Wednesday, November 15, 2000

By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@thecitizennews.com

Fayette's newest County Commission member is already at work preparing his first major proposal.

A.G. VanLandingham said as soon as he formally takes office, he will begin pushing for development of a five-year growth plan, with participation from all local governments, business people and citizens.

"I hope to have something to present some time in January to the board," said VanLandingham.

VanLandingham, a Republican, took 26,014 votes to Democratic challenger Elizabeth Jane Barnes' 21,610 to win the Post 1 seat on the commission now held by Glen Gosa, who chose not to run for a second term.

If other commissioners agree with his proposal for a growth plan, VanLandingham said it's understood that the plan won't be perfect. "We'll have to sit down a couple of years down the road and find out what we need to change."

But such a plan is needed to prevent growth from harming the county, he said. "It'll take care of the environment, provide for infrastructure and help us with our tax base," he said. "But everybody's got to be on board for it to work."

VanLandingham said he also wants to work for changes in the Fayette County Republican Party. Barnes drew more votes than Democrats usually do in Fayette races, he said. The relatively close race shows that "there is a certain amount of work we need to do as Republicans," he said.

"We need to put aside our differences in the party and work for what we stand for," he added.

He said the local GOP also needs to "exist as a party, more than just as a political body. We need to be more active in our community," he said.

VanLandingham said he is "very well pleased" with the outcome of the election and is looking forward to getting started.

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