How often have you heard those born and raised in Elbert County promote a “no growth” or a “preserve the quality of life” position about this place? Like me, I bet not often.
The ability to hold these views is a luxury largely reserved for those who brought wealth into the county, who didn’t need to rely on the local economy for their sustenance. These views are for the elite, the ones who have the time to appreciate beauty, the ones with the capacity to appreciate unspoiled nature, the ones who have the option to care about others.
What about those who aren’t so gifted? So fortunate? The ones who didn’t bring wealth to this place from somewhere else? The ones scratching in the dry dirt of Elbert County trying to make a living? The ones who don’t own land? The ones who don’t own livestock? The ones who must buy expensive gas and travel long miles and long times each day to earn a paycheck somewhere else? The ones who leave home before the sun comes up, and return home after it sets, who rarely see the beauty of this place in sunlight?
You don’t hear them talking about “preserving the quality of life” here. You don’t see them at planning meetings clamoring to shut down economic growth. You don’t read their words in the blogs and in the newspapers railing to preserve the status quo. You don’t see them trying to become commissioners in order to make laws to make sure Elbert County remains a special place.
Who speaks for the people who need an economy here? Who speaks for those who need opportunities here? Who speaks for those who need jobs here?
Not the Democrats. Not the Republicans. Not any of the commissioner candidates. They’re all too busy promising to preserve the quality of life here. They would never think to actually improve it.