Board backs off move to control parks

By Patrick Fox

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Forsyth County commissioners Thursday retreated from a move to wrest control of its parks facilities from a citizens advisory board and place it in the hands of the county manager.

General outcry from residents and from members of the county's 20 youth athletic associations spurred the decision.

"I think we're all happy," said Bill Moats, president of the Sawnee Mountain Park Booster Club, who addressed the Commission on behalf of eight other associations.

Moats said the advisory board has done a fine job of allotting time and space for all the associations, and he didn't want to see those decisions shifted to a more political realm.