I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and wish all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year.
Just a couple of comments to close out 2011 and this council. Yep, a new year and new council are just a few weeks away.
The experiment in cooperation with the Fayette Senior Services is finally a happening event. Councilman Sturbaum and I began that effort in 2008. Now, in 2011 the right combination of FSS and Peachtree City staff and council is in place to move forward. The efforts by all involved, which there are many, is greatly appreciated.
As for the dissolving of the Development Authority, that is a sad day for Peachtree City. In 2008 Councilman Sturbaum and I worked with them to get economic development going in Peachtree City again.
With the redevelopment of Braelinn, Glenloch, gain of Clayton State and ACC being here, the creation of the merchants associations, the attraction of seven small industries wanting to locate here, retention of some that wanted to leave and more, no one can truthfully [say] they had not been successful. Especially on such a small budget. Yet some have tried.
It was an honor to know and work with all of you on DAPC. The skills, integrity and more you gave to Peachtree City cannot have a dollar figure attached. Attempts to blame you for the actions of a past authority appointed by one council and bailed out by another are politics at its worst. You deserved better. You will be greatly missed.
DAPC was dissolved by a council vote and can be restored by a council vote. But for now we are looking at an economic development coordinator again.
I will work with this individual to do everything possible for Peachtree City. Then, if DAPC comes back, we will already have their economic director.
Let that be crystal clear, I support any effective person we have in any economic development role, but it must be recognized being in one role makes them more effective than being in another.
An EDC needs to be supportive of what is at the heart and core of Peachtree City and its needs. That being we are a planned community built around the village concept. Not a downtown and not a centralized shopping district full of big boxes.
Key to everything is good paying jobs, not more retail in a city already overbuilt with retail space. Business 101 tells you if we don’t have the shoppers with enough disposable income to fuel the stores, they go out of business. In this economy this should be obvious to everyone.
I have worked closely with Matt Forshee in the past and will do so in the future. I have also communicated with some commissioners and other about the future of Fayette economic development. There is no single source solution.
With that said the debate is over for now on this issue. It will be an EDC and I will continue working with everyone for success.
Regarding the annexation in the Wilkesmoor Village area, as of now nothing really can be said. There are a number of issues, considerations and other potentials that are not yet resolved and can take months to do so.
Line Creek is once again an issue. The memorandum of understanding does not bind council to any action on any individual point within it.
I have been and remain opposed to any traffic light being added to Ga.Highway 54 West. Hwy. 54 is already a mess backing up to Hwy. 34 in Coweta County and to Wyndham in Peachtree City because of all the lights already in Wilkesmoor.
While not getting into details here, I believe there is no reason to even ask for another light. As well, with all the empty retail already in Peachtree City, supporting any special use permit just to be able to build more and/or bigger stores makes no sense. This impacts all of Peachtree City.
But for now it is the holidays. Everyone enjoy time with friends and family. 2012 will be here soon enough. Enjoy what Peachtree City has to offer. Discover what is new and rediscover what you may have forgotten or has moved.
Don Haddix, mayor
Peachtree City, Ga.
