dunaway presented each member of the team who competed in California a plaque. Members of city council also thanked the community organizations that were a part of Marietta’s application for the award.

The Mustangs played a free outdoor concert, and the crowd wrapped up the evening by doing the chicken dance and electric slide.

The All-America City award is like the “Academy Award®” for cities and means the work the community is doing is among the best in the country. Since 1949, the All-America City award has recognized civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes where citizens, government, businesses and volunteer organizations work together to address critical local issues.   

Being selected a winner substantiates Marietta is a model for the nation with extensive planning efforts and approaches to facing difficult challenges in innovative and collaborative ways. Winners in previous years have been honored at the White House.

Marietta applied for the award and was selected a finalist. Then a delegation of community members presented the city’s programs and successes to a jury of national civic affairs experts during a three-day competition against other finalists in Anaheim, California.

Marietta presented several community projects to the judges. The first was Marietta’s efforts to reduce crime and stabilize deteriorating neighborhoods by creating M-STAR. The citywide program combines community policing and computer analysis of crime trends with accountability of city staff and public involvement. M-STAR has resulted in many successes, the most notable being a 22 percent reduction of crime.

The Marietta Revitalization Program was the second initiative submitted to judges. Its goal is to save the city from decline and create a stronger sense of community by balancing the city’s housing stock, stabilizing school enrollments, creating affordable workforce housing and revitalizing neighborhoods. The city has made substantial progress toward increasing the percentage of homeowners while reducing substandard rental units. Over $335 million has been invested in Marietta’s redevelopment.

Judges required a program to benefit children, and the city highlighted Marietta Reads. The citywide effort to foster reading and literacy has increased student test scores and book circulation, while students read one billion words.

Dozens of community organizations and programs were cited in the city’s award application, and many were part of the delegation that competed before the jury. Everyone in Marietta should be proud, because winning the award is the result of the entire community working together every day.

Allgood Neighborhood Revitalization Task Force
Atlanta Regional Commission
Aviation Museum
Boys and Girls Club
Brown Park Cemetery Restoration Project
Center for Family Resources
Chattahoochee Technical College
Citizens Government Academy
Citizens Police Academy
Civil Service Commission
Clean City Commission
Cobb Chamber of Commerce
Cobb County
Cobb County Comprehensive Traffic Plan Task Force
Cobb Housing, Inc.
Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society
Cobb Municipal Association
Cobb/Paulding Regional Transportation Task Force
Communities in Schools of Marietta/Cobb County
Community Leadership Development Program
Downtown Marietta Development Authority
Faith based organizations, including local mosque
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Franklin Road Community Association
Franklin Road Task Force
Georgia Ballet
Georgia Department of Education
Georgia Department of Transportation
Georgia Municipal Association
Homeowners’ associations
IMPACT
Keep Marietta Beautiful
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield
Kennesaw State University
Kiwanis Club of Marietta
Latin American Association
Leadership Cobb
Loop Group neighborhood association
Marietta Business Association
Marietta City Schools
Marietta Civitan Club
Marietta Housing Authority
Marietta Initiative for Neighborhood Transformation
Marietta Mayor and City Council
Marietta Metro Rotary Club
Marietta Museum of History
Marietta Parks and Recreation Department
Marietta Planning Commission
Marietta Reads!
Marietta Redevelopment Corporation
Marietta Schools Foundation
Marietta Tree Keepers
Marietta Weed and Seed committee
Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art
M-Star community policing program
MUST Ministries
NAACP
Powder Springs Road Master Plan participants
Root House
Rotary Club of Marietta
Southern Polytechnic State University
Strand Theatre
Theatre in the Square
WellStar Health System

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According to this latest MDJ article, the city is taking on Historic homes in a major way! Any thoughts?

MARIETTA - Owners of historic homes in downtown Marietta want more protection for their properties, but not too much.

Ward 4 City Councilman Van Pearlberg will hold a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at City Hall to discuss a new historic preservation ordinance with city residents.

“My objective is to inform and educate the community,” he said.

That community includes more than 150 historic homes adjacent to Marietta Square built between 1900 and 1950, with some older homes in Whitlock Heights possibly included.

Pearlberg said a panel of historic preservation authorities would be on hand to talk with residents about different ordinances, including Cobb Landmarks President Daryl Barksdale.

Pearlberg said he wants to see the state-level ordinance in place because under that, communities are eligible for state preservation grants.

He added that all the ordinance proposals should be looked at before a decision is made.

“I don’t think we should put money before property rights,” he said.

The councilman said some residents are worried about the state-level ordinance.

“People are concerned they’re giving up property rights,” he said. “I don’t think they are.”

The city’s historic preservation ordinance requires 60 percent of a community vote to become a historic district.

If 60 percent approve, the area becomes a historic district. Otherwise, no protection is given.

Mayor Bill Dunaway said under this city ordinance, single homeowners and landlords could opt out.

“The state-certified ordinance cannot have opt-out clauses,” he said.

Dunaway added he preferred the state-level ordinance for the city because it would set a standard for all properties, whereas the city’s ordinance establishes different rules for different districts.

“It’s not one size fits all,” he said.

Pearlberg said historic preservation ordinances have been proven to increase property values and bring more tourists to a community.

He said without them, a “checkerboard effect” could take root, where a historic district leapfrogs around homes that have opted out of being historically designated.

“You could have random districts,” he said. “We’re relying on property owners to keep the historic integrity of the home intact, but there’s nothing to require it.”

Some homeowners believe the state-level ordinance would be too strict, requiring residents to get approval from the city for even minor repairs to their historic homes.

Church Street resident and retired businessman Steve Imler, 55, said he wants a compromise ordinance that would preserve homes, but protect property rights.

Imler called his version a “renovation ordinance” that would allow a homeowner to make repairs to their home without interference, but require approval on major renovations and additions.

“In most places where these things are successful, the community supports them,” he said. “I want to preserve the community’s involvement in how this turns out.”

Imler said the right balance could be found between property rights and historic preservation.

He said he would attend the meeting to present the renovation ordinance.

“There’s more than just one blanket ordinance,” he said.

Dunaway said the City Council delayed approving the state-level ordinance in April to do more research.

He said the council has not decided to advertise an ordinance change yet, which must happen before the council can vote on the issue.

Pearlberg already has scheduled a second town hall meeting for Aug. 30.

The city of Marietta and its partners built a new home for a citizen in need of improved housing and cut the ribbon on the Griggs Street house in a ceremony July 27. Venture Homes made generous contributions of labor and services to build the 1,320 square foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, saving $20,000 in construction costs.

Marietta purchased the land for the home after federal drug authorities seized it, and city officials expect the new construction will help redevelop the neighborhood. Elected officials hope other builders and developers will assist in revitalizing the community by becoming involved in the program.

The home was built as part of the federal Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant and HOME program operated jointly by the city of Marietta and Cobb County Community Development Divisions. New homes are built for lower income homeowners when their current home is deemed rehab unfeasible and the cost for replacement with a new home is reasonable.

This is the eighth reconstructed home in Marietta since the program began in 2002, and three more are planned for next year.

City Council has been debating the construction of a connector that would link Powder Springs Street with South Cobb Drive. According to the Marietta Daily Journal, “the project aims to give motorists a more direct route to Interstate 75 by connecting the two roads so drivers won’t have to travel north to the South Marietta loop where traffic often is congested.”

On Monday, the Council looked into two proposed routes in trying to find a solution. The first one has Powder Springs Street connected to South Cobb Drive by way of Sandtown Road. However, one major problem with this is that a shopping center would have to be destroyed in order for the road to be completed.

The other idea has South Cobb Drive and Powder Springs Street joined by Chestnut Hill Road. This is a major entrance into the Whitlock Heights neighborhood. Two Council members live in this neighborhood: Grif Chalfant and Holly Walquist. Once again, Whitlock Heights is under pressure to sacrifice its historically subdued and family-oriented atmosphere in order to relieve traffic tensions.

Ms. Walquist commented that “connecting Chestnut Hill to Sandtown is just what the neighborhood did not want to do,” while Mr. Chalfant said he is “opposed to the Chestnut Hill solution. It’s a neighborhood breaker.”

The Chestnut Hill proposal is a “straighter shot” than the Sandtown Road plan, according to the submitted designs. Bill Dunaway, the Mayor, said he would support the Chestnut Hill plan only if Georgia DOT guarantees that the area is safeguarded from traffic.

Thanks to Michael French and the MDJ for content of this article.

Dave fm DJ, Mara Davis, dubbed her Wednesday’s show theme “It’s better in Marietta,” and citizens were on hand to prove it. Curators from Marietta Museum of History stopped by in full period dress. Some of the delegates from the Marietta All-America City Award were on hand to present Mara with the new All-America City shirt. Through out the day fans and local business owners showered Mara with gifts ranging from brownie bites to dog treats. Mara graciously honored everyone’s request for radio spots for their businesses and worked the crowd like a small town politician, greeting everyone that stopped by. All in all it was a successful event that reflected Marietta’s spirit of community to the city of Atlanta.

Way to go everyone! Check out the award that our precious city has earned!

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The National Civic League crowned the city of Marietta Sunday night one of the 10 best communities in the nation as a 2006 All- America City, the oldest and most respected community recognition award in the country. Nearly 600 communities began the application process, and Marietta beat other national finalists for the award, which recognizes exemplary grassroots community problem-solving. Winners in previous years have been honored at the White House.

Finalists participated in a final round of the All- America City competition in Anaheim, Calif., June 9- 11. Each delegation presented three innovative community programs to a jury of national civil affairs experts. The finalists’ presentations addressed a wide range of social and community issues, including youth, education, poverty, affordable housing and race relations.

Since 1949, the All-America City Award has recognized civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes in which citizens, government, businesses and volunteer organizations work together to address critical local issues. Being selected a winner substantiates Marietta is a model for the nation with extensive planning efforts and approaches to facing difficult challenges in innovative and collaborative ways.

“The city is honored to win the All-America City award because only four other Georgia communities have won in the award’s 57-year history,” Marietta Mayor Bill Dunaway said. “It means the work we’re doing is among the best in the country, and it’s great that others recognize it, too.”

Dozens of community programs and organizations were cited in the city’s award application, and many were part of the Marietta delegation that competed before the jury.

“Everyone in Marietta should be proud, because winning the award is the result of the entire community working together every day,” Marietta City Manager Bill Bruton said. “We appreciate the community’s work for the great progress we’ve made the last three years.”

The National Civic League awarded Marietta because the city showed it is successfully resolving issues with active citizen involvement, volunteer and business resources, efficient government, community vision and collaboration.

In its application, Marietta demonstrated how three unique projects were solving challenges through community partnerships. The first was Marietta’s efforts to reduce crime and stabilize deteriorating neighborhoods by creating M-STAR. The citywide program combines community policing and computer analysis of crime trends with accountability of city staff and public involvement. M-STAR has resulted in many successes, the most notable being a reduction of crime.

The Marietta Revitalization Program was the second initiative submitted to judges. Its goal is to save the city from decline and create a stronger sense of community by balancing the city’s housing stock, stabilizing school enrollments, creating affordable workforce housing and revitalizing neighborhoods. The city has made substantial progress toward increasing the percentage of homeowners while reducing substandard rental units.

As part of its application, Marietta was required to show how it met criteria of the National Civic League’s Civic Index, a twelve-point self-evaluation tool that measures a community’s overall abilities to solve problems, including planning efforts and partnerships with community organizations such as the Loop Group.

Judges required a third program to benefit children, and the city explained how Marietta Reads, a citywide effort to foster reading and literacy, has increased student test scores and book circulation.

This is the first time Marietta has been selected a finalist and a winner, and the city should experience economic and community benefits as one of only 10 winners in this year’s national competition.

“Winning the All-America City award should help Marietta attract and retain businesses, which generate jobs and a stronger tax base,” Bruton said. “This is the premier national award for communities, and winners have seen an increase in tourism, grants and better bond ratings.”

“The city appreciates the support of the sponsors who helped us compete,” Bruton said. “Their contributions enabled the entire community to win the All-America City award.”

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On Monday, the City Council voted to give $2.1 million to the Marietta Redevelopment Corp., as a part of a special land-buying fund. The MRC was asking the Council for this “seed money” so they can use it to obtain more money for acquiring land for redevelopment projects around the city. The Council did give approval for the funds, but only on the condition that one member of the Council be on the board of the MRC. This issue of an additional member on the MRC’s board of directors was a topic of debate amongst members of both City Council and the MRC.

With City Council split on the matter, Ward 3 Councilwoman Holly Walquist, was the swing vote. She agreed on giving the $2.1 million, but only if the additional member be added to the MRC’s board. The issue of taxpayer money being used for the seed fund elicited some reaction from Ward 7 Councilman Philip Goldstein, who said, “I strongly believe that if we are going to use city taxpayers’ money then there should be a council member on that board.”

With the MRC’s board expanding from 11 seats to 12 now, the newest seat will go to the Council’s Economic Development Committee Chariman, Grif Chalfant. The MRC will be required to submit quarterly and annual reports that detail their spending for each period of time.

Thanks to the Marietta Daily Journal’s Aaron Baca for information on this story.