Thompson Hopes to Improve 'Tired' Areas of District

Cobb County Commissioner Woody Thompson discussed several projects coming to the South Cobb area with the audience of roughly 25 people at Tuesday's Powder Springs Business Association meeting.

Improving areas that looked “a little tired” in his district, which covers southwest Cobb, were specifically mentioned several times.

The Chattahoochee River area, the widening of Floyd Road, and the construction of a “state of the art” Mableton elementary school were discussed.

He mentioned aggressively cleaning up crime in the Six Flags Drive area through Cobb County Police Department's VIPER (Violent Incident Prevention and Early Response) unit. Thompson said crime had been cut down by 30 percent in the area the last two years and guns had been taken off the streets.

“There’s certain areas in our district that I’d say look a little tired,” Thompson said.

However, Thompson cautioned the audience not to expect immediate face-lifts in these areas.

“None of these projects will be done next week or next year,” he said.

“The county creates an economic atmosphere that’s positive for investors to come in,” Thompson told Patch after the meeting. “We can give things like tax abatements.”

Thompson briefly mentioned the silent downtown Brownsville Road railroad crossing the Powder Springs City Council .

Thompson, who represents District 4, said the city was working with Norfolk Southern on the project. Cobb County will help with the project by offering $474,000 from a railroad account started from a lawsuit the county won, Mayor Pat Vaughn previously said.

Because of noise disturbances to homes and buildings near the tracks that the trains cause, Powder Springs intends to make the crossing “silent” by installing track guards that span the entire roadway instead of half.

This would keep motorists who arrive at the tracks but don’t hear a train horn from being able to cross.

“I think it would be a big plus for when you have meetings at or at the ball field so you can hear the bad calls,” Thompson joked.

Late in his guest speaking engagement, Thompson acknowledged the presence of Vaughn and at-large council member Rosalyn Neal of Post 1 attending the luncheon. He related his relationship with the City Council of being similar to siblings where there are some disagreements, but also cooperation.

“We work together on a lot of projects,” he said.

Thompson fielded questions from the audience. A woman asked if Bankhead Highway would also be addressed in future revitalization projects since the area was also “looking tired.” He agreed with her assessment and said that the area would be “built out.”

Lakia Peek, Powder Springs branch manager for , was one of several first-time guests to the Powder Springs Business Association luncheon.

“It was really informative,” she said of Thompson’s presentation. “I like the fact they’re revitalizing the Cobb area and really listening to the community. It’s good to know they’re looking to reinvest in the community, and I can’t wait to see some of the changes in the next couple of years.”

Powder Springs Business Association President Tom Hatch said Thompson’s talk illustrated why he was re-elected in 2008. Thompson served as county commissioner from 1997 to 2004 before being beaten in 2004 by Annette Kesting.

“I always like hearing Woody talk,” said Hatch, an Allstate insurance agent. “He’s a hard worker, amiable, interesting and accessible. He was re-elected for a reason.”

Hatch said next month’s luncheon will feature a city of Powder Springs employees’ panel with Vaughn and others. He also informed the audience about the group’s fifth annual Charity Golf Tournament on Oct. 6 at Dogwood Golf and Country Club in Austell, which will benefit and high schools, and Christian Aid Mission Partnership (CAMP).

Hatch mentioned the Oct. 25 networking event, October Haunt After Hours at Six Flags Over Georgia. Thirteen business associations are sponsoring the event, including the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, the Kennesaw Business Association and the Paulding Business Association.