Kennesaw sues skate shop over $25,000 pledge
by By Kim Isaza
kisaza@mdjonline.com
January 19, 2010 01:00 AM | 1565 views | 6 6 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Caleb Alston, 15, of Kennesaw skateboards at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw in November 2009.
Caleb Alston, 15, of Kennesaw skateboards at Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw in November 2009.
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KENNESAW - The city of Kennesaw has filed suit against the owner of Swift Wheels Skate Shop, demanding $25,000 that was pledged for a temporary skateboard ramp.

June Wick, the owner of Swift Wheels, responded in Cobb Superior Court on Jan. 11 that she needs more time to hire an attorney.

The city argues in the civil suit that Wick signed an unsecured pledge agreement on Oct. 29, 2008, stating that she would give the city $25,000, in two payments, "for the costs associated with the installation of a temporary skate ramp facility located at Swift Cantrell Park in Kennesaw."

The first payment, of $10,000, was to be made by March 31, 2009, and the second payment, of $15,000, was to be made on Sept. 30, 2009, according to the agreement. The agreement also states that in the event of default or breach, "Maker promises to pay fees and court costs, whether judgment is rendered or not."

Randall Bentley, the city's attorney who practices in his family's firm - Bentley, Bentley and Bentley - said the city built the temporary ramp that now stands at Swift Cantrell Park based on Wick's pledge. The park is on Old Highway 41 near Jiles Road.

The temporary ramp opened for public use on Nov. 1, 2008.

Wick said that she alerted the city's finance director, Gina Auld, and other city officials as soon as she realized she would not be able to make the payments.

"I was under the impression that as long as I worked with them, it would be all right," she said. "I had every intention of paying when the economy gets better."

She also said she had been helping the city in other ways, such as by donating prizes for various city-sponsored events. She estimated she had spent $8,000 on such materials, and questioned why the city is pursuing litigation against her small business.

"If they get what they are asking for, it will put me out of business and may force me in to bankruptcy," Wick said.

Bentley said the city is willing to negotiate with Wick.

"I'm always willing to talk any kind of resolution," he said.

A skate park committee has raised more than $30,000 for a permanent skateboarding park inside Swift Cantrell. Initial plans were for a $1.5 million park, and there have been talks for the city and the county to assist with financing, though with the economic downturn, that has been put on hold.
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comments (6)
« anonymous wrote on Saturday, Jan 30 at 10:43 PM »
I think they should build the main park take away the additional things such as the extra flowers and such then for 1 year charge 10$to skate it raise some money pay most/all back then everyone go along with there bussiness as the skaters are happy,the city is happy,june is happy,we all are happy.

-dirble
« GNA RULES wrote on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 09:33 PM »
If the city is so willing to talk to her and reach an agreement why didnt they do it without bringing in an attorney in the first place? The entire world is about suing someone. Instead of wasting money suing someone over a measley 25,000 why not talk about ways to raise money for this skatepark?? The money wasted on some silly lawsuit could be better put to use in the park. Apparently someone with brains is needed at the City of Kennesaw to handle financial matters properly. Think of ways to make money for the park not cost the taxpayers even more by suing small business owners.. This is really sad and pathetic that the City has noting better to do than harass businesses that try to bring revenue into the city by opening a business there in the fist place..I think they are cutting off their noses to spite their faces in the good old City Of Kennesaw..City of shame....
« Will Fellows wrote on Wednesday, Jan 20 at 03:00 PM »
I walk in that park all the time and it looks like that ramp is way too small to accomodate all the kids who want to use it. Everywhere i go I see kids skateboarding where they shouldn't be. There's obviously a lot of demand for this type of thing in Cobb. They need to get the real skatepark built.
« Cathy Coia wrote on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 07:49 PM »
"A skate park committee has raised more than $30,000 for a permanent skateboarding park inside Swift Cantrell. Initial plans were for a $1.5 million park, and there have been talks for the city and the county to assist with financing, though with the economic downturn, that has been put on hold." So lets give June Wick some kind of better deal to get the money raised, as the City is having economic downturn so are the business's in Kennesaw, as is her Skate Shop. She has done a wonderful thing for the kids of Kennesaw by getting that temp. skate ramp in. She has a good heart and good intentions,lets show some compassion. And lets get some fundraising done City of Kennesaw for that $1.5 million skate Park!
« bmm_6_2dogs wrote on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 02:38 PM »
Why don't the kids/ young adults pay to use the ramp? just sayin.
« Park user wrote on Tuesday, Jan 19 at 11:50 AM »
Not good that she didn't live up to her end of the bargain...but it's been a great addition to the park. There are kids skating there every day. Whatever happens...we need to keep the skate ramp there to give these kids something to do.