Budget cutbacks close Atlanta firestation

Atlanta residents are feeling the pinch of municipal cutbacks that stir concerns about fire and police protection.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran has announced plans to close Fire Station 23, located on Howell Mill Road near I-75, and will shut down a firetruck stationed near Candler Park starting Christmas Day.

At a public meeting, Berkeley Park Neighborhood Association president Michael Wagoner says closing Fire Station 23 is unacceptable.

Meanwhile, nearly all departments at City Hall now are closed on Fridays as Atlanta tries to save money to close a projected budget shortfall of at least $50 million. Sales taxes, building permit fees and other city revenues are down by nearly 13 percent so far this budget year.

Mayor Shirley Franklin has made four rounds of layoffs since May.

In related budget cutbacks statewide, Camden County Sheriff-elect Tommy Gregory has sent notices to 27 employees in the department telling them they no longer will have jobs on January 4th. Gregory says there were initially 45 employees on the list he considered firing.

The departures will include most of the command staff.

(AP)

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