ATLANTA — Neighbors say the last thing their community needs is another gas station. They held signs and protested a proposed service station they think will fuel more crime.
The protesters chanted, “No more gas stations- Campbellton Road,” in front of the proposed gas station at Campbellton and Harbin roads. They are adamantly opposed to the new project.
“We have 15 services stations already,” Lavern Taylor said.
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They held their signs high and were very vocal as cars passed by. Instead of gas stations, they want places to have coffee or places to eat.
“Give us a restaurant on Campbellton Road,” they screamed.
The proposed service stations would be next to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. The pastor is concerned what the gas station would bring.
“What it brings is a lot of looting around. A lot of thugging around,” Rev. Timothy Fleming Sr. said.
Neighbors say they had no say so in the gas station coming here. They say workers started building it then the Watershed Department put up a stop work order on the site. The project didn’t have the necessary permits. Neighbors know this is a temporary halt to the project.
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Channel 2′s Tom Jones talked to Councilperson Marci Overstreet, who represents the area and approved the project.
“This was done in City Planning,” she said. She also said the area is zoned for a gas station, so her office wasn’t consulted. Overstreet made it clear she is opposed to the project.
“I can think of a whole lot of things we need on Campbellton Road, and a whole lot. And a gas station is not one of them,” she said emphatically.
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People here say there is so much more that would enhance the community. They think another gas station would just fuel more crime.
“One on every corner. And they’re not selling gas. They’re selling beer and wine and have the gambling up in there,” Loretta Green said.
Overstreet sais the gas station would not initially sell beer and wine. She said if it applies for a license, the request would come through her office. She says she would deny it because of the will of the community.
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