The bid did, however, meet all but one of the fire department's specifications for the vehicle: exceeding the maximum length of the vehicle by three inches, which will create a slightly larger turning radius, Lohr said. The other two lowest bidders didn't meet multiple specifications, according to a fire department memo.

The engine will be purchased with a five year lease-purchase loan, with annual payments tabbed at $88,267. Pro hoops team to practice at Kedron

The Southern Crescent Lightning pro basketball team will hold its practices at the Kedron Fieldhouse this year.

The team will pay the city $1,000 in return two hours of practice time on one of the gym's court between three and five days a week. The practices start April 8 and last until June 24.

Randy Gaddo, the city's director of leisure services, noted that the two basketball courts have light usage at that time of the morning, and the team will hold at least 10 hours worth of clinics for area youths.

The Lightning won the championship last year in the first year of the World Basketball Association, which is designed to develop players and coaches for other professional leagues including the NBA. Brown meets with mayors, DOT head

Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown, who chairs the Metropolitan Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA), met with various mayors and Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl recently.

The meeting centered on possible improvements to the urban transportation project review process. The DOT and MAMA have agreed to create ways cities can implement unique aesthetic features on state highways. Also discussed were changes in road transportation funding.

In 2004, the DOT let a record $1.5 billion in projects thanks to the state's new Fast Forward program, officials said.

"We had an outstanding meeting with Commissioner Linnenkohl, and I truly believe that we are starting down a path that will protect the viability of our cities and towns well into the future," Brown said.