On March 21, residents of the new city of Mableton will head to the polls to elect their first mayor.
The winner will represent Cobb’s newest and largest city, with 77,500 residents, and be tasked with shepherding the transfer of four services from Cobb County to the new local government.
They will also have to confront the de-annexation movement in northern pockets of the city where residents voted overwhelmingly against incorporation.
Four candidates qualified to run for mayor — Aaron Carman, LaTonia Long, Michael Murphy and Michael Owens. They joined a virtual candidate forum this week hosted by two community groups to discuss de-annexation, the “city-lite” model that Mableton’s founders have in mind, and their overall vision and goals for the new city.
The mayoral candidates were asked how they would handle de-annexation of some areas, should it come to pass.
Carman has been frank about the fact he did not vote for cityhood.
“We have to let that process play out. But once that plays out, we’ll have to reset the parameters of what the city is if there’s parts that are being taken out because of de-annexation,” he said. “We’ll have to reevaluate that and still focus on delivering those core services to the areas that are included in the city.”
Long also said she was not initially in favor of creating the city.
“However, this is a city, Mableton is here, and with new leadership, we have to prioritize creating a unifying vision for the city,” she said.
Murphy, meanwhile, said he does not support de-annexation, but will listen to the concerns of those supporting it.
“But I would also be striving to suggest that they give us a chance,” Murphy said. “Let us show how we could be a successful city.”
Owens said he wanted to be very clear that he voted for the city and believes in it.
“I respect the people that have…
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