We also

were referred to as "authoritarian elitists."

If SPLOST would have passed, would you be applauding the

will of the people? Would they be authoritarian elitists

also? Fayette County had a much larger voter turnout than

surrounding counties (11,000 people voted, versus only

4,000 in Clayton County).

[A daily

newspaper] tells us that the low voter turnout was the

only reason SPLOST lost, and says, "These people

love low turnouts. It's the only way they get their

way." Whoa. Why don't you try to have the vote next

time in a general election, thereby assuring a much

larger voter turnout, and see how the vote goes? Let the

people speak!

No visible

opposition was seen by the proponents of SPLOST. None was

expected. There were SPLOST ads in the paper, signs

around town (many in rights of way, which is illegal),

Realtors and others supporting the tax. It looked like an

easy sweep. The opposition didn't look too threatening.

Lots of letters to the editor, but that's about it. There

were obviously more who opposed the tax than you thought.

Enough to defeat it.

It has

already been announced that there will be yet another

SPLOST vote next year. This will be the third year in a

row. This is like a football game with the rules changed

in favor of the losing team. The team behind in points is

the only one allowed to have the ball and run with it.

Aren't

there any other ways to get money for our public schools?

Why don't we and the school board urge our elected

officials in state government to pass an impact fee for

new homes that will allow the money to go toward the

schools and educating our children? Many states allow and

have created laws that permit impact fees for schools.

Will the Realtors be as enthusiastic about that idea too?

What

percentage of the $90 million was allocated for new

classrooms? I have heard it is less than 50 percent. If

that is true, then why weren't we able to vote on a $45

million SPLOST? Perhaps that wouldn't have been so

vigorously opposed. It might have even passed.

The phone

messages were to get the word out to those that were

unaware of the SPLOST vote. It is about taxes. (George

Bush got voted out of office for his "Read my lips

- no new taxes" speech. People are already

taxed beyond reason.) You scream and yell

"unfair," and yet your ad was for "the

children," pulling on all of our heartstrings. Who

could be opposed to children?!

I know many

are opposed to SPLOST because they are afraid that once

this tax gets approved, it will be here forever. We've

been assured it is for only five years or $90 million,

whichever comes first, but just look around at the

surrounding communities. Clayton just passed extending

their SPLOST another five years... It'll never go away!

That's what we're afraid of!

A word of

advice: If you're going to do a SPLOST vote next year: 1)

Cut the excess. Stick to what you really need (schools

and classrooms).

2) Be

specific in the referendum. The SPLOST we just turned

down was one big blank check.

3)Vote

during a general election. You will have a much higher

voter turnout. You will also not be wasting more taxpayer

money calling for a special election.

4) Stop

being so arrogant. Why don't you look and see why the

voters turned it down? Everyone that I've talked to are

people who care deeply about our community and the people

and children who live in it. Stop vilifying your

opposition. It makes you look petty.

Phyllis Avrit

Fayetteville

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