Gwinnett County Commissioner Explains Vote On MARTA

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA – In a letter to Patch, Gwinnett County Commissioner John Heard explained why he agreed, with the rest of the County Commission, to remove the MARTA question from the proposed November ballot and put it before the voters in a special election in March, 2019.

“In doing we so have removed the MARTA question from the clutter of what I expect will be a rancorous and potentially divisive general election campaign(s) and placed it on a stand-alone ballot, free from partisan divisions and issues.” Commissioner John Heard (R) Lawrenceville said in the letter.

“I have previously expressed my reservations and concerns with the current MARTA proposals. I was especially concerned that by placing the question on a November ballot, there would be little time to educate the public about the pros and cons of the proposal. By delaying the vote there will be sufficient time to get the needed information to the public so that they can make an informed decision. By delaying the vote there will be no “Rush to Judgment” and no “Pig in a Poke,” added Heard.

“I trust the voters of Gwinnett, once fully informed, will make the right decision," he said. "Whatever their decision is, I will abide by it. That’s how democracy works and I believe in the system and promise I will listen to the voice of the people.

“Given the audience reaction to the vote to delay the MARTA question until March, it was obvious that many wanted this to be a partisan issue. The MARTA vote is too important an issue to be a partisan football. It involves over one billion dollars of taxpayer money and should not be subject to partisan misinformation and abuse. This is not, and should not be, a partisan issue used to divide the electorate and confuse the question,” concluded the letter.

RELATED: Gwinnett Commissioner Announces Opposition To MARTA Vote

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County