Wednesday, February 21, 2001

First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Buck, Mr. Leech, Mr. Curlee and Ms. Blackstone for taking time to reply to my letter published in last week's paper. If I got people upset, great! If I got people to think, even better!

Let me set up some background for those who seem to assume where I may or may not be from, and what my motives were or were not for writing my original letter. I am from here (more or less). I am a native of metro Atlanta's southside, having graduated in 1965 from Atlanta's Therrell High School.

One of my graduating classmates was "the finest of Tyrone's finest," Police Chief Roger Spencer. And by the way, Tyrone's Police Department is the one bright spot in an otherwise dismal local government.

I moved to Fayette County in 1972, into what was then Peachtree City's "subdivision du jour," Wynnmeade. I have been a continuous resident of Fayette County for almost 30 years, having lived in five different homes in Peachtree City, two in Fayetteville and now for 11 years in Tyrone.

I was in the residential building and development business from 1976 until three years ago when major heart surgery forced me to leave this stressful business. I have, therefore, had the opportunity to "butt heads with" all the Fayette County governmental bodies at one time or another.

I have participated in the building, development or sale of over 1,500 single family homes in Fayette County, so I have "brought" some 1,500-plus households to Fayette County. Some are glad they live in a home I had something to do with; some are not. One of the oldest sayings in the building business is that there are people that wouldn't be satisfied "if the Lord was on the job site wearing a nail apron."

Fayette County has always had a majority of residents who subscribe to the "last man in" theory "I'm here now, so shut the door!" So, let me tell you, if you live in Huntington Creek, Huntington South, Ansley Oaks, Franklin Farms, North Bend or Hamilton Square in Fayetteville, or Prestwick in Peachtree City, or yes, in Carrowmore in Tyrone, believe me, those living around you came to the zoning hearing where your subdivision was being discussed and vehemently argued that it shouldn't be built!

"They" didn't want you here, folks! You were a threat and danger to the community! And what does Tyrone want here? Nothing!

The writers of the other letters were wrong when they felt that I must have had a project denied. Nope. As I said, I've been out of the business for over three years. But, over the years, I have seen friends like Ben and Phil Seay, and one of the most highly recognized builders in the country, John Wieland, get just mauled by the Town of Tyrone in an effort to "keep things like they are." Like I said before, as if it was worth keeping as it is here now!

But was I "having a temper tantrum" as one writer said? Yes, I was. The article that I referred to in my letter in the "FactFinder" just set me off. This special issue by The Citizen is designed to let newcomers know about the area; it sells ads to let area businesses showcase themselves, and it acts as a kind of Chamber of Commerce promotional piece for the area.

And yet in that latest edition, what was written up about Tyrone? How Jaquelyn Davis and her family had been denied commercial zoning on a piece of property that is bordered by Tyrone Road, Ga. Highway 74, and the railroad track. If that's not a commercial zone, I can't imagine what is!

It went on to talk about how the Town Council had "protected" the residents of Tyrone from the evils of having a Publix Super Market in town. "Tyrone doesn't need a store like that." What?

So, yes, I got all riled up. Those things are just plain stupid, not good planning and zoning, just head-in-the-sand, just-say-no knee-jerk reaction to anything that changes something. Like I said before, "Dumb as dirt."

Some of the writers went on to question why I don't just move. Well, I keep hoping something will change. This is a good location, and if the powers that be ever get brought up to date and the area is allowed to grow properly, then it may be a good place to live!

Also, just ask some of the folks around here who have had their houses on the market for a year or more before it sold what the problems in real estate values in Tyrone are.

Several years ago, when the first wave of refinancing hit, we tried to refinance our home here in Tyrone. A local Tyrone appraiser did the appraisal work for the "re-fi." I gave him comparables on the houses I was building in Peachtree City at the time. When the appraisal came back 25 percent low and I asked why, I was told, "You certainly don't think houses in Tyrone are worth what houses in Peachtree City are, do you?"

Well, you know, the lack of intelligent planning and zoning devalues all of our homes.

And guess what: I stand by all that I said in my last letter. Only time and some willingness to change will prove me wrong!

M. Barry Bartlett, Sr.

Tyrone

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