I was surprised to learn that

the positions would not be funded. It would seem obvious to me that both

these county departments need new positions given the level of growth

in the county. The real estate filings, in just refinancing alone, are

overwhelming. I know of multiple closing attorneys that are closing more

than 75 loans a month.

Each loan requires the clerk's

office to process many different documents. The timeliness of the recording

of these documents is critical.

There was a time when people

were afraid to purchase property in Fulton County because of the backlog

of deeds to be processed. The fear was that the property could be sold

several times before the first deed was recorded. Do we want that in Fayette

County?

It is a credit to [Court Clerk

Sheila] Studdard and the wonderful people that work for her that the clerk's

office functions as well as it does. It is not hard to see that the assistant

clerks are overworked. A few minutes at any window will show you how busy

they are.

Even though they are all working

hard, everyone from Magistrate, Probate, State and Superior Court are

all more than willing to help the customers.

The commissioners should be

thankful. The customers are the commissioners' constituents. The constituents

deserve the highest level of service. When the service is not delivered,

the constituents should hold the commissioners responsible. How long before

maintaining the highest level of service becomes impossible, even for

the dedicated people working in our courthouse everyday?

Many people live in this county

because of the level of safety and secured maintained by an already stretched

sheriff's department. With new businesses opening weekly and new houses

being built every day, how can the sheriff continue to provide the level

of service the constituents have come to expect? How long before the new

jail cannot hold the people convicted of crimes, not because of space,

but because of lack of jailers? What happens when they have to be sent

elsewhere or released early? Will it be the same thing that was happening

before the jail was built?

I understand that this years

budget is "without a tax increase." Heaven knows that after

the school board's news, I am glad to hear that the county taxes will

not be increased. Or will they? I received my assessment notice Saturday.

As you can guess, just like every year, it went up. I will pay more taxes

than I paid last year, which was more than I paid the year before.

We must also consider all the

new buildings contributing to the fund. I am paying more. Am I receiving

more from the county? Or less?

Two departments vital to this

county need new personnel. Both the departments contribute funds to the

county coffers. Both are understaffed. Come on, commissioners: fund the

positions.

Stephen Ott

Fayetteville