Letters from Our Readers

Response to Bob Todd letter in 8-5-98 edition:

I feel some sense of achievement that I was able to provide some amusement for Bob Todd... humor can be good way to return to reality.

Let me say at the outset that I was impressed with Todd's response... it was calm, somewhat factual, and most of all, written with a much lower level of sarcasm than is usually found in the views expressed by most elected Fayette officials.

That said, allow me to counter his slight sarcasm on a point-by-point basis.

(1) Todd missed the point of my concern. My letter questioned the failure of the board members to reassure the citizens that they were aware of the potential windfall situation and to also reassure us that they were not going to take advantage of the situation.

(2) The bond millage reduction has nothing to do with the assessment windfall. It results from savings incurred because some of the indebtedness has already been retired.

(3) The increased budget estimate already includes funds for the additional 500 students and is will be covered by the normal digest growth, which has nothing to do with the windfall from the increased assessments.

(4) The effect of appeals to the new assessments will be minimal due to the small number of appeals filed, and if you've ever dealt with the appeals process in Fayette County, the even smaller number of appeals that actually succeed.

(5) No one has asked for either a promise or a commitment regarding a rollback. My original letter only pointed to the silence from the board regarding their "honest intentions" relative to providing relief from the new assessments.

As Todd stated later in his attack on a Mr. Webster, in effect, "If they don't speak out, then they must be satisfied". This is paraphrased, but it reflects the gist of Todd's comments.

Perhaps the 78 percent absence of voters was because they are just disgusted with politicians in general. The most important fact to remember is that the 22 percent who did show up to vote, chose to boot out some incumbents.

(6) As to where I've been? Sitting here reading all the local media, trying desperately to find even one reassuring word from any board member that we citizens won't be treated like we just fell off the turnip truck! Searching for any hint that we'll get a fair deal regarding the assessment windfall! Hoping to hear a hushed whisper... "Psst! Don't worry! We're not going to be irresponsible! We're going to do the right thing!"

Of course, now I know, thanks to Mr. Todd, that I'll get an answer whenever the board feels like it... probably the day after the millage is approved!

In summation, I'm glad I was able to amuse Mr. Todd... we common folk have an innate ability to allow our more intellectual elite some relief from all their stress... and, yes, sir, Mr. Todd, I'll check my facts, sir!

Especially the reassessment windfall facts, right after the board votes to set the millage rate. Perhaps I'll be telling you to recheck your facts before you respond to a question from the common folk.

You're right about one thing though... a negative small minority can destroy a very good school system! Sometimes we call them "the school board"!

Bruce Davenport
Peachtree City
via e-mail