Gallery of Lights
The Site => General discussion => Topic started by: rjluna2 on December 12, 2009, 03:41:09 PM
-
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday, December 7, 2009.
Metro Section, page B2.
Take to Task What's not working.
Park's lights now shining
Atlanta
Bob Coomes and his dogs Fudge and Christmas are frequent visitors to Virginia-Highland's John Howell Park. With a doggie water fountain and plenty of waste bag dispensers, the park is an oasis fo area residents out for a stroll with their pet.
When the time changed in November, though, Coomes realized there was a problem at the park, located at the corner of Virginia and Barnett avenues.
"At least six lights in the park's upper section near Barnett and several more in the lower section nearer the playground aren't working," Coomes told Take to Task.
"When the dogs and I walk through at night," he continued, "you'd hardly know the park has lights, and that's just not safe."
We stopped by one evening two weeks ago and found less than half the park's 28 lights working. The top of one of the lights was severely damaged but the rest looked fine - they just didn't come on.
We called parks department director Ken Gillett, who quickly dispatched a crew to make repairs.
A few days later, an ecstatic Coomes called to say all but two of the lights were now working. The progress was short-lived, though as Coomes called back a day later saying all 14 of the lights in the park
s upper section were now dark.
After we advised the parks department of the setback, an electrician was sent to get to the root of the problem. By the time the dust was settled early last week, all the lights were working - but apparently getting them that wasn't easy.
Parks department spokeswoman Sharon Davis said workers re-wired three poles; replaced 15 light bulbs, 10 ballast, and three lamp holders; and installed one photo control device.
"Thanks for the tremendous effort," Coomes said. "My dogs and I feel as safe as ever in the park now."
John Becker, for the AJC.