Fairburn's residents heard

one of the strongest defenses of Duncan Park Monday night.

City Councilman Harvey Melear

told the crowd that he wanted the Duncan park situation "resolved."

For the last few months, Fairburn

and Fulton County have been wrangling over who should pay for the park.

County officials claim it's

now the city's responsibility because of a law stipulation that once a

city reaches 5,000 people it must pay for park services.

The dispute led to Fulton County

announcing it was closing the park, but Fairburn officials stepped in

and said they would continue the programs when Fulton County pulled out

of the park Nov.30.

"They did not tell us

this was going to happen," Melear said.

The councilman also read excerpts

from Dr. Claude Duncan, who is the son of Clarence Duncan Sr. who helped

get the park built in the 1940s.

In his letter Duncan states

that His uncle, Clyde E. Duncan, was parks commissioner in Fulton County

and saw the need for a park in South Fulton County.

Duncan suggested the county

work with Fairburn in deannexing the park