Talk of the Town

By Mike Seigle

February 22, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

This is just another proof that times are changing. If North Fayetteville starts voting Republican this would not be a problem. If not then they will be ignored by those who hold the power.

If they want to remain Democrats then move to a Democrat controlled area like Clayton County.

By beentheredonethat

February 23, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Why should the citizens of Fayette County have to change the way they have voted for years to satisfy a group of newcomers? If it is that important, put a referendum on the voting ballot and let the citizens of Fayette decide if they want district voting.

By Bob

February 23, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

I favor anything, repeat anything that D Lakely opposes. He also favors secrecy in government and calls it ‘the Republican way of doing business.’

By kreedham

February 23, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

If it’s so good not to have districts then lets elect our congressmen statewide and our senators nationwide. It’s all about power and control. Republicans get 65-70% of the votes in Fayette County elections but want 100% of the seats on the board. I certainly understand that they want to stay in power but I guess they can’t just say that’s the reason. I guess it sounds better just to oppose it. While there are no guarantees, with district voting, a democrat would at least have a chance at one seat. Of course then the Republicans will only control 80% of the commission. Don’t worry all you naysayers, district voting will come. It just depends on when somebody wants to file the lawsuit.

By Sara

February 23, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

Mike, Clayton county is where they are moving to Fayetteville FROM.

By rachael bannister

February 23, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

Newcomers came here for what we have to offer.Good schools, low crime rate,home town atmosphere.Then they want to change the things that made the county what attracted them in the first place to just what they moved away from.Change makes a ripple effect like a rock in the pond. The ripples move out much futher than people realize. Strange isn’t it?

By Tristan

February 23, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

People use the phrase “times are changing” way too much. Why should Fayette county have to change the way the county is run just because of a few new residents who moved in from economically and socially depressed areas. Fayette county is the wealthiest, most well-educated county in the state, has the lowest poverty rate,…The list goes on! We’re obviously doing it right. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

By beentheredonethat

February 24, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

kreedham - we are not talking about state or nationwide district voting - we are talking about Fayette County. If you do not like the current way things are done - move. No one forced you to live in Fayette County and surely you moved here knowing how things are done.
I had to leave Clayton County because of people like you and I will not move again.

By mame

February 24, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this

IF THEY DO NOT LIKE THE WAY VOTING IS DONE IN FAYETTE COUNTY AS IT IS NOW, THEY MAY LEAVE OUR COUNTY!

By Dana Kinser

February 24, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

District voting is not the way to go at the local level. The elected official is held only accountable to the district that he/she was elected in.

While that may suit that specific district, there is no cohesion amongst the commission. Each commissioner is working solely for their own district and not for the betterment of the whole. Net result is nothing good for the community. Too many backroom deals.

In this case, assume a black commissioner is elected and the assumption that racism is alive and rampant, what has been accomplished? 4 white commissioners voting consistently against a black commissioner. What has been gained?

Now assume a district elects a white supremacist. The majority of the county doesn’t want him, but his district keeps voting for him. How does that improve the county?

With our current method of election, each representative is accountable to the entire county. His/her actions are monitored by the entire county and poor decision making and they are gone.

As for why we don’t elect our national representatives the same way, that is easy. A county may consist of 150,000 people. Our current method guarantees that each of those people has their fair say in any election. Their candidate may not win, but they had a say. 3 of the candidates must live within specific districts, while the other 2 are elected at large.

The state consists of over 8 million people, with half of that number living within the metro Atlanta area. For fair representation at the federal level, the state must be broken up into “districts” that afford a larger group of people the opportunity to have representation. Otherwise, all state representatives would be elected from the metro Atlanta area solely.

District voting is not good for Fayette County. Our current system has worked for 200 years, and doesn’t need to be changed now.

By Kevin

February 26, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

I’m one of “those people” who has moved from the high property taxes, high crime rate, low performing schools of Atlanta into Fayette County. I, for one, appreciate what I have here and while I’m not a voting GOP member; I don’t see the need to alter that which has made this area my choice to reside in. Population and sound political platforms bring about change in elected officials.