By CHRIS McCARTHY

Staff Writer

cmccarthy@cherokeeherald.com

In five months, the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Department will operate under the Town of Leesburg.

At its May 5 meeting, the Leesburg Town Council voted to consolidate the fire department as of the 2003-04 fiscal year, beginning in October.

“The department recently held a special meeting [on the matter], and we decided that if [the Town of Leesburg] agreed to accept our by-laws, we’d like to be incorporated into the town,” said department Chief Joe Sonaty. “It should be beneficial to both the department and the Leesburg community, and we’d like to wrap everything up by the start of the new fiscal year.

“We’re planning on holding a big fundraiser this fall, which should allow the department to pay off our debts by the end of the year.

According to Mayor Ed Mackey, all department expenditures would be funneled through the Town Clerk’s office.

In a related matter, the council agreed to make a donation to the fire department as an appreciation for the department’s recent tree removal work.

In other business, the council approved a motion to allow a prospective American Youth Soccer Organization Cherokee County Soccer League to use the Leesburg Ball Park’s playing fields for its August to November season.

On hand were AYSO Region 402 Treasurer and Cherokee County Youth Girls Softball League President Beth Farmer, AYSO Region 402 Secretary and CCYGSL representative Angela Battles and AYSO Region 402 Commissioner Barry Anderson.

“As of now, our region includes Sand Rock, Rainsville, Fyffe, Henager, Sylvania and Valley Head, and we’re expanding our region to the rest of Cherokee County,” said Battles. “We’re also adding the Collinsville area. The team formations will be Under 6 co-ed, Under 8 co-ed, Under 10 boys, Under 10 girls, Under 12 boys, Under 12 girls and Under 14 co-ed.”

“We’ve never been able to host a regional tournament because of the lack of a secondary field, and being able to play at Leesburg will help tremendously,” said Farmer. “We’re planning on operating the league similar to [the CCGYSL].

Farmer noted that the 2003 CCGYSL season is off to a successful start.

“We’ve received a lot of praise from the parents and other fans about our improved facilities that [the Town of Leesburg] helped finance. [State Rep.] Richard Lindsey was especially impressed with the facilities when he was here for our Opening Day, which was a huge success. Our batting cage is now installed, which the girls love to use. After the 14 and under division begins play later this month, we expect to have over 400 girls participating.

“Over the first two weeks, it seems like we’re having record-breaking crowds, which [the Town of Leesburg] has a lot to do with. I encourage everyone to come out and watch a few ball games this season.”

The council also agreed to adopt an official town logo that features an image of the base of Lookout Mountain.

Before adjourning, the council voted to purchase an advertisement in the Cherokee County Herald’s 2003 Past Times magazine