The election

has ended and now it is time to function not as a Democrat or a Republican,

but as a one concerned aout the entire entity: Fulton County.

That being

said, there is often a great deal of discussion during budget times (and

on the campaign trail) in Fulton County regarding equity between the southern

and northern portions of the county. While it is true that there are isolated

instances where one could look at a budget item and say it will seem to

benefit one side of the county more than the other, it is my belief that

the most effective budget expenditure will have positive consequences

for the entire county - no matter what side of the county it falls. In

short, we need to get away from a them versus us approach and begin to

take a wider view as to what is good for the entire county.

Toward that

end, I would like to list a few of the budgetary and policy items that

the western portion (mid-Fulton, if you will) would be in favor of an

support within the 2003 Fulton County budget.

I support

funding for the Fulton County Police Precinct (reserve officers program)

at Fulton County Airport.

I support

funding for the Fulton County fire stations along Fulton Industrial Boulevard

and Cascade Road.

I support

funding to enhance and supplement the federal government's funding (likely

through the Department of Labor) for training centers established by the

Office of Workforce Development within the Fulton County Department of

Human Services.

I support

the Fulton County Board of Commissioners' passage of the service agreement

to extend the current penny sales tax for MARTA's continual funding, so

that MARTA does not have to become a "maintenance organization,"

that likely will be forced to cut services in the future without expansion

plans or enhancement of existing services.

I support

the Fulton County Board of Commissioners' passage of a bipartisan resolution

that encourages the Fulton County legislative delegation to seek state

assistance for MARTA and/or the financial partnering of the MARTA system,

with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and surrounding counties

not currently financially supporting the MARTA system - which is a regional

system, serving among other locations an international Airport and statewide

sports facilities.

I support

the Fulton County Board of Commissioners' passage of a resolution in support

of the MARTA rail expansion timetable established by the MARTA Board of

Directors.

I support

the Fulton County Board of Commissioners' passage of aresolution in support

of enhanced bus service (local and express) and van pools throughout the

county, particularly to the county facilities such as libraries, senior

centers, arts centers, service centers, and airport.

I support

the expansion of the Fulton County South West Arts Center on New Hope

Road.

I support

the expansion components encompassed in the Fulton County Airport (Brown

Field) Masterplan, particularly the Aviaton Musuem, Training Center, walking

history of aviation along the Chattahoochee River, and increased taxi-ways

helping to attract additional corporate hangers.

I support

increased Saturday and Sunday hours of operations for public libraries

throughout the county.

I support

a pre-court diversion program for the juveniles of southern Fulton County,

that replicates the one for the juveniles of northern Fulton County. This

should be done for these children not only as a budgetary item....but

as an issue of fairness.

I support

the establishment of Tax Allocation District (TAD) in the Bankhead Highway/Fulton

Industrial/ Patton Drive Area, in order to improve existing businesses,

address vacant/abandoned land, improve lighting and general cleanliness

of the area.

It is my belief

that these items may go a long way toward helping this entire county care

about more than just "our area of town" but also help enhance

the entire county.

[Patrick Stafford

is executive director of the Fulton Industrial Business Association. He

can be reached at [email protected].]