Wednesday, October 6, 1999
Vote wasn't anti-school; it was just anti-growth

It amazed me to see how the members of our school board reacted when “their” SPLOST was defeated. Tears and “embarrassment” for School Board Chairman Debbie Condon, threats of more trailers and “less” for our schools, and of course plans to try for a third time next year to get county voters to approve another SPLOST. These elected officials, so-called representatives of the countys voters, don't seem to have a clue.

Ms. Condon's comments are the most grating of the bunch, voicing her embarrassment at having to continue living in a county where voters just won't give in and approve a SPLOST. Perhaps I am mistaken, but no one is forcing her to remain living in Fayette County nor is she forced to continue serving on the board of education. Her negativity towards our county's residents and the throw-in-the-towel attitude of other board members is truly a sad statement about this group that was elected to manage our school system.

Voters have sent a strong message to those who believe that there is no limit to development in our county. This was not an anti-school vote; it was a vote to say that enough is enough. The $90 million in additional taxes was merely a subsidy for developers, and voters were smart enough to see this wasn't about better schools, it was just about bigger schools and more schools.

Fayette County voters would probably support any effort to improve our schools and to improve the educational opportunities that they offer our children. It is clear they will not support any tax that will only lead to more growth, and more taxes in the near future. We clearly need a school board that is in touch with the reality of our residents' concerns, not one that merely dreams of spending millions and cries when their dream does not come true.

Steve Fodor
Peachtree City


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