Quite a few years ago, a local gentleman began to act out of concern for his community. He researched local government proposals and rummaged through land use applications and plans.
This fellow had moved to Tyrone because it was markedly different than the rest of metro Atlanta.
He believed the town should remain special and he rallied other concerned citizens and they worked under the umbrella of the Tyrone Neighborhood Association.
After driving issues to forefront and shedding the light of public scrutiny upon them, Don Rehwaldt realized that creating public debate was not good enough. Likewise, he recognized that in order for citizens of Tyrone to receive a fair shake, the citizens had to have a higher level of involvement in the decision-making process of local government.
Citizen Don Rehwaldt made the decision to go from local activist to making a public commitment to run for the elected office of mayor.
Mr. Rehwaldt became Mayor Rehwaldt.
Mayor Rehwaldt has served his constituents well. He brought integrity back to the office and earned the respect of his peers.
Rehwaldt presided over the town in the midst of worst economy since the Great Depression and landed squarely on both feet, setting an example for others to follow.
Don Rehwaldt is a tireless researcher when it comes to the issues he cares the most about. I have always been able to count on the mayor of Tyrone when seeking other informed opinions. In fact, he often brings so much research to the table that most people are overwhelmed by the amount of reading he can digest.
Like any good leader, he worries a lot about doing what is right and stresses over the fact that most of our citizens simply do not comprehend the future ramifications related to certain actions being demanded of us from the region and the state.
After much study, we both agree that changing our regional governance affiliation away from the more dense urban counties with their complicated infrastructure and funding problems might bode well for our future and prevent us from being sucked into a large regional taxation scheme in future years.
Before the transportation experts in Atlanta admitted the foolishness of implementing mass transit in Fayette County, the mayor of Tyrone had met with me numerous times, assisting with the presentation of logical and judicious arguments to the news media and high government officials.
Long before the general public understood the absolute waste associated with the West Fayetteville Bypass, Rehwaldt was questioning the need for the road project that had virtually no impact on Fayetteville traffic.
Through his successes and his disappointments, the mayor of Tyrone has always been an absolute gentleman and a consummate professional.
Mayor Don Rehwaldt, the honor has been ours. I was saddened when he informed me that one term in office was enough. December will be his last month.
The local guy, the good neighbor who lives down the street, caring enough to invest his time in our welfare, risking his pride to run for a position of public leadership, we truly thank you for your selfless service on our behalf. Mayor Rehwaldt’s motives were never questioned, sacrificing his personal family time to benefit his community.
It has always been an honor to call you “friend,” Don Rehwaldt. You never forgot the men and women who placed you in the seat of power.
Well done.
Steve Brown
Fayette Commissioner, Post 4
CommissionerBrown@fayettecountyga.gov
Peachtree City, Ga.
