Ladies and gentlemen of the Fayette County Board of Education:

Do we have your attention yet?

Fortunately for taxpayers, this is not one of those counties where 95 percent of voters don't even know there is a tax issue to be voted upon. Trying to sneak a tax by Fayette citizens is like trying to sneak the dawn past a rooster.

Don't think that these tax issues coming up on unusual voting dates is by accident. Politicians are not stupid, but neither are the citizens of this county.

[Superintendent John] DeCotis is absolutely right. The results are not a vote against schools, but a vote against taxes and uncontrolled growth.

I'll let the rest speak for themselves, but as for me, it is not so much the school expenditures that I voted against, as all the other things that I wish to change.

Let's slow down the endless stream of rezonings. Let's stop using annexation as a way for developers to shop for the most favorable reception of their development plans. Let's slow down the clearing, bulldozing and paving over. There will be growth, for sure, but let's slow it down a little. If we don't, you'll be coming back every two years for ever more money. Just look at Gwinnett County.

As for taxes. Do you think we are not taxed enough? When will it be enough? Do you remember when sales taxes were 4 percent? Does anyone remember why and for how long we would need that additional 1 percent local option [tax]?

Every politician has his hand out. Not all of us are cash cows just waiting to be milked. If you want to know what higher taxes gets you, all you have to do is look at any city or town in the Northeast.

My recommendation to you, dear members of the board of education, is to visit often with county and municipal officials and tell them the citizens of Fayette County do not agree to foot the bills for all future growth. The next time higher density rezonings are being discussed, ask them if the developers are willing to pay for the additional classrooms.

Bruno Maniccia
Peachtree City

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