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County OKs parkland swap for Polo Fields Scores of residents turn out for decision By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Close to 100 residents showed up Feb. 3 as the Forsyth County Commission voted to swap a portion of the new Denmark Park for property developed for sports at the Polo Fields. The vote was 5-0. The deal cedes just under two-thirds of Denmark Park – 50 acres – for almost 39 acres at Polo Fields, including its six soccer fields. In all, 19 residents addressed commissioners on the issue during public comment. Sentiment was split almost evenly. Resident Lisa Calloway spoke passionately against the land swap, accusing the county of shrouding the deal in secrecy up until the vote. As the commission approved the purchase of Polo Fields, she and several other residents opposed to the deal stood up and left the chamber. Residents in favor of the deal applauded. “They told us in December they would have a town hall, and they didn’t,” Calloway said as she exited the commission chambers. “We all come to this meeting and make a public comment, but it was very clear that they had already decided.” Resident Mike Melz spoke to commissioners in favor of preserving the Polo Fields. He said the fields have become one of
State lawmakers focus on education agendas
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Area faith leaders launch scholarship for Blacks uprooted over racial turmoil By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com
JAKE DRUKMAN/APPEN MEDIA
A crowd of more than 100 gathered in the Forsyth County commission chamber for the Feb. 3 meeting. The commission unanimously approved a land swap, ceding part of Denmark Park to purchase almost 39 acres at Polo Fields. Forsyth County’s historical landmarks, the “crown jewel” of the county. Speaking after the vote, Melz said he was gratified the Polo Fields will be preserved. “When you look at the history of the Polo Fields, Prince Charles played polo there with the British royal polo team,” Melz said. “That’s history. That is definitively
something to cherish.” Melz said he wasn’t thrilled about the possibility of Denmark Park land being developed into houses, but that it made more sense to give up the park. Under terms of the agreement, the coun-
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King’s Ridge scoops up property for expansion
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See DENMARK, Page 16
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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Faith leaders from across Forsyth County announced Feb. 1 the launch of a scholarship for the descendants of African Americans who were driven out of the county in the early 1900s. The African American Descendants of Forsyth Scholarship will award up to $10,000 per year per recipient for a four-year scholarship, with the goal of serving at least 10 students in the first year. The number of recipients and money awarded is contingent on the amount of money the scholarship raises until the application review process begins. The racial expulsion in Forsyth County began when Robert Edwards, a Black man, was accused of beating and raping 18-year-old Mae Crow, who later died of her injuries. Edwards was arrested, but a mob of White residents broke into the jail and killed him. White residents later hanged two Black teenagers. White residents soon used threats of violence to drive the around 1,000 Black residents out of their homes
See SCHOLARSHIP, Page 17