Council Recognizes Citizens

Kennesaw was open for business as usual on Presidents Day, and that meant having the regularly-scheduled City Council meeting on Monday evening.

Mayor Mark Mathews presented a long list of proclamations and awards to deserving citizens and groups in the Kennesaw community.

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce Health and Wellness 2012 Health Hero Award recipients were honored by Mathews. Donna Chambers, manager and nurse practitioner of the KSU Community Health Clinic at MUST Ministries, has served there for four years and helps 3,000 patients per year.

The Cobb Alcohol Taskforce was also a Hero recipient, and has created partnerships with 66 community agencies to help reduce underage and youth binge drinking.

Jean Green was recognized for her volunteer service to the Cemetery Preservation Commission, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the statewide Georgia Municipal Cemetery Association. Green will have a tree planted in her honor at a local cemetery on May 5.

The Kennesaw Police Department Explorers were also recognized for their success at a recent Explorer competition in Gatlinburg, TN. The group offers their assistance at many of Kennesaw's community festivals and road races.

Before sitting down, Mayor Mathews was surprised by an award given to him by John Ahlberg of TLE Christian Academy in Kennesaw and his wife, Ellen.

Ahlberg explained that they run their school on the servant leader principles similar to that of Chick-fil-A restaurants. They presented the mayor with a "Servant Leadership Award."

"I ran into Mayor Mathews three times outside these chambers," said Ellen Ahlberg, adding each time the mayor stopped to help her or fix an immediate problem at an event she was attending. "You are an amazing servant to our community and our families, and you recognize quickly what needs to be done and take action."

In other business, an alcohol license was approved for Mazzy's Sports Bar and Grill by a vote of 4-0. The business will open soon at 3940 Cherokee Street. Councilman Tim Killingsworth was not in attendance due to a medical issue in his family.

The Council also voted 3-1 to table the ratification of City Manager Steve Kennedy's contract until a later time.

"It has to do with the verbage of the contract, not the person," said Councilmember Cris Eaton-Welsh in explaining her vote.