Although Fulton

County's expenses have exceeded its revenues for many years according

to the finance director, we never considered raising taxes this year or

any other year I have been a member of the board. We have "balanced

the budget," as required by law, by "robbing Peter to pay Paul,"

setting aside a sufficient amount each year for emergencies and to satisfy

Wall Street.

Responsible

debate would have focused upon the fairness (and accuracy) of property

assessments and reassessments, mandated vs. non-mandated services, or

land-use policies. (Some commissioners have never seen a 350-homes subdivision

they didn't like even if it takes two hours on Ga. 400 to get there!)

So what is

all this talk about "raising taxes," "bells and whistles,"

"laundry lists" and "Ocee Library?"

One north Fulton

commissioner even cited population numbers by county districts as if rights

guaranteed to American citizens under the 14th Amendment and the Equal

Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution are dependent upon the citizen's

address!

A certain amount

of faking, fluffing and fabrication is expected of politicians. But when

we tell seniors we can return dollars we don't have and don't tell them

we cannot do it without (further) drastic cuts in mandated services

including senior transportation and meals on wheels, "politics"

has gone too far.

Emma I. Darnell

Vice Chairman

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

District

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