Wangemann suggests combining city, county parks depts.

GAINESVILLE - A suggestion Thursday morning from Gainesville City Councilman George Wangemann that the city parks and recreation department be combined with the Hall County Parks & Leisure Services Department got a chilly reception from other council members.

Wangemann recommended that the county department be consolidated into the city department.

He said now would be a good time since the county is without a recreation director following the recent resignation of Greg Walker.

"I believe a workable solution could be worked out between the city and county," Wangemann said at a city council work session.

However, three other members of the council - Danny Dunagan, Myrtle Figueras and Bob Hamrick - did not think so. Dunagan said it's a funding issue and the city is challenged to take care of its own recreation department.

County Commissioners at their Thursday meeting approved a plan to continue running the Parks and Leisure Services Department.

A slight increase in user fees, using the internet rather than printing and mailing literature, and closing their Rainey Street offices would provide the funds needed to continue the department.

(See Separate Story)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/8/241021