Friday, November 8, 2002
Friday, November 8, 2002 |
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few notes for Fulton County commissioners and budget writers
By PATRICK STAFFORD The election has ended and now it is time to function not as a Democrat or a Republican, but as a one concerned aout the entire entity: Fulton County. That being said, there is often a great deal of discussion during budget times (and on the campaign trail) in Fulton County regarding equity between the southern and northern portions of the county. While it is true that there are isolated instances where one could look at a budget item and say it will seem to benefit one side of the county more than the other, it is my belief that the most effective budget expenditure will have positive consequences for the entire county - no matter what side of the county it falls. In short, we need to get away from a them versus us approach and begin to take a wider view as to what is good for the entire county. Toward that end, I would like to list a few of the budgetary and policy items that the western portion (mid-Fulton, if you will) would be in favor of an support within the 2003 Fulton County budget. I support funding for the Fulton County Police Precinct (reserve officers program) at Fulton County Airport. I support funding for the Fulton County fire stations along Fulton Industrial Boulevard and Cascade Road. I support funding to enhance and supplement the federal government's funding (likely through the Department of Labor) for training centers established by the Office of Workforce Development within the Fulton County Department of Human Services. I support the Fulton County Board of Commissioners' passage of the service agreement to extend the current penny sales tax for MARTA's continual funding, so that MARTA does not have to become a "maintenance organization," that likely will be forced to cut services in the future without expansion plans or enhancement of existing services. I support the Fulton County Board of Commissioners' passage of a bipartisan resolution that encourages the Fulton County legislative delegation to seek state assistance for MARTA and/or the financial partnering of the MARTA system, with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and surrounding counties not currently financially supporting the MARTA system - which is a regional system, serving among other locations an international Airport and statewide sports facilities. I support the Fulton County Board of Commissioners' passage of a resolution in support of the MARTA rail expansion timetable established by the MARTA Board of Directors. I support the Fulton County Board of Commissioners' passage of aresolution in support of enhanced bus service (local and express) and van pools throughout the county, particularly to the county facilities such as libraries, senior centers, arts centers, service centers, and airport. I support the expansion of the Fulton County South West Arts Center on New Hope Road. I support the expansion components encompassed in the Fulton County Airport (Brown Field) Masterplan, particularly the Aviaton Musuem, Training Center, walking history of aviation along the Chattahoochee River, and increased taxi-ways helping to attract additional corporate hangers. I support increased Saturday and Sunday hours of operations for public libraries throughout the county. I support a pre-court diversion program for the juveniles of southern Fulton County, that replicates the one for the juveniles of northern Fulton County. This should be done for these children not only as a budgetary item....but as an issue of fairness. I support the establishment of Tax Allocation District (TAD) in the Bankhead Highway/Fulton Industrial/ Patton Drive Area, in order to improve existing businesses, address vacant/abandoned land, improve lighting and general cleanliness of the area. It is my belief that these items may go a long way toward helping this entire county care about more than just "our area of town" but also help enhance the entire county. [Patrick Stafford is executive director of the Fulton Industrial Business Association. He can be reached at fibamail@bellsouth.net.] |