East Cobb Cityhood Opponents Launch Website

COBB COUNTY, GA — Opponents of East Cobb cityhood have launched a website designed to, as one organizer said, "to educate East Cobb residents on the hazards, via increased costs and other issues, of cityhood." In an email to Patch, Bill Simon said the East Cobb Alliance website has detailed for fire department and public safety needs, as well as franchise fees.

"One easy to understand item we discovered was the fire department for a city of East Cobb will require approximately $7.2 million in upfront capital investment costs that were never discussed nor presented by the Feasibility Study," Simon said. "If one just reads the study, one would assume that all it takes is $25,000 to get a fire department. All that $25,000 might gain us is the actual fire station buildings, but none of the vehicles, uniforms, training, or other things needed to run a life-saving fire & EMS department."

Simon said a police department analysis will be published later this fall.

The idea of East Cobb cityhood has been floating around for a couple of years. In January, supporters reportedly hired a lobbyist to guide a proposed referendum through the state legislature. At one point, supporters hired conservative GOP activist Phil Kent, who was later let go from his position.

A $36,000 East Cobb cityhood feasibility study was also commissioned.