I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the voters who took the time out of their busy day to participate in the voting process. Likewise, I humbly offer my sincere gratitude to all of the wonderful men, women and children who volunteered on behalf of my campaign.
I could not have been more proud to stand next to our volunteers waving signs in the heat and humidity, preparing for forums, and encouraging as many voters as possible to get out and vote.
I especially want to thank each volunteer for your professionalism in staying on message, rather than straying to the dirty side of politics. I am honored to have worked with every one of you and will be particularly blessed to serve as your commissioner in Fayette County.
This campaign will be especially memorable for me because my two amazing daughters campaigned by my side each day.
A public show of appreciation is also due incumbent Commissioner Jack Smith for his advertisement in a local newspaper wishing me success over the next four years and his generous offer of assistance.
To the great families of Fayette County, please know that my colleague, Allen McCarty, and I heard you loud and clear.
In every forum, every email, every phone call and every personal contact we had from you the citizens of Fayette County, we were told to eliminate the West Fayetteville Bypass and put a stop to the waste. In my fifteen years in Fayette County, I have never heard such a forceful and unmistakable call from the masses to act.
The imposing defeat of the 2009 SPLOST referendum was the first call. This election should be the last call for action necessary on the bypass.
I look forward to working with Commissioner-Elect McCarty and the three remaining commissioners on resolving this important demand from our constituents.
The calls to remove all references to mass transit in Fayette County were also heard loud and clear. Our commission will need a concerted and determined effort in reversing the current leaning toward mass transit in Fayette County in regard to the regional mass transit plan.
One-hundred percent of the citizens I communicated with agreed that term limits were the solution for keeping entrenched special interests and their politicians from destroying the county we love. Look for term limits on a meeting agenda in 2011.
Some of our terrific senior citizens are on a fixed income and are having a difficult time making ends meet. I have personally spoken to some of our senior citizens who had to leave Fayette County and move elsewhere because the tax burden was too great. Look for a proposal on a low income senior homestead exemption in the next couple of years.
If you hear some people stirring up rumors of district voting, disregard them as I will not support such a proposal. The subject is unpopular with the constituents and it will not gain approval.
Commissioner-Elect McCarty and I created some other vision statements for Fayette County as well. You can find that material in its entirety at www.sb4faycom.com.
Thanks again for your tremendous support. How encouraging it is to see citizens in Fayette County and across the country take a stand on key issues and demand accountability and openness in government.
I am your representative and YOU are the boss. Please do not forget that the “boss” needs to stay active in the affairs of government to ensure all actions address the public good.
Steve Brown
Commissioner-Elect, Post 4
Peachtree City, Ga.
