Time for a change? I have been privileged to know Eric Maxwell for most of the 25 years I have lived in Fayette County. He’s a very gentle man, who has overcome a physical hardship to become a successful lawyer.

But, when I am trying to decide whom to vote for, I always look at who is supporting a candidate. In this case, Eric is very heavily endorsed by developers, by bankers, and by many local business owners. Those groups unabashedly favor large growth in the county.

On this issue I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I own two pieces of commercial property in Fayette County. Growth will definitely enhance the value of my holdings. On the other hand, I am also a resident of Fayette County. I value the low density, the pastoral scenery, and the low crime.

What are some of the by-products of growth? As Major Mike Dupree with the Peachtree City Police Department at the budget workshop on June 5 stated, “With growth comes more crime.” We don’t need more crime in Fayette County. Picture Clayton County.

“Traffic” is also a by-product of growth. Personally, I don’t want to see any more cars on our roads than we already have. Picture Riverdale.

Greg Dunn has done an excellent job controlling growth in the county. Since 2001, among many other accomplishments, he successfully opposed a planned 3,000-home development in the county on less than 800 buildable acres (almost four homes to an acre).

In the unincorporated county the highest density allowed by the land use plan is one home per acre. Greg Dunn has consistently enforced the established land use plan.

Finally, Greg Dunn took a courageous stand against the popular local sheriff. The purpose of the lawsuit was to gain accountability over the spending of the largest department in the county. Greg leads; he doesn’t follow.

Time for a change? Not if it means more crime, more traffic, and degradation of our quality of life in Fayette County.

J.D. Holmes
Fayetteville, Ga.