Volume 1 Issue 2 | July 2019
Smyrna - a Great Place to Live!
Hello, Ward 6 Residents! Welcome to my 2 nd newsletter, The Summertime edition. Thanks for the positive response to my June newsletter. I appreciate it! Please let me know if you want other content or areas of interest covered in future emails.

Forward this email to friends interested in joining my mailing list. Or send an email to [email protected] to be included in future newsletters. And check out my Facebook page with the latest happenings.
Current Events - click on each for more info
City Council News
Electric Scooters? City Council passed an ordinance banning companies like Bird and others from dropping off 100’s of scooters in Smyrna and prohibiting the use of “shareable mobility” devices on our sidewalks and streets. Important- privately owned scooters are not effected by the ordinance.


The Smyrna Market Village was the first of its kind development when constructed 20 years ago. What’s next for our downtown? We’re starting to study the possibilities and develop an action plan for Smyrna Market Village 2.0.
SmyrnaCounts 2020 Census – An accurate count of our city’s population is critical to the long-term health of our community. We need your help with educational activities and outreach. Join an informational meeting on July 18 th , 6:30-8pm, at the Community Center to learn more.
Adopt-a-Mile is July 20 th – Help Keep Smyrna Beautiful eliminate litter in our neighborhoods. Grab a friend, drag your kids, and get some exercise while helping “Keep Smyrna Beautiful”. Contact Julie Barwig to find a group near you, or reach out to me and I’ll get you connected.


Bulky Trash Amnesty Day , Saturday, August 17th - Keep Smyrna Beautiful and the City of Smyrna are planning the city’s first ever Large Item Amnesty Day on Saturday, August 17 th . Have you been waiting to clean out your basement, garage and attic? Now is the time to get it done! Drop off your treasures FREE of charge. City staff will be unloading vehicles at the Public Works facility, 2190 Atlanta Rd SE.
Smyrna's Community Engagement Tool - As part of Smyrna’s Strategic Vision Plan we're asking residents to answer survey questions so the City can ontinue to improve City services and the community’s quality of life. New questions are available monthly. Click to begin!
Education News
Concerned about under age e-cigarettes and vaping? You should be! The dramatic increase of underage use of e-Cigs and Vaping devices is a huge problem. The use of these devices by kids under 18 yrs old increased by 78% from 2017 to 2018. Now 1 out of 5 youths reports trying or using these devices. The City is considering actions steps to educate and impact this problem in our community. Contact me for more information.
Our Public Works and Engineers Departments recently began installation of a traffic median on Atlanta Rd near the entrance of Campbell Middles School . The median will help improve traffic safety around CMS and improve neighborhood access for the residents of Vintage Square.

School’s Out for the Summer! Not for too much longer! Cobb County Schools open August 1 st and many area private schools start August 14th.
If you are concerned or interested to learn more about Cobb County School Districts' plans for SPLOST investment in our area schools, get connected and involved. Join @Wave of Excellence , a great resource of community information; contact our Board of Education rep, Dr Jaha Howard ; attend an upcoming Cobb County Board of Education meeting; or contact me.
Smyrna Education Foundation – Did you know SEF promotes, supports, and assists our community schools as an advocate and central voice for strategic engagement? Through creative corporate and City assisted fundraising, SEF donates funds to each Smyrna public school annually.
Zoning and Growth
A zoning application for a proposed 48,000 sq. ft. medical office building on the corner of Atlanta Rd. and Campbell Rd. is scheduled to be heard by the Planning and Zoning Board on Monday, August 12 th . Reach out to Rusty Martin , Interim Director of Community Development, or send me a note for more information. Join a community information meeting Monday, July 22, 7pm at Fire Station #3, Spring Rd.

Rusty Martin Appointed Community Development Director: Our very own Rusty Martin was unanimously appointed by the City Council to replaced the recently retired Ken Suddreth. Rusty is a Smyrna resident, his wife teaches at King Springs Elementary, and proud Papa of two beautiful young children, Congrats Rusty!
Economic Development
Smyrna Swag – Want cool Smyrna gear? Thanks to our neighbors and entrepreneurs, Karen and Shawn Garcia, we now have awesome Smyrna Swag to wear around town! Check out their Facebook page or track them down on Saturday mornings at the Farmers Market.

The Smyrna Business Association (SBA) and The Gary Hill Network are hosting their monthly meetings in July. Come hear Mayor Max Bacon’s State of the City report on Thursday July 11 th at the Community Center and join Gary and Renee Hill at their next network session on July 18 th at Zucca Bar & Pizzeria.
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Community News

Speeders in our neighborhoods – The City Engineer is currently working on recommendations for “traffic calming” on Dunn Street. A proposed plan is almost ready for discussion. In meantime, please contact me with questions. Call Smyrna PD (yes, 911) if you see a vehicle driving unsafely in our neighborhoods.
Perhaps only those paying close attention know we have two Keep Smyrna Beautiful organizations. The city department and the non-profit volunteer organization both share the name Keep Smyrna Beautiful (KSB). To help avoid confusion the city department will undergo a name change. The very lack-luster and boring name of “ Department of Environmental Services ” will be adopted.
Filming in Smyrna! The Reed House was recently transformed into the Willow View Inn for the filming of Stargirl, a new DC Comics series scheduled for release in early 2020. Brec Bassinger stars as teenager, Courtney Whitmore, who joins the Justice Society of America. Two scenes, one depicting the dining hall and another in one of the “guest rooms”, were filmed at the house.
2019 Smyrna Citizens Academy - 21 Smyrna residents recently completed the 2 nd annual Smyrna Citizens Academy program, an eight-week course that allows residents to learn more about the range of City departments and services, including the Police and Fire Departments, City Council, Mayor’s Office, Departments of Public Works, Parks and Rec, and more. Learn more about the upcoming 2020 program.
Other Fun in Smyrna...



Who’s Doing Great Work in Smyrna?

Ryan Turner, founding member of The Giving Kitchen, is!
After a friend and fellow chef was diagnosed with late-stage cancer Ryan and a group of passionate friends founded the Giving Kitchen (GK), a nonprofit organization inspired by an outpouring of support from the hospitality industry for a friend in need. Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources. GK has grown from an idea in 2012 to an organization serving over a 1,000 food service workers in need, with a growing array of corporate and community partners.

GK was honored with the James Beard 2019 Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Ryan Turner is co-founder and partner of Unsukay, the parent company for the restaurants Muss & Turner’s, Eleanor’s, Local Three, and Common Quarter in Metro-Atlanta.

We’re lucky to have Ryan and his family in our community, serving others and building businesses. Check out the Giving Kitchen’s website to learn more.
I want to touch on the importance and benefit of effective community involvement in keeping Smyrna a wonderful city. Virtually all of the significant improvements to our community over the years have been accomplished with the energy and passion of our citizens. Just a few recent examples are highlighted within this newsletter. If you ever scratched your head and said… “how come they don’t do (fill in the blank)” or “we should have a (fill in the blank)” or even “when I see my council person, I’m going to give him a piece of my mind about (fill in the blank)” , please reach out to me. There very well may be a group already working on your idea or perhaps we need to start one.
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Smyrna City Council, Ward 6
Respectfully,
Ward 6
Smyrna City Council
2800 King Street
Smyrna, GA 30080

404-313-8504 - office
404-229-9428 - cell