Friday, November 17, 2000
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Friday, November 17, 2000 |
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Residents pass first hurdle in bid to change counties By JOHN THOMPSON One hurdle is down, but several more await residents in South Fulton County who want to be annexed by Coweta County. Last week, the Fulton County Grand Jury approved allowing the residents in a small pocket of the county to be annexed. But before it's a done deal, the matter must pass the Fulton County Commission, the Coweta County Grand Jury and the Coweta County Commission. Residents had gotten the backing of the grand juries in Coweta and Fulton County earlier this year, but the map submitted for annexation showed some parcels that would not be part of the annexation. Four fed-up South Fulton residents started the ball rolling earlier this year by asking Coweta County to annex them. The South Fulton folks had tried the annexation route in 1993, but were rebuffed when Fulton County asked for several million dollars from Coweta County for the water lines and structures Coweta would be receiving. Currently, the residents, living near Rico in South Fulton, are disgusted with the level of service they're receiving from Fulton County, said resident Dave McMurrain at a Coweta County Commission meeting earlier this year. The residents currently do most of their shopping in Coweta and are eager to send their property tax money to Newnan, McMurrain added. Late in the spring, the Coweta County Grand Jury in Newnan approved the South Fulton residents' request for annexation into the county. Across the street at the county building, the Coweta commissioners discussed the possibility of an annexation. "Nobody's looked at the mechanics of this. I want questions answered about schools, fire protection and taxes," said Chairman Vernon "Mutt" Hunter. Hunter also added that he wanted a document from the possible new residents stating that they didn't expect Coweta County to run water lines to them. The area proposed for annexation is 1,700 acres near the community of Goodes. The land is rolling hills and meadows and the commissioners want to see it kept that way if it joins Coweta County. The commissioners suggested that a 10-year moratorium be placed on any development in the area and asked County Attorney Mitch Powell to look into the feasibility of imposing a moratorium. "I want it to stay rural," said Commissioner Jim McGuffey. The Coweta County Commission will consider the annexation if it passes the Coweta Grand Jury and receives the blessing of the Fulton County Commission.
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