Cobb
Contract awarded to rebuild Clarkdale school
The Cobb school board Thursday awarded a $14.7 million contract to Carroll Daniel Construction Co. of Gainesville, to rebuild Clarkdale Elementary in Powder Springs. The school is being relocated to a site adjacent from Cooper Middle and will be built larger with 53 classrooms to relieve overcrowding at nearby elementary schools. The entire school, including 22 classrooms and 13 trailers, was destroyed by flood on Sept. 21, 2009. Jaime Sarrio
Auditions open for Broadway review
A Marietta church is looking for local talent to perform in a Broadway review July 20-24. Soloists and adult and children ensembles-- 8 is the minimum age-- can audition for the annual Jubilation Theatre show, 2 p.m., April 17 and 6 p.m., April 18 in the Family Life Hall, Marietta First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock Ave. Information: wwwMariettaFUMC.org. Tucker McQueen for the AJC
Gwinnett
New commission chair takes office today
Gwinnett County starts a new chapter today when former County Administrator Charlotte Nash steps into the job of commission chair. Nash will be sworn in at 4 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville. She was elected March 15 in a special election sparked by the resignation of Chairman Charles Bannister. Nash defeated three other candidates and will serve two years left in Bannister's term. Nancy Badertscher
Atlanta
Embattle attorney fires back with suit
As the Georgia Bar Association wraps up its investigation into allegations he tried to shake down a developer, attorney John Woodham has filed a wide-ranging federal conspiracy suit against most everyone involved. He contends that, since attorneys agreed not to record the conversation, developer Scott Leventhal violated federal wiretapping law when he recorded him allegedly seeking $1.3 million in exchange for dropping litigation against a bond issuance.
Woodham also accuses the Atlanta Development Authority of racketeering, and former mayor Shirley Franklin of working to smear him. He says giving tax breaks through "phantom" bonds amounts to fraud and perjury. Johnny Edwards
DeKalb
County to hire auditors to evaluate jobs
Every DeKalb County employee's duties will be scrutinized to determine if they are worth having a job.
The County Commission decided Thursday to hire an outside agency to conduct a desk audit. The first audit will be in the courts and public safety departments, which have the most staff, commissioners said.
Last month, the Commission voted to cut $33.6 million from the 2011 budget, but they have been reluctant to cut staff.
"We want outside independent people looking at this. I want to make it clear that we are not on a witch hunt," Commissioner Elaine Boyer said. Megan Matteucci
southside
Fayette refinances bond to save money
In a move that saved Fayette County taxpayers $3 million, commissioners voted Thursday night to refund and reissue revenue bonds for the justice center and jail. The unanimous decision also means the Board of Commissioners takes ownership of the complex from the Fayette Public Facilities Authority. Kathy Jefcoats for the AJC
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