Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Judge dismisses effort to recall LeeBy JOHN MUNFORD A petition to recall Tyrone Mayor Sheryl Lee has been dismissed by a Superior Court Judge. Judge William A. Fears of the Towaliga Judicial Circuit dismissed the recall petition filed by resident Melissa Hill at a hearing Wednesday morning that lasted less than a half-hour. The recall petition focused particularly on a tie-breaking vote Lee cast in favor of approving a rezoning for a 155-home subdivision on a 217-acre tract of land on Ga. Highway 74 and Kirkley Road for John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods. The subdivision will feature homes on minimum half-acre lots, which is relatively small for Tyrone because it doesnt have its own sewer system and thus most lots must be at least an acre in size to accommodate septic tanks. In this case, Wieland has special sewer service access via the city of Fairburn, avoiding the need for use of septic tanks. Lee said Wednesday afternoon that she was thankful the recall matter has come to a close, but she was nervous during the hearing because you never know how anything is going to play out. I dont know that Im elated, but Im glad its over so I can move forward with things that need to be done for the town, Lee said. If people really knew what was in my heart, theyd know I vote for the best interests of everybody in the town of Tyrone, not just a few. I have to look at the big picture. Lee was represented in the case by Peachtree City attorney Rick Lindsey. Hill said she was happy with the outcome because more citizens are engaged in town government now. She knew going into the hearing that she had a slim chance of winning the petition, but she felt it was necessary because so many town residents opposed the rezoning for Wieland. Weve had so many citizens come forward who otherwise wouldnt have, Hill said. Theyre going to meetings. ... Theyve formed the Tyrone Neighborhood Alliance. The awareness level is a whole lot better than it used to be. We feel theyve got to be on their toes more. Lee said she made her decision on the John Wieland subdivision after the developer worked with the town for two years to dramatically reduce the original number of homes proposed for the site. We got down to what we felt like we could all live with it, Lee said of the proposal, and I just happened to be the lucky one to break the tie. Lee added that she was worried that the city could have faced a subdivision with many more houses than the current version of the plan if the council had chosen to deny Wielands application. Hill complimented the Town Council for sending out a recent survey about the future plans for the Shamrock Park downtown area. If that would have happened for the Wieland rezoning issue, it never would have been approved, she said. Wielands subdivision also includes 99.7 acres of park space, Lee noted. Lee said if shed had her way years ago, the town would have put up gates and not let anybody else in. But the town cant hold people hostage to their land, Lee added. Ironically, Lee said she wanted to serve as mayor to reduce negative publicity for the town. To say the least, this has been an embarrassment to the town, Lee said of the recall drive. But she doesnt hold ill will against anyone involved in the recall effort, she said. Lee just wants the town to move on. Everybody can have their own opinion, Lee said. I dont want any grudge matches. Hill said she had no ill feelings toward Lee either. I just thought what she did was wrong, Hill said, adding that schools and roads are crowded and the town needs more police officers to handle the growing population. Hill said she didnt regret filing the recall petition, as she has made more friends and learned more about how government works. And, she said, I think Tyrone is a better place, because of the recall. Council members Lisa Richardson and Lyn Redwood voted against the rezoning. Lee joined Council members Paul Letourneau and Michael Smola in voting for the rezoning. |
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