 Todd, McCarty and Brown (photo by Bob Ross) It's official. Steve Brown and Allen McCarty have been elected to the Fayette County Board of Commissioners. Both men will begin their posts Jan. 1, replacing Jack Smith and Eric Maxwell, respectively.
After bottling 7,519 votes, Brown, a former mayor of Peachtree City, unseated the incumbent Smith in the Post 4 commission race. Smith trailed with 6,603 votes in Tuesday's primary election.
McCarty was victorious in the Post 5 commission race after the political newcomer received 7,513 votes, defeating incumbent challenger Maxwell who raked in 6,333 votes.
"I'm certainly disappointed, but not devastated by the results of this election," said Maxwell.
"The jury will be out for awhile until we see what these two men can do for Fayette County," Maxwell said, referencing his successors.
The attorney said he will continue practicing law and "will certainly investigate any opportunities that come my way" when he transitions from the board in the new year.
McCarty on the other hand said he is "very happy" with the election results, marking the start of his first term in office. However, McCarty said his win is more so a win for the people who want to see changes in their local government.
McCarty, a retired broadcast consultant, said making a robust effort to redirect the funds being used to construct the West Fayetteville Bypass, a contentious topic this campaign season, is the first thing he plans to address when he takes office.
McCarty reasserted his stance on the roadway project, calling it a "wasteful" endeavor his opponent Maxwell, along with Smith, could have abolished, but refused to do so because of personal interests that would make room for future developments in Fayette County.
"The citizens' vote on Tuesday proved they felt the same way we do about our county leadership," McCarty said.
Despite the criticisms of the bypass, Smith said his record of leadership for nearly four years speaks for itself.
On the campaign trail, he noted his efforts in reducing costly employee turnover and recouping money as some of the contributions he has made to county.
"To me, government should be efficient, effective and quiet," said Smith. "And I think that's what we've done over the past three and a half years."
Despite his wish to serve another term, Smith said he has come to grips with reality in January. Emphasizing his appreciation for campaign volunteers and supporters, the commission chairman said he "gets family time back."
"I'm not going to be going to Atlanta four times a week, every week anymore," he said. "I get my golf game back. And my employees at the accounting office -- I'm not sure if they're excited about it, but they get me back," added Smith, who is a CPA.
In addition, Smith has joined Fayetteville Mayor Ken Steele as one of Fayette's driving voices on the Atlanta Regional Commission. He said he and Steele have Fayette in line to wield significant influence over major policy plans and decisions affecting the 10-county metro Atlanta area. He hopes Brown can make similar inroads regionally.
During the campaign, Brown was extremely critical of Smith's involvement with the ARC -- especially as it pertained to Fayette's countywide transportation plan that included the West Fayetteville Bypass.
Stressing a campaign driven by a "wave of popular opinion," Brown noted the need to address the transit plan, he said would not accommodate Fayette's low-density zoning makeup. Brown said he plans to help formulate a solid strategy for transportation solutions.
Brown said the election proved the public's dissatisfaction with his opponent's decisions regarding "mass transit, the West Fayetteville Bypass and the offering of a 2009 SPLOST in a bad economy."
Brown noted Smith's defense of the roadway project, claiming the county could not redirect the funding as a requirement of the law, was invalid.
"They can do whatever they want with the money," said Brown. "Not one person was in favor of that road and the votes showed their hatred for it along with the county's waste."
Brown said the "issues-driven" campaign was a tough battle, but he had a substantial physical presence, thanks to campaign volunteers who held signs and talked to residents.
Brown said when he enters office, the remaining commissioners Herb Frady, Lee Hearn and Robert Horgan, will have to explain why they will not stop construction of the Bypass to the residents.
"The people are going to drive this debate," said Brown, "I think the other three are smart individuals, so I have no doubt they were misled."
Brown added, "it is yet to be decided on who will represent the county in the ARC because the commissioners elect the chair. But Smith's actions on the ARC doesn't matter because it's about what the people want to do," he said. "It doesn't matter, if the people don't agree."
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