By DENNIS CHASE

As a biologist, I sometimes become involved with development and government issues that impact the environment. I usually represent the Line Creek Association of Fayette County, though sometimes it makes more sense to handle topics as my personal position. As the representative of this association, or on my own, comments always relate to the health of our environment.

This editorial is one of those instances where I speak only for myself. Today, my concern is dealing with local governments. I expect that many of you will agree when I say that dealing with local governments can be an adventure.

I have developed a lot of respect for the governments of Peachtree City and Fayetteville for being open to citizens, especially where environmental issues are discussed. They are ready and willing to assist in providing environmental protection where they can. They don’t always agree with me, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Unfortunately, that is not the case for management and the elected representatives from Tyrone. Environment as an area of concern comes only as an afterthought for most of them. I have described many of the problems they have created or ignored in earlier editorials so I won’t go there again.

My experiences dealing with staff of Fayette County and the current Fayette Commissioners has been outstanding. The commissioners are very open to hearing from any and all citizens. Just a few short years ago, that was not the case. Thankfully, those days are over; at least I hope they are gone.

Lately, writers in the anonymous segment of this newspaper would have you believe that the commissioners are among the worst that have ever served this fine county.

But I want to remind all who read that comics section that almost all of those comments are from people who are not brave enough to express their opinions in the open.

Not signing your name leaves little doubt about the value of those opinions. I admit that I often read many of those blogs, even agree with some, but I also read the comic section of newspapers for entertainment.

Both the comics section and blogs are very much the same alike, especially if you are looking for relevance to daily events.

This dark approach to commenting on our local governments creates an interesting paradox whereby citizens have demanded open government. Yet these demands are made from the safety of the shadows.

They want our commissioners to meet in the open, but make their demands from behind their computer boards. History is full of examples of the danger of attacks from the unknown groups who seek the safety of their pseudo-names.

I know from personal experience, as a federal biologist, that where every meeting between differing sides is held in a wide-open setting, little is accomplished.

However, in the case of elected governments, we expect them to work through tough problems out in the open. A very difficult task if you haven’t tried it for yourself.

When meetings occur between different governments, city and county for example, those meetings are open to the public, and often clarity of positions is among the first things to become lost.

I find it refreshing that the chairman of the County Commissioners is blunt or states openly of his concerns about the lack of candor from, say, the Tyrone city manager. To him I say great job.

Unfortunately, some of the bloggers cry foul because Greg Dunn is being confrontational or worse. I believe that Greg and the other commissioners who are severely criticized for being open about their positions are doing outstanding jobs of standing up to the nonsense that emanates from the little town up north.

Do you really want commissioners who roll over and let issues go because they might hurt a city council person’s feelings? Or should they keep quiet so it looks like we are all getting along so nicely?

We elected them to represent all of us and I believe that is what they are doing. If you have a problem with what is said about an issue, stand up in front of them and the rest of us at the next council meeting and tell us why it is a problem and what should be done about it.

Just to be clear, Mr. Dunn and most of the other commissioners at one time or another have disagreed with my positions when I appeared before them on a particular issue.

But just because I don’t get my way on one or more positions doesn’t mean I am going to try to get them voted out of office.

More often than not, they find what I have to say acceptable. But that is more because I have presented sound biological data and reasoning for the positions I take. I also include suggestions for them to use as conditions on projects or specific reasons why the project should be altered.

Too often, citizens who do stand up to be heard simply want the project stopped and offer little more for the commissioners (or any other City Council for that matter) to rely on as a basis for voting as the citizen wishes.

Readers, please be careful about who you listen to when it comes to your decision at ballot time. If they won’t say who they are, why would you even consider listening to them?

We could end up like our neighbors in Clayton County where they don’t allow anyone other than those they identify as impacted neighbors to speak.

A few years ago, Coweta County had you register, in writing, the topic you wanted to speak about prior to the meeting and they sort through the cards and chose who will speak.

We could end up with a commission like Harris County where you can speak as long as you want, but they never say anything when it comes time to vote. They just vote and you don’t know why they voted as they did.

I have experienced all of these commission approaches and can tell you we have it good right now. When our commissioners vote, they usually offer their rationale for why they support or oppose a particular issue. The Fayette County Commission is outstanding, especially when compared to how others do the same job.

Bottom line here, please understand just how good we have it now. Things could very easily become very bad very quickly.

Dennis Chase, now retired, was a fish and wildlife biologist with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 26 years. Since retiring, he has worked as a consultant for Fayette County on environmental concerns, is a volunteer with the Line Creek Association of Fayette County, and has published numerous newspaper columns.