September 11 Tribute Concert, City email update, Planning Commission meeting rescheduled, speed limit on Highway 74 South, golf cart reminders, and more . . .
An Invitation to First Responders & Military – Sunday, September 11
There will be a 10th Anniversary September 11 Tribute Concert on Sunday, September 11, 7:00 p.m., at the Frederick Brown, Jr. Amphitheater. Special honorees for the evening are area first responders (including Police Officers, Firefighters, and EMTs/Paramedics) and those who are serving in the military. If you are in the military or a first responder, you are invited to attend in uniform. There will also be a special seating section for these groups, so please RSVP to Nancy Price at nprice@amphitheater.org if you will be able to attend.
City Email
Peachtree City’s new email server is up and running, and staff now has access to send and receive new messages. Messages from last week and before are still being restored to user accounts this week. Peachtree City would like to thanks its residents and business partners for their patience during this transition.
Planning Commission Meeting Rescheduled to September 22
The regular Planning Commission Meeting on Monday, September 12, will not have a quorum of commissioners available. The meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, September 22, 7:00 p.m., in City Council Chambers.
Monthly Pre-School Programs at Line Creek Nature Area
Southern Conservation Trust holds monthly “outdoor classroom” programs for parents and pre-schoolers, led by Naturalist Mike Swanson. “A Walk on the Wild Side” is for children ages 3-4 and is held on the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. “Growing Up Wild” is for toddlers 18-24 months old, and is held on the third Thursday of the month from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Visit www.sctlandtrust.org for more information on these great programs.
Peachtree City Alcohol Law Reminder – No Brown Bagging
It sounds like a fun evening – going to a local business with a group of friends and enjoying a glass of wine while you participate in an art or craft project. However, in Peachtree City, it is illegal to bring your own alcohol to any business that provides food or entertainment. The only exception to this rule is the Frederic Brown, Jr. Amphitheater, which allowed the activity prior to the change in the ordinance and has paid police officers on duty during events that allow alcohol.
At least two businesses have recently opened in Peachtree City inviting customers to bring their own wine for an evening event. This is something that is allowed in some Atlanta communities, but not in Peachtree City, and City staff has only learned of the practice by seeing ads. Both businesses have been notified that the practice is illegal, but residents need to be aware that both the business operator and the customers who bring in alcohol can be cited under City Code Section 6-130. If you know of a business like this, please alert the owner that they need to stop allowing brown bagging immediately and contact City Hall to ensure they are complying with the City’s alcohol laws.
Speed Limit Changes on Hwy 74 South
A resident emailed last week to see if the speed limit had changed on Hwy 74 South because one of the 50 mph signs had been removed near NCR. The Georgia Department of Transportation recently completed a review of the speed limits on Hwy 74 South, resulting in a change in the speed zones, and they have moved the signs accordingly. The speed limit for southbound traffic increases from 40 mph to 50 mph near the Post Office, and decreases from 50 mph to 40 mph for northbound traffic in the same location. Always pay attention to the posted speed limit signs to ensure you are traveling at the safest speed for your location.
Golf Cart Decal Replacement – Out of City Carts
Area residents who live outside Peachtree City but have a registered golf cart will also need to replace their decals this year. Letters and registration forms will be mailed to registered owners of carts outside the city limits, and owners can also register at City Hall. The cost is $12 for the decal, and out-of-city owners must be current on the annual fee. Unfortunately, the City cannot offer online registration for out-of-city carts.
Safety Reminder – Golf Cart Operation
Golf carts are Peachtree City’s signature vehicle and are lots of fun, but all golf cart operators need to obey the laws for safe cart operation. Golf carts aren’t built to the same safety standards as normal vehicles. The Police Department’s statistics show golf cart collisions in Peachtree City have a higher rate of injuries than automobile collisions. Through the beginning of August of this year, there have been 43 reported golf cart collisions, and approximately 60% involved a driver who was 16 or younger. Parents need to reinforce the importance of the City ordinances with their teens and set a good example by following the rules.
One of the most frequent violations is underage cart drivers. Peachtree City law prohibits anyone under 12 from operating a golf cart and prohibits anyone under 15 from driving a cart without supervision. Even at 15, the driver must have a learner’s permit (and be carrying it with them while operating the cart). Because several teens on the same cart can lead to reckless driving, the ordinance only allows one additional passenger (other than relatives), who must be 15 years or older, to ride with an unsupervised 15-year old cart driver. Parents can be charged if their children violate the ordinance, even if the parents are not on the motorized cart.
Because cart and path safety is so important, the Police Department developed a Golf Cart Safety Course that incorporates both a written exam and a driving test. For more information, visit www.peachtree-city.org/index.aspx?NID=847. Police Officers patrol Peachtree City’s path system on a daily basis, taking enforcement actions and setting up periodic safety checkpoints. For more information Peachtree City golf cart rules, visit www.peachtree-city.org/documents/City%20Hall/GOLFCART.pdf.
Reminder – Recreation Administration Building Now Closed
As part of Peachtree City’s reorganization, the Recreation Administration Building on McIntosh Trail has been closed to the public. Recreation staff will be available at The Gathering Place and Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center to assist residents with facility and program reservations. Residents contacting the Recreation Department can continue to call the 770-631-2542 number. The Gathering Place, 770-631-2553, is open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Kedron Fieldhouse, 770-631-2525 is open 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. Online registration for programs is available at www.peachtree-city.org/recreation.
Peachtree City General Election on November 8
Qualifying is complete, and Peachtree City has four candidates running for two seats this fall. Steve Allen and Erick Imker (I) will vie for City Council Post 1, and Scott Brown and George Dienhart are running for Post 2. There will also be a referendum on whether Peachtree City will allow the package sale of alcoholic beverages on Sundays. The Rotary Club of Peachtree City will host a Candidate Forum on October 4, 7:00 p.m., at the Wyndham Conference Center. Early Voting will begin October 17 at the Fayette County Elections Office in Fayetteville. Advance Voting will begin October 31 at the Elections Office and the Tyrone and Peachtree City Libraries. There will be no voting on Monday, November 7, and residents vote at their regular polling place on Tuesday, November 8, from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Project Updates:
City Vehicle Assessment – NEW! – Staff is conducting a complete review of the City vehicle fleet to ensure that the City has the appropriate number of vehicles and the appropriate type of vehicles (size, miles per gallon, etc.) to provide City services. When completed, the assessment will be provided to the Mayor and City Council.
Library Lower Level Entrance CLOSED for Repairs – The lower level entrance to the PTC Library remains closed due to cracks in the masonry. The area has been barricaded for safety reasons until repairs are completed. Please use the main entrance to the Library upstairs until further notice. Council will consider the contract for repairs at the September 15 City Council Meeting.
Don’t Forget . . .
Fayette County Board of Commissioners Workshop Meeting – Wednesday, September 7, 3:30 p.m., at the Fayette County Offices, 140 Stonewall Avenue West, Suite 100, in Fayetteville. The public is welcome. More information on Commission meetings and agendas is available on the County web site at www.fayettecountyga.gov/administration/BOC/county_commission_meetings.htm.
Twilight Theatre presents: Footloose @ The Fred – Friday & Saturday, September 9 & 10. Gates open at 7:40 p.m., show starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets available at the Amphitheater Box Office or online at www.amphitheater.org. Gold Table (seats 6): $120; General Admission: $17 Adults, $15 Students/Senior/Military. Visit www.thetwilighttheatre.com for more information.
Rising Starr Middle School 10th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance – Friday, September 9, 8:30 a.m. at the school complex. The community is invited to pay tribute to all of those who were affected by the attacks on September 11, 2001. The school particularly wishes to honor military, law enforcement, and firefighters for their service to our country and invite them to attend in uniform.
Fayette County Republican Party Breakfast – Saturday, September 10, 9:00 a.m., at The Gathering Place, 203 McIntosh Trail. Guest speaker, Col. Don Dickinson, US Army (Retired), will discuss the continuing impact of the 9/11 attacks as the 10th anniversary approaches. Coffee and donuts will be available. All interested residents are invited to attend. For more information, please call 770-716-1545.
Meet the Author – Rick Ryckeley – Saturday, September 10, 1:00 p.m., at the Peachtree City Library.
Reading, discussion, and book signing with Rick Ryckeley, columnist for The Citizen and author of Musings from a Cluttered Mind. Presented by the Friends of the PTC Library and held in the Floy Farr room on the lower level.
Patriot Day Tribute Concert @ The Fred – Sunday, September 11, 7:00 p.m. Join the Fayette Pops Symphony Orchestra in this patriotic tribute concert commemorating the 10th anniversary of September 11. Admission is free, and gates open at 6:00 p.m.
Peachtree City Water & Sewerage Authority Regular Meeting – Monday, September 12, 6:30 p.m., at the WASA offices, 1127 Hwy. 74 South. The public is welcome.
Peachtree City Planning Commission Regular Meeting – Monday, September 12 – RESCHEDULED to Thursday, September 22.
Fayette Chamber Community Expo – Tuesday, September 13, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., at New Hope Baptist Church (551 New Hope Rd, Fayetteville). Come see what great products and services are available right here in Fayette – over 100 exhibitors! Networking opportunities, tasty food samples, health screenings, flu shots, demonstrations, business resources…and more. Visit www.FayetteChamber.org for more information.
