Wednesday, April 4, 2001
|
Wednesday, April 4, 2001 |
|
Leaders talk harmony as tax equity dispute still looms By DAVE
HAMRICK
Members of the Association of Fayette County Governments, a loose-knit group that includes elected officials from Fayette County, its cities and the Board of Education, were singing in harmony last week as they met for the first time in months. Comments at the meeting were in sharp contrast to the discord that has punctuated joint meetings of local in recent months. Tax equity, the notion that residents of Fayette's cities are paying for more services than they're receiving from the county government, has sparked fiery debate at meetings of FUTURE, a now-disbanded group that worked for more than two years to find ways to cooperate and save taxpayers' money. Letters between various officials arguing their cases have fanned the flames. But last week, officials seemed eager to point out that they get along even though they disagree. Peachtree City Councilman Dan Tennant started the ball rolling by calling on officials to end the hostilities. "Let's all come together as elected officials to look after the best interests of all of our constituents in the county," he said. Annie McMenamin, also a Peachtree City Council member, pointed out that in spite of the disagreement, the FUTURE group managed to hammer out several cooperative agreements. "Our differences are our differences, but we move past those differences ... we don't let our differences stand in the way of what we're here for." School board member Janet Smola and recently appointed interim Peachtree City Councilman Steve Rapson both pointed out that most of the key players in the disagreements had shown up at the AFCG meeting to continue working together, a positive sign, they said. And Brooks Councilwoman Caroline Smith said the officials will continue to work for common goals. "We're all here for one reason," she said. Meanwhile, city mayors this week continue to discuss the possibility of filing a request for mandatory mediation in the dispute over tax equity. Peachtree City Mayor Bob Lenox said last week he hoped to have the petition filed by Friday, but as of Tuesday, mayors were still discussing it, he said.
|
||