Byrne Part of Problem, Not Solution on need for Cobb parkland

From the Marietta Daily Journal, Saturday, June 10, 2006, Letters to the Editor

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DEAR EDITOR:

Former Cobb Commission Chairman Bill Byrne's recent comments reported in "Around Town" regarding the method of financing, general obligation bonds, for a proposed parkland-acquisition referendum, and his criticism of present Commission Chairman Sam Olens, seem totally unwarranted, particularly when he offers no solution in terms of how to preserve available land for future generations.

Didn't he also use this same method of financing, $30 million of general obligation bonds, in 1996 for park purposes? Has he, by his comments, become a "part of the problem, rather than a part of the solution?" Negativity will certainly not help the citizens of Cobb County in their efforts to find a way to fund land purchases for future parks.

Additionally, it seemed, during his prior chairmanship, that his interests and votes were more compatible with developers, their attorneys and special interest groups in higher density rezoning matters, rather than preserving open spaces.

As I drive Dallas Highway every day, I continue to be appalled at the transmission power lines and towers that have desecrated what was once a scenic drive. Where was Bill Byrne's concern during his administration for the preservation of open spaces when those transmission towers were approved?Unless we secure funding for parkland purchases, we run the risk of its availability being gone forever.

The Cobb Parks Coalition needs your involvement and support.

Jim Dugan
Powder Springs