It was a call to forge a better future for the communities of South Fulton County by using a joint approach to solve their common problems. That was the consensus of representatives of the six cities that comprise the South Fulton Municipal Association (SFMA) at the Jan. 20 meeting in Fairburn.
Mayor Betty Hannah opened the meeting with a request to representatives from Palmetto, Union City, Fairburn, Hapeville, College Park and East Point. It was a request echoed throughout the meeting room upstairs at the Casablanca Cafe.
We need to be united in South Fulton because we have the same concerns, she said.
Mayors, council members and others interested in South Fultons future agreed, stating their realization that the rapid growth already occurring is a clear reason to combine forces in every area possible rather than solely fencing for themselves as separate municipalities.
Hapeville Mayor Alan Hallman reinforced the Hannahs position, stating that the continued growth of metro Atlanta was once something that had little impact on South Fulton communities but has now an issue that must be addressed locally.
We have a common problem, he said. The growth is astounding and there is more growth coming. But its how we deal with it thats important. Thirty years ago growth wasnt even in the vocabulary.
Group participants initially identified several areas that posed common problems and that might be targeted by the association. Those included problems with litter, issues with zoning and abandoned houses and the challenges of economic development.
The group agreed to the suggestion by several members that the idea of joining forces on common problems be brought to the various city councils and discussed at the next SFMA meeting Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. in Palmetto at the senior citizens center. Members also agreed that the format of future meetings should center on resolving common problems and planning for the future rather than listening to presentations by guest speakers.