During a September work session Avondale Estates Mayor Jonathan Elmore surprised fellow commissioners by announcing his intention to change the language posted on the rules markers at Lake Avondale and Willis Park.
The sub heading at both locations read “Restricted Use Premises,” and a portion of rule No. 1 says “This park is ‘for exclusive use of the residents of the city of Avondale Estates, their children and guests …” Rule No. 2 says violators may be subject to prosecution.
Those edicts have been around as long as anyone can remember and were likely authored by city founder George Willis.
Willis purchased the dairy farm community of Ingleside in 1924, turning it into Avondale Estates. He died in 1932 but remains revered in the city with a nearly life-sized painting still hanging inside city hall.
Willis donated the lake and park now bearing his name to the city and his deed reads that if Avondale “fails to maintain and upkeep the property” it reverts back to Willis or his heirs.
City commissioners now all seem to agree part of the rules language is archaic, unwelcome and at least vaguely racial. They’ve begun changing the ordinance that established that language, giving the first of three readings — required for any ordinance change — during October’s regular meeting.
This month they’ll begin rewriting the rules themselves.
But during both September and October’s work session there was quite a bit of public resistance to the change.
Several argued the signs shouldn’t be touched because, among other reasons, the deed “is part of our history” and the properties were “a gift to the city.” One resident read aloud her own personal revision of the rules, which included keeping the exclusivity rule, but moving it from the top to bottom of the list.
“If we change those rules,” one resident said, “we’re gonna have a lot more people from the outside coming in … I’d like to make sure we’re not going against the wishes of Mr. Willis.” Another said, “We’ve got to be ironclad sure before we change this language that nobody will take this property away from us. Mr. Willis gave a huge gift to the city.”
What you think? Should the sign stay as is, be rewritten or completely removed?
Send comments to communitynews@ajc.com.
Problematic water meter readings in DeKalb County have increased significantly this year, resulting in many residents being overcharged. County officials have said they’re working on fixing the meter reading errors, which seem to be the root of the billing problems.
Hundreds of residents are protesting inexplicably high water and sewer bills that in some cases exceed $1,000.
Meter reading problems are showing up 18 percent of the time that the county has recorded customers’ water usage so far this year, compared to 13 percent last year.
The county has set up town hall meetings to address complaints and unveil a plan to fix the issues.
Many residents still aren’t appeased, showing up with signs and unresolved bills.
Here are the most recent solutions:
- Review meter readings before sending them to the billing department.
- Email customers when their bill is being delayed because of a potential issue.
- If a bill more than triples, the county will charge those customers an average amount while it investigates.
- Assign hand-held meter reading devices to individual meter readers to hold them accountable for mistakes.
- Hire additional staff.
We asked readers if DeKalb is adequately handling the situation.
Here’s what some had to say:
I haven't seen any stories about refunds for improper billing from meters they openly admitted are faulty so… no. — Andy Sheppard
They are still billing me for a service that been turned off. — Cathy Benjamin
It's DeKalb, baby! 'Nuff said! — IJS
The people of Dekalb want competence from the county government? ROFL!!!!! — Ed Graham
Form your own city. Move out as fast as you can. DeKalb County is not capable of running the day to day functions of a County Government. Too overstaffed. Too many lazy and poor performing workers. Greed. Corruption. Not going to happen in the short term. Contractors have said they hate to work with County Staff. Most of metro is the same. Another swamp that needs to be drained. Try to form more cities as fast as you can. — BetterDog
About the Author
