A fundamental reality for a financially healthy city is the recognition jobs are front and center. Another is you must have a proper balance of age demographics.
While other cities are recognizing this fact, Peachtree City is not.
A major indicator of the extent such decline is occurring is school enrollment. Fayette County enrollment is down to 2002 levels. We are losing families with kids.
Why is the decline happening? The answer is simple: Fayette does not have jobs to keep our young here after graduation. It does not have jobs to attract new families here, be they Millennials or older, while still raising children and working.
We need employers, young, middle-aged and retirees. Each has something different to contribute for a vibrant community. Each is connected to and relies on the others in different ways for different reasons.
Take jobs out of the mix and the rest will fail. Not hyperbole, but fact.
As pointed out in the last letter, we have gone full circle back to 2010 with the merry-go-round of this discussion having returned to the issue of jobs.
While Bob Ross, speaking for One Fayette, Inc., recognizes attracting Millennials is essential for the future, I include the need for younger families that no longer qualify as Millennials.
He states we need to emulate Williamson County, Tenn., but gives no reasons, which are essential. So, I remind everyone of my three letter series that contains details of why Franklin and Williamson are succeeding.
You can find those letters, plus other articles concerning economic development, political issues and more on donhaddix.com.
What seems to be at the top of the list by Peachtree City elected? Landscaping has been pushed with over $200,000 more being spent as if it is the solution. Mowing will begin in February.
But why, when HOAs, homes and others do not start mowing until April or May? Where did this suddenly claimed surge of complaints about grass height come from when the majority of people said landscaping services, including mowing, were fine. It was not an issue during my six years in office.
Once again, an additional million dollars is being spent on recreation. Yet usage of recreation by Peachtree City residents continues to decline and the majority of users are from the county at Peachtree City expense. The Recreation Committee has pointed out areas where spending and services need to be reduced.
Of course we need recreation. But, it has to be the right kind at the right price to the taxpayers.
Here is a simple reality. In the Atlanta Region, 38 percent of both the white and black populations are 20 to 39 years of age, meaning Millennials. Subtract the high number of retirees and that does not leave a lot of working age population. As we age as a region, more people are going to retire, making the problem more prominent.
That means replenishing our workforce with Millennials is critical. But that takes jobs.
It also must be remembered that when many of those who currently commute moved here, many years ago, the commute was not terrible. Today it is.
Millennials do not want long commutes. They prefer to walk or ride a bike to work. They also want short distances to shopping, dining, etc. To walking and biking, Peachtree City can add golf carts.
Where else in the Atlanta Region can compete with Peachtree City cart paths? Nowhere. Visitors are constantly amazed at the extent of our path system.
Yet, even with these realities, other cities are outgrowing us because they have jobs and are actively pursuing more jobs.
What is Peachtree City doing to add those jobs? Nothing. The priorities are staging the city like a home sale, more recreation and more hands on control by Council. None of which is helping us or will help our financial future.
Of course, the City Council will tell you we give $75,000 to the Fayette County Development Authority (FCDA) to employ a person to do the job for them. But, as covered in the last letter, we have seen zero gains since the Peachtree City Development Authority was disbanded.
In fact, an office for this person was provided at City Hall, but never occupied. Their office is in Fayetteville.
Another fact is since Matt Forshee left the FCDA, until very recently, even their website had not been updated.
On the county level, as quoted in past letters and on my website, Commissioner Steve Brown, appearing to speak for the Commission, has dismissed Millennials and said nothing about seeking more employers.
We have ceased to advance as a city. There is no commitment to revitalization, including the industrial park.
While other cities are recognizing and actively pursuing jobs and younger families, Fayette and Peachtree City are pursuing Google cars, recreation, grass mowing and more power and control.
Looking at 2015, for Peachtree City, expect a large tax increase, more new spending and most likely additional debt. Do not expect any effort to live within our means.
Don Haddix
Peachtree City, Ga.
