Good morning.
By now I had assumed that the access road through Mt Tabor would have been cut, and I had been waiting to post a last update until that happened. There’s still no doubt that the road is coming, but I thought I’d give you all the information that I have and be done with it.
In November of last year, I met with a group of people who included:
Commissioners Dunn and Carmichael, Scott Greene BOC Director of Operations. Michael Justus Paulding Parks and Rec Director. Jamie Youngblood of SORBA/MTB Atlanta
The meeting was requested by the county, and I attended because I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn as much as possible about the access road fiasco. The easiest way to convey what was told to me, is to post a copy of the email I sent to the attendants post meeting. As follows:
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I wanted to thank you(Scott Greene), Mr. Justus, and the Commissioners for the opportunity to discuss the situation at Mount Tabor Park. Although our involvement with Tabor only recently became more than just using the trails, the concern that I and the many other petitioners have for Tabor is genuine.
If I understood correctly from the contents of our discussion, what has happened to Tabor will never happen again in Paulding County due to regulation and Commission procedural changes. That’s good news for every citizen that makes a home here. I do feel ambivalent, however, regarding how this all came about in the first place. The explanation of a couple lawyers working out a deal that no one knew much about, all signed off by a county official, and a hope that no buried legal document resurfaces, leaves you shaking your head and cussing under your breath. I’ve only been a resident of this county since 2016, but more than a few of the old-timers that I’ve spoken with at Tabor have told me that this is the way things have often been done.
But it is done. And I hope that the county prevails in keeping the access road for emergency use, as well as keeping the developer in line at the creek crossing- that would go a long way at preserving what’s left of Tabor.
I also hope that the county gives consideration to the idea of fencing along the adjoining boundary with Riverwood. In my opinion, it would not represent an effort to exclude anyone, but rather signify that what’s behind the fence is worthy of everyone’s protection, and that all those new residents of Riverwood will have to share in that responsibility. Investing the idea that Mt Tabor is special to the new homeowners as well as creating their own entrance would, I feel, also help in preserving the unique qualities of Mt Tabor.
After our meeting I had intended on closing out the petition with a final update, but it’s probably best to wait and see how things turn out with the access road before I do that. I will be honest about what I know regarding Tabor’s predicament, both in the updates as well as any discussions I’m sure to have while at the park- once the trees actually start coming down, I expect that you and I will be trying to answer a lot of questions. At the end of the day, if the access road remains gravel now and into the future, then those who gave their name to the petition will feel their effort was a success.
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And that’s it. It’s probably impossible to determine how effective(or not) our petition really was, but at the end of the day it can be agreed that what we were fighting for was absolutely worth it. I’m glad to have taken part, and I thank you all very much for signing on the line and supporting our effort. Maybe this petition will be kept in mind by future County officials and potential developers. And maybe this petition will instill in the minds of those same officials that this county needs a lot more greenspace for the masses of new residents arriving daily.
Thank you all again.
Tim Steininger