EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is a selection of responses shared by readers of MDJOnline.com in reaction to recent MDJ stories ...

Cobb school board admonished by grand jury ...


Anonymous wrote I guess I do not understand the grand jury process. They can just look at anything or does there have to be a formal complaint posed to them?

Rita Jones wrote: What exactly does "admonish" mean? Does it have any teeth? At least these members should have to pay a fine and maybe they should be fired!

Concerned citizen wrote: What a great story! It is nice to have some validation to the complaints that parents and community members express repeatedly. I don't think a chairman who insults parents and lies about e-mails is likely turn things around.

Anonymous wrote: Was this based on the school board's behavior before the Dec. 10 meeting? I certainly hope the grand jury has a chance to comment on the behavior of the board during that meeting!

Anonymous wrote: This behavior is why (board member) Dr. John Crooks is now facing a recall petition that he is fighting in the courts as without basis!

Road trip retreat for school board could cost $5,800:


Retreat Hell wrote: This money could be much better spent on more pressing issues than an overnight trip for the big girls and boys. And by the way, just because you have funds budgeted does not mean you are required to spend them.

After seeing the state's new budget, shouldn't this money be applied against the looming shortfall rather than a sleep-over party? As far as team building goes, how about building a team with the taxpayers, employees and parents rather than an expensive group hug for the board?

Really??? wrote: How much copy paper and supplies could be bought for use in the classroom with that money?

Let them stay in town and meet. What a waste of money! We have great places to meet right here in the county. Use that money for teachers, not to feed and house fat-cat board members!

Square One wrote: (board member Lynnda) Crowder-Eagle et al. think the solution to their lousy representation of the public will be found in Power Points and pretty flow charts from and expensive consultant! All this not-for-profit school reform group does is repackage "Carver." The not-for-profit part means that the CRSS doesn't pay taxes on the phony-baloney they sell to gullible board politicians looking for a consultant to hide behind.

Nothing Ever Changes wrote: This board is consistently arrogant and out of touch. Amicalola is local. The board could take one of those mini school buses up and back each day. If our kids can wait for the bus on a dark street corner at 7a.m. in 17-degree weather, why can't our board?

Should grass in Glover Park be replaced with artificial turf?:


Samuel Adams wrote: I could see it now, national news crews here from all over reporting on the old fashioned town square with the dirty Astroturf grass. Marietta: home of the Big Chicken and the weird Astroturf park. No. Bad, bad idea. Bad. Really bad.

Skip Are wrote: There is already too much paving in the Square. If problems growing grass are becoming an issue, perhaps the park is being overused, or used for purposes it's not best suited for. Find another location for concerts and the like, and leave the Square as beautiful and natural as possible.

Traditional wrote: One vote for Mother Nature.

Military commissary proposed for South Cobb Drive ...


Couponcherie wrote: A commissary in the Atlanta area would be great. I hate the idea of losing it at Fts. Gillem and McPherson. Build it and we will come!

MK- power corrupts wrote: Hey Sam, why don't you guys over in East Cobb take the commissary and give us the Whole Foods! I am sick of the Cobb power base deciding this part of Cobb is not worthy of becoming a more desirable and prosperous place to live. With projects like that taking up a high profile corner between Smyrna and Marietta, I guess no-one but the low-wage help will continue to make this part of Cobb home! Thanks Sam!

Fallguyx55 wrote: Let's just get this project done.

USMA74 wrote: Why not put the commissary on Dobbins? It's not like there isn't any space. Secure. Lots of parking behind the gate. Why buy new property?