Wednesday, March 31, 2004
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Wednesday, March 31, 2004 |
| Remap cuts Seabaugh from Fayette By JOHN THOMPSON and By JOHN MUNFORD When State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh got a look at his newly-drawn district on the new map approved by the courts, he was more than disappointed to see his chunk of western Fayette County had been taken away. “It was like a death in the family,” Seabaugh said. But not to fear. Seabaugh contends he will continue to represent Fayette County, at least in his heart if not on the map, if he is re-elected to another term this year. “I’ve invested too much time and made too many friends in Fayette County just to walk away from it,” Seabaugh said. “A judge can determine who votes for me, but a judge will not tell me who I can represent.” Seabaugh said he’s too busy with this legislative session to even think about re-election. His district was shifted further west, picking up constituents in Carroll County and Heard County. While this pledge to continue working with Fayette might not sit well with others, Seabaugh said he’s not worried about that. “I’m a loyal person,” he said. Seabaugh was one of several influential politicians who helped fast-track the widening of Ga. Highway 54 West in Peachtree City to four lanes with a wide enough median to expand to six lanes in the future if necessary. He also got help from others in speeding up the time line for the widening of Ga. Highway 74 South in Peachtree City from Hwy. 54 to Ga. Highway 85. That project is seen as crucial for the continuing development of local industry which depends on truck traffic reaching Interstate 85. The final maps were released to the public after the judges went in and did some final tinkering with the lines to help incumbents. In the Senate, the county will be represented by only two senators next year. The 34th district features most of northeast Fayette County and western Clayton County and is currently represented by Sen. Valencia Seay. The county’s other Senate district is the 16th, which includes the rest of the county, along with portions of Spalding, Pike, Monroe and Lamar counties. On the House side of the equation, Fayette will be sliced into five districts in next year’s General Assembly. The 73rd District will encompass southern Fayette County, along with a majority of Spalding County, and a small portion of southwest Henry County. The district is currently represented by Rep. John Yates of Griffin. The 72nd District’s boundaries represent a self-contained Fayette seat. The race for this seat is already drawing political feelers from former Rep. Dan Lakly. Lifelong resident Dave Studdard has already announced his candidacy for the seat. Studdard is the husband of Fayette Superior Court Clerk Sheila Studdard. The 66th District includes northwest Fayette County and a portion of Fulton County that sits below Interstate 85. Rep. Virgil Fludd lives in this district. Fayette will share its last two House seats with Clayton County. The 74th and 77th districts feature portions of north and northeast Fayette County with the western portions of Clayton County.
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