Contrary to the opinion expressed by Beth Johnson, I would like to applaud the Tyrone Town Council for their courage in standing up for what's right in their denial of John Callaway's proposed Publix project in Tyrone.

Ms. Johnson would like the council and your readers to believe that the majority of Tyrone's residents would welcome this development. Ms. Johnson, I don't know who you've been talking to, but it certainly isn't anyone I know!

Several months back, the town sent its residents questionnaires regarding their wishes for the town. One of the statements on the questionnaire dealt with Tyrone pursuing the development of a “major grocery store.” Of the 292 questionnaires returned to the town, 24 percent of the respondents “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with the statement, while almost 62 percent of them “disagree” or “strongly disagree.” Unless Ms. Johnson uses some kind of weird “new math,” this constitutes a clear majority of those who bothered to respond.

Still unsure of what the residents want? Another statement said, “Tyrone should pursue commercial or industrial growth.” To that statement, 28 percent “agree” or “strongly agree” while 50.2 percent “disagree” or “strongly disagree.” (The remaining percentage of people were “undecided” or did not respond to the statement.) Clearly the majority of residents of our town do not desire the same kind of development found in Peachtree City or Fayetteville. (Isn't that why we all moved to Tyrone?)

Look around. What do you see in the rest of Fayette County, especially Peachtree City? What you see is a body of elected officials (with an exception of one or two) who are given a clear consensus of opinion by its residents yet still bow to the pressures (and dollar signs) of development and disregard these desires, selling their votes and sending those who elected them down the river. It's so refreshing to see a governing body sticking to the land use plan, hearing their constituents, and standing up for what's right. Great job!

By the way, isn't Ms. Johnson the daughter of the owner of the land in question? This land that would have been purchased and used by Mr. Callaway? Perhaps her motives aren't for the gain of the majority after all.

Dave Buck

Tyrone

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