Speak out at Public Meetings

Unfortunately, many public meetings are held at a time when most people are working (e.g., BOC Zoning Meetings at 9 a.m.), and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to know when your particular issue/application will be discussed (see the 2nd Letter from this MDJ submission). Nevertheless, bringing as many people as possible to a public meeting is a cogent and visible display of your commitment to a particular issue and to exercising your right of free speech. Additionally, in some states you must present evidence against a project at some meeting if you want to challenge it at a later date.   

• Board of Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals Meetings are held at 100 Cherokee Street, Marietta, GA in Commission Meeting Room located on the 2nd floor of the Cobb County Building, Bldg A.
• In general, the commission meets in regular session twice a month on the second Tuesday (9 a.m.) and the fourth Tuesday (7 p.m.). Commission Zoning Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month (9 a.m.). (Note: there may be some zoning meetings held on a Thursday due to a holiday or some other reason - check the link above for additional detail)

Start a Petition

A petition should have a concise and specific statement (e.g., "I am opposed to [specific issue] ... ") to which people will be signing their names in the affirmative. The petition looks more credible if people include their contact information. Although a petition generally does not have legal status, a copy can easily be distributed to the press and/or government as a way of illustrating constituent support behind changing or righting some sort of injustice or untenable decision.

Hold a Rally

Organizing a rally in front of city hall seems to be the quintessential display of public protest. Although we (U.S. Citizens) generally have the right of assembly as part of the first amendment, you may need to get an assembly permit before you hold a rally.

Organize other Events

You may want to align yourself with other local/state events that have a related charter or purpose as your campaign/organization. In addition, you could invite a member of the press to tour a condemned area or historical site to demonstrate its significance to an upcoming zoning decision. 

As anyone who is an avid reader of LTTE knows, they are often the most insightful and charged words in a newspaper. 

• Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Marietta Daily Journal (an email address; attach letter or put in the body of an email)

Write Op-eds

An opinion-editorial or "op-ed" is a longer piece (cf. LTTE) that is published in the opinion section of a newspaper. It often ranges in length from 400-800 words and it enables the writer to flesh out more of an argument than in a LTTE. An op-ed is best if it attempts to make no more than 3 key points. The writer should try to stay as objective (not overly opinionated) as possible, while still telling an engaging story. (See Michael Petelle's excellent Op-ed on a [Jan. 2003] annexation and re-zoning of property by the City of Marietta.) See newspaper links above.

Contact Your Local Paper

Newspapers are generally interested in vigorously debated issues (see many zoning disputes) and personal stories. Many people (newspaper customers)  like to read stories about issues happening in their community (remember former Speaker Tip O'Neil's comment [and book title] that "All Politics is Local"). 

Place an Ad

An advertisement can be a novel way (with some cost) to increase the visibility of an important issue within the local community.  For example, a group of Marietta (City) residents (Nov.-Dec., 2002) ran an ad in the MDJ regarding Marietta's (previous) ownership stake in the Marietta Conference Center and the FiberNet cable company.

Write a letter (A Sample Letter: modify this Word document as appropriate; cut/paste in an email, etc.), email and/or call our commissioners and/or government officials. In general, a letter is the most powerful method, but an email is effective as well. Use all three communication methods. Let your voice be heard. See addresses, phone #'s, and email address below 

(Note: some of the contact information from various media [e.g., Web, newspaper] is inconsistent and/or not up-to-date for numerous representatives. Please make sure you check another credible source before contacting a representative.)

Lobby for New Legislation

If you have sparked some political interest, you can work to get a new statute or amendment passed (See H.O.P.E.'s work with Judy Manning, Georgia House Representative for District 32, and her bill HB 22 to change the eminent domain laws in Georgia. How a Bill becomes Law.).