Education key to parks bond win

From the Marietta Daily Journal on Friday, October 13, 2006 by MDJ staff writer Amanda Casciaro

Supporters of a $40 million bond to buy land for parks have stepped up efforts to educate residents before Cobb voters cast a decision on the issue Nov. 7.

Because language scheduled to appear on the ballot doesn't address the absence of a tax increase, the Cobb Parks Coalition and county officials are battling misinformation and conflicting reports on the issue before voters head to the polls in less than a month.

Although approving the bond will not lead to a tax increase, rejecting it could save owners of a $200,000 home about $13.60 each year - but not until after 2010.

At that time, Cobb will retire its debt on a separate $39 million bond issued in 1993 to build the county's jail.

The reduction would save homeowners less than $14 each year until the parks bond is retired in 2017 or 2018, said Rogert Quigley, Cobb communications director.

Because the proposed general obligation bond for park land would use existing debt, property owners would not see a spike in their tax bills.

The savings would be minimal, Commission Chairman Sam Olens said Thursday, and it's nothing new.

"There is no hidden agenda here," Olens said. "I just reduced the millage (rate) last year. There is no tax-stash fee that's more despised by local governments than millage, and this bond gives us the opportunity for a significant increase in park land without any additional millage. It's an existing tax."

No matter what, the potential savings has to be weighed with the benefits of increased park land, he said.

"I think the important issue is that the county is becoming built out, and that we're running short of possible park land," Olens said. "The agenda here is to acquire park land before it's too late. God's not making more land. We've got to get it before it's developed because then it will cost that much more."

Paul Paulson, head of the Cobb Parks Coalition, has teamed with David Connell of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce to educate voters through flyers, yard signs, letters and even a booth at the North Georgia State Fair last month.

"Right now the only battle we've been facing is people perceive this as an issue for only west Cobb folks," Paulson said in a recent interview. "It's important that people understand it's an issue for everywhere. There are tracts left in east Cobb. There are tracts left in south Cobb."

Although west Cobb does have the most undeveloped acreage in Cobb, Olens said, there are small parcels of land everywhere that could add to communities through small "pocket parks."

"They'll be predominantly passive use as we already have plans at other locations for additional active use," Olens said. "In Vinings, if we were able to find property it would probably be a pocket park. In west Cobb, it would be a larger park. In Oakdale, it would be a smaller park. You've got to take into account the available space in other parts of the county."

Success in Smyrna

The bond, which Cobb commissioners approved for the November ballot in July, is similar to a $22 million bond Smyrna voters approved in March 2005.

City voters approved the measure by a 4-1 margin as a means to purchase park land, redevelop existing parks and build recreation centers.

"We did not raise taxes," Smyrna Mayor Max Bacon said. "We had done a very extensive study of our financial condition and we felt like we could support the bond issue without a tax increase. We just committed to the public rather than wait and do these improvements and acquire property over the next 10 or 20 years, we ought to go ahead and do it now. The public was really supportive of it."

Several projects planned under the bond are under way.

The largest, $6 million in improvements to Brawner Hospital, a former mental institution, are expected for completion in August 2007.

Part of the old hospital has been demolished to make way for renovations such as trails, a pavilion, outdoor gardens, and a lake and water feature. The old building will be renovated to include a combination of meeting rooms, class and craft rooms, and office space, said Steve Ciaccio, Smyrna parks and recreation director.

"Because of its proximity to downtown, the Brawner Campus may potentially become the most visible park (out of every project)," Ciaccio said. "I know the community is very anxious for it, and Atlanta Road is an extremely busy corridor for the city."

Other projects include an additional park on North Cooper Lake Road, Burger Field Dog Park, which Ciaccio said is "by far" the most anticipated facility; renovations to Church Street Senior Aquatic Center, Brinkley Park, Church Street Adult Recreation Center and design of Jonquil Park, which John Benson and Associates will complete.

"I think bringing green spaces into an urban environment and providing choices and options for people absolutely makes for an improvement to their lives," Ciaccio said. "By example, what prompted this bond referendum was the development of a needs assessment, and a parks and recreation master plan back in 2002. When we did that needs assessment, we learned this is what people want."

Smyrna officials agree if they had relied on a tax increase to fund park improvements and land acquisition, voters most likely would have rejected it.

Much like Cobb voters, residents start "weighing the issues" when a tax increase is involved, Bacon said.

"I think for us it was just convincing the public for us to go ahead and make the improvements now instead of saying next year or we'll do this in 10 years," Bacon said. "It's just a good way of taking immediate action on your needs right now."