I moved to Fayette County in

1972, into what was then Peachtree City's "subdivision du jour,"

Wynnmeade. I have been a continuous resident of Fayette County for almost

30 years, having lived in five different homes in Peachtree City, two

in Fayetteville and now for 11 years in Tyrone.

I was in the residential building

and development business from 1976 until three years ago when major heart

surgery forced me to leave this stressful business. I have, therefore,

had the opportunity to "butt heads with" all the Fayette County

governmental bodies at one time or another.

I have participated in the

building, development or sale of over 1,500 single family homes in Fayette

County, so I have "brought" some 1,500-plus households to Fayette

County. Some are glad they live in a home I had something to do with;

some are not. One of the oldest sayings in the building business is that

there are people that wouldn't be satisfied "if the Lord was on the

job site wearing a nail apron."

Fayette County has always had

a majority of residents who subscribe to the "last man in" theory

"I'm here now, so shut the door!" So, let me tell you, if you

live in Huntington Creek, Huntington South, Ansley Oaks, Franklin Farms,

North Bend or Hamilton Square in Fayetteville, or Prestwick in Peachtree

City, or yes, in Carrowmore in Tyrone, believe me, those living around

you came to the zoning hearing where your subdivision was being discussed

and vehemently argued that it shouldn't be built!

"They" didn't want

you here, folks! You were a threat and danger to the community! And what

does Tyrone want here? Nothing!

The writers of the other letters

were wrong when they felt that I must have had a project denied. Nope.

As I said, I've been out of the business for over three years. But, over

the years, I have seen friends like Ben and Phil Seay, and one of the

most highly recognized builders in the country, John Wieland, get just

mauled by the Town of Tyrone in an effort to "keep things like they

are." Like I said before, as if it was worth keeping as it is here

now!

But was I "having a temper

tantrum" as one writer said? Yes, I was. The article that I referred

to in my letter in the "FactFinder" just set me off. This special

issue by The Citizen is designed to let newcomers know about the area;

it sells ads to let area businesses showcase themselves, and it acts as

a kind of Chamber of Commerce promotional piece for the area.

And yet in that latest edition,

what was written up about Tyrone? How Jaquelyn Davis and her family had

been denied commercial zoning on a piece of property that is bordered

a commercial zone, I can't imagine what is!

It went on to talk about how

the Town Council had "protected" the residents of Tyrone from

the evils of having a Publix Super Market in town. "Tyrone doesn't

need a store like that." What?

So, yes, I got all riled up.

Those things are just plain stupid, not good planning and zoning, just

head-in-the-sand, just-say-no knee-jerk reaction to anything that changes

something. Like I said before, "Dumb as dirt."

Some of the writers went on

to question why I don't just move. Well, I keep hoping something will

change. This is a good location, and if the powers that be ever get brought

up to date and the area is allowed to grow properly, then it may

be a good place to live!

Also, just ask some of the

folks around here who have had their houses on the market for a year or

more before it sold what the problems in real estate values in Tyrone

are.

Several years ago, when the

first wave of refinancing hit, we tried to refinance our home here in

Tyrone. A local Tyrone appraiser did the appraisal work for the "re-fi."

I gave him comparables on the houses I was building in Peachtree City

at the time. When the appraisal came back 25 percent low and I asked why,

I was told, "You certainly don't think houses in Tyrone are worth

what houses in Peachtree City are, do you?"

Well, you know, the lack of

intelligent planning and zoning devalues all of our homes.

And guess what: I stand by

all that I said in my last letter. Only time and some willingness to change

will prove me wrong!

M. Barry Bartlett, Sr.

Tyrone