When do golf carts have “right-of-way” in Peachtree City? (hint: never). GDOT holding public meeting on I-85/Hwy 74 Interchange Plans. Peachtree City Recreation publishes Spring Catalog. Upcoming area meetings. And more . . .
Golf Carts Rule! (Not Really)
In Peachtree City, it may seem like golf carts rule the road, just from the sheer number of carts in our community. However, from a legal standpoint, golf carts never have right-of-way.
• On Peachtree City’s paths, golf carts are required to give all reasonable right-of-way to pedestrians – this includes slowing down when approaching pedestrians and alerting pedestrians to their presence by providing an audible signal (pedestrians need to stay to the side of the path and make sure they can hear the signal of an approaching cart). Parents are urged to remind younger drivers of these requirements because a cart can cause serious injury or death to a pedestrian if the driver is not paying attention.
• Carts also do not have right-of-way when using crosswalks to cross Peachtree City streets. Carts should always stop and yield to approaching automobile traffic before crossing a street, whether in a marked crossing or not. State law does not afford the same protection to cart drivers that it gives to pedestrians. Equally, automobile drivers approaching a marked crossing should always slow down and watch for any user already in a crosswalk.
• No carts on highway crosswalks – motorized carts are prohibited from crossing the state highways in Peachtree City except in tunnels or on bridges. Low Speed Vehicles can cross state highways in the regular traffic lane if they are on streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less (both sides of the highway).
ATTENTION: ATLANTA & AIRPORT COMMUTERS – GDOT Information on I-85/Hwy 74 Interchange
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will hold a Public Information Open House on the I-85/Hwy 74 Interchange Modification on Tuesday, February 28, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m., at The Bedford School (5665 Milam Rd., Fairburn). Regular users of this interchange are invited to learn more about the project, provide comments, and discuss the project with GDOT staff. Please take this opportunity to learn more about (and provide comments on) plans for this vital link for Fayette County to I-85.
$1,000 Reward – Baptist Church Burglary
The PTC Police are offering up to $1,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people who committed the burglary and damage to property at the Peachtree City First Baptist Church (208 Willowbend Road).
On Sunday, February 19, at approximately 7:15 a.m., officers responded to the First Baptist Church. The preliminary investigation revealed that various audio/visual equipment and related components had been removed from the church. A suspicious male was seen in the area during the days preceding the burglary. He is described as a white male, 6 ft. 4 inches tall, heavyset build, approximately 260 lbs., and a shaved head. He was wearing a grey “hoodie” style sweatshirt and blue jeans.
If anyone has information that would assist the Police Department in these or other incidents, please contact the Peachtree City Criminal Investigations Division at 770-631-2510. You may remain anonymous.
Spring Recreation Catalog Now Published
Peachtree City’s Spring Recreation Activities Catalog & Online Registration is now available online at www.peachtree-city.org/recreation. Online registration is at www.peachtree-city.org/activenet.
Project Updates:
Landscaping Maintenance Pruning – Peachtree City’s landscaping contractor is performing extensive maintenance pruning in medians and City-maintained subdivision entrances and landscape beds to return shrubs to their appropriate size. The contractor has an arborist on staff, so even though the pruning may seem extreme in some locations, the plants will re-establish in the spring at their intended size.
Wilksmoor Timber Cutting – MacDuff Parkway & Hwy 54 West – The contractor for John Wieland Homes has begun clearing timber (selective timbering, NOT construction clearing) from the property on north MacDuff Parkway (past Centennial / Cedarcroft / Wynnmeade / Chadsworth). Please watch for logging trucks in the area in the coming weeks.
PATH DETOUR – Southside Church on Ebenezer Road – The path entering southern Peachtree City on Ebenezer Road will be blocked due to construction at the Southside Church site. Path users going to/coming from Ebenezer Road, Strathmore Lane, Creekside Way, and Robinson Bend Trail should use Robinson Bend Trail to The Estates to Loghouse Road to access the path system by Oak Grove Elementary. The project should be completed by mid-April.
Don’t Forget . . .
Recreation & Special Events Advisory Board – Monday, February 20, 6:30 p.m., at City Hall. The public is welcome. The agenda will include discussion of the fee structure for recreation programs and youth sports associations, and a review of youth athletic associations’ organizational requirements and facility use agreements.
Fayette County Board of Commissioners Meeting – Thursday, February 23, 7:00 p.m., at 140 Stonewall Ave W in Fayetteville. For agenda information, visit www.fayettecountyga.gov/administration/BOC/schedule_BOC.htm.
City Council Meeting – Thursday, March 1, 7:00 p.m., at City Hall. The public is welcome.
Citizens Police Academy Registration Deadline – Thursday, March 1. The PTC Police will host a Citizen’s Police Academy beginning March 13, on Tuesdays for 10 weeks, concluding on May 15. The classes will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Citizen Police Academy provides insight into the law enforcement profession here in Peachtree City. Applicants must be at least 18 and a City resident, local business owner, or employee of the City. There is no charge to attend, but class size will be limited to 30 participants. For more information, go to www.peachtree-city.org/police or call 770-487-8866. Application deadline is March 1.
Senior Homestead Exemption Registration Deadline – Thursday, March 1. Qualifying Peachtree City homeowners (65 by January 1, less than $30,000 Federal Adjusted Gross household income) have through March 1 to apply for the annual Senior Homestead Exemption at City Hall. The exemption is a flat rate of $5,000 per home. Please bring proof of age and income (a copy of 2011 tax returns) to City Hall to file for the exemption. The deadline to file for 2011 is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1. Because the deadline to file taxes is April 15, the City will continue to accept proof of income through April 20, 2012, for those who registered by March 1. Residents with questions may contact City Hall at 770-487-7657 or email info@peachtree-city.org.
Poetry Contest Deadline – Thursday, March 1, by 9:00 p.m. The PTC Library is sponsoring a poetry contest for National Poetry Month. Entries due by close of business at the Peachtree City Library. Cost of $10 for up to three poems of up to three pages, each. For rules and entry form, visit www.peachtree-city.org/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1997.
Peachtree City CVB Application Deadline – Friday, March 2. Peachtree City is accepting applications for volunteers to serve on the Board of Directors for the Peachtree City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Qualified applicants will either be someone who has a business in Peachtree City, with tourism media-related experience preferred (to fill the upcoming vacant seat) or someone who serves as a manager, owner, or operator of a hotel located in Peachtree City (to serve as alternate). These are non-paying appointments. Applications are available at City Hall or online at www.peachtree-city.org/jobs, and are due to City Hall by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 2.
