I fully expect it to pass despite the lack of effort shown by the Cobb County Government to hear and address concerns within the community in an accessible way. This case passing will likely lead to more rezoning in Horseshoe Bend as well as an opening connecting Barrett Parkway and Old Horseshoe Bend Road to allow traffic to bypass the Powder Springs Road intersection. The concerns of the citizens living here will undoubtedly be brushed aside for these cases just as quickly as they were with this case. Some might say to just accept the concrete jungle taking over the City of Trees. Instead, I would like to share a story with you.
Flint Hill Road – March 2025
On Flint Hill Road, near the golf course, there is a farmer. This farmer uses his land to provide fresh produce to his neighbors in the area. His name is Joe.
After contacting the county, Farmer Joe showed the leak to multiple officials working for Cobb County. A few even agreed with him, saying it looked like a water leak. But, once multiple officials from different organizations were on his property together, they concluded it was a spring. Cobb County told Farmer Joe it was tough luck for him.
Two Months Later – May 2025
At this point I had spent over two hours on various calls and holds trying to learn what evidence the County had used to determine this was a spring. Finally, I was called by a gentleman who told me over the phone that they had collected four different water samples and sent them to two different labs. These results were indicative of groundwater and they described Farmer Joe as a local disgruntled landowner. I asked them to email me that information but the email only stated they had “tested” the water and didn’t outline the rigorous testing described on the phone. I replied requesting more information but my email bounced back and was labeled as “permanently blocked.”
That same evening, I received a message that the police were at Farmer Joe’s house! I went over immediately and learned that the Department of Transportation had sent someone out sometime after 6 p.m. to take down the signs. The signs were located within 15 feet of the road so the Department Of Transportation has the right to remove them. But Farmer Joe didn’t know why a stranger was hitting his sign with a hammer. Since it was his property, he rode out on his golf cart just like he did when I came to visit. He unknowingly took a pellet gun with him since he kept it mounted on the back of his cart. After speaking to Farmer Joe, the DOT employee left to sit in their vehicle. Joe did not reach for the pellet gun at any point in his discussion with the DOT employee. Within a few minutes, five Cobb County Police officers showed up and demanded he raise his hands over his head and back towards them slowly.
After this harrowing experience, I urged Farmer Joe to attend the next Cobb County Commissioners meeting and make a Public Comment, which is what he did on May 27th. He only knew about the meeting and that he could make a comment because I looked up the information on the Cobb County Government website for him. I also contacted the Department of Transportation and did not stop following up until I received an acknowledgment that my email had been read.
A few weeks ago, Joe reported Cobb County turned off the water line and the stream flowing through his property stopped running. Flint Hill Road was closed recently to repair the water main.
The Moral of the Story
If you want your elected officials to listen to you, you must place yourself in the same room as them. Emails, phone calls, and even petitions can be swept aside and ignored. Standing in the room and making a Public Statement is the only way to request transparency in a manner that cannot be ignored.
