(770) 528-3318
(770) 528-2606 fax
tlee@cobbcounty.org

Greetings,

Welcome to the first issue of my district wide e-update Commission District 3 has long benefited from open communications between the residents, business community, neighborhood associations, our schools and local government. It is our intent to utilize this quarterly e-update to keep you informed of how Cobb County is working to protect and even enhance the quality of life we all enjoy.

In each issue you can expect informational highlights from county departments that have a direct impact in our district, updates on zoning and commission actions and community wide notes of interest. Additionally, these updates will introduce you to some of our county workers that play important roles in the daily life of district 3.

From time to time, there may be time sensitive issues that need to brought to your attention and we will use this email subscription list to keep you informed.

It is a honor to serve as your elected representative on the board of commissioners and I am always glad to hear from you. You can always reach my or my assistant Millie Rogers by emailing the office at tlee@cobbcounty.org.

 

Captain Tim Cox

Charles Timothy Cox worked three years as a residential and commercial electrician before being hired as a Cobb County Police Officer in February 1985. Tim has spent time in the department’s Special Operations Unit as well as each of the five precincts. Tim diligently worked his way up through the ranks and on December 16, 2007, he was pleased when he was promoted to the rank of Captain. In January 2009, Captain Cox took command of Precinct-4 upon the retirement of Major Rolla Green.

Captain Cox has a great mix of young and well seasoned officers at Precinct-4. He continues to focus on ways to reduce his beat officer’s response times to the north end of the precinct and stop the “entering autos”. “Give me a solid day’s work and be honest”, he said. “I learned from my father to never forget where you came from and never ask your employees to do something you wouldn’t do yourself”.

Captain Cox has been married to his wife Jenny for 23 years and admitted meeting her at the drive thru window of a bank. “We dated a while and then lost track of each other” said Cox. “Then one day while I was with my Field Training Officer, I saw Jenny in a car beside us”. “I know that girl” said Cox, “and our relationship has flourished ever since”.

Their 17 year old son Caleb attends Kennesaw Mountain High School and 12 year old Joshua attends Shiloh Hills Christian School. The Cox family attends Burnt Hickory Baptist Church and Captain loves to fish and ride wave runners with his boys. He also enjoys riding his Honda Sabre 1100 motorcycle.

“My mom’s maiden name was Dickerson”, said Cox “the same distant relatives which Dickerson Middle School was named after”. “The land around that area was often bartered for as a way to survive”.

“No matter what you do or who you are” said Cox, you are known and remembered by your name, so dedicate yourself and do the very best that you can do”.

In order to maintain land use and building standards in accordance with the law, Cobb residents rely on their Community Development Agency. The county department not only implements federal and state environmental mandates, but also enforces many county codes.

Zoning codes regulate how individuals may use their land (residentially, commercially, industrially, etc.). They also specify setbacks, building heights, parking requirements, as well as restrictions regarding the maintenance of the structures and grounds. Meanwhile, building codes regulate the construction of any edifice. Cobb County requires all structures – existing or under permit – to comply with the International Building Code.

While ensuring these rules are followed, the Code Enforcement and Development and Inspections Divisions also have to make certain accused violators are provided with due process. This procedure provides that residents are adequately notified of charges against them, have had adequate time to respond and will be provided an opportunity to present arguments in their defense to a judge or jury.

Community Development staff periodically meets with county prosecutors, as well as judicial staff to refine its code enforcement procedures to ensure this due process. Owners of property are first notified of potential violations, as well as being given a particular amount of time to rectify the situation. If violations are not corrected within that time, owners are summoned to a particular court, with jurisdiction determined by the type of violation. Once in the court system, owners or citizens may plead guilty or innocent. They may also request a jury trial. Ninety percent of all code violation cases are handled by judges in the respective courts, rather than a jury. For more information on code enforcement, visit comdev.cobbcountyga.gov/code.htm.

Cobb County has more than 40 boards, authorities and commissions whose purpose is to assist with oversight, policy-making and advisement to the various county departments. Membership is comprised of dedicated citizens appointed by the Board of Commissioners or by other municipalities and organizations.

The functions of these boards, authorities and commissions are as varied and complex as county government itself. For example, the Animal Control Board makes recommendations concerning the humane treatment and control of animals. The Historic Preservation Commission makes recommendations on landmark and historic designations throughout the county. Some boards, like the Board of Zoning Appeals, have decision-making authority, such as granting zoning variances.

Cobb’s boards, authorities and commissions may be created by Georgia or county code, by resolution of the Board of Commissioners, or by the Georgia Legislature. The term lengths for members vary, but often run concurrent with the appointing commissioner. In 2007, the Official Code of Cobb County was amended, making members subject to the Ethics Code.

Cobb County appreciates the commitment of the citizens serving on these various boards, commissions and authorities. For more information, please visit:

http://www.cobbcountyga.gov/boc/board_authority.htm.