Despite residents’ objections, East Point to buy Wachovia building

With an overflow crowd looking on Monday night, the East Point City Council overrode a veto from Mayor Earnestine Pittman and agreed to buy a former Wachovia building for $900,000 on East Point Street.

The building is part of the city’s plan to build a government center in downtown East Point, but residents questioned the wisdom of spending the money during an economic downturn.

As residents rose to oppose the purchase, the meeting resembled a unique mix of a Tea Party gathering and a church service.

“I’ve lived here for more than 20 years and watched this city go downhill. We need to maintain what we have and we don’t need to buy anything else,” said Shirley Ashley, who was greeted with applause and a chorus of amens after her remarks.

The heated comments warmed up the room as residents expressed disbelief that the City Council was moving forward with the purchase.

“How dare you put us further in debt. It’s all about spiting that woman. She’s never run from anything," Isabel Jeffries said.

One resident warned the City Council of what could happen in the future.

“You are heartless. The citizens have the power to shut this city down,” Sharon Shropshire said.

Pittman’s position, along with many of the vocal residents, is the city still has outstanding obligations to pay and can’t afford a new government center.

While none of the City Council defended their position on the purchase, Councilman Lance Rhodes sent out an e-mail newsletter Monday detailing the city’s fiscal health.

In the newsletter he said the cost of the Wachovia building would be $75,000 a year, which would have a small impact against the city’s annual $95 million budget.

He also added the $14 million center would be funded by the hotel-motel tax, which would generate revenue that can be directed to covering the difference between the city’s $425,500 rent payment at Jefferson Station and what the projected difference would be for doing a lease-purchase of property the city will own.