Fayette County will end up

with two U.S. representatives instead of the three that were contemplated

earlier in the state Legislature's redistricting process.

The Legislature adjourned Saturday

after completing the task of redrawing congressional districts to conform

to the 2000 U.S. Census. The legislative body had earlier finished new

state House and Senate maps.

In the original Senate version

of the map, Fayette was divided among three members of Congress, but the

final map places a small section of northeast Fayette two precincts in

the new 13th District, with the rest of the county included in the 8th

District, designed to replace Rep. Mac Collins' current 3rd District.

"I am proud of the work

of the state Senate in helping us achieve a congressional map that accurately

reflects Georgia, while providing current representatives in Congress

with an opportunity to run again next year if they choose to," said

Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor following adjournment. "This map is good for

all of Georgia," he added.

"It's a great map,"

said state Sen. Greg Hecht, whose current 34th District includes part

of Fayette. Hecht has announced plans to run for the new 13th congressional

District.

Hecht and Taylor are both Democrats.

Republican legislators were

less pleased. "It looks like a bunch of worms all gathered together,"

said state Rep. Kathy Cox of Peachtree City. "It's an ugly, ugly

map."

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh of

Sharpsburg, who represents parts of Fayette and Coweta, spoke from the

Senate floor Friday, saying the map insures the Democrats will be able

to elect whom they want to Congress.

Seabaugh said the process was

"not a demonstration of good, open and honest government" and

he was critical of the lack of public input the redistricting process

received before it was approved.

"This congressional map

and the atmosphere this map and the other redistricting maps has created

is not one of unity and respect for one neighbor," Seabaugh said.

"This map, these sessions have been divisive. They have put one party

over the interests of the people of Georgia."

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