Anne Ortiz

Yes, the landscape is lush, but that is not the only reason that Cobb County Georgia is green.

Cobb County is the first government in Georgia to achieve silver certification as a Green Community by the Atlanta Regional Commission.

The ARC on Wednesday announced the first three governments to achieve Green Communities certification through the new certification system. The cities of Alpharetta and Decatur both achieved bronze certification.

"The most important thing in this was the improvement you provide your residents," said Cobb Chairman Sam Olens, who chairs the ARC. "This is about being better for the environment and improving things for your citizens ... I hope to see more governments participate. We can all learn from each other."

Olens said the genesis of the program was the water conservation efforts during the drought. The program was expanded to include areas such as transportation, energy efficiency, education and outreach, green space and recycling.

The certification program allows jurisdictions to gain points by implementing sustainable polices and practices. Each measure is worth five or 10 points, depending on difficulty and overall impact. Silver certification requires at least 225 points.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners adopted a Sustainable Practices Policy in February, aimed at specifying environmentally friendly design requirements and operational practices for county property, vehicles and equipment.

The policy includes providing bicycle racks at community buildings such as libraries, places an emphasis on purchasing Energy Star-related appliances and office equipment, and implements a "lights out" program where all non-essential lighting and office equipment is turned off during nights, weekends and holidays.

In 2008, commissioners also adopted policies regarding retrofitting restroom fixtures, green buildings and environmental purchasing. The county installed high efficiency plumbing and fixtures in 96 county facilities.

Chuck Hunt, program coordinator in Cobb's property management department, said the county isn't finished finding ways to be environmentally conscious.

"There is a sense that Cobb wants to be in the leadership position on this," Hunt said. "We are always looking to see where we can improve ... this program was the genesis that got us to do things we were halfway doing before."

Kudos to Cobb County's leadership for taking the initiative to improve the quality of life for its residents and for community as a whole.

New examples of environmentally friendly housing are on the Marietta in Marietta, Georgia.

A newly erected house at 1492 Murdock Road is the first in Georgia to be rated as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum-certified, factory-built home.

It is also the first LEED Platinum home of any type in the state designed without requiring renewable energy resources such as solar panels. LEED Platinum is one of the U.S. Green Building Council's highest credentials.

The 2,588-square-foot house at the intersection of Sewell Mill Road in east Cobb was built in a South Carolina factory, delivered to the site and then assembled. The entire process took 90 days from the time the custom home was ordered to completion. Roswell-based, design-build company, New World Home, built it.

It was set in place on Nov. 17 and had its opening on Dec. 8.

"It's kind of funny to watch people drive by at the beginning of the day and there's a foundation set. ... By the end of the day, all these houses are set and these particular homes are about 80 percent complete on that first day," said NWH President Mark Jupiter.

NWH CEO Michael Natbony admitted that the concept of a factory-built home sounds sketchy in many people's minds.

"Modular, isn't that like living in a trailer?" he rhetorically asked. "It was a perception that people had, right up to the point that they came and saw these houses."

He said the factory-built houses save money over their lifespan. The Buckminster-style home reportedly saves 50 percent in annual energy consumption, reduces water consumption by up to 20,000 gallons and saves more than $2,000 in utility bills. It contains common "green" features such as low-flow faucets, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dual-flush toilets, as well as a tankless water heater.

The off-white Murdock Road house, designed to resemble a 150-year-old farmhouse, is on sale for $589,000. The nearly identical house next door, also a "green" house built by New World Home, is listed for $549,900.

However, the interest in the houses has been so great that they're being kept as model homes for interested buyers, according to NWH.

NWH has contracts to build hundreds of such houses in eight states, Jupiter said.

Dennis Creech, executive director of Atlanta-based environmental nonprofit Southface, praised the home.

"The word 'green' has gotten a lot of definitions and people tend to focus on some of the catchier aspects, like something is made from a recycled product or bamboo flooring," Creech said. "But, the foundation of green has got to be the science-based approach to saving energy, saving water, making homes healthier for people. It's really about the people."

As more and more consumers become aware of the need to incorporate earth friendly concepts in their daily lives, this form of construction is sure to receive greater interest. It will add excitement to the real estate market for both its technology and money saving features!

Not only is Marietta, Georgia the jewel of Cobb County, just northwest of Atlanta, but is also a city known for its ethical practices of governing.

The Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) at its annual convention in Savannah in June recertified Marietta as a City of Ethics for adopting an ethics ordinance and adopting and following key ethical principles. GMA initially certified Marietta as a City of Ethics in 2000.

Established in 1999 by a panel of business and government leaders, the City of Ethics program is voluntary and encourages cities to adopt and follow a set of key ethical principles, and adopt a local ethics ordinance. The ordinance must contain definitions, prohibited conduct and due process for officials accused of violations in areas such as financial disclosures, conflicts of interests and outside employment. The ordinance must also contain penalties for city officials who violate the ordinance.

This year, the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) began requiring cities to recertify for the program, ensuring that ordinances maintain program standards and city officials are reminded of their ethical obligations as individuals and as a governing body. Each city is required to apply for recertification every four years.

"We're extremely proud that more than 200 cities have voluntarily adopted strong ethics ordinances," GMA Executive Director Jim Higdon said. "It is significant that cities have taken the lead on earning and maintaining the public's trust in government," he said. "Recertification allows new councilmembers, who may have been elected after the original ordinance was adopted, to pledge their support for ethical behavior and standards."

A panel of attorneys reviewed the ordinances to determine if they comply with the criteria set by GMA. As a City of Ethics, Marietta can use a "Certified City of Ethics" logo on city stationery, road signs, city vehicles and for other uses.

There are currently 207 Certified Cities of Ethics in Georgia.

About the Georgia Municipal Association

Created in 1933, the Georgia Municipal Association is the only state organization that represents municipal governments in Georgia. Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and technical consulting services to its members.

GMA's membership totals more than 502 municipal governments, accounting for more than 99 percent of the state's municipal population.

Indeed it is an honor for Marietta to be proclaimed a "Certified City of Ethics." Its residents are proud citizens of their community.

Cobb County, Georgia knows how to launch a spectacular July 4th celebration. Each city hosts its special events to honor the birth of our nation.

Kennesaw gets things booming on July 3rd with a free pre-Independence Day concert and fireworks downtown. The Journey tribute band Frontiers will perform in front of the Depot in Downtown Kennesaw at 8 p.m. Fireworks start at dark.

Of course, Saturday is packed with events across the county. Cauble Park in Acworth will be the site of a concert and fireworks. Grand Slam takes the stage at 4 p.m., followed by Cry in the Sun at 6 p.m. and Flashback at 8 p.m. Fireworks will start between 9 and 9:30 p.m.

Marietta's annual Freedom Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday at the Roswell Street Baptist Church, and continues toward Marietta Square. The National Bell Ringing is at 2 p.m., followed by The Cobb Windy Symphony at 2:30 p.m. The band Peach Station will take the stage at Marietta Square at 8:00 p.m., followed by fireworks at dark.

Powder Springs is having its annual Independence Day celebration on the Fourth as well. More that 15 food booths, an entertainment stage and childrens' activities will pack downtown. Be there at 4:p.m.! Later, enjoy the band The Mustangs at 7:45 p.m., participate in a patriotic program and savor the fireworks at dark.

Come, join the fun in Cobb this year, but leave the fireworks to the experts!

Patriotism reigns in Marietta, Georgia on the Fourth of July. From morning until night festivities to honor our nation's independent spirit abound. The annual parade and evening fireworks provide the atmosphere to celebrate our freedom.

Mayor Bill Dunaway launched the city's annual Fourth of July parade back in 1968.

So there's a certain poignancy in that he'll serve as grand marshal in this year's parade - particularly with the announcement that he will be stepping down from office at the end of the year.

Dunaway said he and his wife, Dot, were watching the Music Man musical in 1968, which features a Fourth of July celebration, when he thought the city should have a parade also.

"I realized that Marietta did not have one and couldn't remember one growing up. Maybe we did, but I don't remember it," he said.

So he rounded up funding from the Marietta Rotary, Downtown Marietta Business Association, and Marietta Kiwanis, and got the manpower from the Jaycees to launch a parade that year. Gen. Hank Wilson, commander at Dobbins, was a friend of his parents, and Dunaway convinced Wilson to bring the military units.

The first year was a bit wild, Dunaway said.

"Rupert Raines (who would later become Marietta's assistant police chief) was in charge of the fireworks and he dang near burned the Square down," Dunaway said.

He shot the fireworks straight up in the air over the building that houses the Brumby Chair Factory, causing people to dodge the fiery sparks as they poured down. Also that year, Dunaway said they tossed live turkeys from the roof of his former drugstore on the Square. Those who could catch the turkey could keep it, he said.

The late Judge J.J. Daniel, namesake of the Cobb middle school, served as the first grand marshal.

Dunaway said while they had cooperation from the city, it was not involved otherwise.

"It remained a Jaycee project for four or five years then it got too large and the Jaycees got worn out, so the city took over," he said.

There are 107 entries signed up to participate this year, among them the Air National Guard Band of the South, the Marietta High School Band, the Chapter One Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance, Zion Baptist Church and the usual gaggle of elected officials from Congressman Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta) to state Rep. Judy Manning (R-Marietta) and Secretary of State Karen Handel.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. on July 4, a Saturday, beginning in the Roswell Street Baptist Church parking lot and proceeds west along Roswell Street to East Park Square. The parade then proceeds in front of the viewing stand on East Park Square and continues along Cherokee Street to the Cobb County Police/911 Headquarters. The route is about 1.5 miles, said Rich Buss, parks director.

After the parade ends, residents can enjoy a festival with nearly 90 arts and crafts booths, 20 food concessions, 15 giant inflatables and entertainment throughout the day including the National Bell Ringing Ceremony set to start at 2 p.m. The daylong event is concluded with a 22-minute fireworks display.

The popular farmers market on the Square will be closed that day for the parade, Buss said. Everyone deserves the day off, especially for this poignant occasion!