Dear Editor:

Currently, Talisa Township is to be located at Kimbrough Road, Ferrell Tatum Road and Lower Glass Bridge Road. As proposed, Talisa Township will cover over 1400 acres to be completed over the next 20 years, and will provide amenities such as a grocery store, restaurant, entertainment and retail shops.

John MaCauley, MaCauley Investments LLC, of Atlanta, has also proposed Talisa Trolley to transport employees to Kia in the Gabbettville community. At the Nov. 1, meeting at the Lone Cane Baptist Church fellowship hall, Mr. MaCauley said those residents who live closest to Talisa, can pay a membership fee, and use the entertainment, bowling, etc.

Once again, the Troup County Planning and Zoning Committee wants to “lead us,” or might I say, approve a development of this size with little regard for existing property owners. Excluding, of course, those 6 or 7 landowners in the area who will profit immensely, and who do not even live where the major work is proposed. Surprisingly, 2 of the 7 landowners involved in this transaction serve on the Board of Directors for Diverse Power.

My primary concern is how can the Troup Board of Commissioners approve a development of this size during economic times such as these? In Troup County we already have homes in foreclosure. Not to mention the only signs regarding this zoning were originally posted at Kimbrough Road and Lower Glass Bridge Road. My neighbors on Upper Glass Bridge Road and adjoining roads have very little knowledge of “Talisa Township” being dropped in their back yards.

It appears unfair to the community most affected by this proposed township that notices where not provided more appropriately. Additionally, it was surprising that the developer has already had a surveyor to locate the non-selling land owners’ property corners. We, who oppose this development, want to thank Richard Wolfe for recognizing the reality of the burden Talisa presents to the local economy, with infrastructure, and the current issues with the DOT.

Last but certainly not least, what effect will this have on the local property land owners taxes? The taxes in our area will be increased due to the fact of putting three homes on one acre lot, (instead of one house per two acres) also some of these homes will be high dollar homes on the lake. Why not ask now to change the tax burden from the property owners to an increase in county sales tax? With a county sales tax everyone shares in the growth of our county

It seems that Talisa Township currently presents a hardship on the majority of existing land owners that west Troup County can live without. Does our opinion matter?

Renee Kelley

Upper Glass Bridge Road