The 87-Vote Warning: The $20,000 Tip, Political Shock, and Our New Middle School (Issue #38)

Good morning Stewards,

I hope y’all enjoyed your Thanksgiving as much as I did! I understand for many, it may have been more lowkey than usual as pennies are pinched to keep up with the slowing economy.

Remember; if you’re reading this, I can think of at least thing you should be thankful for. You’re alive, and I’m grateful to have you as my neighbor in Smyrna-Vinings.

In Today's Edition

• ☔ The Weather Report: Rainy Start, Then A Chill Settles In

• 💥 Public Pulse: The 87-Vote Earthquake: What Marietta’s Near-Miss Means Here

• 🛠️ School Updates: Campbell Middle Gets Modernized (Major Renovation Announced)

• 🚨 Stewards Watch: The $20K Tip Police Are Still Waiting To Hand Out

• 🎁 Community Calendar: Holiday Markets, LEGO Club & Run Smyrna

— Your Voice for Local Prosperity

THE WEATHER REPORT
☔ Rainy Start, Then A Chill Settles In

Stewards, get ready for a wet and impactful Tuesday commute as a system moves through, followed by sunny but progressively colder weather for the rest of the week.

• 🌧️ Today (Tue 2): Rainy Morning. High 47° / Low 31°. Widespread rain and showers, potentially heavy, especially early. Be alert for a messy morning commute. Rain tapers off by evening.

• ☀️ Wed 3: Sunny and Cold. High 49° / Low 31°. Clear, sunny skies, but temperatures remain chilly. Great day for getting outdoors after yesterday's rain.

• ☁️ Thu 4: Clouds Return, Chance of Rain. High 47° / Low 36°. Mostly cloudy with an increasing chance of rain showers (45%). Keep the umbrella handy.

• 🌧️ Fri 5: Cold and Wet. High 44° / Low 42°. Steady, light rain likely throughout the day as temperatures barely climb out of the low 40s.

• ☁️ Sat 6: Cloudy and Brighter. High 52° / Low 35°. Cloudy start, but the rain should be gone. We'll see a slight bump in temperature.

• 🌤️ Sun 7: Partly Sunny. High 54° / Low 35°. A blend of clouds and sunshine and a return to the warmest temperatures of the week.

Plan Accordingly: Tuesday's rain will impact travel—allow extra time. The rest of the week is chilly, especially with multiple nights dipping below freezing. Plan indoor activities or outdoor time on Wednesday and Sunday when the weather is clearest.

PUBLIC PULSE
🚨 Stewards Watch: The 87-Vote Marietta Earthquake and What It Means Here

Just down the road, Marietta’s recent mayoral election sent a powerful message to every incumbent in Cobb County: the desire for change is intense.

Seventy-eight-year-old incumbent Mayor Steve "Thunder" Tumlin held off 24-year-old newcomer Sam Foster by a mere 87 votes. This near-miss was a battle of generations and platforms that directly reflects the tensions we face in Smyrna-Vinings.

The Smyrna-Vinings Steward Takeaway

The issues that fueled Foster’s near-victory are our issues: affordability, density, and modernization.

1. The New Face of Local Politics: Foster's campaign, which prioritized walkability, affordability, and improved transit, mobilized a massive turnout of younger, more diverse voters.

   • This is a clear warning to all long-term officials: resting on name recognition is over. The next generation of Stewards is actively looking for new leadership that champions 21st-century city issues.

2. The Density Debate is Shifting: Foster ran on a platform of sustainable, inclusive growth and increasing housing density.

   • The close vote confirms that a substantial portion of the suburban Cobb electorate is open to mixed-use development and transit solutions—not just preservation—as solutions to the rising cost of living.

3. A Call for Attention: The energy and organization of the Foster campaign is a model for local civic engagement.

   • This is not just a Marietta story; it is the strongest signal yet that the political and demographic shift in Cobb County is accelerating.

This close call demands the attention of every city council and planning board from the Acworth to Vinings. The demand for change is no longer a whisper—it’s a near-victory.

SCHOOL UPDATES
🛠️ Infrastructure Upgrade: Campbell Middle Gets Modernized

Stewards, an essential and multi-faceted modernization project is underway at Campbell Middle School (CMS), promising long-overdue updates to the facility and its grounds. This is a critical investment in one of Smyrna’s anchor schools.

The Facility Focus: HVAC and Classrooms

The primary phase, funded by the Education SPLOST (Ed-SPLOST), focuses on modernizing the school’s core systems to improve the daily learning environment.

• Timeline: The project is part of a larger, combined $17.2 million scope of work for two schools, with a target completion date of the 2026-2027 school year.

• The Scope: Key renovations include the replacement of 14 rooftop HVAC units and a main air handler unit—a crucial upgrade for temperature control and air quality. The project also covers the conversion of the former home economics room into a new general classroom and upgrades to restrooms.

• Safety: Work includes a significant update to the kitchen ventilation and the ANSUL Fire Suppression System to decrease the risk of grease fires.

The Community Partnership: Athletic Complex

In a major win for local residents, the City of Smyrna is close to finalizing a shared-use agreement with the Cobb County School District to upgrade the large athletic complex behind CMS (the former Campbell High School site).

• The Vision: The city plans to master-plan and invest in a completely revamped facility for both school and public use. Conceptual sketches include:

  • An eight-lane track with full field elements.

  • Two new baseball fields and multi-use fields.

  • Tennis and pickleball courts.

  • A walking trail with exercise stations.

This agreement will allow the City to invest substantial SPLOST dollars in the community asset, providing high-quality, much-needed facilities that all Stewards can enjoy.

STEWARDS WATCH
🚨 The $20K Tip Police Are Still Waiting To Hand Out

We covered the quadrupled reward for information in the homicide of playwright Mary Olivia Matthews last week. The $20,000 is still on the table—and the killer is still at large.

Don't Assume Someone Else Knows

This week, we are re-emphasizing the critical need for Stewards to act.

• The Focus: The night of September 2–3 near the Bella 810 complex (810 Windy Hill Rd SE).

• The Request: Did you see a thin Black male, late teens/early 20s, in a blue hooded sweatshirt? Was any unusual car or activity near the complex?

• The Action: Don't dismiss a detail as unimportant. Your anonymous tip is the key to bringing closure to this tragic case.

Please contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477. Anonymity is guaranteed.

🎉 Upcoming Events

🎁 Smyrna Handmade Holiday Market | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Dec 6

• Location: Brawner Hall & Reed House, 3180 Atlanta Rd

• Description: Join the 5th Annual Holiday Market! Shop local from vendors at both Brawner Hall and the Reed House. Discover one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts and support small businesses this holiday season.

🎁 Smyrna Handmade Holiday Market | 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, Dec 7

• Location: Brawner Hall & Reed House, 3180 Atlanta Rd

• Description: Day two of the 5th Annual Holiday Market! Missed Saturday? Stop by today for another chance to find unique, handmade gifts and support our local small business community.

🧱 LEGO Club: My Favorite Holiday Theme | 3:00 PM–5:00 PM, Dec 8

• Location: Smyrna Public Library (Meeting Room), 100 Village Green Circle SE

• Description: A free, monthly drop-in event for builders aged 5–10 (DUPLO provided for ages 4 & under). Bricks and inspiration are provided! Create a unique design based on the theme "My favorite holiday." Creations will be displayed in the library. Note: Adult supervision is required at all times.

👟 Run Smyrna | 6:30 PM–8:30 PM, Dec 8th and Every Monday

• Location: Stout Brothers, 1265 W Spring St

• Description: Meet fellow runners for a relaxed 3–5 mile run beginning and ending at Stout Brothers. A great way to stay active and meet neighbors.

👋 See You Next Tuesday

📬 Ready to dig deeper? : Sign up for the scoop on Smyrna-Vinings delivered right to your inbox every Tuesday @ 8 AM

— Ravi & Rinnah Patel