The auditorium at Harvest Christian Community Church in Fayetteville was packed with nearly 200 people Oct. 18 to hear the six candidates for mayor and two council seats square off in a forum sponsored by the Fayette County Local Issues Tea Party.
Questions included issues pertaining to the upcoming regional transportation sales tax vote, Fayette’s participation in the 10-county Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) area, the West Fayetteville Bypass along with business-related questions and other issues.
Questions for the candidates were submitted in advance by community members while, later in the meeting, candidates responded to questions from the audience. Candidates were essentially free to jump in with a response to the various questions.
Candidates participating in the forum were Mayor Ken Steele and challenger Greg Clifton, Post 1 incumbent Wilson Price and challenger Edward Johnson and Post 2 candidates Mickey Edwards and Cathy Cochran.
-The first question asked if it would be more cost-effective to out-source the fire department to the county rather than maintaining the fire station in the city. The question was posed to all candidates but Steele was the only one to respond.
Steele said the city over the years had questioned that issue and periodically reviews it. In the most recent review it was found that having the city maintain the department still represents a cost savings to residents who pay a total of 3.24 mills for all city services. Steele said that even though the county fire district tax has been reduced it is still in the area of 2 mills for only fire service.
-Another question dealt with the regional 1-cent sales tax (SPLOST) initiative going before voters in July 2012. Candidates were asked if the were for or against the additional tax and why.
Clifton responded first saying he was opposed to the tax.
“One penny is a 17 percent increase in the sales tax and there are so many projects that are only partially funded like the (Ga. Highway) 74/I-85 interchange. Where’s the rest of the money going to come from? It’s going to come out of your pockets. Fifty percent of the (TSPLOST) is budgeted for transportation. Mass transit equals MARTA. And that’s a big, big money loser,” Clifton said, noting MARTA’s decrease in rider-ship.
Up next was Price who said, “The vote on this is not by these (candidates). It’s you people (the citizens) that decide it. We put it on the ballot because we were mandated by the state legislature. So it’s not us, it’s you, the people of Fayette County and Fayetteville (who will decide).”
Johnson also commented that as chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission, Mayor Steele currently has some influence and, “I believe at this point he is leaning more toward influencing people to vote for the TSPLOST. I think in the long term we need to look at the impact on Fayetteville to make sure it’s something we can afford.”
Steele in his response gave a brief overview of the state legislation that mandated the TSPLOST process. I terms of the ARC’s tasking with the legislation, Steele said, “I was a reluctant player in this. However, when I went to it my goal was to bring back home to the people of Fayette County a project list that would give us a return on equity for each dollar invested (should the regional initiative pass).”
Steele said Fayette’s projected contribution over 10 years is $190 million while the county project lists totals approximately $187.8 million excluding other projects such as the four-lane work on Ga. Highway 54 West and the interchange at Hwy. 74 and I-85.
“I’m a left-handed history major so I don’t know about this half-funding stuff (pertaining to Clifton’s comment on the interchange), but the Ga. Dept. of Transportation seems to think that $22.5 million will do it. So I feel very comfortable that I’ve fulfilled my obligation to the residents of Fayetteville and Fayette County. I think we have a project list that will give us a return on equity and at this point in time it’s up to you, the voters, to consider whether it’s worth one percent of your disposable income to invest in the transportation needs of your county.”
Price then commented further, saying at this point he was undecided until he could see the Fayette projects in clear print.
“So I’m more undecided,” Price added.
Cochran also commented, saying the 17 percent figure looks high though it is based on a current 6-cent sales tax.
“This is in the hands of the voters so we have to encourage the community to get out and vote. It’s up to you to vote and let that decision lie in your hands,” she said.
Edwards in his response to the TSPLOST question said his printer ran of paper when he printed out the voluminous information on the TSPLOST initiative.
“So I would encourage everyone to do some research on it, to educate yourself on what you’re voting on and consider that, at this point in time, they can’t make buses run in Clayton County. How can they run them to Fayetteville?” Edwards asked.
Johnson commented again, agreeing that the vote is in the hands of the voters, “But in the long term we have to be informative and provide the information so that the voters can make an informed decision. And that’s where I believe we have missed the boat. We have not been able to give the citizens of Fayetteville enough information that they can make an informed decision.”
Johnson also maintained that it is Steele’s responsibility as Chairman of the ARC (to supply that information) even more so because he is the mayor of Fayetteville.
“So I think it is important that the citizens be given the information so they can make in informed decision,” Johnson said.
Steele responded moments later, explaining that he is chairman of the ARC’s Aging Services Committee and not the chairman of the entire ARC organization.
Next up, Clifton had additional comments on the TSPLOST issue.
“As others have commented, it is a decision that voters will decide on. When you go to vote on this issue remember that it is renewable at 10-year intervals,” Clifton said as he quoted Ronald Reagan to illustrate how Fayetteville could be saddled with mass transit.
Steele responded to Clifton’s remark saying that, “It’s unfortunate that there has been a lot of improper information put out on (the TSPLOST).”
He referenced the 2006-era Concept 3 map that showed bus lines from Clayton through Fayette County. In the updated, approved plan Fayette does not appear on the map and the train line has moved to Newnan, Steele said. Similarly, Plan 2040 also shows no transit in Fayette County, he said.
Cochran also responded again, saying she doubted that anyone in Fayette County desires to see mass transit.
“I myself don’t. I’ve seen decay in other cities and we see what happens when that comes to a town and I don’t think that’s something our community would support,” Cochran said. “We’ve done a lot of work to make this city the city that it is and we want to do everything we can to preserve and protect what we’ve got. I would not support that being in the picture.”
Price commented again, saying that Fayetteville and Fayette County have been protected by not having an interstate. It provides good transportation but it can destroy a county, he added.
“As long as I’m in the Post 1 seat in Fayetteville there will be no mass transit,” Price said.
-On the next question, candidates were asked whether they agreed with a recent statement by former ARC chairman Sam Olens on the idea of having a regional super-mayor and regional governance for the 10-county area.
“Sam Olens says a lot of things. I don’t think it’ll come to fruition,” Steele said, adding a few minutes later that the notion is a non-starter and inappropriate and would not move forward.
Johnson in response stated his opposition, noting that Olens “is out of touch with American citizens. A super-mayor would impose too much government, so I think I would definitely oppose it.”
Clifton is his remarks said he is for, “local control of your government and your life, as local as possible,” adding that he does not support any kind of regional governance.
Cochran is her response said she believes regional cooperation is needed but “we don’t need that (regional cooperation) to trump home rule. We need to preserve our ability to make local decisions here.”
Price weighed in saying he was, “definitely not for this (regional governance). The mayor and council are doing a fantastic job, in the TOP 10 in Forbes for retirement communities. We’re doing something right.”
-Another of the questions dealt with an issue that gained some popularity during the past year with some members of the Fayette County Local Issues Tea Party after being promoted by the likes of Peachtree City Mayor Don Haddix and Tyrone Mayor Don Rehwaldt. The question centered on whether it was a good idea or a bad one for Fayette County to leave the Atlanta Regional Commission and join the Three Rivers Regional Commission made up of 10 counties in west central Georgia.
Johnson said he was, not absolutely for the idea of joining Three Rivers but “anything that gets us away from the mass transportation situation with ARC might bear some looking into is worth an analysis.” Johnson added that if Fayette ever joined Three Rivers Fayetteville could be a positive influence.
Cochran took a similar position on the idea of looking all possibilities, also noting that the majority of Fayette County workers leaves the county to go to work and that the large majority travel to the immediate Atlanta area with its higher paying jobs.
Clifton in response said he thought leaving the ARC might be difficult given the ties such as Fayette’s high income level, formerly the highest in the state.
Edwards said he agreed with the idea of taking a look at the ARC vs. Three Rivers question, but as far as being tied to Atlanta, “I don’t think that’s a good idea in any respect.”
Price appeared to disagree with Edwards’ assertion, saying that there is more to the 10-county ARC area than just Atlanta.
Steele in his remarks said leaving the ARC would be a “horrendous idea,” adding that Fayette had joined the ARC in the early 1990s and was inextricably tied to the Atlanta region. He said Fayette has more in common with ARC counties in areas such as real estate prices, per capita income and the school system.
Steele also noted that membership in both the ARC and Three Rivers carried the same annual cost, but that the ARC organization included a much larger number of staff that was more experienced in the issues facing Fayette County and Fayetteville.
“The ARC is a planning organization that works for us,” Steele said. “We have never been unable to do anything that we want in Fayette County because of the ARC. We have never had to do something we didn’t want to do because of the ARC.”
-Another question pertained to the West Fayetteville Bypass as a project to relieve traffic congestion and the concept plan for the areas to the north, east and west of Piedmont Fayette Hospital. “How does annexing into Fayetteville and building hundreds of houses on tiny lots achieve that goal of relieving traffic?”
Steele responded first saying, “I’m not familiar with any annexation requests. Are you?”
Moderator Leslie Edwards responded, referencing the recent article in The Citizen on the concept plan for the area.
“What do you think of that kind of plan?” Steele responded. “I’ve been getting all kinds of calls from people saying ‘when is it going to be built? We’d like to move there.’ Surprisingly enough, many people in Fayette County think it’s prudent to plan ahead.”
Steele then gave a brief overview of history of the West Fayetteville Bypass that began in 1985 as the Central Parkway. Steele noted the county’s overlay for the area during the past decade and the efforts by the land owners, the city, county, Piedmont Fayette Hospital and others to brainstorm with area property owners the idea of developing a master plan for the area.
“The current rendition you saw (in The Citizen) was the joint effort of the Fayette County Development Authority, Piedmont Fayette (hospital), the YMCA, Clayton State University, Fayette Senior Services participating in it,” Steele said. “It was a visioning exercise recognizing that it is undeveloped land out there. What are the needs for the community looking forward and how would we like to potentially see it developed? It is, in fact, not going to be developed anytime soon.”
“The tiny little lots you referred to enable us to save 1,000 acres of land for permanent open space with 37 percent of the developed acreage preserved as greenspace,” Steele continued. “Annexation is a tool in a municipality’s tool box and when used properly and effectively we have great results.”
Next up was Clifton who said Steele’s comments did not respond to the question, adding that the Fayette County SPLOST was sold to the community in 2003 with the highest priority project being the East Fayetteville Bypass with work to have commenced by 2010.
“I see no progress there, but as soon as the money got approved things started happening to promote the West Fayetteville Bypass. It will cause traffic problems,” Clifton said.
Steele responded, saying Clifton’s comments contained a number of inaccuracies, adding that, “I agree with you to the extent that I don’t believe it will relieve a lot of congestion. The purpose of the highway, to my understanding, was that sometime in the future the undeveloped land (surrounding Fayetteville) will one day be developed. I always looked at the Central Parkway as being proactive so that we don’t find ourselves in the same situation as Cobb and Gwinnett counties.”
Johnson then weighed in, saying that though a concept plan, it seems to be a foregone conclusion that it will happen.
Johnson continued, asking “how can this happen without the citizens being able to have some input? I think we have to look at the infrastructure that it will take to support the housing and where will that infrastructure burden come from? I believe the burden will be put upon the taxpayers. That’s my biggest concern.”
Steel responded, saying that was a legitimate concern, adding that the city has the structure in place to handle the complete build-out of 25,000 people.
“There’s never been any discussion of annexing all that land, only the appropriate land around the hospital,” Steele said, also adding the past conversations geared to bringing a college or university to the county, for which the area west of Fayetteville would be a prime location. Such an eventuality would also require sewer service that already exists, Steele added.
Johnson again responded, agreeing that annexation is appropriate if well-managed.
-A question centering on downtown Fayetteville asked if there was any way to remove Jordan’s Salvage on Jeff Davis Drive at Hwy. 54, referring to the long-time business as “this eye-sore” in downtown.
“Not as long as Robert Jordan’s got a breath in his body,” said Price. “It might look kind of bad, but Robert brings some young guys a little bit of money on a daily basis and keeps them off the streets and keeps them straight. He’s a friend of mine and I’m proud to call him a friend.”
Steele followed, stating that, “Robert was grandfathered in and is a friend of the city of Fayetteville and I hope he lives to be 100.”
Clifton, too, was supportive of the salvage yard, adding that the business was unique in Fayetteville and is known to people far beyond the confines of the city.
Johnson also responded to the question saying, “Most of us believe it’s an eye-sore. But we have to look at the long-term impact Mr. Jordan has made on this community. He has contributed a lot to the city and I think the city did right grandfathering him. Hopefully, when God calls him home the city can purchase the property and clean it up.”
-Yet another question pertained to vacant buildings around the city. Candidates were asked about ways that businesses might be attracted to Fayetteville.
Price responded first, citing the continuing negative economic climate and noting that local government does not own all the properties in the city. The city does work with every business that wants to move into the community, Price added.
Johnson is his response said that, with the state of the economy, the city should be trying to promote and attract businesses and keep empty buildings full.
“I disagree with Mr. Price in that while the city should not be the real estate business it should be proactively trying to attract more businesses and keep the clients that like to serve the downtown area,” Johnson said.
Steele, too, responded by saying Fayetteville does encourage business growth, adding that city staff had visited each of the businesses at the Fayette Pavilion and others in town to determine their needs.
Steele also referenced the business vacancy rate of over 20 percent, remarking that though high, it is not disproportionate compared to other communities of similar size. He said city staff work with businesses to encourage them to locate here.
In his final comment on the question Steele also noted the addition in 2010 of the information technology center for national retailer Carter Children’s Clothing and the 100-150 jobs added at its new facility off Brandywine Boulevard.
Also weighing in on the question was Clifton who said he would take some fairly radical approaches to relax some of the city’s signage and zoning restrictions.
“Let’s make Fayetteville a great place to run a business, easier to open and succeed in business,” Clifton said.
Johnson also sounded off on the question, saying that he had spoken with a number of small business owners in the downtown area who say things are too restrictive.
“I know it’s been said that we don’t want downtown to look like Clayton County, but we need to look very closely and be open minded about how we attract businesses and whether or not we will be proactive and pro-business,” Johnson said. “We need to be a little more aggressive at looking at what it is that makes businesses less likely for businesses to come to Fayetteville.”
Price responded to Johnson, noting that the City Council had already relaxed some of the restrictions on banner signs used by businesses.
Cochran also weighed in on the question, saying something she would like to do would be to help businesses connect with the resources that could help them stay in business such as contact information that could be included on the business license application so they could be contacted to let them know about events going on in the community that could be utilized to promote their business.
Edwards, too, responded to the question.
“On the subject of empty buildings I agree with pretty much everything that’s been said, but I think a business ambassador would be a great way to start and could be done using an existing employee, to make it simpler for businesses to open,” Edwards said.
Edwards also suggested that the various business inspections could be coordinated by city departments and some impact fees could be lowered along with an atmosphere that welcomed business.
-One of the questions from the audience dovetailed into the one on vacant buildings. It was posed by long-time Fayetteville resident and city planning commissioner Allen Feldman who, as anyone attending commission meetings would know, has a history of demanding high development standards and does not bow to positions taken by elected officials if he believes he is in the right.
Feldman said his question was directed mainly to Clifton and Edwards. Feldman referenced “their ideas of lowering standards for business.” He referenced the state of the city in the 1980s when, “if you want to know what corruption was, with no standards, no building inspector… we had annexations late at night at unannounced meetings passed by emergency ordinance… this is what the standard procedures were.”
Feldman continued, asking, “How do you go ahead and lower your standards? These people (the current City Council) for two decades have been running this city government, and they’re boring, there’s nothing in the newspaper (about corruption)… there’s only one way to go and that’s back to the 80s. I live on Jeff Davis, and as far as the bypass goes, if I could back out of my driveway five minutes earlier I’d be happy.”
Responding to how a reduction in standards would help the city during the recession, Clifton was first up.
“Mr. Feldman as you remember, we have some family connection. You were the one who beat my father when he was on the council back in the day. The lowering of the standards wouldn’t necessarily be a permanent thing and do not presume we want to lower the standards of Riverdale. But I can tell you we have personal experience with the city trying to get business built and open,” Clifton said, citing as an example what he said was the difficult Jiffy Lube on North Glynn Street is having with replacing their monument sign after the building was painted. “It’s not that big a deal. You’re stretching it to the extreme, my friend.”
Johnson also responded, thanking for Feldman’s comments as a long-time city resident.
“That kind of information is important for the city administration to consider. When we talk bout lowering standards, I’m not proposing lowering standards, I’m just saying we need to look very diplomatically at the standards and see how they can be relaxed to attract businesses,” Johnson said.
Edwards also responded to Feldman’ question.
“I’m not saying to lower the standards, I’m just saying you’ve got to address each situation like it is. A small business needs a sign so that people can find them,” said Edwards.
The responses to the question appeared to be at an end until Clifton spoke again.
“I need to say one more thing in answer to Mr. Feldman. If you’re impugning the integrity of those of us up here running I take great offense at that. My father took no graft from anyone and he donated property to the city at no profit to himself.”
Then a short exchange between Feldman and Clifton began, apparently related to the circumstances of the property Clifton mentioned minutes earlier, with Clifton saying he’d be happy to “get into it anytime” with Feldman.
There were a number of other questions from the audience, including some from members of the Fayette County Local Issues Tea Party who reside in unincorporated areas of the county.
In all, the forum was impressive for the number of people attending. Their presence was all the more impressive given Fayetteville’s history, at least in the past decade, of having extremely low voter turnout for municipal elections.
A video of the forum is available online on You Tube under the title “Fayetteville Forum 2011” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juaKzMhivgI
