William

Norris developed an interest in politics at a

tender age from listening to talk radio while

riding in a car with his father.

Now,

at the ripe old age of 17 - not yet eligible

to vote - Norris is working to organize a

local chapter of a new (to Fayette) political

party.

"I'm

trying to get the first public meeting for the

Fayette County Libertarian Party organized for

March 2," said Norris.

"When

I was young my family traveled a lot, and I

listened to Neal Boortz (WSB Radio talk show

host) and got turned on to the libertarian

philosophy. Then I read `Atlas Shrugged' by Ayn

Rand, and that fueled my interest even more. I

guess politics has turned into my hobby," he

said.

Norris

has been involved in the Clayton and Coweta

Libertarian parties for several years, "and

I decided it was time to get one started in

Fayette," he said.

He

talked to Mark Antieau, a state party activist,

and as it turned out dozens of other Fayette

residents had made inquiries about bringing a

chapter here.

Antieau

has set up a charter signing meeting for both the

Fayette chapter and a Spalding County chapter.

That's Thursday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at Shoney's,

1445 North Expressway.

The

first Fayette County meeting will be March 2 at 7

p.m. at Heritage Bank, 440 North Jeff Davis

Drive. Jack Cashin, Libertarian candidate for

governor in 1998 and state Senate in 1996, will

speak on libertarian philosophy and try to

motivate listeners to get involved, said Norris.

Libertarian

philosophy, said Antieau, was articulated best in

the 1960s by Republican presidential candidate

Barry Goldwater. "He was quoted as saying

government should be out of the bedroom and out

of the board room," said Antieau.

"Much

like the founding fathers, we are for basic

market principles and also a lot less regulation

on our personal lives," he added.

Free

speech, gun rights and decriminalization of drugs

are among the party's best known stands. The

party also is "officially pro-choice,"

said Antieau, though many members are opposed to

abortion. "They just think the government

shouldn't make that decision. We could become

like China, where they're forcing people to have

abortions," if the government is allowed to

make abortion policy, he said.

For

information on the party, phone Antieau at

770-442-1857, or visit www.ga.lp.org .

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