Algee calls for SF to clean up Broadway

By CHRIS MENEES
Messenger Staff Reporter
John “Pete” Algee is concerned about South Fulton’s appearance.
He brought his concerns to the South Fulton City Commission during its monthly session Thursday evening.
Algee began by asking the commissioners what they see after they pass by the South Fulton Municipal Building and continue toward the city’s downtown business area on Broadway.
“It looks like a junkyard right in the middle of the city,” he said.
Algee expressed concerns over junk cars and other things littering the area and said the city needs to change its image if it hopes to attract any new business.
Vice Mayor Charles Moody, who presided in the absence of South Fulton Mayor Ron Haskins, assured Algee he is not the only person to notice the situation. Commissioner Keith Curlin made reference to city ordinances against junk and Moody questioned the occupational licenses held by certain businesses in the area.
Algee said it is certainly not his intention to see anyone put out of business, but he said he feels the area needs to be cleaned since it is often the first area seen by people who travel through South Fulton. He suggested city officials speak with those involved and try to remedy the problem.
Curlin also assured Algee that he is not alone in noticing the problem with junk and noted it is partly why he volunteered to fill a vacancy on the city commission. He said he wishes the city attorney or the city manager would check into the city’s options for dealing with the problem.
City manager Jeff Vowell said there is the issue of zoning, explaining that the only recourse may be rezoning. City attorney Karl Ivey said businesses on Broadway are in an area zoned commercial and he noted that the city has junk ordinances attached to zoning regulations for home owners. Vowell noted that the problem is not limited to one particular business and he emphasized that city officials are enforcing a junk car ordinance.
On a related note, Vowell later announced that South Fulton’s annual Spring Cleanup Week will be held April 21-25, during which time city crews will be available to pick up items.
In other action during Thursday evening’s meeting, which was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and with prayer led by Ivey, the commission:
• Welcomed newly-appointed commissioner Curlin to the five-member panel. He was administered the oath of office to fill the Ward 1 vacancy created by the recent resignation of William “R.K.” Kane. (See related photo, above.)
• Voted 4-0 to appoint Vowell as the city’s chief financial officer. Vowell told commissioners during a called meeting last week that he is volunteering to serve as CFO and feels he is in the best position to fill the role.
Vowell said the state is requiring cities to designate an employee as chief financial officer and is requiring them to complete 80 hours of training and certification by 2010, adding that he believes smaller cities are being required to be in compliance by 2011 or 2012. He said the position is most often filled by a city recorder or other city administrator.
• Heard concerns from a resident regarding alleged drug activity in her neighborhood. She was instructed to speak with South Fulton Police Chief Andy Crocker.
• Heard questions and concerns from Curlin regarding some services and specific issues that affect residents of the Pamela Circle area in Ward 1, which he represents on the commission.
• Learned from Moody that the community’s new railroad museum, located inside the municipal complex, is nearly ready to open. He said those involved have been working diligently and he believes the museum will be an asset to the community.
• Welcomed student represent-ative Kristen Tucker, a senior at South Fulton High School.
• Was informed that the city has purchased an ice maker for $1,500 to replace an ice maker that has not been working properly. Vowell said he is making arrangements to have it installed in the fire department, where the city’s ice maker is housed.
———
Staff Reporter Chris Menees may be contacted by e-mail at cmenees@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 3.21.08

Print