The hot lights

of television cameras made a rare appearance in Fairburn Monday night

as the controversy surrounding Duncan Park continued to grow.

With members

of the Atlanta media looking on, Fairburn Mayor Betty Hannah reiterated

during Monday's council meeting that Fairburn officials did not want Duncan

Park closed.

Fairburn's

Duncan Park has turned into a political football that is being kicked

back and forth between the city and Fulton County.

Fulton officials

have cited a state law that states when a municipality reaches 5,000 in

population and annexes parks into its municipalities, it must start picking

up the costs.

City Administrator

Tony Cox and City Attorney Brad Sears said the law Fulton County is quoting

is not a state law, but rather a constitutional amendment that was requested

"There

is no requirement for Fairburn to operate that park," Sears said.

Sears said

he planned to meet with the county's legal department soon and Cox said

he was meeting with Fulton County recreation officials this past Wednesday

to discuss the issue.

Cox did say

that if Fairburn is going to fund the park for $500,000 on a yearly basis,

it would have to more than double the current 4.5-mill property tax rate

to 9.5 mills.

The residents

who attended Monday's meeting beseeched the City Council to keep the park

open.

"The council

should be considering what's good for the community and the children.

There are 160 children playing football there tonight," said resident

Barbara Parker.

Barbara Allison

said this is just another example of South Fulton getting shortchanged,

and said the City Council should have done something before it got this

far.

City officials

pledged to do everything possible to keep the park open and keep the residents

updated on the situation.

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