Cobb County Courier, Responses to survey from the Cobb Courier to candidates for District 4 in the Cobb Board of Commissioners special election

Matthew has lived with his with wife, Marissa, in Cobb County for 16 years. They have 5 children.

Matthew works as a telecommunications engineer. He previously served as a reconnaissance scout in the cavalry for the United States Army. 

This is Matthew Hardwick's first run for public office. 

Said, "I have always appreciated the library in growing up as a child. Unfortunately, during our visits to local libraries over the course of the last ten years or so, we have found them nearly empty during each visit. Additionally, they did not have any of the books we were looking for, nor the language course that my wife required to study for her overseas commitment. By all appearances, it would seem that the relevance of the local library may have been superseded by technology."

Said, "I have always appreciated the library in growing up as a child. Unfortunately, during our visits to local libraries over the course of the last ten years or so, we have found them nearly empty during each visit... By all appearances, it would seem that the relevance of the local library may have been superseded by technology. Given that, I think we should have a look at all library attendance records history before we can have a serious conversation [about closing public library branches]."

- Said, "I have always appreciated the library in growing up as a child. Unfortunately, during our visits to local libraries over the course of the last ten years or so, we have found them nearly empty during each visit... By all appearances, it would seem that the relevance of the local library may have been superseded by technology. Given that, I think we should have a look at all library attendance records history before we can have a serious conversation [about closing public library branches]."

Public Services

Said, "After that, I intend to put a tourniquet on the tremendous tax bleed that we have been suffering from as well.  Our long term goal should be to eventually reduce the tax burden placed on the People of Cobb County."

Plans to reduce taxes for Cobb County residents. 

- Plans to reduce taxes for Cobb County residents. 

Economy

As of February 4, 2025, Matthew Hardwick did not have a website or any information online.

Public Safety

Believes zoning requires balancing stakeholder goals through communication, public meetings, and advisory board collaboration, and supports win-win decisions, acknowledging that compromises may be necessary.

Believes zoning requires balancing stakeholder goals through communication, public meetings, and advisory board collaboration,.

Said, "I don’t think the county can control the cost of housing due to, as I said above, supply and demand. In a way, these are good problems, but of course, the flipside of that same coin is the cost of housing exceeding the means of others. We should never stop researching available options."

Believes the county cannot control the cost of housing because it is dependent on "supply and demand," but said "We should never stop researching available options."

Said, "We should continue to enforce strict code compliance for tenant safety.  We could perhaps offer incentives for landlords & property owners who excel at code compliance."

Proposes offering incentives for landlords and property owners who excel at code compliance.

- Believes zoning requires balancing stakeholder goals through communication, public meetings, and advisory board collaboration,.
- Believes the county cannot control the cost of housing because it is dependent on "supply and demand," but said "We should never stop researching available options."
- Proposes offering incentives for landlords and property owners who excel at code compliance.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports using mandatory road surveys to enhance pedestrian safety.

Supports using mandatory road surveys to improve pedestrian safety.

Supports expanding bus routes and adding time-dependent carpool lanes.

- Supports using mandatory road surveys to improve pedestrian safety.
- Supports expanding bus routes and adding time-dependent carpool lanes.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Matthew Hardwick

Julien has lived in Cobb County for 15 years. 

Julien runs a medical transportation service. He also co-founded a party rental company. 

This is Julien Grhas' first run for public office. 

Said, "I will be honest and clear about my actions and intentions as a public servant of the county."

Said, "Public libraries are an institution that offer wisdom, research, internet, shelter, and opportunity. With this as a core belief, you can trust that your libraries are safe with a vote for me."

- Said, "I will be honest and clear about my actions and intentions as a public servant of the county."
- Said, "Public libraries are an institution that offer wisdom, research, internet, shelter, and opportunity. With this as a core belief, you can trust that your libraries are safe with a vote for me."

As of February 4, 2025, Julien Grhas did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "Zoning decisions affect all of us. When balancing the needs of residents, developers, and businesses, it is important to remember that this is not just land, it’s home. It’s where we make memories with our kids, where we grow old, where we fall in love. We need to come together to listen to each other and build something that we are proud of, that brings us joy and prosperity, that we can grow families in. As Commissioner, I vow to always protect and promote the interests of the community. I will listen to your worries, your wants, your needs."

Said, "Zoning decisions affect all of us. When balancing the needs of residents, developers, and businesses, it is important to remember that this is not just land, it’s home... As Commissioner, I vow to always protect and promote the interests of the community. I will listen to your worries, your wants, your needs."

Supports investment in affordable single-family homes.

Supports investment in affordable single-family homes and setting caps on rent hikes.

- Said, "Zoning decisions affect all of us. When balancing the needs of residents, developers, and businesses, it is important to remember that this is not just land, it’s home... As Commissioner, I vow to always protect and promote the interests of the community. I will listen to your worries, your wants, your needs."
- Supports investment in affordable single-family homes and setting caps on rent hikes.

Said, "The county absolutely has a responsibility to protect its pedestrians. Cobb County has the budget to maintain existing sidewalks and construct future ones."

Believes expanding the railway is too costly and prefers optimizing bus schedules to save money for more accessible fares and expanded services.

- Said, "The county absolutely has a responsibility to protect its pedestrians. Cobb County has the budget to maintain existing sidewalks and construct future ones."
- Believes expanding the railway is too costly and prefers optimizing bus schedules to save money for more accessible fares and expanded services.

Julien Grhas

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay in property and sales taxes, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.