AROUND TOWN: Boyce meets the Braves for first pow-wow on stadium

THE AXIS of retired Marine Col. Mike Boyce’s campaign against Cobb Chairman Tim Lee this year was that the way Lee brought the Atlanta Braves here was ethically questionable. It was a successful argument that saw Lee ousted from office in July’s runoff with Boyce set to take office in January.

Against this backdrop, it was anyone’s guess how the first pow-wow between Boyce and the Braves front office would unfold Monday.

Among those present at the Braves office by SunTrust Park were Boyce, Braves Chairman and CEO Terry McGuirk, Vice Chairman John Schuerholz, President of Development Mike Plant, President of Business Derek Schiller and Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott.

And by all accounts, we can happily report Monday’s 90-minute Cumberland peace accord was successful.

“I came away with a much better idea of what they’re trying to accomplish,” Boyce said, noting he was appreciative of the briefing.

Plant said the meeting “went really well.

“I think it was professional, it was very cooperative, and he stressed several times his support for us and the project and how important we are to Cobb, and understanding that we’re there for a long time in Cobb and the Cumberland area,” Plant said. “So it was really good, good communication (and) good cooperation all around.”

Traffic congestion at the I-75, I-285 interchange has been one of the biggest concerns hovering over the project, partly because it’s a congested area anyway and partly because the Braves haven’t released their entire parking plan yet.

“I didn’t form any opinions about the parking and the traffic. It’s way too early for that because they have not yet completed their parking plan,” Boyce said. “They showed me what they’ve accomplished so far, and they said they’re still working on other options.”

After sizing up the baseball executives, does Boyce believe he will have a successful relationship with them as chairman?

“I’m committed to making a successful relationship with everybody in Cobb County that has a business — that’s my goal. Not just the Braves, but everybody,” Boyce responded. “I take everybody at face value (until) they show otherwise … I accept them at their word, and it’s a lot easier that way. Because then we can start that relationship. They’re there to create a very successful ball team and a ball stadium and (The Battery Atlanta) and they’re committed to that, and they’re part of the overall business enterprise in Cobb County, which I made very clear that I have to work every day to continue to bring that kind of job opportunity to Cobb County.”

Boyce said it was a learning experience for both parties.

“They got to know me for the first time, and I got to see them face to face and listen to their briefs,” he said. “I think everyone who would have gone to the meeting today would have walked away with the same impression I had: that they’re a very professional group of executives who have a very focused plan and are committed to making it a success.”

Boyce wanted to emphasize he still has an obstacle to jump before taking office in January — the November election, being technically he’s only been nominated by the GOP; he will be elected in November. The Marine colonel said he fully intends to work with Lee until Lee steps down at the end of the year. Still, given the need to hit the ground running once he takes office, as he is certain to do given no Democratic opposition in November, he is asking for briefings “at the 10,000-foot level” from various departments and groups.

Around Town asked Boyce if there were any concerns he had after coming away from Monday’s meeting.

“We all acknowledge the traffic concern that everybody in Cobb County has, and we’re all committed … at every level to finding a solution to the traffic issues that will come. … That means a partnership between the Braves organization and the county and the state and the cities,” Boyce said. “We really have to make sure we all work together because the bottom line is everyone in Cobb County who goes through this area will be impacted by it, and we have to make sure we do everything we possibly can to communicate what our plan is and how we plan to address it.”

Plant said the next phase of their parking plan will be released later this year with the final piece unveiled sometime in the first quarter. For Plant, things are looking up. Not only does the franchise have better access at SunTrust Park, they already have more parking than at Turner Field. And they’re not done yet.

“And then again just looking at the real data, that’s the key … that’s why we’re moving games back to 7:30 p.m. … We all feel pretty good about where we’re at,” Plant said.

MEETINGS: The Development Authority of Cobb County meets at 11 a.m. today at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway in Atlanta.

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District 4 Commissioner Lisa Cupid is holding a town hall 6:30 p.m., Thursday at Ron Anderson Recreation Center. The recreation center is at 3820 Macedonia Road in Powder Springs.

APPOINTMENTS: Marietta attorney Scott Gregory, managing member of Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers, has been named chairman of The Walker School’s Board of Trustees. Joining the board is James Eubanks, president of Wharton Management, a family-owned, Marietta-centric property management company.

“Academic standards are high, and that’s important,” Eubanks said. “However, academics are not the only component of a child’s education. Children need to develop their confidence, empathy, creativity and leadership skills. All of these are strongly incorporated into Walker’s mission and faculty. We feel there is no other school in metro Atlanta that can offer this combination.”

SICKBAY: The 10-month-old daughter of Grant Rivera, chief of staff for the Cobb School District, was diagnosed with cancer over the weekend. Rivera’s wife, Jenn Hobby, cohost of The Jeff & Jenn Show on Star 94.1, made the announcement on her Facebook page.

The baby, Reese, is being treated at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

GROWTH: Cobb County is once again one of the fastest growing counties in metro Atlanta, trailing only Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Cobb added 9,900 residents between April 2015 and April 2016, bringing its population to 737,500, according to the latest population estimates from the Atlanta Regional Commission. That’s fewer than in the previous year, when the county added 10,500 residents.

The 10-county Atlanta region’s population grew at a faster rate than at any time since the Great Recession, increasing by 1.6 percent, compared to 1.4 percent (60,300) a year earlier and 1.2 percent (52,700) in 2014. The Atlanta region is now home to 4,401,800 people, more than that of 24 states.

The population increase is being fueled by strong employment growth. The 29-county Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area region added nearly 77,000 jobs between May 2015 and May 2016, the third-highest total among the largest metros in the nation.

Each of the region’s 10 core counties experienced population growth during the year. Gwinnett County led the way, adding 17,300 residents for a total of 877,100, with Fulton County adding 15,300 for a total of 985,700, according to ARC spokesman Jim Jaquish.