Transport tax opponent files ethics complaint against Cupidon

The leader of a citizens group opposed to the proposed Cobb transportation tax has filed an ethics complaint against Cobb Commission Chair Lisa Cupid.

Lancee Lamberton of the Cobb Taxpayer Association claimed Monday that Cupid, the leading proponent of the 30-year, 1 percent sales tax, is “running an advocacy campaign” to promote the so-called Cobb Mobility SPLOST with what should be a neutral education. campaign.

He cited a state law saying such publicly funded campaigns should not take positions.

Cobb voters began heading to the polls Tuesday with the transit tax referendum on their ballots. If approved, the tax would raise about $11.4 billion over 30 years to fund expansion of the existing CobbLinc bus system, including 68 new miles of routes and several transfer stations.

A transfer station and two bus lines are planned for East Cobb, which hasn’t had bus service since the recession.

County pays $287,000 to Atlanta consulting firm to produce referendum information, including a page on the county government websitebut opponents said the information is not neutral.

In her complaint filed with Cobb County Clerk Pam Mabry, Lamberton said a video and flyer that is part of the education campaign states that “”this initiative aims to improve public transportation infrastructure of the county with a focus on security, flexibility and reliability, tailored to meet the needs of citizens. the specific needs of our growing community and local economy. Additionally, county staff, including the county manager and DOT director, among others, are asked to make these advocacy statements in the videos.

These statements include the following, according to Lamberton’s complaint:

“M-SPLOST can make public transit faster, more frequent and more reliable with 73 miles of BRT. This helps you avoid traffic, like when you’re on a train.

“The Cobb Transit Plan could transform bus stops and transfer points, creating a safer and more welcoming accessible experience.

And finally:

“Look at that!” Learn how transit connects our community with opportunity and learn how Cobb’s MSPLOST referendum could expand transit services in our county.

Lamberton wrote that “clearly the language of these statements expresses opinions in favor of the SPLOST proposal, and as the highest elected official in county government, it is incumbent upon the Speaker to refrain from the temptation to do so and to prohibit county staff from doing so. , as prohibited by state law cited above. In short, those who make the laws should not break them.

East Cobb News left a message for Cobb spokesperson Ross Cavitt seeking comment from Cupid.

The Cobb Ethics Committee is unlikely to hear Lamberton’s complaint “expeditiously,” that is, before the Nov. 5 election.

Lamberton’s group is one of two groups that spoke out against the referendum.

Last week, former Cobb Chamber of Commerce President John Loud, other business leaders and Republican elected officials held a rally against the tax.

While all three Democratic commissioners, including Cupid, voted to put the proposed tax to a referendum last year, Republican commissioners JoAnn Birrell and Keli Gambrill opposed it.

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