* UPDATE: The Henry County Board of Commissioners voted last night (Nov. 19), after this week’s edition went to press, to take $550,000 to repair Cochran Park and begin negotiations with the city to take over operations.

  There has been a lot of talk in the past two weeks about Cochran Park, but nothing has changed.

  First, the proposed master plan to turn the longtime Stockbridge athletic facility into a passive park was considered again during the Henry County Board of Commissioners’ November 5 regular meeting. The discussion resulted in no less than four separate motions and votes.

  Bruce Holmes, who initially ordered the park closed in July for safety reasons and has championed the idea of a passive park, moved to approve the master plan with a 30-day contingency, giving Stockbridge city officials an opportunity to evaluate and determine whether they would like the park given to the city. Several Stockbridge leaders have been outspoken in their desire to have the park repaired and the baseball programs once again in operation there.

  As part of Holmes’ motion, the county would have paid $300,000 toward repairing the stormwater issues, with Stock-bridge paying the rest. The county would also pay for utilities with Stockbridge handling maintenance. That motion was seconded by Dee Clemmons, but the four other commissioners all voted in opposition.

  Board chair June Wood made a motion to table the item and meet with Stockbridge officials within 30 days while moving forward to repair the park. Holmes seconded, and the vote was 4-2 in favor with Clemmons and Johnny Wilson also voting in favor. But when staff asked for clarification about whether the directive included moving forward with the repairs at the park, Holmes asked for a re-vote.

  Wood clarified her motion to state that the item would be tabled and a sit-down with Stockbridge scheduled within 30 days. That motion was seconded by Wilson and also supported by Gary Barham, but the vote was 3-3 and it failed.

  Vivian Thomas moved to give the park to Stockbridge and have the county repair the damaged pipes at a cost of $550,000. Holmes seconded and Clemmons also voted in favor, but the other three did not.

  In the wake of this action (or inaction), Henry County and Stockbridge advertised a joint special called meeting which took place November 12. The published agenda consisted of “executive session – litigation and real estate.”

  It was apparent from the outset that the county would take no action at this meeting since Clemmons, Holmes and Thomas did not attend and there was no quorum. At that point, it became a Stockbridge City Council meeting.

  But it wasn’t clear whether all of the members of that body wanted to do anything, either. A motion to adopt the agenda was made by Elton Alexander and seconded by Neat Robinson, but it only passed with a vote from Mayor Anthony Ford, since John Blount and LaKeisha Gantt voted against it. Alphonso Thomas joined the meeting right after the agenda was adopted. A motion to convene in executive session for real estate discussion was made by Robinson and seconded by Alexander, failed 2-3. The remainder of the meeting was a public discussion with no action taken.

  County manager Cheri Hobson-Matthews gave an overview of the history of Cochran Park and noted that cost estimates had been submitted to the city as well as a report done by an independent agency, to which the city had not yet responded. She asked what the city wants to have done but added that she would not recommend to have the county spend money on the park and then turn it over to the city, something that has not been done for any other city.

  Alexander requested that the county continue to operate the park, pointing out the attempt to approve repairs at the previous Board of Commissioners meeting. Blount suggested the city do its own assessment of what it might cost to take care of the park, and city manager Randy Knighton said that the city’s engineering firm is reviewing the county’s report.

  Gantt said she wants to see baseball back at Cochran Park on East Atlanta Road in the spring, adding that citizens in the city are paying county taxes for parks and recreation. Robinson said that Hidden Valley Park in the Fairview area and Mickie D. Cochran Park on Banks Road are also in disrepair, for which the county needs to step up and take corrective action. Gantt asked why the county is building new parks when the existing ones are being neglected.

  Ford said that the city would have a response soon regarding its position on what should be done. The only motion made by the council was to adjourn, and that was unanimous.

  Stockbridge officials released the following statement November 15:

  “This morning the city of Stockbridge has provided a letter to the Henry County Board of Commissioners regarding Cochran Park. Although, this is not a city park and has been under the responsibility of the county for decades, the city of Stockbridge has offered $100,000 to assist in the repairs identified by Henry County to restore the park for recreational use.

  “Just a few months ago, the park was used for baseball league play. It is imperative that the park be restored to allow children to continue to enjoy the numerous benefits of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and athletic competition. As a result, the city of Stockbridge is taking a somewhat unprecedented step of offering $100,000 to support the restoration of the park for baseball league play.

  “The children who utilize this park are our primary concern and the residents of Stockbridge who have invested in this park over the years through payment of property taxes to Henry County should be honored. It is our hope that this matter can be resolved expeditiously, for the sake of the young people who patronize Cochran Park. We hope that the Henry County Board of Commissioners will receive this offer in the spirit in which it is provided for the benefit of the citizens of Stockbridge and Henry County.”