MARIETTA - Southeast Cobb has many faces, and to represent the entire district, Commissioner Joe Lee Thompson said he has to be concerned with and understand all those needs.

Thompson is running for a fifth term as county commissioner. He will face Delta captain Bob Ott and homeowners' association president Ron Sifen in the July 15 Republican primary.

"I represent a diverse areas and it has many faces," Thompson said. "My biggest challenge as commissioner is keeping the development where the development should be, and the homeowners where the homeowners should be."

As commissioner, Thompson said, he's seen his district make many positive achievements.

The September opening of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre was an instant success, he said. The remodeling of Cumberland Mall has added a Costco and many upscale restaurants like Cheesecake Factory and Maggianos.

"That area was stagnant," Thompson said. "These improvements have transformed the Cumberland Mall area. The reason this quality development was possible is because of many years of infrastructure preparation providing both access to I-75 and I-285, and a perimeter around the Cumberland area for local traffic."

The Cumberland Community Improvement District is vital to his district and the county, Thompson said. He said the district provides 25 percent of the county's tax base, and the commercial developments help "keep taxes lower for the homeowners."

Thompson is proud to say that in all his years as commissioner, he's never voted for a property-tax increase.

"Even with the economy as it is, Cobb County has a balanced budget and doesn't have to consider increasing property taxes," he said. "A conservative financial approach to spending is very important."

Thompson said he decided to run again because his district has unfinished projects.

The county is conducting a study on the Johnson Ferry corridor to see the needs of that community. Until it's finished, Thompson said, the commission has issued a moratorium on building permits along Johnson Ferry Road.

Thompson said he sees his position as commissioner as a custodian of the quality of life in the area.

"If anything goes wrong, from a barking dog to a pot hole, you get called as a commissioner," Thompson said. "You're at the level at which you help create and maintain the qualify of life for your district."

Those responsibilities include maintaining the parks, streets, water, sewer and public safety. And it also involves planning for the future.

"That's been my strong point through the years," Thompson said. "I have enough experience to expect the results of development and redevelopment. When you go in and have quality development put in, that is very exciting to me. I enjoy seeing that done."

ahungerford@mdjonline.com

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