That said, allow me to counter his slight sarcasm on a

point-by-point basis.

(1) Todd missed the point of my concern. My letter

questioned the failure of the board members to reassure the citizens that

they were aware of the potential windfall situation and to also

reassure us that they were not going to take advantage of the situation.

(2) The bond millage reduction has nothing to do with the

assessment windfall. It results from savings incurred because some of

the indebtedness has already been retired.

(3) The increased budget estimate already includes funds

for the additional 500 students and is will be covered by the

normal digest growth, which has nothing to do with the windfall from

the increased assessments.

(4) The effect of appeals to the new assessments will be

minimal due to the small number of appeals filed, and if you've

ever dealt with the appeals process in Fayette County, the even

smaller number of appeals that actually succeed.

(5) No one has asked for either a promise or a commitment

regarding a rollback. My original letter only pointed to the

silence from the board regarding their "honest intentions" relative

to providing relief from the new assessments.

As Todd stated later in his attack on a Mr. Webster, in

effect, "If they don't speak out, then they must be satisfied". This is

paraphrased, but it reflects the gist of Todd's comments.

Perhaps the 78 percent absence of voters was because they

are just disgusted with politicians in general. The most important

fact to remember is that the 22 percent who did show up to vote, chose

to boot out some incumbents.

(6) As to where I've been? Sitting here reading all the

local media, trying desperately to find even one reassuring word

from any board member that we citizens won't be treated like we

just fell off the turnip truck! Searching for any hint that we'll get

a fair deal regarding the assessment windfall! Hoping to hear a

hushed whisper... "Psst! Don't worry! We're not going to be

irresponsible! We're going to do the right thing!"

Of course, now I know, thanks to Mr. Todd, that I'll get an

answer whenever the board feels like it... probably the day after

the millage is approved!

In summation, I'm glad I was able to amuse Mr. Todd... we

common folk have an innate ability to allow our more intellectual

elite some relief from all their stress... and, yes, sir, Mr. Todd, I'll

check my facts, sir!

Especially the reassessment windfall facts, right after the

board votes to set the millage rate. Perhaps I'll be telling you to

recheck your facts before you respond to a question from the common folk.

You're right about one thing though... a negative small

minority can destroy a very good school system! Sometimes we call

them "the school board"!

Bruce Davenport

Peachtree City

via e-mail

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