Wednesday, June 25, 2003

I read the recent article concerning our commissioners' failure to fund the positions requested by our clerk of court and our sheriff.

I was surprised to learn that the positions would not be funded. It would seem obvious to me that both these county departments need new positions given the level of growth in the county. The real estate filings, in just refinancing alone, are overwhelming. I know of multiple closing attorneys that are closing more than 75 loans a month.

Each loan requires the clerk's office to process many different documents. The timeliness of the recording of these documents is critical.

There was a time when people were afraid to purchase property in Fulton County because of the backlog of deeds to be processed. The fear was that the property could be sold several times before the first deed was recorded. Do we want that in Fayette County?

It is a credit to [Court Clerk Sheila] Studdard and the wonderful people that work for her that the clerk's office functions as well as it does. It is not hard to see that the assistant clerks are overworked. A few minutes at any window will show you how busy they are.

Even though they are all working hard, everyone from Magistrate, Probate, State and Superior Court are all more than willing to help the customers.

The commissioners should be thankful. The customers are the commissioners' constituents. The constituents deserve the highest level of service. When the service is not delivered, the constituents should hold the commissioners responsible. How long before maintaining the highest level of service becomes impossible, even for the dedicated people working in our courthouse everyday?

Many people live in this county because of the level of safety and secured maintained by an already stretched sheriff's department. With new businesses opening weekly and new houses being built every day, how can the sheriff continue to provide the level of service the constituents have come to expect? How long before the new jail cannot hold the people convicted of crimes, not because of space, but because of lack of jailers? What happens when they have to be sent elsewhere or released early? Will it be the same thing that was happening before the jail was built?

I understand that this years budget is "without a tax increase." Heaven knows that after the school board's news, I am glad to hear that the county taxes will not be increased. Or will they? I received my assessment notice Saturday. As you can guess, just like every year, it went up. I will pay more taxes than I paid last year, which was more than I paid the year before.

We must also consider all the new buildings contributing to the fund. I am paying more. Am I receiving more from the county? Or less?

Two departments vital to this county need new personnel. Both the departments contribute funds to the county coffers. Both are understaffed. Come on, commissioners: fund the positions.

Stephen Ott

Fayetteville