Now if you want to discuss

the northern corridor of Ga. Highway 74, maybe I can shed some light on

what really occurred to cause Tyrone to take the action to annex almost

to the Fayette-Fulton County lines.

Somewhere around the time of

1993, then Mayor Norm Davis became aware of a plan by the Fayette County

Commissioners for the development of the north corridor of Hwy. 74. Along

with this letter, I am delivering you a copy of a study that was done

Highway 74 Sanitary Sewer Information."

This study shows how the county

wanted to develop Hwy. 74 with commercial, heavy and light industrial,

and high density residential in the form of 2,270 apartment units, and

a series of spray application sewer treatment plants. Fayette County even

took the liberty to place the Tyrone town logo on the cover sheet.

Feeling that this type of irresponsible

planning was not in the best interest of not only Tyrone but the rest

of the west side of the county, the town sought to annex the property

and establish a far superior plan for the future development.

The proof that the annexation

was a positive for the county can easily be seen by the way the county

ignores the right-of-ways on Hwy. 74. That small area of 1,000 feet that

you wrote about in your column is an eyesore for all the commuters that

travel that area.

Thanks to the town of Tyrone

and Peachtree City, the next 10 miles of highway is a pleasant drive to

view. This entrance into Fayette County has often been referred to as

the "Gateway to Fayette County" but it continues to be ignored

as though it was the county's backdoor.

Let's now move on to yours

and others' concern over the sewer service the town is receiving from

Fairburn. Now don't try and use that argument that you're concerned about

high-density residential development. The county squeals like a pig whenever

the sewer line is discussed. It is obvious from the county's "Sewer

Study" that 2,270 apartments would be acceptable to them.

As a matter of fact, you will

also read in the study that the Fayette County Commissioners also looked

at purchasing 5 million gallons of sewer service per day from Fulton County

in 1990. Tyrone is only obtaining 250,000 per day from Fairburn and all

of it is already spoken for. There is no excess capacity to be had for

development.

Even though this was explained

over and over to the county and reported in your paper, the point is missed.

People also have to remember that the idea of obtaining sewer service

from Fairburn was more an environmental issue than a development issue.

The courts ordered the approval

of the John Wieland development, along with a spray application sewer

system that was going to be operated and maintained by the homeowners

association and was located on a creek that fed into Line Creek, the same

creek that Peachtree City draws some of its drinking water and possibly

even yours, Mr. Beverly.

We didn't feel that this was

an environmentally sound idea, so we sought options. Knowing how many

spills have occurred in Peachtree City's system, you probably agree that

these systems do fail and the consequences can be terrible. But still

the county chooses to sue the town of Tyrone. The court costs incurred

spent for their legal expenses, but keep in mind a portion of their bill

was paid with Tyrone citizens' county taxes.

When you referred to the county's

concern about more intense development on the northern corridor than is

intended on the county's land use plan, it is a fact that the county came

to Tyrone and adjusted their land use plan and development standards to

a higher level to meet Tyrone's standards.

So here we are, Mr. Beverly,

at the end of your article and it seems that you really haven't done your

homework. I am even a little confused what brought these fears and concerns

out from you.

The last time I even heard

about annexation fears was at the last Fayette County Association of Governments

meeting when Commissioner Pfeifer raised the issue and was rebuked by

the city of Fayetteville.

Commissioner Pfeifer stated

he "was going to dig in on this issue." I have to wonder if

you are holding his shovel for him.

Since I joined the Tyrone Town

Council in 1997, I have not heard any of my fellow councilmen even discuss

the possibility of going out and annexing any additional property. If

a landowner approaches Tyrone, we will show them the courtesy of hearing

their request and acting on it in the best interest of Tyrone. Additional

land will require additional equipment and staff to accommodate and provide

the necessary services. If it is too burdensome, I will not support the

annexation.

As far as your invitation to

"start a conversation," I would welcome the opportunity to sit

with you and discuss any number of subjects that seem to concern you,

including open meetings, open records, tax inequity, future land use,

and development, or just to give you some facts for your next article.

I was taught in a class once, "Facts convince. Opinions confuse."

Ronnie Cannon

Councilman

Tyrone Town Council