Harvey Melear has never been

at a loss for words. Since his first meeting on the Fairburn City Council

he has made it clear that he "will never be quiet." The council

must have known something, when they informed him that new council members

could not talk until after serving their first year.

Last week, Melear attended

his final council meeting after more than a decade of service.

Hardly an issue went before

the six members that did not meet with a few pointed questions from Melear.

He has had a deep interest in the growth and development of Fairburn since

his family moved there when he was 18.

Originally from Newnan, his

family bought a farm in Rico when he was three. The youngest of eight

children, by the time he was 10 he was working in his families restaurant

in Union City, Melear's Bar-B-Q.

After graduating from Campbell

High School he attended the University of Georgia in Athens where he picked

up a degree in business administration and an undying dedication to the

Georgia Bulldogs.

His specialty was insurance

and he worked in that field for 8 years before switching to a supervisor's

position at Arrow Shirts in Atlanta. He credits his 18 months with the

company for turning his hair from black to gray.

Eventually Harvey found his

niche at Macy's. Starting out as a furniture salesman, he proclaimed,

"If it's to be sold, I can sell it."

Soon he moved up to management

and over the years helped to open several locations in Georgia and was

involved in the redesign of Lenox Mall.

"It was a 7 day a week

job from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but I loved it!" After 25 years

as a retail merchandising manager he took with him a love of people and

a desire to get involved in his community.

He was a key player in the

development of Little League in Fairburn where he coached his own team

and helped to build the baseball diamonds at Duncan Park.

When a council member stepped

down after serving half his term, Harvey was persuaded to run and won

with a large margin of the votes and served several terms on the council.

"Campaigning was never

a real problem for me. I went door to door Saturdays and evenings. I knew

50 percent of the people in Fairburn at that time."

One decision that Melear is

most proud of is the acquisition of Landmark High School. His old alma

mater, Campbell High School had closed.

" We had this big, empty

building, a huge eyesore." he recalled.

He and his fellow board members

recognized the need for Fairburn to have their own high school and struck

a deal with Landmark that spoke more to community than to capital gains.

The end results have been appreciated by many a graduating class.

"The biggest change is

the growth of South Fulton County. I think this council has done an excellent

job controlling the right type of growth. They have kept business and

industry on one side and the residents on one side."

���� Now, fully retired at

67, you will have to chase Harvey down the golf course to get his opinion.

"I love golf! Unless it's pouring down ice cold rain, I'm on the

golf course."

���� When asked if he had any

advice for future council members he said, "Love the city. When you

are making decisions think of the people of Fairburn. Never make a decision

on your own that effects you only. Make your decision on what you think

is best for the citizens of Fairburn. If you always keep the people in

mind I think you will make the right decisions."