As has been said by many others, our form of government isn’t perfect, but it is the best available. In our system, elections do have consequences.

Perhaps I didn’t support the election of a majority on this Board of Commissioners, but the people who voted did. Because of this, I believe the new members should have had their chance to make their changes and for us to see the results.

I have tried to cooperate with the other commissioners when I could. I have not been obstructive and have tried to give them the chance to see what kind of commissioners they choose to be.

The new members, and Commissioner Frady, didn’t want Chris Venice to be county administrator any longer. They had the right and the ability to change that and that’s what happened. It would have been very difficult for an administrator to work for a Commission that didn’t want them.

I accepted this because I believe that the results of their election gave them the right to make some changes.

There have been other changes in the direction of the county. These changes are starting to lead to consequences.

I do believe in elections and I support, “Say what you’ll do and do what you say.” That’s the best way for the voter to understand who and what they are voting for.

Eric Maxwell said he wanted to get rid of County Attorney Bill McNally. The rest of the commissioners didn’t say that. Based on this, and the long-range impact of this decision, the vote should have been 4-1 to keep McNally. The repercussions of the actual decision, which was 4-1 to dismiss McNally, are just beginning.

Let me give you just one example. We have, arguably, the finest water system in the state. In the past couple of months, we have lost four important members of the Water Committee. First County Administrator Chris Venice, then Attorney Bill McNally, then Vice Chairman George Patton and now Chairman Chuck Watkins.

The total years of service from these four people, on behalf of Fayette County is nearly 80 years. These years of service, and the experience gained, cannot be replaced by just finding four other people. They won’t have any experience with public drinking water systems.

Did the commissioners who voted to get rid of McNally consider the potential results of their actions? What other “surprises” await us in the future as results of their decisions?

Peter Pfeifer

County Commission, Post 3

Peachtree City, Ga.

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