Anti-Bus Group Chair Consoles Those Who Opposed Buses In Letter

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA – After the Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept a federal grant for the route shuttle bus system, a committee chair of the County's anti-bus group addressed the issue in a letter.

Heather Denis, a committee chair of the group that opposed the bus system, the Douglas County Peoples' Action Committee, or DCPAC, wrote a letter to the group's followers and other concerned residents.

"As I've been working this morning at my real job (ha!) without my kids pulling at me (thank goodness for a new school year!), I've seen some Facebook posts and comments about suggestions on how to continue to tackle the bus issue, folks leaving the county because of the vote, and general disgust with the whole issue. I can empathize on all accounts," she said in the letter.

"DCPAC was heartbroken to see how the vote went. After months of tirelessly fighting this issue from every possible angle (there was/is so much material to work with), it's deflating to see that things did not pan out the way we had hoped and the way they should have assuming that truth, transparency, and integrity reigned in public office. However, based on this experience, it is plain to see that there is much to be desired from our local government entities in regards to transparency, process and procedure, oversight, project management, financial stewardship, and most of all leadership.

"The question is what do we do about it?" the letter continued. "Each attorney we consulted with and the one we retained advised that these are mostly political issues with no real legal recourse. Additionally, there is no oversight committee or "rule book" for these officials, so there isn't a solid way to legally hold them accountable unless the issue is definitively criminal (with lots of proof). There is no way to truly convey the frustration we felt hearing these words time and time again.

"So, where to from here?" she asked. "Our team will be meeting to discuss that question. I don't have an answer right now, but we are going to work on one. What I do know, though, is that if you are not happy with how Douglas County is being run or if you're not happy with your new property tax value or you're not happy about how the school buses are being managed this year or you're not happy about the SPLOST projects or any of the other numerous issues going on in this county you simply must DO SOMETHING about it.There is strength in numbers and action whether it's at a Board Of Commissioners meeting, appealing your property tax valuation, or at the polls.

"Finally, as much as I hate to admit it, as I LOATHE politics, this is indeed a political issue," concluded the letter. "Politics dictated the bus outcome. Politics is dictating the SPLOST projects. Politics is dictating more than it should be allowed, including our school system. Folks, it's time to get political. Know your candidates. Keep an open mind. VOTE. DCPAC will continue to stay abreast of the issues. We hope that you'll stay the course with us.

Sincerely, Heather Denis - DCPAC"

RELATED:
Douglas County Commissioners Approve Bus Route System Grant
Last Chance To Oppose Buses Before Douglas County Votes
Despite Opposition, Buses Are Coming To Douglas County
Anti-Bus Group In Douglas County Gaining Momentum
Douglas County Denies Resident Was Removed From Town Hall
2 Douglas Legislators Address 'Bus System' Concerns: WATCH
Resident Tossed Out Of Douglas County Town Hall Meeting: WATCH

Photo by Patch Editor John Barker