MARIETTA — In the span of two weeks, Cobb County lost three of its greatest leaders.
Longtime County Manager David Hankerson, former Marietta Councilman Van Pearlberg and former Cobb Commission Chairman Earl Smith were remembered for their contributions to Cobb, their loved ones and young people by former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens.
Speaking to the Kiwanis Club of Marietta at its weekly meeting, Olens shared personal anecdotes about each man, highlighting not just their service, but their spirits.
“All three of those individuals have a common theme,” Olens said. “Family, ethics, youth and friend.”
Olens worked with each leader in various capacities — employing Pearlberg under him in the attorney general’s office, working with Hankerson when Olens was chair of the Cobb Board of Commissioners and crossing paths with Smith while serving in Cobb government and beyond.
David Hankerson
When Olens was elected county chairman in 2002, Hankerson had been serving as the first Black county manager for almost 10 years.
“When David first came to Cobb County, Cobb County wasn’t exactly jumping to see minority leadership,” Olens said. “Despite that, each and every day, he put on a smile and he did great work for the citizens of this county.”
Olens said Hankerson was committed to quality service for Cobb citizens, taking any complaints against county employees seriously — telling an anecdote that was a clear crowd pleaser.
“If any employee started swaying from that…
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