AROUND TOWN: Kennesaw Politics, a Senator's Rebuttal and Taste of Marietta Winners

The race for the post 5 seat on the Kennesaw City Council has slid into personal attacks on fellow candidates and private citizens alike.

Ben Day, an Episcopal priest running for the seat, called out two citizens for their efforts to get the infamous Wildman’s Civil War Surplus Store banned from Big Shanty’s downtown.

On his campaign website, Day called out former Kennesaw City Councilwoman Cris Eaton Welsh and citizen Mary Miller for “bullying” the store, dragging his opponent Anthony Gutierrez into the fight as well. Welsh’s father, James ‘Doc’ Eaton, served on the Kennesaw Council until 2022 when he resigned in protest of the city renewing the business license for the Confederate-themed store.

Day started off by condemning the store as an “embarrassment” to the community, that perpetuates the “moral evils” of racism and xenophobia, but went on to call out Welsh, Miller and Gutierrez by name.

“However, the tactics employed by my fellow candidate, Anthony, and his backers Cris Eaton (Welsh) and Mary Miller, to bully and harass a licensed and compliant business are morally indefensible. Using government pressure to strongarm businesses is unacceptable and shameful,” Day wrote.

Day went on to suggest the city should penalize Wildman’s on technical grounds rather than moral ones, and said the store’s owner, Marjorie Lyon, could be penalized for displaying eight flags when city code only permits three to fly.

Wildman’s responded to the controversy with a few posts on its Facebook page. One stated Day was correct about the tactics of his opponents, and another lumped him in with them.

“Perhaps Ben Day and all the people who are on the 'run Wildman's out of town' platform for the past two years straight needs to be schooled on hypocrisy and posting and stating lies, aka personal opinions as facts,” the Friday post reads. “Does he or does he not represent himself as a man of the cloth?”

SENATOR REBUTTAL: In Saturday's MDJ Voter Guide, Ben Fremer, a Republican challenging state Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, R-east Cobb, made a number of accusations against his opponent. We won't regurgitate all of them, other than to say he accused her of being "more Democrat than Republican" and lacking the support of state Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, among other offenses.

Around Town asked Kirkpatrick if she cared to respond to Fremer's tirade. She did.

"I was disappointed to see the negative and untrue statements by my primary opponent in the voter guide," Kirkpatrick wrote in an email.

"I stand by my conservative voting record, which has been consistently recognized by the American Conservative Union for the last several years. I am not sure where he got his incorrect information about my votes, but I am happy to respond to specific questions about my vote on any bill.

"I am particularly baffled by his comments about religious freedom, which got a vote this year for the first time since I have been in the Senate. My yes vote is public record along with all my other votes. And contrary to his statements, I did vote in favor of cutting taxes, immigration reform, and many other issues important to Republicans.

"Regarding his comments about my sign placements, they are all done with permission. Unfortunately, some have disappeared from their locations or been vandalized. I have been endorsed by all my fellow majority caucus members as well as Governor Kemp and Lt Governor Jones.

"It is true that Senator Moore has not endorsed me. He is no longer a member of our Republican caucus. I’d be happy to provide a list of organizational endorsements as well. It is unfortunate that my opponent has chosen to attack me instead of making his case to the voters in the district.

"I have worked hard to be an effective Senator for my district and am proud of my ability to get things done for my constituents. I fiercely protect my reputation for integrity and will continue to take the high road in this primary election. I hope that the voters will see through his attacks and vote to allow me to continue my work on behalf of patients, our military, veteran and first responder communities, and our vulnerable foster kids. Please vote for me and reach out with any questions at kay.kirkpatrick@senate.ga.gov. Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, MD."

TASTIEST TASTE: Thousands gathered for the Taste of Marietta this weekend, presented by Superior Plumbing. The event included carnival favorites like turkey legs and funnel cakes, as well as classic southern barbecue and exotic international cuisine. Attendees enjoyed all the flavors featured, but eight restaurants took home these titles:

“Most Unique”: Piastra, deep fried lasagna

“The Big Chicken”: Willie Rae’s Social House, chicken gumbo

“Best International Cuisine”: Hamp & Harry’s, chicken satay

“Blazin’ BBQ”: Dave Poe’s BBQ, pulled pork

“Dangerously Delicious Desserts”: Press Waffle Co., house waffle

“Best Comfort Food”: Dave Poe’s BBQ, mac n’ cheese

“Finger Lickin’ Good”: EggRoll Boyz, Philly egg roll

“Best Seafood”: Mac’s Raw Bar & Market, lobster roll

“Tastiest Beverage”: Chocolate & Spice Eatery, frozen fruit drink

Tastiest Taste”: EggRoll Boyz, Philly egg roll

PRAYER BREAKFAST: The 40th annual Cobb County Prayer Breakfast is scheduled Thursday, and will bring hundreds of citizens and dozens of dignitaries to the Cobb Galleria for one of the largest prayer breakfasts in the country.

Over the last four decades, the breakfast has brought big names including former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young.

This year, guests will hear from two speakers: former Gov. Roy Barnes and Maj. Gen. Thomas Carden, leader of the Georgia National Guard.

Attendees will also hear renowned gospel singer Babbie Mason — who sang at the first prayer breakfast in 1985 — perform hymns again.

Broadcast journalist Monica Pearson will emcee and the Pebblebrook High School Orchestra will welcome almost 900 guests as they arrive before sunrise on the 2024 National Day of Prayer. Community leaders and students will join in Scripture readings and prayers to lift up the nation, first responders and community. The Cobb County Prayer Breakfast held the first commemoration of National Day of Prayer on May 2, 1985.

Coffee hour starts at 6:30 a.m. and the program will begin at 7 a.m. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.

For more information, visit http://www.cobbcountyprayerbreakfast.org.

ON THE LEFT: Democrat Michael Garza, who is once again challenging state Rep. John Carson, R-northeast Cobb, has employed a new campaign strategy.

To anyone who donated $25 or more to the Democrat’s campaign before the clock struck midnight Tuesday, Garza would give them a “vintage” yard sign from his unsuccessful 2022 run, political buttons, a jar of homemade salsa and a banned book.

The promise came in a Facebook post where Garza described himself as “scrappy” in his continued fight against the Republican majority on the Cobb County School Board and district staff under the leadership of Superintendent Chris Ragsdale.

“Do you remember that scrappy state house candidate that regularly goes toe-to-toe with the powerful Cobb County School District to fight for inclusive classroom environments and against book bans rooted in racism and anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry?” Garza wrote.

JOIN ACWORTH Mayor Tommy Allegood for the Acworth Spring Town Hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. on May 7 at the Tanyard Creek Overlook in the Acworth Community Center. Participants can learn about upcoming and ongoing city projects and the city by engaging with department leaders who will be onsite to discuss the roles their departments play within the city team.

CONGRATULATIONS: Walton High School senior Omer Mustafa Inan was named the state's STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) Student by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE).

Inan was recognized alongside Tamara Hollingsworth, the teacher he said was most influential in his academic journey.

Inan told the MDJ in February he chose Hollingsworth as his STAR teacher for her dedication and optimistic personality in the classroom, saying, "She has an amazing passion for literature and loves making her students better.”

Inan’s future is certainly bright. He’s off to Georgia Tech this fall, where he plans to study electrical engineering.