Friday, December 19, 2003

Melear bids City Council service farewell

By Lindsay Bianchi
Special to the Citizen

Harvey Melear has never been at a loss for words. Since his first meeting on the Fairburn City Council he has made it clear that he "will never be quiet." The council must have known something, when they informed him that new council members could not talk until after serving their first year.

Last week, Melear attended his final council meeting after more than a decade of service.

Hardly an issue went before the six members that did not meet with a few pointed questions from Melear. He has had a deep interest in the growth and development of Fairburn since his family moved there when he was 18.

Originally from Newnan, his family bought a farm in Rico when he was three. The youngest of eight children, by the time he was 10 he was working in his families restaurant in Union City, Melear's Bar-B-Q.

After graduating from Campbell High School he attended the University of Georgia in Athens where he picked up a degree in business administration and an undying dedication to the Georgia Bulldogs.

His specialty was insurance and he worked in that field for 8 years before switching to a supervisor's position at Arrow Shirts in Atlanta. He credits his 18 months with the company for turning his hair from black to gray.

Eventually Harvey found his niche at Macy's. Starting out as a furniture salesman, he proclaimed, "If it's to be sold, I can sell it."

Soon he moved up to management and over the years helped to open several locations in Georgia and was involved in the redesign of Lenox Mall.

"It was a 7 day a week job from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but I loved it!" After 25 years as a retail merchandising manager he took with him a love of people and a desire to get involved in his community.

He was a key player in the development of Little League in Fairburn where he coached his own team and helped to build the baseball diamonds at Duncan Park.

When a council member stepped down after serving half his term, Harvey was persuaded to run and won with a large margin of the votes and served several terms on the council.

"Campaigning was never a real problem for me. I went door to door Saturdays and evenings. I knew 50 percent of the people in Fairburn at that time."

One decision that Melear is most proud of is the acquisition of Landmark High School. His old alma mater, Campbell High School had closed.

" We had this big, empty building, a huge eyesore." he recalled.

He and his fellow board members recognized the need for Fairburn to have their own high school and struck a deal with Landmark that spoke more to community than to capital gains. The end results have been appreciated by many a graduating class.

"The biggest change is the growth of South Fulton County. I think this council has done an excellent job controlling the right type of growth. They have kept business and industry on one side and the residents on one side."

     Now, fully retired at 67, you will have to chase Harvey down the golf course to get his opinion. "I love golf! Unless it's pouring down ice cold rain, I'm on the golf course."

     When asked if he had any advice for future council members he said, "Love the city. When you are making decisions think of the people of Fairburn. Never make a decision on your own that effects you only. Make your decision on what you think is best for the citizens of Fairburn. If you always keep the people in mind I think you will make the right decisions."