Wednesday, August 21, 2002

In response to [Dennis] Chase's letter in which he stated to the county commissioners he did not want any of his tax monies going to Tyrone. Well, since the county commissioners are allowing taxpayers this honor, this is my request:

1. Do not put any of my tax dollars in the north Fayette park. I know you have already purchased 18.5 acres of land in north Fayette to build a "recreation" facility. The purchase price was $1.5 million with another $500,000 to be spent in fiscal budget years '03, '04, '05. This total to me is $3 million dollars.

I don't know of any other park in the county that has received such expenditures. All other parks are old landfills, or land donated by the Kiwanis and maintained by volunteers. Tyrone taxpayers received NO monies this year in the recreation budget. Brooks received $47,000 and Peachtree City received $50,000.

2. Do not put any of my tax dollars in the new jail. I was never allowed to vote whether I thought a LOST with a sunset clause or bonding me the taxpayer for 30 years was the best choice for this first phase expenditure of $52 million, but you have indebted me for the next 30 years by choosing the bonding.

3. Do not spend any of my tax dollars for legal fees on the law suit you filed against the city of Tyrone. Instead of the county chairman walking out of meetings, why not allow another commissioner or an outside mediator to negotiate your differences? There are five commissioners elected to represent all the citizens of this county; they all have the same "power."

4. Do not spend any of my tax dollars upgrading the senior citizens center. Build them a new one. I prefer my tax share of the $1.5 million allocated for fiscal years '03, '04, '05, out of the capitol improvements budget for the park in north Fayette be applied to match the monies Fayette Senior Services has already received from private donations.

5. Do not spend any of my tax dollars on survey after survey. My tax dollars already pay recreation personnel and recreation board members. Let them have some input on recreation facilities.

Oh, yes, by the way, Mr. Chase, if you do drive an automobile, and have to come through Tyrone on Ga. Highway 74 North to go to work, leave your car at home and ride your bike. I don't want you polluting my air space.

Mike Caldwell

Tyrone

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