For the first time in many years, there was a tie for “East Cobb Citizen of the Year.” Tom Bills and James Mack Cobb were both given the award at a ceremony on Tuesday morning.
“Only once in the past have we had two recipients, and it's probably been about 15 years ago now,” Mary Karras said. “This is the second time we've had a tie. They're just both too good and both deserving, so they both get it. Coach Cobb was a coach that helps children and did so much. Tom Bills worked with the park from the very beginning and is still very involved with parks and rec. So both of them have just created so much for East Cobb."
Karras is a member of the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce and founding president of East Cobb Park, which was the focus of Tuesday’s Citizen of the Year Award Banquet.
“This was the story of East Cobb Park – past, present, and future,” she said. “This involves the history, the vision Sunny Walker shared, the spin-off from the East Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber, the forming of the 501C3, the fundraising, the land, the Cobb County Commissioners support. It's a celebration of uniting of community with public officials, state senators, Johnny Isakson, the senator from Cobb, and all the business Leaders that just came together, along with the Brownie troops and the PTAs. Every facet of Cobb County came together in East Cobb to make this park a reality, so it was telling that story just to show how groups can work together for the good of the community, and how East Cobb Park is now the center of the community.”
As for the future of the park, Karras says, “it looks fabulous.”
“We just acquired more land, the Tritt property adjacent to the park which is going to be green space for a time,” she said. “We have opportunities to also acquire Mrs. Tritt’s property. She resides in the home down the road. So more land, more opportunity for walking trails and green space and just overall expansion of the park.”
Karras says the park is well used on a regular basis, but more parking is needed to accommodate everyone.
“All kinds of activities take place in the park,” she said. “Concerts, just so much, and the future is very bright. The best is yet to come.”
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