Thompson Seeks Return to Cobb Commission for Redevelopment

Incumbent South Cobb District 4 Commissioner Woody Thompson is asking voters to approve him a fourth time so he can work on redevelopment and renewal in places that are "looking tired."

"I grew up in this area," said Thompson, of Mableton.  "I've seen a lot of growth and I've seen some deterioration. Some places that are showing some age need some renewal."

For 40 years, Thompson has been a real estate broker, selling mostly land and commercial property. Several areas in South Cobb need some new buildings and different regulations so that commercial clients will move in, he said.

"Around Six Flags Drive there are some nice subdivisions, but we've got to clean up Six Flags Drive itself," he said.

Thompson thinks the county should look at taking out older, half-occupied apartment buildings and banking the land until a developer sees an opportunity for something like condos or mixed-use developments.

Thompson graduated from South Cobb High School, and he and his wife Betsy have lived in south Cobb for all of their 38-year marriage. 

He first joined the commission in 1997 and served until 2004 when he was beat by Annette Kesting.  In 2008, Thompson beat her and several other Democrats to return to the commission.

Thompson's fundraising for the race looks puny so far; his latest disclosure shows no money raised in the first quarter of 2012. However, he said that's because he made up his mind to run again only in May. His second quarter disclosure is due July 9, and he says it will show about $26,000. That puts him on par with Lisa Cupid, also running for the seat. The two are far ahead of the rest of the field in donations.

Six Democrats are running for the South Cobb Commission seat. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two will go to an Aug. 21 runoff. There are no Republicans in the contest.

Patch is profiling each of the Cobb County Commission District 4 candidates this week.