Fayette County's

mayors have unanimously chosen Fayetteville Mayor Kenneth Steele to represent

them on the Atlanta Regional Commission Board of Directors.

Steele's term

begins Jan. 1, announced County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn. He is eligible

to remain on the board for as long as he remains mayor.

He replaces

Peachtree City Mayor Bob Lenox, who retires from office Dec. 31.

Steele said

Tuesday he sees his role on the board as that of "an ombudsman for

the citizens of Fayette County.

"We are

part of metro Atlanta," said Steele, "and I want to be a contributor

to the overall well-being of metro Atlanta."

But he said

he also wants to work for more recognition of the needs of the counties

and cities south of Atlanta. "We need to encourage them to think

of the southern tier. I hope we can break some funds loose from ARC to

address our transportation needs," he added.

Steele will

be serving alongside Dunn, who is automatically on the ARC board as long

as he is commission chairman.

"I support

Chairman Dunn's efforts and Mayor Lenox's efforts so far, and hope to

continue those," said Steele.

He'll get his

feet wet with the first ARC board meeting in early January, followed by

a retreat in mid-January.

"I'm looking

forward to the opportunity," he said.

All Georgia

counties are required to be participating members of a regional planning

agency. Fayette County has been a member of ARC since 1992.

As the regional

planning agency for the 10-county Atlanta area, ARC compiles the most

recent data, forecasts future trends and keeps track of issues facing

the area. The agency also is a conduit for federal funding for transportation

and other local needs.