In 2002, the Fayette County

Commission's operative word was "no" as it tried to control

growth in the county.

Early in the year, the county

turned down a proposal by the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority

to run buses up and down two Fayette County thoroughfares and pay for

a portion of the cost.

The proposal was for express

commuter bus service on Ga. highways 74 and 85.

GRTA representatives admitted

that local tax funds would have to make up the difference of about $1.2

million a year, Commission Chairman Greg Dunn said, assuming Fayette's

ridership is about the same as in other counties where similar service

has been established.

"If the ridership did

not justify its existence, we would be in a long-term contract,"

Dunn said.

Also in the spring, the Fayette

County Commission voted unanimously to turn down an estimated $286,000

state grant that would put three traffic deputies on the road to patrol

for aggressive driving violations and impaired motorists.

The grant would have required

the county to match $89,000, which includes the salary of one of the deputies

and certain equipment such as laser speed detectors which the grant wouldn't

cover. After the grant period expired, the county would be responsible

for paying all three deputies.

The commission's concerns had

to do with "reporting" requirements that are attached to the

grant.

The county also took steps

in the middle of the year to make sure the county has a chain of command

in case a state of emergency occurs.

The ordinances go into place

when the Governor calls a state of emergency.

The ordinances actually cover

four areas: waiving procedures and fee structure, registration of building

contractors, prohibition of overcharging and institution of curfew.

The ordinance also requires

all building contractors who want to help clean up any damage to be registered

with the county.

Chief of Emergency Services

Jack Krakeel said this is done to make sure residents can feel confident

in the work they need to get done.

The director also said the

ordinance looks harshly at price gouging. If a business person attempts

to overcharge residents in an emergency period, a fine of $1,000 and jail

time of 60 days could be imposed for each violation.

Finally, the board is allowed

to impose a curfew. Under conditions of the curfew, only "exempt

individuals," such as public safety, medical, media and military

would be allowed to be on the streets during the curfew.

The county also turned down

an unusual annexation request from Fairburn.

Fairburn's city leaders acted

as agents for the Bedford School, which wanted to annex nearly nine acres

of its property in unincorporated Fayette County on Milam Road into Fairburn.

The property is part of a 47-acre

site owned by the school. Before they made a decision, the County Commission

had indicated they would study this issue carefully, since Fairburn would

become Fayette's sixth city if the annexation was passed.

Fairburn city attorney Brad

Sears told the county commissioners that the General Assembly had passed

a law in 2000 that allows a city to annex property across county lines.

He said Bedford officials indicated

they wanted all their land under one jurisdiction and said they were confused

about whom to call in case of an emergency on the portion of the property

that's not in Fairburn.

But Commissioner Linda Wells

pointed out that Fayette's emergency services department has a higher

rating than Fairburn's. Krakeel also said his department has an automatic

response agreement with Fulton County, so no matter whom the Bedford School

calls for help, Fayette County will also be on the scene.

During the latter part of

the year, the County Commission and the Sheriff's Department had a skirmish

over the purchase of a helicopter by the department.

The board and the department

argued over who authorized the purchase of the copter and who would pay

for it.

In a compromise soultion, the

sheriff's department agreed to pay the maintenance costs for the copter

this year, and submit a request for funds in the 2003 budget.

The latter part of 2002 was

consumed by a divisive election for two County Commission posts. Commission

Chairman Greg Dunn and Commissioner Linda Wells fought off challenges

from Mike Wheat and Thomas Stephens to retain their seats.

The race was characterized

and added he's glad the citizens were able to stay the course of controlled

growth in the county.

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