Fayetteville Mayor Kenneth

Steele spoke out at last week's City Council meeting in response to county

officials who have criticized the recent annexation of property in Fayette

Pavilion.

The council voted Thursday

night to annex and rezone 5.14 acres at the northwest corner of Ga. Highway

85 and New Hope Road. The issue has been on the council's agenda for several

weeks while a few final details were ironed out.

The new city zoning will be

C-2, which is community commercial. That is less intense than the former

county zoning of C-H, or highway commercial, according to city Planning

Director Jahnee Prince.

Mabel Bradshaw, a resident

of New Hope Trail, told the council that the decision will create an island

of unincorporated land, with her property constituting much of that island.

She cited several letters she has sent to the city in recent months arguing

that point.

The county has also charged

that the move creates an island, which is illegal. City officials have

maintained that the move is proper and in the best interests of the city.

After a very brief discussion

period, Steele issued his statement.

"I certainly have a difference

of opinion with the leadership of the county commission on these items,"

he said. "I truly think they would better serve the community in

working together, trying to address challenges facing the community in

areas like transportation, rather than wasting our time and the taxpayers'

money bringing suits against the various cities."

The county has recently been

embroiled in a controversial tug-of-war with the cities over perceived

tax inequities.

"They [county] need to

realize that they represent the taxpayers of the cities of Fayetteville,

Peachtree City, and Tyrone," said Steele. "We pay the preponderence

of the taxes in this county."

Steele said that 57.1 percent

of all taxable property in the county last year was in the cities, which

are home to 53 percent of the county's population. He added that more

than 90 percent of the county's sales tax revenue is generated in the

cities.

"I would really like for

our county commissioners to take note of that and provide a little support

to the communities rather than constantly challenging them and taking

the cities, i.e. the taxpayers and the citizens, and going to court,"

he said. "We disagree with their position, and we will pursue the

position that we believe is proper for the city of Fayetteville."

That concluded his remarks

during the annexation discussion, although when the regular "Mayor's

Comments" item came up near the end of the council agenda, he said,

"I think I've made them.

"I hope I have not offended

anyone," he concluded. "But my patience has worn thin."

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