I appreciate the opportunity The Citizen has provided to introduce myself, discuss the issues and identify my priorities.

My wife Lisa and I have been residents of Fayetteville for nearly 26 years. Our daughter attended Fayette County schools and graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design.

I am a Vietnam veteran and a patriotic citizen of this great country. I retired after 30 years with a major Fortune 500 company. My wife and I have owned successful retail businesses in Fayetteville since 1983. Lisa and I have both been involved in the community since the mid 1980s.

This business experience and our community involvement offers a significant benefit when conducting city business or understanding the needs of a local small businessperson.

My focus as your councilman has always been to control costs while providing the excellent city services you deserve.

This week I would like to feature the value for the dollar we receive for the taxes and the fees that we pay. First, the current rates for water and sewer are virtually the lowest in the Atlanta region according to the Atlanta Regional Commission. The typical family using 7000 gallons per month pays $42.25 for water and sewer.

In addition, Fayetteville’s waste collection rates are among the lowest in the metro area at $9.35/month for once a week pick-up including curbside recycling. That is real value for the dollar.

Another area of interest is the property tax we pay for services. The city’s tax rate has remained stable or been reduced every year for the past decade. In 2005, the tax that the owner of a $200,000 home pays to the city is $242. For comparison, the average cable television bill is $600 a year.

For your city tax dollars we provide a police department that is professional, well-equipped, well-trained and nationally accredited.

Our fire department is also well-equipped and trained. As a result the ISO insurance rating that determines what you pay for homeowner’s insurance was recently lowered to a rating of 4. If you own a home or business this lowered your premium.

In conclusion, I feel that Fayetteville is a superior place to live, raise our children and operate our businesses and I need your help and your vote on Nov. 8 to continue making progress on the issues you care about.

Al Hovey-King

Councilman

City of Fayetteville

Office: 770-461-6029

Cell: 404-886-8587