Stand up, speak up for Cobb parkland

From the Marietta Daily Journal on Sunday, July 6, 2008 by MDJ columnist Laura Armstrong

I'm an American who believes flag waving is patriotic.

I wear an Old Glory lapel pin when in the company of folks who appreciate the symbolism, and I believe in participating in my government when possible. For me, that means working on elections for people I believe in and getting involved in efforts to make my community better.

I try hard to respect my ideological counterparts, even when we disagree on everything. The greatness of this country has always been that the majority can agree to disagree, live in relative peace and even be best friends.

And when we have a chance to get together on things, we really shine. That's what America is all about.

Think of the cities, the innovations, the monuments, the freedom and opportunities that continue to draw people from around the world. America from the start was a dream, conceived by visionaries and built by pioneers. In so many cases, they created greatness out of absolutely nothing.

These thoughts crossed my mind last Sunday afternoon while perched on a folding chair in Paul Paulson's west Cobb workshop, one of about 50 folks who'd come together from around the county. Politics aside, we artfully arranged our chairs into a huge oval within Paulson's open, hangar-like workshop, introduced ourselves in turn, and hoped we would hear how the county could buy more parkland without raising taxes.

Commission Chairman Sam Olens, appropriately attired in Bermuda shorts, did not disappoint us.

Olens explained how Cobb's firefighter's fund has grown at a greater rate than projected and, if citizens were interested, could provide another $40 million to be used for parkland acquisition with absolutely no tax increase.

"The time to invest is in a down market," Olens suggested.

Within minutes, Paulson, who organized the popular 2006 parks bond campaign, announced the re-establishment of the all-volunteer Cobb Parks Coalition.

It was an amazing meeting. Many in attendance have already given multiple hours of their time and talents to help identify land parcels for future development, not into just another dry cleaner or tire store, but into parks, with all their various uses. And they want to do more.

The coalition seeks your immediate involvement in their grassroots mission, which includes contacting your commissioner ASAP and asking for this new initiative to be placed on the ballot in November.

Consider, as they do: How can all Cobb citizens be ensured access to a nearby park? In what new locations might future generations find sanctuary after the rush of the commute, or take a brisk morning walk as the sun rises over the treetops? Will every mother have a safe place to stroll or picnic, away from traffic, and watch her children discover the joys of nature or a well-planned playground?

As the holiday weekend winds down, remember the important role of our parks in making Cobb a great place to live and raise a family. Then visit http://cobbparks.blogspot.com/ and decide how you will make a difference.

This opportunity is here for all of us, together. Together we made it happen once, so let's do it again.

lbarmstrong3378@comcast.net