Wednesday, August 2, 2000
Connie Hale

I continue to be concerned about the impact of growth in the county, and the impact the governor's education reform act will have on our school system.

Our focus must continue to be providing a quality education for our students. Our children deserve the very best and I'm confident with the outstanding teachers we have in our classrooms, and the administrative staff we have in this system, we will stay the course. The challenges will be many, but working together, we will prevail.

During the few forums we have had during the last few weeks, I have mentioned that this school system is a “work in progress.” The outstanding reputation we have in this state didn't happen because of programs that were implemented last year or the year before, but hard work over the years. At the end of this term, I will have eight years experience on the board and have developed an understanding of how things work.

I am committed to excellence in education and have the courage of my convictions to vote in the best interests of the students, parents and teachers, administrators and taxpayers of Fayette County: a vote for me is a vote for quality education.

 

A.G. VanLandingham

As a candidate for county commissioner, allow me to share a few of the major concerns that I have for the future.

First, our economic needs. Got your new tax assessment yet? I have and there was another tax increase. I read an article that explained what a neighboring county is doing to stop this back door tax, they simply will increase the homestead exemption to offset the assessment.

This is a great idea and I support this effort whole-heartedly. Building a stronger tax base will eliminate most of this also. Smart Growth will allow a stronger tax base and not at the expense of the homeowner.

Secondly, the need to protect our environment is greater than ever before. It is imperative that we look at our total environment and not just a portion. One part is as vital as the other and abuse to one effects the other.

With our current drought we should learn a lesson: water in quantity and quality is needed to balance our future. Clear cutting land for development is injurious to all aspects of the environment. We lose to erosion, sediment in our streams, the loss in the ability for trees to scrub our air.

Higher density nor rapid transit will aid in the protection of our environment; rather, the end result will create further damage.

Thirdly, our community services will continue to exist at the level of our county employees' experience and dedication. We must find the necessary means to retain the experienced and productive county employees to insure a high level of service to the community.

This includes all departments as they all serve our community in some way. Space would not permit coverage in a more complete manner, if there are further questions please contact me at 770-461-5681 or e-mail agvanl@mindspring.com.

 

Carl Davis
Thank you to everyone who supported and voted for me July 18.

We accomplished a great deal and I mean we as you are the people responsible for my being in the runoff. I thank you in advance for your continued support and vote.

Our message of managed, balanced growth to maintain our quality of life while keeping our individual tax rate low is important to achieve. We will only achieve this if we have leaders capable of evaluating complex issues and capable of communicating with everyone. The best solutions come from open communications with everyone contributing to the solution and coming together to reach consensus.

We need honest, trustworthy, independent elected officials who will work to protect our future. We need consensus builders who can work with the many individuals and entities affecting our county.

I know I have the characteristics and skills necessary to fight for what we believe in. These have been developed over 19-plus years with Delta from experience in front line to management positions.

I believe in Fayette County. I believe in our way of life. I believe we have a great community and we must work together to protect it. I pledge to work every day to deserve the trust you will be placing in me.

I ask each of you to consider all of these factors plus the issues posted on my web site, www.carldavis.org, when making your decision and then mark your ballot for Carl Davis for County Commission Aug. 8.

 

Kim Gatlin
I'd like to thank every voter who participated in the recent primary and ask you to again take the time to vote Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Since beginning this campaign for school board in April, I have focused on the following three issues:

• Addressing the inconsistency among schools throughout the county with regard to academic opportunities available, extra-curricular activities sponsored, and learning facilities provided.

• Enhancing communication between the board and the community, thus striving to rebuild trust in the board's decision-making ability.

• Supporting a responsibly configured SPLOST - with spending limited to land acquisition and new classroom construction to relieve overcrowding.

If elected, I would bring a unique perspective on education to the board. Although I have never been a teacher myself, my husband is a veteran teacher in a neighboring system, my mother teaches art in a Fayette elementary school, and my sister is a former middle school teacher. My work experience has been on a part-time level in a corporate environment — allowing me time to participate in my children's education and also to understand the expectations for our future work force.

In summary, regaining the trust of our citizens will require a fiscally responsible board. I believe all of our children should be afforded the tools and facilities necessary for an excellent education. However, common sense should dictate how we spend our tax dollars, and we should always maintain a strong academic focus as our top priority.

 

Marion Key
My vision for the Fayette County School System is for better communications between the school board and the public.

This does not mean I will please everyone, but I will be fair and open to all. I want to improve long range planning in all areas of school operations. Local government officials and the school system must work together to prevent surprises in the form of unprojected growth.

An idea which I have discussed with Rep. Kathy Cox is to increase the size of the school board to seven members.

There are several issues looming. The biggest issue is the need to relieve crowded schools and classrooms, and to meet Gov. Roy Barnes' unfunded mandate to lower pupil-teacher ratios, which will also require additional classroom space. I advocate using committees of school personnel, parents and community leaders to make recommendations to the school board on how best to create additional classrooms. These recommendations may include, but are not limited to:

Maximizing the use of existing facilities;

SPLOST;

Bonds;

Asking large scale developers for donations of property, materials, labor or cash;

Double sessions;

Reorganizing the school year.

Another issue is the hiring and retention of quality teachers. If the board of education and the community are supportive of their educators, the working conditions are favorable, and the benefits are adequate, teachers will stay.

I will support Superintendent John DeCotis in all efforts to improve education in Fayette County.

In conclusion, I feel that with my academic background and my involvement in the schools and the community, I am best qualified to serve in Post 3, Fayette County Board of Education.

 

Rick Price
I'd like to thank the Citizen Newspaper for this opportunity to speak directly to the voters of the 28
th state Senate District.

I'd also like to say thank-you to the voters of the district for their support and confidence when they first elected me to this office in 1996 and again this year in the General Primary Election.

This election is about who has vision and experience and a record to prove it. I have asked the citizens of the 28th Senate District to look at my record. It's a record of solid conservative values.

I've asked the voters to look at my new ideas. Recently, I announced my support for a property tax freeze to provide tax relief to homeowners. Homeowners shouldn't have to automatically pay higher taxes just because the value of their home goes up during the year.

Also, we are releasing several proposals on education. The first addresses the debates on para-professionals, language labs, fine arts, teacher planning periods, physical education and other issues. These should be local choices. If the governor is going to hold schools responsible for their results, then the schools must have the freedom to determine the best way to achieve results based on local needs.

I am proposing to change state education funding to “block grants” instead of being designated for specific purposes by education bureaucrats from Atlanta. I've also proposed a School Transportation Safety Act because our children who ride a school bus should not have to put up with violent and unruly behavior. I'm also proposing a Student Internet Protection Act to protect children from the inappropriate and harmful material that is available over the internet.

Thanks again, I would be proud and honored to continue to represent you in the state Senate for another two years.

 

Mitch Seabaugh
On Tuesday, Aug, 8 you will select the person you will pay to represent your interests and principles in the state senate.

Please don't be fooled by slick marketing and political rhetoric. There is a very distinct difference of my philosophy and my opponent's.

First, as your state senator I will serve you as a public servant, putting you first and my personal interests last.

I will return every phone call, every fax and e-mail. Nothing, not lobbyists, PAC money, not colleagues or the governor, will have more influence than you will. My allegiance will be to you.

Second, I have demonstrated for you the type of leadership I will provide by presenting to you an agenda of what I will work to accomplish next year.

Please review those items on my web site, www.Mitch2k.com or call me at 770-304-0652.

My agenda came from listening to the people of this district and working with them to develop a positive plan that will help solve their problems. I will work for you and will be accessible to you, because you will be my boss.

Third, I will consistently vote for less government and lower taxes I will not in any way support larger government or vote for more taxes.

I will defend the unborn and our gun ownership.

So you have a choice. If you want leadership, quality public service and consistent support of conservative principles, then “Switch to Mitch” and vote for me.

 

Terri Smith
I have a commitment to public education in Fayette County. I am proud of our schools. Certainly, there is always room for improvement.

I know from my experience as a teacher and as a parent of children in the system that teachers and administrators are working everyday to improve instruction.

Students and teachers need, at the very least, a suitable classroom space in which to work. Creating an enriching and challenging environment in a book room or trailer is extremely difficult. Our school system needs a representative who understands what teachers need to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently. I want to serve this school system in a positive and constructive manner, not a manner that criticizes teachers and tries to manage the classroom.

To demonstrate my commitment to serving our schools, I promise to donate my board salary back to the schools. I promise to support students, parents and teachers. I promise to be fiscally conservative. I promise to continue to cultivate a positive working relationship with the superintendent and his staff.

A well-balanced board should have a representative who understands the needs of teachers and parents as well as current issues in education. While the board sets policy, not curriculum, it does vote on curricular issues such as textbook adoption, character education programs, promotion policies, graduation requirements and changes in course offerings. Our board needs an educator.

Vote for Terri Smith Aug. 8.

 

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