At the September Fayette County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Harold Bost led the meeting with a prayer asking that the commissioners make their decisions with integrity. I was under the impression that integrity meant “uprightness of character and soundness of moral principle as well as honesty.”

Where does one's moral principle lie in expanding a prison facility within a few blocks of an elementary school? Where does one's moral principles lie in demolishing a heritage home in Fayeffeville of a family who were pioneers in the beginnings of our city, to expand a jail?

Who with an ounce of “integrity” would even consider destroying a beautiful wooded area with trees dating a few hundred years old to put a jail expansion on the property?

With so many people needing homes and Habitat for Humanity needing materials to build those homes, where was the “integrity” in the decision to quickly demolish three homes on Long Avenue without consideration of contributing windows, doors and other materials from those homes to an organization in need?

Do our commissioners have what it takes to make decisions with “integrity”? Do they possess the quality of uprightness of character?

I have to credit the Commissioners of Clayton County — they have the right idea. Their present County Correctional Facility on McDonough Road is located next to the county dump. It doesn't border any schools as does Fayette County's jail. And better yet, Clayton County's new facility is being built on U.S. highways 19 and 41, in a business/industrial district.

They have the “integrity” to locate their jail and judicial complex on a main highway in an area that doesn't infringe on a private citizen's backyard or pose a threat to school children.

If only the Fayette County Commissioners had what it takes to make decisions with “integrity,” a heritage home might be saved; a beautiful nature area might be preserved as a much needed park for all to enjoy; and most of all, prisoners posing a threat to upstanding citizens, our children, and our property values would be housed in an area much less desirable than downtown Fayetteville.

Denise Fair
Fayetteville

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