Atlanta Hartsfield Airport manager Benjamin DeCosta made it clear last Thursday to South Fulton Chamber of Commerce members that his primary concern in his job is carrying out the wishes of Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.

Asked to address the chamber's monthly business forum, DeCosta gave a 15-minute prepared speech on the advantages and what he called "best-kept secrets" of Hartsfield, but did not specifically address issues raised by questioners after the speech.

He described the airport's "best-kept secrets" as its conference center and its $6 daily park-and-ride lots. He also said that Hartsfield's property acquisition program "leads the nation in environmental sensitivity" to areas impacted by airplane noise.

J.W. Beavers, who described himself as a "fourth generation resident of College Park," said his family also has had to relocate four times because of the airport. College Park Mayor Jack Longino told DeCosta that the City of Atlanta simply is not working with south Fulton residents on proposed airport expansions.

"We should hear about it first, not last," Longino said. "We should be part of what's going on. We understand the economic importance of the airport, but this is our home. It isn't right for Atlanta to make decisions for south Fulton; we should be part of those decisions." Long and arduous negotiations have taken place about College Park areas, some of which are already severely impacted by the "fifth runway" project and its extension.

De Costa did not answer State Sen. Donzella James' question as to whether the Master Plan Coordinating Committee (MPCC) had come up with sites "other than south Fulton" for a sixth, or more, runways. He said it is "a mistake to believe that we do not take our responsibility in the broadest sense," and went on to comment about the airport as a "national treasure" of importance to more than the metro Atlanta area.

Before she asked her questions, Sen. James had told DeCosta, "Welcome to God's country ... while it still is God's country."

Bill Edwards, chairman of the Legacy Coalition which opposes Hartsfield expansion into south Fulton, asked DeCosta to tell the group what his feelings were about the College Park neighborhood called Newton Estates, after touring the area and a large part of south Fulton with Edwards and others.

Newton Estates, Edwards said, is completely blighted except for one family who would not sell out to the airport. The roads are still paved, but buildings are vandalized, trash abounds and the community amenities, like street lights, are no longer there.

De Costa said about telling his feelings to the group, "I don't think I want to do that," but he would say what he saw in Newton Estates: "I felt like I was driving through a forest on paved streets. I think we have to put it in context; it was a good, thriving community but today it's not. Instead of devastation, I see fertile ground for industrial development."