For the past several years I have watched as fighting became the norm for almost every government entity in Fayette County, especially the Fayette County Commission. As long entrenched groups fought to maintain and expand control, the same old statements were made over and over again in its defense.

The current commission has prevented growth. They have prevented the sheriff from receiving federal drug money without their supervision and blessing. They have prevented the regional library from having any input into our local facilities. They have prevented cities from getting along with counties, and happy events dominating our newspapers. Any person seeking reelection to our commission can tell you what they are against.

Surely there is more vision in Fayette County, one of the brightest and wealthy counties in Georgia, than this. Surely we can once again live in peace and be FOR things that make our citizens better.

When I was growing up in this county there were few people. We had one elementary school in Peachtree City, and we waited for a big grocery store, hospital, and adequate library to arrive.

During my entire growing up years, my mom and dad took us to other places and other counties if a play or concert was indoors. We understood that we “didn’t have enough people” to have this or that service.

Times have changed. We do have the people. We do pay the taxes. We do deserve facilities comparable to Cobb and Gwinnett. We are not just about being against things any more.

I am a generation of new Republicans. I believe that we should be accountable for the taxes people pay. That means, at the end of the year, people should perceive that their lives are better off because we were good stewards of what we were given.

You are at a time of critical change for Fayette County. The County Commission can swing to being “for things” instead of “against things.” We can quit fighting and start building (with the attorney fees to start). We can create the kind of county services that match the sizable tax bill that we receive.

Your vote for me in the upcoming primary election will assure a new and more responsive government for Fayette County. It will be less about power and more about service.

Sam Chapman
Fayetteville, Ga.