Schools, Safety, and Stewardship

Good morning Stewards,

Sometimes the most important civic conversations happen when the cameras stop rolling.

This week brought significant changes to how our Cobb County School Board conducts business, reminding us that engaged citizenship requires more than passive observation, it demands active participation.

From new leadership at Keep Smyrna Beautiful to concerning safety recalls affecting our families, this week reinforced a fundamental truth: our community's strength lies not in perfect systems, but in neighbors who stay informed and speak up when it matters.

Your voice has never been more essential.

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

In Today's Edition

• 🌱 Difference Makers: West Village hosts National Night Out community event

• 🏆 Local Legends: Two Smyrna residents named to UGA's 40 Under 40

• 🛡️ Stewards Watch: Smyrna-made popsicles recalled over listeria fears

• 📅 Event Horizon: What’s Going Down in Smyrna-Vinings this Week

• 🏛️ Public Pulse: School board ends livestreaming of public comments

DIFFERENCE MAKERS
West Village Hosts National Night Out

On Monday, August 5th from 6-8 PM, the West Village community will join 17,000 communities nationwide for the 42nd Annual National Night Out at Brookfield Park.

The evening features live music by Kitty and the Cats, visits from local fire and police departments, food trucks, family activities, and conversations with county commissioners about public safety priorities.

This free, family-friendly event strengthens neighborhood connections while providing direct access to the public safety professionals and elected officials who serve our community.

Why it matters locally: National Night Out isn't just a social gathering—it's organized crime prevention in action.

When neighbors know each other and maintain relationships with local law enforcement, it creates the social infrastructure that keeps communities safe.

LOCAL LEGENDS
Two Smyrna Residents Named to UGA's 40 Under 40

Kelly Vaughn and Alia C. Martinez, both Smyrna residents, have been selected for the University of Georgia's prestigious 40 Under 40 Class of 2025.

Both women will be recognized at the annual 40 Under 40 Awards Luncheon on UGA's campus in September, joining honorees across industries including professional sports, medicine, and space exploration.

Why it matters locally: Having two professionals from our community recognized in the same prestigious class speaks volumes about the caliber of talent choosing to call Smyrna home.

Vaughn's leadership in tech innovation and Martinez's strategic role at a Georgia business icon represent the kind of accomplished residents who strengthen our local economy, mentor young professionals, and elevate our community's reputation as a place where ambitious careers flourish.

When successful professionals establish roots here, they create networks and opportunities that benefit all residents.

STEWARDS WATCH
Safety Alert: Smyrna-Made Popsicles Recalled Over Listeria

Paleteria La Providencia, based right here in Smyrna, has issued a voluntary recall for three paleta products due to potential listeria contamination.

Specific recalled products:

• Coconut ice cream popsicles (date code 6/17/25)

• Cookies and Cream ice cream popsicles (date code 6/17/25)

• Coffee ice cream popsicles (date code 6/11/25)

These products may have been purchased from mobile frozen dessert carts or Atlanta-area convenience stores.

The manufacturer's distribution records were incomplete, making it harder to track exactly where contaminated products ended up.

Health risks: Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

For pregnant women, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Why it matters locally: This isn't just any recall—it's a Smyrna-based manufacturer affecting products likely sold throughout our community by mobile vendors and local stores.

With incomplete distribution records, families who purchased paletas from local carts or convenience stores need to be especially vigilant.

The fact that no illnesses have been reported yet means early detection and disposal can protect our neighbors from serious health risks.

PUBLIC PULSE
School Board Ends Public Comment Livestreams

The Cobb County School Board voted to discontinue livestreaming public comments during their meetings, effective immediately.

Citizens can still attend meetings in person and speak during public comment periods, but these portions will no longer be broadcast online or archived for later viewing.

The board cited concerns about speakers using the platform inappropriately, though all other portions of school board meetings will continue to be livestreamed as before.

Working parents who relied on livestreams to stay informed about school discussions now face a choice: take time off work to attend in person, or miss these critical community conversations entirely.

This change makes it harder for our community members to hold school leadership accountable and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting our children's education.

The timing is particularly significant as our district announces major initiatives, including a new technology academy campus, while maintaining current millage rates for the fiscal year 2026 budget.

EVENT HORIZON
Your Week in Smyrna-Vinings

• 🚚 Food Truck Tuesday: Savor gourmet bites, sweets, and music every Tuesday night. 📍 Taylor-Brawner Park | 🗓 Tuesday, July 22nd | ⏰ 5–9 PM

• 🐍 Adult Workshop: Snakes of Georgia: Learn about Georgia's 40 different kinds of snakes, why they're essential for a balanced environment 📍 Smyrna Library, Meeting Room | 🗓 Wednesday, July 23rd | ⏰ 2 PM – 3 PM (📝 Ages 18 and up. Registration is required)

• ⛳️ Summer Reading Finale: Mini Golf: Finish out the summer by completing our 9-hole mini-golf course! 📍 Smyrna Community Center, Big Gym (1250 Powder Springs St SE) | 🗓 Friday, July 25th | ⏰ 11 AM – 12 PM (📝 All ages welcome. Registration is required, and time slots will be used to pace participants.)

• 🎨 Smyrna Museum Kids' Craft Pop-Up: Back to School! Learn about school in times past and make a related craft, just in time for back to school! 📍 Smyrna History Museum & Train Depot (2861 Atlanta Road SE) | 🗓 Saturday, July 26th | ⏰ 10 AM – 4 PM (📝 Ages 3 and up. Call (678) 631-5424 for more information)

• 🛍️ Smyrna Market: Shop 40+ vendors with food, crafts, local goods, and fresh finds. 📍 City Hall, 2800 King Street | 🗓 Sunday, July 27th | ⏰ 10 AM–2 PM

• 🏃 Monday Night Run Club - Run Smyrna: Meet fellow runners for a relaxed 3–5 mile run📍Smyrna Beer Market (by Stout Brothers, SW of the fountain). 🗓 Monday, July 28th | ⏰ Meet at 6:30 PM, run starts shortly after (Run at your own pace, and your own risk.)

👋 Until Next Tuesday

This week reminded us that real community engagement happens both in public forums and private conversations, in board meetings and neighborhood gatherings, in the decisions we make as consumers and the time we invest as neighbors.

Whether it's supporting new leadership at Keep Smyrna Beautiful, staying informed about school board changes, or simply showing up when our community needs us, we're building something larger than ourselves—one thoughtful action at a time.

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Thanks for always being a good Steward of our community.
— The Stewardship Group

P.S. Stewardship Challenge of the Week: Attend a School Board Meeting
With public comment livestreams ending, our community needs more residents willing to attend Cobb County School Board meetings in person. The next meeting offers opportunities to speak on issues affecting our children's education.

This week's challenge extends beyond our usual call to action: In a time when civic engagement faces new barriers, be the neighbor who shows up anyway. Your community needs your voice now more than ever.