Will the year ’13 be a lucky one for Fayette County? Perhaps we need some fresh resolutions to make it so.
There are little things we could all do to make daily life flow a little easier: not being the last car to enter and then block the Hwy. 74/54 intersection; having our forms filled out before we get in line at the post office; and for Pete’s sake, parents, pull to the far end of the school drop-off lane rather than stop smack in front of the door with 30 cars behind you.
But more significant resolve will be needed as big changes take place on the municipal level. New faces will be attempting to tackle old problems, and what’s at stake for residents are costs vs. services, budgetary priorities and quality of life issues.
Let’s start with the Board of Education. The premature departure of Superintendent Jeff Bearden and the replacement of veterans Janet Smola and Terri Smith will create a whole new ball game. Interim superintendent Dan Colwell and rookie members Barry Marchman and Mary Kay Bacallao must help decide major budget issues that will likely include school closures and staff cutbacks.
Then there’s the County Commission, which has three new members coming on board a sometimes foundering ship. Its actions are tied to those the school board regarding a lawsuit brought by the NAACP over district vs. at-large voting. Incoming commissioners David Barlow, Charles Oddo and Randy Ognio will constitute a freshman majority as they navigate such issues as sluggish economic development and controversy over building the West Fayetteville Bypass. Commissioner Steve Brown is butting heads with Brooks Mayor Dan Langford over an ethics inquiry initiated by outgoing commissioner Robert Horgan.
In Peachtree City, City Council member Vanessa Fleisch has already declared her intent to run for mayor to replace incumbent Don Haddix, who is fresh off skirmishes with the rest of the council and a former mayor. The fire chief just retired amid scandalous allegations.
Aside from controversy over a proposed gun range and the threat of closing its elementary school, Tyrone has stayed mostly above the Fayette fray. The people of Brooks are also showing civic solidarity to save their elementary school.
The only drama in Woolsey seems to have been the 20-20 tie vote on Sunday alcohol sales.
So while many of us pledge to eat less and exercise more, perhaps resolutions to cooperate more and spar less would be in order among our elected officials. Maybe a few more people will commit to attending a county meeting once or twice a month.
We’ve got good people here. Let’s get to it. Cheers!
Jill Howard Church has lived in Fayette County since 1994. Reach her at jillptcblog@aol.com.
