AROUND TOWN: Cobb Democratic lawmakers join calls for Cristadoro's ouster

Four of Cobb's Democratic state lawmakers are calling on Gov. Brian Kemp to remove Republican Cobb school board member John Cristadoro from his board position in the wake of Cristadoro's recent legal troubles.

State Reps. Terry Cummings, D-Mableton; Mekyah McQueen, D-Smyrna; Lisa Campbell, D-Kennesaw; and Gabriel Sanchez, D-Smyrna, called on Kemp to invoke his authority to conduct a formal ethics hearing and remove Cristadoro, the school board's vice chair, from office.

Cristadoro last week settled a lawsuit filed against him and his marketing and advertising company, agreeing to pay $225,000, plus interest, to a former client, a Tampa-based life insurance agency.

In the settlement, Cristadoro acknowledged he took money from the insurance agency that was supposed to be put toward an advertising campaign, but instead used the funds to cover his own operating expenses and credit card statements.

"By his own admission, Mr. Cristadoro engaged in civil fraud involving a quarter of a million dollars of client money," Cummings said in a news release. "That is not a private lapse — it is a profound breach of fiduciary trust that disqualifies him from overseeing public funds. The governor has a clear duty under Georgia law to protect public confidence in our institutions."

The Cobb Democratic Committee and progressive group Indivisible Cobb have also called for Cristadoro to resign.

Cristadoro told the MDJ Friday he was "not ashamed."

"My story is simple: a dad with a small business that ran into trouble during COVID. I'm not ashamed, don't hide from it, and am glad to have it behind me," Cristadoro wrote in a statement.

"During Covid, some thought it was their job to close schools, force staff to wear masks, or make children get vaccinated," he continued. "It's ironic those same people also think they should get involved in the small businesses of moms and dad's across Cobb County.

"I think we should be focused on educating and coaching their children and that's what I'm doing."

While it may concern Cristadoro's private business, Cummings argued the ethical implications affect his capacity to fulfill fiduciary duties as an elected official.

"Fiduciary duty doesn't switch off when the meeting ends," Cummings said. "If a person cannot be trusted with client money in business, they cannot be trusted with taxpayer money in government."

In addition to wanting Cristadoro's ouster, the representatives called on the GBI and the state Board of Education to look into the case.

"This is not about politics; it's about trust," Cummings said. "The people of Cobb County have a right to expect transparency and accountability from those entrusted with their children's education and their tax dollars. Public service demands not just competence, but also character."

ON JUNETEENTH: The Marietta mayoral candidates have issued dueling narratives about Mayor Steve "Thunder" Tumlin's 2022 veto of Juneteenth as a city holiday.

Sam Foster, Tumlin's progressive challenger, has repeatedly criticized the veto, which created an uproar from civil rights groups and led Councilwoman Cheryl Richardson to storm out of the council meeting.

The mayor and his allies on the council said at the time it was not fair to make Juneteenth a paid holiday for city workers without also making Veterans Day a paid holiday. A week after the veto, Tumlin called a special meeting, in which the council voted to make both holidays paid city holidays.

"My opponent Sam Foster has levied accusations of discriminatory behavior towards me in regards to a veto I made against codifying the Juneteenth celebration in the yearly budget," Tumlin wrote on social media. "I am here to set the record straight."

Tumlin referenced the "dissenting party" of Johnny Walker, Grif Chalfant and Andy Morris who wanted to make Veterans Day a holiday.

"In the spirit of compromise I vetoed the Juneteenth bill in order to facilitate an amicable situation in which the differing wishes of the City Council were both respected," the mayor wrote. "What followed was two unanimous 7-0 votes in favor of both the official celebration of Juneteenth as well as Armistice Day in the City of Marietta.

"I have been a strong supporter of Juneteenth, and have personally attended the unofficial celebration going back as far as 2009. It is important to me that my supporters know that these accusations misrepresent what kind of mayor I have strived to be for the City of Marietta, a Mayor for all of my constituents."

Foster, in response, posted on social media that "Mayor Tumlin vetoed what the community supported and the council passed — then tried to spin it as fairness."

"Two holidays only happened after public pressure," Foster wrote.

He also argued that Tumlin could've made Veterans Day a holiday at any time in his tenure, but only made it an issue when the Juneteenth holiday was proposed.

"There weren't 'differing wishes,'" he added. "The Council had already approved Juneteenth 4-3, and no one opposed Veterans Day. Tumlin's veto didn't bring people together — it blocked what the Council had already settled and forced another vote."

GREEN LIGHT WEEK: From Nov. 4 to 11, Cobb County is asking residents to put a green light bulb in their porch light for veterans.

Operation Green Light is a national initiative "highlighting veterans who have difficulty accessing benefits after serving their country," said Commissioner JoAnn Birrell.

All county buildings will be lit green during this time and residents are encouraged to participate.

"Citizens are encouraged to recognize the importance of honoring all those who make the immeasurable sacrifices to preserve our freedoms by displaying green lights in a window of their place of business or residence," Birrell said.

RENAISSANCE MAN: The Cobb Board of Commissioners recognized Marietta resident Capt. Mel Pender, Jr. Tuesday, honoring him for his "outstanding achievements as a world class sprinter, decorated combat soldier and civil rights advocate."

"Your determination and talent led you to win a gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games — an extraordinary accomplishment achieved while serving as a combat soldier in the Vietnam War," Commissioner Keli Gambrill said. "You earned the Bronze Star for your military service, and as the co-author of "Expression of Hope" with your wife Debbie, have inspired many through your leadership and perseverance. Inducted into multiple Hall of Fames, you continue to uplift the Cobb County community and embody the enduring spirit of the American dream."

Pender first represented the United States at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Nicknamed the "Black Knight" in the track world, setting world records in the 50, 60, 70 and 100-yard dash and the 100-meter dash.

"As a civil rights advocate, military officer and athlete, Pender overcame the racial barriers of the 1950s and 1960s, using his platform to inspire others through perseverance and purpose," the recognition read.

Next week, Pender will be heading to Washington, D.C. to collect an award from the Veterans Association for the docuseries "Vietnam: The War That Changed America." The six-part documentary, directed by Rob Coldstream and narrated by actor Ethan Hawke, features the true stories of men and women — including Pender — who served during the war.

Pender said he'd received "plenty of awards and been inducted into 12 Hall of Fames" over the years, but next week would be "one of the greatest awards."

"That award I'm getting in D.C. is going to be something that I'm going to be very proud of," said Pender, who competed in the '68 Olympics between his two tours in Vietnam.

Pender and his wife Debbie also run The Gathering of Eagles Foundation, which helps raise funds to provide scholarships to young men and women aspiring to go to college.

"It's amazing. I think about the things that I've accomplished in my life growing up in the 50s and 60s and 70s," said Pender, who turned 88 on Halloween. "It's amazing to be here and live in Cobb County. We love Cobb County."

ON THE LEFT: Indivisible Cobb, a progressive group that has organized anti-Trump "No Kings" rallies in Cobb, is holding a candidate sign waving rally for progressive candidates at the Marietta Square Saturday.

The rally begins at 10:30 a.m. and lasts until noon.

"Indivisible Cobb will be holding this rally to remind people they need to exercise the ultimate tool of democracy available to all citizens — their vote," Stacey Parlotto, one of the group's leaders, said. "Off-year elections have notoriously low turnout, so every vote cast can demonstrably affect the outcome. It is our duty to remind our neighbors they make a difference when they show up."

Election Day for Cobb County municipal elections and statewide Public Service Commission elections is Nov. 4.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: The City of Mableton is hosting a third public meeting for the city's 2045 Comprehensive Plan, a plan meant to guide the community's growth, sustainability and development over the next 20 years.

The free event will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Riverside EpiCenter, 135 Riverside Parkway.

"The Mableton 2045 Comprehensive Plan represents more than just a roadmap for growth — it's our community's collective vision for what we want Mableton to become. Together, we're laying the foundation for a city that is vibrant, inclusive, and resilient — a place where opportunity and quality of life go hand in hand," Mayor Michael Owens said in a statement.

The meeting will include a presentation on the planning process, an assessment of the existing conditions, a briefing on elements analysis and a presentation of the goals, strategies and action items. Activities during the event will allow participants to provide input on various focus areas.

For more information, visit www.mableton2045.org.