CITY OF THOMASTON WILL HAVE FIREWORKS JULY 4

THERE'S GOOD NEWS AND LESS THAN GOOD NEWS FOR THE CITY OF THOMASTON'S GREATEST GENERATION MEMORIAL PARK. DURING A MEETING OF THE PARK COMMITTEE , MONDAY, CITY MANAGER RUSSELL THOMPSON ANNOUNCED A 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION COMPLETE WITH A FIREWORKS SHOW IN THE PARK, BUT ON THE DOWN SIDE—COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES, THE HIGHTOWER FAMILY FOUNDATION - HAS SENT MAYOR J.D STALLINGS A LETTER THAT THIS YEAR'S BUDGETED GRANT OF $100,000 HAS BEEN REDUCED TO $12,000. THOSE FUNDS REQUESTED FOR A STUDY OF A WATER FEATURE IN THE PARK.

NEIL HIGHTOWER PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES SAID IN THE LETTER, THE CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN UNABLE TO AGREE TO THE FAMILY'S REQUEST TO NOT CLOSE PARK DRIVE AND NOT OFFER FOR SALE THE DONATED PARK TRIANGLE PROPERTY VALUED AS PART OF THE PARK.

CITY HALL PUT THE TRIANGLE UP FOR SALE AND GOT AN OFFER OF HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FROM AN ATLANTA DEVELOPER, THEN BACKED OFF WHEN OPPOSITION STIFFENED—BUT STILL LEFT THE DOOR OPEN FOR FUTURE SALE.

A MEMBER OF THE PARK COMMITTEE , GARY SELF , SAID HE WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR OF THE DONATION REDUCTION, WHEN THE CITY MANAGER CONFIRMED IT DURING THE MEETING, MONDAY.

THOMPSON SAID THE 4TH OF JULY EVENT IS SOMETHING HE'S WANTED TO DO SINCE HE CAME TO THOMASTON, AND THE NEW MAIN STREET COORDINATOR HEATHER BLACKMAN HAS GOT THE BALL ROLLING ON SHORT NOTICE.

THE HIGHTOWER FOUNDATION HAS INVESTED OVER A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE PARK OVER THE YEARS.