~ Town Hall Meeting ~

Commissioners Jim Boff and Jim Harrell

request your attendance at a Town Hall Meeting

 Location: Mashburn Elementary School

3777 Samples Road, Cumming Georgia 30041

 When: February 25^th at 6:30 pm

Tell Your Neighbors and All Your Forsyth Friends To Attend!

Background Information – At the last Forsyth County elections, the voters approved a Park, Recreational and Green Space bond of $100,000,000, the purpose of which was to purchase green space lands and provide recreational opportunities throughout the county. The bond has been funded and you are already paying about $150 per year in new taxes for that bond.

There are five districts in Forsyth county. District Five, which has about 20% of the population, contributes approximately 20% of the County tax receipts from residents. So far, almost the entire green space portion of the bond ($36,000,000) has been spent by the County.  District Five has received less than 1% of these funds. The remaining Park and Recreation portion of the bond (64,000,000) has been allocated with not one penny for District 5.

 Map of Acquired Properties  and the Forsyth District Map

More detail about what the County has already acquired

District Five is a highly populated, almost completely developed portion of the county surrounding the Southwestern portion of Lake Lanier, south to Windermere, west into portions of the city of Cumming and East between 400 and the Chatahoochee River. Because this area is almost completely built out there are few parcels over 100 acres available for green space and/or recreation, except for one available property, The Lanier Golf Club.  If vacant land were purchased, there are no funds available to make it useable for any recreational services or facilities, nor the operational costs to maintain any such facility and resource to County residents.

The Lanier Golf Club property is one parcel that meets all the requirements for use of the available funds.  The Lanier Golf Course contains natural green space and wetlands worthy of preservation. It is large, 172 acres. It is already developed for recreation, it won't cost additional tax dollars to make it usable and it will pay for its own operation. 

And when acquired in cooperation with one of the several proposals presented by private management companies who want to create a public/private facility in collaboration with the County, the business model is the only thing that makes sense in these economic times, and for the future benefit of Forsyth County, its citizens, schools, and businesses.

If the county does not purchase it, it will certainly be developed in the future and the only large tract of open space in District Five will be lost forever. Buford Dam Rd will be severely overcrowded to the point of gridlock, property values will be diminished, and this region will have an increased population, still lacking any county recreation or green space resources for its residents and those from other parts of the County that would benefit from such a facility.

Commissioners Boff and Harrell have put together a plan that will save the Lanier Golf Course from development and maximize the use of this land without ongoing County expense. Their plan will provide recreation for area residents and save the taxpayers millions through a private/public collaboration. Come to the Town Hall meeting, invite your neighbors from throughout the County, and learn of the options available to preserve this land and create a resource that will serve County residents, visitors, businesses, schools, seniors, and that all can enjoy.

Summary

District 5 has 20% of the population and pays 20% of the park and rec bill. The district is obviously under served now and of the over $150,000,000 of park and rec funds to be spent district 5 will receive less than 1%. Any reasonable and honest person would have to agree that the people of district 5 have not been and are not being treated fairly … and this affects the entire county, its businesses, schools, and organizations that would benefit from a fair distribution of facilities and funding support.

About the Bond
On February 5, 2008, Forsyth County voters approved the issuance of a $100 million Parks/Recreation and Green Space General Obligation Bond. The issue received overwhelming voter approval of 69-70% countywide.

Bond Language
"Shall there be issued up to $100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Forsyth County General Obligation Bonds for the purpose of financing parks and recreational areas, programs and facilities, including, but not limited to, green spaces and conservation areas for the protection of lakes, rivers, forest and wildlife habitats?"

Bond Intent
- Improvements and expansion to existing parks

- Purchase land for future (active recreation) parks
- Acquisition of land for green space (passive recreation)

 Please mark your calendar for Thursday February 25^th at 6:30pm and attend this important Town Hall Meeting. This may be our last chance!

 ~ Committee to Save the Lanier Lifestyle ~

Town Hall Meeting Location- Mashburn Elementary / 3777 Samples Road / Cumming Georgia 30041