Rhett Says South Cobb Needs Unity

Ask yourself; are you better off than you were two years ago or four years ago? Over the past 30 years I Dr. Michael Rhett have dedicated my life to serving community and country as a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, as an educator, and community empowering advocate.  Many in the military have spent the past decade dedicating their lives to building a safe and better world for us at home and others around the world. Now it is time for them to come home and do the same in our home communities.

I truly believe that for some much is given and much is required.  This creed has ordered my steps and efforts to build a working cohesive coalition across district 4 in southwest Cobb County Georgia.  I ask that you give a military person like me the opportunity to serve our community as your county commissioner. I have the education and practical experience working with the vital entities across all Cobb County. The following will help familiarize you with our efforts in the community over the years.

Communication and staying connected is important.  Our monthly email newsletter a, “Southwest Cobb Community Update”, reaches over 2000 people in the community. As the editor we ensure that it keeps clergy, educators, businesses, parents, youth, and government officials connected together about community events and issues. When people are communicating then bridges of connectivity are constructed instead of walls of division.

We are dedicated to creating the least restrictive environment for our children to excel. As a good standing committee member for the Cobb County Commission for the Children and youth and the Children Literacy of Georgia program, we have supported the parents, children, and youth in our community by providing them books, educational resources and strategies to nurture and empower their lives.  As the secretary and committee member for the Austell Community Task Force I have moderated stop the violence forums, and helped organize and support back to school jams to save our children’s lives and encourage their educational endeavors.  As a member of the Powder Springs Community Task Force we worked in unison with the mayor and city council of Powder Springs to erect a memorial to our native son Rajaan Bennett.  He was a role model and student leader who departed our lives at a young age. As a noncommissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces, I am charged with preparing young people for future leadership.  They are able to master a professional skill while experiencing teamwork in an atmosphere of accountability and responsibility.  They are properly prepared to go into harm’s way and accomplish the mission.  I also have taken the time to empower and teach students of Hispanic origin English, reading and math at the schools in their communities. One thing I learned spending time in Soweto, South Africa, China, along with disadvantaged children around our country is that life is a precious gift and education is a catalyst for change.  When we positively impact the children we actually touch the future.

Throughout history is has been said over and over that the plight of a culture can be determined by the plight of its male population. We have worked together to empower the men  in our community through programs such as Destiny’s World Church Men’s Talk, Turner Chapel’s Men’s Ministry and programs with the Austell and Powder Springs community task forces.  Our effort with Boys State, a program with the American Legion, teaches male youth civics and leadership skills in summer camp, prepares them for future leadership roles in government.

Besides every good man there is a good woman. As a member of the Cobb County NAACP Armed Service Committee we support programs that recognize our Women in the Armed Forces.  Also as a Jr vice Commander for the American Legion Post 296 we sponsor oratorical essay contest on the constitution for the young women in our community. The contributions of women in our United States Armed Forces and community demonstrates their strength, vigor, and dedication to build a better tomorrow while enhancing the quality of life for all citizens in the community. We proudly salute their efforts.

Our transportation needs are important.  As the secretary of the Cobb County Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Oversight committee (TSPLOST) we have worked together to ensure that our tax money is utilized for its intended purpose. Six Flags Drive will soon get a long promised and very much needed Hawk Traffic Signal. We advocate adequate public transportation to accommodate our current and future needs in southwest Cobb County. In the discourse about public transportation in Cobb County, the people who it affects the least are the most vocal. On the other hand the people who depend on public transportation the most are the least vocal in shaping its direction for their needs. The Atlanta region is no longer the only jewel in the South.  Cities like Charlotte, Memphis, Dallas and other cities are diversifying their public transportation to meet future growth and prosperity.  We can together collectively develop a comprehensive strategy to and advocate our transportation concerns.

As a member of the Cobb County’s SPLOST Tax Oversight Committee, our responsibility now extend to reviewing budget allocations for parks, recreation centers, facilities and public safety.  Our dedication to a better quality of life within budgetary constraints equates to sound fiscal management for our tax money and effective  public safety.  We get more of nature’s esthetic beauty for our dollar along with family fun & tranquility.

Economic development and empowerment revitalizes our communities and pave the foundation for a better tomorrow. Mix use housing and business developments utilizing a form based zoning formula are essential building blocks for the future. As a member of the city of Powder Springs Economic Development Committee, Six Flags Drive Stakeholder Economic Community Development Committee Member, Six Flags Drive Opportunity Zone Community Café, supporter of the Mableton Improvement Committee, and committee member for the Annual Mableton Day, we have worked hard to plant the seeds of genesis for future economic development, an enhanced sense of community, and family. We have taken the time to personally sit down with everyday citizens to solicit their input about our future development and growth.

As you can see over the years we have woven together a harmonious tapestry across district 4 in southwest Cobb County of inclusiveness, communication, cohesiveness, empowerment, and community while planting positive seeds for tomorrow’s growth.  Over the past years I have humbly submitted to planting these seeds.

As I stated in the beginning, we have many military people returning home from building lives, communities and a safer environment for people around the world in this war on global terrorism.  Now many military personnel are returning home to use their skills to build a better tomorrow in their own home communities.  Ask yourself; are you better off than you were two years ago or four years ago?  If the answer is no then I ask that you give me, a member of the Unites States Armed Forces, a chance to humble myself and serve our home community as your county commissioner!