Last week: Is the resettlement plan for Kennesaw mobile home residents fair?
An issue in Kennesaw concerns the resettlement of 118 mobile home owners of the Castle Lake Mobile Home Park. A $150 million development by Fuqua Acquisitions, including 180 apartments for ages 55 and older and a Whole Foods store is planned to open in about a year. Fuqua officials have said they will offer private relocation assistance. However, many of these residents say they do not want to leave due to the quality of the schools and the low crime rate.
We asked readers if this is a fair situation.
Here is what some had to say:
I've lived in a trailer as a poor kid and this breaks my heart. Why don't you ever hear a story where a developer tricks the city into moving out a subdivision of rich folks! It's so transparent how badly we treat the less fortunate and fall over backwards to give the rich everything. Our logic is backwards. Shame, shame. Take from the poor and give to the rich. — Andre Thompson
When you lease land, you're at the whim of the owner. Looking at the area, anyone with half a brain knew this was coming. — Richard Lee
This has been going on for a year. To say the residents didn't know is crazy. They've been to city council meetings. — Jeanette Masters Lyons
These people have been given over a year, and the developer has done more for them than anyone else would. Stop distorting the truth. — Millie Wright
No, it's not fair! — Shellie Deisch McClain
I wish the government would help them purchase land on a 40-year note or something to make as affordable as leasing. Otherwise, this keeps happening. — Diana Morrison Martin
This is not fair to the residents. They should be given options of places that offer the same type of living situation at the same price. — Janet Bohanon Moore
I really like Whole Foods. Plus, it will bring in more money than that rundown park ever would. It is not unfair if you lease, not own. It's to be expected that the landlords can kick you out. — Derek Leggett
What would you do if you owned a prime piece of real estate and was able to sell at a decent profit? Yep, thought so. — Lynda Vaughan
Such sad news for those homeowners - like their lives mean nothing. My prayers go out to them that they may find housing quickly and get their lives back on track. — Kara Kalra
No, it's not enough time and they need financial assistance. — Calandra Parker
For low-income people, this could be great! The developers are giving you more money than your home is worth or they will pay all expenses to relocate your home. And, hey, this new development means more jobs, more opportunity for you to better your lives! — Kimberly Sams
Sadly, the developers care only about how much money they will make. At some point, they will have to answer for their greed. — Lisa Bensenhaver Kennedy
I'm very excited about the new Whole Foods. I am, however, sad that people will have to move. I hope that there is adequate help for them. — Natalie Lee
Carolyn Cunningham for the AJC
Next month Decatur’s school board will ask city commissioners to approve a $75 million general obligation bond for the November ballot. That money will go toward renovation/new construction of City School Decatur buildings over the next five years. The annual tax increase on those owning a $150,000 home would average $204 on a $300,000 home and $953 on a $700,000.
The board has been down this path before. In August 2013, it asked for a $59 million bond that was rejected. At the time commissioners were divided if growth — 8 to 12 percent enrollment increase per year since 2009 — was permanent. But they were unanimous in agreeing that such a bond would never pass the voters.
If one thing is certain 20 months later, CSD’s growth isn’t diminishing. The system has already exceeded total capacity and currently has a record 4,337 students. It’s projected that by 2019-20 CSD enrollment will be 6,500 to 7,400.
At a commission work session earlier this month, several members of Decatur 101, a city-run seminar held several times annually asked why should older residents living in smaller homes who have no children in the school system pay for more school growth.
The $75 million bond doesn’t pay for everything, either, covering about 77 percent of CSD’s master plan for the next five years. Which means that more funding will be needed down the road.
If a bond isn’t passed there at least four alternatives: More temporary classrooms (trailers). There will be 20 to 25 of those spread throughout CSD next year; renting space from city of Atlanta or DeKalb County; split shifts for classes; or year-round school.
What do you think Decatur should do — raise taxes, go for one of the alternatives or try something else? Send your comments to communitynews@ajc.com.
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