THE FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS IS AT IT AGAIN
(Ron Seder 8/29/97)

Once again the Forsyth County News is casting suspicion without gathering the facts. Once again the Forsyth County News is unfair to Ron Seder, criticizing his actions without talking to him to get the facts. The Forsyth County News should be as considerate of the average Forsyth County citizen as it is of those who can influence the newspaper's advertising revenues and/or those who might sue the newspaper.

Sewer Treatment Land Purchase

I want to address here the Forsyth County News articles and an editorial about the last Board of Commissioners' action to buy land for a sewer treatment system.

As a member of that Board of Commissioners I concluded that Forsyth County's 12% annual growth rate could cause the County to build out in twenty to thirty years. It was inconceivable to me that Forsyth County could be fully developed without having a sewer system. I believe we should avoid having the potential health risks that could arise from failures in a concentration of septic systems.

We also need sewers to attract industry to our county for jobs closer to home and for the taxes they will pay.

If there is disagreement about whether Forsyth County must have sewer service then there is need for debate. But if one agrees that Forsyth County must have sewer service then it must be determined how to best provide that sewer service to the County.

The prior Board saw no likelihood of buying enough economical, substantial and timely sewer capacity from others, and therefore, decided to move forward toward Forsyth County establishing its own sewer treatment system. When establishing a sewer treatment facility location it is desirable to have the sewer treatment system downhill from the generation of sewage. This allows gravity, as much as possible, to move the raw sewage in unpressurized lines to the sewer treatment facility. The cost and potential hazards of pumping raw sewage, under pressure, uphill make a sewage treatment facility uphill from the location of sewage generation one of the least desirable alternatives.

Prime Property

The prior Board of Commissioners, advised by professionals, determined the Threatt property to be the most logical and desirable location for a sewage treatment facility in Forsyth County. The Threatt property in the extreme southeast corner is at the lowest point in Forsyth County. The property is on the Chattahoochee River, a future potential discharge point for treated effluent, The property is undeveloped. Delaying the purchase, if still viable when the County is more developed, would probably mean a much higher price. Therefore, the County proceeded to purchase the property. The County offered a fair price for the property, but the owner would not agree to sell at that price Therefore, the County entered condemnation proceedings. The price determination is still in the hands of the court.

I believe Forsyth County needs a sewer system as soon as possible. Some say Forsyth County will never obtain a treated sewer effluent discharge permit. I do not agree. Why should Forsyth County be denied that necessity when others are allowed to have it? Admittedly, obtaining a discharge permit is not easy, but it is important for the County to wage the fight to get a discharge permit. Remember, many said Forsyth County would not be able to get a water withdrawal permit from the state for its own water plant, but after Forsyth County took the State EPD to court, Forsyth County finally got its water withdrawal permit from the state.

Forsyth County needs a Board of Commissioners with a vision of what is needed and the courage to make it happen.