RINGGOLD, Ga. -- Catoosa County residents passionately pitched ideas about skate parks and historical tourism, but blasted some elected officials for not showing up at Thursday night's kickoff meeting for the county's joint comprehensive plan.
The meeting opened the public process for formulating a plan for growth in Catoosa County. Officials announced six more meetings will take place around the county and asked residents to fill out surveys available at www.catoosa.com.
Consultants from Mactec Engineering said the county's population is expected to grow from 63,000 residents now to from 77,000 to 110,000 by 2030.
Most of the discussion centered around recreation and historical preservation. Fort Oglethorpe business owner Scott Stone said the county and cities need to offer more to teenagers. He suggested a multiuse recreation facility centered around a skate park.
Residents also discussed beautification, with Fort Oglethorpe resident Radonna Parrish calling for more trees and landscaping on Battlefield Parkway and other thoroughfares.
"Our strips look like every strip in the United States, and we need to be special," she said.
Several of those in attendance were upset when a show of hands revealed Catoosa Commission Chairman Keith Greene and Commissioner Dewayne Hill were the only elected officials present.
"That's a big problem," said Fort Oglethorpe resident Susan Foster of the absent officials. "They don't think it's important. Obviously if they care enough I feel like they'd be here."
Lee Walton, a project manager for Mactec, said some municipalities do the survey "to check the box" in the state requirements. Others, he said, use the information gathered to set policy and steer decisions.
Scheduled planning meetings:* East Catoosa, March 15, 2 p.m. at the Keith Voting Precinct* Graysville and North Catoosa, March 15, 6 p.m. at the Graysville Precinct* South Catoosa, March 18, 2 p.m. at the Woodstation Precinct* Boynton and Central Catoosa, March 18 at 6 p.m. at the Colonnade* Ringgold area, March 25 at 6 p.m. at the County Administration Building* Fort Oglethorpe area, March 29 at 6 p.m. at City HallSource: Catoosa County Commission
Mr. Greene vowed to do the latter.
"We need help in getting a vision of what we want Catoosa County to look like," the commission chairman said.
But several people at the meeting spoke out at the meeting saying the plan was pointless if officials just left it on a shelf.
"There's a good history of that in this county," said Fort Oglethorpe resident Gerry Depken.
Reached at home after the meeting, Fort Oglethorpe Mayor Ronnie Cobb said he understood the perception that some would have of other officials not being there, but said Mactec was keeping him updated on the information. He said the city had designated Councilman Louis Hamm to spearhead the planning. Thursday night Mr. Hamm said he had plumbing problems at his home and was making repairs at the time of the meeting.
Both he and the mayor said they plan to attend other visioning meetings.