Wednesday, October 2, 2002
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Wednesday, October 2, 2002 |
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County: Samaritans, no; but yes to farmers' site JOHN THOMPSON
The Fayette County Commission has decided that charity should start at home and not in the government's coffers. The commission had spent the last two weeks studying a proposal by Commissioner Linda Wells to give the Fayette Samaritans $25,000 to help them procure new office space. But Wells said Thursday she had changed her mind. "It's a very worthwhile organization, and I was thinking more with my heart," she said. Wells said if county funds were given to the organization, it could start a "slippery slope" towards other agencies also seeking public funds. All the commissioners agreed the organization was one of the most worthwhile groups in the county and urged citizens to help the group. Commission Chairman Greg Dunn agreed and said that Leslie Contracting had agreed to let the organization stay in its current location until they could afford their own space. "This really has nothing to do with government," Dunn said. In other actions, the County Commission decided to provide a space for Fayette's farmers for a market next summer, but not a permanent structure. Commissioner A.G. VanLandingham had wanted to build a pole barn for local farmers to sell their extra produce during the summer months. VanLandingham presented the board with a list of rules from the Coweta County farmers' market and suggested the board use similar rules, such as the produce being grown in the county. Commissioner Linda Wells likes the idea of providing a site, but said the board should not consider providing any funds for a permanent structure, until they see how the first year progresses. The board unanimously agreed with Wells' assessment and also set up a $1 fee per day for each farmer at the market.
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