AND SO IT BEGINS…The Assault on Our Community Of South Cobb

Now that most of the 2020 elections are behind us, and while we wait for the recount of ballots to be finalized, special interest groups, their representatives, and their attorneys have already started their assault on our community and our quality of life.

Today, the attorney for a gas company received approval from the Board of Commissions to place yet another gas station in our community of South Cobb – across the street from an existing BP station on Six Flags Drive and within steps of nearby subdivisions. For us, our quality of life is always on the chopping block, negotiable for a greater purpose. Today, that greater purpose was a gas station. In giving them this green light, who considered the negative impacts to our community?

They did not cast a vote to put something in our community that is greatly needed, such as a bank, a grocery store, a medical facility, or better yet…mass transit. Instead, our community was burdened with yet another gas station. Some might ask what is the big deal about a gas station? Well, I will tell you...the big deal is not about a single gas station but the addition of yet another station to those that already exist within a small area of our community. There are already seven stations within a three-mile area of each other and over 25 within a slightly wider area. The big deal is the harmful effects these facilities have on communities when they oversaturate an area. Harmful carcinogens emitted from gas stations, such as Benzene and Toluene, can cause damage to the nervous system, respiratory tract, and immune system. Brain damage and leukemia are among the other negative side effects after long term exposure. The big deal is what happens to us and our families, our babies, and our seniors. The big deal is our quality of life. Please be reminded that this is the same quality of life that citizens, who reside near Sterigenics, are demanding for their families. There is no difference in our mutual desires to have a good quality of life and there should not be any differences when it comes to the decision makers determining what comes to South Cobb.

The health impact of another gas station within our community is staggering. It continues to be open season on South Cobb and we will be caught in the cross hairs as every noxious usage, their attorney, and their agents make their way to the County to be granted permission to place more harmful usages in our community.

Silent are those who are supposed to represent us, speak for us, and defend our quality of life. Reticent are community groups that claim to represent our interest, yet have acquiesce to this occurring. Gone are grass roots efforts to mobilize the community to oppose these groups. Any hope of good people stepping forward for our community is dwindling because they grow tired of fighting for the community alone. Where are the elected officials and candidates who asked for your vote, while placing their signs in front of your homes – homes which are now within a stones’ throw of this new gas station? Where are the community organizations on this latest assault? We cannot wait on others to take care of our community. We must be willing to step forward and take care of ourselves.

We should all be concerned and prepare now for what is coming next. Concrete companies and others have already filed paperwork or are having discussions with decision makers at the County about placing other noxious usages within our residential neighborhoods of South Cobb. The new year has not yet arrived but the assault on our community has already begun. It will know no bounds if we remain silent.

Those of you who are WOKE, STAY WOKE! For others, Wake Up Now and hold your elected and appointed officials accountable every day on the decisions they make that impact our community and our quality of life here in South Cobb.

#South Cobb Strong