Don't think

that these tax issues coming up on unusual voting dates

is by accident. Politicians are not stupid, but neither

are the citizens of this county.

[Superintendent

John] DeCotis is absolutely right. The results are not a

vote against schools, but a vote against taxes and

uncontrolled growth.

I'll let

the rest speak for themselves, but as for me, it is not

so much the school expenditures that I voted against, as

all the other things that I wish to change.

Let's slow

down the endless stream of rezonings. Let's stop using

annexation as a way for developers to shop for the most

favorable reception of their development plans. Let's

slow down the clearing, bulldozing and paving over. There

will be growth, for sure, but let's slow it down a

little. If we don't, you'll be coming back every two

years for ever more money. Just look at Gwinnett County.

As for

taxes. Do you think we are not taxed enough? When will it

be enough? Do you remember when sales taxes were 4

percent? Does anyone remember why and for how long we

would need that additional 1 percent local option [tax]?

Every

politician has his hand out. Not all of us are cash cows

just waiting to be milked. If you want to know what

higher taxes gets you, all you have to do is look at any

city or town in the Northeast.

My

recommendation to you, dear members of the board of

education, is to visit often with county and municipal

officials and tell them the citizens of Fayette County do

not agree to foot the bills for all future growth. The

next time higher density rezonings are being discussed,

ask them if the developers are willing to pay for the

additional classrooms.

Bruno

Maniccia

Peachtree City

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