Dear Editor and Peachtree City residents: Many of you have probably read about the reorganization of the city government that was approved last night [June 16]. You may be asking yourselves if your new city manager and the Council who hired him are completely out of their minds. I understand your concerns.
First, please know that, as one of this city’s newest homeowners (our move was completed this month), I think Peachtree City is probably the most beautiful city I have ever served or even seen. The range of amenities, the paths, and the recreational facilities and programs are astounding compared to other cities nationwide. Our quality of life is a key factor in people choosing to move here, and our residents naturally feel very protective of those elements.
However, our quality of life also sets very high expectations for a city government to maintain. We have to work smarter to meet those expectations, and we can’t accomplish that unless we are working together as effectively as possible.
The reorganization adopted by the mayor and City Council [June 16] eliminated Peachtree City’s Leisure Services Division, which was created in 1997 by separating Recreation and the Library from Public Works.
Please bear in mind that the Peachtree City of that time was still in growth mode. That growth era ended a few years ago, meaning we have less new development to fund our local government’s operation and we must, therefore, shift focus to maintaining the Peachtree City community we love.
While Peachtree City, the community, is unique, the governing organization operates on the same basic principles of any organization, public or private. Its components must function together to achieve the best results, and that was not occurring under the old structure.
This is absolutely not a criticism of any individual department or employee, but of the structure in which they were expected to function. My efforts to reorganize that structure are designed to remove some of the arbitrary separations that have grown up between departments over the years. These separations hinder internal communication, cooperation, and coordination of resources and effort.
The reorganization also included the rather sterile concept of “eliminating two positions.” The mayor, City Council, and I all understand that there were people in those positions who have served this community, and I applaud the work they have done.
Making changes that impact people, rather than just “positions,” is always difficult. However, every organization has faced difficult decisions that are necessary to achieve an operation based on long-term sustainability.
My goal with these internal changes is that residents will experience seamless transition, with the important recreational services that make this community so wonderful still firmly in place, and ultimately see improved service levels through better operational effectiveness.
Peachtree City, the community, has received accolades and awards for its quality of life. The residents of this award-winning city deserve similar recognition for excellence in the operation of their local government.
Jim Pennington, city manager
Peachtree City, Ga.
