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Politics & Government

Hiram City Council Contributes to Ruritan, Funds Summer Camp

Council shuffles money to provide for Hiram youth.

The Hiram City Council on Tuesday night approved a request from Hiram Ruritan for funding help to repair their football fields damaged during the 2009 flood event and to fund a summer camp for children.

Officials said two football fields need repairs within the next six to eight weeks to be ready in time for the start-up of their football program. The council had planned to hold a special called meeting last month to further discuss options, but decided to have the discussion at Tuesday’s work session.

Mayor Carmen Rollins said that after a review of the city’s budget a contribution could be made to cover some of the repair costs. And during the regular session the council voted to contribute $25,000 to the Hiram Ruritan for repairs to the 100-yard football field from the city’s administrative department budget.

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The council had considered purchasing the property and continuing the relationship with Ruritan Board members for the upkeep and repair of the property, but decided that that option could be reconsidered later.

The council also voted to amend their budget to provide $25,000 for a six week summer camp.

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The city will move some surplus budget from Public Works to Parks and Recreation and sponsor a summer camp to be held at the city's Oak Street facility. The camp will be limited to 50 children for its initial session. The intent, according to Councilman Jack Paris, is to provide a type of camp experience that can be educational and with a program that will attract return campers.

Mayor Rollins said that future enrollment could increase, but that limiting the number of kids in its first year to 50 will better allow for a learning curve for organizers that should benefit them going forward.

The council also heard a presentation on a $21 million Federal Grant from the U.S. Commerce Department to Appalachian Valley Fiber Network.

Ken Carlton, with Parker FiberNet, LLC.,  a public-private partnership established to develop and expand broadband capabilities in Northwest Georgia and Eastern Alabama, told council members that the high speed fiber optic infrastructure could potentially serve facilities such as the WellStar Hospital in Hiram and other businesses throughout Paulding County.

But, Carlton stressed that at this stage no agreements had been made and asked that the council review the franchise agreement in connection with the project. Construction is expected to begin this summer. The project could be substantially complete by August of next year, he said, with final completion in August of 2013.

During the meeting Mayor Rollins also presented Hiram Police Chief Gary Yandura with a proclamation for National Police Week and Chief Yandura commended two officers and a citizen for their recent efforts in connection with the arrest of three suspects for the armed robbery of a business in Hiram.

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