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Residents urge Stonecrest to act on parks, sidewalks and neighborhood development during public comment
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Summary
Several residents urged the council to prioritize sidewalks on Panola Road, return donated river funds, engage with long‑time neighborhoods, and partner on community events; a petition asking the city to buy 9.5+ acres at Panola and Thompson Mill Road for a park was also read into the record.
At the start of the April 27 Stonecrest City Council meeting, several residents used the public‑comment period to press the council on parks, sidewalks, development and neighborhood outreach.
Jacqueline Echols, president of the South River Watershed Alliance, asked the council to return $190,000 the nonprofit donated for a kayak launch at Everett Park, saying an earlier floating‑dock installation downstream washed away and the organization cannot afford further losses. Echols said the alliance has been a consistent steward and requested the city return the funds if a viable plan is not in place.
Anita Dawkins, a Shirewick resident off Panola Road, asked the council for sidewalks on Panola Road near a daycare and growing restaurant activity, citing pedestrian safety concerns.
Neighbor Anithia (Anita) Cody said a new development abutting her house has left residents concerned; she delivered a petition and said developers and staff have not responded to requests for a tall fence buffer.
CA Nation, a retired U.S. Marine and resident in ZIP code 30058, said residents feel overlooked, described gunfire and illegal shooting in neighborhoods and urged the city to notify communities earlier when commercial projects are proposed so residents can respond.
A letter from Herbert Woods (read into the record) included a petition and requested the city consider buying 9.5-plus acres at Panola and Thompson Mill Road for a public park with amenities such as nature walks and play areas.
Why it matters: callers raised public‑safety, stewardship and neighborhood‑engagement concerns that affect residents' daily lives and rely on city follow‑up for solutions.
What the council said: the Mayor Pro Tem and council acknowledged the comments and later listed staff and partnership initiatives, including traffic-calming devices reactivated on Klondike Road and a planned workshop on feral hogs. The council did not vote on policy changes or immediate funding in response to the public comments during the meeting.
Quotes: "We don't have money to waste," Jacqueline Echols said regarding river projects. "We just need sidewalks on Panola Road," Anita Dawkins said. "Please point me in the right direction, put me with the right person, and let's see if we can make these things happen," Richard Jordan said when asking for city partnership on events.
Next steps: comments were entered into the record; residents requested follow up from staff and council members; the online petition on park land was added to the public record.
