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Fulton

County Commission Chairman Mike Kenn believes the perceived inequity

between north and South Fulton County is coming to an end.

"The

big difference has been the high-end housing in the north part of

the county. That's already starting to happen in the south,"

he said.

If

the upscale homes come, more and more retail and commercial developments

will also come to the area. But Kenn said another inequity will take

more than homes and shops to overcome.

"Right

now, there's a huge difference in test scores in north and South Fulton

schools. I think the residents need to really focus on the school

board races and making their representatives accountable," he

said.

Until

test scores start evening out, Kenn said there will be economic impediment

for many companies deciding to locate in the area.

The

chairman also addressed the recent efforts of a group of residents

wanting to leave Fulton County and join Coweta County. Kenn approved

the de-annexation process, but isn't so sure it will come to fruition.

"I

understand the Coweta County commissioners are taking another look

at that, so we're not sure what's going to happen," he said.

During

a lengthy discussion this summer of annexing nearly 17,000 acres into

the county, the Coweta County commissioners wondered about creating

a fire tax district to help pay for services the new residents would

need.

The

residents are already paying a fire tax in Fulton County and applauded

loudly in favor of a tax district in Coweta County.

"Do

whatever you have to do. We just want to be in Coweta County,"

said Bill Creel, who represented many of the disgruntled Fulton residents.

Creel

said the 400 residents would bring a tax base of nearly $55 million

and some of the “prettiest land around” into the county.

One

of the overriding concerns of many of the commissioners is water.

Many residents in Coweta County have not been connected to the water

system yet, and Commission Chairman Vernon �"Mutt" Hunter

wants it made clear that Fulton residents would be at the back of

the line.

"We've

been in Fulton County for 62 years and never demanded water, so I

don't think that's a problem," Creel said.

John

Folsom, who also represented the homeowners, said it is a simple question

to resolve.

"We

just want to return the land that was Coweta County's until 1875,"

he said.

The

commission members said they plan a comprehensive study of the issue

before any decision is reached.

Another

issue on residents's minds is a perceived imbalance of services. Kenn

disputed the perception and said he has traveled all areas of the county

seeing how effective the county government is and asking the opinions

of the residents.

One

of Kenn's latest issues to try and get some tax relief for all Fulton

County residents is a reworking of the MARTA tax. Currently, only

Fulton and DeKalb residents pay the penny tax to support the system.

If

Kenn has anything to do with it, residents in adjoining counties will

have to start anteing up for the system.

"It's

inappropriate for Fulton County to underwrite what is now a regional

system," he said.