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Published Wednesday, July 01, 2009 in Local
Supporters of Lynch Park pool make plea to city
The Times-Herald
Even though the issue wasn't on the agenda, a crowd of people went before Newnan City Council Tuesday evening to voice their opinions about the fate of the Lynch Park pool.
Clarence Bohannon, a Newnan community activist, sparked the discussion after council had concluded its business.
"In your consideration of a spray park or a pool, please look at the pool as your first option," said Bohannon. He also suggested the city find a way to have both.
Bohannon said that he and other Newnan citizens were conducting their own survey of what residents in that area say they want and need. He also said he's conducting research and has met with the manager of LaGrange's pool.
"They found a way to accommodate the citizens," said Bohannon.
He said there's been an increase in the number of kids who take advantage of the pool, noting that there were approximately 135 kids at the pool recently.
"I'm here to tell you that the pool has been like the lifeblood for kids that would be hanging out on the corner," he said. "It's not just spending money, it's an investment in the community, and an investment in the kids."
Bohannon personally agreed to mentor at the site, along with others, and see that it remains a clean and safe place for children to congregate.
A woman came before council talking about visiting the pool with her family. She said she wanted there to be a public pool in the city when she starts her own family.
A man told council members that he wants a mega-park with both a pool and a sprayground on the city-owned Alexander property, which is located between Fourth Street, Boone Drive and Sunset Lane. He said the central location would "benefit everyone."
Robert Wood, a former Coweta County Commissioner, called Lynch Park a "community institution."
"It's as centrally located as any spot in Newnan," said Wood. "The area is historical. If at all possible, leave the pool in place."
Finally, the pool manager of more than 20 years addressed council to "speak on behalf of the kids."
"I have managed it with limited resources," he said. "There have been no fatalities there. The parents trust us with their children -- they feel safe. The pool is being used. It would be a disservice to discontinue the only public pool."
He invited council to come for a swim to see for themselves.
Mayor Keith Brady told the visitors that the issue would be on the council agenda on Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
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Yes, they are too expensive. However, every city should have a pool. Everyone should know how to swim.
Posted by Michael Phelps Wanna Be at 8:33 PM
Close it down. Repair, liability insurance, upkeep and lifeguards is to expensive. The county needs the money elswhere.
Posted by Dash Riprock at 2:21 AM
your problem is you don't have any common sense.
Posted by Bubba B Bad at 2:15 AM
If money is going to be spent for this pool, then the neighborhood needs to be cleaned up by the police first so ALL children will feel safe there. It is in a drug infested, crime ridden area and very few white children will make use of it. The money really should be spent in an area that is safe for all!
Posted by Just one opinion at 6:07 PM
Sadly, I remember swimming at the City pool as a child and watching African-American children standing outside the fence. They were denied access to the pool because of segratation. That was wrong. Now the City wants to deny them access to something that can be good for them. I say restore the pool, keep it clean and let everyone swim that wants to.
Posted by John Q. Citizen at 4:56 PM
JUST ME...all I can say is UNBELIEVABLE. The statement you said about the people who use the pool is so untrue! My family and I live in the White oak area and we use the Lynch park pool very often. Get real, and talk only about what you know not what you assume!
Posted by Miss Educated at 4:54 PM
Why can't Mr. Bohannon be a mentor and make sure the current pool is a clean, safe place to go? And 135 kids at the pool recently? There is no way I would bring my kids there if 135 kids were there. It just sounds like a day-care decided to dump their "summer camp" kids there. We tired to go to the pool a few weeks ago, and left within half an hour. It was dirty, and honestly, I was afraid for our safety. Like it or not, it is in the ghetto and that is who uses it.
Posted by Just me at 1:27 PM
A spray park is in no way an alternative to a real pool. You can't learn to swim or play marco polo in a spray park...playing IN the pool is what a child's summer should be all about.
Posted by John at 9:32 AM
The pool is a good place for any age to go.I Myself have been to the pool,since i was a young teenager and now a mother and a grandmother and my granddaughther Ty'mya she love going to the pool all she kind.
Posted by Debbie D.Dowdell at 7:36 AM
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7/4/2009
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The city isn't mandated to teach people to swim. Dash I agree but the funds come from the city of Newnan and not the county.I agree with the area being crime ridden and its sad. I say close it down and spend the valuable funds somewhere else.
Posted by C at 10:57 PM