AROUND TOWN: Allen Holds Fundraising Edge Over Adams as Cobb District 2 Race Heats Up

Development professional Alicia Adams, a Republican, and consultant and former state Rep. Erick Allen, a Democrat, are both vying for the District 2 seat on the board that was vacated by former Commissioner Jerica Richardson earlier this year.

Based on the most recent reports filed by the candidates — Allen’s submitted Friday and Adams’ sent in Monday — he has outraised her nearly four-fold, garnering more than $138,000 in campaign donations to her $35,000 in total contributions.

They’ve both spent the majority of their cash. Adams has $17,000 left in the bank and Allen reports more than $41,000 on hand, though he told Around Town he’s already begun draining that reserve down in the final sprint to Election Day.

Allen’s report shows he’s been backed by some notable community and business leaders such as Pete Quinones, CEO of MetroAtlanta Ambulance and chair of the Cobb & Douglas Board of Health, who gave Allen $3,300; Cobb Superior Court Senior Judge Robert Flournoy, who chipped in $1,000 to the campaign; and the law firm of former Gov. Roy Barnes, who added $3,300 to the pot.

He’s also gotten significant support from sitting elected leaders. State Rep. Lisa Campbell, D-Kennesaw, gave $500; state Rep. Mary Frances Williams, D-Marietta, gave $250; state Rep. Sheila Jones, D-Atlanta, donated $250; state Sen. Jason Esteves, D-Atlanta, gave $500; state Rep. Terry Cummings, D-Mableton, added $250; and state Rep. David Wilkerson, D-Powder Springs gave $500.

Adams, too, has pulled recent support from key community figures such as Cobb GOP Chair Mary Clarice Hathaway ($250); Cobb County Development Authority member Jason Shepherd ($500); Scott Johnson, chairman of the Georgia Council on Literacy ($350); and Lance Lamberton, president of the Cobb County Taxpayers Association ($25).

As for the elected leaders who are putting their money behind her, that includes state Sen. Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, ($2,000); state Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, ($250); state Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, R-east Cobb, ($250); Cobb County School Board Chairman David Chastain ($225) Cobb school board member Randy Scamihorn ($500); and sitting District 3 Commissioner JoAnn Birrell, who gave her $100.

It’s no wonder Allen and Adams both have A-listers behind them, considering their race and the parallel one happening in District 4 between incumbent Democratic Commissioner Monique Sheffield and Republican challenger Matthew Hardwick will determine the partisan balance of the county’s governing board.

Allen said he plans to hit the ground running in the next week with what little he has left — continuing the trend of spending on campaign consultants, text blasts, mailers and anything and everything that will get people to the polls.

“We’re gonna do all the things to turn out votes. We’re doing mail, we’re doing phone calling, we’re doing text messaging, we're doing everything we can to turn out the vote because we already see this is gonna be another low turnout election,” he said. “So every vote is going to matter – more so than it already does. Every vote matters anyway, but this is more so than normal. Every single vote is going to matter.”

Adams said she’ll be treating the next week as she has the last few — “making sure that we really reach the people.”

“The people are the most important part of Cobb County. It’s not the special interests, it’s not the big developers, it’s not the super high donors. It’s the everyday people who live here in Cobb County and want to feel safe and want to thrive here as a family,” she said. “I am absolutely humbled by the show of grassroots support and of friends in this campaign. The voters are actually the ones who will decide this election. Not dollars.”

Early voting is already underway. For more information, visit CobbCounty.org/elections.

SMYRNA CELEBRATES COACHES: This week, Smyrna Mayor Derek Norton recognized coaches James Gwyn and Randy McClure “for their extraordinary impact over the past three decades at Campbell High School.”

During Monday’s council meeting, Norton issued a proclamation honoring the two basketball coaches, who were terminated by the high school’s administration back in March. Both men had been told by Principal Vanessa Watkins and Athletic Director James Thigpen that they would not be offered contracts to continue in their positions next year.

The decision caused an uproar in the community, and during last month’s Cobb school board meeting, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale told attendees the district was actively investigating the school’s decision.

Norton said the proclamation was “timely.”

“There have been, as y’all may have seen in the news, some difficult conversations and some difficult situations recently, none of which we’re going to go into tonight because you can control the things you can control,” Norton said. “What we control is the ability to say how much you’ve meant to this community over the last many, many years and all that you’ve meant to our youth.”

Together, the two coaches have amassed 1,200 career wins and multiple state tournament appearances, per the resolution.

Norton said Gwyn was “a dedicated educator with 30 years at (Campbell) in school administration and longtime head coach of the Spartans’ boys varsity basketball team.” In total, Gwyn has had 583 career wins, leading his teams to eight quarterfinal appearances and a state semifinal berth, the mayor said.

Meanwhile, McClure, in his 39th year as a Campbell science teacher and head coach of the Campbell Lady Spartans, “has guided his teams to 617 victories, securing 12 regional championships, 10-time region runner-up honors, 11 quarter final appearances and four state semifinal berths,” Norton said. 

Their legacy, the mayor added, was permanently honored in 2020 with the dedication of the 3,500-seat Gwyn-McClure Gymnasium at Campbell High School.

“I remember being there with y’all that day and I was pleased to be there,” Norton said.

Not only did the coaches build “a championship-caliber basketball program,” Norton said, but, “more importantly,” they “shaped generations of student-athletes into leaders both on and off the court.”

“Their influence reached far beyond the game, leaving a lasting mark in the classrooms, hallways and hearts of our community,” he said.

Norton encouraged all citizens to celebrate the two men’s legacy and “express gratitude for the profound impact they have made on Campbell High School and beyond.”

Following the proclamation, he invited both men to come up and speak.

Gwyn, who said he had the pleasure of working with two of Councilmember Tim Gould’s children over the years, appreciated the support they received from Smyrna “through this process.”

“We really appreciate what we’ve been able to do in the city of Smyrna and the community of Smyrna,” he said.

McClure agreed, adding it was “a privilege and an honor to serve at Campbell.”

“It is a calling for us, it’s not a job,” McClure said.

McClure has spent his entire career at the same school, starting at F.T Wills High School, which eventually merged with Nash Middle School in 1989 to become Campbell.

“When you find a good place, you shouldn’t leave it,” he said.

Although customary for only the mayor “and maybe a council member” to come down and take a photo with proclamation recipients, Norton said, “in this case, I’d like all the council to come down.”

Councilmember Latonia Hines told the men their legacy and impact was “bigger than any position or title.”

“The grace that you show in adversity is a lesson that is … priceless to your students, so thank you as you continue to serve with dignity,” Hines said.

McClure said he and Gwyn “hoped that, maybe, that opportunity hadn’t come to an end yet,” but they’ll “know something soon.”

“Stay tuned,” Gwyn said.

PRAYER BREAKFAST: Hundreds of residents, business leaders and county officials will gather for a morning of unity at Cobb County’s annual prayer breakfast May 1.

The morning will kick off with a coffee social at 6:30 a.m., followed by a breakfast program at 7 a.m. at the Cobb Galleria Centre, located at 2 Galleria Pkwy SE, in Cumberland.

Cobb native, entrepreneur and author Kevin Paul Scott will headline the 41st annual breakfast, where he will discuss his wisdom and insight on leadership, faith and community.

The Cobb County Prayer Breakfast is a non-denominational event open to all Cobb residents that provides an opportunity for people from all walks of the community to assemble together for inspiration and fellowship through prayer.

“The common thread throughout all these years has been a great community coming together through the medium of prayer — prayer for our world, for our country, our state and our county,” the organization’s website reads. “Once again, the Cobb County Prayer Breakfast will provide the opportunity for us to gather together in prayer.”

Tickets start at $30 each, and are available to purchase on the organization’s website.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit cobbcountyprayerbreakfast.org.

MABLETON TOWN HALL: Mableton District 2 residents are invited to attend a town hall meeting Thursday hosted by Councilwoman Dami Oladapo.

Topics discussed at the meeting will include District 2 community updates, as well as public safety, schools, zoning and house bill updates. Residents will also have a chance to share their concerns, ideas and visions for the district.

The meeting will be held at the Pure Hope Church at 6601 Mableton Parkway NW. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m.