In 2002, Fairburn residents

learned their community could dramatically change.

With the development currently

underway, Fairburn's population could double.

That was the assessment former

City Administrator Tony Cox gave the Fairburn City Council early in the

year.

Cox said Fairburn's current

population is approximately 7,350. But all the subdivisions and town homes

currently underway will mushroom the city's population to nearly 13,000.

In April, The city of Fairburn

found itself short one councilman.

City attorney Brad Sears said

Councilman Gene Wiggins submitted his letter of resignation April 15.

While Wiggins did not provide a reason in his letter, Sears understands

that Wiggins has moved out of the jurisdiction, which would require him

to resign.

Marian Johnson won a special

election in the fall and claimed Wiggins' seat on the City Council.

Residents were also shocked

Police Chief Mackie Carson

said the shooting took place on Dodds Street July 3 about 11:30 p.m.

A grey Honda with driveout

tags entered the neighborhood and fired into a group of residents standing

on the street, Carson said.

Injured in the melee was Marcus

Thomas, 22, who was transported to a local hospital.

The suspects also fired into

an Oldsmobile Cutlass and injured Corey Davis, 22, who was sent to the

hospital.

The Honda travelled north on

U.S. Highway 29, and turned on Ga. Highway 138, where Union City Police

joined in the pursuit.

The suspect's car rolled off

the road, and investigators are still trying to determine who fired the

shots that injured the two victims.

Later in the summer, Jim Williams

took over as the city's new city manager.

One of the toughest assignments

Williams had to deal with in his short tenure in the city was the budget

for 2003.

Williams said last year's $11.6

million budget was only balanced because the city took nearly $1.2 million

from its reserve fund.

In evaluating this year's budget,

Williams' initial draft proposal is for a $12.3 million budget, which

would offer the same level of services as last year's. But in crunching

the numbers, he discovered the city would fall about $356,000 short in

funds to pay for the programs.

In order to pay for the budget,

Williams said the only alternatives were to cut services, cut the budget,

use reserve funds or increase taxes.

Williams said the City Council

could raise the funds by raising the millage rate from just over four

mills to 7.5 mills, which would cost homeowners of a $100,000 home about

$30 more a year in property taxes.

In the end, the City Council

passed a budget that required a 33 percent tax hike, from 4.5 mils to

6 mils.

Additionally, the city's water

rates also increased. For the first 2,000 gallons of usage, the rate increases

from $11 to $15. For each additional thousand gallons of use, the rate

jumps from $2.48 per thousand to $2.73.

The final part of balancing

this year's budget is taking $150,000 from the reserve fund.

The other big story in Fairburn

was the closing of Duncan Park.

Fairburn city manager Jim Williams

said the city will continue to work with Fulton County staff to try and

find a solution to reopen the park that serves hundreds of residents in

South Fulton County.

The closing of the park was

the latest chapter between Fulton County and Fairburn over who should

pay for the park's operations.

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.

Fairburn's population topped

the 5,000 mark in the last Census and the political war began over who

should pay for the park.

City and county expect to discuss

the park's fate early this year.