Anne Ortiz

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!

Cobb County, Georgia will host a "green" showcase this weekend to garner interest in many of the earth friendly products that are now on the market.

Representatives from more than 200 eco-friendly companies will be in Cobb this weekend for the "Go Green Expo" at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

The event is the largest traveling trade show for eco-products in the U.S. It has been conducted in Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia. It is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and free for children under age 12. Tickets are good for both days. A free, special business buyers only event will be Friday.

More than 250 interactive eco-booths will be on display. The latest in fuel efficient cars, organic food, green construction and solar products, green beauty products and fashion, as well as health and wellness information will be available.

Visitors will have a chance to test drive third generation hybrid vehicles, including the Toyota Prius and Smart Car. There will also be interactive seminars and speeches, a rock climbing wall, free yoga sessions, free organic food sampling, an organic garden, musical performances and an eco-kids fun zone.

At 12:30 p.m. Saturday, the public can meet Oscar-nominated actress, model, author and eco-mom Mariel Hemingway. She will be signing copies of her new cookbook, "Mariel's Kitchen: Simple Ingredients for a Delicious and Satisfying Life."

Also Saturday at 11 a.m., Atlanta mogul Ted Turner's daughter, Laura Turner Seydel, an eco-living expert, will give advice about greening your home and body. She'll also give a photo tour of her $1.5 million Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified home, EcoManor in Buckhead.

At 1:30 p.m. Sunday, visitors will have a chance to meet Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli, dubbed one of the "greenest" football players in the NFL. Mughelli will pose for photos, sign autographs and discuss ways to inspire kids to go green.

And at 2:15 Sunday, there will be a presentation on green jobs by experts in the field.

Mandy Mahoney, director of sustainability for the city of Atlanta, and Ben Taube, president of the U.S. Green Building Council Atlanta chapter, will be on hand at the event on Friday to discuss ways companies and individuals can build green.

Bradford Rand, event organizer, said the green movement has gone mainstream and is likely to stay.

"When consumers and businesses have a choice and there is a 'greener' choice, it is becoming the right choice," he said. "It is starting to become mainstream, if you consider how much money one can save when they choose gas-efficient cars, energy efficient appliances, putting solar panels on their roofs, and eating healthier organic food. It also makes the earth a better place."

Get on the "green" bandwagon and see what you can do to improve your own life and that of our planet!

For more information visit www.gogreenexpo.com

If you plan a visit to Marietta this summer, you will discover what the locals have known for years. When it's hot, Marietta rocks! Quaint Marietta Square explodes with music, drink and fun on summer Fridays.

This Friday there will be a beer tasting at the Marietta Wine Market from 6 to 8 PM. The cost is $10 per person and includes a free beer glass. Taste some specialty beers, then mix and match your own cold four or six-packs and head to the concert at Glover Park, featuring beach tunes and oldies by Infinity Show Band.

If you would like to stand above the crowd, head to The Brew with a View on the Roof Terrace of the Earl Strand Theatre. There will be no cover charge, and a cash bar will include beer, wine and mixed drinks.

The Glover Park concert series on Marietta Square is free, and takes place on the last Friday of the month from April to September. The park is the perfect place for family and friends to enjoy a picnic and listen to music under the stars. The concerts are part of Marietta's year long 175th anniversary celebration. Concerts are rain or shine, and blankets or lawn chairs may be set up after 4 PM. No personal tables are permitted in the park, but they may be set up on North Park Square after 5:30 PM.

Summer only happens once a year, so come to Marietta Square and enjoy!