I’m certain that I was not alone when drawn to read about Mr. Thompson’s quote in last week’s Citizen. That’s just good newspaper, good old fashioned “clickbait.”
However, after reading the article, I am still left with a nagging thought about that quote. Exactly who is the “we” to whom Mr. Thompson refers? If he is referring to his own family and close acquaintances, then I can’t opine as to exactly who they think they or we are.
If, like many citizens of Peachtree City I may conclude we are the “we” who “are not as good as we think we are,” then I am really confused about exactly who Mr. Thompson thinks we think we are.
Obviously, the message that Mr. Thompson was trying to get across is that PTC is not as good as some other heretofore undefined place. Utopia it is not. but PTC is the best town of the 10 towns where I have lived in my life.
That’s a small sample to be sure, but more than most, and I have spent days or weeks at scores of towns. I’ve never lived in or visited any place where I would rather live. It’s just one man’s opinion, but I believe that we are as good as I think we are.
Mr. Thompson has stated that we need to move into the 21st century and that our greatest problem is the aging citizenry. Two things to consider: first, the aging population and second, suggested actions for this century.
All of us of the aging population will not be here forever. Eventually we will be replaced by younger people, so on it’s face, that argument is weak. It is quite common that young people raised here return here years later after having established themselves and having started a family of their own.
They make this choice because they know better than most the positives of this town. Smaller, less expensive housing and more eclectic shopping may draw more young people today but at what cost?
As for 21st Century cures, Mr. Thompson’s cure for the ailment that he is diagnosing is to annex more and develop more.
Excuse me, but that sounds more like a 19th or 20th century solution as evidenced by the sprawl that surrounds Atlanta.
It may well be true that someone will eventually develop the land across Lake McIntosh, but a real 21st century solution may be one that eliminates that possibility by a concerted and coordinated action between Fayette County, Peachtree City, and Coweta County to protect that land for a significant amount of time as parkland interspersed with very low density, large tract housing.
Would our taxpayers be willing to support such a plan? Without asking we will never know.
More industry is not the answer, that is the least special part of our town and space is still available. How much industry is located in Sandy Springs?
More high density housing is not the answer; people already complain weekly about traffic.
More shopping areas are not the answer; the percentage of online shopping grows every year and there are open retail spaces in the town now. If you want to ensure that the core of PTC crumbles into disrepair, open even more shops across the lake in the name of controlled growth.
Move the city center across the county line? We already have a city center and it is in need of a facelift. It is the area surrounding City Hall. There are plenty of opportunities for redevelopment in PTC but the profit margins for such actions are far less than breaking new ground.
I have no problem with capitalism. Heck, I know it’s the best system around. But I do have a vested interest in my town that overrides profit.
If we want to maintain our “bubble” surrounded by the green spaces that isolate the town at some level from the surrounding sprawl, then we will have to make some smart investments that maintain that buffer.
Otherwise, no matter how well meaning or planned, our city will eventually be engulfed by sprawl from Fayetteville on one side, Fulton on another side, and Newnan on the other and Ga. Highway 54 will soon resemble Ga. Highway 85 in Fayetteville.
Mr. Thompson is correct that we need to take control of our city’s future, I for one just disagree with the solutions suggested.
The fact that we have forums where we all can openly discuss such matters and not wait for the City Council to decide for us is just one way that we are, in fact, as good as we think we are.
Alan Felts
Peachtree City, Ga.
