Wednesday, March 21, 2001

It will be increasingly difficult to find a spot of land that isn't designated residential or commercial in the near future, so where does that leave our organizations like 4-H?

Instead of attacking such groups, I think we should be proud that our community has programs like this for our youth. For many students, participating in such activities like skeet shooting opens up a whole new world of friends and self-confidence. I'm willing to bet that most of us went through some sort of 4-H program in school growing up. I did, and now my little brother gets to enjoy the activities they offer.

4-H has been around much longer than I have, and probably longer than many of The Citizen's reading public. Sure, your tax dollars go to pay for your representatives, but 4-H is a part of the Cooperative Extension service, which (if I am not mistaken) is a part of the University of Georgia's Agriculture Department. Hence, your tax dollars are also providing our students with these programs.

I find it a bit ludicrous to suggest that the Fayette 4-H travel all the way to north Fulton County to hold shooting practice. That's like requiring a youth soccer team from Alpharetta to travel down to Brooks several times a week. It just doesn't make much sense.

Also, I'm rather envious of residents of south Fayette. It only takes you 30 minutes to get to north Fulton County! Wow! You guys must have some great backroads down there. I live further north in Fayette County, and I'm lucky if I can get to I-75 in less than 30 minutes from all the people who are trying to find a "more rural" life here.

So, let's remember the 4-H motto "To make the best better" and take pride that Fayette's children are engaged in opportunities for enrichment, even if they do stir you out of bed at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.

Melissa Payne

Fayetteville

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