Peachtree City Councilman George Dienhart has tendered his formal resignation from office, setting the stage for his mayoral bid in the November general election.
Because that will leave Dienhart’s Post 2 seat on council vacant, the city council on Thursday authorized a special election for the Post 2 election to be conducted at the same time as the general election.
That means voters will have a chance to fill Dienhart’s Post 2 seat at the same time they are casting ballots for the regularly scheduled election for the mayor’s post and the Post 3 and Post 4 council seats.
While the election is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 5, voters also will have an opportunity to cast their ballots several weeks in advance through absentee or early voting.
Dienhart issued his resignation Tuesday, specifying that it would become effective on Aug. 30 or upon his qualification in the mayor’s race, if that is earlier.
Dienhart is one of five who are unofficially in the mayor’s race until qualifying begins Aug. 26. Current Mayor Don Haddix is seeking re-election and will be opposed by Councilwoman Vanessa Fleisch, former mayor Harold Logsdon and local businessman Ryan Jolly along with Dienhart.
Dienhart’s resignation raises the possibility that Peachtree City voters could elect up to four new faces to office in November.
Dienhart’s current post will be open, Councilwoman Vanessa Fleisch’s post will be vacant because she’s running for mayor, and the incumbent Mayor Don Haddix is running for re-election to his post.
Post 3 Councilwoman Kim Learnard is seeking re-election, and residents Josh Bloom and former city police captain Terry Ernst have said they will seek council seats as well.
Candidates must qualify at City Hall during regular business hours between 8:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. The qualifying fee for the mayor’s race is $270 and the qualifying fee for a council seat is $180.
