12-17-1984 Regular MeetingDecember 17, 1984
The regular scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held December 17, 1984 at
-� Smyrna City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 o'clock p.m. by presiding
{ officer Mayor Arthur T. Bacon. All Council members were present. Also present was
City Attorney Charles E. Camp, City Clerk Willouise Spivey, Police Chief R. E.
Little, Acting Fire Chief Hubert Cochran, Public Works Director Vic Broyles, Parks
and Recreation Director Sherry Reavis, Civil Defense Director Jim Farley, Building
Inspector Scott Stokes, Librarian Doris Morris, and representatives of the press.
Invocation was given by Hugh Ragan, followed by the pledge to the flag.
There were no citizens reports.
Max Bacon announced that item 4 on the agenda, the rezoning request for property
in Land Lots 600 and 601 from R-20 to RM-10 (Condominiums) would be continued at
the request of the applicant. Max Bacon made a motion the rezoning be continued
to February 4, 1985. James Williams seconded the motion which carried 7-0.
Rezoning: Rick Vaughn representing Ed Salem, requested rezoning of Tract A and
B of Highlands Park property in Land Lots 688, 689, 752 and 753 from Future Commercial
and Office/Institutional to General Commercial. Mr. Vaughn stated that Tracts A
and B were adjacent to South Cobb Drive. There was no opposition and Hugh Ragan
made a motion the property be rezoned as requested. Jack Shinall seconded the motion
which carried 7-0.
Rick Vaughn also represented Ed Salem in their request to rezone Tract C of Highlands
Park property in Land Lots 473, 474, 534, 535, 536, 545 and 547 from Office/Insti-
tutional to Light Industry. There was no opposition and Hugh Ragan made a motion
the property be rezoned. Kathy Brooks seconded the motion which carried 7-0.
Annexation: Douglas R. Haynie requested annexation of Smyrna Prebyterian Church
on Atlanta Road in Land Lots 595, 596 and 597, the legal description having been
read and .made a part of the minutes of the November 19, 1984 meeting. Max Bacon
made a motion the property be annexed, to become a part of Ward 2. Jim Tolleson
seconded the motion which carried 7-0.
Residential Business License: Michael McGee requested a residential permit for
A&M Waterproofing, Inc., 599 Kennesaw Drive. Mr. McGee said he was requesting the
license so that he could have a girl come to his home and do bookkeeping. At the
present time, he is storing material in his back yard but was looking for another
location. He had recently purchased a vacant lot on South Cobb Drive across from
Campbell's Restaurant but had run into a problem there because it is zoned General
Commercial and had been told that outside storage was not allowed in this classi-
fication. A resident of 2120 Gober Terrace said he had signed the petition but
did not read it first. He also understood Mr. McGee to say that the business would
only be at his home for 2 to 3 weeks, while he was remodeling his office. Mayor
Bacon stated there seemed to be a good deal of misunderstanding about the license
and suggested this be tabled to give Mr. McGee more time to talk to his neighbors.
Kathy Brooks made a motion the license be tabled to the January 7th meeting. Jim
Hawkins seconded the motion which carried 7-0.
Commercial Building Permits: Commercial building permits were presented by Inspector
Scott Stokes and recorded as follows:
1) Tolar Construction Company requested a building permit to finish the interior
of the existing building at 2585-B Spring Road at a total estimated cost of $20,000.
Jim Tolleson made a motion the permit be approved subject to approval of the City
Engineer and Fire Marshal. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion which carried 7-0.
Annexation: James Williams made a motion four (4) parcels in Davenport Town in
Land Lots 634, 633 and 663 be annexed, to become a part of Ward 3, the legal descrip-
tion having been read and made a part of the minutes of November 5, 1984. Jim Hawkins
seconded the motion which carried 7-0.
Validation of Signatures: Attorney Camp read an application for annexation for
three (3) parcels on Davenport Street in Land Lot 664 as follows:
We the undersigned, who constitute sixty percent (60%) of the electors resident
in the area described below and who constitute sixty percent (60%) of the owners
of the land area by acreage of the area described below, which is unincorporated
and contiguous to the City of Smyrna, hereby apply to have said area annexed into
the City of Smyrna under the provisions of the Code of Georgia Annotated, Sections
69-904 through 69-912 (Georgia Laws, Acts 1966, Pages 409, 410, 411, 412, 413;
December 17, 1984 - Continued
1971, 399; 1976, Pages 1011, 1012; said property to be annexed being described
as follows, to wit:
All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Original Land Lot No. 664 of
the 17th District and 2nd Section of Cobb County, Georgia and being one (1) acre,
more or less, more particularly described as follows:
Beginning at a point on the East side of what is known as Davenport Road, this
point being 208.5 feet South of the North original line of said Land Lot, and running
East along line of proerty now, or formerly belonging to Richard Berry for a distance
of 417 feet to a point; thence South one hundred (100) feet to a point; thence
West parallel with the North boundary, for a distance of 417 feet more or less,
to the said Davenport Road, thence North along the East side of said road for a
distance of 100 feet to a point of beginning.
Also, all that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Original Land Lot 664
of the 17th District, 2nd. Section of Cobb County, Georgia and being a portion of
the property of Richard Berry and lying in the form of a rectangle (191.6 feet
wide and 214.5 feet wide) as shown on plat of survey of the same made by Mr. Wade
T. Poston, Registered Surveyor,, dated July 8, 1966 and recorded in Plat Book 60,
Page 84, Office of Clerk, Superior Court of Cobb County, Georgia and being more
particularly described as follows:
BEGINNING at a fence post located on the East side of Davenport Street where the
East side of Davenport Street intersects with the North line of Land Lot 664 as
shown on the aforesaid plat; running thence in a Southerly direction along the
East side of Davenport Street for a distance of 214.5 feet to a point located on
the East side of Davenport Street; thence running in an Easterly direction for
a distance of 191.6 feet to an iron pin as shown on said plat; thence running in
a Northerly direction for a distance of 214.5 feet to an iron pin located on the
North line of Land Lot 664 as shown on said plat; thence running in a Westerly
direction along the North line of Land Lot 664 for a distance of 191.6 feet to
a fence post, located where the East side of Davenport Street intersects with the
North line of Land Lot 664 and the point of beginning.
Also, all that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 664 of the 17th
District, 2nd Section, Cobb County, Georgia, and being more particularly described
as follows:
BEGINNING at a point marked by an iron pin on the east side of Belmont Road (formerly
Davenport Road) 654 feet south from the northwest corner of Land Lot 664, said
beginning point being on the west line of said Land Lot 664, and running thence
easterly 205 feet to an iron pin; thence southerly 207.1 feet to an iron pin; thence
westerly 61.5 feet to an iron pin; thence north 62 feet to an iron pin; thence
westerly 147 feet to an iron pin on the east side of Belmont Road; thence north,
along the east side of Belmont Road, and the west line of Land Lot 664, 156.5 feet
to the point of beginning, being improved property with a one-story frame house
thereon.
WHEREFORE, THE UNDERSIGNED HEREUNTO SET THEIR HANDS AND SEALS, AND THEREBY MAKE
SAID APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION TO THE CITY OF SMYRNA.
Witness the signature of 60% of the electors resident and record title holders
of the fee simple title, or his legal representative, of 60% of the land area above
described by acreage: s/LUEZZEA WILKES & OPRIA WILKES DAVENPORT; FRANK DAVENPORT;
SOPHIA ISABELLA BATES KING & WILLARD KING
James Williams made a motion the signatures be validated and the public hearing
set for the first meeting in January. Max Bacon seconded the motion which carried
7-0.
Validation of Signatures: Attorney Camp read an application for annexation of
property on Windy Hill Road in Land Lot 733 as follows:
We the undersigned, who constitute sixty percent (60%) of the owners of the land.
area by acreage of the area described below, which is unincorporated and contiguous,
to the City of Smyrna, hereby apply to have said area annexed into the City of,�
Smyrna under the provisions of the Code of Georgia Annotated, Sections 69-904 through
69-912 (Georgia Laws, Acts 1966, Pages 409, 410, 411, 412, 413; 1971, 399; 1976,
Pages 1011, 1012; said property to be annexed being described as follows, to wit:
TRACT I: All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 733, 2nd
December 17, 1984 - Continued
Section, Cobb County, Georgia and being more particularly described as follows:
BEGINNING at an iron pin set on the southeasterly right of way line of Windy Hill
Road (100 foot right of way) at the intersection of said right of way line and
the land lot line common to Land Lots 708 and 733, said section, district and county;
said iron pin being located 819.35 feet northerly as measured along said southeasterly
right of way line of Windy Hill Road, from the intersection of said right of way
line with the easterly right of way line of Pasadena Road (100 foot right of way);
run thence along said southeasterly right of way line and following the curvature
thereof for an arc distance of 194.81 feet to an iron pin set (said arc being sub-
tended by a chord having a bearing of North 55 degrees 08 minutes 29 seconds East
and a chord distance of 194.81 feet); thence leaving said right of way line South
14 degrees 04 minutes 58 seconds East a distance of 1043.09 feet to an iron pin
found on the land lot line common to Land Lots 733 and 734; thence along said land
lot line South 89 degrees 30 minutes 22 seconds West a distance of 399.71 feet
to an iron pin found at the corner common to Land Lots 707, 708, 733 and 734; thence
along the land lot line common to Land Lots 708 and 733 North 00 degrees 53 minutes
08 seconds West a distance of 903.94 feet to an iron pin set on the southeasterly
right of way line of Windy Hill Road and the point of BEGINNING, said tract containing
6.329 acres per plat of survey prepared by Clifford A. Smith, Georgia Registered
Land Surveyor No. 1500, of Patterson Engineering, dated March 14, 1984, as last
revised October 23, 1984•
TRACT II: All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lot 733, 2nd
Section, 17th District, Cobb County, Georgia and being more particularly described
as follows:
TO FIND THE POINT OF BEGINNING, commence at an iron pin set on the southeasterly
right of way line of Windy Hill Road (100 foot right of way) at the intersection
of said right of way line and the land lot line common to Land Lots 708 and 733,
said section, district and county; said iron pin being located 819.35 feet northerly
as measured along said southeasterly right of way line of Windy Hill Road, from
the intersection of said right of way line with the easterly right of way line
of Pasadena Road (100 foot right of way); run thence along said southeasterly right
of way line and following the curvature thereof for an arc distance of 194.81 feet
to an iron pin set and the POINT OF BEGINNING (said arc being subtended by a chord
having a bearing of North 55 degrees 08 minutes 29 seconds East and a chord distance
of 194.81 feet); FROM THE POINT OF BEGINNING THUS ESTABLISHED, run thence along
said southeasterly right of way line and following the curvature thereof for an
arc distance of 107.77 feet to an iron pin set (said arc being subtended by a chord
having a bearing of North 55 degrees 50 minutes 51 seconds East and a chord distance
of 107.77 feet); thence leaving said right of way line South 21 degrees 02 minutes
02 seconds East a distance of 1146.90 feet to an iron pin found on the land lot
line common to Land Lots 733 and 734; thence along said land lot line South 89
degrees 35 minutes 32 seconds West a distance of 247.03 feet to an iron pin found;
thence North 14 degrees 04 minutes 58 seconds West a distance of 1043.09 feet to
an iron pin set on the southeasterly right of way line of Windy Hill Road and the
POINT OF BEGINNING, said tract containing 4.256 acres per plat of survey prepared
by Clifford A. Smith, Georgia Registered Land Surveyor No. 1500, of Patterson Engin-
eering, dated March 14, 1984, as last revised October 23, 1984.
WHEREFORE, THE UNDERSIGNED HEREUNTO SET THEIR HANDS AND SEALS, AND THEREBY MAKE
SAID APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION TO THE CITY OF SMYRNA.
Witness the signature of the record title holders of the fee simple title, or his
legal representative, of 60% of the land area above described by acreage: s/M.
JANET GOETHE
James Williams made a motion the signature be validated and the public hearing
set for the first meeting in January. Max Bacon seconded the motion which carried
7-0.
Hugh Ragan made a motion the rules be suspended to read another application for
annexation by the 7th Day Adventist Church. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion which
carried 7-0.
r
J Validation of Signatures: Attorney Camp read an application for annexation of
property in Land Lots 530 and 551 for the Georgia Conference Assocation of Seventh-
Day Adventists as follows:
We the undersigned, who constitute sixty percent (60%) of the owners of the land
December 17, 1984 - Continued
area by acreage of the area described below, which is unincorporated and contiguous
to the City of Smyrna, hereby apply to have said area annexed into the City of
Smyrna under the provisions of the Code of Georgia Annotated, Sections 69-904 througl
69-912 (Georgia Laws, Acts 1966, Pages 409, 410, 411, 412, 413; 1971, 399; 19761
Pages 1011, 1012; said property to be annexed being described as follows, to wit:
All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lots 530 and 551, 17th
District, 2nd Section, Cobb County, Georgia and being more particularly described
on plat made by Gaskins & Hogan Surveying Co., dated April 15, 1982 and being more
particularly described as follows:
BEGINNING at an iron pin located on the southeasterly right of way of King Springs
Road (50 foot right of way) an arc distance of 80.53 feet from the intersection
of the southeasterly right of way of King Springs Road and the north land lot line
of Land Lot 530; running thence South 55 degrees 58 minutes 26 seconds East a distance
of 590.19 feet to an iron pin; running thence South 2 degrees 57 minutes 08 seconds
West a distance of 337.50 feet to an iron pin; running thence South 2 degrees 37
minutes 08 seconds West a distance of 100 feet to an iron pin; running thence North
78 degrees 11 minutes 52 seconds West a total distance of 378.50 feet to an iron
pin; running thence North 10 degrees 00 minutes 05 seconds West a distance of 567.41
feet to a concrete monument located on the southeasterly right of way of King Springs
Road; running thence northwesterly along the arc of a 311.50 foot radius curve
along the southeasterly right of way of King Springs Road an arc distance of 132.40'
feet to an iron pin and the point of BEGINNING. _ I f
Said tract being more specifically described as Tract I on said survey prepared
by Gaskins & Hogan Surveying Co.
Less and Except all that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lots 530
and 551, 17th District, 2nd Section, Cobb County, Georgia and being shown on survey
made by Gaskins & Hogan Surveying Co., dated April 15, 1982 and being approximately
0.50 acres which is more particularly described as follows:
TO FIND THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING: Begin at a concrete monument located on the
southeasterly right of way of King Springs Road (50 foot right of way) which concrete
monument is located northwesterly along the arc of a 311.50 foot radius curve along
the southeasterly right of way of King Springs Road an arc distance of 212.93 feet
from the intersection of the north land lot line of Land Lot 530; running thence
South 10 degrees 00 minutes 05 seconds East a distance of 567.41 feet to an iron
pin; running thence South 78 degrees 11 minutes 52 seconds East a distance of 125.50
feet to an iron pin, this being the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING: running thence South
78 degrees 11 minutes 52 seconds East a distance of 117.45 feet to an iron pin;
running thence North 2 degrees 37 minutes 08 seconds East a distance of 196.63
feet to an iron pin; running thence North 87 degrees 02 minutes 52 seconds West
a distance of 115.95 feet to an iron pin; running thence South 2 degrees 37 minute,
08 seconds West a distance of 177.89 feet to an iron pin this being the TRUE POINZ
OF BEGINNING. There appears to be an existing dwelling located on said tract.
Also less and except an easement for ingress and egress to the same of like or
equal quality as presently exists.
All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lots 530 and 551, 17th
District, 2nd Section, Cobb County, Georgia and being more particularly described
on plat made by Gaskins & Hogan Surveying Co., dated April 15, 1982, and being
more particularly described as follows:
TO FIND THE TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING, begin at an iron pin at the common corner
of Land Lots 530, 551, 529 and- 552 (said point of beginning also being located
at the center line of Laurel Creek); running thence South 5 degrees 10 minutes
11 seconds West along the centerline of said Laurel Creek and following the meander-
ings thereof, a distance of 79.58 feet to a point; running thence South 23 degrees
09 minutes 08 seconds West along the centerline of said Laurel Creek and following
the meanderings thereof, a distance of 88.50 feet to a point; running thence South
20 degrees 20 minutes 24 seconds West, along the center line of said Laurel Creek
and following the meanderings thereof, a distance of 121.66 feet to a point; running
thence South 15 degrees 13 minutes 40 seconds West along said Laurel Creek and,
following the meanderings thereof, a distance of 119.27 feet to a point this being
the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING; running thence North 84 degrees 35 minutes 53 seconds
East, along the centerline of said Laurel Creek and following the meanderings thereof,
a distance of 91.91 feet to a point; running thence South 85 degrees 16 minutes
53 seconds East along the centerline of said Laurel Creek and following the meander-
f
f
December 17, 1984 - Continued
ings thereof, a distance of 148 feet to a point; running thence South 35 degrees
14 minutes 29 seconds East along the centerline of said Laurel Creek and following
the meanderings thereof, a distance of 56.86 feet to an iron pin; running thence
South 82 degrees 05 minutes 00 seconds East along the centerline of said Laurel
Creek and following the meanderings thereof, a distance of 10.00 feet to an iron
pin; running thence South 7 degrees 54 minutes 42 seconds West a distance of 301.87
feet to an iron pin; running thence North 87 degrees 02 minutes 52 seconds West
a distance of 594.06 feet to an iron pin; running thence North 2 degrees 57 minutes
08 seconds East a distance of 337.50 feet to an iron pin; running thence South
87 degrees 02 minutes 52 seconds East a distance of 336.17 feet to a point located
at the centerline of said Laurel Creek and the TRUE POINT OF BEGINNING.
Said tract being more specifically described as Tract 2 on said survey prepared
by Gaskins & Hogan Surveying Co.
All that tract or parcel of land lying and being in Land Lots 530 and 551, 17th
District, 2nd Section, Cobb County, Georgia and being more particularly described
on plat made by Gaskins & Hogan Surveying Co., dated April 15, 1982 and being more
particularly desacribed as follows:
BEGINNING at an iron pin at the common corners of Land Lots 530, 551, 529 and 552
(said point of beginning also being located at the center line of Laurel Creek);
running thence South 5 degrees 10 minutes 11 seconds West along the centerline
of said Laurel Creek and following the meanderings thereof, a distance of 79.58
feet to a point; running thence South 23 degrees 09 minutes 08 seconds West, along
the center line of said Laurel Creek and following the meanderings thereof, a distance
of 88.50 feet to a point; running thence South 20 degrees 20 minutes 24 seconds
West, along the centerline of said Laurel Creek and following the meanderings thereof,
a distance of 121.66 feet to a point; running thence South 15 degrees 13 minutes
.40 seconds West along said Laurel Creek and following the meanderings thereof,
a distance of 119.27 feet to a point; running thence South 87 degrees 02 minutes
52 seconds East a distance of 336.17 feet to an iron pin; running thence North
55 degrees 58 minutes 26 seconds West a distance of 590.19 feet to an iron pin
located on the southeasterly right of way of King Springs Road (50 foot right of
way); running thence northwesterly along the arc of a 311.50 foot radius curve
along the southeasterly right of way of King Springs Road an arc distance of 80.53
feet to an iron pin; running thence South 87 degrees 40 minutes 00 seconds East
a distance of 820.87 feet to an iron pin located at the common corners of Land
Lots 530, 551, 529 and 552, being the point of BEGINNING.
Said tract being more specifically described as Tract 3 on said survey prepared
by Gaskins & Hogan Surveying Co.
WHEREFORE, THE UNDERSIGNED HEREUNTO SET THEIR HANDS AND SEALS, AND THEREBY MAKE
SAID APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION TO THE CITY OF SMYRNA.
Witness the signature of the record title holders of the fee simple title, or his
legal representative, of 60% of the land area above described by acreage: s/GARY
B. PATTERSON, PRESIDENT & JAY SHANKO, ASSISTANT SECRETARY, GEORGIA CONFERENCE ASSO-
CIATION OF SEVENTH -DAY ADVENTISTS
Hugh Ragan made a motion the signatures be validated and the public hearing set
for the first meeting in January. Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried
7-0.
Bid Opening: Only one bid was received for the extension of the water line_on-:-At-
t:anta Road which:;was;opened; read:-and-orecorded-ras follows:
Complete Pipe Line $39,690.00
Max Bacon made a motion the bid be turned over to the committee with their recommen-
dation back to full council at the next meeting. Jim Hawkins seconded the motion
which carried 6-1, with Jack Shinall opposed.
Bid Opening: Only one bid was received for the sound projector and screen for
t the Fire Department, which was opened, read and recorded as follows:
School Things Kodak CT100 Projector Dalite Versatol 60 x 60
;iC:t"c`+.;x; $822.00 Screen $74.00
December 17, 1984 - Continued
Jim Hawkins made a motion the bid be turned over to the committee with their recommen-
dation back at the next meeting. James Williams seconded the motion which carried
7-0.
Bid Opening: Bids .for six (6) Scott air packs for the Fire Department were opened,
read and recorded as follows:
Harold's Sales.& Service
American Safety & Fire House
$1,026.00 each (alternate bid)
247.50 each, spare cylinders
$ 987.50 each
$ 250.50 each, spare cylinders
Jim Hawkins made a motion the bids be turned over to the committee with their recommen-
dation back to full council at the next meeting. Jack Shinall seconded the motion
which carried 7-0.
Hugh Ragan made a motion the report on the bid award for engineering services for
the City be tabled to the first meeting in January. Jim Tolleson seconded the motion
which carried 7-0.
Jack Shinall made a motion the Powder Springs Street bridge construction be awarded
to C. W. Matthews at $36,500 if the job can be completed within a reasonable length
of time. If not, the contract would be awarded to the next low bidder at $43,700.'
Jim Tolleson seconded the motion which carried 7-0.
Approval of Salary Review: James Williams made a motion a 5% increase be approved
for all full time employees with the exception of Department Heads, effective December
1, 1984. Also, a longevity plan of $10 for each year of service to be paid in a
lump sum on the employee's anniversary date each year, effective January 1, 1985.
James Williams said we would also be contacting either ARC or the Department of
Community Affairs about conducting a complete review of our job classifications
and salary scale. Kathy Brooks seconded the motion which carried 7-0.
James Williams made a motion the second meeting in January be changed from the
21st to the 23rd because of the Mayor's Day meeting in Atlanta. Max Bacon seconded
the motion which carried 7-0.
J.M.E.B.S. Amendment: Kathy Brooks made a motion the J.M.E.B.S. retirement program
be amended by changing the time of vesting to 10 years service, regardless of age
and to also approve a voluntary contribution program for employees who wish to
participate. Jack Shinall seconded the motion which carried 7-0.
Committee Reports: (Public Safety) Jim Hawkins announced that the Court Room(
could no longer be used for public meetings because the Police Department will(
be using the room during the day for fingerprinting.
Jim Hawkins said that recently there had been a lot of discussion about faulty
equipment in the Fire Department and he had asked each fireman to make a list of
any problems they knew of. Jim said he had received several envelopes from them
and would open them tomorrow and review each list. Jim also read a letter from
firefighter Jack Collins expressing his concerns over the constant controversy
surrounding the Fire Department, to be made a part of these minutes.
Jack Shinall asked Vic Broyles if the State inspectors had checked the paving done
in the City under the LARP program because some of the streets were very poorly
done. Jack also cautioned citizens about some of the fly-by-night driveway pavers.
(Library) Doris Morris reported on library activities.
With no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
December 17, 1984 - Continued
ARTHUR T. BACON, MAYOIT-
MAX BACON, WARD 2
JAMES E. TOLLESON ARD 1
WILLIAMS, WARD 3
WILLOUISE SPIVEY,
December 17, 1984
Mayor, City Council, and Citizens of Smyrna
As a Citizen of 9,rpyrna and a fire dept.` employee of ten years,
I dm concerned with the constant controversy surrounding the
fire dept.
I feel both compelled as a citizen and taxpayer in Smyrna and
qualified as a fire dept. employee to voice some of my views
on the recent publicity about a merger with Cobb County Fire
�- - Department and the seemingly endless controversy over having
-`' - a chief.
-� It would seem that in any business of any type there are people
who are never pleased about the way the business is run no matter
what decisions are made or what person makes those decisions;
let me assure you, as a firefighter , I knowjthe fire dept. is
no different.
The media seems only to seek out -and quote the dissatisfied
and, in many cases, the union oormed. Although I do not agree
with all decisions made by the civil service board and more
often disagree with decisions made by Mayor and Council, these
are our elected representatives and should be and most often
are better informed simply because they have all the facts
available to them. I feel that the civil service board and
ultimately the city council will provide the fire dept. with —
the best available man for chief. I do not feel that any cit-
izens group or media representative is qualified to suggest
that any person should or should not be chief of Smyrna Fire
Dept.
The chief of the fire dept. is an important consideration for
the council and the citizens off. Smyrna a6d any decisions made
1� concerning who will be in charge of protecting this city from
fire should be made with all the facts at hand.
On the subject of merger, let me assure you that our city has
much better fir+b protection than it would if we were a part of —
the county fire dept. I base this opinion on many years of re
sponding to fires in the city and knowing the number of person�
nell we commit to a fire scene and how fast we are able to res-
pond. It is true we need more equipment and we need a lot of —
our equipment updated, but at the same time, Smyrna is experien'e-
ing tremendous growth and demands cannot really be met or equip-
ment updated as fast as industry can cause the need for better
protection,
1
2 -
But knowing the dedication of most firefighters and their desire
to do the best possible job for the citizens of Salyrna and them-
selves, I feel my home is safe. I have seen efforts made over —
the last year to makeours a better fire department, and I am some-
times angered by criticism of the department by people who do not
know all the facts or those who are always looking at greener
pastures.
I think the citizens of Smyrna can sleep well most nights with
the assurance that most all of their firefighters are dedicated
and proud to be members of the Smyrna Fire Department. I would
not like to see citizens of Smyrna allow such a valuable service
to be taken from them. I would not like for us to lose any of
y' the services we enjoy in Smyrna; for if we give up our fire dept.
next it will be police protection, then streets and sanitation
and finally we will have no city. We will be another congested
area ®n S. Cobb Drive located in Cobb County.
I would like this read in its entirety as it seems any time the
media interviews or ask questions of anyone, they print or air
just what they think is the most attention getting information.
Jack Collins