Published Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Rental fee waiver request at Carnegie Library denied

The Newnan Times-Herald

Newnan City Council denied a request from a historical group wanting a waiver on rental fees at the Newnan Carnegie Library to show Civil War-based movies.

The denial came after a rather awkward moment when no council member made a motion to approve the request from the Newnan-Coweta Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee.

In a nutshell, council members made it clear that while supporting the group's purpose, it would subsequently open the doors for other non-profits to ask for waivers as well -- something the city council has yet to approve.

The Civil War committee wanted to rent the Carnegie to show four movies free of charge. The movies are: "Red Badge of Courage," "Shenandoah," "Glory" and "Cold Mountain."

"The high rental fees at the Carnegie Library would be prohibitive for a non-profit organization, such as CW Sesquicentennial, from hosting this event; hence, we come before you requesting a waiver of rental fees," said Jan Bowyer, chair of the committee.

The fee for a half-day for a non-profit based in Coweta County is $100. The group wanted to waive the fees for four days to show the movies.

After no motion was made, Mayor Keith Brady explained why.

"We have never waived fees ... once we start, it will never stop," Brady said. "We all believe in the wonderful things the committee is doing ... but repeating myself, if we start waiving fees, it won't stop."

Brady pointed out the city has a more than $2 million investment in the library and the fees allow for the facility to be properly maintained.

"I understand your reasoning," Bowyer said.

Brady responded that everyone will read about this "in the newspaper tomorrow."

"Number one, they will be mad at us," he said. "And number two, I hope some will offer you financial assistance."

Also Tuesday during its regular meeting, council:

• Approved a Newnan Police Department request for about $13,600 to upgrade its 10-year-old video forensic equipment.

• Approved about $32,600 to pay for furnishings for the Public Works Building on Boone Drive. The money comes from the 2007 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and is below original estimates.

• Approved soliciting bids for the design of recreational facilities at Ray Park and at the Newnan Centre, the city's conference center complex now under construction. Funding would come from 2007 SPLOST funds.

• Approved soliciting bids for the design and construction of parking areas for two lots donated to the city by Robert Hancock that are located near the historic Train Depot on East Broad Street. Funding would come from the 2002 SPLOST account.