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