The

developers have money invested in their properties, and

they will build, regardless of the condition of the

school system. Will overcrowded schools prevent rezoning

to higher density? Past history would indicate the answer

to be no.

The Fayette

County Board of Education has petitioned the city

councils and Fayette County Commissioners on many

occasions not to approve rezoning to higher density. Most

of the time they have not been listened to. The way to

stop rezoning to higher density is to elect officials

that will defend the master plan and vote down rezoning

to higher density. The battle should not be fought using

the children as a shield against the developers.

Many of the

people on fixed incomes voted against SPLOST, and I can

sort of understand why because I have a father who is

retired on a fixed income. If you look at the big

picture, however, we are asking these young people, once

they are in the work force, to pay 15.3 percent (6.2

percent Social Security, 1.45 percent Medicare from the

employee plus matching employer contribution) of their

income to fund Social Security and Medicare.

That means

if they are making $30,000 a year, $4,590 of possible

income per year will be going to fund Social Security and

Medicare, which they will receive very little benefit

from or none at all. This money will be used to help keep

Social Security and Medicare solvent for many of the

retired people on fixed incomes. All that was asked was

help with a one cent sales tax to support their

education. Because education is such a crucial part to

their success in life, we showed them they really don't

matter.

The most

egregious action taken was a telemarketing scheme which

broadcast a bald-faced lie, "Your Taxes Will Go Up

By 40 percent, Vote No." You can slice and dice the

numbers anyway you want to, but the election on SPLOST

was for a one cent sales tax. If you look at overall

taxes, 40 percent is extremely out of line with reality.

Even if you look only at sales tax, 40 percent is double

the accurate amount. This action showed a lack of

integrity, and if we care about children, this is not the

kind of example we want to set for them.

The

overcrowding of the schools and the need for new

technology will only get worse. There is not enough money

now to address this critical situation. The need to help

the schools will grow even greater and the price tag will

continue to escalate. Actions speak louder than words: By

voting down SPLOST, we showed children in Fayette County

they really don't matter. One can only hope the attitude

in Fayette County will change, and we can someday show

the children they really do matter.

Mike

Patterson

Peachtree City

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