Letters from Our Readers

Although the runoff election is [next Tuesday], those selecting the Republican ticket face a dilemma in the selection for Commission Post 4.

On one hand, we have a known quantity in Linda Wells who has been campaigning on accountability and conservative spending.

During her previous watch, she was the commissioner that presented the motion to spend up to $120,000 to construct Heritage Park.

The sitting commissioners, at that time, joined her, but never forget that without a motion, nothing would take place.

The money was to come from the sale of county-owned property that Ms. Wells said would not cost the taxpayers anything. Don't you wonder just who she thinks owns county property?

To make matters worse, actual costs ran rampant. It is a well-kept secret exactly how much was spent, but the cost was between $175,000 and $250,000. Much county labor was used, resulting in a great deal of overtime pay. Also, after "completion," additional items were added such as lighting, etc.

Therefore, she can be considered anything but conservative and must be held accountable for this waste of taxpayer money which could have been spent on other more needed items or even a tax reduction.

The one thing in her credit is that she warned the voters about [opponent Glen] Gosa's well-kept secret of building or paving every square inch of Fayette County.

Along with [commissioners Scott] Burrell and [Robert] Sprayberry, we have seen an absolute total lack of ethics. Unfortunately, even though Burrell and Sprayberry have been voted out, they still have six months left to continue their damaging methods to this county.

Considering the ethics of the sunshine-law-violating school board, maybe we should consider a recall for these three commissioners and the school board in its entirety.

Incidentally, why is [Superintendent] Dave Brotherton still in office when he admitted to violating the law and was found guilty by the ethics board? We should be demanding from our state representatives that the voters be given the right to once again elect the superintendent.

Also, this county needs to rid itself of the Atlanta Regional Commission. After all, Sprayberry was recently elected as vice-chairman of this do-nothing organization. Further, where does the ARC get the right to dictate what Fayette County pays its employees?

Finally, the other candidate for Post 4 Commissioner, Fred Brown, is 76 years old. If elected, he would be in office for four years. We may end up holding the commission meetings in a nursing home.

Also, take a good look at Peachtree City where he was mayor for many years. Do we really want this county to resemble "plastic town"?

All of the above is good reason for the need on every ballot for the box "none of the above."

John Regan
Fayetteville