A number of comments have appeared recently in our newspapers regarding the Town of Tyrone's interest in purchasing sewer capacity from the city of Fairburn. I would like to take this opportunity to dispel some rumors and provide the facts behind this proposal.

It is not my intention to pursue or fuel uncontrolled growth along the Ga. Highway 74 corridor. In fact the town currently has a land use plan in place which will serve the needs of our community for a number of years to come.

The primary motivating factor behind this proposal is to protect our town and its citizens from a potential environmental disaster.

The county school system has a treatment plant operating at Sandy creek High School which is fast approaching the end of its life span. This plant will need a major overhaul within the next few years at a substantial cost. A plant will also soon be constructed at the Wieland development on Hwy. 74. Each of these projects (the School Board and John Wieland Homes) propose a sewage disposal system using a land spray method. We would like to pursue the environmentally preferable method of conventional sewer service.

I believe it is in the best interest of the Town of Tyrone and its citizens to close up the existing plant at Sandy Creek High School and prevent construction of those to come. We have the opportunity at this time to remove waste treatment plants from within our borders while obtaining needed capacity from our neighbors to the North. This service will be provided at no cost to the town with no liability incurred. This is not a new phenomenon, intergovernmental sewer agreements are common throughout the country.

It currently costs the school system $130,000 year to operate the Sandy Creek plant, these funds would be better utilized in meeting the educational needs of our children. I encourage the County Commissioners to attend our meetings and confer regarding this matter, face to face. It is not my intention to argue this point in the media but facts surrounding this proposal needed to be stated. I look forward to productive, direct communication.

Rest assured the best interest of the town and county are being considered. The county, via the development authority may also consider this proposal in addressing sewer needs for the planned industrial park. I believe this proposal can be a win/win situation for all involved.