The slide show below consists of pictures taken on three different dates; September 9th, September 27, and October 17, 2019.

 

There were no signs showing permits posted on September 9th when Blue Ridge Mountains News began taking pictures. Photos show at that time work had already begun on the park.

 

On September 27th, Blue Ridge Mountains News was onsite for a photo update for the project and noticed, along with the job nearly at completion, the posted signs. BRMN is awaiting further information regarding the signage.

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Holloway Trenching was paid $293,112.90 by the City of McCaysville for concrete slabs walking paths and leveling the grounds.

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Holloway Trenching was hired without due process and approval by a McCaysville City Council vote on a bid.  During the December 2019 meeting, Mayor Thomas Seabolt would not discuss the issue  when then-Councilman Rodney Patterson brought to light the exorbitant amount of monies paid to Holloway Trenching.  Seabolt simply stated "Jeff does good work!"

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Government grants normally come with guidelines that must be followed in order to be reimbursed for projects in full. Not following the procedures as required can delay, reduce or prevent reimbursement.

 

Uproar surrounding the city park project comes from more than one issue. The grant was “awarded” in 2017. There were no official bids placed or approved by the Council for projects the city park required. One contractor did not meet requirements for the state of Georgia to have been qualified for the job. A more than $20,000.00 job was awarded to a Council members son without Council approval. Did any of the improper procedures regarding this project cause a delay in or cancellation of reimbursement of expenditures? Those are a few of the more obvious problems with this project citizens are questioning.

 

In addition, a non city official ordered expensive equipment for the park and charged the $26,000.00 to the City of McCaysville. The city then paid for this equipment without Council approval both of ordering such equipment and for the payment of a bill well over the $500.00 which requires council approval. Other questions surrounding the equipment included what was it, where was it, does the grant cover it, and why would McCaysville residents need $26,000.00 worth of equipment to sit exposed to North Georgia weather?

 

Along with the hefty price tag, one of the reasons for the demand of answers relating to this equipment, is why would anyone think a small town would need it? With a median income of less than the cost of the exercise equipment and a median age of 46.4, according to Data USA, many feel there are better options for $26,000.00 to be spent on the citizens of McCaysville. This equipment is also unlikely to inspire tourists to spend money in McCaysville.

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Editor's Note: Statistics vary from source to source.