On June 24, the Coweta Republicans held a forum for the 28th Senate District race. Incumbent State Senator Rick Price and challengers Mitch Seabaugh, Dan Lakly and Charlie Harper spoke. During the question and answer portion, it was asked if the citizens should be allowed to decide whether to bring public transportation to Fayette, Coweta and Spalding counties through a voter referendum, specifically a GRTA-mandated intercity commuter rail linking our rural communities to MARTA.

The incumbent, Sen. Rick Price, responded that keeping these decisions local was a priority, and that the county commissioners should make the decision on county transportation. The question in his mind seemed not to be if, but which form of public transportation our county will receive. ”The intent is to use bus systems because you have flexibility with bus systems. My intent is to allow that funding to come to local government and let the local elected officials decide the routes if in fact they want the local bus system.“ In conclusion, he conceded that a voter referendum on major issues was a possibility.

Mitch Seabaugh responded next. “We have officials that we have elected as our county commission. They should have that opportunity to make the decision of what we want to do with our land in each county. We should not have an organization that would usurp their authority in doing that. So the county commission should be held accountable to the electorate, the electorate should have the opportunity to make their voices known of what they want in their county and what they don't want in their county. Government which governs closest to the people is best.”

Dan Lakly said, “That issue is far too important to put in the hands of just a few. That initiative must be put on a ballot for a referendum. We like our lifestyle in Coweta, Fayette and Spalding counties. It's quiet. It's pristine. We don't have high density. As far as buses, my God in heaven, if they jammed it down my throat I would take a rail line twice in the morning and twice at night. But dear God, don't bring me buses! The good sheriff of this county is here and he knows exactly what happens when you bring that kind of accessibility to a community such as ours. I'd put it in the hands of the people.”

Charlie Harper said, “People should have the opportunity as a referendum to determine if we're going to accept mass transit into our community. Most people chose to live here, they chose to live here because we've got great communities in the 28th District. We've got great schools because we control them locally, and are building our community through local land use planning. MARTA has already driven a lot of people out of certain areas. So if you want MARTA then you ought to be able to vote on it. I don't think the majority of the people in this district want a system similar to that. And as for Senator Price's comments that he fought against GRTA the whole time, his own literature touts his support for GRTA legislation calling for an Atlanta–Griffin–Macon rail line. You should choose the type community you live in.“

History shows that in 1971 a sales tax referendum was held in all five counties involved in MARTA planning: Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb, Gwinnett and Clayton. The question is what has changed so much in 30 years that now a governor appointee has the power to mandate intercity rail leaving the citizens no choice. This is our tax money being used without regard for our rights. Or more plainly, taxation without representation.

The commuter rail corridor will be a magnet for high-density commercial and residential development as MARTA's train corridor has proven to be in Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb counties. GRTA is a newly formed governor-mandated authority with the power to bring enormous change regardless of local opinion. Forcing urban development into rural counties is the true driving force behind GRTA's mandate for mass transit.

The Atlanta area has extraordinary resources to continue and expand its remarkable history of progress. How this happens should depend on the vision and energy of its citizens and not the desire of governor-appointed real estate developers.

J. R. Kemp

Peachtree City

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