Quality over quantity was a big part of the message that Mayor Betty

Hannah imparted in her state of the city address at Fairburn's first City

Council meeting of the new year Monday night.

"This has been a year of change and growth for Fairburn. I am pleased

to report that for the most part the change has been positive and the

growth has been well managed."

After summarizing the accomplishments of the previous year Mayor Hannah

projected Fairburn's goal for 2004 "to not only be the best community

in South Fulton but to be the best community in the state."

The three biggest goals in 2003 were accomplished; to reopen Duncan Park,

to get commitment on a new senior citizen's center, and to secure a reliable

long-term water supply for the area.

Renovation of the Lightning community and "significant progress"

on commercial and industrial development and the extension of Oakley Industrial

Boulevard to Bohannon Road also helped to give the Mayor's annual report

a positive punch.

Also, the construction of the "long awaited Durham Golf Course in

2004" appeared to be one of the Mayor's most satisfying announcements.

The "strengthening of staff capabilities and management policies"

to better serve the citizens of Fairburn showed that improvements were

happening on all levels.

Population growth "during the boom years" of 2001-2003 doubled

for the city.

Hannah emphasized completion of projects initiated during this period

stating that "the frantic pace of new residential development was

brought under control in the last year."��

Promising to "work toward developing new reserve sources of funding

to help relieve the property tax burden" in Fairburn, the mayor stressed

her intent to strive to achieve a level of excellence for the city and

its people.

"Fairburn is a great community with an exceptional population, wonderful

neighborhoods, a proud heritage and a beautiful future," Hannah concluded.

Noting that the city is located in one of the fastest growing areas in

the nation, she summed up the council's resolve saying, "We can be

overwhelmed by the events around us or we can assume control of our destiny."