Friday, September 14,
2001
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Fairburn residents: Keep the park open By JOHN
THOMPSON
The hot lights of television cameras made a rare appearance in Fairburn Monday night as the controversy surrounding Duncan Park continued to grow. With members of the Atlanta media looking on, Fairburn Mayor Betty Hannah reiterated during Monday's council meeting that Fairburn officials did not want Duncan Park closed. Fairburn's Duncan Park has turned into a political football that is being kicked back and forth between the city and Fulton County. Fulton officials have cited a state law that states when a municipality reaches 5,000 in population and annexes parks into its municipalities, it must start picking up the costs. City Administrator Tony Cox and City Attorney Brad Sears said the law Fulton County is quoting is not a state law, but rather a constitutional amendment that was requested by Fulton officials in the '70s. "There is no requirement for Fairburn to operate that park," Sears said. Sears said he planned to meet with the county's legal department soon and Cox said he was meeting with Fulton County recreation officials this past Wednesday to discuss the issue. Cox did say that if Fairburn is going to fund the park for $500,000 on a yearly basis, it would have to more than double the current 4.5-mill property tax rate to 9.5 mills. The residents who attended Monday's meeting beseeched the City Council to keep the park open. "The council should be considering what's good for the community and the children. There are 160 children playing football there tonight," said resident Barbara Parker. Barbara Allison said this is just another example of South Fulton getting shortchanged, and said the City Council should have done something before it got this far. City officials pledged to do everything possible to keep the park open and keep the residents updated on the situation.
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