To the Editor:

The following comments are from Polk County Commissioner Tommy Melton, but are intended only as his personal thoughts and do not reflect those of anyone else on the board of commissioners.

Upon reading Katherine Smiths recent Letter to the Editor, entitled Neighbors taste Chocolate Drop, I felt the need to respond to Ms. Smiths query as to my feelings about the role I played as a member of Columbus Town Council during the voluntary annexation of the Foster Mountain property, better known as Chocolate Drop.

Ms. Smith accurately states that I seconded the motion to approve the voluntary request for annexation. However, Ms. Smith fails to mention several keys facts that weighed into my decision and that of the Columbus Town Council at that time.

First of all, Ms. Smith fails to mention that the original proposal requested approximately 140 lots on this 145 acre tract. I was strongly opposed to that request, as well as the subsequent request for 102 lots.

When considering my position on supporting the annexation and development of the property, I took what I think most people would consider a reasonable position. I stated that density should be limited and that I could support the proposal only if the development contained 50 lots or less. As reflected in the Columbus Town Council Minutes dated May 16, 2006, neighbors voiced their concerns about the impact of this development on property values, the existing private road, the environment, increased traffic, disturbance of wildlife, and maintenance of new and existing roads.

Citizens comments regarding the Petition Requesting Annexation of the Foster Mountain property also addressed concerns regarding the developers need to use the existing private road to access the subject property and the impact made by the heavy construction equipment.&bsp; After assurances from the developers representatives who attended the meeting, that roads would be repaired and in good condition when finished, and upon agreeing to screen one of the residents back yard with trees, the minutes state that, After much discussion, homeowners were comfortable with assurances from the contractor.

Columbus Town Council had attempted to address the density concerns by limiting the number of lots in the development, and we held a public hearing in which all of the citizens comments were heard and addressed.

The consensus going forward was that we had made a reasonable compromise in allowing a landowner the right to develop its property with limited density (average density of 1 unit per 3 acres), and that all relevant concerns had been satisfactorily addressed. Only after these changes were made and these assurances were given by the developer was a vote taken. &bsp;

In her attempt to lay the blame for the plight of the ill-fated Chocolate Drop development at my feet and that of one of my fellow council members, Ms. Smith also failed to mention that the vote was unanimous. All members of Columbus Town Council voted affirmatively to allow the requested voluntary annexation of Foster Mountain. I say this not to lay blame on any of my fellow council members, but rather to shed light on councils overall demeanor regarding the matter at that time. &bsp;

No one is denying that the results of the May 16, 2006 vote allowed the developer to build roads and infrastructure and to subdivide its property.

However, it is unfair and irresponsible for Ms. Smith to lay the blame for the problems associated with the excessive removal of trees and vegetation during the logging and construction phases of the development on me or my fellow council members at that time. &bsp;

Ms. Smiths letter is an obvious attempt to discredit me as I seek office as an Unaffiliated candidate for a second term as Polk County Commissioner. This type of personal attack is just another example of what is wrong with politics in this county and in this country.&bsp; And it is another example of why I left my former political party and declared my independence as an Unaffiliated candidate and voter.

Tommy Melton