When our founding fathers delivered on their dream that is now Peachtree City, their plan was bold, the results amazing, and our future was bright. Now more than 50 years later, we need to refresh our city with equal boldness to honor our past and secure our future. While others in the area such as Newnan, Senoia, and Fayetteville seek to compete with Peachtree City for jobs, commerce and residents, there is only one Peachtree City. We need to rally together to place our city on a path of continuing excellence guided by our strict standards and high expectations.
Those standards eventually brought me back to our city to start and grow my businesses, invest in local real estate, and start a family.
My name is Dar Thompson and I am offering my service as mayor for Peachtree City. The rapid growth in Coweta County and the revitalized growth in Fayetteville have placed our city in a critical position due to years of shortsighted decisions and the lack of long-term planning for these events. We are all now having to deal with the consequences because of this lack of leadership.
As an experienced local business owner, I have the skills necessary to lead our city to a brighter future. I was born and raised in Georgia; I actually grew up in this area. As an 11-year-old, I played junior golf at Flat Creek, in an exciting and growing place called Peachtree City. Our family was forced to relocate to Colorado when my father’s job with the airline transferred.
Many years later I was excited for the opportunity to come back, and to move to Peachtree City (over 20 years ago) to start my business. I have been blessed to build several businesses starting from one small rented facility in 1998 to owning several “fitness centers” as well as other commercial property, providing over 100 jobs and serving thousands of residents across our city.
I don’t have all the answers, no one person has all the answers, but as a proven business leader, I know how to bring internal and external experts, as well as all interested parties together in a transparent and respectful way to develop options, determine course, and deliver results.
We have every reason to be proud of our “bubble,” but as changes occur around us it is imperative that we stay ahead of challenges and, most importantly, control our own destiny. At the same time, we must realize that high standards do not exclude a government from serving and supporting its residents, but rather demand it be respectful, efficient, and cost-effective.
While we address our current problems and planning for the future, we must consider the cost and benefits of all programs. As mayor, I will insure that the city delivers value to the taxpayer. Together, we must insure that our city programs meet the needs and the high expectations of our citizens.
I am proud to have chosen to come back, to make Peachtree City my home. My wife, Angie, is a third-grade teacher at Peachtree City Elementary, and we have two daughters, Alexandria, 10, and Autumn, 6. Our family is heavily involved in our community and enjoys our excellent schools, quality recreation programs, and safe neighborhoods. Our life is here and we are here to stay. As a family, we know that this great community did not happen by accident and it requires that we all get involved to maintain and improve “our bubble.”
I hope to serve our community as a leader who can bring the best people together to deliver the excellence started by our city’s founding fathers.
Dar Thompson
Candidate for mayor
Peachtree City, Ga.
