A move is underway to split Fulton County into two new counties. Taking up the issue Oct. 24, a resolution adopted by the Fairburn City Council said the answer was simple. They said no.

In order to effectively address the growth Tyrone faces, the town’s infrastructure must be managed. Quality traffic engineering is paramount. Examples of such needs include: (1) A deceleration lane added to 74 southbound at E Crestwood; (2) Drivers must be able to turn from Castlewood onto Senoia Road without waiting indefinitely; (3) When trains are moving through town, drivers should be able to turn right and left off Tyrone Road onto Senoia Road without having to wait for the entire train to pass.

It has been said that Tyrone’s growth is going to happen whether we want it or not. The key will be to slow it down to where it can be properly managed.

My definition of quality growth is growth that balances both growth and taxes and that will allow all the citizens of Tyrone to enjoy our small town feel and family-friendly atmosphere. As councilperson, I will listen to the taxpayers of Tyrone on important issues such as our comprehensive plan, recreation, sewer, transportation, etc.

While campaigning over the last several weeks, I’ve had a chance to meet some absolutely wonderful people. It felt good to be a part of Tyrone. Thank You.

In response to last week’s candidate’s forum, I have the following comments.

In my opinion, Tyrone’s inconsistent growth is due to the breaking of Tyrone’s Land Use Plan by the current Mayor and Council. The Planning commission members, past and present, have no Transportation Plan. One critical component of a re-zoning request, and the resulting expected overcrowding of schools, should be traffic planning. I will continue Councilwoman Redwood’s quest to assure that all rezoning requests are complete and accurate. I assure you, I will consider requests only when complete data is available to make fully informed decisions.

Speeding suspect had outstanding arrest warrant

A former Tyrone town councilman is calling into question the town’s sewer deal with Fairburn.

Rezoning from commercial to open space proposed

The Tyrone Planning Commission has approved the landscape plan for the Waffle House site off Carriage Oaks near Ga. Highway 74.

The Sandy Creek High School Patriot Marching Band was awarded the overall “Best in Class” trophy Oct.

Tyrone’s vision for a new downtown does not include a funeral home.

The citizens of Tyrone will have an opportunity to ask questions and get to know the seven candidates vying for the two open Tyrone Town Council positions.

Henry County law enforcement authorities want to question the husband of Creekside High School special education teacher Natasha Monique Jones

Teachers at Evoline West Elementary School in Fairburn recently kicked off the Million Minute Reading Celebration.

Malone Circle resident Ronald Smith is finished with the level of service he receives of Fairburn garbage contractor BFI.

One of a recent number of Fairburn burglaries was solved last week with the arrest of a Fairburn man wanted on prior charges for property crimes.

Two in custody, two more sought after store fight

A fight at the Circle K convenience store Oct. 1 in the vicinity of the annual Fairburn Festival turned out to be more than it appeared. In its wake, two Fairburn men have been arrested and two others are being sought.

Ongoing construction work will continue on I-85 again this weekend. The run up to the completion of the construction project anticipated for December will see work this weekend along I-85 between I-285 and Ga. Highway 74.

Landmark Christian School will be offering Heart Screens for Teens for middle and high school students Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Landmark’s Fairburn campus. This program provides affordable echocardiogram examinations for athletes in Georgia.

Palmetto Baptist Church had a Celebration Sunday Service Oct.

Voters will get the opportunity to help Union City attract up to 1,000 more jobs Nov. 8 general election by voting yes for the Freeport ad valorem tax exemption.

The former Higgins Funeral Home, located next to Holly Hill Memorial Park on U.S. Highway 29, announced this week that it has changed its name to Holly Hill Memorial Chapel.

Tyrone has a land use plan that should be foundational for decisions affecting future growth.

In addition, however, consideration should be given for infrastructure support and the impact adjoining municipalities and counties will have on Tyrone’s future (and present!).

I want to address several issues raised by my opponents in last week’s candidate’s forum
With respect to the issue of requiring bonding for capital improvement projects, there has not been a need to require bonds to pay for indebtedness for capital improvements since the capital improvement plan is based on projected revenues to ensure that capital improvements are provided at the lowest cost to the taxpayers and they are not burdened with the additional interest cost associated with bond funding.

Tyrone is now in a rapid growth stage, and I am concerned that the character of our town may be permanently altered by this growth in a way that will negatively impact the very things that brought us, and others, to live in this wonderful town.

A recurring theme among candidates in last week’s Forum was quality growth. If elected to Post 4, I’ll work hard to seek input from all Tyrone’s citizens and businesses in completing a full Comprehensive Plan update as required by the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Months of weekend traffic jams and long delays along I-85 may well be coming to an end sometime near Christmas, but the dreams of smooth flowing traffic will continue to be just dreams for the near-term. This weekend included.

September crime statistics provided Tuesday by Fairburn Police Chief Charles Long show a nine-percent decrease in serious crimes over September 2004, a 22-percent increase in total traffic accidents and a 52-percent increase in arrests.

For years, the City of Fairburn owned the fire station and equipment on East Broad Street but contracted with Fulton County for firefighting services. A recent vote by the City Council paved the way for the city to establish its own department and provide its own personnel. With that transition came the need for a chief. And Fairburn’s new chief is former Riverdale Deputy Fire Chief Jody Weller.