Parks and Recreation Month, Handicapped Parking Grievance

Tuesday evening's 15-minute City Council meeting began with Mayor Mark Mathews declaring the month of July as Parks and Recreation month.

The proclamation was made in accordance with a designation made by the U.S. House of Representatives. Mathews took the opportunity to honor the men and women of Kennesaw’s own Parks and Recreation Department.

The meeting also saw the unanimous approval of a massage therapy license for Rita Cole, as well as the unanimous council appointment of Rick Young to the city’s Downtown Development Authority.

“Now you’re stuck, Rick!” Councilman Bruce Jenkins joked, drawing chuckles from the attendees.

A citizen also took the podium and addressed the council during the public hearings portion of the meeting.

Robert Turgeon addressed the council on the issue of handicapped parking spaces in the city. He said he has been attending City Council meetings and pushing the issue for about two years.

Turgeon said there is a problem with lack of adherence to Georgia code regarding the number of spaces in a parking lot which must be designated as handicapped, as well as with drivers ignoring laws regarding handicapped parking spaces.

Turgeon also expressed grievance with the council for allegedly putting off the issue. Mathews assured Turgeon that the council is working diligently on the matter, and that the issue has not been forgotten. 

Turgeon did, however, acknowledge that Chief Bill Westenberger has worked hard to enforce the laws.   

There were no announcements or issues for executive session, and the meeting was adjourned.