City of Marietta

Today we celebrate Rich Buss for more than 30 years of outstanding service to the City of Marietta. As Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities, Rich oversaw 42 parks spanning more than 389 acres and played a key role in shaping the vibrant public spaces our community enjoys today. In recognition of his remarkable impact and longstanding commitment to Marietta, Rich Buss was honored with a Key to the City as he enters retirement. We are grateful for his service and wish him the very best in this next chapter.

Innovation happens every day in Marietta, and our team is always finding new ways to better serve our community. In this edition of Innovators at Work, we highlight how our GIS team and the Marietta Fire Department worked together to use existing tools and staff expertise to solve a challenge. Their collaboration led to a new dashboard that helps monitor response calls more efficiently. Watch the video to see how this innovation is making a difference.

On this Veterans Day, we honor and express our gratitude to all the men and women who have served our nation. Watch the parade recap from this past Saturday, hosted by Horace Orr Post 29 of the American Legion and the City of Marietta, and join us in saying thank you!

Marietta is Perfectly Positioned to Support Your Business. Are you starting or expanding a business in the City of Marietta? Our team is ready to assist you every step of the way, from business development and licensing to permitting, site development, and redevelopment. Explore our Business Development Guide for an overview of processes and department contacts. Our staff is eager to support your goals and help your business thrive in Marietta. We invite you to reach out to our Economic Development team with questions, or simply to connect, at EDStaff@mariettaga.gov. View the Business Development Guide: https://brnw.ch/21wXfS0

Congratulations to Kenny Thomason on his retirement! Congratulations to Kenny Thomason, Public Works Streets Supervisor, for 33 years of dedicated service to the City of Marietta and our community. Throughout his career, Kenny has played a key role in keeping Marietta’s streets safe, maintained, and ready for everyone who travels them. His dedication and hard work have made a lasting impact on his team and the city. Thank you, Kenny, for more than three decades of outstanding service. We wish you all the best in your well-earned retirement!

Congratulations to Officer McDonald and Sgt. Reynolds of the Marietta, Georgia Police Department on receiving the LGE Local Hero Award from the Marietta Business Association in recognition of their outstanding investigative work. Their dedication and professionalism exemplify the commitment of Marietta’s finest to serving our community.

Congratulations to Scott Reece, Sanitation Supervisor for the City of Marietta, on being named the 2025 Department of Public Works Employee of the Quarter! Scott was recognized for his hard work, dedication, selflessness, and willingness to go above and beyond to support both his team and the citizens of Marietta. We are proud to celebrate Scott’s outstanding service and grateful to have him representing the Public Works Department and the City of Marietta.

Marietta Honors National First Responders Day Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin has issued a proclamation recognizing October 28, 2025, as National First Responders Day in the City of Marietta. This year, Marietta takes great pride in honoring our dedicated Police and Fire professionals, as well as our Utilities and Public Works teams, as essential first responders. Although Public Works professionals are officially recognized in the national definition of first responders, Marietta proudly becomes the first city in Georgia to formally include them in this observance, honoring their often unseen yet essential contributions to public safety. When a crisis occurs, Marietta shows up with the whole team. From first-on-scene responders to those clearing roads and restoring critical infrastructure, each plays a vital role. Together, these dedicated professionals keep our community safe and resilient. Today and every day, we thank our first responders for their service and commitment to the people of Marietta.

City of Marietta Receives Statewide Award for M2R Trail Activation Study The City of Marietta is pleased to announce that it has received the prestigious 2025 Outstanding Planning Document Award from the Georgia Planning Association (GPA) for the Mountain to River (M2R) Trail Activation Study. This award recognizes the study’s exceptional quality and completeness of the overall planning process that goes beyond a traditional planning document. The project stood out for its communication, graphics, storytelling, and overall quality of thought and delivery. In 2023, the City applied for and received technical assistance through the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Community Development Assistance Program and was partnered with The Georgia Conservancy to complete the study. The purpose of the trail activation study was to explore ways to further invigorate the 3.5-mile portion of the M2R Trail located within Marietta’s city limits, encouraging greater usage and access. The study addressed the key components of placemaking, wayfinding, and integration of the trail with its surrounding neighborhoods. The trail activation study was identified as an implementation item in the City of Marietta’s 2022 Comprehensive Plan, supporting the City’s ongoing efforts to enhance community spaces and promote active living. City staff accepted the award on October 9, 2025, during the annual GPA Awards Luncheon, held in conjunction with the organization’s fall conference. The full M2R Trail Activation Study and additional information about the City’s trail planning efforts are available using the link in the first comment below. About Georgia Planning Association and Awards Program – An official Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA), GPA is a 1,100 plus member organization of professional planners and planning officials who serve Georgia’s communities. The annual GPA Awards Program is GPA’s opportunity to recognize outstanding work in the planning profession in the State of Georgia. The program honors and celebrates the projects and people who exhibit innovation, excellence, leadership and other key attributes that advance their communities and the planning field. #ItTakesAPlanner

Marietta Fire Department continues to prioritize advanced training to ensure the highest level of emergency care for our community. Recently, the department participated in a specialized training on cardiogenic shock, led by Wellstar Health System. The session focused on early recognition of key warning signs and reinforced the importance of rapid assessment, monitoring, and communication in the field. This ongoing commitment to advanced training help ensure Marietta’s first responders are fully prepared to provide life-saving care when every second counts.