On June 9, Cobb County residents will have the opportunity to vote for a variety of political offices. The EAST COBBER presents the candidates running in the Republican primary election for the Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chairman. Lisa Cupid is the only Democratic candidate running for this office.

MICHAEL BOYCE (R)-Incumbent
www.likemike4cobb.comREPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR CHAIRMAN COBB COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 2
AGE: 70
CITY, STATE BORN: Brawley, CA
EDUCATION: BA University of Notre Dame; MA Pepperdine University; Naval War College
OCCUPATION: U.S. Marine Corps
FAMILY: Wife, 3 children, 4 grandchildren
HOBBIES: Reading, Travel

ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: American Legion, Marine Corps League, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mt Bethel UMC Veterans

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY?
Almost 20 years

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? IF YES, PLEASE LIST OFFICE AND YEAR(S): Chairman is my first elected office and I am in my 4th year.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: The Chairman’s primary responsibilities are to conduct meetings of the Board of Commissioners and to develop the County budget. The primary impact on East Cobb are two-fold. One is to ensure that its commissioner has the opportunity and resources to represent the constituents of East Cobb during all actions of the Board. Secondly, the County budget supports the quality of life in the area with particular emphasis on public safety, transportation infrastructure, a responsive water system, and ensuring all quality of life amenities are staffed and supported.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. My 30 year career as a marine officer provided me the leadership and management training and command experiences to make decisions, large and small and build teamwork. All of these skills have been brought to bear as i focus on unifying the county to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus and deal with the consequences of it.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? Once we overcome the COVID 19 pandemic, the most important issue confronting the county is addressing the transit and transportation problems resulting from a growing population. The Atlanta Regional Commission has forecast that the County will have one million residents by 2050. We need to start thinking in those terms and take the necessary measures that reflect this coming reality.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? My wife Judy. She wakes up every day with a positive attitude that reflects her faith walk. She’s amazing.

PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON:
1. Decisive; 2. Experienced; 3. Saved

LARRY SAVAGE (R)REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR CHAIRMAN COBB COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 3
www.savageforchairman.org AGE: 76
CITY, STATE BORN: Atlanta, GA
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, GMI (now Kettering University)
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Georgia State University
OCCUPATION: Retired, Sales Management, Loctite Corp.
FAMILY: Niece in Hoschton and Nephew in Germany HOBBIES: Restoration of old cars and motorcycles
HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? 43 years
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? IF YES, PLEASE LIST OFFICE AND YEAR(S): No

PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: This is the top elected position in Cobb County government. Controls county government portion of all property taxes, all county services, road and bridge construction and maintenance, and management of many programs provided by state and federal agencies.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. Technical and business education; 40+ years employed by multi-national companies in tech and management positions with bottom-line p&l responsibility; In depth experience with creation and implementation of forecasts and budgets, and accountability for financial results; Experience with hiring and managing professional workforce in large organizations.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? Recent history of financial mis-management and over-spending has created pressure for higher taxes, beyond acceptable levels for tax payers. Also, inadequate controls exist in financial and human resources functions and a general disregard for rules and standards. Correction needed in many areas.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? Ronald Reagan. His commitment to conservative government and his ability to work with opposition to find success.

PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON:
1. Honest; 2. Thorough; 3. Fair 

RICCI MASON (R)REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR CHAIRMAN COBB COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 6
www.ricci4cobbchair.com
AGE: 55
CITY, STATE BORN: Pittsburgh, PA
EDUCATION: Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service; 2 year degree with courses in business management, accounting, law and public health, as well as courses relating specifically to the funeral industry
OCCUPATION: Retired, Cobb County Police
FAMILY: Two adult children, two grandchildren
HOBBIES: Bowling, fishing, motorcycle riding, outdoor activities

ORGANIZATIONS YOU BELONG TO: Eastside Baptist Church Being a single parent raising two children while working full-time did not allow me much time for clubs and organizations. I am a former member of the Masons Kennesaw Lodge 33.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN EAST COBB/COBB COUNTY? I first moved to Cobb County 32 years ago. I relocated briefly, but chose to return to Cobb County for the quality of life. I haved lived in East Cobb and Acworth during the past twelve years.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ELECTED TO A PUBLIC OFFICE? IF YES, PLEASE LIST OFFICE AND YEAR(S): No 

PLEASE DESCRIBE THIS OFFICE’S DUTIES & ITS IMPACT ON EAST COBB: I see as the primary duty of the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners to oversee all county operations in a responsible manner, including oversight of the budget and issues impacting zoning and economic growth and quality of life. In addition, the Chairman works in tandem with the county manager to manage the various departments and department heads, as well as to cooperate with the other board members to set policy and implement the other duties described. The Chairman of the Board is responsible to all of the residents of Cobb County of which the residents of East Cobb are a vital and vibrant part.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFY YOU FOR THIS OFFICE. I have as much training for the position of Chairman as did our current chairman four years ago. Thirty-two years of service to Cobb County as a public safety officer have given me a perspective on the workings of county government, including areas in which government functions well and areas in which the government can be more responsive to residents and county employees.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING YOUR POLITICAL OFFICE, AND, IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT IT? The most important issue facing the county today is the unprecedented public health crisis that is sweeping the country and the world. We as a community need to focus on the health and welfare of all our residents in a way that goes beyond politics. I will work with county department heads, as well as State and Federal officials, in whatever way is necessary to ensure the health and safety of our citizens.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, AND WHY? Ronald Reagan. Particularly in this time of national crisis, I remember President Reagan as a leader who was able to cross political barriers to connect with people from different social, economic, and political back- grounds to unite the country and give all people hope and the promise of a better life.

PLEASE LIST THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YOU AS A PERSON:
1. Loyal; 2. Honest; 3. Committed