Fayette’s future: A call to involvment

Tue, 08/12/2008 - 3:38pm
By: Letters to the ...

Peachtree City and the rest of Fayette County are facing death by a thousand cuts. Little by little the city and county are lurching toward an urban wasteland. Due to a lack of broad citizen involvement in government and community, the city and county will be controlled by narrow special interests.

Let’s look into a hypothetical community future, shall we?

What happens next is that the Publix shopping center east of the city is annexed. The city government, faced with wilting property values and tax revenues, gladly welcomes this newfound source of revenue into the city coffers.

All they have to do is give certain exceptions to the sign ordinance, not knowing that this will open a whole set of new problems surrounding the city’s established ordinances.

Learning from this “happy” experience, council continues annexing properties to the north, east, south, and west, including the 35-acre tract on Ga. Highway 74 North that is currently under consideration by the council.

More land east of the city will need to be annexed as growth continues down the Ga. Highway 54 corridor and other properties are considered satisfactory.

The old sign ordinances will be deemed “out of date and passé” or, worse, challenged by the courts.

Cart paths are required to connect new subdivisions and retailing centers further east of the city. Fire, police, and city services are needed to support these newly annexed areas.

Of course, more revenue is needed for the infrastructure that was never considered or somehow overlooked by council research, creating yet another fiscal crisis that needs to be addressed through new city tax increases.

Traffic increases as properties proliferate just outside the city limits, only to be later annexed into the city and the cycle begins again.

To the west across Line Creek, developers are at work ready to siphon business and tax revenues out of the city center.

Planned tax revenues fall, but of course government needs to increase its size because the city is getting bigger and a new city hall is built using bonds paid for by — you guessed it — you.

No one is watching anyway, so of course no one objects. More people leave the city and county.

Then the new county employee defined benefits plan and pay increases passed and implemented just before the election kick in. The city’s defined benefits plan as well as the county plan runs a significant deficit. Coupled with a dismal economic outlook, these programs engender new creative tax remedies; all of them will be unfriendly financial solutions to our governments’ fiscal dilemmas.

Due to a lack of fiscal accountability by citizens, they allow government spending to balloon and greater tax revenues are required to fund it. Tax revenues decrease as people leave the county for greener pastures that are less expensive.

Commissioners continue to be reelected by relatively small special-interest groups, people that have been incentivized to vote for them, using our tax money.

Government workers are happy and content until they find out that their retirement plans are bankrupt. Taxpayers are asked to fund the unfunded liability; they refuse the massive tax increases required to do this.

Then and only then, county employees realize there are no guaranteed retirement plans, just as Delta employees found out years earlier. County and city employees leave as they realize that they can’t afford to live here with the small amount given to them by the now-defunct retirement plans.

Due to the recent results of the countywide primary election, knowing that they were “safe” from the electorate, the Board of Commissioners decided a week after these elections to suddenly cave in on the billboard lawsuit. No doubt advised by the new county attorney, the commission was easily persuaded, knowing full well they have at least two years for everyone to forget their latest bad decision and comforting themselves by knowing that no one ever shows up at the commission meetings anyway.

Let’s just imagine for a moment our new future. Look at the billboards in Fulton County that stop at the Fayette county line on Hwy. 74; now imagine them continuing down the road toward your homes erected in what is now scenic green pasture land.

Go look over the county line at Clayton County; notice anything along Ga. Highway 85 north and south? Well, get used to it. You will see them between Fayetteville and Peachtree City; between Ga. Highway 138 and Fayetteville, along Hwy. 54 east to Clayton County, and Hwy. 85 south to the Coweta County line. It’s just a matter of time.

This won’t happen slowly; it will cascade throughout the county as landowners see they can make some easy money doing nothing but renting land space at our visual expense, creating the same cluttered environment currently seen beyond our county lines.

The county commissioners won’t be able or willing to stop this process. They have already given up the good fight started by past commissioners who wanted to preserve what we had.

Nothing like determined public servants working on the behalf of our citizens, right? We wouldn’t want to take it all the way to the courthouse wall, would we? Too messy and expensive; besides, look at the tax revenue potential generated by these billboards. More people leave the county and city.

The proposed industrial park is built next to the bypass road currently being built around Fayetteville, increasing commercial and employee traffic next to some serene unsuspecting neighborhoods and schools. Land use plans are ignored or changed to “enhance” the tax base.

Citizens in these neighborhoods protest, but decisions have already been made and passed by the commission before they are aware of what has happened to them. Property values in these neighborhoods plummet and surrounding schools deteriorate.

Citizens wonder what happened and why they didn’t know. Much of it was due to the fact that complete published Board of Commission meeting minutes were not timely or accurately reported on the county website.

And of course citizens never bothered to attend board meetings to see what they were doing and why. Citizens were all too busy raising families and going to family events. The families in the affected neighborhoods move elsewhere.

Then enrollment in the schools decline as people move out and test scores continue to degenerate. In school, learning conditions worsen and the good teachers and administrators leave the system as student violence increases.

The school board, desperate for more money because of a misguided belief that assets and employees are the answer to the declining performance, asks for and get a SPLOST passed. Then quality education declines anyway because those things the board wanted won’t help improve anything.

More good teachers leave, but more non-teaching staff employees, safety officers and metal detectors are required to stem gang activity in the schools. Already overburdened property owners are hit again by ever-increasing tax bills as their property values fall due to failing schools. More citizens leave the county and city.

Economic activity declines. Empty storefronts appear everywhere as petty theft and shoplifting drive current owners out of business. No one will rent these properties as entrepreneurs choose better and safer locations to open their businesses.

Large businesses question if this is the right place to locate their employees and choose some other community to set up their new facilities.

The new industrial park fails to gain the needed tenants to pay for the bonds, but the bonds will still have to be paid. Government responds by increasing taxes needing more money to make up shortfalls in planned tax revenues caused by a diminishing commercial tax base and a failed attempt at attracting it, never considering for a moment that they could actually reduce the size and scope of government as a possible solution. More citizens leave the county and city.

There will be nothing unique or special in Fayette County; it will look like all other surrounding counties: billboards, empty stores, declining schools, and crime. Then significantly more citizens catch on to what is happening and move out of the county and city for a promised better life and family environment that is promoted elsewhere.

Drug use becomes rampant and cart paths become “crime paths,” litter is everywhere, including needles and syringes left by the drug users. Drug houses sprout up throughout the county. Women and children are no longer able to walk their paths or streets and play in their parks without fear.

Good citizens fight back by erecting fences around their property, destroying the openness of the city and surrounding county. Murders and robberies become commonplace and a siege mentality develops among the citizenry. Security services signs blossom in every yard.

The valiant city police and county sheriff departments rightly demand more resources in order to fight the ever-increasing crime rates, thus increasing taxes again. Property values continue to fall and the community continues its downward spiral. The floodgates open and there is a mass exodus of citizens, and rental properties are all the rage.

Federal and state grants and subsidies are requested to solve our problems, all with strings attached, losing more local control of property, politics, and schools. The final remnants of the original citizenry will die off or finally move away, leaving behind a wasteland resembling current surrounding environs, with broken schools, and crime-ridden streets.

Think it can’t happen here? Think again.

It can happen; it has happened to many communities. It’s not just voter apathy; it’s an unwillingness to become involved in the community and our political system by the good citizens empowered by representative government to change it.

Refusing to improve knowledge of what is going on and acting on it. Refusing to demand fiscal restraint and political accountability. Refusing to register to vote. If registered, then not voting in an informed way. Leaving it to someone else to fight for your homes and schools. Giving it all up to special interests paid for with your money. Shutting your eyes to what is happening around you and hoping that it will all go away.

But of course you may be one of those brave and noble citizens that simply move, right? It is easier to give up than fight or spend energy on local politics or community, right?

Well, friends, it will happen again no matter where you move, because you are the cause of all of these potential problems. You shape our future and our future will be your shame.

Rome was not built in a day, and the city and county will not be destroyed in a day either. Both will die from the thousand cuts of your neglect.

Paraphrasing Shakespeare, “The fault, citizens, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

Get involved; get your neighbors and friends involved. Don’t just sit there. Engage yourself in local issues, improve your knowledge of your government, register to vote and cast an informed vote.

Let’s all begin to demand open accountable government; it is essential to our very freedom and clearly in our self-interest. It’s your community; let’s all fight for it. Wake up before our future catches up to us, and remember we can shape it.

If you agree with me and want to help with improving your local government, email me at savefayette@gmail.com. Let’s get organized; let’s shape our future and not just let it happen.

James Wingo

Peachtree City, Ga.

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Submitted by SaveFayette on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 8:27am.

I am trying to help form a group of citizens that are dedicated to the establishment of an open government in Fayette County Georgia. These citizens will act in concert to improve, preserve, and expand transparency in our government.

I would like each of you that frequent this blog to please read my letter to the editor this week, concerning the future of our community. I am looking for a few good citizens that are willing to put in some of their time in making our community better. I am NOT running for political office, I am attempting to get people just like you involved to make a difference in our Fayette communities. And no I am not related to George. This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue is an issue about doing things right, and making certain that our elected representatives are accountable to the citizens of the county; not to special interests that elect them.

If you are truly interested in investing some time in the mission stated above and making your community better, please e-mail me.

Thank you

James Wingo
Savefayett@gmail.com

Submitted by BOLO on Sun, 08/17/2008 - 3:06pm.

Government responds by increasing taxes needing more money to make up shortfalls in planned tax revenues caused by a diminishing commercial tax base and a failed attempt at attracting it, never considering for a moment that they could actually reduce the size and scope of government as a possible solution.

When you have a defined benefit pension plan, it relies on a cash infusion from current employees to support the retirees. (Think: ponzie scheme. It takes 2 people paying into the scheme to support every one person at the top of it.) If you reduce the number of employees working for the county, you reduce the amount of cash coming into the plan and, therefore, you increase the unfunded liability.

Bottom line: when you have a defined benefit pension plan for government employees, reducing the size of government only increases taxes because of the unfunded liability.

Submitted by SaveFayette on Sun, 08/17/2008 - 4:25pm.

BOLO,

What if a defined benefits plan didn't exist? Would our taxes go up or down? If employees of the government think that they have some sort of guarantee on retirement they are sorely mislead. The only thing that is certain is that the taxpayers are on the hook for all unfunded liabilities. If a small government can’t justify a DBP then it has value to the taxpayers as they are not liable for a program that doesn’t exist.

My aim is not to debate the DBP, my aim is to have a more open government. The fact that citizens were not following the debate on the DBP is an example of citizens lack of involvement in the process of their government. It allows special interests to vote in their own interest at the cost of others. It does not reflect the will of the people, whatever that may be; for or against. Information about what is going on spawns interest, lack of information makes for apathy. The recent primary turnout or lack of it re-enforces this point.

The only issue here is to get the message out to the taxpayers before the Commission passes bypasses, billboards, and defined benefits. More information, more participation. This is my mission. That's it.

I don’t think you are arguing that we not have broad participation by the citizens are you?

James Wingo

Submitted by SaveFayette on Sun, 08/17/2008 - 12:00pm.

I am trying to help form a group of citizens that are dedicated to the establishment of an open government in Fayette County Georgia. These citizens will act in concert to improve, preserve, and expand transparency in our government.

I would like each of you that frequent this blog to please read my letter to the editor this week, concerning the future of our community. I am looking for a few good citizens that are willing to put in some of their time in making our community better. I am NOT running for political office, I am attempting to get people just like you involved to make a difference in our Fayette communities. And no I am not related to George. This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue is an issue about doing things right, and making certain that our elected representatives are accountable to the citizens of the county; not to special interests that elect them.

If you are truly interested in investing some time in the mission stated above and making your community better, please e-mail me.

James Wingo
Savefayett@gmail.com

Submitted by MYTMITE on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 11:53am.

It is amazing how many people in Peachtree City whom I know just look at me blankly when I mention the lastest fiasco. When I try to get people interested in fighting these issues I am often told that they are too busy, or you can't fight city hall or progress. It is amazing how many of my friends give me a verbal pat on the back when I write a letter to the editor or make my displeasure known in some way on all the negative things that are happening. They say "Keep up the good work", "you tell 'em", "you really need to keep after them"; then when I mention that they need to do the same I get the blank stare and the I'm too busy spiel. I cannot believe the number of otherwise intelligent people here who are completely unaware of what is going on; they do not read the papers, do not watch the news or go online,they just go on living with their heads in the sand.

I have been accused on this site of being against free enterprise for not wanting certain type businesses, against letting someone making a huge profit when they want to build something to the detriment of our way of living. How do you get people motivated to do something about saving their community? Apathy is going to be our downfall. When elections come around they vote for the nice person with the nice smile that they see in the grocery store or at the local pizza place, or for the incumbent no matter how inept or dishonest he/she is-only because there is name recognition and they have been remiss in doing any homework regarding that person's record.

Maybe we can get something going and wake up our citizens. We are all needed if we are to save what is left of our community. Again, thank you.

Submitted by SaveFayette on Sun, 08/17/2008 - 12:25pm.

Thanks for all of your comments and support; you will be amazed at how many people feel just the way you do. I hope to light a fire under the citizens of the county about open government. The more people we have involved in this effort the more they will listen. When our government is more exposed, more people have an opportunity to learn about what is actually going on. The lack of broad citizen involvement will always default to narrow special interests. It will be these special interests that control government not us. This is not what Democracy is all about. It is all of our responsibility to be engaged with our government, it is in fact in our interest to do this. Let's all stop complaining about things that are happening in our government and start doing something about it.

Remember we get the government we deserve based on our participation.

Thank you again for your attempts to make our community a better place.

James Wingo

mapleleaf's picture
Submitted by mapleleaf on Thu, 08/14/2008 - 7:34am.

... bad timing.


Submitted by SaveFayette on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 5:39am.

What would be the best time to ask that our government be more open with its citizens? I would say now and everyday that the government exists. No other time. Our elected representatives do not own the government, we do. I assume it's the same in Canada? James Wingo

zoes's picture
Submitted by zoes on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 1:30pm.

I try and try to be involved. As I am able, I attend meetings and I consistently check the appropriate websites for agendas and minutes (which is often a waste of time). My biggest concern and feeling of helplessness right now involves the East Bypass.

The pain the West Bypass is causing is crushing to see.

The East Bypass is pointless, as all it does is connect Clayton County to East Fayette quite conveniently, all the while, tearing up beautiful farmland, wetland, and forests instead of using existing roads. I recognize I don’t have all the information for future plans, but I simply can’t see a plus to this. It would open up even more commercial and residential development that is neither necessary nor wanted on this side of town. It would only serve to merge Clayton and Fayette, literally.

From http://www.fayettecountyga.gov/
news_archives/08jan/PIOH%20-%20Public%20Notice%20Ad.pdf

This Project proposes to widen existing roadway and construct new roadway to create a 4 lane, divided roadway, with a 24’ wide raised median with curb & gutter. Phase I of the project will begin at the intersection of South Jeff Davis Drive and proceed north along the existing alignment of County Line Road. At the approximate location of County Line Court, the proposed alignment will veer easterly and continue north across new alignment. The new alignment will continue north across McDonough Road and the Flint River to the southern end
of existing Corinth Road. The alignment will follow the existing alignment of Corinth Road north and west to the intersection of SR 54, with this point being the northern end of Phase I. Phase II will begin at the intersection of SR 54 and Corinth Road and following the existing alignment of Corinth Road north and west to the intersection with SR 85, with this point being the northern end of Phase II.

From the Fayette County SPLOST site: (there is a good picture that won't transfer to this blog)

Project: East Fayetteville Bypass
Description: Four Lane Roadway to Provide Alternate Travel Route, East of Fayetteville, as Necessary to Improve Congestion and Safety Along the Highway 85 Corridor.
Status: Study and Design Phase
Cost: $61,600,000.00 (ARC Estimate)
Funding: Fayette County SPLOST Program
Federal Funds

Ideally, I don't want it. If I HAVE to have it, I don't want it tearing up our green spaces. Existing roads can be used for less money.

I have no idea what I can do about it. When I have talked to the GADOT and the commissioners, they nod and agree and shoo me away. It is demoralizing. I am an intelligent and well-educated person and communicate clearly. However, I don't at all feel like I have any say in these plans or any respect, since I don't own any businesses nor have enough money to take each commissioner to lunch and dinner and woo them into paying attention. What do you suggest (besides a torch carrying mob) to stop this East Bypass before it gets to a point where everyone says ‘TOO LATE!”

ZoeS

"Never love anything that can't love you back."


eodnnaenaj1's picture
Submitted by eodnnaenaj1 on Mon, 08/18/2008 - 6:42am.

You and I have talked about the by-pass before. I totally agree, the existing road, County Line Road, could be widened at a considerable savings vs the building of new roads. However, in my little world this is what I've decided - just about at the point where the bypass will veer easterly, if you will look at the properties and names of homeowners on the west side of County Line Road, I believe you will see why it veers at this point. It absolutely makes no sense why County Line Road is not going to be used, so there has to be some reason why it will veer where it does and cost much more.

As some of you try to organize a community group, keep use posted, as my family would be interested.


Submitted by SaveFayette on Sun, 08/17/2008 - 2:50pm.

Thanks ZoeS, your concern about the bypass it's not isolated. It is increditable how many citizen didn't know about this project. It's likely they don't know about the proposed industrial park that Chairman Smith is supporting either. You have to know where to look and it's not easy to find out anything. Unless of course you go to the Commission Meetings.

I am trying to help form a group of citizens that are dedicated to the establishment of an open government in Fayette County Georgia. These citizens will act in concert to improve, preserve, and expand transparency in our government.

I would like each of you that frequent this blog to please read my letter to the editor this week, concerning the future of our community. I am looking for a few good citizens that are willing to put in some of their time in making our community better. I am NOT running for political office, I am attempting to get people just like you involved to make a difference in our Fayette communities. And no I am not related to George. This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue is an issue about doing things right, and making certain that our elected representatives are accountable to the citizens of the county; not to special interests that elect them.

ZoeS, if you are truly interested in investing some time in the mission stated above and making your community better, please e-mail me. Make your voice heard.

James Wingo
Savefayett@gmail.com

Submitted by SaveFayette on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 8:28pm.

Dear Friends,

What would you do if you found out that a new road was being built right behind your home? Or that someone down the road had rented part of their land to set up a number of new billboards? Or that someone unexpectedly sent you a bill that you had no idea that you even owed? Now what if there was nothing you could do about it because these decisions had already been made without your knowledge or input?

The elected representatives of your county make these quality of life decisions everyday. The government makes decisions that not only hit your pocketbook in these tough times but they impact your quality of life in other ways. By promoting and supporting unbridled development they can impact the value of your home and property. Empty storefronts, billboards, increased crime, for sales signs, and rental property are all symptoms of a county going in the wrong direction.
I have recently joined with a number of other citizens in promoting a more open government within Fayette County. We believe that our citizens are not well informed about what is going on in our county government. Wouldn't you like to be informed about the kind of decisions outlined in this letter? Our aim is to work together to improve county government communication with its citizen.

I would like to know if you too would like to support our efforts? If so, please let me know by return e-mail to the address below. The first step in the process of developing open government will be to get you to send out a copy of this letter to five, ten, or twenty people that you know that may have an interest in this cause. You can use this letter as a method of communicating to your friends, just copy and paste it into your contact list.

Have them contact savefayette@gmail.com directly and you will be put on an e-mail listing that will update everyone on what you can do to promote open government in Fayette County.

It's your community; please do your family and community a favor. Join our group to promote and encourage our government to be more open with its citizens.

Thank you in advance for getting involved in our wonderful community.

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