Thank you for the informative letter from Charlie Harper (“ARC density story: Candidate Harper knocks Sen. Price on earlier ARC, GRTA support”) on the May 24 opinion page, and the follow-up by Peter Pfeifer (“Last week's letter distorted Sen. Price's voting record on ARC, GRTA”) on May 31.

If everyone is a bit confused as to what exactly is Sen. Price's voting record, it is understandable. I have attempted to contact Sen. Price by both e-mail and snail mail regarding his votes on these issues, but have not received any acknowledgement from him or his office.

Not unlike Sen. Price, ARC and GRTA are unresponsive to local government or the desires of the public. Such organizations, making extremely important decisions without citizen recourse, may be unconstitutional, and should be tested in the courts.

If we move quickly, we can maintain the quality of life in Fayette County by opposing the high density requirements imposed by GRTA and ARC. This may be difficult, however, as state and federal dollars are at stake and politicians are all anxious to bring home the pork.

The best option here is to turn down the state and federal funds and demand a tax cut instead. That's our tax money, anyway, that they want to give us back if we accept high-density housing.

Regardless, it's good to know, even belatedly, that Sen. Price voted against ARC and GRTA. So which candidate would back a plan for the county to buy up selected remaining green space for recreation, parks and nature trails; tell Atlanta and Washington to return our tax money for that purpose; and make a real difference for home rule in the next election? He'd get my vote.

William Fielder

Peachtree City

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