Gosa

has announced he will not seek reelection.

"Our

past growth has produced situations that have

brought hardships to our citizens," said

VanLandingham in his announcement press release.

"It's for certain we have more growth

coming. This being a certainty, we need to

utilize a smart growth pattern."

15-year resident of Fayette, VanLandingham said

he moved here to a farm owned by his wife

Sandra's grandfather. The family's roots go back

over 100 years, he said.

VanLandingham

grew up in central Georgia and enlisted in the

U.S. Air Force in 1954, honorably discharged

after eight years. He worked in manufacturing for

the DuPont company, then in maintenance at

Ralston Purina's Fairburn plant for 20 years

before retirement.

"We

decided to retire here and remain here," he

said. The couple has six children, nine

grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Using

the land in a way that will "bring together

our economic, community and environmental

objectives" will help create a more positive

growth pattern, said VanLandingham. "My

feeling is that we have to be in a position to

protect our citizens, educate our children and

preserve our environment. If a negative impact in

these areas comes about by growth, then my

feeling is that the growth should not happen

until the negatives are removed," he said.

Citizens

should be informed and involved in government, he

added. "I will work to encourage involvement

and keep the public informed," he said.

"I hope to start town hall meetings soon and

carry them through my term in office."

More

cooperation among local governments also is

important, he said. "We are a county

comprised of parts undivided by boundaries,"

he said.

VanLandingham

ran for the at-large Post 5 commission seat in

1998.

<!--

-----------