The installation of Fairburn's newest council member, Mario Avery and

newly hired Police Chief, Charles Long opened the City Council's October

25 meeting on a high note. City Clerk Nancy Faulkner read the election results

to the council who passed them unanimously.

Councilman Avery was sworn in by his mother. Mayor Hannah took the honor

of swearing in Chief Charles Long.

The mayor then heard public comments concerning subdivision construction.

Rodger Zachary of 141 Woodway Road spoke for a dozen of his neighbors who

came to protest disruptive construction on a site near the Rivertown subdivision.

After hearing the complaint, Mayor Hannah said curtly, 'We will speak

to this developer."

Public works employee of the month Lonnie Brown was then presented an award

before the council by the mayor. Brown, who has been with the street department

since September 2000, was "instrumental in completing the Smith Street

project," Mayor Hannah pointed out.

More recognition followed with the mayor and council applauding the good

detective work, which led to a major identity theft ring bust.

Detective Ben Pace was commended along with several other officers and dispatchers

who "put in a couple of 20 hour days." the mayor said.

Credit cards and checking accounts using other peoples' names as well

as an airline ticket out of the country were found at the Sure Lock storage

facility after an employee alerted authorities to suspected drug activity.

A "drug sniffing dog" helped find more than drugs. The ring of

counterfeiters was apprehended. An ongoing effort to locate possible accomplices

and more identity victims is being made.

City Administrator Jim Williams took over with the evening business by turning

the councils attention to water tap and sewer tap fees.

"Taxpayers are subsidizing all the new houses going up," Williams

said.

A 61 percent increase in housing in the past three years has become something

of a burden for Fairburn's citizens, Williams said after stating the

tap fee figures. Water tap fees previously at $500 have been raised to $2,700,

more than five times the old price. The new cost is more in line with what

other surrounding communities charge.

Sewer tap fees went up from $1,800 to $3,500.

"It is long past time these fees have been levied." Williams declared,

adding that this was for all new taps "From this moment on."

More water concerns followed with the mayor and council approving a 60-day

moratorium on issuing any new permits and plan approvals anywhere north of

U.S. 29 and west of Virlyn B. Smith Road, as well as any property north of

Rivertown Road and west of Mary Erna Drive. A serious water availability

problem made the measure necessary. Emergency fire flow was approved and

Council member Marian Johnson motioned for the moratorium. Council member

Doug Crawford seconded it. The proposal passed unanimously.

Two vehicles from the police department were then declared surplus property

after Jim Williams described their outworn condition to the council. Councilman

Roy Farr motioned for approval with a second from Councilman Ron Alderman.

Approval to purchase six new Motorola police radios to replace obsolete

models and 2 dispatch consoles for the newly remodeled police station was

granted with a motion from Councilman Crawford and a second from Councilman

Alderman. The radios will cost the city $15,304. The consoles will run $9,700

for the pair. Money for the purchase of these new items was included in the

new 2004-2005 budget.

Before the meeting ended, Mayor Hannah made her recommendation to fill Councilman

Avery's seat on the Development Authority. Jeff Couch was nominated

and unanimously approved by the board. Couch has been in Fairburn for about

4 years.

"He has a restored home on 29 and is making of some wise investments

in the city of Fairburn," the mayor said as Couch stood up to be nominated.

There were welcomes all around for Chief Long and fellow council member

Mario Avery. Avery said it was an honor to be on the council. He thanked

his mother and sister, correcting his thanks to his "best friend" identifying

her as his fiancé.

"I definitely want to thank my supervisors." Avery said in conclusion

promising to be "on constant alert" as the newest member of the

Fairburn City Council.

Finally, the mayor wrapped up the evening by unveiling a new promotional

campaign for the city.

A t-shirt emblazoned with a logo stating "South Fulton. Good things

happening." was held up. Signs and other visual formats will spread

the message of positive growth in the ever-growing South Fulton area.

Councilman Mariane Johnson, who has been a large part of Old Campbell County

Days and the Homecoming parade thanked all those involved saying the homecoming "was

the best it's ever been." Councilman Roy Farr added his thanks

to the police department for doing such a good job during the festival.

The council adjourned with no executive session being held.