DON'T MAKE A DECISION THAT WILL INCREASE DRUG ACTIVITY IN THIS COUNTY

Savannah loves a parade, but she also loves a controversy. The controversy
du jour centers around Commissioner Dean Kicklighter's proposals to save
Chatham County money.

Mr. Kicklighter is absolutely correct -- the county is in serious financial
shape and something must be done. Chatham County Commission Chairman Billy
Hair's proposal to use local option sales tax funding deserves study, but
it is not yet accomplished.

Government's main function is to defend and protect the safety and welfare
of its citizens.

That must remain foremost in the mind of the commissioners, so the proposal
to shift funding of the CNT at this time does not seem to be a good idea.

First and foremost, no one has come forward to offer to accept that shift.
And if CNT is funded solely by the city, what about the unincorporated
areas? Will the city police, paid by the city, be anxious to put their
lives on the line to go to Wilmington Island when they aren't paid by the
county?

Those of us who remember the Ricky Jivens gang know we can't let that
happen again. Bringing cooperation from border to municipal border is a must.

This year's commission meetings have brought discussion of ending county
funding to CNT, as well as an attempt to merge the county police with the
sheriff's department. Then the city and county police announced they are
working on the possibility of a merger. We should not make a knee jerk
reaction on any of those proposals.

At the Feb. 23 commission meeting, the motion to shift CNT funding was
tabled. That allowed no discussion from the audience, which included
Savannah Police Department Chief Dan Flynn, Chatham County Police
Department Chief Tom Sprague, District Attorney Spencer Lawton, FBI agent
Bill Kirkconnell and many others.

I suggest the public be given the opportunity to hear from those gentlemen
before any decisions are made.

I also suggest that the Morning News interview the three candidates for the
Third District commission seat to get their views on the crime enforcement
subjects that have been raised by the commission. Another vote can make a
big difference either way.

All actions have consequences. I don't want a consequence that increases
drug traffic on the islands -- or anywhere else.

MARIANNE HEIMES