GNB Update

Here's what making news in Georgia for Tuesday...

Not enough space for parks in Atlanta.

That was just one of the findings the park advocacy group Park Pride made in its evaluation of city parks that was released today. It says in its 77-page report that money is the main why there's not enough space for park facilities. The report also blames the city for lack of space in those parks. It suggests that Atlanta model itself after Gwinnett County, which has raised more than $500 million within the last 12 years to buy its own park space.

Many city and county governments statewide are making staff cutbacks in response to the state budget shortfall. This time it's happening in two northeast Georgia counties. Jackson County laid off four building inspectors and two engineering workers, while neighboring Barrow County let two employees go. Jackson County will save over $225,000, while Barrow will pick up $70,000 in savings with the recent layoffs.

Officials in the Atlanta suburb of Dunwoody are learning just how hard it is to run a city government. That lesson hit home for them on Monday, as they learned that they'll pay 10 times more than they thought for the city's phone and Internet service. While the city's first budget calls for $27,000 to be spent on communications, the city council approved a deal that totals $228,000. That includes monthly charges of $8,800 for maintenance, plus an additional $1,500 for service. Dunwoody officially became a city last December.

And one of baseball's greatest players might be suiting up for the Atlanta Braves this season. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Braves are finalizing a deal to bring 39-year-old Ken Griffey, Jr. into their fold. While he chosen to sign with Atlanta, sources close to Griffey say the soon-to-be former Seattle Mariner was scheduled to meet in Orlando today to have a deal finalized. The 13-time All Star is one of just six players to hit 600 or more home runs in his career.

That's for the news for Tuesday. Remember to log on to GNB at georgianewsbeat.blogspot.com for the latest Georgia-related news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Enjoy the rest of the day, and the entire night.