DeKalb County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday to scrap a controversial soapbox derby project after learning the CEO had developed the land without their permission.
The park was slated to be built on 11 acres on Rock Chapel Road in west Lithonia. The commissioners had agreed to buy the land in March 2011.
Commissioner Elaine Boyer said that the total concept was never agreed upon. She said that she's heard complaints from taxpayers who felt that the $1 million price was too much.
Commissioners were upset after learning that CEO Burrell Ellis had recently approved spending $100,000 to clear trees on the property.
"The clearing of the trees and all these things happened unbeknownst to us," said Boyer. "So if we made a multi-purpose project out of it, the taxpayers might find it more palatable than a soapbox derby standalone that is a $1 million to build and revenue generates only $15,000 a year."
DeKalb County spokesperson Burke Brennan said the $100,000 figure includes county labor, resources and contracts that were already in existence.
"Since we couldn't move forward with the contract that was before the board of commissioners, we tried to get the ball rolling using in-house resources," said Brennan.
Ellis now has the option of signing off or vetoing the board's decision to shelve the project.
Brennan says the CEO still likes the soapbox derby project, but adds that Ellis will review the commission resolution with his staff before he makes his next move.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:33 AM EDT2013-05-23 15:33:57 GMT
The fox responsible for biting two Newton County elementary school students while they played on their school's playground remains on the loose.
The fox that bit two Newton County elementary school students while they played on the playground is still on the loose. Animal control authorities tell FOX 5 someone from Rocky Plains Elementary School reported a fox sighting on campus one day before the boys were attacked.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:31 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:31:23 GMT
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Later today, Georgia State Rep. Tyrone Brooks is expected to speak publicly about his recent arrest on fraud and tax charges. Brooks was arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
Thursday, May 23 2013 12:56 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:56:30 GMT
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
The FOX 5 I-Team has learned that Douglas County District Attorney David McDade is personally asking the GBI to investigate how money is spent in his office.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:55:59 GMT
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home.
A local woman says she's trying to rebuild her life after storms hit this past weekend and destroyed her home. Just one day later, some of her family members were in Oklahoma near where the tornado hit.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:50 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:50:14 GMT
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground.
FOX 5 has learned that two Newton County elementary school students are being treated for injuries after they were bitten by a fox while they were playing on a playground. Both victims are 6-year-old boys who are in kindergarten at Rocky Plains Elementary School, where the attack happened.
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A soapbox derby park was slated to be built on 11 acres on Rock Chapel Road in west Lithonia.
