Council Thanks TV Star and Approves Liquor and Massage Licenses

The Kennesaw City Council members were in rare form Monday night, making their first public comment in months, as they thanked a nationally-recognized television star.

The appearance of R&B artist Leon Thomas III at the Kennesaw Teen Center during the Big Shanty Festival, drew applause and gratitude. Thomas plays Andre Harris on the Nickelodeon program “Victorious."

Mayor Mark Mathews proclaimed April 16, 2011 “Leon Thomas III Day.”

“(He) was very gracious in setting up a booth and signing autographs for many, many hours.” Mathews said.  He said that Thomas was extremely generous with his time. 

For his efforts and generosity, Mathews presented Thomas with a key to the city, an honor which, according to the mayor, is almost never bestowed.

He was not alone in his praise.  Towards the end of the meeting, Councilman Bill Thrash, having recently returned to his duties after health problems, also praised Thomas.

“Let me tell you about Leon,” Thrash said, addressing the public.  “Leon has character, and what he says comes from his heart. He could easily have huge head, but he doesn’t.” 

Thomas expressed his gratitude for the recognition, as well as thanking everyone he’s met.

“This is one of my first trips to Georgia,” he said.  “This is true Southern hospitality.  You guys have shown me nothing but love.”

In other business:

- Council approved six massage therapy licenses, all but one of which were given to the employees of LaVida Massage Spa. 

- Council considered approval of an Alcohol Retail License Package for Excel Partners, LLC.  The financial staff recommended approval of the license. 

Resident Melissa Goober said she was against it. 

“We’ve had a lot of accidents there before,” she said.  Allowing the same building to be used to sell liquor was inviting trouble, she said.

Goober presented two letters of grievance to the council, and claimed that several members of churches in the area would be willing to write grievances as well. 

The council reviewed the two letters and determined that one was a grievance against a drive-thru window, which is not actually going to be built at the store. The council voted unanimously to grant the license.

- Mayor Mathews presented several awards Monday night.  The Kennesaw Mountain High School Girls’ Tennis Team and their coach, Chris Jackson, received certificates from the city for their performance in competition this year.  The girls were the 2011 4-AAAAA runner-ups in a close defeat against Hillgrove High School.