MANY MARIETTANS HAVE BEEN TAKEN ABACK in recent weeks at news of Mayor Bill Dunaway's "hush-hush" and then "rush-rush" plan to add $5.5 million in bonded indebtedness to the city-owned Marietta Conference Center. But east Marietta City Councilman Jim King isn't one of them. Not only was he one of only three council members who voted in favor of the mayor's proposal on Sept. 9 (it failed 4-3), he since then has indicated that he does not take criticism of the proposal seriously, as indicated by his selection of mayoral candidate and City Hall gadfly Bill Bolton for a citizens' advisory committee that will examine the complex financing measure.

The mostly blue-ribbon committee was formed by Ward 2 Councilman Grif Chalfant, an early critic of the proposal, and includes retired PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Larry Stevens; attorney Scott Gregory of Brock, Clay, Calhoun and Rogers; bank CEO James Powell, of Highland Commercial Bank; former Marietta City Manager "Cactus Jack" Crane; Marietta Ethics Committee Chairman Dr. Warren Herron; retired CPA Stephen Imler; and retiree Bill Sprague.

And also Bolton, who was nominated by King.

Bolton, a Georgia Tech grad and computer consultant, has been no stranger to local ballots in recent years. He entered politics by running for mayor in 2001 in a crowded field that also included eventual winner Dunaway, then-incumbent Ansley Meaders and lawyer John Hammond. Bolton ran as a write-in, he said, because he couldn't afford the $395 qualifying fee. His platform included pay raises for the mayor and council.

His other suggestions included relieving traffic congestion on Whitlock Avenue by building a subway from the Paulding County side of Kennesaw Mountain under Marietta Square to a MARTA station that he said should be built on Cobb Parkway near the Big Chicken. He also suggested resurfacing Whitlock with removable plates to make it easier to repair in case of accident or damage.

Moreover, running a MARTA line up the Franklin Road corridor would displace many apartment residents there, he said, but added the city could fund an incentive program to help them buy condominiums or houses.

Bolton's message didn't quite set the city political landscape on fire that fall. He netted eight votes on election night, or .12 percent of the votes cast.

He ran for mayor again in 2005 against Dunaway and did much better, attracting 1,001 votes, good enough for 22.3 percent of the total.

The two mayoral races apparently having whetted his appetite, he then qualified in 2006 to run for governor as a Democrat. He got 1.8 percent of Cobb's votes in that summer's Democratic gubernatorial primary.

Broadening his horizons even further, Bolton's Web site in 2007 described him as a candidate for U.S. president. But for whatever reason, most voters last year seemed to prefer Barack Obama instead.

Some may question Bolton's judgment and appeal, but it's indisputable that he is the most experienced candidate in this year's Marietta mayoral race - if measured only by the variety and magnitude of positions sought, that is.

As for King, if his appointment of Bolton is any indication, he's already made up his mind about the bond proposal and doesn't want to be confused by any new facts or analysis from the committee.

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DEVELOPER WES GODWIN says he's still deciding whether to appeal a decision by the Cobb Board of Elections dismissing his complaint against Marietta Councilman Van Pearlberg.

Godwin asked the Board of Elections to disqualify Pearlberg from the Nov. 3 election on the basis that Pearlberg allegedly has a conflict of interest in his dual roles as councilman and deputy chief assistant district attorney in the Cobb Judicial Circuit.

The BOE voted 4-0 Wednesday to dismiss the complaint.

Bottom line on his pending decision, Godwin said, is that it's expensive to appeal to Cobb Superior Court.

"I don't have the war chest I thought I had pledged. And I don't have Van's money, the entire DA's department and most of the lawyers in Marietta assisting me with my legal battle," Godwin said, adding, "If I raise the funds I'm going to appeal."

All candidates for city office must disclose campaign contributions through Sept. 30 at City Hall by Oct. 6.

Conventional wisdom has it that powerful Councilman Philip Goldstein, who is Godwin's longtime benefactor and ally, and whose family owns most of the private real estate in Marietta, is behind Godwin's surprise run for council. So Around Town suggested (tongue-in cheek, of course) that Godwin petition Goldstein to pay for his court appeal.

Replied Godwin, "Have you ever known Philip Goldstein to give a dime to anyone?"

Godwin then suggested the MDJ contribute to his campaign, saying what good copy he would be if elected councilman.

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THE SAGA OF THE DECREPIT Pullman railcar next to the Marietta Welcome Center continues to chug on, with Brian Binzer, the city's development services director, telling Around Town that CSX is now requiring such things as an inspector on site to monitor the pending demolition. CSX also is requiring special insurance, which Binzer said will cost "in the thousands."

Winter Environmental of Atlanta, the demo company retained by the railcar's non-communicative New York owner, is bundling the requests to send to CSX, Binzer said.

The demo itself is expected to cost in the thousands as well, although Binzer said no one yet knows what the total bill will be, particularly since they don't know how much they will be able to recoup by selling it for scrap.

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POLITICAL PATTER: Cobb Commissioner Tim Lee, who is seeking to succeed Chairman Sam Olens, who is running for state attorney general, will host a fundraiser Thursday at the Atlanta Marriott-Northwest from 5 to 7 p.m. Suggested contribution is $100 per person. … A $25-a-person reception to help fund the Ward 5 Marietta City Schools Board candidacy of Stuart Fleming in the Nov. 3 Marietta Municipal Election will be hosted from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 by Mr. and Mrs. Micky Blackwell at their 311 Hardage Drive residence in Marietta. … The committee to re-elect Van Pearlberg for Marietta City Council, Ward 4 will host a fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 2 p.m. at the home of Mary and Don Gillis, 453 Church St. in Marietta. … Will and Michelle Goodman will host a fundraiser in support of Holly Walquist, Marietta City Council, Ward 3 incumbent, on Sunday Oct. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. at 581 Kennesaw Ave. the Goodmans’ historic estate, Oakton. RSVP to (770) 528-0150, ext. 225 by Oct. 1. Suggested donation is $25. Make checks payable to Friends of Holly Walquist. … District 1 Commissioner Helen Goreham will host a town hall meeting with Chairman Olens at 7 p.m., Thursday at the West Cobb Senior Center at 4915 Dallas Highway in Powder Springs.

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MORE POLITICAL PATTER: JoAnn Kannan Birrell, candidate for District 3 Commissioner, hosted a fundraiser Thursday at Cherokee Cattle Company. Among those attending were state Sen. Chip Rogers, Aymar and Judy Manning, Earl and Rachel Smith, former Cobb Commissioner Scott Chadwick and wife Pat, Sheriff Neal Warren, Chamber President Sam Kelly, Sherry King Castellanos, Barbara Hickey and Inger Eberhart. … The Cobb County Bar Association has a Community Service Fund that takes requests from school social workers for kids in families that are in immediate need of financial help (rent payments, utilities, etc.) A committee reviews the requests and the lawyers will pay out of pocket or they’ll raise money. Kevin Moore said there are several judges and lawyers in town that participate, and on average 10 new families monthly are helped. There’s been a big increase due to the economy, and they give $200-$600 per request, with about $20,000-$30,000 being given annually.

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MARIETTA STREETFEST is today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Marietta Square. Get ready for antiques, autos and more. Vote for your favorite car in the Hubcaps and History Car Show or bring your heirloom to receive a verbal approximation at the Trash or Treasure Show, featuring Mark Maxwell of the Bronze Monkey. The Marietta Farmers Market will provide local produce and local attractions will have their activity booths. The one-day festival is brought by the Marietta Museum of History.

Visit www.MariettaStreetFest.com for more.

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THE MDJ’S REVAMPED Web site, MDJOnline.com, has a fan halfway around the world.

“Dear MDJ, I am glad to be able to check your scores via email. I am currently in Afghanistan in the Helmand Province as an ANA (Afghanistan National Army) mentor,” wrote Marine Master Sgt. Gregory Queen on the newspaper’s Web site on Tuesday. “It is good to be able to check on my favorite high school team, which is the Lassiter Trojans. If I were home I would always stop and buy my daily Marietta Journal so it is good to be able to read a little about home. Many Thanks.”

And many thanks to you, Sergeant, for the work of your and your fellow Marines.