Runoff Election: Ward 7 Public Forum Set

Two weeks from today, Dec. 6, is the runoff election date for Smyrna Wards 4, 5 and 7. All six candidates - and from Ward 4; and from Ward 5; and and from Ward 7 - took to the microphone to speak of their candidacy during Monday night’s city council meeting.

And the latter two will have at least one more opportunity to introduce themselves to voters next during a public forum next hosted by the King Valley at Vinings neighborhood.

The forum will be on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the King Valley Clubhouse located on Queensgate Drive. It will be moderated by former Ward 7 candidate , who garnered 18 percent of the vote during this month’s general election.

Patch will provide live coverage of the event. Fennel, Osborne and Salameh had previously participated in in the Vinings Estates neighborhood.

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In addition to the public hearing held Monday night regarding extended working hours for the contractor working at the Glock, Inc., property, there was another public hearing held at Smyrna’s city council meeting. Unlike the Glock issue, though, no citizens chose to chime in on a zoning amendment request on behalf of Tri-Land Properties, Inc.

Tri-Land is of course the Westchester, Ill., commercial real estate development company heading up . The 153,000-square-foot redevelopment project at the corner of South Cobb Drive and Concord Road will be anchored by a 96,000-square-foot Kroger Marketplace that is still on course for a Jan. 19, 2012 opening according to Tri-Land Executive Vice President Hugh Robinson.

“Hopefully the fuel center will open about a week to 10 days before that, Robinson told the council Monday evening.

Monday’s zoning amendment request was made to give the company some flexibility with regards to the outparcels, specifically height and where they might be located. Robinson indicated that Chase Bank will occupy one of the eight parcels.

“We’re delighted to see the Kroger going up,’’ said. “We’re excited about it.’’

Upon completion of the redevelopment, The Crossings at Four Corners will reach 230,000-square-feet.

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A bit south of The Crossings at Four Corners down South Cobb Dr., a long-planned improvement project at the intersection of Gaylor Street at the East-West Connector has been put on hold.

According to a story in today’s edition of The Marietta Daily Journal, the Cobb Board of Commissioners removed a pair of items from tonight’s agenda centered on payment for the improvements, including a traffic signal installation at the intersection, because the county wants the city to help out financially.

told the MDJ that since the East-West Connector and Gaylor St. are owned by the county, none of the financial responsibility should be shouldered by the city. See here for more including Mayor Bacon’s thoughts on the issue.

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City officials reminded residents at Monday’s council meeting about Smyrna’s Biodiesel Production Program. Folks can be a part of it by donating used cooking oil (not grease, but cooking oil) in sealed plastic containers (such as a milk carton) and either taking it to the or having it at curbside on recycling day.

“If you’re frying a turkey this holiday season, please be rest assured that we will take your cooking oil,’’ said Ann Kirk, executive director of Keep Smyrna Beautiful.

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Finally, don’t forget about this week’s holiday sanitation/recycling schedule for the . If you normally have a Thursday or Friday pickup, those routes will be picked up on Wednesday. There will be no yard waste collection this week.

And while we're on closings, City of Smyrna administrative offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Public safety remains operational (but, Police Department Records and Permits office closes at noon on Wednesday).

The Recycling Center will be closed Thursday and Friday, but open on Saturday. The Smyrna Community Center, Wolfe Center, Brawner Hall and the Welcome Center will be closed along with administrative offices Thursday and Friday.